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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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Durban 2010 and Beyond Dismasted in Pacific Ocean
Durban 2010 and Beyond, one of the ten yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race has been dismasted during the race from Qingdao, China, to Hawaii.
At 0610 GMT on the 19th day of the 4,400-nautical mile Pacific Ocean leg, the team representing Durban, South Africa, contacted the Race Office to report that they had been dismasted at deck level, whilst sailing in approximately 20 knots of wind.
There are no injuries onboard and the crew of 16, including the professional skipper, is in the process of clearing the decks, cutting away the trailing rigging to prevent damage to the 68-foot yacht's hull from the 81-foot (24.5 metre) mast, which weighs approximately one tonne.
Durbanite skipper, Ricky Chalmers says, "The conditions were bouncy, but we weren't slamming. Just before the mast broke, the helm said he bore away from a wave. I think there was a slam, but not major, then a double crack and then lots of shouts of "Ricky" from on deck.
The yacht, currently 780 miles from the finish line in Honolulu, Hawaii, remains seaworthy, guard wires re-secured and a full deck check carried out to assess the extent of the damage.
Durban 2010 and Beyond's dismasting is not thought to have been caused in the same manner as westernaustralia2011.com's rig failure on Wednesday 5 March.
With 85 percent of this stage of the race complete and as a precautionary measure in the interest of the safety of the crews taking part in the Clipper Race, which is always the paramount consideration for race organiser Clipper Ventures Plc, the Race Committee, headed by renowned yachtsman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, has told the rest of the fleet to stop racing and to proceed to Honolulu.
The Clipper Race Committee decided to shorten the course in accordance with the Clipper Sailing Instructions and Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race finished at 0600 GMT this morning, 13 March.
Durban 2010 and Beyond currently does not need assistance and will motor towards Honolulu as soon as the remainder of the rigging has been made safe. Uniquely Singapore and Qingdao, two of the other yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race, have been diverted to rendezvous with the South African boat in the next 36 hours to transfer fuel and offer any support the team needs.
The results for Race 7 will be taken from their schedule positions at 0600 GMT today, 13 March. The results are provisional until declarations have been made by the skippers.
Positions at 0600 were as follows:
1. Hull & Humber: Distance to Finish (DTF): 696
2. New York: DTF: 737 Distance to Leader (DTL): 41
3. Glasgow: Scotland with style Clipper: DTF: 745 DTL: 49
4. Uniquely Singapore: DTF: 757 DTL: 61
5. Qingdao: DTF: 765 DTL: 69
6. Durban 2010 and Beyond: DTF: 778 DTL: 82
7. Liverpool 08: DTF: 819 DTL: 123
8. Jamaica: DTF: 1062 DTL: 366
9. Nova Scotia: DTF: 1083 DTL: 387
10. westernaustralia2011.com retired
Going into Race 7 of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race Durban 2010 and Beyond was in the overall lead, three points ahead of nearest rivals, Hull & Humber. The South African boat was in sixth place on this race when the dismasting occurred and, subject to ratification, will collect five points for this individual race.
www.clipperroundtheworld.com
Extreme Conditions ... and Surprising Defeats
The first flights were launched at 10am this morning at the Marseille International Match Race. The wind stayed at around 30 knots for most of the day. Tough conditions for the teams, who all hoped it would get lighter during the afternoon. Towards 12, the race committee even considered postponing racing as the sailing conditions were getting really hard, but sportsmanship held the day and the flights went ahead.
Then from 4.30 pm onwards the wind dropped, the spinnakers came out, and the storm jib and reefs were replaced. At last the real match racing show could begin with tightly fought duels.
Jure Orel, Sebastien Destremau, Bertrand Pace and Damien Iehl are the four skippers to leave the tournament after the round robin.
Provisional ranking
1. Mathieu Richard
2. Sebastien Col
3. Paolo Cian
4. Mads Ebler
5. Torvar Mirsky
6. Evgeny Neugodnikov
7. Andreï Arbuzov
8. Philippe Presti
9. Bertrand Pace
10. Damien Iehl
11. Sebastien Destremau
12. Jure Orel
www.ycpr.com
ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship
Hiking out on Jess Smyth's RNZYS team, semi finalists in last year's Harken International Women's Photo: Luca Villata
This weekend in Sydney the battle begins for the final qualification place at the 2008 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship.
Less than three weeks now remain until the 2008 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship launch into action at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland, with racing scheduled from 1-6 April. To date, 13 of the 14-strong line up set to contest the 2008 World title has been decided, with the final skipper to qualify at the ISAF Grade 2 Harken Women's International Match Racing Regatta, taking place in Sydney, Australia from 16-19 March.
Heading the World Championship line-up is the 2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year and world #1 skipper Claire Leroy (FRA). As defending champion, Leroy received an automatic invitation to this year's Worlds, along with the top ten skippers in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings released six months prior to the Worlds (in this case 24 October 2007). Two further places representing the host nation New Zealand were secured by Jan Dawson, the President of Yachting New Zealand, and Jessica Smyth at the recent ISAF Grade 2 New Zealand Women's Match Race.
The Harken Match Race begins on Sunday 16 March and continues through to Wednesday 19 March, with racing on Rushcutters Bay with a crew of four in Elliott 6 sports boats - the same crew/boat combination to be used at the Worlds. Consequently, the event should provide a fascinating form guide ahead of next month's Worlds, especially for European competitors, many of whom will be dealing with unfamiliar equipment and conditions (Leroy had never before sailed the Elliott 6s before she competed in the New Zealand nationals).
ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship Line Up
1. Claire Leroy (FRA), defending champion
2. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN)
3. Katie Spithill (AUS)
4. Christelle Philippe (FRA)
5. Silke Hahlbrock (GER)
6. Elizabeth Baylis (USA)
7. Josephine Gibson (GBR)
8. Gemma Farrell (GBR)
9. Silja Lehtinen (FIN)
10. Sabrina Gurioli (ITA)
11. Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN)
12. Jan Dawson (NZL)
13. Jessica Smyth (NZL)
14. Nicky Souter (AUS) or Samatha Boyd (AUS)
Event site: www.cyca.com.au/editorial.asp?key=1550
Let the Final Build-Up Begin
The European Melges 24 fleet hit the water running for L'Etruria Cup in Scarlino, Italy - the first stage of Volvo Cup 2008 that will culminate with the World Championship in Sardinia in June. Current European Champions Flavio Favini, Franco Rossini and team on 'Blu Moon' won the season-opener, February 29-March 2, in a tightly fought regatta with first place determined on countback. The 'Blu Moon' team competed with an Ullman Sails mainsail. As the Melges 24 Worlds approach, make sure you're competing with the 'Fastest Sails on the Planet.'
For more information, contact an Ullman loft and visit www.ullmansails.com
Sharp Launches Transatlantic Campaign In Figaro Class
British yachtsman and Route du Rhum winner Phil Sharp has announced an entry in the famous Figaro circuit, one of the world's most competitive offshore sailing arenas, based out of France, that attracts the top ocean racing talent of today.
Phil will compete with one of the Czech Republic's top offshore sailor's David Krizek in the biennial double-handed transatlantic race, the Transat AG2R. Starting on 20 April 2008, the race will see competitors race 3700 miles from Concarneau in the west of France to St Barts in the Caribbean.
Sharp, the only British sailor in the race, will be up against a fleet dominated by the French featuring some of the best short-hand sailors in the world.
Sharp teamed up with Krizek, a fellow competitor from the Mini Transat racing circuit, who finished 3rd in the 2007 event. After the race Krizek's sponsor, Atlantik FR, were keen to continue to a bigger class in sailing. The pair has now set up a training camp in Lorient, France and are being coached by Tanguay Leglatin, one of Brittany's top ocean racing coaches and will be taking part in Spi Ouest, France's biggest sailing regatta, as part of their warm up programme. Sharp will also be competing in a 3-day single-handed Figaro race from Les Sables d'Olonne, his first solo race since the Route du Rhum.
Whilst focusing on the job in hand, Jersey-based Sharp is using the Figaro Transat race as a training ground with which to develop his sailing skills further before moving up to the Open 60 class next year.
www.philsharpracing.com
www.transat-ag2r.com
Fireball International Pre-Worlds - Thailand
Photo by Andrew Davies - Fireball International
The third day of sailing for the pre worlds was sailed in a beautiful 14-15 knots in the lovely warm waters of Pattaya. The tide was running against the wind in the first race, which caused 3 general recalls before the fleet got away on the black flag. Three boats were still over at the start including 2006 World Champions Erich and Ruedi Moser(SUI). Robin Inns/Joel Coultas(AUS) were first to the first mark just ahead of the regatta leaders David Wade/Ben McGrane(GBR), and these two stayed in this position until the end. Current World Champion, Richard Estaugh/ Rob Gardener(GBR) finally ventured out on to the race course and showed they are still competitve and finished third.
With one day (2 races) and 9 points separating the top 6, it is all to play for.
After the pre worlds there is a lay day with the World Championships starting in earnest on Sunday 16th March.
See all the details at:
www.fireball-international.com/php/thailand_2008.php
Oyster Marine - Assistant Commercial Manager
Due to the continued growth of the Oyster business our Commercial Manager requires assistance to operate a busy department that is responsible for technical and sales specifications, procurement and costing.
The successful applicant will possess excellent communication and IT skills (particularly working with complex spreadsheets) and needs to be able to deal with suppliers and sub-contractors in a confident and commercial manner. Attention to detail and pride in your work, together with a willingness to learn is essential.
Sailing experience and a knowledge of yachts and their systems is advantageous but not essential.
If you are interested in this vacancy, please apply by email to
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Royal Navy Gives Jonny Malbon A Lift
British skipper Jonny Malbon training programme today incorporated a routine Royal Navy exercise over Portland Harbour, Weymouth (Dorset), part of Malbon's preparations for his inaugural solo race in May in the Artemis Transat.
The 33 year old was winched from a life raft into a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter from RNAS Yeovilton. This training exercise marked the beginning of a partnership between Artemis Ocean Racing and the Royal Navy. The partnership will help prepare Malbon for a busy season of international ocean racing which starts with the solo trans-Atlantic yacht race, the Artemis Transat in May, and culminates in November with the Vendee Globe.
The Royal Navy has given Malbon the opportunity to re-create an ocean rescue near Weymouth. The solo skipper released smoke flares from his life raft, and a Royal Navy Lynx then winched him to safety.
Malbon's links with the Royal Navy are longstanding. Malbon's father, Vice Admiral Sir Fabian Malbon KBE, who is now filling a Crown appointment as the Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, served in the Royal Navy for 37 years and his final role was Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet.
Being hoisted above Portland Harbour takes Malbon back to his former home, Weymouth where he lived for 18 years and to Portland Harbour, where he learnt to sail dinghies.
www.artemisoceanracing.com
www.royalnavy.mod.uk
The Tall Ships' Races Coming to UK Waters
Two Tall Ships' race series will be held during 2008 with four day visits to Liverpool in July and Falmouth in September. Over 100 Tall Ships are anticipated to take part in the two events, which provide an opportunity for total novices, as well as professional sailors, to sail as a crew member on the magnificent Tall Ships.
The fleet are due to arrive in Liverpool by midday on Friday 18 July where they will be berthed in Albert, Canning and Wellington Docks. Many of the ships will then open their decks for boarders.
Ships from Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Oman, Bulgaria, Poland and Russia amongst some 20 other countries, will create a colourful scene in Liverpool to help celebrate their year as European Capital of Culture.
The fleet will then leave in a coordinated Parade of Sail on Monday 21 July before heading north to an area off Lough Foyle where the race will commence. The fleet will then race to Maloy in Norway where they will spend another four days (1-4 August) and then to Bergen, also in Norway (9-12 August) and then race down the North Sea to De Helder in the Netherlands (20-23 August) for the final four days of festivities.
Falmouth will play host for the fleet as they gather for a race to Funchal to mark the city's 500th anniversary. This special race, the Funchal 500 Tall Ships Regatta, will see some 30 Tall Ships gathering in Falmouth where the public will again be welcomed on board the ships and a village of entertainment will be established. The fleet will arrive in Falmouth by midday on Wednesday 10 September for four days of entertainment and spectacle before leaving on Saturday 13 September in a Parade of Sail before the race start.
Once again Tall Ships from Mexico, Uruguay, Oman, Bulgaria, Poland and Russia will join together with ships from Portugal and Spain, amongst others, to race first to Ilhavo on mainland Portugal (20 - 23 September) before continuing to Funchal, Madeira (2-5 October) where they will form the centrepiece of year long celebrations.
www.tallshipsraces.com
Royal Mail Gives RNLI Lifeboats Stamp of Recognition
Pippa Wilson, Sarah Webb (centre) and Sarah Ayton pictured with RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew from Weymouth lifeboat station on board RNLI Severn class all-weather lifeboat 'Ernest and Mabel'. Photo by Geoff Caddick/PA Wire
Olympic medal hopefuls and current world Yngling sailing champions - Team Mirabaud's Sarah Ayton, Sarah Webb and Pippa Wilson - gave the new Royal Mail 'Mayday - Rescue at Sea' stamps their seal of approval aboard Weymouth's RNLI all-weather Severn class lifeboat, as the stamps go on sale March 13.
The marine search and rescue work of the charity's volunteer lifeboat crew is recognised in a special 'Mayday - Rescue at Sea' Royal Mail stamp issue, which commemorates the centenary of the adoption of S-O-S as the worldwide Morse code distress signal at sea. To mark the 100th anniversary, Royal Mail worked with printers to re-create the famous sequence of 'dots' and 'dashes' along the top and bottom edges of the stamps.
The six stamp Mayday - Rescue at Sea issue will run to over 30 million stamps. Each stamp features a striking photograph* that captures the testing weather conditions encountered by RNLI volunteer lifeboat crews and HM Coastguard rescue helicopters in saving lives at sea. Four of the set of six stamps feature RNLI lifeboats: Appledore in Devon (46 pence stamp), St Ives in Cornwall (54p stamp), Tenby in Pembrokeshire (78p stamp), and Barra in the Western Isles of Scotland (1st class stamp). The other two stamps in the Mayday - Rescue at Sea issue feature the work of HM Coastguard helicopters from Lee-on-Solent (69p stamp) and Portland (48p stamp).
The RNLI in-shore (St Ives) and all-weather (Appledore, Barra and Tenby) lifeboats featured in the stamps launched a total of 67 times in 2007, rescuing a combined total of 56 people.
For information on ordering special limited edition RNLI first day covers and stamp sheets visit: www.buckinghamcovers.com
www.rnli.org.uk
The Last Word
My experience is that as soon as people are old enough to know better, they don't know anything at all. -- Oscar Wilde
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