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Breezy Day In Medemblik
Photo by Sander van der Borch, www.sandervanderborch.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
The second day of racing in the Delta Lloyd Regatta tested sailor's fitnessand the equipment. Wind averaging 25 knots and picking at 30, throughout the day made for physical racing. Only the Nacra and the 49er FX were cancelled. The Finn and Laser radial were the first to hit the water in the morning, followed by the RS:X men and women. The remaining fleets were kept to shore waiting for the wind to decrease.
Hyères Sailing World Cup winner, Andrew Mills (GBR) has taken the lead from Greg Douglas (CAN) in the Finn class after three races sailed this morning. Mills is discarding a disqualification at the start of race two to count only top five places. The day's races win went to Miami SWC winner Caleb Paine (USA) and PJ Postma (NED) who place second and third overall.
The Laser Radial completed two races on the three scheduled. Alison Young (GBR) keeps the lead with a bullet in the first race. While the second race was taken by Annalise Murphy (IRL) who is renowned to show her best in the heavy winds. The Irish places second overall in front of Marit Bouwmeester (NED) consistent with two second places.
Hei Man Hayley Victoria Chan (HKG) enjoyed the waves and planning conditions to still the lead from Moana Delle in the RS:X with top three placings. However with a victory and two second places, Hélène Noesmoen (FRA) scored the best results on the water and climbs to sixth overall.
Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED) conserves top position in the RS:X men but Przemyslaw Miarczynski (POL), winner of the SWC in Hyères is closing the gap with two first places and a second. 2012 World Champion Julien Bontemps (FRA) wins the third race to remain in third overall.
The race committees had a very long day on the water. After the completion of racing in the Finn, Radial and RS:X, the remaining classes were kept ashore waiting for the wind to calm down. At 5PM the warning signal was finally given for the 470 and Lasers and racing cancelled for the 49ers, 2.4 and Sonar.
Soon after 7pm, the 470 and Lasers came back to shore after two races in 20 knots.
Olympic Champions Joe Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) continued on their impressive performance to add another two victories to their score to comfort their lead over the 470 fleets. Croatians are taking the lead in two classes.
In the Men, Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic (CRO) won the first race and placed second in the last to take a narrow lead over the Australians Matt Belcher and Will Ryan.
The Lasers were last to reach the shore, the windy races were dominated by the Australians and New-Zealanders, however consistent results from Croatian Tonci Stipanovic (3-4) place him in the lead after five races.
Today saw the end of the qualification stages for the Laser, Radial and RS:X. They will be split in Gold and Silver for the next two days with the top 25 in each class qualifying for the Gold fleet.
Regatta Director Presents Safety Recommendations
San Francisco, California, USA: Structural reviews of AC72 boats and wings, a 10-knot lower wind limit (23 knots maximum) and enhanced sailor safety equipment are among the 37 recommendations issued today to increase safety during the Summer of Racing at the 2013 America's Cup.
Many of the recommendations are intended to increase the personal safety of the sailors and they include buoyancy aids, body armor, crew locator devices, hands-free breathing apparatus and high visibility helmets. Other recommendations are specific to the AC72 yachts, additional support equipment and race management.
A full list of the recommendations can be found here: cdn.sparkart.net/americascup/content/
Regatta Director Iain Murray, progressing the work of the Review Committee, presented his "2013 America's Cup Regatta Director Recommendations" at a meeting with the four competing teams and the America's Cup Event Authority on Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco.
For reasons of insurance and liability, the Review Committee stopped short of making its own recommendations. Regatta Director Iain Murray has formulated the specific safety recommendations.
These additional recommendations have been incorporated into the safety plan produced by the America's Cup, which was forwarded to the U.S. Coast Guard today.
Maier Makes Most Of Moving Day at Finn Masters
It was moving day at the Finn World Masters in La Rochelle; the day everything changes, the day between the beginning and the end. There were lots of changes at the top with several favourites picking up high scores after the only race sailed. Michael Maier (CZE) sailed a flawless race to claim his second race win and take the overall lead. Andre Budzien (GER) sailed one he would probably prefer to forget and dropped to second, while Erik Lidecis (USA) placed seventh to end the day one point behind Budzien.
The forecast for the day was not good. The weather chart showed just 4-6 knots of wind, though as the Masters arrived for their annual Masters Meeting, the sun was trying to break through the grey cloud and for the first time this week it was starting to feel warm. The sailors set out for the race area in just a few knots of wind and it looked like a different place from the last few days. However as it got closer to the start the wind picked up to 8-10 knots with complete cloud cover and a distinct drop in temperature.
At the Masters Meeting in the morning, the President Fons van Gent (NED) announced he was stepping down and presented Andy Denison (GBR) as his replacement.
In addition Yves Zoccola (FRA) retired from the Masters committee and Marc Allain des Beauvais (FRA) was elected in his place. Next up was the vote for the venue for 2015 wth bids from Bracciano in Italy and Kavala in Greece. Bracciano took 55 votes and Kavala took 76. So the 2015 Masters will head to Greece for the first time in the event's history.
Racing in La Rochelle continues on Thursday, with a return to stronger winds forecast. The championship concludes on Friday, when the top 10 will sail a medal race, the first time this has happened for the Masters.
Results after 5 races
1. Michael Maier, CZE, 8.00 points
2. Andre Budzien, GER, 11.00
3. Erik Lidecis, USA, 12.00
4. Taurasrymonis, LTU, 15.00
5. Thomas Schmidt, GER, 18.00
6. Laurent Hay, FRA, 24.00
7. Allen Burrell, GBR, 26.00
8. Michael Staal, DEN, 29.00
9. Karel Van Hellemond, NED, 30.00
10. Adrian Brunton, GBR, 39.00
www.srr-sailing.com/finn-world-master/
Ocean Safety's Fastnet Race Safety Check List
If the Rolex Fastnet Race is on your calendar for this year, it's time to start your preparation to make sure that you are ready for everything that the 600 mile epic might throw at you.
The Fastnet starts on 11th August, with nearly 400 boats already registered to take part. The organisers, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, are leaving nothing to chance, and in the run up to the event a whole raft of procedures to underline safety have to be adhered to. Experience qualification, training qualification and other elements all have to be satisfied before a yacht becomes eligible to start the race.
Ocean Safety has published a Safety Checklist incorporating Category 2 Offshore Special Regulations and the incorporated RORC prescriptions for the majority of the safety equipment required for the Rolex Fastnet Race. There are over 40 items that need to be carried on board that directly relate to safety, and it's useful to know that every one of them can be purchased from an Ocean Safety stockist.
Click on the link below to obtain a copy of the list and find out more about the best racing safety products. oceansafety.com/fastnet-checklist
Contact us on info@oceansafety.com to find your nearest Ocean Safety stockist, and to get expert advice as well.
Punta Del Este GOR's South American Stopover
Punta del Este, Uruguay, is confirmed as the South American stopover for the Global Ocean Race 2014-15. Following one month of high-octane racing across the high latitudes of the Pacific Ocean and rounding Cape Horn, Punta del Este is the perfect destination to celebrate and recover from the gruelling conditions of the GOR's Leg 3.
In the 80's and 90's Punta del Este - and the town's famous Yacht Club Punta del Este - hosted The Whitbread Round the World Race and The BOC singlehanded race. This will be the second visit to Uruguay by the GOR, with the 2011-12 edition of the race bringing modern round the world racing back to Punta del Este.
The GOR starts from the PSP Southampton Boat Show on Sunday 21st September 2014 and finishes in Gunwharf Quays Portsmouth in early May 2015 with the racing fleet making stopovers in Cape Town, South Africa; Punta del Este, Uruguay and Charleston, USA, before returning to Europe. The Australasian GOR stopover will be confirmed next week.
Patton Watches And The Artemis Offshore Academy - Solitaire Du Figaro
The Artemis Offshore Academy is delighted to welcome Patton Watches to their family of partners for the 2013 Solitaire du Figaro. French watchmakers Patton, will be the official timekeeper of the six 'Anglo-Irish' sailors taking on the legendary 1,938 mile race that starts on Sunday, 2nd June from Bordeaux (France).
Academy skippers Ed Hill and Jack Bouttell plus Graduates Nick Cherry, Henry Bomby and Sam Goodchild along with Irish skipper David Kenefick will each receive the latest Patton watch, the P42 Immersion steel carbon watch, to keep time during the Solitaire du Figaro and the inter-Artemis Offshore Academy 'Patton Challenge' – a race within a race.
For Academy Rookies Ed and Jack, the 1,938 mile Solitaire du Figaro is no longer a dream and the imminent arrival of some of the world's most celebrated offshore sailors in Bordeaux later this week is very real.
Leg 1 of the 2013 Solitaire du Figaro kicks off from Bordeaux on Sunday 2nd June at 12:00 BST, running 536 miles to Porto where the stage is expected to finish on Wednesday 5th June.
The sailors may be fresh for the fight and raring to go, but Leg 1 of this epic race will be no picnic, with the length of each leg (four) exceeding that of any solo race Rookies Ed and Jack have tackled before, combined with the exit out of the Gironde estuary being a particularly tricky one
www.artemisoffshoreacademy.com
http://www.lasolitaire.com
Swan 60 Bronenosec Wins First Gazprom Swan 60 Class Event
The first event on the new Gazprom Swan 60 Class Circuit concluded on Sunday, after four days of racing off the coast of Scheveningen in the Netherlands at the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta. Taking part in a total of eight windward leeward races, Swan 60 Bronenosec claimed victory in the Gazprom Swan 60 Class.
On their win, tactician Tommaso Chieffi commented: "It was good to participate in such an important regatta here in Holland. It was a good start to the season, a perfect occasion to train the new guys in the team. The week we have faced a range of sailing conditions. The team onboard Swan 60 SGM also improved each day; for them it is the first time on the boat all together so I am sure as the season progresses they will get better and give us more competition.
This has been a very well organised regatta, you can tell that the yachtsmen from this part of the world really enjoy it. Looking ahead to the rest of the circuit, we will mainly have the same crew except when we go to the UK for Round the Island Race and the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship, where we will have UK sailor Adrian Stead joining us. He has the local knowledge which we need."
The next event on the Gazprom Swan 60 Class Circuit is the Gazprom Swan 60 World Championship in Cowes, UK from13-19 July, during the Gazprom Swan European Regatta. This is followed by the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week in August and the Circuit will conclude with the Nord Stream Race in September in the Baltic Sea.
Vendee Globe Ralf Tech Watches Put Up For Auction
Official Timer of the 2012-2013 edition, RALF TECH had, before departure, offered to several skippers a WRX "A" Hybrid watch, specially made for the Vendée Globe. After their round-the-world single handed and without assistance yacht race, three of the Vendée Globe skippers have decided to put their watches up for auction to benefit a charity of their choice.
François Gabart, skipper of MACIF, has chosen to support Jeunesse en Plein Air (JPA). Every year in France, three million children are excluded from holidays. And yet, holidays are like school, all children should deserve it. In order to fight against this social inequality, JPA organizes each year the "United for the holiday entitlement" campaign. Conducted in schools, the campaign educates students to the values of solidarity. It also helps to raise funds to help thousands of children to go in summer camps. In 2012, more than 17,000 children have received initial support through Jeunesse en Plein Air and its partners.
For more information: solidaritevacances.jpa.asso.fr
Alessandro Di Benedetto, skipper of Team Plastique, has chosen Matelots de la Vie (Sailors of Life). Founded in 2005, the association proposes and organizes maritime adventures dedicated to hospitalized children. During the months of July and August, sixteen young "Sailors of Life" – who have faced a disease – will embark aboard a sailboat for a trip they will share with their friends remained in the hospital through a partnership with pediatric services throughout France.
For more information: www.matelots-vie.com
Tanguy de Lamotte, skipper of Initiatives-cœur, continues his partnership with Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque and Initiatives-cœur. With his world tour, Tanguy has already saved 20 sick children and the operation "1 click = 1 euro" was a great success. But the fight against childhood heart disease continues.
For more information: www.mecenat-cardiaque.org
So if you dream of wearing the RALF TECH watch of François Gabart, winner of the Vendée Globe 7th edition, Tanguy de Lamotte or Alessandro Di Benedetto while performing a good deed for charities, it's very simple. You have until June 24th, 2013 to make your bid!
www.vendeeglobe.org/en/auctions.html
Rpayc To Compete In NYYC Invitational Cup Presented By Rolex
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club has confirmed that it will compete in the 2013 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex, bringing the competition to 20 international teams. Founded in 1867, the club was named to commemorate The Duke of Edinburgh's visit in January of 1868, which he did in command of the HMS Galatea. The RPAYC team will travel from its home in Newport, Australia, to Newport, Rhode Island, to execute their first-ever assault on the Corinthian championship that will be held from September 7-14, 2013, on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.
First held in 2009, the biennial New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex sees five days of racing for competitors who must be non-professional (Corinthian) sailors and members of the yacht clubs they represent; they must also be nationals of their countries. For 2013, the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex will welcome competitors from the following yachts clubs: the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (AUS), Japan Sailing Federation (JPN), Nyländska Jaktklubben (FIN), Real Club Nautico de Barcelona (ESP), Royal Canadian Yacht Club (CAN), Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL), Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (HKG), Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR), Royal Yacht Squadron (GBR), Yacht Club Argentino (ARG) and the Yacht Club Italiano (ITA) which have previously competed alongside host New York Yacht Club (USA). New to the event are the Royal Belgian Sailing Club (BEL), Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (AUS), Royal Southern Yacht Club (GBR) and Royal Swedish Yacht Club (SWE), as well as the three teams determined by the outcome of the 24-club U.S. Qualifying Series held at NYYC: Larchmont Yacht Club, San Francisco Yacht Club and Seattle Yacht Club.
For more information on the 2013 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex, contact Event Chairman Paul Zabetakis at paul.zabetakis@gmail.com, or visit www.nyyc.org/yachting/invitational-cup
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* From Geoff Holt: re: The Wetwheels Golf Day 2013
Calling all golfers..!
We are delighted to announce that our inaugural Golf Day in aid of Wetwheels will take place on Thursday September 5th at the Botley Park Golf & Country Club in Hampshire. Our thanks to Affinion Group who have kindly chosen Wetwheels as their nominated beneficiary charity this year.
Hopefully see you there - Geoff
To book your place (or your team of 4) go to Linkedup Fundraising page and select EVENTS.
www.linkedupfundraising.co.uk
www.wetwheels.co.uk
* From Mats Olsson / Victoria Low:
A memorial service to celebrate Magnus Olsson's life will be held in Stockholm on Sunday 16th June.
For full details as well as information on Mange Olsson's Memorial Fund please go to www.mangeolssonsminnesfond.se
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