America's Cup: One month to go to the 33rd America's Cup Match

X40 training off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

by Jane Eagleson

Today marks the 'one month to go' date before race one of the 33rd America's Cup Match.

With the BOR 90 now safely delivered to Valencia, the home of the 33rd Match, the shore team is working flat out to ensure that when the trimaran is handed over to the sailing crew, to move into 'race mode', the boat is match fit and ready to race.

The sailors are using that time to get match fit as well. Training sessions on the Extreme 40 catamarans are scheduled over the coming week. The objective is to hone their match racing and starting skills in multihulls before shifting their attention to the BOR 90.

In the meantime, skipper and helmsman James Spithill (AUS) met with the local media on Friday morning, to welcome them back to the team Base in the Dársena and to update them on the team's progress ahead of the Match.


James Spithill. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

"It's exciting for us to be back here in Valencia," he said. "I had a fantastic experience here in the last Cup. We've been saying for two years now that Valencia is the right place for this America's Cup so we're thrilled to be here and we can't wait to get racing in February. We have a lot of work to do over the next four weeks, but our team is highly motivated and focused on the challenge and we've been training really hard to get ready.

"The boats that both teams have built are like nothing you've ever seen before and over the coming days and weeks, as we get into our final training sessions, you'll be able to appreciate them for what they are - two of the most technologically advanced and fastest boats ever built. The Match is going to be fantastic."

The first race of the 33rd America's Cup Match is scheduled for February 8.

BMW ORACLE Racing

Star Worlds 2010: Who Will Win the Gold Star in Rio?

George Szabo and Rick Peters (USA) on their way to the 2009 Star World Championship victory. Image copyright Fried Elliott/www.friedbits.com

by Lynn Fitzpatrick

George Szabo and Rick Peters (USA) won the 2009 Star World Championship in Varberg, Sweden just a few short months ago and toted all of their silverware home to Southern California. Soon it will be on display at Ilate Clube do Rio de Janeiro.

This January, Szabo/Peters will defend their World Championship title against a fleet of 80 other teams from all over the globe. In addition to taking home the Star World Championship Trophy, one of the most coveted in all of sailing, the winning skipper is awarded the honour of displaying a gold star on his mainsail.


George Szabo (above) and Rick Peters (below) - 2009 Star World Champions. Image copyright Fried Elliott/www.friedbits.com

Over 80 teams are registered for the 2010 Star World Championship, which takes place January 12-23. International teams have been training in Rio for months and are praying to the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain that theirs will be the team to wrest the title from George Szabo and Rick Peters (USA). If November's "friendly" Star regattas in Rio are any indication, holding off hungry Europeans such as Flavio Marazzi and Enrico De Maria (SUI) and Freddie Loof and Johan Tillander (SWE) and the locals, which include Lars Grael and Ronald Sieifert and past Star World Champions, Torben Grael, Marcelo Ferreira, Robert Scheidt, Bruno Prada and Alan Adler will be more difficult that beating back a hungry school of piraña.

Star Worlds

Splash Worlds Final Day Images from Will Calver

Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Ben Lutze. Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Chris Steele. Splash Worlds 2010 off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz

Ocean Photography

2010 Contender World Championships Day One

Contender Worlds Race One. Image copyright Suellen Hurling.

by Rob Kothe

Perfect weather for Day One of the 40th Contender World Championships, being sailed out Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron The standard Olympic Triangle course, was set on Waterloo Bay in an easterly direction heading out towards the gap between King and Pine Islands.

With the thunder of helicopters overhead, the beats went up amongst the 60 boat fleet as Race 1 began in bright sunny conditions with 13 knots of breeze.

The newly crowned Australian Champion Matt Mulder (AUS2408) was over the start line early, along with two other boats but he alone went back.

At the top mark for the first time, reigning World Champion Andrea Bonezzi (ITA11) approached the mark from starboard lay line and rounded six boat lengths ahead of British sailor Simon Mussell (GBR2420). Brisbane local Geoff Fisher (AUS2468) was third. At the wing mark Mussell was flying and had closed up to within a boat length of Bonezzi.

At the bottom mark Mussell rounded ahead on Bonezzi, with Jono Neate (AUS2323) up into third. Just five boats lengths separated the top four boats. Unfortunately for Neate shortly afterwards his trapeze line broke and he fell back through the fleet.

At the top mark for the second time, Mussell was first to the layline. Bonezzi tacked inside of Mussell but was short of the line. While the two boats were sailing side by side, Bonezzi had to pinch and he fell in behind Mussell as they rounded. Fisher was third.

Mussell and Bonezzi came in from the left on the beat up to the finish line. Mussell tacked a fraction early and under laid the finishing pin, but it mattered little as Bonezzi had better speed and with slightly cracked sheets was faster to the finish.

Waiting for the next race Bonezzi was succint. 'I got a good start and I had good speed. Simon gave me a good fight. It's a beautiful day.'

Matt Mulder grimaced. 'I was over at the start and went back, but clawed my way back into the fleet.'

Chris Sutherland (AUS 2443) and Brett Holly (AUS 2375) were OCS. Stephen Toms (AUS) 2169 retired with broken gear.

Provisional Results for Race 1 - Top Five:

1. Andrea Bonezzi (ITA 11)
2. Simon Mussell (GBR2420)
3. Geoff Fisher (AUS 2468)
4. Steven Grimes (AUS2179)
5. Christoph Homeier (GER551)

For the start of Race 2 the fleet again had sunshine, with 10-11 knots of breeze. As they approached the top mark the wind lifted to 14 knots.

Bonezzi (ITA11) was a narrow leader around the mark, ahead of Christoph Homeier (GER551) with Brett Holly (AUS2375) third.

It was a tight duel at the wingmark between the first two, Homeier with better downwind speed just ahead of Bonezzi as they approached the bottom mark.

Bonezzi was leading at the top mark for the second time, with Homeier and Mulder each two boat lengths apart.
Bonezzi chose the middle of course, Homeier the right and Mulder the left.

As the tide was beginning to run out of Lota Creek, the boats were staying to the left as the breeze dropped down to 8-10 knots.

Downwind Homeier just squeaked in ahead of Bonezzi, with Mulder just a few boat lengths back.

Homeier appears to have the advantage downwind and Bonezzi the advantage upwind. It's was an intriguing battle with Bonezzi clearly out to claim his eighth World title.

Homeier let out a giant yahoo as he crossed the finish line one boat length ahead of Bonezzi. He had pinned Bonezzi to leeward past the layline but the game had to stop as Mulder came in fast from the left to finish a close third.

An elated Homeier said 'Going down the last run we were going wave for wave. I just got one wave better. Then coming up the final beat to the finish I managed to hold Andrea out.'

Provisional Results Race 2 - Top Five:

1. Christoph Homeier (GER551)
2. Andrea Bonezzi (ITA11)
3. Matt Mulder (AUS2408)
4. Jono Neate (AUS2323)
5. Geoff Fisher (AUS2468)

Dockside the defending champion Andrea Bonezzi was smiling, which is not hard when you are leading after the first day.

'The competition was tough out there today. I started reasonably conservatively in both races, no risks. I was just happy to be first to the top mark in both races and I'm happy to leading the regatta after the first day.'

'Christoph is very fast down wind in medium and light conditions as he proved today. He was the same in the last French Championships. Simon (Mussell) was faster than me on the reaches and so I have some work to do there.

'All in all a nice day on the water and tomorrow I will be faster. I am sure Matt (Mulder) and Jono (Neate) will be attacking tomorrow.'

Series Results [Open] up to Race 2
(Drops = 0) Place Ties From Sail No Boat Name Skipper Sers Score Race 2 Race 1

1 ITA ITA11 Ronstan Andrea Bonezzi 3.00 2.00 1.00
2 GER GER551 Schroeder Christoph Homeier 6.00 1.00 5.00
3 QAUS AUS2468 Bella Anna Geoff Fisher 8.00 5.00 3.00
4 VAUS AUS2323 AUS2323 Jono Neate 12.00 4.00 8.00
5 2.0S UK GBR2420 Carrie2 Simon Mussell 14.00 12.00 2.00
6 QAUS AUS2408 Chewbacca Matt Mulder 14.00 3.00 11.00
7 QAUS AUS1753 Stacey Phillip Evans 15.00 6.00 9.00
8 VAUS AUS2204 Erica's Diamond Chris Peile 17.00 10.00 7.00
9 UK GBR2421 (V)No Name Gary Langdon 19.00 13.00 6.00
10 VAUS AUS2136 Ro Shambo Grant Robinson 28.00 14.00 14.00
11 UK GBR2406 Mako Ed Presley 29.00 17.00 12.00
12 ITA ITA315 Gnuzzender Antonio Lambertini 31.00 21.00 10.00
13 GER GER531 Fajrant Joachim Harpprecht 35.00 20.00 15.00
14 WAUS AUS2105 (V)Mojo Greg Barrington 37.00 24.00 13.00
15 WAUS AUS2411 (V)Cruising Ross Brennan 38.00 15.00 23.00
16 UK GBR694 Rock n Rolla Chris Boshier 40.00 11.00 29.00
17 GER GER1421 Kabbelwasser Dirk Mueller 41.00 19.00 22.00
18 UK GBR2383 Bit of Wet David Davies 42.00 9.00 33.00
19 16.0S QAUS AUS1306 Got Wood Chris Somers 43.00 27.00 16.00
20 17.0S ITA ITA40 Stealth Luca Bonezzi 43.00 26.00 17.00
21 CAN CAN2398 HoneyBun Neil Smith 43.00 23.00 20.00
22 QAUS AUS2281 Don t Know Scott McInerney 47.00 22.00 25.00
23 NED NED232 (V)Ristretto Mark Thorborg 48.00 16.00 32.00
24 18.0S UK GBR2152 (V)One Jump Ahead Mike Denham 50.00 32.00 18.00
25 GER GER1789 (J)Flyer Alexander Groehlich 50.00 29.00 21.00
26 QAUS AUS1364 Blubber Boy Trevor Monaghan 56.00 30.00 26.00
27 ITA ITA111 (V)Valiant Emilio Betta 59.00 28.00 31.00
28 DEN DEN2425 (V)Jolly Jumper Henning Wermuth 60.00 25.00 35.00
29 GER GER2235 (V)Sailoraptor Michael Koch 63.00 36.00 27.00
30 WAUS AUS2164 Juche' Richard Shallcross 64.00 34.00 30.00
31 4.0S QAUS AUS2179 AUS2179 Steven Grimes 65.00 61.00O 4.00
32 18.0S VAUS AUS2296 Maho Matthew Kee 65.00 18.00 47.00
33 UK GBR2314 (V)Foxy Lady Rodger White 65.00 31.00 34.00
34 ITA ITA15 Calaf II Luca Gusmeroli 66.00 38.00 28.00
35 NAUS AUS2375 Butterfly Sandwich Brett Holly 68.00 7.00 61.00O
36 WAUS AUS2443 (V)AUS2443 Chris Sutherland 69.00 8.00 61.00O
37 24.0S UK GBR2432 (V)Syringa Jerry Hone 71.00 47.00 24.00
38 UK GBR2407 (V)RB Sport&Travel Richard Buttner 71.00 35.00 36.00
39 ITA ITA20 c'e le secche Antonio Martini 73.00 33.00 40.00
40 QAUS AUS1540 AUS1540 Roger Grimes 74.00 37.00 37.00
41 NAUS AUS2174 The Big Kahuna David Leask 79.00 40.00 39.00
42 19.0S NAUS AUS2238 (V)Neopnee Alan Griffith 80.00 61.00O 19.00
43 UK GBR2318 (V)U-Beaut Alan Mollatt 80.00 42.00 38.00
44 QAUS AUS1327 (V)BabyBoomerOnBoard Jan Mulder 84.00 41.00 43.00
45 QAUS AUS225 (J)Sticky Side Up James Dahl 86.00 45.00 41.00
46 DEN DEN1628 DEN1628 Lars Bo Rasmussen 87.00 39.00 48.00
47 QAUS AUS1244 Random Scott Bowman 88.00 44.00 44.00
48 UK GBR2310 (V)Mzungu Tony White 91.00 46.00 45.00
49 43.0S QAUS AUS226 Gopher Shuffle Ian Bowman 95.00 43.00 52.00
50 GER GER2400 (W)Herz aus Gold Ann Seidel 95.00 49.00 46.00
51 NAUS AUS2338 (V)Spider Pig Peter Murphy 97.00 48.00 49.00
52 QAUS AUS166 Gavin Dan Haydon 100.00 50.00 50.00
53 ITA ITA316 MagicBoxSailingTeam Matteo Brescia 103.00 61.00F 42.00
54 51.0S UK GBR505 Sherbet David Henshall 105.00 51.00 54.00
55 QAUS AUS1329 (V)Frantic@SupaIGA John McLean 105.00 52.00 53.00
56 QAUS AUS21 Colly Wobble Tony Debney 110.00 53.00 57.00
57 QAUS AUS830 Get Me A Bucket Rod Hieatt 112.00 61.00S 51.00
58 CAN CAN80 (W)Sweet Pea Stephanie Mah 116.00 61.00F 55.00
59 VAUS AUS232 Gogolomobile Sean Managh 117.00 61.00S 56.00
60 QAUS AUS2169 (V)Carbon Credit Stephen Toms 122.00 61.00S 61.00F

Contender Worlds 2010

Splash Worlds: New Zealanders take gold, silver and bronze at Splash World Sailing Championships

Left to right: Ben Lutze, Chris Steele, Declan Burn take the podium for New Zealand at the Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz

Chris Steele (NZL) has won the Splash World Sailing Championships raced this week off Takapuna in Auckland, New Zealand. Declan Burn (NZL) takes silver, and Ben Lutze (NZL), bronze – making it the sixth time in ten years that New Zealanders have won the world championship

by Zoe Hawkins

Chris Steele (NZL) has won the Splash World Sailing Championships raced this week off Takapuna in Auckland, New Zealand. Declan Burn (NZL) takes silver, and Ben Lutze (NZL), bronze – making it the sixth time in ten years that New Zealanders have won the world championship.

The talented 17-year old is a member of Wakatere Boating Club in Auckland’s North Shore, and is in his final year of high school. This is his second world championship title in sailing – he also won the Optimist World Championships in 2007.

“It’s a great feeling, every bit as good as the first one,” he says.

Beating 73 sailors from twelve countries, including European and Pacific nations, was the result of strategic, consistent sailing: Chris stayed as close as possible to the top sailors on days when the conditions were heavy and didn’t suit him, and notched up mostly first and second places on the lighter days when they did suit him.

His rivalry with close friend and second placegetter Declan Burn was a factor in his success. Declan won the Splash World Sailing Championships in 2009 when they were held in Wales, and the pair pushed each other hard on the racecourse this week. “It was a dogfight today between me and him,” says Chris.

2008 World Champion Ben Lutze from Taipa took third place and the bronze medal.

18-year old Laura Hemingway, representing Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club, secured the women’s title, finishing 20th overall in the fleet, on 144 points. Ina K. Berensten Kullmann (NOR), on an exchange program in Auckland, was second, on 175 points, and reigning champion Nienke Reina Jorna (NED) third on 175 points.

This is Laura Hemingway’s last regatta in the Splash Class. The law student was fourth girl when she competed in the event in 2008 in Portugal, and she was able to secure consistent top-20 results to deliver her final prize. “It’s a really good feeling, you know you’ve excelled,” she says of the victory.

New Zealand won the Nations Trophy for the second year in a row. New Zealanders have been world champions in the class in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

The Silver Fleet was won by Wouter Hufen (NED), with David Turney (NZL) second and Louise Maes (BEL) third.

New Zealand Splash Class President Helen McKenzie thanks all of the competitors, parents, helpers and volunteers who made the event possible.

“The last week at Takapuna Beach has been marvellous. A huge number of volunteers have made the event run smoothly and the setting and weather have been perfect for a world championship regatta.”

The Splash Dinghy is a fast, modern single handed dinghy designed for sailors under the age of 19. Favoured for its ability to build confidence in mostly teenage sailors, the boat is a step up from the Optimist, and a precursor and training vessel for the Laser class raced by both men and women at the Olympic Games.

Takapuna Boating Club organised the Splash World Sailing Championships, with support from North Shore City Council, SPARC, The Lion Foundation, Victoria Cruising Club and Yachting New Zealand.

The best spot for viewing is the beachfront reserve around Takapuna Boating Club on Takapuna Beach, where boats will be readied and launched from the beach each morning, or on the waters between Takapuna Boating Club and Rangitoto Island, from the first start at 11am.

Takapuna Boating Club

TJV: The Forecast or the Art of Taking a Chance

Banque Populaire V. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE.

by Virginie Bouchet (in translation)

To leave, or not to leave? This is the question that the Banque Populaire Team has put to itself every morning since November 12 while studying closely and pointedly the window forecast that would allow for them to make a departure for the Trophy Jules Verne. After little more than a month and a half of standby, she is ready and waiting, but the whole cell of analysis forecast set up by Pascal Bidégorry is on the bridge 24H on 24H off to attempt to detect THE window, so awaited, that will allow them to raise this fabulous challenge.

Since the beginning of the year, potential windows have presented themselves. Interesting timelines of premium approach... but when one pushes the analysis further, one notices oneself that they are not the best possibilities. As Pascal Bidégorry explains, "to renounce is, every time, a very painful decision for we all really want to leave. We have in fact had some opportunities since the beginning of January and it is possible that it there will be some others in the days to come. But there is great complexity in the taking of a decision on the basis of forecasts that one studies in great depth. With the few days of reliable visibilities that one has, the remainder is based on analyses of probability. The analysis of the good window forecast is very subtle".


Banque Populaire V crew. Image copyright B. Stichelbaut/BPCE.

A forecast to commence a timed around the world voyage, always depends on the detail, the continuity and must take into account the analysis of the integrity of the boat: "We have seen in recent years that the Trophy Jules Verne is a very difficult challenge and we want to return in the seas of the South with boat in good condition. As I always said, our goal is first to achieve a voyage around the world and next to beat the record", emphasises Pascal.

Vigilance is therefore the master word of the Team Banque Populaire, which observes and analyzes all the different systems and their evolution: "Little by little the phenomena begin returning to wintry systems and we are waiting for this. But there are always too few analyses, the anticyclone of the Azores is too often absent. At last, the conditions in the southern hemisphere begin setting themselves up little by little. Arriving in the south of Brazil, the position could be very complicated and sometimes decisive for the success of the first part of the Trophy Jules Verne. It is necessary to be patient, we have again a little time in front of us to do good work with the necessary degree of requirement to raise such a challenge", concluded Pascal Bidégorry.

Banque Populaire

Splash Worlds Images by Will Calver

Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz


Splash Worlds 2010. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz

Ocean Photography

Italy's Andrea Bonezzi is the King of the Contender Class

2010 Contender Australian Championship, Jono Neate 2nd (AUS), Matt Mulder 1st (AUS), Andrea Bonezzi 3rd (ITA). Image copyright Suellen Hurling.

by Rob Kothe

Yesterday the Pre-World event for the 40th Contender World Championships wrapped up at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in Brisbane. The Pre-Worlds, the 2010 Australian titles, were won by Queenslander Matt Mulder, ahead of Jono Neate from Melbourne. Third was the King of the Contender Class Andrea Bonezzi and the undisputed favourite for this event.

Bonezzi started sailing the Contender single handed trapeze dinghy in 1984 at age 15 and now 25 years on he is the current World Champion with seven World titles to his credit. Tomorrow he will be aiming for number eight on Moreton Bay's Waterloo Bay course.

We asked how did it all happen?

'My dad (Vito) has been building boats for almost 40 years', he replied. 'It started as a hobby and he always liked to build. Even when he was young, he was always doing little model yachts. It's probably in his genes; he's from Cremona where Stradivarius violins were made. He has the passion of a craftsman and he's very fast and he's very talented.

'When he first saw Contenders racing in Italy, he said 'I'd like to build those, they have nice lines and the trapeze makes them interesting.' He still builds them; he's probably built over 200 by now.

'When I started sailing my dad built me an Optimist, then by the time I was 13 I was ready to switch to the Contender.

'I was quite big when I was young and I was quite heavy for my age, so I had enough weight for the Contender and as I was quite good on the Optimist, it was not difficult to get into Contenders and be competitive.

'The first races I did were about '83; I was 14 when we had it in Italy in the '84 Worlds in Riva Del Garda. That was my first Worlds.

'Actually I have a similar background to Matt Mulder, (the 2010 Pre-Worlds Champion) because his dad is a boat builder and he started because of his dad. Both he and I started the same way in a World Championships as a very young boy.'

(Matt sailed his first Worlds in 1988 at age 15.)

Andrea continued 'He's very talented. We have been friends since we spent a little time together in Austria when he went to the '94 Worlds. I have not forgotten he beat me then.

'The Contender is a unique boat, sailors can be between 75 and 95 or more kg and still be competitive and the trapeze on the boats really makes the difference; it makes older people younger.

'It's good that old people can go sailing on dinghies because what happens normally is you get too big boats. Where does it say that your age should be equal to the length of the boat?

'It's more like a sport when you go sailing in dinghies; because it's you and it's not 20 other people and where you might be just a passenger.

'Experience plays a really big role in Contenders because they're different to other boats. We have a lot of vang to use and it's not a strict design like a Laser, you can put quite a lot of 'you' into your boat.

'The experience of an older sailor makes a difference. For example a good tactician is more important than a good tacker.

'Of course a young sailor will still make a difference. I'm not sailing as fast as I was ten years ago but I know what could break in the boat and I can fine tune it. If you go sailing and you know you're not fast, you kind of know why, whereas ten years ago you wouldn't have known.

'I've never sailed here in Brisbane before but it won't take me too long to get used to it. When you're younger it might take you a little bit longer.

'I'm quite experienced, so I've been sailing in a lot of places and I adapt well and I can survive in light wind. It all depends on my weight. If tomorrow I lose 20 kilos, then I'll be really good in light wind. I used to be really, really good on the downwind and reaching when it was light but now lighter sailors are faster than me.

'I was 93 kilos in Fremantle and now I'm pretty similar to that. But I will reveal my weight after the races. I've always kept it secret until the end of an event; otherwise it's an advantage you give to other sailors' Andrea concluded.

However Bonezzi concedes he should have won more titles.

The 39 year old Italian sailor finished by saying 'When I think back I've thrown away more than I won, really. I have a lot of seconds and thirds. Most of my Championships I won with one race to spare and I know I lost four or five in really stupid ways. But you get smarter as you get older, so I have more wins in me yet.'

Contender Worlds 2010

Splash Worlds: All Kiwi-podium going into final day of racing

Splash Worlds off Takapuna. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz

by Zoe Hawkins

There are only two races left to be sailed in the Splash World Sailing Championship at Takapuna Beach in Auckland, New Zealand, and local sailors are occupying the top three spots in provisional results published this afternoon.

After two clear wins today, Chris Steele (NZL) is leading the fleet with 20 points. Reigning Champ Declan Burn (NZL) is in second place on 25 points, and 2008 World Champ Ben Lutze (NZL) in third, on 35 points.

The Kiwi trio have a clear but not unassailable lead over fourth placeholder Mathieu de By (NED), who sits on 46 points.

Consistency will be very important tomorrow as the top performers attempt to capitalise on the final opportunity to secure a title, and so far, Chris Steele’s performance has been close to immaculate. After eleven races the 18-year old from Devonport has only twice finished outside the top three. Declan Burn has maintained top eight finishes throughout the regatta.

Today’s races were sailed in 5-10 knots of breeze. The more moderate conditions have been enjoyed by the female sailors who are moving up the ranks after a heavy weather start to the regatta.

Laura Hemingway (NZL) leads the women’s division and is in twentieth overall. Svenja Weger (GER) is 19 points behind her, and Rosemary Sim (NZL) is third placed female.

The two final races will begin at 11am tomorrow.

The Splash Dinghy is a fast, modern single handed dinghy designed for sailors under the age of 19. Favoured for its ability to build confidence in mostly teenage sailors, the boat is a step up from the Optimist, and a precursor and training vessel for the Laser class raced by both men and women at the Olympic Games.

The line up at the 2010 Splash World Sailing Championships includes 73 youth sailors from 12 countries. New Zealanders have been world champions in the class in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009, and in 2009 New Zealand also won the Nations Cup at the Splash World Champs held in Europe.

Takapuna Boating Club is organising the Splash World Sailing Championships, with support from North Shore City Council, SPARC, The Lion Foundation, Victoria Cruising Club and Yachting New Zealand.

The best spot for viewing is the beachfront reserve around Takapuna Boating Club on Takapuna Beach, where boats will be readied and launched from the beach each morning, or on the waters between Takapuna Boating Club and Rangitoto Island, from the first start at 11am.

Prizes will be awarded to the winner of the Open Splash Championship, the best female winner, and the country with the lowest total points from amongst their three best sailors.

Takapuna Boating Club

Aussie 18 Foot Skiffs in 2010

by Frank Quealey

Following a three week break over the Christmas-New Year period, the Sydney 18 Footer Season resumes on Sunday when the Australian 18 Footers League conducts Race 1 of the Australian Championship on Sydney Harbour.

The Championship is sponsored by SP-HighModulus, the marine business of Gurit and will be known as “SP-HighModulus Australian 18ft Skiff Championship”.

A fleet of 23 teams will line up in the five-race championship, which is also the final lead in to the Giltinan Championship, which begins on Sydney Harbour next month.

Race dates for the SP-HighModulus Australian 18ft Skiff Championship are: 10, 17, 24, 26 and 31 January.

Recently crowned NSW champions Michael Coxon, Aaron Links and Trent Barnabas are likely to start the championship as favourites in Thurlow Fisher-City, however the defending champions Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout will be more than up to the challenge in their Gotta Love It 7 skiff.

Past Australian champions John Winning (Yandoo) and John Harris (Rag & Famish Hotel) are always at the sharp end of the fleet and will also be strong challengers to take the title.

A spectator ferry will follow each race (with the exception of 26 January) leaving Double Bay Wharf, alongside the clubhouse, at 2.15pm (1415 hours).

Aussie 18 Foot Skiffs

Weta introduced to sailing programme

by Zoe Hawkins

Yachting New Zealand’s Sailing...Have a Go! programme, which has introduced approximately 12,000 children to sailing over the last four years, has successfully trialled the Weta trimaran as part of its programme.

The Weta – a New Zealand designed, award winning 14-foot trimaran designed for entry level sailors, can be set up in 20 minutes or less, and is constructed with a glass hull, and composite mast, beams and spirit. The boat enables a family to sail together, is easy to transport, and makes high performance sailing accessible to the average person.

“The Weta is fun and practical and fits well within the programme,” says Have a Go! co-ordinator Gerry Booth.

Roger and Chris Kitchen, who own the Weta company, say their intention in designing the boat was to introduce Kiwi families into sailing.

The boat was this month selected as ‘Boat of the Year’ in the dinghy category by a major American sailing magazine, against American and European dinghies and has been trialled by Yachting New Zealand over the last sailing season.

Yachting New Zealand

Yachting New Zealand Board reappointments announced

by Zoe Hawkins

David Stringer and Rodger Kerr-Newell have been re-appointed to the Yachting New Zealand Board of Directors.

A member since 2007, David Stringer is an accomplished sailor who represented New Zealand at the Laser World Championships in 1997. David is now resident in Queenstown where he races Etchells, and works as a registered architect. David is also the Southland Yachting Association’s delegate.

Rodger Kerr-Newell is currently Chief Executive of Rodney District Council, also holding executive roles with a number of major organisations including the Employers & Manufacturers Association and Business New Zealand.

Yachting New Zealand

Yachting New Zealand Zone Development Clinics for Napier and Wellington

by Zoe Hawkins

Two Yachting New Zealand Zone Development Clinics for Laser, 420 and Starling sailors aged under 21 are scheduled for the new year:

* Napier, 30-31 January, Enrollments close 15 January, and applications are available from the Napier Sailing Club website, www.napiersailingclub.org.nz

* Worser Bay, 20th–21st February 2010. Enrolments Close: Friday 5th February 2010, and application forms are available from the Worser Bay Boating Club website:
www.wbbc.org.nz

Both events are sponsored by the Lion Foundation, and enquiries should be directed to Wayne Holdt at Yachting New Zealand - wayne@yachtingnz.org.nz, phone Hm 06 7580759, Mob 0272853796.

Yachting New Zealand

Clubs encouraged to take up free SPARC offer quickly

by Zoe Hawkins

SPARC and Yachting New Zealand want yacht clubs to take advantage of a new service that helps sport and recreation organisations to become better run.

Using the same principles utilised by many top businesses, clubs using the Organisational Deveopment Tool (ODT) will sit down with a trained facilitator and answer questions about leadership, planning, customer (member) focus, how they deliver their sport, how they manage their staff and volunteers, and internal management of the sport.

One of the key benefits is that your club will receive a comprehensive ‘Warrant of Fitness’ assessment report that identifies areas where it can improve, and a facility that helps you to stay on track as you implement the changes.

The SPARC Organisational Development Tool is mainly software based, and helps to develop successful and sustainable sport and recreational organisations. It identifies strengths and opportunities and provides direction and clarity as you work to improve.

The service is usually free, and your organisation will be assessed to see if it’s suitable to use the tool. Spaces are limited and we recommend that you act soon - contact Andrew Clouston at Yachting New Zealand to find out more.

Yachting New Zealand

Key changes to race rules now in effect

by Zoe Hawkins

As a result of actions taken by the ISAF Racing Rules Committee and the ISAF Council during the ISAF Annual Conference, several changes in The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2009-2012 will take effect on 1 January 2010.

The changes affect Rule 18.2 relating to Mark Room, the definition of the term Obstruction, competitor advertising, and several items in the appendices and should be reviewed by all sailors participating in racing.

Link to changes

Windsurf celebration a hit with all

by Zoe Hawkins

Thursday 4th December brought together some of New Zealand’s very best sailors to promote windsurfing as a sport and to officially launch the six new Techno boards destined for Tauranga. They are courtesy of the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy and funded by TECT. At $5800 apiece fully kitted out, the boards aren't cheap but spokesman Stuart Pedersen is adamant they'll be a great investment for the sport's future. "Getting these boards is huge - they'll provide a pathway from learning to windsurf through to getting into serious racing without having to commit to buying your own gear," Pedersen said.

The wind got up just in time for the Legends race which saw Scott Fenton, Barbara Kendall, Bruce Kendall, Tom Ashley race the Techno boards named after them, joined by Sven Pederson and Georgia Schofield (current Techno sailors) respectfully on Aaron McIntosh and Santha Patel’s boards, beach start and sail along Takapuna Beach and back.

The evening finished with a beach start race with all the young techno and RS: X sailors. It was a good chance to catch up with old friends, make new connections and welcome newcomers to windsurfing. Among those who came to support were Santha’s parents. They were excited to see the new faces of board sailing and had lots of stories to share. The Takapuna Boating Club is looking to start a Techno fleet in the New Year.

“It was a great day for windsurfing,” said Barbara Kendall. Yachting New Zealand are supporting and driving windsurfing in New Zealand with an aim to get more kids on to boards and get fleets sailing all around the country. Takapuna Boating Club supported the event with facilities and aim to get junior windsurfing program up and running at the club.

Windsufing in New Zealand

49er duo qualify for Gold Fleet at World Championships

by Zoe Hawkins

Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are right now competing in the 49er World Championships in the Bahamas. They have qualified for the Gold Fleet (the top 25 ranked boats) in breezes gusting up to 30 knots.

The Medal race will occur on Sunday morning NZ time.

This follows a month of intensive racing across the Tasman, where they trained with current world champs Nathan Outteridge and Ian Jensen in Sydney, and finished second in the Aussie Nationals, in a competitive 16-boat fleet. They also placed second at Sail Sydney, and secured a silver at the Sail Melbourne Regatta, in perfect 49er conditions.

49er Worlds

Yachting New Zealand: A vintage year

Blackmatch Racing win the 2009 World Match Racing Tour. Image copyright Subzero Images.

by Zoe Hawkins

From youth sailing to Olympic classes, offshore keelboating and matchracing, New Zealanders have had a great twelve months on the international stage. These are just some of our top victories for 2009 (in chronological order):

* Emirates Team New Zealand takes the Louis Vuitton South Pacific Series title raced in Auckland
* NZL sailors win bronze and silver in Team Racing World Champs in Perth
* Team Panama Jack, skippered by Phil Robertson, wins the Warren Jones Regatta in Perth, Western Australia, and Adrian Short, the Hardy Cup in Sydney, New South Wales
New Zealand successfully defends its world championship team event title at the IFDS * World Blind Sailing Championships sailed on Lake Rotorua. New Zealand won the 2009 title after securing a gold in the B2 fleet, and two silver medals in the B1 and B3 fleets.
* Kiwis Brad Jackson and Stu Bannatyne join an elite group of people to win the Volvo Ocean Race (formerly the Whitbread) three times.
* Sailing...Have a Go! gets 9000 children on the water in its first three years, nominated for SPARC Sport & Recreation Awards 2009
* Mike Bullot takes silver in Laser Class at Princess Sofia Regatta
* Ralph Roberts receives SPARC Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to sailing
* The first Women’s Match Racing Development Squad is named. It's destination: 2012 Olympic Games.
* Roger Pagani and his crew win the BMW Sailing Cup, the world’s premier event for amateur keelboat racing
* Three Kiwi crews finish in the top ten at the ISAF World Cup Sailing Regatta
* Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie finish the 470 Europeans in second place
* The Hamish Pepper / Craig Monk combination take silver in the Star Class at Kiel, Michael Bullot takes silver in the Laser Class, and Greg Wilcox takes gold in the OK Dinghy
* Sam Meech secures an exciting Gold Medal in the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing World Championship in Brazil. The girls 420 team takes a fourth place, and New Zealand is fifth for national performance.
* A team of sailors from the RNZYS Youth Training Programme has won the Governor’s Cup sailing to victory in the 43rd US International Junior Match Racing Championship.
* The 49er World Championships concluded in Garda, Italy on July 19th with kiwi’s Peter Burling and Blair Tuke winning the silver fleet.
* 24 year old New Zealand match racing skipper, Adam Minoprio is world number one in the latest release of ISAF match race rankings.
* Hamish Pepper and Craig Monk won silver at the 2009 Star World Championships recently concluded in Varberg, Sweden. George Szabo and Rick Peters of USA secured the world title.
* Karl Purdie of the Worser Bay Boating Club was awarded the silver medal at the 2009 OK Dinghy World Championships in Kalmar, Sweden. The Wellingtonian was just one point off defending his 2008 World Title.
* Alexandra Maloney and Bianca Barbrich-Bacher win the Women’s 420 World Championship in Italy. New Zealand won silver in the Open 420 World Championship with Francisco Lardies and Finn Drummond finishing in second place behind the new title holders from Greece.
* Declan Burn wins the 2009 Splash World Sailing Championships in Wales. The New Zealand team takes the Nations Cup.
* Emirates Team New Zealand excels in the TP52 class internationally
* BlackMatch Racing has won the St Moritz Match Race 2009
* Two New Zealand teams finished on the podium at the Buddy Melges Women’s Match Racing Regatta in Sheboygan, USA. The Kiwi team helmed by Samatha Osborne won the event, with Stephanie Hazard and crew finishing in 3rd place.
* Jo Aleh and Olivia Powrie collected the silver medal at 2009 Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta winning the medal race. The regatta wrapped up in Weymouth, England over the weekend rounding out the final event of the ISAF Sailing World Cup 2008-2009.
* Josh Junior and his crew of Matthew Steven and Chris Jones, representing Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, have won the Musto International Youth Match Racing Championship in convincing style at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. William Tiller (RNZYS) finished second, and Scott Burling (RNZYS) placed third.
* NZL secures ten top ten finishes at the Sail Sydney regatta in December.
* Adam Minoprio and Team Blackmatch win the illustrious Monsoon Cup for match racing and become Match Racing’s World Champion in the process (PICTURED)
* Alfa Romeo, owned and skippered by New Zealander Neville Crichton, wins the Sydney-Hobart yacht race

Yachting New Zealand

Anna Tunnicliffe Honoured by US Sailing/Rolex Again

Anna Tunnicliffe competing in Kieler Woche 2009. Image copyright Luther Carpenter.

by Anna Tunnicliffe

I received some great news today from Rolex. They announced the 2009 winners of the US Sailing/Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, and I am very proud to announce that I have been awarded this prestigious award for the second year running.

I’m so excited to win. It’s a fantastic feeling, and a wonderful way to end the past season and begin the new one.

I have had a great year of sailing, in Laser Radial fleet racing, Match racing and Keelboat fleet racing. My crew, Molly Vandemoer (also a finalist for this award), Debbie Capozzi, Liz Bower, and Alice Manard, all put in a lot of work last year and helped me to some outstanding finishes. I owe them a very big Thank You. I also have to thank my coaches who helped me at my regattas last year. And of course, all my sponsors. It's been a lot of fun, and like I said, a great way to start the new season.

This news comes as we (the team) are preparing for our first USSTAG Qualifying regatta, (to earn the right to represent US Sailing at future events), that is coming up this weekend here in Miami. Our team of Molly, Debbie, and I have been training in the Elliot 6m. We have had some excellent sailing conditions, enabling us to get in plenty of good practice time in the boats. Our regatta starts on Friday and runs through Sunday. There are seven teams registered for the event this weekend; five of the teams are sailing in the clinic this week. It is a great opportunity for us all to learn from each other as we try to figure out these new boats. Every day we are feeling more and more comfortable and in tune with the equipment. I will write an update before the upcoming regatta starts.

Again, I am very excited, and thank everyone for their support throughout the past year.

We would like to thank Carmeuse for their continued support of our campaign for the Gold in the 2012 Olympics in London. We would also like to thank USSTAG for their support.

Anna Tunnicliffe

Contender Worlds: Will Skippy win the 40th Contender Worlds?

2010 Contender Australia Champion (Pre-World), Matt Mulder (AUS). Image copyright Suellen Hurling.

by Rob Kothe

In 1967 the first prototype was called Dorothy. The second in 1968, was named Skippy after a bright young Australian TV star kangaroo. Skippy was a sporty little trapeze dinghy from the design pad of Australian skiff sailor Bob Miller/Ben Lexcen, later the America's Cup designer of note. It was finally renamed the Contender.

Miller won the trials for a new Olympic dinghy with Skippy and although Olympic politics kept the Australian design off the Olympic podium, 2,500 boats later its popularity continues.

Now just before the 40th Contender World Championships to be sailed on Waterloo Bay in Brisbane from Friday 8th until Tuesday 12th of January, it seems that there could be more than one Skippy ready to win again.

Matt Mulder, the Organiser of the 2010 World Championships, this afternoon became the newest Australian sailing champion, winning the Contender Pre-Worlds (the Australian Championships) with a race to spare and he and a mob of thirty Australian Contender sailors today served notice they could be a winning force in the 60 boat Contender World Championships fleet.

Mulder led the series after three races, winning all three in heavy conditions on the Moreton Bay course and today in lighter 7-10 knot conditions, he held on for a fourth place in the fourth race of the series to take an unbeatable grip on the Pre-Worlds. Three other Australians finished ahead of him; two locals Steven Grimes and Geoff Fisher and the Australian Class President Chris Sutherland.

In the fifth race there were five general recalls before Mulder put his Organisers hat on, declared it his worst race drop and sailed back to the Club to arrange the Presentation evening.

Mornington (Victoria) sailor Jono Neate won the race from current Contender World champion Andrea Bonezzi and Geoff Fisher.

Mulder is the 2010 Australian Champion and is now one of the favourites for the World Championship. Neate and Bonezzi tied for points, with Neate winning second place on the podium on a count back.

Mulder's local knowledge provided a considerable advantage in this regatta and he was smiling on the rigging lawn this afternoon. 'I've been determined to well at this event ... been putting a lot of energy into organising it so I can hardly believe my luck so far, but there is a long way to go.'

'Local knowledge is a big factor. Over the first two days the tide coming out of Lota Creek meant the right paid but with the light seabreeze, the left was best.'

The overall favourite for this 40th Championships, seven times world champion Andrea Bonezzi feels Mulder has much more than local knowledge, he certainly has the talent it takes to win the Worlds.

'Matt has not had the time on the International circuit that many of us have, but I saw just how naturally talented he was in his only ever international Contender World Championships in Austria in 1993.

'A week ago, before coming up to Queensland, I had figured that Victorian Jono Neate would be the biggest Australian threat. The way Matt has been sailing, my thinking has required revision.'

Chris Sunderland the Australian Class President said 'It was notable that the locals really know their way around in the tides; Matt, Geoff Fisher and Steven Grimes, we all have to learn from them.'

Jono Neate commented 'Good to be up there, looking forward to a great World Championships. One thing is for sure who ever wins this 40th World title will have sailed well and I am hoping that sailor will be an Aussie.'

Skippy rules!

2010 Contender Pre-Worlds (Australian Championships) .Series Results [Open] up to Race 5 (Drops = 1)
Place Ties From Sail No Boat Name Skipper Series Race 5 Race 4 Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1 QAUS AUS2408 Chewbacca Matt Mulder 7 [55.00S] 4 1 1 1
2 1.0S VAUS AUS2323 AUS2323 Jono Neate 11 1 [7.00] 4 3 3
3 ITA ITA11 Ronstan Andrea Bonezzi 11 2 [27.00] 2 5 2
4 UK GBR2420 Carrie2 Simon Mussell 15 [55.00B] 6 3 2 4
5 2.0S QAUS AUS2468 Bella Anna Geoff Fisher 21 3 2 [10.00] 8 8
6 GER GER551 Schroeder Christoph Homeier 21 6 [15.00] 6 4 5
7 QAUS AUS2179 AUS2179 Steven Grimes 22 5 1 9 7 [9.00]
8 QAUS AUS1753 Stacey Phillip Evans 30 [16.00] 12 5 6 7
9 WAUS AUS2443 AUS2443 Chris Sutherland 32 9 3 14 [15.00] 6
10 UK 2421 No Name Gary Langdon 37 [55.00B] 8 7 11 11
11 VAUS AUS2204 Erica's Diamond Chris Peile 41 7 5 [55.00F] 10 19
12 GER GER1421 Kabbelwasser Dirk Mueller 53 [55.00B] 9 12 14 18
13 VAUS AUS2136 Ro Shambo Grant Robinson 58 [55.00B] 23 11 12 12
14 NAUS AUS2375 Butterfly Sandwich Brett Holly 61 [55.00B] 34 8 9 10
15 14.0S NED NED232 Ristretto Mark Thorborg 71 14 19 18 20 [51.00F]
16 WAUS AUS2411 Cruising Ross Brennan 71 17 16 22 16 [51.00F]
17 8.0S GER GER531 Fajrant Joachim Harpprecht 73 8 11 29 [29.00] 25
18 NAUS 2238 Neopnee Alan Griffith 73 25 [36.00] 16 17 15
19 DEN DEN1628 DEN1628 Lars Bo Rasmussen 76 12 20 24 [31.00] 20
20 WAUS AUS2164 Juche' Richard Shallcross 81 28 [30.00] 19 21 13
21 UK GBR2407 RB Sport&Travel Richard Buttner 88 24 [35.00] 27 23 14
22 UK GBR2314 Foxy Lady Rodger White 89 10 13 34 32 [51.00S]
23 DEN DEN2425 Jolly Jumper Henning Wermuth 92 18 [31.00] 26 24 24
24 NAUS AUS2174 The Big Kahuna David Leask 94 27 [51.00] 25 25 17
25 ITA ITA20 c'e le secche Antonio Martini 98 21 28 [36.00] 28 21
26 ITA ITA40 Stealth Luca Bonezzi 101 [55.00B] 17 15 18 51.00S
27 UK GBR2318 U-Beaut Alan Mollatt 105 20 24 [38.00] 35 26
28 11.0S CAN 2398 HoneyBun Neil Smith 109 11 37 28 33 [51.00F]
29 WAUS 2105 Mojo Greg Barrington 109 30 43 17 19 [51.00F]
30 QAUS AUS1540 AUS1540 Roger Grimes 111 23 29 32 27 [51.00F]
31 QAUS AUS1244 Random Scott Bowman 116 19 [40.00] 33 37 27
32 ITA ITA315 Gnuzzender Antonio Lambertini 122 4 10 57.00C [57.00C] 51.00S
33 GER GER1789 Flyer Alexander Groehlich 123 55.00D 42 13 13 [51.00F]
34 QAUS AUS1364 Blubber Boy Trevor Monaghan 126 22 33 20 [54.00F] 51.00F
35 GER GER2400 Herz aus Gold Ann Seidel 130 26 25 39 40 [57.00C]
36 21.0S QAUS 2281 Don t Know Scott McInerney 135 [55.00B] 41 21 22 51.00F
37 QAUS AUS2169 Carbon Credit Stephen Toms 135 33 [44.00] 41 39 22
38 QAUS 225 Sticky Side Up James Dahl 137 55.00D 18 [55.00S] 41 23
39 UK GBR694 Rock n Rolla Chris Boshier 139 13 21 [55.00S] 54.00F 51.00S
40 QAUS 166 Gavin Dan Haydon 141 29 [46.00] 42 42 28
41 NAUS 2338 Spider Pig Peter Murphy 143 [55.00B] 54 35 38 16
42 ITA ITA111 Valiant Emilio Betta 146 55.00B 14 [55.00F] 26 51.00F
43 VAUS AUS2296 Maho Matthew Kee 148 32 50 30 36 [51.00F]
44 UK GBR2152 One Jump Ahead Mike Denham 154 55.00B 22 23 54.00S [57.00C]
45 QAUS AUS1326 BabyBoomerOnBoard Jan Mulder 157 [55.00S] 45 31 30 51.00F
46 FRA ITA316 MagicBoxSailingTeam Matteo Brescia 158 15 38 [55.00S] 54.00F 51.00F
47 UK GBR2310 Mzungu Tony White 179 57.00C [57.00C] 37 34 51.00F
48 QAUS AUS1306 Got Wood Chris Somers 186 55.00B 26 [55.00F] 54.00F 51.00F
49 VAUS AUS232 Gogolomobile Sean Managh 188 34 49 [55.00S] 54.00S 51.00F
50 31.0S CAN CAN80 Sweet Pea Stephanie Mah 192 31 52 55.00S 54.00F [57.00C]
51 UK GBR2406 Mako Ed Presley 192 55.00B 32 [55.00S] 54.00S 51.00S
52 QAUS AUS217 Colly Wobble Tony Debney 193 35 53 [55.00S] 54.00F 51.00F
53 QAUS 1329 Frantic@SupaIGA John McLean 194 55.00D 48 40 [54.00F] 51.00F
54 ITA ITA15 Calaf II Luca Gusmeroli 208 55.00S 39 57.00C 57.00C [57.00C]
55 QAUS AUS830 Get Me A Bucket Rod Hieatt 211 55.00S 47 55.00S 54.00S [57.00C]
56 UK GBR505 Sherbet David Henshall 226 57.00C 57.00C 55.00F 57.00C [57.00C]

Contender Worlds 2010

Splash Worlds: Leaders’ fortunes reversed after day of light winds

Splash Worlds day 3. Image copyright Will Calver/www.oceanphotography.co.nz

The mood of the weather gods did an about face for Day Three of the Splash World Sailing Championship sailed off picturesque Takapuna Beach in Auckland, New Zealand, with light and variable conditions seeing a new group of sailors take over the top spots

by Zoe Hawkins

After two days of robust and often challenging breeze, and a morning spent on standby waiting for enough wind to start a race, the final two races of the qualifying series were started in 5-8 knots of breeze coming from the North-East.

The lighter conditions meant that according to provisional results, Chris Steele (NZL) replaced Ben Lutze (NZL) in the prime position today, with reigning champ Declan Burn (NZL) in second, and Michael Cate (NZL) third.

George Lane (NZL) is fourth position, and Bart Sluijter (NED) and Mathieu de By (NED) are the first internationals in the rankings. Ben Lutze has dropped to seventh, and Michael Kamp (NED) has dropped from second to eighth place. James Little (Remuera) and Frank Woltman (NED) are new entrants to the top ten, occupying ninth and tenth respectfully.

“Chris’s consistent podium finishes are a credit to him,” says event spokesperson Helen McKenzie, of the former Optimist World Championship holder. “He is not used to racing the Splash dinghy, but he is excelling.”

While light conditions generally favour light sailors, she says that Michael Cate is a physically bigger sailor in the class, who was able to win his second race of the day. “Good results for these guys are still do-able. The points spread is close, and the podium is wide-open.”

Some of the female sailors in the fleet came to the fore today. Following a third and a fourth, reigning Champ Nienke de Jorna (NED) is now the top female, four points ahead of Kiwi Laura Hemingway, and 21st overall.

Entrants are now divided into Gold and Silver fleets. Thuree races are to be held on Thursday and two on Friday, and the winner of the Gold fleet will be world champion.

The breeze is expected to be light again tomorrow, with a Westerly change. Friday should bring more consistent sailing.

The Splash Dinghy is a fast, modern single handed dinghy designed for sailors under the age of 19. Favoured for its ability to build confidence in mostly teenage sailors, the boat is a step up from the Optimist, and a precursor and training vessel for the Laser class raced by both men and women at the Olympic Games.

The line up at the 2010 Splash World Sailing Championships includes 73 youth sailors from 12 countries. New Zealanders have been world champions in the class in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009, and in 2009 New Zealand also won the Nations Cup at the Splash World Champs held in Europe.

Racing proper started at 11am on Monday 4 January, and conditions permitting, 13 races will be held, finishing on Friday 8 January, and followed by a prizegiving on the Friday evening.

Takapuna Boating Club is organising the Splash World Sailing Championships, with support from North Shore City Council, SPARC, The Lion Foundation, Victoria Cruising Club and Yachting New Zealand.

The best spot for viewing is the beachfront reserve around Takapuna Boating Club on Takapuna Beach, where boats will be readied and launched from the beach each morning, or on the waters between Takapuna Boating Club and Rangitoto Island, from the first start at 11am.

Prizes will be awarded to the winner of the Open Splash Championship, the best female winner, and the country with the lowest total points from amongst their three best sailors.

Takapuna Boating Club

America's Cup: Alinghi 5 reaches final destination in Valencia's Port America's Cup

Alinghi 5 in the Darsena, Valencia. Image copyright Javier Salinas/Alinghi.

by Daphne Morgan-Barnicoat

While Valencia celebrated the last of the seasonal festivities, beginning their Three Kings procession in the Dársena, Alinghi's giant catamaran was transferred to the team base in the inner harbour of Port America's Cup where it will be based during preparations for the 33rd America's Cup due to start on 8 February.


Alinghi 5 in the Darsena, Valencia. Image copyright Javier Salinas/Alinghi.

The team has spent the last 12 hours unloading and transporting the containers, masts and support vessels from the Cassandra B (the ship that transported the Alinghi cargo from Ras Al Khaimah to Valencia) in the commercial port to the base. The arrival of Alinghi 5 completes the process.


Alinghi 5 in the Darsena, Valencia. Image copyright Javier Salinas/Alinghi.

Preparations at the team base will continue throughout the week and Alinghi 5 will be made ready for the final training session due to begin mid-month. Spectators will be able to see the boat coming and going from the Alinghi base in the Dársena.

Alinghi

Newport-Bermuda 2010 Notice of Race Now Online

by John Rousmaniere

The Notice of Race for the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race, which starts on June 18, has been posted at BermudaRace.com alongside a report of a recent survey of race veterans revealing high satisfaction with the historic “thrash to the Onion Patch.”

The entry period runs from January 18 to March 30. Electronic submission is the much preferred method. As in recent years there will be five divisions: St. David’s Lighthouse (amateur), Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (professional), Cruiser, Double-Handed, and Open (cant keel).

One of few international ocean races, this will be the Bermuda Race's 47th running since it was founded in 1906. The last race in 2008 had 198 entries.

Newport-Bermuda Race

Contender Pre-Worlds: The Fab Five?

Contenders viewed from an Etchells. Image copyright Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.

by Rob Kothe

Queensland Contender Class President Matt Mulder has not been the perfect host in the first two days of the Contender Pre-Worlds. The 40th Contender World Championship event organiser has not been standing back as a good host, instead he's elbowed everyone aside and grabbed all the 'lollies', winning the first three races.

Yesterday's sharp chop over the shallow water had the Contender sailors sucking in their breath or at least the free beer, on the green lawns of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron after race one in the Pre-World series as they discussed Mulder's first up win in the strong conditions.

Relief today for the sailors with softer conditions on Brisbane's Waterloo Bay course, with the average wind speed hardly over 15 knots and the water flatter.

In race two of the Pre-World series Mulder won again. Britain's Simon Mussell was the first of the guests today, ahead of Australian Jono Neate, Germany's Christoph Homier and seven times world champion Andrea Bonezzi.

In race three in the series, Mulder was third to the top mark but sailed through his rivals on the downwinds to finish ahead of Bonezzi, Mussell and Neate.

The big Queenslander said 'I have been lucky to get space near the committee boat, because I've been heading right off the line with the current working well. The conditions have suited me, but off the breeze my new North's CM5 has been particularly fast. Once the weather softens the European will come to fore'

Simon Mussell is second overall. 'I am pleased to be in the mix, but the bad news ... these are my conditions. I am using an old sail in the Pre-Worlds and I've been concentrating on learning how to sail the short chop.'

'Matt has been very quick down wind; he just consistently sails through us, but we shall see how he goes when it's light. Of course Andrea (Bonezzi) is ready to pounce, he is just a great sailor and Jono Neate is going well considering he likes lighter weather.

'Of us all though, I really think Christoph Homeier should be the most pleased. He is a top class light weather sailor and to be fifth after three heavy races shows he will be very hard to beat in this World Championship.'

There are another 55 boats on the water, but already its seems this group could be the 'Fab Five' going into the 40th Contender World Championship.

There are two more races in the Pre-Worlds, which will finish tomorrow. The 40th World Championships will start on Friday 8th January and sail until the 12th in a nine race series.

Pre-Worlds 2010 Contender Australian Championship scores after three races

Series Results [Open] up to Race 3 (Drops = 0)
Place Ties From Sail No Boat Name Skipper Sers Score Race 3 Race 2 Race 1
1 QAUS AUS2408 Chewbacca Matt Mulder 3 1 1 1
2 2.0S ITA ITA11 Ronstan Andrea Bonezzi 9 2 5 2
3 UK GBR2420 Carrie2 Simon Mussell 9 3 2 4
4 VAUS AUS2323 AUS2323 Jono Neate 10 4 3 3
5 GER GER551 Schroeder Christoph Homeier 15 6 4 5
6 QAUS AUS1753 Stacey Phillip Evans 18 5 6 7
7 QAUS AUS2179 AUS2179 Steven Grimes 25 9 7 9
8 QAUS AUS2468 Bella Anna Geoff Fisher 26 10 8 8
9 NAUS AUS2375 Butterfly Sandwich Brett Holly 27 8 9 10
10 UK 2421 No Name Gary Langdon 29 7 11 11
11 6.0S WAUS AUS2443 AUS2443 Chris Sutherland 35 14 15 6
12 VAUS AUS2136 Ro Shambo Grant Robinson 35 11 12 12
13 GER GER1421 Kabbelwasser Dirk Mueller 44 12 14 18
14 NAUS 2238 Neopnee Alan Griffith 48 16 17 15
15 WAUS AUS2164 Juche' Richard Shallcross 53 19 21 13
16 UK GBR2407 RB Sport&Travel Richard Buttner 64 27 23 14
17 NAUS AUS2174 The Big Kahuna David Leask 67 25 25 17
18 DEN DEN2425 Jolly Jumper Henning Wermuth 74 26 24 24
19 DEN DEN1628 DEN1628 Lars Bo Rasmussen 75 24 31 20
20 GER GER1789 Flyer Alexander Groehlich 77 13 13 51.00F
21 GER GER531 Fajrant Joachim Harpprecht 83 29 29 25
22 10.0S VAUS AUS2204 Erica's Diamond Chris Peile 84 55.00F 10 19
23 ITA ITA40 Stealth Luca Bonezzi 84 15 18 51.00S
24 ITA ITA20 c'e le secche Antonio Martini 85 36 28 21
25 WAUS 2105 Mojo Greg Barrington 87 17 19 51.00F
26 22.0S WAUS AUS2411 Cruising Ross Brennan 89 22 16 51.00F
27 16.0S NAUS 2338 Spider Pig Peter Murphy 89 35 38 16
28 NED NED232 Ristretto Mark Thorborg 89 18 20 51.00F
29 QAUS 2281 Don t Know Scott McInerney 94 21 22 51.00F
30 QAUS AUS1244 Random Scott Bowman 97 33 37 27
31 UK GBR2318 U-Beaut Alan Mollatt 98 37 35 26
32 QAUS AUS2169 Carbon Credit Stephen Toms 101 40 39 22
33 QAUS AUS1540 AUS1540 Roger Grimes 110 32 27 51.00F
34 QAUS 166 Gavin Dan Haydon 111 41 42 28
35 28.0S CAN 2398 HoneyBun Neil Smith 112 28 33 51.00F
36 QAUS AUS1326 BabyBoomerOnBoard Jan Mulder 112 31 30 51.00F
37 30.0S VAUS AUS2296 Maho Matthew Kee 117 30 36 51.00F
38 UK GBR2314 Foxy Lady Rodger White 117 34 32 51.00S
39 QAUS 225 Sticky Side Up James Dahl 119 55.00S 41 23
40 QAUS AUS1364 Blubber Boy Trevor Monaghan 125 20 54.00F 51.00F
41 ITA ITA111 Valiant Emilio Betta 132 55.00F 26 51.00F
42 UK GBR2152 One Jump Ahead Mike Denham 134 23 54.00S 57.00C
43 GER GER2400 Herz aus Gold Ann Seidel 135 38 40 57.00C
44 UK GBR2310 Mzungu Tony White 140 55.00F 34 51.00F
45 QAUS 1329 Frantic@SupaIGA John McLean 144 39 54.00F 51.00F
46 QAUS AUS1306 Got Wood Chris Somers 160 55.00F 54.00F 51.00F
46 VAUS AUS232 Gogolomobile Sean Managh 160 55.00S 54.00S 51.00F
46 FRA ITA316 MagicBoxSailingTeam Matteo Brescia 160 55.00S 54.00F 51.00F
46 UK GBR2406 Mako Ed Presley 160 55.00S 54.00S 51.00S
46 UK GBR694 Rock n Rolla Chris Boshier 160 55.00S 54.00F 51.00S
46 QAUS AUS217 Colly Wobble Tony Debney 160 55.00S 54.00F 51.00F
52 ITA ITA315 Gnuzzender Antonio Lambertini 165 57.00C 57.00C 51.00S
53 CAN CAN80 Sweet Pea Stephanie Mah 166 55.00S 54.00F 57.00C
53 QAUS AUS830 Get Me A Bucket Rod Hieatt 166 55.00S 54.00S 57.00C
55 UK GBR505 Sherbet David Henshall 169 55.00F 57.00C 57.00C
56 ITA ITA15 Calaf II Luca Gusmeroli 171 57.00C 57.00C 57.00C

Contender Worlds 2010

Splash Worlds: Taipa sailor maintains world championship lead after second day of racing

Racing on day 2 of the Splash Worlds off Takapuna. Supplied image.

by Zoe Hawkins

Day Two of the Splash World Sailing Championship sailed off picturesque Takapuna Beach in Auckland, New Zealand, delivered more exciting conditions for the fleet of 73 youth sailors.

Six races have been sailed and provisional results show that Ben Lutze (NZL) now holds a lead of five points over Michael Kamp (NED). George Lane (NZL) is in third position.

The formidable New Zealand sailor from Taipa in Northland, who won this event in 2008, thrives in challenging conditions. He has now won four out of six races, and secured a second place. An unfortunate tenth came down to a pair of broken hiking straps before the start of Race Six, and is now included as his drop.

“Ben’s consistent performance in these heavier races may be a winning ingredient,” says race spokesperson Helen McKenzie, “however Michael Kamp is hard on his heels, and overall the points spread in the top ten is still relatively narrow – we could see positions change as conditions are expected to ease from tomorrow.”

Like yesterday, today’s weather served up winds in the high teens, and a short sharp chop.

“Today really was a great day’s sailing, and very rewarding for those who enjoy these types of conditions,” says Helen McKenzie.

Fourth through tenth places are held respectfully by Bart Sluijter (NED), reigning champion Declan Burn (NZL), Chris Steele (NZL), Michael Cate (NZL), Jock Coppejans (BEL), Maarten Kuipers, and Matthieu de By (NED).

Laura Hemingway (NZL) has extended her lead out to 14 points over the next female in the rankings, Nienke Reina Jorna (NED) who won the women’s event last year.

The South Wester is predicted to die out overnight, and will be replaced with a variable five knots tomorrow morning, with sea breezes kicking in for the afternoon. Thursday and Friday are likely to bring Northwest winds of 10-15 knots.

The final two qualifying races are scheduled for tomorrow, and the fleet will be divided into Gold and Silver for Thursday’s and Friday’s races.

The Splash Dinghy is a fast, modern single handed dinghy designed for sailors under the age of 19. Favoured for its ability to build confidence in mostly teenage sailors, the boat is a step up from the Optimist, and a precursor and training vessel for the Laser class raced by both men and women at the Olympic Games.

The line up at the 2010 Splash World Sailing Championships includes 73 youth sailors from 12 countries. New Zealanders have been world champions in the class in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2009, and in 2009 New Zealand also won the Nations Cup at the Splash World Champs held in Europe.

Racing proper started at 11am on Monday 4 January, and conditions permitting, 13 races will be held, finishing on Friday 8 January, and followed by a prizegiving on the Friday evening.

Takapuna Boating Club is organising the Splash World Sailing Championships, with support from North Shore City Council, SPARC, The Lion Foundation, Victoria Cruising Club and Yachting New Zealand.

The best spot for viewing is the beachfront reserve around Takapuna Boating Club on Takapuna Beach, where boats will be readied and launched from the beach each morning, or on the waters between Takapuna Boating Club and Rangitoto Island, from the first start at 11am.

Prizes will be awarded to the winner of the Open Splash Championship, the best female winner, and the country with the lowest total points from amongst their three best sailors.

Takapuna Boating Club

America's Cup: BMW ORACLE Racing's Cup boat arrives in Valencia

Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

by Jane Eagleson

The BMW ORACLE Racing team is opening the new year at full pace. In the early hours of Monday, its race boat arrived in Spain as the team completes its move from San Diego back to Valencia for the 33rd America's Cup Match next month.


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

Monday morning, CEO Russell Coutts addressed the team at its Base in the Darsena, thanking everyone for their commitment to date and urging the team on through the final stretch.


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

"It's important that today, with just over a month to go, we keep our focus tight and narrow in on what we have to do to win the Cup," he said. "I think we have assembled a really good team. We have a lot of expertise and skills in our group and we have to apply that over the next few weeks in the best way possible."


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

Just hours earlier, the Oceanlady cargo ship arrived in the commericial port of Valencia after 20 days at sea, carrying the BOR90, the trimaran the team has built to challenge for the Cup.


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

The Oceanlady transported approximately 200 tonnes of equipment from the team's training and development base in San Diego, including the BOR 90 trimaran, the main element of the wing sail, four custom made boxes containing the wing flaps, spare masts, 19 shipping containers, and 10 other boats (RIBs etc.).


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

The ship was unloaded over the course of the day. With the BOR 90 trimaran, the wing sail and the other cargo now safe on shore, the trimaran and all of its components will undergo a thorough work-up by the shore team to ensure the boat is match fit before the Valencia training session begins.


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

In the meantime, the sailing team has scheduled several days of multihull match-racing practice in the Extreme 40 catamarans beginning on Thursday.


Unloading of BMW ORACLE Racing's America's Cup gear from Oceanlady in Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

The first race of the 33rd America's Cup Match is scheduled for February 8.

BMW ORACLE Racing