Saturday, 2 July 2011
Extreme 40 : Artemis Racing Lead after Day One in Boston
Artemis Racing ahead of Gitana. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole
by Morgan Trubovich
Act 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series started today in Boston, USA. This is the first time the series has come to USA to race. The first day of the event couldn’t have been much better. Sunny skies, perfect temperature and 5-15 knots of wind. Really nice. Our day started off in a positive way too. Thirty minutes before the start of the first race we were taking a break to leeward of a big Boston Firefighter’s vessel. Terry said; “Hey guys why don’t we sheet on and get out of his way!” We did just that and about 30 seconds later they opened up about 10,000 gallons of water in a huge water display! We avoided being completely drenched by about 30 seconds. I looked back at Terry and said; “No WAY you saw that coming – you just got lucky!”. He just smiled and said “Let’s hope the rest of our day goes like that.”
And it pretty much did. The breeze was blowing straight out of the city so the buildings were making for some very random wind shifts. It was all about staying calm, never giving up and focusing on our processes not the results. It seemed to work. We sailed really well as a team and kept cool heads in tough situations. After seven hard races we ended up with a score line of: 2,9,1,3,2,2,5. This gives us a narrow lead over the fleet. But as we all know there are a LOT more races to come!
Today we also paid tribute to Olivia Constants who lost her life last week in Annapolis when her 420 capsized during a sailing camp. She was only 14 years old. We were all touched by her story. Terry lives in Annapolis and is very active in local sailing there. So we cut up a bunch of black sticky-back and gave a black ribbon to every Extreme 40 team. All 11 boats sailed today with a black ribbon flying off the back of our mainsails in memory of Olivia.
We will be racing again tomorrow from 1400-1700 and for the next three days. The event ends on the 4th of July which is a huge celebration in the USA. We will be working to make sure we have our own celebrating to do as well!
Artemis Racing
Extreme Sailing Series
Extreme 40 : Oman Sail impress in Boston
HE Amb Hunaina on board Oman Air. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/Oman Sail
by Mohammed Al Eissa
The Extreme Sailing Series Boston got off to thrilling start today, with a fantastic opening day for Oman Sail’s The Wave Muscat. Three race wins was enough for the team to finish the day in second place, just one point off first placed Artemis Racing from Sweden. For Oman Air, a well fought battle mid-fleet see’s them finish today in eighth place. Showing their support for the Omani teams today were Her Excellency Hunaina Al Mughairi, Oman's Ambassador, in the USA, and Her Excellency Lyutha Al Mughairi, Oman's Ambassador for the United Nations, who were both impressed to see the Oman Sail Extreme 40’s in action for the first time.
The American city delivered some challenging sailing conditions for the 11 boat international fleet today, with mixed wind speeds making for some unpredictable racing. Nasser Al Mashari, Oman Air’s Omani bowman explained: “The weather is lovely, the sun here reminds me of Oman, but for sailing it has been challenging conditions. The wind is difficult to predict and has been really up and down – all the fleet found themselves without wind at one point during the race and the boats would just stop in the water. Everyone had at least one bad race because of the wind, and we are hoping that it is steadier tomorrow.”
Despite only having one hour of training before racing this morning with new British skipper Leigh McMillan, the team on The Wave Muscat got their event off to a perfect start, with an incredible win in the first race of the day, 20 seconds ahead of the second placed Luna Rossa (ITA), skippered by Paul Campbell-James, the 2010 Skipper of The Wave, Muscat. Khamis Al Anbouri, the team’s Omani bowan who was part of the 2010 winning team commented: “We were nervous going into today as we had so little training time together, but we are really happy with the result. Tomorrow we will focus on going into the race in the same frame of mind, and work hard to get more results like today. I am really excited about the rest of the event here and feeling confident we can deliver a good result.”
After his first day racing onboard The Wave, Muscat, Leigh praised the team for their attitude on the water. “I sailed with Khamis in the Asian Extreme Series in 2010, so it was good to be back on board with him again, but today was the first time I have sailed with Kyle Langford and even though I have known Nick Hutton for a long time it is the first time we have sailed together. I was concerned I wouldn’t be fully up to speed after only having one hours training, but we are really happy at the end of today. There is a lot of mutual respect amongst the team and that gave us the mentality to go out there and do our best today.”
The competition was fierce on the water today, and the team on Oman Air found themselves in a battle mid-leader board with Emirates Team New Zealand, Alinghi (SUI) and Team NiceforYou (ITA), all of which are skippered by experienced America’s Cup sailors. After a hard fought battle, they finish today in eighth position overall, an impressive seven points clear of Alinghi.
HE Lyutha and HE Hunaina with the Omani X40 team. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/Oman Sail
Showing their support for the two Oman Sail teams today were Her Excellency Hunaina Al Mughairi, Oman's Ambassador, in the USA, and Her Excellency Lyutha Al Mughairi, Oman's Ambassador for the United Nations. Her Excellency Hunaina joined both Oman Air and The Wave, Muscat on the water, to experience the racing first hand. She spoke about her experience afterwards and praised the teams for their professionalism. “For me it was my first experience on these boats and it was an experience of a lifetime! The sailors were really skilful, very professional and I really commend them for their efforts on the water. I am very proud of what Oman has achieved and I feel privileged to have been part of that today. Oman has always been a seafaring nation and through Oman Sail, we are going back to our roots.”
Her Excellency Lyutha continued: “I think the Oman Sail project is excellent. I worked with them when I was in charge of the Jewel of Muscat and I am very proud to be part of it again. To see the Oman boats doing so well has made my day. I have never seen sailing like this before, and to be part of this makes me very proud. We really want to use this to encourage our Omani youth to start sailing.”
Nasser Al Mashari felt proud to be sailing under the watchful eye of such important guests. “I am so proud that Her Excellencies both travelled here to watch us and support us in this Series. More and more Omanis are showing us their support, and inshallah, that will continue to grow in the future.”
At the end of today, it is the Swedish team of Artemis Racing who finish at the top of the leaderboard, with Red Bull Extreme (AUT) five points shy ofThe Wave, Muscat in third place. The current Series leaders, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA) finish today in fourth.
There are four more days of racing left in Boston, before the event draws to its conclusion on the 4th July. The event here is part of the Boston Harbourfest, the largest the Fourth of July celebration in the United States, with huge crowds expected to descend on Fan Pier to watch the racing during the weekend.
After the event in the USA, the Extreme Sailing Series will travel to the UK, Italy, France, and Spain, before it’s conclusion in Singapore in December.
To keep up to date with how the Oman Sail teams are getting in and for exclusive updates visit www.facebook.com/omansail
Extreme Sailing Series Boston Results after Day 1, 7 Races
2011 Calendar & Host Venues:
Act 1: 20-24 February, Muscat, Oman
Act 2: 13-17 April, China
Act 3: 25-29 May, Istanbul, Turkey
Act 4: 30 June – 4 July, Boston, USA
Act 5: 6-12 August, Cowes, UK
Act 6: 16-18 September, Trapani, Italy
Act 7: 30 September – 2 October, Nice, France
Act 8: 12-16 October, Almeria, Spain
Act 9: 9-11 December, Singapore
Oman Sail
Extreme Sailing Series
Extreme 40 : Challenging First Day at Extreme 40 USA Debut
Artemis Racing. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole
by Carolyn Lashmar
The opening day of the Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 4 at the Fan Pier in Boston proved to be a challenging one as the 11 Extreme 40 teams made their USA debut. Finding the best lanes of pressure and speed was the big ask of the day as the breeze fluctuated in strength and direction with the Fan Pier backdrop throwing in some wind holes for good measure, especially at the finish area only metres from the shore and the crowds.
For some it presented opportunities, for others lost opportunities, rapid places changes were the order of the day but on top by 1 point was US sailor Terry Hutchinson, driving Artemis Racing: “It’s nice to come off today in this position but you know the racing is only going to get harder not easier and we’re mindful that we’ve got probably another 25-28 races to go. It is intense and full on the entire time,” said Terry. “Boston is such an awesome city to sail in and provided a great race track today.”
The Wave, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole.
It was a great comeback for British sailor Leigh McMillan who took over as skipper and helm of The Wave, Muscat. In 2010 McMillan helmed Ecover into third place overall but at this morning’s press conference he was reticent about his hopes at his first 2011 event. These were quickly dispelled with a win in the first race and two more out of the seven races staged on the opening day: “I really just wanted to take it easy and in a way we did but when the race starts you just have to take every opportunity as it comes and that’s what we did,” said Leigh. “We didn’t have good starts but it was very shifty conditions and there were a lot of opportunities to overtake which is where we came into our own and made big gains in all of the races. I did not expect at all to be in second place so I am really thrilled with the day and thrilled to be sailing with these guys.”
Roman Hagara’s Red Bull Extreme Sailing pulled off two race wins in the final two races and consistency in the earlier races secured third place overall going into the second day. No doubt his team was inspired by the Red Bull Air Force skydivers who provided a stunning opening stunt to kickstart racing. The two parachutists performing loops on their descent, releasing smoke flares before landing on the floating pontoon right in front of the crowds with impressive precision.
Extreme 40s racing off Fan Pier, Boston. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole.
Special guest and two-time Velux 5 Oceans victor, Brad Van Liew, dropped by to experience his first Extreme 40 ride as guest 5th man: “First time being at an event, let alone getting a ride and with Dean Barker so really a fun thing to do. For those that came down to the venue to watch its fantastic because we’ve had all these huge lead changes. Great fun to watch and even more exciting to see up and close.” For Brad who is more used to racing ocean-going monohulls, the lightweight Extreme 40s came as a breath of fresh air: “These things can go from 0-20 knots in a couple of boat lengths and they can also go from 20-0 knots in a couple of boat lengths so when they sail into a windless hole, they pile in on top of each other which reconsolidates the race. I can imagine sailing one in 25 knots would change your ‘fun-meter’ level!”
Spectators at Fan Pier, Boston. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole.
With Act 4 being part of the Boston Harborfest 4th July celebrations there is plenty for the public to enjoy over the coming days with 49er sailing, music on the main stage every night, street performers and more skydiving from the Red Bull Air Force.
Red Bull Air Force sky divers. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole.
Extreme Sailing Series Act 4 at Fan Pier Boston, USA
Current overall standings after 7 races, Day 1 (30.6.11)
Position / Team / Skipper & crew / Points
1st Artemis Racing (SWE), Terry Hutchinson / Sean Clarkson / Morgan Trubovich / Julien Cressant 60 points
2nd The Wave, Muscat (OMA), Leigh McMillan / Kyle Langford / Nick Hutton / Khamis Al Anbouri 59 points
3rd Red Bull Extreme Sailing (AUT), Roman Hagara / Hans Peter Steinacher / Will Howden / Craig Monk 54 points
4th Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (FRA), Pierre Pennec / Christophe Espagnon / Thierry Fouchier / Hervé Cunningham 46 points
5th Luna Rossa (ITA), Max Sirena / Paul Campbell-James / Alister Richardson / Manuel Modena 44 points
6th Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Dean Barker / Adam Beashel / James Dagg / Jeremy Lomas 43 points
7th Niceforyou (ITA), Alberto Barovier / Mark Bulkeley / Daniele de Luca Simone de Mari 41 points
8th Oman Air (OMA), Sidney Gavignet / Kinley Fowler / David Carr / Nasser Al Mashari 35 points
9th Alinghi (SUI), Tanguy Cariou / Yann Guichard / Nils Frei / Yves Detrey 28 points
10th Team GAC Pindar (GBR), Ian Williams / Mark Ivey / Andrew Walsh / Jono Macbeth 26 points
11th Team Extreme (EUR), Roland Gaebler / Bruno Dubois / Sebbe Godefroid / Bob Merrick 25 points
Extreme Sailing Series
Tour de France à la Voile : Retour en France Difficile pour TPM
TPM. Image copyright JM Liot/TFV
par TPM media
L'arrivée au port de Calais n'a pas été des plus appréciées par nos régatiers : des fichiers météo qui se contredisent, une petite heure de spi, et le reste du parcours au reaching et au rappel ... Nos équipiers n'ont malheureusement pas su tirer leur épingle du je, et arrivent 10ème à Calais.
Le départ a été difficile : le vent ne correspondait pas aux attentes de Fabien Delahaye, navigateur du bord, et le Toulon Provence Méditerranée se retrouvait bloqué. Après la bouée de dégagement, certains prenaient l'option très audacieuse, mais payante, du large, et d'autre empannaient de suite. TPM, gêné par des concurrents, ne pouvait les suivre et restait au milieu. Les places étaient chères sur ce coefficient 2, et les M34 ne lachaient rien. 14ème et avant dernier de la flotte au pointage de minuit, Fabien Henry et ses hommes bataillaient ferme et remontaient jusqu'à la 10ème place ce matin. Ile de France remporte sa deuxième étape consécutive devant Oman Sail et Crédit Mutuel Bretagne.
Aujourd'hui, la flotte du Tour de France à la Voile est au repos pour récupérer de cette nuit, et se préparer aux parcours bananes de demain matin.
TPM-COYCH
Tour de France à la Voile
VOR : Fire Hydrant Conditions for CAMPER ETNZ
Fire hydrant conditions on board CAMPER ETNZ. Image copyright Hamish Hooper/CAMPER/Volvo Ocean Race.
by Volvo Ocean Race media
Chris Nicholson's team enjoyed a wild offshore testing trip. But is "enjoy" really the word for Media Crew Member Hamish Hooper? He describes facing the "constant wall of water" in his blog.
"Trae was knocked over, Stu was struggling to remain upright at the helm, and everyone’s eyes were so red and sore from the salt spray it looked as though we were all on illicit substances.”
“Will Oxley’s forecast was for a nice sail testing out past Great Barrier Island and through the night to the north east of East Cape,” Hamish writes.
Stu Bannatyne shifting the stack. Image copyright Hamish Hooper/CAMPER/Volvo Ocean Race.
“Then the breeze would go soft for 12 hours or so while we sit and wait for the big ‘southerly blast’ booming up the coast from Antarctica, which would catapult us back to Auckland in no time at all, albeit very wet and very cold.”
The wet and cold part was right but otherwise Hamish was in for a surprise.
“Again, as always Will’s report is spot on - well almost. The bit about the sitting around resting in light wind for 12 hours or so, that didn’t happen, as the southerly blast was more intent on smashing its way up the country quicker than expected.
Full CAMPER crew with aft stack, during offshore testing. Image copyright Hamish Hooper/CAMPER/Volvo Ocean Race.
"Luckily I had quite a good sleep, and loaded up on a new seasick remedy to prepare for the trip home. That morning to add to my apprehension Mike Pammenter flippantly commented, 'You haven’t experienced anything yet, Hoops. Today is what I call sailing in fire hydrant conditions.' I asked myself what that was supposed to mean.
"An hour later I got a pretty clear impression of what he meant - as clear as a spade to the head, or in this case a constant wall of water to the face."
Hamish had already been through some rough sailing onboard CAMPER with Emirates Team New Zealand. This day of testing was another experience he will definitely remember.
“It was quite a ride back to Auckland. Nico, Stu and Chuny all went nuts on the wheel. Now I understand a frequently used term 'sending it'.
"Life on deck is not so simple when 'sending it'. It's dangerous, exhausting, painful but all the while exhilarating. I was nearly winded by a wave which hit me, even though I was 70 foot away from where it hit the boat. Trae was knocked over, Stu was struggling to remain upright at the helm, and everyone’s eyes were so red and sore from the salt spray it looked as though we were all on illicit substances.”
CAMPER ETNZ
Volvo Ocean Race
VOR : Surf and Sup Sensation Laird Hamilton Signs on as honorary 12th crew member for PUMA Ocean Racing Team
Adventure at Sea Begins with Monster Waves, Pioneering New Products and an Ocean Preservation Campaign Led By 13th Crew Member Mascot
Laird Hamilton paddle-boarding alongside Mar Mostro. Image copyright Megham Sepe.
by PUMA media
PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG Propulsion today introduced Laird Hamilton, big wave surfer and father of modern stand-up paddleboarding, as the honorary 12th crew member of the PUMA Ocean Racing team. Through this unprecedented partnership, PUMA and Hamilton will join forces in two arenas: 1) to search for the world's biggest, ride-able waves and 2) to launch a line of innovative stand-up paddleboards. Additionally, PUMA revealed an ocean preservation campaign, spearheaded by new mascot, educator and honorary 13th crew member, Marmo.
Hamilton prepares for his role as the honorary 12th member of PUMA’s ocean racing crew. PUMA and Hamilton will join forces to search for the world’s biggest, ride-able waves and to launch innovative stand-up paddleboards on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
The Search for the Monster Waves
Hamilton together with the PUMA Ocean Racing Crew will commence a search for the world’s monster waves during the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Skipper Ken Read and the crew aboard PUMA’s Mar Mostro ( ‘The Monster of the Sea’ in Italian) will help track the world’s biggest rogue waves which Hamilton will attempt to conquer, getting him one step closer to achieving his life-long ambition of “riding giants.” Using the weather and navigational teams onshore and onboard PUMA’s Mar Mostro, the crew will track wave patterns while sailing through the remotest reaches of the world’s oceans. As monster waves are found, Hamilton will fly in, prepared to surf them.
“PUMA has a history of unexpected collaborations that change the playing field of the sports we engage in,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer for PUMA AG. “The introduction of Laird Hamilton as the honorary 12th crew member on our PUMA Ocean Racing team represents an epic clash of prowess on the ocean. We’re bringing together the world’s most elite sailors with their counterpart in the surf and paddleboard sector to serve as a key fixture of our Volvo Ocean Race campaign.”
The key to Hamilton’s success in riding the world’s wildest waves rests on an innovative new “concept” surfboard by the same design team that brought PUMA’s Mar Mostro to life. Juan Kouyoumdjian (Juan K), the mastermind behind PUMA’s Mar Mostro Volvo 70, as well as the boat designer for two previous winning Volvo Open 70 boats, ABM-AMRO ONE and Ericsson 4, will collaborate with Hamilton on the surfboard development.
SUPs of Tomorrow
Laird Hamilton and Mar Mostro. Surf and stand-up paddleboard sensation, Laird Hamilton, paddleboards alongside PUMA’s Mar Mostro, the ocean racing yacht competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Hamilton prepares for his role as the honorary 12th member of PUMA’s ocean racing crew. PUMA and Hamilton will join forces to search for the world’s biggest, ride-able waves and to launch innovative stand-up paddleboards on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Image copyright Megham Sepe/PUMA.
Laird’s latest passion is paddle surfing, a sport he’s helped make popular worldwide with water sports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. PUMA saw an opportunity to extend the Juan K - Laird Hamilton design partnership beyond a concept surfboard and into a range of stand-up paddleboards for consumer use. These limited edition carbon fiber stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) will take inspiration from the Mar Mostro Volvo 70 hull design, both ergonomically and through the use of the same ultra-lightweight carbon fiber materials. Made in the United States, the boards feature the bright red tentacle design, matching PUMA’s Mar Mostro. This marks the first time that boat hull design innovation will be applied to paddleboards.
The PUMA/LAIRD SUPs are set to debut to the trade at Outdoor Retailer this August in Park City, Utah (USA), with broader consumer availability in time for the Volvo Ocean Race Start this November.
“It’s been a life-long goal to push the boundaries and find these rogue waves at sea to ride, said Hamilton. “When PUMA and the PUMA Ocean Racing crew approached me with ideas for how we might collectively make this happen during the Volvo Ocean Race, I was thrilled. To then have the opportunity to co-design revolutionary new carbon fiber SUPs with them, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. We’re bringing the ultimate innovation to action water sports. It’s going to be a game-changer.”
PUMA Ocean Racing and VOR 2011-2012
As the honorary 12th crew member, Hamilton will also serve as a fitness and nutrition coach for the PUMA Ocean Racing team, applying his proprietary regimen to get the boys ready to face mother nature’s fury at sea. Hamilton’s fitness routine varies based on the conditions, but he believes a program should be both functional and fun. He focuses on building speed, strength and endurance through specialized circuit training in the gym. Hamilton also practices yoga and uses his “anywhere workout” for exercising in different locations – from the beach to a hotel room. After working up an appetite, Hamilton’s diet centers on eating for performance, health and, of course, pleasure.
The PUMA Ocean Racing team is once again under the leadership of Ken Read (Newport, Rhode Island, United States). The core includes: Tom Addis, Navigator (Sydney, Australia); Ryan Godfrey, Trimmer & Driver (Adelaide, Australia); Kelvin Harrap, Trimmer & Driver (Napier, New Zealand); Brad Jackson, Design Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Rome Kirby, Trimmer & Driver (Newport, Rhode Island, USA); Michael “Michi” Müller, Bowman (Kiel, Germany); Tony Mutter, Aerodynamics Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Casey Smith, Systems Manager & Bowman (Brisbane, Australia); Jonathan “Jono” Swain, Helmsman & Trimmer (Durban, South Africa); Arden Oksanen, Media Crew Member (Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA); Kimo Worthington, General Manager (Portsmouth, Rhode Island, United States); and Tim Hacket, Shore Team Manager (Sydney, Australia).
The management and sailing team for PUMA Ocean Racing shares a level of success difficult to match with 22 Volvo Ocean Race entries and 20 America’s Cup editions. Collectively, the core team holds seven 24-hour mono hull speed records and has won the Around the World Race seven times.
Laird Hamilton and Mar Mostro. Surf and stand-up paddleboard sensation, Laird Hamilton tries out his new innovative, custom designed PUMA paddleboard in Newport, R.I., Harbor. Earlier in the day, Hamilton was named PUMA Ocean Racing's honorary 12th crew member for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Image copyright PUMA.
“The unique part of this collaboration with Laird Hamilton is that on the boat we’re trying to avoid the monster waves whereas he’s trying to find them! The fact is we can’t elude those waves, so we’ll be a good indicator of where he may be able to drop in,” said Read. “It’s also rare to have a designer, like Juan K, and a larger development team involved in so many other aspects of a program beyond just a boat. Personally, I can’t wait to get out and paddle on one of the PUMA/LAIRD boards – if it has half the performance of PUMA’s Mar Mostro, it’s an activity you won’t want to miss.”
PUMAVision Ocean Preservation Campaign
In keeping with PUMA's long-term commitments to sustainability, for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA will reach out to young sailing and sports fans to raise awareness and learn about the importance and shared responsibilities of ocean preservation. PUMA's environmental campaign will be fronted by Marmo, a specially created “sea monster” mascot who's identity was inspired by PUMA’s Mar Mostro. Marmo, PUMA's honorary 13th crew member, will be the face of PUMA's ocean conservation efforts aimed at young children. His adventures will be featured in a children's book, available this fall that teaches youngsters what they can do in their daily lives to help protect marine resources. Additionally, Marmo will be the star of a comprehensive educational campaign that includes family events in port stop-overs, and online activities including practical tips, games, quizzes and more. Children can follow Marmo on his journey with the PUMA Ocean Racing team online.
PUMA
Volvo Ocean Race
Laird Hamilton paddle-boarding alongside Mar Mostro. Image copyright Megham Sepe.
by PUMA media
PUMA Ocean Racing powered by BERG Propulsion today introduced Laird Hamilton, big wave surfer and father of modern stand-up paddleboarding, as the honorary 12th crew member of the PUMA Ocean Racing team. Through this unprecedented partnership, PUMA and Hamilton will join forces in two arenas: 1) to search for the world's biggest, ride-able waves and 2) to launch a line of innovative stand-up paddleboards. Additionally, PUMA revealed an ocean preservation campaign, spearheaded by new mascot, educator and honorary 13th crew member, Marmo.
Hamilton prepares for his role as the honorary 12th member of PUMA’s ocean racing crew. PUMA and Hamilton will join forces to search for the world’s biggest, ride-able waves and to launch innovative stand-up paddleboards on Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
The Search for the Monster Waves
Hamilton together with the PUMA Ocean Racing Crew will commence a search for the world’s monster waves during the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Skipper Ken Read and the crew aboard PUMA’s Mar Mostro ( ‘The Monster of the Sea’ in Italian) will help track the world’s biggest rogue waves which Hamilton will attempt to conquer, getting him one step closer to achieving his life-long ambition of “riding giants.” Using the weather and navigational teams onshore and onboard PUMA’s Mar Mostro, the crew will track wave patterns while sailing through the remotest reaches of the world’s oceans. As monster waves are found, Hamilton will fly in, prepared to surf them.
“PUMA has a history of unexpected collaborations that change the playing field of the sports we engage in,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer for PUMA AG. “The introduction of Laird Hamilton as the honorary 12th crew member on our PUMA Ocean Racing team represents an epic clash of prowess on the ocean. We’re bringing together the world’s most elite sailors with their counterpart in the surf and paddleboard sector to serve as a key fixture of our Volvo Ocean Race campaign.”
The key to Hamilton’s success in riding the world’s wildest waves rests on an innovative new “concept” surfboard by the same design team that brought PUMA’s Mar Mostro to life. Juan Kouyoumdjian (Juan K), the mastermind behind PUMA’s Mar Mostro Volvo 70, as well as the boat designer for two previous winning Volvo Open 70 boats, ABM-AMRO ONE and Ericsson 4, will collaborate with Hamilton on the surfboard development.
SUPs of Tomorrow
Laird Hamilton and Mar Mostro. Surf and stand-up paddleboard sensation, Laird Hamilton, paddleboards alongside PUMA’s Mar Mostro, the ocean racing yacht competing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. Hamilton prepares for his role as the honorary 12th member of PUMA’s ocean racing crew. PUMA and Hamilton will join forces to search for the world’s biggest, ride-able waves and to launch innovative stand-up paddleboards on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Image copyright Megham Sepe/PUMA.
Laird’s latest passion is paddle surfing, a sport he’s helped make popular worldwide with water sports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. PUMA saw an opportunity to extend the Juan K - Laird Hamilton design partnership beyond a concept surfboard and into a range of stand-up paddleboards for consumer use. These limited edition carbon fiber stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) will take inspiration from the Mar Mostro Volvo 70 hull design, both ergonomically and through the use of the same ultra-lightweight carbon fiber materials. Made in the United States, the boards feature the bright red tentacle design, matching PUMA’s Mar Mostro. This marks the first time that boat hull design innovation will be applied to paddleboards.
The PUMA/LAIRD SUPs are set to debut to the trade at Outdoor Retailer this August in Park City, Utah (USA), with broader consumer availability in time for the Volvo Ocean Race Start this November.
“It’s been a life-long goal to push the boundaries and find these rogue waves at sea to ride, said Hamilton. “When PUMA and the PUMA Ocean Racing crew approached me with ideas for how we might collectively make this happen during the Volvo Ocean Race, I was thrilled. To then have the opportunity to co-design revolutionary new carbon fiber SUPs with them, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. We’re bringing the ultimate innovation to action water sports. It’s going to be a game-changer.”
PUMA Ocean Racing and VOR 2011-2012
As the honorary 12th crew member, Hamilton will also serve as a fitness and nutrition coach for the PUMA Ocean Racing team, applying his proprietary regimen to get the boys ready to face mother nature’s fury at sea. Hamilton’s fitness routine varies based on the conditions, but he believes a program should be both functional and fun. He focuses on building speed, strength and endurance through specialized circuit training in the gym. Hamilton also practices yoga and uses his “anywhere workout” for exercising in different locations – from the beach to a hotel room. After working up an appetite, Hamilton’s diet centers on eating for performance, health and, of course, pleasure.
The PUMA Ocean Racing team is once again under the leadership of Ken Read (Newport, Rhode Island, United States). The core includes: Tom Addis, Navigator (Sydney, Australia); Ryan Godfrey, Trimmer & Driver (Adelaide, Australia); Kelvin Harrap, Trimmer & Driver (Napier, New Zealand); Brad Jackson, Design Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Rome Kirby, Trimmer & Driver (Newport, Rhode Island, USA); Michael “Michi” Müller, Bowman (Kiel, Germany); Tony Mutter, Aerodynamics Coordinator & Watch Captain (Auckland, New Zealand); Casey Smith, Systems Manager & Bowman (Brisbane, Australia); Jonathan “Jono” Swain, Helmsman & Trimmer (Durban, South Africa); Arden Oksanen, Media Crew Member (Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA); Kimo Worthington, General Manager (Portsmouth, Rhode Island, United States); and Tim Hacket, Shore Team Manager (Sydney, Australia).
The management and sailing team for PUMA Ocean Racing shares a level of success difficult to match with 22 Volvo Ocean Race entries and 20 America’s Cup editions. Collectively, the core team holds seven 24-hour mono hull speed records and has won the Around the World Race seven times.
Laird Hamilton and Mar Mostro. Surf and stand-up paddleboard sensation, Laird Hamilton tries out his new innovative, custom designed PUMA paddleboard in Newport, R.I., Harbor. Earlier in the day, Hamilton was named PUMA Ocean Racing's honorary 12th crew member for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 on Tuesday, June 28, 2011. Image copyright PUMA.
“The unique part of this collaboration with Laird Hamilton is that on the boat we’re trying to avoid the monster waves whereas he’s trying to find them! The fact is we can’t elude those waves, so we’ll be a good indicator of where he may be able to drop in,” said Read. “It’s also rare to have a designer, like Juan K, and a larger development team involved in so many other aspects of a program beyond just a boat. Personally, I can’t wait to get out and paddle on one of the PUMA/LAIRD boards – if it has half the performance of PUMA’s Mar Mostro, it’s an activity you won’t want to miss.”
PUMAVision Ocean Preservation Campaign
In keeping with PUMA's long-term commitments to sustainability, for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, PUMA will reach out to young sailing and sports fans to raise awareness and learn about the importance and shared responsibilities of ocean preservation. PUMA's environmental campaign will be fronted by Marmo, a specially created “sea monster” mascot who's identity was inspired by PUMA’s Mar Mostro. Marmo, PUMA's honorary 13th crew member, will be the face of PUMA's ocean conservation efforts aimed at young children. His adventures will be featured in a children's book, available this fall that teaches youngsters what they can do in their daily lives to help protect marine resources. Additionally, Marmo will be the star of a comprehensive educational campaign that includes family events in port stop-overs, and online activities including practical tips, games, quizzes and more. Children can follow Marmo on his journey with the PUMA Ocean Racing team online.
PUMA
Volvo Ocean Race
Friday, 1 July 2011
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Extreme 40 : Red Bull Multihull ab Donnerstag in USA gegen Weltelite
Boston/USA/4. Rennen Extreme Sailing World Series 2011/Hagara Mitfavorit
Red Bull Extreme Sailing. Image copyright Sabine König.
von Mario Schoby
Ab Donnerstag 14 Uhr (Ortszeit) startet Red Bull Extreme Sailing vor der Skyline von Boston in den vierten Stopp der Extreme Sailing World Series 2011. Das unter österreichischer Flagge startetende Team mit Skipper Roman Hagara , Taktiker Hans Peter Steinacher (beide AUT), Will Howden (UK) und Craig Monk (NZL) ist nach drei von neun Saisonrennen am 20 Meter hohen und 14 Meter langen Karbon-Katamaran in der Weltelite angekommen und zählt in Boston zu den Mitfavoriten. Das Finale des US-Rennens findet am 4. Juli, dem Amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitstag, statt.
Bis zu 6 Wettfahrten werden von Donnerstag bis Montag im „Boston Harbour“ täglich gestartet. 11 Teams, darunter die America´s Cup Syndikate Alinghi, Artemis und Emirates Team New Zealand, setzen die Segel. „Diese Segelserie hat sich zum Top-Spot entwickelt. Jeder der international auf großen Booten mitmischen will, muss in dieser Serie starten“, erklärt Taktiker Hans Peter Steinacher. Sein kongenialer Partner und Red Bull Extreme Sailing Steuermann Roman Hagara fügt hinzu: „Wir konnten zum Auftakt im Oman auf das Podest fahren. Waren in China bis zur Kenterung auf Sieg-Kurs. Nur in Istanbul hatten wir einen Durchhänger, den wir uns selbst zuschreiben müssen.“
Am Dienstag kam der bis zu 75 km/h schnelle Extreme 40 Multihull der Österreicher in Boston an, am heutigen Mittowchnachmittag findet das erste Training statt. Start für den ersten von fünf Renntagen ist am Donnerstag (30. Juni) um 14 Uhr Ortszeit.
Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OCThirdPole
Bei bislang drei Events in Muskat (0man), Qindao (China) und Istanbul (Türkei) gab es drei Sieger: Groupe Edmond de Rothschild in Muskat, Luna Rossa in Qingdao und Artemis Racing in Istanbul. Emirates Team New Zealand war in Istanbul ganz nah dran und will unbedingt gewinnen. Sie bringen ihren America’s-Cup-Strategen Adam Beashel als Taktiker mit. Und trotz ihres Crashs in Istanbul, wird Alinghi mit dem Vorjahreszweiten Yann Guichard immer besser und hat das Podium im Visier. Red Bull Bowman Craig Monk (NZL): „Die Serie ist extrem ausgeglichen. Es hat sich kein Top-Favorit herauskristallisiert. Wir sind von der seglerischen Performance sicher ganz vorne dabei.“ The Wave aus Muskat hat mit dem Briten Leigh McMillan einen neuen Skipper, der dazu beitrug, Ecover 2010 auf Platz drei zu segeln.
Erstmals wird in Boston das komplette Renngeschehen der Extreme Sailing Series live im Internet übertragen. Erreichbar via www.sailinganarchy.com.
Die Wettervorhersage sagt für Samstag, den 2. Juli, mit 13 bis 15 Knoten und Böen den stärksten Wind vorher. 6 Knoten genügen, um die rund 1300 kg schweren Karbon-Multihulls „fliegen“ zu sehen.
Programm / Extreme Sailing World Series / Act 4 / Boston Harbour / USA:
Täglich, 30. Juni bis 4. Juli 2011
11:00 – 23:00 – Race Village opening times
14:00 – 17:00 – Extreme 40s racing in Boston Harbor at Fan Pier
17:30 – Prizegiving
Red Bull Extreme Sailing
Extreme Sailing Series
Red Bull Extreme Sailing. Image copyright Sabine König.
von Mario Schoby
Ab Donnerstag 14 Uhr (Ortszeit) startet Red Bull Extreme Sailing vor der Skyline von Boston in den vierten Stopp der Extreme Sailing World Series 2011. Das unter österreichischer Flagge startetende Team mit Skipper Roman Hagara , Taktiker Hans Peter Steinacher (beide AUT), Will Howden (UK) und Craig Monk (NZL) ist nach drei von neun Saisonrennen am 20 Meter hohen und 14 Meter langen Karbon-Katamaran in der Weltelite angekommen und zählt in Boston zu den Mitfavoriten. Das Finale des US-Rennens findet am 4. Juli, dem Amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitstag, statt.
Bis zu 6 Wettfahrten werden von Donnerstag bis Montag im „Boston Harbour“ täglich gestartet. 11 Teams, darunter die America´s Cup Syndikate Alinghi, Artemis und Emirates Team New Zealand, setzen die Segel. „Diese Segelserie hat sich zum Top-Spot entwickelt. Jeder der international auf großen Booten mitmischen will, muss in dieser Serie starten“, erklärt Taktiker Hans Peter Steinacher. Sein kongenialer Partner und Red Bull Extreme Sailing Steuermann Roman Hagara fügt hinzu: „Wir konnten zum Auftakt im Oman auf das Podest fahren. Waren in China bis zur Kenterung auf Sieg-Kurs. Nur in Istanbul hatten wir einen Durchhänger, den wir uns selbst zuschreiben müssen.“
Am Dienstag kam der bis zu 75 km/h schnelle Extreme 40 Multihull der Österreicher in Boston an, am heutigen Mittowchnachmittag findet das erste Training statt. Start für den ersten von fünf Renntagen ist am Donnerstag (30. Juni) um 14 Uhr Ortszeit.
Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OCThirdPole
Bei bislang drei Events in Muskat (0man), Qindao (China) und Istanbul (Türkei) gab es drei Sieger: Groupe Edmond de Rothschild in Muskat, Luna Rossa in Qingdao und Artemis Racing in Istanbul. Emirates Team New Zealand war in Istanbul ganz nah dran und will unbedingt gewinnen. Sie bringen ihren America’s-Cup-Strategen Adam Beashel als Taktiker mit. Und trotz ihres Crashs in Istanbul, wird Alinghi mit dem Vorjahreszweiten Yann Guichard immer besser und hat das Podium im Visier. Red Bull Bowman Craig Monk (NZL): „Die Serie ist extrem ausgeglichen. Es hat sich kein Top-Favorit herauskristallisiert. Wir sind von der seglerischen Performance sicher ganz vorne dabei.“ The Wave aus Muskat hat mit dem Briten Leigh McMillan einen neuen Skipper, der dazu beitrug, Ecover 2010 auf Platz drei zu segeln.
Erstmals wird in Boston das komplette Renngeschehen der Extreme Sailing Series live im Internet übertragen. Erreichbar via www.sailinganarchy.com.
Die Wettervorhersage sagt für Samstag, den 2. Juli, mit 13 bis 15 Knoten und Böen den stärksten Wind vorher. 6 Knoten genügen, um die rund 1300 kg schweren Karbon-Multihulls „fliegen“ zu sehen.
Programm / Extreme Sailing World Series / Act 4 / Boston Harbour / USA:
Täglich, 30. Juni bis 4. Juli 2011
11:00 – 23:00 – Race Village opening times
14:00 – 17:00 – Extreme 40s racing in Boston Harbor at Fan Pier
17:30 – Prizegiving
Red Bull Extreme Sailing
Extreme Sailing Series
Warnemünder Woche Preview
- Franziska Goltz brings Olympic spirit to Warnemuende
- Laser Europa Cup a highlight of the international sailing week
by Nadja Arp
The best sailors from all over the world own the sea area offshore Warnemuende again from the 2nd to the 10th of July. Around 1,500 active participants from over 20 nations compete in 17 boat classes. Additionally, the offshore program in Warnemuende offers the ultimate sailing experience to the 500 participants. The This year's center of the sportive part is the recently renovated marina Mittelmole, locations with special highlights are the marina Hohe Düne and the beach, where spectators can watch the International German Junior Championship of the BIC Techno Surfer as well as the sailors of the paralympic boat class 2.4mR.
Being in top form and after a successful completion of the Kieler Woche, the second elimination regatta in the battle for the Olympia tickets determined by the German Sailing Association (DSV), Laser Radial sailor Franziska Goltz starts in Warnemuende. Franziska, who is originally from Schwerin, asserted herself against other top-class competitors during the Kieler Woche and ended up in fourth place in the overall ranking – only three points were missing to get bronze. In addition, she is the best German female sailor of her class and the Olympia ticket is just one step away, now. Her current top form can be witnessed in Warnemuende from the 2nd to the 5th of July during the Laser Europa Cup in the Laser Radial - which is Olympic for women. She competes against 120 other Laser Radial sailors. "A lot of my competitors are participating in the European Championship in Helsinki, which takes place simultaneously to the WARNEMÜNDER WOCHE. But I rather want to start here, because it's just so much fun and something very special to me.", the 25-year old athlete explains. Also, the Laser Standard and 4.7 mobilizes a lot of participants. In total 250 Laser sailors compete against each other, this year on three tracks.
Another sportive highlight right at the beginning of the event is the International German Junior Championship of the surfer newcomer class BIC Techno. Around 30 board stars are competing for winning this Championship. Their base camp is at Warnemuende's beach just right at the lighthouse.
The paralympic keel boat 2.4mR has been recently included to the program in the rather familiar sailing event. This ranking list regatta with open rating system - meaning athletes with or without a disability compete with each other equally – starts on Friday, the 8th of July, and finishes on Sunday, the 10th of July in 2011. In order to get to know the class and the very exciting races, sailing takes place close to the audience directly at the beach. The marina Hohe Düne with its barrier-free swimming jetties and sanitary facilities is the main base of the 2.4mR sailors. Interested spectators or wheelchair users can get active in a further handicapped accessible boat: a capsized-proof trimaran can be used for a trial sailing tour.
Skippi 650
is also a newcomer class this year. A top event initiates this premiere at the WARNEMÜNDER WOCHE. Eleven teams measure themselves in the 3-4 men keelboat class and fight for the Europa Cup. There are five teams from Poland amongst others.
They're back - three years after their first German Open: the Platu 25. From the 7th to the 10th of July, the Platu 25 class invites the audience to the German Open in Warnemuende. Sven-Erik Horsch from Hamburg and his crew attend the event right after winning the Kieler Woche 2011. The One Design class, which is very popular in Europe, is sailed by four to six male or female sailors in a regatta; the boat is 7,50 meters long.
Traditionally, the offshore highlight is the "hanseboot Rund Bornholm" regatta. 55 ships attend this year's 270 sea miles long regatta track – including the Volvo Ocean Racer "Illbruck", which also has the byname "Glashäger" nowadays due to their sponsor's name. It remains to be seen, if skipper Matthias Huhn and his crew are able to be faster than 28 hours and 37 minutes, the record which was set in 2001.
"We wanted to improve the service for the sailors ashore and achieved this with the new concept of space.", Lennart Klemp, the new chairman of the organization committee (OK), states. He is voluntarily dealing with the issues of the international sports event since July 2010. For instance, the courtyard of the sports school is reserved for the sailors this year, cars are banned from the direct port area to arrange more space for loading and unloading the ships. The jury, the race office and the infopoint are located directly under the pent roof, vis à vis the sports school. There is also an innovation in the park and camping area – which is organized by the Hanseatic City of Rostock. Areas will be allocated by the WIRO.
The top sailing place to be this year is the hanseboot Event Area on the marina Mittelmole. While having a cool drink here, the regatta results of the day can be discussed. At the same time it is also the central point for all sailors to meet with other sailors and to celebrate! The big hanseboot party takes place on the second Saturday. But the hanseboot Event Area is not just about partying, laughter and chatting – the festival tent on the area of the Warnemuende Sailing Club at the Alter Strom is also the place of the prize giving ceremonies.
But not all that glitters is gold this year – the winners are awaiting a new, very attractive prize made of glass. Even the best six are awarded in the bigger classes, not only the best three of the ranking list regattas. The new glass prizes are given to the group winners of the sea regattas as well as numerous challenge cups in the different classes and consolation prizes. The majority of the award ceremonies take place in the hanseboot Event Area. However, the winners of the 2.4mR class are awarded right at the jetty of the marina Hohe Düne. The surfers get their prizes in the media tent. Traditionally, the participants of the long distance regatta Rund Bornholm accept their awards on the stage at the lighthouse in front of the cheering audience.
Warnemüunder Woche
- Laser Europa Cup a highlight of the international sailing week
by Nadja Arp
The best sailors from all over the world own the sea area offshore Warnemuende again from the 2nd to the 10th of July. Around 1,500 active participants from over 20 nations compete in 17 boat classes. Additionally, the offshore program in Warnemuende offers the ultimate sailing experience to the 500 participants. The This year's center of the sportive part is the recently renovated marina Mittelmole, locations with special highlights are the marina Hohe Düne and the beach, where spectators can watch the International German Junior Championship of the BIC Techno Surfer as well as the sailors of the paralympic boat class 2.4mR.
Being in top form and after a successful completion of the Kieler Woche, the second elimination regatta in the battle for the Olympia tickets determined by the German Sailing Association (DSV), Laser Radial sailor Franziska Goltz starts in Warnemuende. Franziska, who is originally from Schwerin, asserted herself against other top-class competitors during the Kieler Woche and ended up in fourth place in the overall ranking – only three points were missing to get bronze. In addition, she is the best German female sailor of her class and the Olympia ticket is just one step away, now. Her current top form can be witnessed in Warnemuende from the 2nd to the 5th of July during the Laser Europa Cup in the Laser Radial - which is Olympic for women. She competes against 120 other Laser Radial sailors. "A lot of my competitors are participating in the European Championship in Helsinki, which takes place simultaneously to the WARNEMÜNDER WOCHE. But I rather want to start here, because it's just so much fun and something very special to me.", the 25-year old athlete explains. Also, the Laser Standard and 4.7 mobilizes a lot of participants. In total 250 Laser sailors compete against each other, this year on three tracks.
Another sportive highlight right at the beginning of the event is the International German Junior Championship of the surfer newcomer class BIC Techno. Around 30 board stars are competing for winning this Championship. Their base camp is at Warnemuende's beach just right at the lighthouse.
The paralympic keel boat 2.4mR has been recently included to the program in the rather familiar sailing event. This ranking list regatta with open rating system - meaning athletes with or without a disability compete with each other equally – starts on Friday, the 8th of July, and finishes on Sunday, the 10th of July in 2011. In order to get to know the class and the very exciting races, sailing takes place close to the audience directly at the beach. The marina Hohe Düne with its barrier-free swimming jetties and sanitary facilities is the main base of the 2.4mR sailors. Interested spectators or wheelchair users can get active in a further handicapped accessible boat: a capsized-proof trimaran can be used for a trial sailing tour.
Skippi 650
is also a newcomer class this year. A top event initiates this premiere at the WARNEMÜNDER WOCHE. Eleven teams measure themselves in the 3-4 men keelboat class and fight for the Europa Cup. There are five teams from Poland amongst others.
They're back - three years after their first German Open: the Platu 25. From the 7th to the 10th of July, the Platu 25 class invites the audience to the German Open in Warnemuende. Sven-Erik Horsch from Hamburg and his crew attend the event right after winning the Kieler Woche 2011. The One Design class, which is very popular in Europe, is sailed by four to six male or female sailors in a regatta; the boat is 7,50 meters long.
Traditionally, the offshore highlight is the "hanseboot Rund Bornholm" regatta. 55 ships attend this year's 270 sea miles long regatta track – including the Volvo Ocean Racer "Illbruck", which also has the byname "Glashäger" nowadays due to their sponsor's name. It remains to be seen, if skipper Matthias Huhn and his crew are able to be faster than 28 hours and 37 minutes, the record which was set in 2001.
"We wanted to improve the service for the sailors ashore and achieved this with the new concept of space.", Lennart Klemp, the new chairman of the organization committee (OK), states. He is voluntarily dealing with the issues of the international sports event since July 2010. For instance, the courtyard of the sports school is reserved for the sailors this year, cars are banned from the direct port area to arrange more space for loading and unloading the ships. The jury, the race office and the infopoint are located directly under the pent roof, vis à vis the sports school. There is also an innovation in the park and camping area – which is organized by the Hanseatic City of Rostock. Areas will be allocated by the WIRO.
The top sailing place to be this year is the hanseboot Event Area on the marina Mittelmole. While having a cool drink here, the regatta results of the day can be discussed. At the same time it is also the central point for all sailors to meet with other sailors and to celebrate! The big hanseboot party takes place on the second Saturday. But the hanseboot Event Area is not just about partying, laughter and chatting – the festival tent on the area of the Warnemuende Sailing Club at the Alter Strom is also the place of the prize giving ceremonies.
But not all that glitters is gold this year – the winners are awaiting a new, very attractive prize made of glass. Even the best six are awarded in the bigger classes, not only the best three of the ranking list regattas. The new glass prizes are given to the group winners of the sea regattas as well as numerous challenge cups in the different classes and consolation prizes. The majority of the award ceremonies take place in the hanseboot Event Area. However, the winners of the 2.4mR class are awarded right at the jetty of the marina Hohe Düne. The surfers get their prizes in the media tent. Traditionally, the participants of the long distance regatta Rund Bornholm accept their awards on the stage at the lighthouse in front of the cheering audience.
Warnemüunder Woche
VOR : Top surfer Laird Hamilton hired to shape up PUMA Challenge
Ken Read (left), PUMA skipper, and Laird Hamilton. Image copyright Dan Armstrong/PUMA.
by Volvo Ocean Race media
Californian Hamilton, 47, made his name for his daring feats on a surfboard and he remains one of the fittest surfers so made the perfect choice for PUMA's Read, a spokesman said in Newport, Rhode Island.
As part of the crew, he will be the official fitness and nutrition coach and join Read for the training of the team ahead of the race which starts in Alicante, Spain on 29 October.
Mar Mostro. Image copyright Dan Armstrong/PUMA.
"There's a great reason to have Laird around. The amount of times that somebody has told me when I said I was going to do this (the race) again that I was crazy but Laird is by far crazier -he makes me look sane," joked Read.
"Seriously, he brings special things to us. He really knows the ocean."
Hamilton told volvooceanrace.com that although he had not known Read long they had already formed a strong bond.
Mar Mostro. Image copyright Dan Armstrong/PUMA.
"Even though we are from different sports we have so much in common," he said.
"I think top sportsmen from different pursuits have more in common with each other than they do with people from their own sports who are a little further down the pecking order."
Although he said the PUMA crew were already in good shape he thought they could benefit quickly from his knowhow.
"Especially in nutrition. I have been eating and doing the right things for my body since I was a kid. It's natural to me. I have always lived this way.
"Not everybody has been so lucky and I want to pass that on."
Mar Mostro. Image copyright Dan Armstrong/PUMA.
Fitness and strength have become much more important in the Volvo Ocean Race in recent years with all participating crews adding a strict daily regime to the rest of their training routines.
Hamilton is also known as one of the top proponents of paddleboarding and he has designed a new hi-tech, standup version to mark his partnership with Read's Volvo Ocean Race challenge.
PUMA Ocean Racing
Volvo Ocean Race
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Statement on the NSW Coronial Inquest into the Flinders Islet Yacht Race Incident, October 2009
by Jennifer Crooks
Commodore Garry Linacre today sent a message to all members of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia informing them the Coronial Inquest into the Flinders Islet incident was held today before Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes at the Parramatta Local Court.
The report, prepared by the NSW Police, investigating the incident was formally tendered to the court. Included in that report was the Flinders Islet Yacht Race Internal Inquiry report* prepared by a Committee constituted by the CYCA board.
In handing down her findings, Deputy State Coroner Forbes was unable to make any recommendations that could prevent further accidents from occurring in the future and determined the official cause of death of both Andrew Short and Sally Gordon was drowning as a result of a boating accident.
Commodore Linacre took the opportunity on behalf of all members of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia to emphasize the sympathies of the Club remain with the families of Andrew Short and Sally Gordon and re-emphasized his gratitude to the members of the Flinders Islet Internal Inquiry Committee chaired by Chris Oxenbould AO RAN (Rtd). The Coroner was made aware by counsel assisting her inquiry that the recommendations made in that report had been adopted by the Club.
He also stated: “Although this concludes the formal investigation into the incident which occurred in the early morning of 10 October 2009 resulting in the tragic deaths of Andrew and Sally, our memories of them both will last forever”.
The CYCA Internal Inquiry report* into the incident can be found at the CYCA website via the following link. This report was shared with a number of interested parties when it was published in February 2010, including the families of Andrew Short and Sally Gordon, NSW Police conducting the official investigation, NSW Maritime, Marine Rescue NSW, Yachting Australia, Yachting NSW and yacht clubs around the country that share similar ocean yacht racing objectives.
CYCA
Mike Golding's Gamesa Sailing Team
Jorge Calvet, Chairman and CEO of Gamesa with Mike Golding OBE, at the presentation of the sponsorship in Windsor, London.
by Mike Golding OBE
I’m delighted to announce that I will be rejoining the IMOCA Open 60 circuit in partnership with Gamesa, and will be on the start line for the 2012 Vendée Globe with our newly optimised Owen Clarke IMOCA 60, Gamesa.
Gamesa is the global technology leader in the wind industry and will become Title Partner of the Gamesa Sailing Team with the non-stop, solo around the world race, the Vendée Globe being the primary event of this new sailing partnership.
We have a very exciting and busy 18 months ahead, with our first race the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre from France to Costa Rica in October and a fully crewed Europa Race (a tour of Europe) in May 2012.
With Gamesa’s support and our existing infrastructure we are now certain to be able to mount a competitive campaign for the Vendée Globe, which is simply wonderful news. Having enjoyed huge success in the sport, the Vendee Globe remains ‘the event’ I would most love to win and now I have that chance!
Having spent the past decade championing environmental products and issues, it’s fantastic that Gamesa’s core business is in renewable energy – an area increasingly critical to performance in competitive round the world yacht racing.
Mock-up of Mike Golding's Gamesa IMOCA 60. Image copyright Mike Golding Yacht Racing/Gamesa.
Our Owen Clark designed Open 60 is currently undergoing major optimisation work at Green Marine in the UK, with a view to being on the water and sailing again later this summer.
You can find out more about this new partnership here: [insert weblink to news article about announcement] and please join our new Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/mikegoldingyachtracing so you can be the first to find out about the latest news from the Gamesa Sailing Team.
Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to updating you on our progress.
Yours faithfully
Mike Golding OBE
Mike Golding Yacht Racing
Transatlantic Race 2011 : Start 2 Preview
2003 Transatlantic Race start. Image copyright Rolex/Daniel Forster.
by Kirsten Ferguson
Having cheered on the first six yachts when they departed on the Transatlantic Race 2011 two days ago, the 14-strong group of yachts that will take the second of the three staggered starts now have less than 24 hours until they begin the race across the North Atlantic for themselves. The warning signal at 13:50 Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, June 29, will cue the largest group of yachts to depart, including the show-stopping Maltese Falcon, and spectators are guaranteed to see a unique sailing spectacle when the cannon is fired at Castle Hill Light.
Without doubt, tomorrow’s start will feature the most diverse battle of the race. The Open Class has just two yachts, but they are two of the showiest yachts in the race. Maltese Falcon, at 289’, is the largest yacht competing and is up against the only multihull entered in the race, Phaedo, the Gunboat 66 owned by Lloyd Thornburg (St. Barthelemy). The Lamborghini-orange catamaran and the futuristic Perini Navi will be a spectacular sight as they head off into the Atlantic.
In IRC Class Two, Jazz, a Cookson 50, has a star-studded crew including the highly experienced navigator, Mike Broughton (Hamble, U.K.), and skipper, Nigel King (Lymington, U.K.). Unfortunately, due to family commitments, owner Chris Bull is unable to make the trip. Two German teams on nearly identical yachts will also go head-to-head in the class: Christoph Avenarius and Gorm Gondesen’s Shakti and Jens Kellinghusen’s Varuna should virtually match race across the North Atlantic.
IRC Class Three will feature six yachts, including Snow Lion, the Ker 50 owned by former NYYC Commodore Lawrence Huntington (New York, N.Y.). Snow Lion is a proven winner, having won her class in the Newport Bermuda Race, and should be highly competitive on corrected time. There are, however, some real fliers in this class, not the least of which is Zaraffa, the Reichel Pugh 65 owned by Huntington Sheldon (Shelburne, Vt.), whose crew includes several veterans of the last edition of the Volvo Ocean Race. The Volvo 60 Ambersail, skippered by Simonas Steponavicius (Vilnius, Lithuania), is a much-travelled yacht having logged over 100,000 miles since being purchased in 2008 to celebrate a thousand years of Lithuanian history. After sailing around the world, Ambersail took part in the 2010 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, winning class honors and placing second overall.
The youth entry from Germany, Norddeutsche Vermoegen Hamburg, will be helmed by Eike Holst whose third Transatlantic Race will be his first as skipper. And while the majority of the team aboard the Andrews 57 are university students in their 20s, two of the crew are just 18 years old. Many of sailors in the race were introduced to the sport as a family activity, which means the parents of these sailors, in particular, have a degree of understanding and ease with the undertaking at hand. That was not the case for Jerome Vigne, the Parisian-born mechanical engineering student who will have a very relieved mother welcoming him home to Germany.
Blending a comfortable interior with the performance of an Open 60 is Ourson Rapide, the Finot-Conq 60 owned by Paolo Roasenda (Vedano al Lambro, Italy). This is a special boat that should have a dream-like ride downwind. Scho-ka-kola, named for the German chocolate confection, is a Reichel Pugh 56 owned by Uwe Lebens (Hamburg) that has completed two previous Atlantic crossings.
Prodigy, a Simonis/Voog 54, is a proven winner. Owner Chris Frost (Durban, South Africa) took line honors in the 2011 Heineken Cape to Rio Race and will compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race, as well as the Rolex Middle Sea Race, as part of a year-long campaign. Of the 10 crew on Prodigy, two – including Aaron Gillespie (Butler, N.J.) and John Fryer (New York, N.Y.) – were recruited by Frost using the “Crew Finder” feature on the event’s website. It will be Gillespie’s first Transatlantic crossing.
The two smallest yachts in start two are both Class 40s: Dragon and Concise 2, the latter skippered by Ned Collier-Wakefield (Oxford, U.K.). Tony Lawson (Haslemere, Surrey, U.K.) assembled a crew of young aspiring sailors from Great Britain to make up Team Concise. The team has become a force to be reckoned with having won the 2009 Class 40 World Championship, set a world record for the Round Britain and Ireland course and taken class honors at the RORC Caribbean 600 for the last three years.
Dragon is the only boat racing across the Atlantic double-handed. Owner Michael Hennessy (Mystic, Conn.) has been an avid sailor ever since introduced to the sport by his father at the age of four on San Francisco Bay. Following college, Hennessy logged thousands of miles cruising along the New England coast before he started to focus on short-handed distance racing in 2002. Since then he has competed in four Newport Bermuda Races, as well as dozens of other races across New England. In 2008 he took notice of the fast growing Class 40 fleet and took delivery of his Owen Clarke-designed boat. In just two short years, Dragon has become a fixture on the ocean racing circuit. Joining Hennessy will be co-skippered Rob Windsor (East Northport, N.Y.) who grew up sailing with his family on Long Island Sound.
Sponsors of the TR 2011 are Rolex, Thomson Reuters, Newport Shipyard, Perini Navi and Peters & May, with additional support by apparel sponsor Atlantis Weathergear.
For more information, visit http://www.transatlanticrace.org/
RC44 : RC44 Class Heads to the Med
Team CEEREF. Image copyright Nico Martinez.
by Jessica Gray
Round three of the RC44 Championship Tour and the fleet are heading to the Med following on from the first two events of the season in San Diego, USA and Lake Traunsee, Austria. The class have twice visited Cagliari before making their debut in 2008 and returning in 2009. Located deep in the heart of Cagliari Bay on Sardinia’s beautiful south coast, the venue boasts strong and consistent breezes that are bound to challenge the 15 teams ready to challenge for the RC44 Cagliari Cup.
Racing will take place in front of the spectacular Bay of Angels, very close to Cagliari port, with one day of match racing kicking off the proceedings on 29th June, followed by four days of fleet racing. (29 June – 3 July).
Alberto Floris, President of Yacht Club Cagliari, said the town is looking forward to welcoming the Tour to its shores once more.
“It is an honour to have the RC44 class back for the third time and another great opportunity to show the world that Cagliari is one of the best venues for the sport of sailing. For Cagliari the future means tourism, which is why the race village will be located in the centre of the town, close to hotels, restaurants, pubs and historical monuments. All the people involved in the event – teams, officials, class representatives – can be ambassadors of the natural beauties of Cagliari, its climate, traditions and hospitality.”
One to watch will be Michele Ivaldi (ITA), tactician onboard Team CEEREF, an experienced Olympic and America’s Cup sailor, having competed for Italy in the 1996 Olympic Games and with Luna Rossa/Prada for three America’s Cup cycles. Cagliari is a venue that Ivaldi has raced at many times and is looking forward to welcoming the Tour.
“Cagliari is one of the best places to sail and I've been going back there for years and years, I was there in a 420 when I was 16 years old. It's always had a good sea breeze and when the Mistral comes in, it’s game on. I'm really looking forward to the sailing.” Michele Ivaldi, Tactician, Team CEEREF.
Two new teams, MAG Racing from Poland and RUS-7 Sail Racing Team powered by AnyWayAnyDay.com have joined the RC44 Tour ahead of Cagliari. Although they will not be challenging for the title this year, with all six events of the Tour counting for the overall title, they will already be preparing for their assault for 2012.
In the overall Tour standings ORACLE Racing (USA) leads the title race after two events, following their victory at the RC44 Austria Cup in May. But they will need to watch out for Chris Bake’s Team Aqua (GBR), who launched their brand new RC44 on Lake Traunsee in Austria last month. Team Aqua also lead the Match Race rankings and are just two points adrift of the leaders in the fleet race standings. Katusha (RUS) skippered by Paul Cayard are two further points behind in third. With new faces and teams joining the Tour at each event this season, nothing is a given and it will be all to play for in the Bay of Angels.
2011 RC44 Championship Tour dates:
2 – 6 March- Oracle RC44 Cup San Diego, USA
10 – 15 May- RC44 Austria Cup Gmunden, Austria
29 June – 3 July- RC44 Cagliari Cup, Sardinia
17 – 21 August- RC44 Marstrand Cup, Sweden
28 September – 2 October - TBC
15 – 20 November- 2011 RC44 World Championships, Puerto Calero, Lanzarote
List of entrants - RC44 Cagliari Cup
AEZ RC44 Sailing Team (AUT)
Owner – Rene Mangold (AUT)
Professional Skipper – Christian Binder (AUT)
Aleph Sailing Team (FRA)
Owner - Hugues Lepic (FRA)
Professional Skipper - Mathieu Richard (FRA)
Artemis Racing (SWE)
Owner - Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE)
Professional Skipper – Morgan Larson (USA)
Ironbound (USA)
Owner – David Murphy (USA)
Professional Skipper – Peter Evans (NZL)
Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP)
Owner– Daniel Calero (ESP)
Substitute Driver- Alfredo Morales Gonzalez (ESP)
Professional Skipper - Jose Maria Ponce (ESP)
Katusha (RUS)
Professional Skipper – Paul Cayard (USA)
MAG Racing (POL)
Owner – Krzysztof Krempec (POL)
Professional Skipper - Piotr Przybylski (POL)
No Way Back (NED)
Owner – Pieter Heerema (NED)
Professional Skipper – Mark Mendelblatt (USA)
ORACLE Racing (USA)
Owner – Larry Ellison (USA)
Substitute Driver- Steve Howe (USA)
Professional Skipper – Russell Coutts (NZL)
Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team (GBR)
Owner – John Bassadone (GBR)
Professional Skipper - Iñaki Castañer (ESP)
RUS-7 Sail Racing Team powered by AnyWayAnyDay.com (RUS)
Owner – Kirill Podolsky (RUS)
Substitute Driver- Alexandre Ezhkov (RUS)
Professional Skipper – Sergei Chevtsov (RUS)
RC44 Team CEEREF (SLO)
Owner – Igor Lah (SLO)
Professional Skipper – Michele Ivaldi (ITA)
Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS)
Owner – Valentin Zavadnikov (RUS)
Professional Skipper – Evgeniy Neugodnikov (RUS)
Team Aqua (GBR)
Owner -Chris Bake (CAN)
Professional Skipper- Cameron Appleton (NZL)
Team Nika (RUS)
Owner - Vladimir Prosikhin (RUS)
Professional Skipper- Tomislav Basic (SLO)
2011 RC44 Championship Tour Ranking
(After two events)
1 ORACLE Racing (USA)
2 Team Aqua (GBR)
3 Katusha (RUS)
4 RC44 Team Ceeref (SLO)
5 No Way Back (NED)
6 Ironbound (USA)
7 Artemis Racing (SWE)
8 Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP)
9 Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team (GBR)
10 Aleph Sailing Team (FRA)
11 Synergy Russian Sailing Team (RUS)
12 AEZ RC44 Sailing Team (AUS)
13 Team Nika (RUS)
RC44
Tour de France à la Voile : Ambiance électrique à Blankenberge
M34 Nantes St Nazaire – E.Leclerc. Supplied image.
par Titouan Tiberghien
2011, « une année pour voir » ne cesse de répéter Corentin Douguet, le skipper du bateau Nantes St Nazaire – E.Leclerc. Apparemment l’équipage de l’APCC Voile Sportive apprend vite, très vite même. Le second ralliement du Tour de France à la Voile, qui s’est déroulé cette nuit entre Blankenberge et Calais, a montré que le « bateau-éléphant » n’était pas venu faire de la figuration, loin de là.
Après un départ moyen et un passage à la bouée de dégagement à la 13ème place, les nanto-nazairiens ont effectué un retour spectaculaire jusqu’au 6ème rang, au lever du jour. L’expérience des 3 Figaristes du bord (Jean Pierre Nicol, Corentin Douguet et Charlie Dalin) a beaucoup aidé sur cette étape et notamment sur les longs bords de « reaching ». Les jeunes régatiers du club nantais se sont surpassés alors que pour certains, c’était la première fois qu’ils naviguaient de nuit.
Lors du briefing précédant le départ, Corentin Douguet avait rappelé à son équipage la nécessité de garder de la fraicheur pour les derniers miles du parcours. Son discours a parfaitement été entendu car sur le dernier bord du parcours, dans des conditions pas évidentes (18 nœuds de vent au portant), le Nantes St Nazaire Sailing Team a réussi à chiper la 5ème place au bateau barré par un certain Bertrand Pacé, le tenant du titre.
Il suffisait de regarder les visages des 8 marins pour comprendre avec quelle énergie ils s’étaient battus tout le long de la nuit. Les traits étaient tirés mais c’est avec le sentiment du devoir accompli qu’ils ont confié le bateau aux préparateurs, avant de gouter à un repos amplement mérité.
Retour sur cette étape avec Corentin Douguet, skipper et chargé de la navigation à bord :
Comment s’est déroulée le ralliement entre Blankenberge et Calais ?
Corentin Douguet : On est parti de Blankenberge dans du tout petit temps. On été un peu sous les orages donc c’était très instable. A la bouée de dégagement on est assez mal placé mais après, dans le petit temps, quand on a envoyé le grand spi, on a empanné quasiment les premiers ce qui nous a permis de revenir dans le groupe de tête. En début de nuit le vent a tourné, passant du secteur Est au secteur Nord Ouest en quelques secondes seulement. A ce moment la heureusement on avait réussi à se remettre dans le match parce que le vent est rentré par devant donc les bateaux de tête se sont un peu échappés. Du coup on se retrouve au « reaching », 6ème mais avec les 5 premiers qui ont pas mal d’avance. Nous, on est premier du groupe de poursuivants. Mais petit a petit on a grignoté sur le paquet de devant. Et après la dernière bouée avant Calais, il fallait envoyer le grand spi pour un bord un peu musclé, et sur ce bord là on a réussi à passer Sud de France et on termine 5ème.
Quelle a été l’ambiance à bord pendant cette étape de nuit ?
Corentin Douguet : Ca c’est vraiment bien passé à bord. Il y avait une bonne ambiance et un super état d’esprit. On a tous rien lâché. Chacun a fait son maximum pour faire avancer le bateau le plus vite possible. Après au niveau de la vitesse, le premier bord de près, sous génois léger n’a pas été facile mais par contre, au « reaching » dans pas mal de vent, on allait vite. La preuve, on a réussi à distancer un bateau comme Courrier Dunkerque pour aller recoller à des bateaux comme Crédit Mutuel de Bretagne ou Sud de France. Du coup au final on gagne une place au général et on attend impatiemment de voir la suite.
Classement du ralliement Blankenberge-Dunkerque (54 miles)
1 Ile de France / Jimmy Pahun
2 BAE Systems / Cédric Pouligny
3 Bretagne-Crédit Mutuel Elite / Nicolas Troussel
4 Safran - Multiplast / Julien Villion
5 Nantes Saint Nazaire E. Leclerc / Corentin Douguet
6 Sud de France / Languedoc Roussillon / Bertrand Pacé
7 Région de Bruxelles-Capitale - Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest / Courbière
8 Courrier Dunkerque / Daniel Souben
9 Côtes d'Armor Bretagne / Stéphane Letertre
10 Toulon Provence Méditerranée / Fabien Henry
11 BRED - La Normandie / Benoît Charon
12 Ile de La Réunion - Ville du Port / Gabriel Jean-Albert
13 Batistyl Ville de Pornic / Cyrille Le Gloahec
14 Martinique-Centrale Paris-HEC / Mathieu Mourès
15 Iskareen / Soenke Bruhns
APCC Voile Sportive
Tour de France à la Voile
Tour de France à la Voile : Courrier Dunkerque imprime sa marque !
Courrier Dunkerque. Image copyright JM Liot/TFV
par Tanguy Blondel
En remportant la seule course du jour lancée à Blankenberge, l’équipage du M34 « Courrier Dunkerque » assure sa place de leader provisoire au classement général du Tour de France à la voile. Daniel Souben : « Nous sommes un peu mieux que nos adversaires en vitesse et à la manœuvre. Nous connaissons également quelques phases de réussite. La machine est lancée ! »
Une équipe entraînée
L’équipe menée par Daniel Souben est, en train, de tirer les fruits de sa préparation d'avant-saison. Les marins nordistes sont, sans aucun doute, les plus entraînés du plateau sur le nouveau M34. Avec plus de 40 jours de stage à l’Ecole Nationale de Voile de Quiberon, la bande à Souben démontre en ce début de compétition sa bonne connaissance de son unité et surtout une homogénéité à bord. Voilà maintenant quasi quatre ans que cet équipage navigue ensemble. Autour du manager Daniel Souben, c’est tout un team de haut niveau qui se mobilise pour accéder au meilleur ! La route est encore longue mais, force est de constater, que pour l’instant les navigateurs de « Dunkerque Plaisance » sont plus à l’aise sur l’eau que leurs concurrents.
La surprise du chef
L’une des nouveautés du Tour de France à la voile avec l’arrivée d’un nouveau voilier, le M34 et un passage en Belgique, est l’obligation pour les équipages, notamment « Courrier Dunkerque », d’embarquer à bord lors des compétitions au contact ou au large, deux équipiers de moins de 26 ans. Après quelques sélections, Daniel Souben, skipper du bateau de l’association « Dunkerque Plaisance » a décidé d’accueillir deux équipiers étrangers.
L’australien Matt Hodgson, qui réside en Suède, a déjà beaucoup navigué notamment à bord de l’hydroptère. Le britannique James Williamson vient du circuit mondial de Match Racing. Deux recrues de choix qui renforceront, sans conteste, l’équipe dunkerquoise dès les premières étapes.
Direction Calais
Départ ce soir à 21h30, 55 milles devant l’étrave du fier « Courrier Dunkerque », direction la cité des six bourgeois, un ralliement difficile avec des conditions orageuses annoncées. « Cela va être instable ! » selon Daniel Souben. « Il faudra jouer avec le courant. Nous attendons deux renverses. Il est possible qu’il y ait quelques passage à niveaux avec des équipages qui loupent le changement de marée ».
L’équipage de « Courrier Dunkerque » : Daniel Souben, Pierre-Loic Berthet, Antoine Carpentier, Pierre-Antoine Morvan, Mathieu Renault, Nicolas Doré, Bertrand Castélnérac, Guillaume Bérenger, Erwan Le Roux, Vincent Vandekerkhove, Laurent Mahy, Jean-Sébastien Ponce, Nicolas Pauchet, Christophe André, Pierre Le Clainche, Antoine Joubert, Matt Hodgson, James Williamson
Courrier Dunkerque
Tour de France à la Voile
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Extreme 40 : Extreme Sailing Series Act 4, Coming to You Live From Boston!
Artemis Racing and Red Bull in Muscat. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/www.carloborlenghi.net
by Carolyn Lashmar
For the first time, every minute of the racing action from Act 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Boston will be available live on the internet. Sailing Anarchy’s innovative “On-The-Water Anarchy” team will produce and stream coverage of all five days of racing, and their coverage will include the Extreme 40 and 49er racing action, the opening press conference, daily prizegivings, numerous interviews, and a daily live talk show with the sailors. Racing commentary will be by two-time US Multihull Champion John Casey. The streaming video feed will also be available to iPhone, iPad. Android users via the dedicated Justin.TV app [download fee applies].
The Extreme Sailing Series Race Village at Fan Pier, the 21-acre site on Boston’s waterfront spanning nine city blocks, owned by the Fallon Company, the official host venue partner to the Boston Act, is rapidly under construction for the public and VIPs. Every day of the Boston five-day event – the first time the circuit has held an official event in the USA – from Thursday, 30th June until Monday, 4th July is open to the public and is part of the Boston Harborfest – the nation’s largest 4th July celebrations.
And the public will have plenty to cheer about with leading US sailor Terry Hutchinson at the helm of Artemis Racing: “I am really looking forward to racing in my home country over the July 4th holiday weekend which is going to be a big celebration,” said Terry. “The Boston Red Sox’s will be midway into their summer season at Fenway Park which is a nostalgic place with so much history. Then to have the Extreme Sailing Series racing over one of the biggest celebrations of our countries history, I suspect it is going to be outstanding.” Watch video of Terry:
Two other American sailors Bob Merrick and Mark Ivey will be competing alongside the 11-boat Extreme 40 crew in the Boston Act. Merrick, who won a silver medal in the 470 dinghy class at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, will be joining the crew of Roland Gaebler’s Team Extreme; whilst Mark Ivey, ISAF Team Race World Champion in 2005 and US Sailing Coach of the Year 2009, will be racing with Britain’s Ian Williams on Team GAC Pindar. And Red Bull Extreme Sailing, headed up by two-time Olympic gold medalist Roman Hagara, carries the mantle of ‘home’ team as Red Bull come on board as the main local event partner to the US event, heavily promoting the team and the event in and around Boston. And if visitors cannot make it to Fan Pier they can catch up on all the latest action via Fox TV 25 who will be broadcasting live from the Race Village on Thursday and Friday (see schedule below) including coverage of the Red Bull Air Force skydivers.
The weather outlook from official weather provider, WetterWelt, forecast that Saturday, 2nd July could see the most breeze of 13-15 knots with stronger gusts with the breeze light to moderate for the remainder of the event: “I think we are going to have tricky conditions like we have had at previous events,” said Terry. “Hopefully, we will get in as many races as we have at the previous events.”
Other crew changes of note are Leigh McMillan taking over as skipper of The Wave, Muscat, Adam Beashel tactician for Emirates Team New Zealand at the 2007 America’s Cup sitting alongside Dean Barker, and Andrew Walsh joining Team GAC Pindar as tactician bringing with him some valuable experience from his days racing the BT Extreme 40 in previous years.
Emirates Team New Zealand in Muscat. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/www.carloborlenghi.net
The official charity for Act 4 at Fan Pier is Courageous Sailing, a center of sailing excellence committed to removing barriers to access for all Boston youth, the public and people with physical and intellectual challenges. www.courageoussailing.org
Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 4 at Fan Pier, Boston Programme
Daily, 30th June to 4th July
11:00 – 23:00 – Race Village opening times
13:00 – 14:00 – Courageous Sailing (official venue charity). Laser racing (from 1st – 4th)
13:00 – 14:00 – 49ers racing (from 2nd to 4th)
14:00 – 17:00 – Extreme 40s racing in Boston Harbor at Fan Pier
17:00 – 18:00 – 49ers racing (from 2nd to 4th)
17:30 – Prizegiving
16:00 – 19:00- Street performers
19:00 – 23:00 Live music entertainment in Race Village
Thursday 30th June (media day)
11:00 – 12:00 – Official press conference at VIP marquee
13:30 -14:00 – Red Bull Air Force skydivers in Race Village
18:30 -19:00 – Red Bull Air Force skydivers in Race Village
18:00, 22:00 & 23:00 – FOX 25 live broadcast from the Race Village
19:00 – Opening Ceremony
21:45 – Fireworks at Boston Harbor at Fan Pier
Extreme 40 action in Istanbul. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC ThirdPole.
Friday 1st July
06:00 -10:00 – FOX 25 Morning news live broadcast
07:00 – Red Bull Air Force live jump on FOX 25
13:30 -14:00 – Red Bull Air Force skydivers in Race Village
49er Sailors Provisional Entry List Boston
Trevor Parekh/Matt Dubreucq – CAN
Zach Brown/ Thomas Barrows – USA
Rob Frost/Tom Arbuckle – CAN
Mike Brodeur/Tom Carlton – CAN
Jon Goldsberry/Charlie Smythe – USA
Max Fraser/Dan Morris – USA
www.49er.org
Fan Pier, Boston sailing venue. Image copyright Fan Pier Boston.
About Fan Pier:
Fan Pier is a 21-acre site on Boston’s waterfront spanning nine city blocks with over three million square feet of planned mixed-use development. Currently, the luxury waterfront property is home to the internationally acclaimed Institute of Contemporary Art, famed Boston retailer LOUIS, Salon Mario Russo and restaurants including Sam’s and Strega Waterfront. Fan Pier’s first office building at ONE Marina Park is already occupied, and the destination includes a new public park, a Harbor Walk, and a state-of-the-art marina. When complete, Fan Pier will have a five-star hotel, luxury condominiums, additional offices, retail and restaurants. The Fallon Company is owner and developer.
About Boston Harborfest:
Boston Harborfest 2011 is a six-day long Fourth of July festival that showcases the colonial and maritime heritage of the cradle of the American Revolution: the historic City of Boston. The award-winning festival strives to honor and remember the past, celebrate the present, and educate the future with reenactments, concerts, historical tours and much, much more. Now in its 30th year, Boston Harborfest is considered to be the largest patriotic celebration in the nation with visitors enjoying more than 200 activities during the festival.
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