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Morvan and Canfield Keep a Clean Sheet While Kiwis Suffer
K Terengganu, Malaysia: The teams from France and the US Virgin Islands made the most of their first day on the water at the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia today. Competing in light winds on a sunny day in Kuala Terengganu, last year's winner of the Monsoon Cup, Taylor Canfield and USone, justified their billing as favourites, with three straight wins.
Pierre-Antoine Morvan's Vannes Agglo Sailing Team haven't had such an impressive season on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, but matched Canfield's hat trick with three wins of their own.
The final match of the day for Morvan produced some nailbiting moments as the French looked to have conceded an easy win over Phil Robertson when they dipped too early for the finish line. As the French spinnaker collapsed, the Kiwis on WAKA Racing came tantalising close to snatching victory from Morvan. But the French held on.
Canfield's most important win came in his first match against the other Kiwi skipper at the event, Adam Minoprio and Team Alpari FX. Minoprio and Robertson will both be disappointed to have come away with just one win from their three matches today, although even that is preferable to zero victories for Team Gilmour from Australia and local sailor Jeremy Koo. The young Australian team suffered a major setback with skipper David Gilmour taken ill earlier today and laid up in hospital, leaving bowman Pete Nicholas to move to the back and steer the boat. The stand-in skipper had his moments, leading two matches, but was unable to maintain those leads to the finish.
Qualifying Results after 3 flights
Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) Vannes Agglo Sailing Team - 3-0
Taylor Canfield (ISV) USone - 3-0
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Stena Sailing Team - 2-1
Francesco Bruni (ITA) Luna Rossa - 2-1
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing - 1-2
Adam Minoprio (NZL) Team Alpari FX - 1-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) GEFCO Match Racing Team - 0-0
Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar - 0-0
Bjorn Hansen (SWE) eWork Sailing Team - 0-0
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing - 0-0
Jeremy Koo (MAS) Team KFC - MYA/KRT - 0-3
David Gilmour (AUS) Team Gilmour - 0-3
Racing resumes on Wednesday at 10am local time (GMT+8) and will be live streamed at https://new.livestream.com/WorldMRT
Frostad: We're Closing In On Bigger, Better Fleet For 2014-15
Knut Frostad is two handshakes away from welcoming two additional boats to the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. "They're in what I call the 'contract closing' stage," said Race CEO Frostad at a press conference before a three-day workshop with the stopover ports in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. "We are very confident about them."
Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad is interviewed by TV during the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. PAUL TODD/Volvo Ocean Race Race stopover ports organisers gathered in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S during a three-day workshop. Sam Greenfield/Volvo Ocean Race
'We are confident enough about being seven that we are building the seventh boat and it's more than half finished' - Race CEO Knut Frostad
Frostad's keynote address contained the most candid revelations of fleet building developments shared with the public since the 12th edition preparations began 16 months ago.
He kept the prospective boats unnamed but went on to outline two further stages that hinted at an additional five potential campaigns: two boats in 'negotiations' and three boats engaged in 'serious discussions'.
Three teams are already announced for the 2014-15 race - the all-women's crew of Team SCA, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and China's Team Dongfeng that was launched at the end of last month.
"It means that we have a good probability of being at least seven," said Frostad. "We are confident enough about being seven that we are building the seventh boat and it's more than half finished."
World Yacht Racing Forum
Taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden, The World of Sailing and Yacht Racing is a fast growing sport and full of new opportunities. WYRF and YRDTS will bring together over 400 industry leaders and decision makers for two-days of debate and discussions giving participants the opportunity to contribute, learn and share strategies with industry leaders, peers and colleagues. The WYRF brings innovative thinking and exclusive insight to the major issues and opportunities facing the growing yachting industry.
Over 250 people attended the 2012 edition of the World Yacht Racing Forum and Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium in Gothenburg, Sweden. They heard from speakers including Ben Ainslie, Knut Frostad, Guillaume Henry, Mark Turner, Pat Shaughnessy, Juan Kouyoumdjian, Manolo Ruiz de Elvira, Bill Tripp, Ian Walker, Dawn Riley, Dan McLaren, Richard Brisius and many more.
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One Ton Cup Revisited
Chris Bouzaid and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are seeking an indication of potential interest in a proposed "One Ton Cup Revisited" regatta, in Auckland, New Zealand, in February/March 2015.
The regatta would celebrate the (near) 50th anniversary of the One Ton Cup switching from metre class yachts to offshore racers, using an international rule (RORC) to measure and rate contestants. This was when interest in the Cup went global and led to One Tonners being regarded as the Formula One class of ocean racing.
The current thinking is to cater for RORC and IOR One Tonners that were eligible for Cup competition between (and including) the years 1965 to 1983.
The IRC Rating Rule would be used to equitably handicap the fleet which would be raced in two classes - RORC and IOR yachts 1965 to 1971 (inclusive), and IOR yachts 1971 to 1983 (inclusive).
The current proposal for the "Revisited" regatta would be to mirror the One Ton Cup of old - ie there would be three inshore races, a short ocean race and an ocean race-proper. In deference to contestants and boats, however, the inshore races would be of approximately 20 miles length, while the short ocean race would be a 40-miler (approx) and the ocean race a 100-miler (approx).
The Finn Gold Cup will be raced off Takapuna Beach in February, 2015, while the Volvo Ocean Race fleet is scheduled to arrive in Auckland (from China) on or about around 26 February, 2015, and leave for Itajai, in Brazil, on 15 March, 2015.
The proposed "One Ton Cup Revisited" would be an important and integral part of this major celebration of sail.
Could those interested in the above please communicate, by email, that interest, with brief detail of the One Tonner that might/would be involved, to:
Alan Sefton: alansefton@xtra.co.nz
RORC Key 2014 Racing Calendar Dates
The Notice of Race for the Royal Ocean Racing Club's 2014 Race Programme will be published shortly, meanwhile please find below dates for some of the key races scheduled for next year.
These include: RORC Caribbean 600; Easter Challenge; IRC National Championship; Brewin Dolphin Commmodores' Cup; Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race and the inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race in November.
We would be grateful if you could include the dates below in your racing calendar:
24 February - RORC Caribbean 600, start Antigua
18-20 April - Easter Challenge, Cowes
13-15 June - IRC National Championship, Cowes
19-26 - Brewin Dolphin Commodores' Cup, Cowes
10 August - Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race, start Cowes
29 November - Inaugural RORC Transatlantic Race, start Lanzarote-Caribbean
See www.rorc.org/2014-race-news/2014-race-programme.html
Cruising Sailors In Greece Will Be Hit With A New Tax
The imminent tax will affect everyone sailing in Greek waters and is all but imposed following a vote in the Greek Parliament on 21 November.
The Cruising Association (CA) has announced that the law has been voted on and accepted and looks set to be implemented as soon as it is published in a government gazette.
The new tax means all boats over 7m used for leisure activities in Greece will have to pay up. This includes commercial and charter boats, and day excursion boats licensed to carry fewer than 49 passengers, including those plying trade to other countries.
Boat owners with craft more than 7m and less than 12m long will have to pay between 200 and 400 euros a year to sail in Greek waters. But boats over 12m face a tax of 100 euros per metre per year, with a discount scheme available if boat owners pay for one month at a time while afloat in Greek waters at 10 euros per metre per month, or 30% off if they pay for a full year in advance. This is still to be clarified and confirmed.
Boats visiting Greece en route to Turkey, Croatia or Italy will be the hardest hit. Although in the minority of those affected by the new tax, the Greek authorities realise some cruising boat owners may consider leaving or avoiding Greece. The most vulnerable group are liveaboards with boats over 12m, who keep their boats on the water all year and are on a tight budget. No tax is payable if the boat is ashore for a full year.
Practical Boat Owner: www.pbo.co.uk
Eileen Ramsay - The Queen Of Yachting Photography
Eileen Ramsay was at the centre of a unique period in yachting history, and this wonderful book, featuring her classic photography, celebrates an extraordinary woman and her extraordinary subjects. Eileen's heyday was between 1950 and 1970 - a time when eccentrics ruled, records were there for the setting, and women weren't often to be found behind the lens.
But Eileen established herself as one of the greatest yachting photographers of her time, taking famous portraits of sailing icons like Francis Chichester and Eric Tabarly, Olympians, including Rodney Pattisson and Keith Musto, and historic pictures from the first Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic (OSTAR) Races.
Her unique archive records the explosive growth in dinghy and offshore sailing during post-war years, and includes pictures of the first Enterprises, Mirrors, Ospreys, Optimists and the first America's Cup 12 metres Sceptre and Evaine.
Eileen, now into her 90s can remember just about every photograph she has taken and relate an anecdote or story about each one. Many of these memories are also recorded in the book.
Eileen Ramsay - the Queen of Yachting Photography, is a spectacular celebration of a pioneering photographer and a fascinating time in yachting history.
160 pages, 123 classic pictures. £25 + postage & packing
southatlanticpublishing.com/er_intro.htm
Industry News
Yachting in Sri Lanka is about to get a strong boost with the establishment of marinas to service this global pleasure sport. Sri Lankan entrepreneur Indhra Kaushal Rajapaksa has teamed up with marina professional Simon Arrol and Sebastian Devonshire to launch Marina Lanka - a new company dedicated to servicing the pleasure boating industry.
"Sri Lanka is about to get a major boost in its pleasure boating industry," said Rajapaksa. "Although the port of Galle has for long been a port-of-call for yachtsmen from around the world, it has lacked the infrastructure and modern facilities. We plan to mobilise some of the best experience in the industry to give a major boost to yachting in Sri Lanka," he added.
Sri Lanka has a coastline of about 1,300 km with many pristine bays, beaches, and lagoons, but apart from surfing and whale-watching there is almost no organised boating activity. With the provision of marinas at intervals around the coast, both Sri Lankans and foreign tourists will be better able to enjoy a range of activities such as sailing, motor-boating, blue-water fishing, and day trips. This will not only open up a whole new leisure and sporting sector for Sri Lankans, it will also make the country more attractive to foreign tourists.
Marina Lanka has launched its website at www.marinalanka.com
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Yachting Monthly reports on an online questionnaire launched by the BBC to gauge the audience of the Shipping Forecast for the waters around Britain and Ireland.
The daily broadcast is a Radio 4 institution, but its future is far from certain in light of the increased use of the internet by sailors to download weather predictions.
According to meteorologist Frank Singleton, it's only a matter of time before the Shipping Forecast comes to an end. (As it is, there may be interruptions to the service next year.)
Stuart Carruthers of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has described the online survey as a "cunning ruse" to provide an excuse for ending the service, which he says is "essential" to yachts that have no internet access at sea.
It's a charge that's been denied by the BBC, who noted that the RYA has itself recently sought the opinions of its members on usage of the Shipping Forecast.
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Amsterdam RAI, organiser of the extremely successful Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) reckons the Amsterdam show sets the tone for the year ahead for the leading maritime equipment suppliers, writes Peter Nash.
I think they're right in this regard. Which means next year ought to be a good one all round.
But I - and I'm sure many others - will be surprised to see the attendance was up on last year because visitors where we were on the Tuesday and the Thursday seemed to be thin on the ground.
However, the object of the exercise at any show is to do business. And I can say that - without exception - all those to whom I spoke were extremely pleased with the levels of business they had achieved.
And surely - as with most shows - there's more to come along after the show.
The attendance figures quote a precise 20,500 visitors over the three days of the show (19,617 last year), with 1,320 exhibitors this year (1,318 last year).
"A rise in attendance of over five percent compared to 2012 is very good news for everyone connected to METS and the global maritime supply industry," says METS domain manager Irene Dros.
Boating Business: www.boatingbusiness.com
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French boatyard Fountaine-Pajot, one of the world's leading builders of cruising catamarans, has reported turnover of €40.7m for the 2012/13 financial year ended August 31 - up 6.1 per cent compared to the previous financial year. It also marks the third consecutive year of growth for the French yard.
Profits for 2012/13 came mostly from its core 36ft-44ft range. Turnover in this segment was up 29.3 per cent to €27.2m, representing 67 per cent of sales. The boatyard also continued to develop its large catamarans, with the launch of two new flagships, the Cumberland 47 LC and the Victoria 67.
In accordance with its development plan, the French yard is continuing to expand internationally. Almost 55 per cent of its sales are now outside Europe.
The company has also announced that, after 37 years as founding president of Fountaine Pajot, Jean-François Fountaine is to step down at the beginning of 2014 when Nicolas Gardies, current assistant director general, takes over as president.
IBI News: plus.ibinews.com
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Andrew Harris, former head of a UK fractional yacht ownership firm, has been sentenced to four and a half years of prison time for attempting to defraud clients out of £7.5m. A judge who sentenced Harris, and fellow director David Evans, described Shakespeare Classic Line in Hatton as a "fraud factory".
Clients were brought to sales presentations with the offer of free holidays, but once there, were subject to a five-hour sales pitch. The Leamington Observer reported that clients paid £10,000 or more for one-week "fractional ownership'"of a berth on one of the yachts. The new owners also agreed to annual maintenance costs of £395, which rose by 10 per cent each year. "The probable value of that was £1,386,172," said the judge. "That puts the intended value of the fraud to be just short of seven-and-a-half million pounds; and the amount paid by the 292 owners there were, was just over £3m."
Several clients testified that they almost lost their home because of the scheme, and one man contemplated suicide as the only way out of the financial mess.
IBI News: https://plus.ibinews.com
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Fort Lauderdale show reports largest crowds since 2006.
Many of the exhibitors at the 54th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show had similar observations - the weather was good for a change and there seemed to be more people.
Five days of sunshine speaks for itself, but as it turns out there were a lot more people. Organizers reported Wednesday that gate attendance for the Oct. 31-Nov. 4 show was up 28 percent from the prior year and the highest since the 2006 show.
More important, the buying mood also was apparently brighter, as numerous exhibitors said they had their best sales figures in years.
Soundings Trade Only: www.tradeonlytoday.com
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