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Brought to you by Yachtworld.com Europe and boats.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to
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Team Russia
The Russian entry has finally revealed its true colours with the unveiling of a new identity and a new look for the 2008-09 race.
Originally launched by team principal Oleg Zherebtsov as Russian Challenge, the team will now be known as Team Russia.
Explaining the thinking behind the change of name and visual identity, at a press conference during the Austrian Boat Show in Boot Tulln, skipper Andreas Hanakamp, said: "Our new name Team Russia is visually represented using letters from the Russian Cyrillic alphabet. It is hoped that the true essence of Russia on the international sailing stage is represented carefully using the power of this identity.
"As our entry into the Volvo Ocean Race continues to build momentum, it is important to Oleg that the boat represents new Russia and its expression of freedom through the sport of sailing."
Hanakamp recently paid a visit to the Green Marine boat yard in Lymington, England, to check on the progress of Team Russia's challenger for the 2008-09 event.
The second generation Volvo Open 70, designed by Rob Humphreys, is out of its mould, the deck has been fixed to the hull and fitting out and fairing has begun.
It is on schedule for launch in May. A full programme of testing and racing is then planned for the summer in preparation for the October race start in Alicante.
Team Russia has adopted WDCS ( www.wdcs.org ), the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, as an environment partner. The aim is to work together to highlight the need for better global protection for whales and dolphins.
"Crossing the world's oceans, the Volvo Ocean Race provides an amazing opportunity to raise awareness and worldwide support to protect whales and dolphins," says WDCS spokesman Erich Hoyt. "We now have the potential to make the race a true success story for these amazing marine mammals."
www.teamrussia.org
www.volvooceanrace.org
Marseille International Match Race
The first day of racing went ahead today in Marseille.
The sailing conditions faced by the teams were very difficult in spite of the sunshine: 25 knots and heavy seas: "we reached the limits in terms of possible weather".
In theses conditions, where luck doesn't really come into it, the standing order was respected, so it wil not come as a surprise that the three top seeds (Richard, Cian and Col) won all their races easily.
The toughest match of the day was a Franco-French duel between Presti and Iehl - which the former ended up winning.
Skipper - Nation - W/L, ISAF ranking on 31.01.08
Mathieu Richard, FRA, 4/4, 1
Paolo Cian, ITA, 5/5, 3
Sebastien Col, FRA, 4/4, 4
Evgeny Neugodnikov, RUS, 3/5, 7
Damien Iehl, FRA, 1/2, 8
Torvar Mirsky, AUS, 1/2, 11
Philippe Presti, FRA, 2/2, 14
Andrei Arbuzov, RUS, 0/2, 15
Mads Ebler, DEN, 4/7, 16
Jure Orel, SLO, 0/7, 23
Bertrand Pace, FRA, 2/7, 302
Sebastien Destremau, AUS, 1/7, 629
www.ycpr.com
Agility: Ultimate D0-It-All Design
Tagged as the ultimate do-it-all design, the Camet Agility short is ideal for any seasonal outing with an aerobic component. In addition to the shorts breathable and versatile function, the two-tone shell features side pockets placed high for easy access when sailing. CametflexT is 98% nylon and 2% CFlex double weave with 3 way mechanical stretch. The yarns are specifically processed to resist deformation. The resulting fabric has great stretch and no propensity to hold moisture, with a super durable water repellency.
See it at www.camet.com
Fedor Konyukhov Plays Russian Roulette at Cape Horn
Day 46 of the inaugural Antarctica Cup: Cape Horn certainly lived up to its reputation today as Russian adventure sailor Fedor Konyukhov swept through Drake's Passage, pushed by 50-65knot westerly winds.
The infamous Cape marks the half way stage in Fedor's trail-blazing solo circumnavigation around the Antarctica Cup Racetrack and these storm-force winds, coupled with the 135 million cubic metres of water running each second through the 500 n. mile wide funnel that divides the South Pacific from the South Atlantic, makes these the most feared waters in the world.
"The storm came upon me very suddenly - and very hard. I knew it was coming and hoped the winds would build gradually, but the storm came as one huge gust and the winds have not dropped below 50 knots since, with gusts up to 65 knots. It is like all hell has broken loose. It is pitch dark, it is snowing, the ocean is completely covered in foam and the air is filled with spray. The noise on deck is enormous - it's as if I am in a wind turbine. The waves are short and traveling very fast - like a train. The boat is continually surfing down one wave and hitting the one in front. I have had to reduce sail to the minimum to stay in pace with the ocean. The feeling is that I am in the high altitude jet stream with the water roaring and running east."
For the moment, visibility, not the winds, remain Konyukov's prime concern. "Visibility is bad. I have my radar set for 6 miles - Alarm zone, but with my boat Trading Network Alye Parusa diving in and out of the huge swells, the radar is continually sounding false alarms. Each time, I jump on deck and get a cold shower. So far there have been plenty of alarms or false alarms but I cannot sight an iceberg. Frankly, it is hard enough to define the difference between ocean and sky - it all looks like one grey blanket. I hate to say it, but I am playing Russian roulette here.: -- Bob Williams
www.antarcticacup.com
America's Cup 32 Panel at NYYC
If you haven't seen this video of the panel discussion that took place at the New York YC, and you followed the last America's Cup, it should be of real interest. Several AC32 participants from all sides, along with America's Cup experts from past events, answer questions about the events that took place in Valencia. Discussion includes who learned what from challengers trialing against the defender, multiple perspectives on the dial-down penalty, and some confirmation of suspicions regarding BMW Oracle's configurations.
Watch the video at Jobson Sailing: jobsonsailing.com/reports/68
(And, even better, it's thankfully devoid of discussion of "keel yachts", court motions, and lawsuits) -- CupInfo, www.cupinfo.com
Holmatro Marine Equipment Expands Operations to the Americas
Holmatro Marine Equipment, now also operating in the Americas, has enjoyed great success in Europe with their wide range of rigging hydraulics, winches and rigging cutters. Its first US appearance was at Key West Race Week 2008 to support the NYYC Club Swan 42 class, whose boats exclusively use Holmatro rigging hydraulics.
As yachts get larger, rigging loads increase tremendously. Holmatro rigging hydraulics help control these loads quickly and safely, helping to improve your yachts performance, convenience and safety. In the event of dismasting, Holmatro rigging cutters make it possible to jettison the rig quickly and safely.
For more information please visit www.holmatro.com or contact us at
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Franck Cammas and Groupama Crew Training with BMW ORACLE
Franck Cammas on the helm of the Holmatro catamaran. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
It was widely speculated since a few months but it's not a rumor any more. Franck Cammas, the French mutlihull sailor, is in Valencia, training together with BMW Oracle.
The American challenger resumed its two-boat training on Monday after a break of a couple of weeks due to the participation of Russell Coutts, James Spithill and most of the sailing crew in various events around the world. We are not sure whether Cammas took also part in Monday's training but we saw him for the first time on Tuesday afternoon.
The team's two catamarans went out at around 2pm under very nice conditions with sunny blue skies and a constant strong breeze. From what we saw from the port, the training schedule consisted mainly of pre-start maneuvers.
The white catamaran, now with BMW Oracle branding, was helmed by James Spithill while the Holmatro yacht was driven by Franck Cammas and crewed by members of the Groupama team. -- Pierre Orphanidis
valenciasailing.blogspot.com
Aussies and Danes Send Letters...
* Yachting Australia have released the submission sent to the International sailing Federation (ISAF) supporting the re-opening of the November 2007 decision on the Events chosen for the 2012 Olympic Games.
The announcement by Yachting Australia follows a similar course to that adopted by the Royal Yachting Association.
There is now the situation were the two most successful nations at the 2007 Olympics in Qingdao are now urging ISAF to reconsider the Event selection for the 2012 Olympic Regatta. Between them Australia and Great Britain won Gold medals in seven of the 11 events contested in Qingdao in the Olympic format regatta (only one entry per nation permitted).
To date, ISAF has been batting away criticism of its handling of the Events affair, however with the closing date of 15 March looming for submissions. other major yachting nations are believed to be joining the fray for a re-opening either at the May Mid-Year Meeting or the November Annual meeting. -- Richard Gladwell in Sail-world.com, www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=42564
Yachting Australia' proposal:
That the decision recorded at item 13(d), Selection of Events for the 2012 Olympic
Sailing Competition, of the Minutes of the ISAF Council Meeting held on 8/9 November
2008 in Estoril, Portugal, based on a motion from the floor by Charley Cook (USA), be
reconsidered by a meeting of the ISAF Council at the earliest available opportunity.
If, in reconsidering this motion, the ISAF Council decides that a revote is appropriate,
there should be either a run off vote between:
a) Multihull (Open) and the Keelboat (Men)
b) Two Person Dinghy High Performance (Women) and Keelboat Match (Women)
or the list of Events for the 2012 Olympic Regatta, as decided in Estoril in November
2007, should be set aside and a new vote taken, using the voting process as
recommended by the Events Committee without the change that resulted from the
motion made by Charley Cook.
The reasons given (25 of them!) can be read in full at www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=42564
* The Danish Sailing Association has made two submissions:
That the decision on selection of Women's Events for the 2012 Olympic Regatta be reconsidered in accordance with ISAF regulation 16.1.1(b), and that a run-off vote be held between "2 person dinghy (high performance)" and "Keelboat (match Racing)" at the earliest available opportunity.
and
That the decision on the selecction of Men / Open Events for the 2012 Olympic Regatta be reconsidered in accordance with 16.1.1(b), and that a run-off vote be held between "Keelboat" and "Multi-hull" at the earliest available opportunity.
Submissions in full:
scuttlebutteurope.com/pdf/DEN1.pdf
scuttlebutteurope.com/pdf/DEN2.pdf
The Danes also focus on the process of the voting in their letter to the ISAF:
In November 2007 the voting procedure was changed in the last minute to a "4 out of 6" process. There was no suggestion or reasoning with regard to the proposal from Charley Cook, or from any other Council member, that the motion would change the fundamental principles concerning the voting procedure. Until that moment most of the Council Members was of the understanding that Council should use the same procedure as for the Events Committee, where key fundamental principle (sic) was that no Event should be eliminated until it had failed to receive 50% of the valid vote cast in the first "slate: ballot of any subsequent run-off ballot.
Their complete letter at scuttlebutteurope.com/pdf/DENletter.pdf
What Does It Take To Complete The Barcelona World Race?
Courage, Strength, Determination, Southern Spars...
25,000 miles, sailing short handed, non-stop round the world; congratulations Papre-Virbac 2, Hugo Boss, Temenos 11, Mutua Madrilena and Educacion-Sin-Fronteras, on your brilliant performances. Of the 9 yachts that started, 5 yachts finished, all 5 rigged by Southern Spars.
Learn more: www.southernspars.com
Hollywood Stars Sail Classics
A star cast including Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgard, Julie Walters and Meryl Streep sailed aboard the 1933 ocean-racing ketch Tai-Mo-Shan during filming of Mamma Mia the movie last summer.
Mamma Mia is not the only film due for release this year featuring a classic yacht. Woody Allen's latest thriller, Cassandra's Dream, due to be released any day now, features a 1950s Charles Nicholson-designed SCOD (South Coast One Design). Filming was aboard Hampshire Maid, the SCOD belonging to Classic Sailing Club. Ian Welch was charged with the job of teaching stars Ewan McGregor and Colin Farrell to sail. "Taking the guys to lunch at the Butt and Oyster pub [in Pin Mill, Suffolk] caused a bit of a stir!"
Famously neurotic, Woody Allen only ventured aboard the boat when it was tied up - to the great delight of Ian, who is a fan of the great American satirist. -- Steffan Meyric Hughes
Trailer for Mamma Mia:
youtube.com/watch?v=FKx_14vJNZg
Trailer for Cassandra's Dream:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITKu7G13SE0
www.classicboat.co.uk/auto/newsdesk/20080212135638cbnews.html
New Head of Technical and Offshore Department at ISAF Secretariat
Jason Smithwick (GBR) has joined the Secretariat of the International Sailing Federation, as Head of the Technical and Offshore Department.
The ISAF Technical and Offshore department is responsible for the equipment side of the sport including ISAF class rules, the Equipment Rules of Sailing, Offshore Special Regulations, builder licensing and rating systems. Jason took up his new post on 3 March 2008.
Jason joins as a Naval Architect from a marine consultancy background previously employed at the Wolfson Unit at the University of Southampton. Jason has worked extensively in the marine and yachting industry and has a particular focus on the sailing sport side through his previous involvement with ISAF and the Royal Yachting Association as a volunteer.
www.sailing.org/secretariat.php
32 Nations Sign-Up for Star Worlds
Registration for the 2008 Star Worlds has reached a record-breaking 32 nations. Hosted by Coral Reef Yacht Club, the Star Worlds will make its debut in Miami for the first time.
Many of the teams heading for this Star Class regatta on Biscayne Bay will be representing their respective countries in the Summer Olympics. This is a competitive class as was evident at the Bacardi Cup which finished earlier this monnth. Not only did the Bacardi Cup end in a tie forcing a tiebreaker with the huge silver Bacardi Cups filled with Bacardi rum going to Portugal's Afonso Domingos and Bernardo Santos, but there were five teams from five countries within 13 points of each other.
The nations signed up to date for the Star Worlds 2008 include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine and the United States. For a complete list of entries, visit www.starworlds2008.com/competitors.asp
Letters To The Editor
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Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From Tony Bullimore - Skipper of the catamaran Daedelas - 2nd placed finisher in the 2005 Oryx Cup Race: I must take issue with David Brunskill's letter (Scuttlebutt Europe March 10) that the 2005 Oryx Cup round the world race navigated the same 'hostile' waters as the Antarctica Cup Racetrack. After rounding Cape Horn, the fleet headed north passed the Falklands and Tropic of Capricorn to round the Lobos islands before heading east for the Cape of Good Hope and returning to the start/finish line off the Gulf state of Qatar. The Antarctica Cup track by contrast, follows a circular course around Antarctica banded by the latitudes 45-60S. No one other than double solo circumnavigator Jon Sanders has continued East across the South Atlantic so far south before, and even Jon took a route up as far as the Falklands after rounding the Cape before turning East. The Antarctica Cup course is quite unique, and if Russian circumnavigator Fedor Konyukhov can continue to brave the extreme cold and threat of icebergs in these latitudes after passing Cape Horn, I will be first to congratulate him.
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The Last Word
Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. -- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
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