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London Sends Off Clipper Round The World Yacht Race Crews
Photo by onEdition. Click on image to enlarge.
The UK capital has waved off the crews of the world's longest ocean race as they started their 40,000 mile adventure from Tower Bridge.
Crowds estimated in excess of 120,000 lined the banks of the Thames to cheer on the colourful pageant to mark the start of the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race.
The fleet of twelve 70-ft ocean racing yachts and a flotilla of support vessels, spectator boats and well-wishers participated in a spectacular parade with Tower Bridge lifting to salute the crews who will face the ultimate endurance test.
The armada was joined by a paddleship steamer, pilot boats, police boats, RIBs, spectator boats and other pleasure craft as Britain waved off the 270 crew sailing from London to Rio de Janeiro on Leg 1.
It is the first time London has hosted the Clipper Race and is 40 years since the Thames last featured a round the world sailing event.
The fleet will not be returning until July 2014 after a total of 670 crew race 40,000 miles and visit 16 ports on six continents.
The first leg of the Clipper Race ends in Marina da Gloria, Rio de Janeiro, the destination for the 2016 Olympic sailing events. They then continue on via South Africa, Western Australia, Sydney (including the world famous Sydney-Hobart Race), Brisbane, Singapore, China, San Francisco, Panama, Jamaica, New York, Derry Londonderry and the Netherlands before returning to London's St Katharine Docks for Race Finish in July 2014.
Jorge Zarif Seals Historic Finn Gold Cup Win
On Saturday afternoon in Tallinn, Estonia, Jorge Zarif (BRA) completed the task he began on Friday and won the 2013 Finn Gold Cup. A ninth place in the medal race was enough for him to become Brazil's first Finn world champion since the late Jorg Bruder in 1972. Ed Wright (GBR) placed third to keep the silver, while Pieter-Jan Postma (NED) won the race to take the bronze.
The sailors in the medal race launched on schedule for the first time all week but still, the wind died almost straight away and they sat and waited until past 14.00 until finally a stable breeze of around 6-8 knots became established and the race could start.
Jorge Zarif (BRA) had a 19 point lead and all he had to do was finish the race. He started safely and stayed out of trouble to cross in ninth to take the title. Ahead of him a fascinating race full of drama was played out.
Zarif also won the juniors.
In winning the 2013 Finn Gold Cup Jorge Zarif, who turns 21 next month, is one the youngest Finn world champions ever and he is definitely the only sailor to hold the Silver and Gold Cups at the same time.
Overall top ten Final results after medal race (medal race position in brackets)
1. Jorge Zarif, BRA, 63 (9)
2. Edward Wright, GBR, 70 (3)
3. Pieter-Jan Postma, NED, 71 (1)
4. Milan Vujasinovic, CRO, 76 (4)
5. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 80 (8)
6. Michele Paoletti, ITA, 87 (5)
7. Zsombor Berecz, HUN, 88 (2)
8. Ioannis Mitakis, GRE, 90 (7)
9. Josh Junior, NZL, 98 (6)
10. Andrew Mills, GBR, 99 (10)
No Better Place
Porto Cervo, Italy: The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup: sunny clime, rocky outcrops, ideal wind conditions and high-class sailing. 2013 marks the 24th edition of the world's premiere rendezvous for Maxi yachts held in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. Five days of racing on the Costa Smeralda commences tomorrow with 37 eye-catching Maxi yachts (ranging from 60 to a gigantic 157-ft) negotiating an environment as challenging as it is dramatic.
"The two things which make the event unique are the race courses and the participants," explained Riccardo Bonadeo, Commodore of event organizers Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. "The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup from the very beginning has always been the event of excellence for ocean-going boats. And the environment is perhaps the most spectacular and technical in the world." "Somebody has got to tell me if there is a better place to go sail boat racing than Porto Cervo," revealed Peter Craig, Principal Race Officer. "All the owners and sailors look forward to it like no other event. It's a gorgeous venue with reliable breeze. One group of sailors, the navigators, may be the only people less enthused because there are plenty of rocks to negotiate around the coastline!" The event, co-organized with the International Maxi Association was first held in 1980 and has been the jewel of Rolex's global yachting portfolio since 1985.
The 37-strong fleet comprises 13 yachts competing in the fourth running of the Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship. The Class, governed by an owner/driver rule, is in the ascendancy with a host of yachts in contention this year. Ran 2 (GBR) won the first two editions in 2010 and 2011. She narrowly relinquished her title in 2012 on countback to Hap Fauth's fellow 72-ft Bella Mente (USA).
www.yccs.it
www.internationalmaxiassociation.com
Gottifredi Maffioli Regatta Support At Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Starting from August 29 th to September 8th, Gottifredi Maffioli Tech Service Van will be in Porto Cervo to fully assist your boat. During the regatta we will have full access to the event with our professional rigging service to help you with any breakdowns that you may have. We will be there to provide a complete repair, replacement and technical upgrade you may need.
Ivan and Piero from Tecnosailing together with Jack Bolina and Project Rig will be the Gottifredi Maffioli shore team on the dock.
They will be at your fully disposal every day ready to jump on your boat before and after the races to set your running rigging at the best.
For any technical suggestion and running rigging improvement you can talk with them directly at the Gottifredi Maffioli's Van or you can give them a call at the following mobile numbers:
Tecnosailing:
Ivan Bertoldo +39 335 6347175
Piero Rolandi +39 340 5783131
Project Rig:
Paolo Torre +39 335 5740807
Jack Bolina:
Davide Patuelli +39 335 5351728
www.gottifredimaffioli.com/eng/index.php
Forza Italia!
Photo by Sara Proctor, sailfastphotography.com. Click on image to enlarge.
The 16th edition of the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship hosted by the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) in Newport, RI, was as expected a tightly contested affair, and ended today after four days of intense competition over ten windward/leeward races.
Alberto Rossi and his all-Italian crew on Enfant Terrible was crowned 2013 Rolex Farr 40 World Champion, out of 15 crews from eight countries - Australia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Monaco, Mexico, Turkey and the USA. The final battle for the title came down to very last run of the final race. The Italian victory was clearly hard-fought and well earned: Enfant Terrible finished tied on points with Kevin McNeil's Nightshift (USA), but the Italians earned their title thanks to their three wins on the series standings.
Final results:
1. Enfant Terrible, Alberto Rossi, ITA, 41 points
2. Nightshift, Kevin McNeil, USA, 41
3. Barking Mad, James Richardson, USA, 44
4. Flash Gordon 6, Helmut Jahn, USA, 57
5. Charisma, Nico Poons, MON, 60
6. Asterisk Uno, Hasip Gencer, TUR, 70
7. Nanoq, HRH Prince Frederik, DEN, 70
8. PLENTY, Alexander Roepers, USA, 72
9. Struntje light, Wolfgang Schaefer, GER, 82
10. Transfusion, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, AUS, 83
11. Groovederci, John Demourkas, USA, 98
12. Endorphin, Erik Wulff, USA, 101
13. Flojito y Cooperando, Bernard Minkow/Julian Fernandez, MEX, 123
14. White Knight, Zoltan Katinsky, USA, 125
15. Oakcliff Racing, Seth Cooley, USA, 134
Red Bull Youth America's Cup
New Zealand teams emerged from a tight pack to take two of three podium places on day one at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup. But the racing is close; just three points separate first from sixth place after two races.
Featuring 10 teams, from 8 countries, the Red Bull Youth America's Cup is a proving ground for youth sailors determined to make a career in professional sailing. Racing is taking place just off the America's Cup Village at Marina Green.
American Youth Sailing Force pleased the hometown fans by jumping off the starting line with pace to win the first ever race of the Red Bull Youth America's Cup, but his team fell back to seventh place in race two.
Peter Burling's New Zealand Sailing Team was there to grab the day's opportunity with both hands. His New Zealand Sailing Team was the most consistent performer on Sunday, riding a second and fourth place finish to the top of the tight leaderboard. His Kiwi rival, Will Tiller, on Full Metal Jacket Racing, won the second race of the day, after posting a 7 in race one.
Conditions were perfect for racing, near the upper end of the 18-knot wind limit in place for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup.
Racing continues on Monday at 11:10am PT.
Provisional Results
NZL Sailing Team with ETNZ, NZL, 2 - 4 - 16 points
Next World Energy (FRA, 4 - 3 - 15
Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL, 7 - 1 - 14
Swedish Youth Challenge (SWE, 6 - 2 - 14
American Youth Sailing Force (USA, 1 - 7 - 14
ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR, 3 - 6 - 13
Team TILT (SUI, 8 - 5 - 9
All In Racing (GER, 5 - 8 - 9
USA45 Racing (USA, 9 - 9 - 4
Objective Australia (AUS, 10 - 10 - 2
Red Bull Youth America's Cup Speed Trials
San Francisco, California, USA: The Red Bull Youth America's Cup team from Germany, All in Racing, flashed some brilliant speed on Saturday, posting the fastest time at the Speed Trials, ahead of the start of the Red Bull Youth America's Cup.
Each team had two runs down the course, with Objective Australian posting the time to beat in an early first run in near-perfect conditions. It appeared as if that time, 40.70 seconds, would stand. But the German All in Racing, in its second run, with two men 'riding the bull' in the back stern scoop to lift the bows out of the water, streaked across the finish line just .06 seconds ahead, to take the win in a photo finish.
Racing in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup starts on Sunday at 11:10am PT. There are two fleet races per day, Sunday through Wednesday, and all races count towards the final result. The final race on September 4 will be scored for double points.
Red Bull Youth America's Cup - Speed Trials
All in Racing (GER) - 40.64 seconds - 23.91 knots
Objective Australia (AUS) - 40.70 seconds - 23.87 knots
USA45 Racing (USA) - 41.56 seconds - 23.38 knots
Team Tilt (SUI) - 42.43 seconds - 22.90 knots
Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL) - 42.68 seconds - 22.76 knots
Swedish Youth Challenge (SWE) - 43.19 seconds - 22.49 knots
American Youth Sailing Force (USA) - 43.34 seconds - 22.42 knots
Next World Energy (FRA) - 44.15 seconds - 22.00 knots
ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR) - 44.24 seconds - 21.96 knots
NZL Sailing Team with ETNZ (NZL) - Did not compete
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
Last month's winner:
Yann Elies (FRA)
‘A real legend and helpful to boot’ - Henry Bomby; ‘Back-to-back Figaro wins... a brilliant effort’ - Marcus Hutchinson; ‘The nicest and coolest guy in the Figaro fleet... and also the fastest’ - Dave Kenefick; ‘I’ll never forget seeing him sail past us at the Needles on his Figaro... completely naked. So very French!’ - Harry Spedding; ‘He never ducks an opportunity to help the younger guys in the Figaro fleet’ - Phil Johnston; ‘Perfectly typifies the French way of sailing, modest, helpful and of course bl**dy good’ - Ed Hill.
This month's nominees:
Pascal and Alexis Loison (FRA)
To win the Fastnet race outright is a major result. To win it when racing doublehanded on a production boat designed primarily for fully crewed competition is taking things to another level. Then to win the race two-handed while also beating a fully crewed sistership which has itself taken numerous major IRC trophies... Well. And a father and son team to boot. Congratulations
Louise Morton (GBR)
Another quarter ton title for Cowes’ fastest lady skipper. The 2013 Quarter Ton Cup - which Louise Morton dominated in a strong fleet - is just the latest of numerous plaudits including three British Ladies’ Keelboat championships, Cowes Week titles and class wins at the Vice Admiral’s Cup. Does great things for women sailors, too, with only the occasional fella getting a look-in among Morton’s regular crews
Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Harken McLube, Dubarry & Musto. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!
Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at
seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month
To subscribe to Seahorse Digital £30 for one year with discount promo code SB2: seahorse.co.uk/shop/digital
Laser Radial European & World Championships
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, Ireland: Holland's Rutger van Schaardenburg, one of three sailors to have made the perfect start to their title challenge at the 2013 Laser European & World Championships on Dublin Bay today, considers that there was some Irish luck inspiring him as posted two wins in very challenging, changeable breezes.
Each of the three championship fleets sailed two races in offshore westerly winds which varied from 11 to 18 knots, the gusts carrying big changes in wind direction and pressure. Making early errors - reading the first shifts wrong, getting off the start lines poorly or choosing the wrong side of the first upwinds - proved most costly. Often the shape of the races were shaped by the first windward mark.
Ireland's Annalise Murphy cruised to two decisive wins in her Women's Laser Radial qualifying fleet. She was at home in every sense of the word, delivering a pair of results which - among other things - brought smiles to the army of 200 or so volunteers from her home club who have given their time to produce a memorable championship.
Martin Evans is the best placed British sailor in the Men's Standard fleet, while 2010 and 2011's World Championships runner up Nick Thompson is enjoying his return to the class with his eyes firmly focused on Rio 2016. He found himself with a little to do early in both races, but was pleased with how he climbed through the fleets to open with a 5, 4 loving the chance to spar with Scheidt and Portuguese veteran Gustavo Lima again. He lies 11th overall.
Racing through Friday 6th September.
The Event combines:
European Laser Standard Men's Championship 2013
European Laser Radial Women's Championship 2013
European & World Laser Radial Men's Championship 2013
Folkboat Week 2013
The highlight of the Solent Folkboat season is the Folkboat Week that is held under the burgee of the Royal Solent Y.C. and sponsored by Lymington Yacht Haven. This year's regatta ran from 18th - 24th August and was blessed with lovely weather, even if the wind was a little on the light side at times. The full schedule of nine races was completed for the 28 boats entered in the Open (Nordic) Division and as is usual the mix of courses from the long Christchurch Ledge race to Friday's quick fire three short windward / leeward races was very popular. No matter the type of race or course Stuart Watson, crew by his wife Caroline & Matthew Jones, sailed 'Crackerjack' to six wins and so added this title to the Nordic National title they won some weeks earlier.
The smaller Cruiser Division sailed seven races and this year the title was hard fought. Colin Eales helming 'Mistress' has won for the past five years but this time he met his match. Lyn Evans helming Susan Rutter's 'Folkdance' more than matched him and their win in Friday's morning race tipped the balance in their favour.
The crew on 'Crackerjack' now head for San Francisco later in September to challenge the Americans and the other European Associations in the biennial San Francisco Cup.
Dick Newick
Dick Newick, the brilliant multihull designer, has died at 87. His designs, particularly his trimarans, revolutionized the world of multihull sailing. His designs are remarkably graceful, simple, light and astonishingly fast. In a very real sense, the history of multihull design can be divided into Before-Newick and After-Newick. Before-Newick, trimarans were ugly and boxy. Newick's designs, when they first arrived in the 70s and 80s, seemed almost other-worldly, with sweeping lines and amas that rested lightly on the water.
The first Newick design to catch the world's attention was not a trimaran but a proa. Newick designed Cheers, for Tom Follett who placed third in the Observers Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR) of 1968, the first multihull to place in the race. Soon Newick designed trimarans were winning ocean races around the world. In 1980 Phil Weld sailed, Moxie, a Newick designed trimaran to win OSTAR, the first American ever to do so. Weld set a new race record of 17 days 23 hours and 12 minutes.
Over his long career, Newick designed more that 130 sailboats, ranging from the 60′ Rogue Wave to the 23′ Tremilino. Dick was quoted as saying, "People sail for fun and no one has yet convinced me that it's more fun to go slow than it is to go fast." -- Rick Spilman
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