Saturday, 18 May 2013
America's Cup : The Emirates Team New Zealand base, the Waka, is built
The labour force is now turning its attention to getting the AC72 ready for sailing.
Emirates Team New Zealand
America's Cup
IMOCA : Safran back in the water... and soon to tackle the North Atlantic
Safran goes back in the water, with Marc Guillemot on the keel beneath her! Image copyright JM Liot/DPPI
by Mathilde Mermod
| After 4 months of work, the Safran monohull is back in the water. The relaunch went successfully and Marc Guillemot and his team are now looking towards the future with a busy schedule ahead of them. It all begins with an attempt at the prestigious solo North Atlantic record. "The whole of the team and our partner suppliers – I’m thinking in particular of JPS - did a great job during this refit: that’s one bit of work out of the way." Marc Guillemot was in a good mood on Thursday evening in La Trinité-sur-Mer, after spending the whole day relaunching the Safran monohull: a high precision operation. "The mast was almost a formality, but for the keel everything was down to the nearest millimetre,” added the skipper of Safran. "That’s the reason why I am so pleased this evening. The day marked the successful conclusion of a four-month long refit, which began back in February. It was in fact, a fairly demanding job, as we started out with Safran’s first keel and this had to go through several milling operations." | ||
Aiming for the Transat Jacques Vabre via New York Following this successful relaunch, Safran will soon be back out there sailing. "As early as next week, we will be starting with eight days of training sessions." Pascal Bidégorry will be on board to navigate with Marc Guillemot to get ready for the double-handed race, which is the main goal this year: the Transat Jacques Vabre, which begins in Le Havre in November. But before that from the end of May, Safran will be taking the route to New York. Marc Guillemot has decided to tackle the prestigious solo North Atlantic record between Ambrose Light and the Lizard at the southernmost tip of England. "We shall be setting off on the delivery trip just after our training session. The goal is to be in New York in early June to go on stand-by from 8th June to 10th July. It is during this period that we will be looking for a weather opportunity to hope to smash the record time held by Alex Thomson since 2012.” Or in other words improve on the 8 days, 22 hours and 8 minutes it took to sail solo the 2850 miles of the North Atlantic. Which means that he will need to keep up an average speed of 13.5 knots in the mists and shipping that you find during this crossing. "The Record is a goal in itself, but we shall also learn a lot from the delivery trip: we shall have an engineer on board, Clément Duraffourg, who has fitted the keel with sensors and who will be in charge of gathering information throughout this first Atlantic crossing." After that? "If the weather opportunity quickly appears and we get back early enough, we’ll give the crewed Round Britain and Ireland record another go. But only if we can do that without having to worry about not competing in the Fastnet in August." The Rolex Fastnet Race will be the priority this summer. Quite logically, as this race is also a prestigious one and will allow them to do battle with other IMOCA boats before the major date on the calendar, the famous Transat Jacques Vabre in which Safran has done so brilliantly in previous years: second in 2007 and winner in 2009. | ||
Safran Sailing Team
adidas Sailing Gear Launched at Match Race Germany
by Maria José Lemos
Traditional sailing gear is yesterday’s news. adidas is finally here. The world's second largest sportswear manufacturer premieres its first performance sailing collection at Match Race Germany, which is currently taking place in Lake Constance. The brand new range has some very original and technical features that everyone has come to expect from the three-stripe brand as well as innovative design, cutting-edge materials and a fresh new look.
The new adidas sailing collection closely follows the demanding principles of the legendary sports brand, best summed up by adidas founder Adi Dassler's motto "Only the best for the athlete". With the performance requirements of the racing sailor in the front of their minds, adidas sailing’s designers and product developers have created a very functional and striking range using the latest fibre technologies and the most advanced design methods. The Spring/Summer 2013 collection is very comprehensive and every sailor will find great choices for whichever type of sailing they do: inshore or offshore racing on dinghies, keelboats, or catamarans. And although adidas sailing is focused on providing sailors with everything they need for peak performance onboard, there are also some pretty sleek options for après-sailing.
The new adidas sailing collection closely follows the demanding principles of the legendary sports brand, best summed up by adidas founder Adi Dassler's motto "Only the best for the athlete". With the performance requirements of the racing sailor in the front of their minds, adidas sailing’s designers and product developers have created a very functional and striking range using the latest fibre technologies and the most advanced design methods. The Spring/Summer 2013 collection is very comprehensive and every sailor will find great choices for whichever type of sailing they do: inshore or offshore racing on dinghies, keelboats, or catamarans. And although adidas sailing is focused on providing sailors with everything they need for peak performance onboard, there are also some pretty sleek options for après-sailing.
Image copyright AWMRT/Brian Carlin
Eberhard Magg, sports director of Match Race Germany and co-founder of the first German America's Cup team, says: "For the America's Cup we were supported by adidas. Since there wasn’t a sailing range, we got our clothing from the outdoor collection, which was sensationally good, and still a good choice for sailing, mountain climbing and cycling. So, I’m looking forward to the new sailing collection with a lot of enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure it’ll be great!”
Eberhard Magg, sports director of Match Race Germany and co-founder of the first German America's Cup team, says: "For the America's Cup we were supported by adidas. Since there wasn’t a sailing range, we got our clothing from the outdoor collection, which was sensationally good, and still a good choice for sailing, mountain climbing and cycling. So, I’m looking forward to the new sailing collection with a lot of enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure it’ll be great!”
Magg welcomes adidas as new partner to Germany's only match race Grand Prix. “We are very proud to have such a global brand on board with us and would like adidas to join us in treading a long and successful path together. I know that the new sailing range didn’t appear overnight. There was a tremendous amount of work and dedication involved. This will surely pay off now. "
At Match Race Germany, sailing enthusiasts have the opportunity to check out the new adidas sailing collection. "We are thrilled to meet the sailing savvy fans that will come to Lake Constance this week," says Anke Fochler, terrathree’s Managing Director. terrathree is adidas’ new licensee for sailing. "We created our collection aiming at the top and that’s where Match Race Germany is also positioned. So we were an obvious match for each other. We started developing the new adidas sailing range in mid-2011. The first reactions from some elite athletes tell us that the new collection is causing quite a revolution in a market that is traditionally conservative. We are very excited about the reactions we get at Lake Constance and we look forward to listening to what sailors of all levels there have to say about it."
At Match Race Germany, sailing enthusiasts have the opportunity to check out the new adidas sailing collection. "We are thrilled to meet the sailing savvy fans that will come to Lake Constance this week," says Anke Fochler, terrathree’s Managing Director. terrathree is adidas’ new licensee for sailing. "We created our collection aiming at the top and that’s where Match Race Germany is also positioned. So we were an obvious match for each other. We started developing the new adidas sailing range in mid-2011. The first reactions from some elite athletes tell us that the new collection is causing quite a revolution in a market that is traditionally conservative. We are very excited about the reactions we get at Lake Constance and we look forward to listening to what sailors of all levels there have to say about it."
One of the best sailors in the world will be in Lake Constance to attend the new collection’s launch at Match Race Germany: three-time Olympic champion and two-time America's Cup winner Jochen Schuemann. He has actively contributed to the development of the new adidas sailing range, for example, in the development of the range’s shoes. Schuemann, who is equally able on the smaller Olympic boats as on the biggest yachts, knows that in sailing, stability, comfort and durability are all key factors of high performance shoes. The skipper's judgment: "The adidas sailing shoes are what I always wanted."
SailX Virtual Championships Launched in build-up to the "Sail First ISAF Youth Worlds 2013" in Limassol
by SailX media
For the second year in a row, the award-winning sailboat racing simulator SailX.com will be running the “Virtual ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships”. After last years' successful collaboration with ISAF and the team in Dublin, this years' virtual event will take place from 20th May – 30th June 2013, to provide a fun and beneficial build-up to the main regatta to be held in Limassol, Cyprus from 13th – 20th July.
Unlike the real-world competition where spaces are naturally limited to the few that qualify and can afford to attend, the virtual event is open to every sailor that may want to take part – even including non-youth sailors in fact, who will have a separate ranking.
In this innovative competition ISAF Youth Worlds competitors will battle against some of the smartest minds in inshore sailboat racing, including top-level coaches and sailors, sharpening their mental game and readying themselves for battle in the real world as they do so. With mental performance being such a vitally important aspect of inshore sailboat racing, the use of simulation has now become a core part of a sailor’s training - as much as it has become so for pilots, medics, soldiers, etc.
Click HERE to register.
Results will be categorised by age and the winning individual in the 'Youth' classification will be awarded with the 'ISAF Youth Virtual Sailing World Championships Trophy'.
Yiannos Photiou, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, commented, "The SailX racing environment and social tools will help us bring the young sailors who are coming to Cyprus together before July, plus it will also help us engage many more sailors young and old from all over the world. Hopefully we will be able to make them feel part of this great event."
SailX creator Amando Estela commented "It will be fascinating to watch the top youth sailing talent from all over the world battle it out. Of course no simulation could never test all of the skills involved in sailing, but this “Virtual Youth Worlds’ will quickly show us those competitors who really understand racing strategy and rules – both vital areas for success in our sport. More important however, I’m 100% sure that SailX will help every competitor to emerge ‘hot’ and ready to race in Cyprus come July!"
Click HERE to watch a video of racing in last years Virtual ISAF Youth Worlds.
Click HERE to watch a video of Steve Hunt (S1D Coach of the Year) using SailX (the 2D version) to provide some top racing tips
The event has attracted thousands of young sailors since its introduction from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North, South and Central America. Recently the introduction of the ISAF Athlete Participation Programme has seen the horizons of the Youth Worlds expand even further and attracted many new nations to the championship. To date, 104 different nations have competed in the Youth Worlds.
Past notable winners include American's Cup skippers, Chris Dickson (NZL), Russell Coutts (NZL), Dean Barker (NZL); Olympic medallists, Ben Ainslie (GBR), Robert Scheidt (BRA), Alessandra Sensini (ITA), Iain Percy (GBR) and Elise Rechichi (AUS); Volvo Ocean Race sailors like Stuart Bannatyne (NZL) and Richard Clarke (CAN). The most successful ISAF Youth World Champions are Great Britain's Sally Cuthbert and Poland's Zofia Klepacka having won four successive titles in the Laser II and Mistral respectively.
Great Britain is the current holder of the NationsTrophy, awarded annually to the top performing nation at the Youth Worlds. The Nations Trophy was first introduced in 1991 and in 1999 became the Volvo Trophy until 2010. France is the most success nation through the history of the Championship, winning the Nations Trophy on a record eleven occasions and holding a record 70 medals: 22 gold, 30 silver and 18 bronze.
Click HERE to go to the real event website
Racing is simulated very accurately on SailX but with one significant tweak – everything happens at about five-times normal speed! This means the game is fast, furious and great fun - with each race taking only 7-9 minutes depending on the wind – and importantly the racing provides many more ‘mental game’ learning opportunities than the real world.
The result is a game for players of all ages and skill-levels. For kids and complete beginners, it's fun to sail different boats and courses and to interact with people from all over the world. For schools and federations SailX is a fun way to teach decision-making and responsibility and a way to use (inevitable) gaming time to push a healthy sport. For advanced players & sailors, SailX offers unlimited depth, complexity and sporting relevance - to the extent that top-level sailors and coaches actually use it to improve their real-world racing.
SailX is now the leading inshore sailboat racing simulation environment in the world (by far). The SailX community is made up of over 32,000 users from over 100 countries worldwide. On average SailX hosts a 12-person race every 5 minutes, 24hrs a day, every day. That's over 100,000 races and 1,200,000 individual finishers every year – and over 100 years worth of racing since SailX started!
SailX has a searchable database over 18,000 ruled protests complete with incident videos and community commentary
Further Information:
* Click HERE and HERE to watch a Steve Hunt, S1D Coach of the Year, training video on the basic SailX keys (using SailX 2D)
* Click HERE to download a list of the basic keys for SailX
* Click HERE to see an overview presentation on SailX
* SailX Facebook page
For the second year in a row, the award-winning sailboat racing simulator SailX.com will be running the “Virtual ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships”. After last years' successful collaboration with ISAF and the team in Dublin, this years' virtual event will take place from 20th May – 30th June 2013, to provide a fun and beneficial build-up to the main regatta to be held in Limassol, Cyprus from 13th – 20th July.
Unlike the real-world competition where spaces are naturally limited to the few that qualify and can afford to attend, the virtual event is open to every sailor that may want to take part – even including non-youth sailors in fact, who will have a separate ranking.
In this innovative competition ISAF Youth Worlds competitors will battle against some of the smartest minds in inshore sailboat racing, including top-level coaches and sailors, sharpening their mental game and readying themselves for battle in the real world as they do so. With mental performance being such a vitally important aspect of inshore sailboat racing, the use of simulation has now become a core part of a sailor’s training - as much as it has become so for pilots, medics, soldiers, etc.
Click HERE to register.
Results will be categorised by age and the winning individual in the 'Youth' classification will be awarded with the 'ISAF Youth Virtual Sailing World Championships Trophy'.
Yiannos Photiou, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, commented, "The SailX racing environment and social tools will help us bring the young sailors who are coming to Cyprus together before July, plus it will also help us engage many more sailors young and old from all over the world. Hopefully we will be able to make them feel part of this great event."
SailX creator Amando Estela commented "It will be fascinating to watch the top youth sailing talent from all over the world battle it out. Of course no simulation could never test all of the skills involved in sailing, but this “Virtual Youth Worlds’ will quickly show us those competitors who really understand racing strategy and rules – both vital areas for success in our sport. More important however, I’m 100% sure that SailX will help every competitor to emerge ‘hot’ and ready to race in Cyprus come July!"
Click HERE to watch a video of racing in last years Virtual ISAF Youth Worlds.
Click HERE to watch a video of Steve Hunt (S1D Coach of the Year) using SailX (the 2D version) to provide some top racing tips
About the ISAF Youth Worlds
The ISAF Youth Worlds is the world's leading championship for youth sailing and attracts thousands of young sailors from all over the world. The event was first held in Sweden in 1971 and the 2013 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship in Limassol, Cyprus will be the 43rd championship.The event has attracted thousands of young sailors since its introduction from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, North, South and Central America. Recently the introduction of the ISAF Athlete Participation Programme has seen the horizons of the Youth Worlds expand even further and attracted many new nations to the championship. To date, 104 different nations have competed in the Youth Worlds.
Past notable winners include American's Cup skippers, Chris Dickson (NZL), Russell Coutts (NZL), Dean Barker (NZL); Olympic medallists, Ben Ainslie (GBR), Robert Scheidt (BRA), Alessandra Sensini (ITA), Iain Percy (GBR) and Elise Rechichi (AUS); Volvo Ocean Race sailors like Stuart Bannatyne (NZL) and Richard Clarke (CAN). The most successful ISAF Youth World Champions are Great Britain's Sally Cuthbert and Poland's Zofia Klepacka having won four successive titles in the Laser II and Mistral respectively.
Great Britain is the current holder of the NationsTrophy, awarded annually to the top performing nation at the Youth Worlds. The Nations Trophy was first introduced in 1991 and in 1999 became the Volvo Trophy until 2010. France is the most success nation through the history of the Championship, winning the Nations Trophy on a record eleven occasions and holding a record 70 medals: 22 gold, 30 silver and 18 bronze.
Click HERE to go to the real event website
About SailX.com
SailX is a high-quality online simulation that enables people from all over the world to race virtual (strict one-design) sailboats against each other in real-time in a fully moderated environment and in strict accordance with ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing.Racing is simulated very accurately on SailX but with one significant tweak – everything happens at about five-times normal speed! This means the game is fast, furious and great fun - with each race taking only 7-9 minutes depending on the wind – and importantly the racing provides many more ‘mental game’ learning opportunities than the real world.
The result is a game for players of all ages and skill-levels. For kids and complete beginners, it's fun to sail different boats and courses and to interact with people from all over the world. For schools and federations SailX is a fun way to teach decision-making and responsibility and a way to use (inevitable) gaming time to push a healthy sport. For advanced players & sailors, SailX offers unlimited depth, complexity and sporting relevance - to the extent that top-level sailors and coaches actually use it to improve their real-world racing.
SailX is now the leading inshore sailboat racing simulation environment in the world (by far). The SailX community is made up of over 32,000 users from over 100 countries worldwide. On average SailX hosts a 12-person race every 5 minutes, 24hrs a day, every day. That's over 100,000 races and 1,200,000 individual finishers every year – and over 100 years worth of racing since SailX started!
SailX has a searchable database over 18,000 ruled protests complete with incident videos and community commentary
Further Information:
* Click HERE and HERE to watch a Steve Hunt, S1D Coach of the Year, training video on the basic SailX keys (using SailX 2D)
* Click HERE to download a list of the basic keys for SailX
* Click HERE to see an overview presentation on SailX
* SailX Facebook page
America's Cup : Review Committee begins work, meets with teams
© ACEA 2013/ Photo Gilles Martin-Raget
by America's Cup media
The Golden Gate Yacht Club and America’s Cup organizers are pleased that the work of the America’s Cup Review Committee has begun and that it met with the teams in San Francisco today.
We appreciate the vote of confidence Mr. Bertelli, president of Luna Rossa Challenge, gave to the America's Cup continuing as planned this summer on San Francisco Bay, during his press conference this afternoon in Alameda.
We are pleased that Luna Rossa has already submitted its suggestions to the Review Committee. We are, however, disappointed that Luna Rossa indicated that it might not follow the Review Committee's recommendation issued last evening that teams not sail in San Francisco before May 23rd (to allow the Committee time to make further recommendations).
We note that Luna Rossa has already sailed its AC72 yacht in Auckland for some 40 days without incident and are now prepared to sail in San Francisco Bay.
Nonetheless, we expect that the Review Committee's safety-driven recommendations will be accepted by the teams, and we appreciate Mr. Bertelli's assurances in that regard during today's press conference.
The best way forward for the expert Review Committee is to complete its work and publish its recommendations so that we will achieve the safest-possible resumption of AC72 training and racing on San Francisco Bay as soon as possible.
America's Cup
America's Cup : Press Briefing by Patrizio Bertelli, Luna Rossa Challenge 2013, Almeda, USA, 17th May 2013
Patrizio Bertelli (Team Principal of Luna Rossa Challenge 2013), left, and Max Sirena, skipper, at the press briefing in Alameda, California, 17th May 2013, backed by the entire Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 team. Image copyright LUNA ROSSA/Carlo Borlenghi
Today, 17th May, at 2:30 PM local time, Patrizio Bertelli – Team Principal of Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 – met the local media at the team’s technical base in Alameda – San Francisco. The video is in Italian and English (by translation of Signor Bertelli's words by a team member).
by SailRaceWin
In summary, Patrizio Bertelli wants sailors to have better helmets and body armour, plus professional divers on the course, and paramedics, together with a helicopter to airlift anyone, as necessary. He also wants the wind speed limit lowered to 20 knots, with racing to be cancelled if wind speeds reach 22 knots.
Signor Bertelli pointed out that in Newport there was a limit of 25 knots for the Louis Vuitton Cup and 28 knots for the America's Cup itself. As with the last America's Cup, in which the Alinghi boat was designed and built for lighter wind conditions in the Middle East than those to be expected at the ultimate Valencia venue, such a change will not please other teams whose boats have been designed and built to the conditions expected for racing in San Francisco Bay.
Signor Bertelli also expressed concern that the America's Cup Review Committee chaired by Iain Murray does not want to have the power to make binding changes, but solely recommendations.
Both Luna Rossa Challenge and the Review Committee are looking into design and structural improvements for the AC72. Patrizio Bertelli asked the crew (in a meeting earlier today) whether they trusted the boat and they said that they did. He also pointed out that structural issues with AC boats are not a new phenomenon, and sinking has occurred in the past due to a monohull boat literally breaking up.
Signor Bertelli confirmed that the present situation is that the Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 team will continue in the America's Cup, abiding by both the rules and spirit of the competition (the protocol and class rules). There is a suggestion from this that Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 will go out training on its boats during the period of prohibition requested by the Review Committee (i.e. before the middle of next week).
PS Ryan and Nicola Breymaier have reported seeing Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 out sailing their AC72 on San Francisco Bay, 18th May 2013.
Luna Rossa Challenge 2013
America's Cup
Farr 40 : East Coast Championship Day 3 - Barking Mad Overtakes Enfant Terrible for Lead
by Tink Chambers
John Demourkas drank a beer while sitting in his support boat at the Annapolis Yacht Club docks and just shook his head when asked to describe Day 3 of the Farr 40 East Coast Championship. The California skipper remain baffled by the conditions on the Chesapeake Bay, but felt fortunate that his Groovederci team held onto third place for the third straight day.
"The Chesapeake continues to be a conundrum. Between the breeze, the tide and the current... just the overall fickle nature of the sailing," Demourkas said. "It's tough here. You have to really be alert and on top of your game to do well."
With three days down and one more to go, it is skipper Jim Richardson and the crew aboard Barking Mad that have figured things out the best. Richardson steered Barking Mad to a second and third in Friday's two races and that was good enough to overtake Enfant Terrible for the overall lead.
Barking Mad has posted two bullets and three other top three results in totaling 21 points, one better than the Italian entry that led the regatta upon conclusion of racing Wednesday and Thursday. Skipper Alberto Rossi and the Enfant Terrible team suffered a seventh in the opening race on Friday, but rebounded to take line honors in the second start.
"I'm happy with the way we are sailing. The crew has done an outstanding job and we've shown pretty good boat speed," Richardson said.
Barking Mad struggled a bit at the Miami Beach Invitational in March, closing the regatta with consecutive sevenths to finish fifth in the overall standings. Richardson is pleased to see the veteran team performing closer to the level it did while winning Quantum Key West 2013.
"We made some adjustments to boat setup and things have begun to come together for us," Richardson said. "I also think it helps that we're all on the same page in terms of overall tone on the boat."
Groovederci is five points behind Barking Mad after finishing fourth and fifth in Friday's races. Demourkas, the defending East Coast Champion, is looking forward to a typically exciting conclusion to a Farr 40 regatta.
"As always in this class, things are tight. It's down to the last day and it's time to dig down and pull it out," Demourkas said. "I'm pretty happy with where we are at the moment. We've given ourselves a chance and that's never easy to do in this fleet."
New York skipper Alex Roepers and the boys aboard Plenty are still in striking distance as well after winning Race 6. It was the second bullet of the regatta for Plenty, which also has four results of fifth or lower.
"I'm happy that we've won two races. However, I'm not happy that we can't seem to string two good races together," said Roepers, whose team was runner-up at the Miami Beach Invitational. "We're going fairly well, but we just can't seem to put it all together. My hat's off to Barking Mad and Enfant Terrible for being so consistent in such difficult conditions."
"I think it's too early to begin focusing on any one boat. We'll go out and try to sail well and let the chips fall where they may," he said. "If we get a chance to push Enfant or Groove back, we'll take it. But we're not going to go out of our way."
Annapolis owner-drivers Rod Jabin (Ramrod) and Kevin McNeil (Nightshift) are fifth and sixth in the overall standings. Jabin, a local yacht yard owner, got the gun in Race 2 and has notched two other top three results in totaling 33 points - one better than McNeil, the current commodore of host Annapolis Yacht Club.
"This is a different type of event. You've got eight of the fastest Farr 40s in the world on a 1.1-mile race track. It's like going to the Olympics and sailing against the best of the best," said Gavin Brady, tactician for Jabin aboard Ramrod. "It doesn't get any more exciting than this type of racing. You can sail a pretty good race and still find yourself fighting for last place against a really good boat."
Principal race officer Wayne Bretsch hopes to complete at least two starts on Saturday, which provides opportunity for more place changes. Richardson said Barking Mad will not go into the final day with the idea of match racing Enfant Terrible.
Brady, who resided in Annapolis for many years before moving back to his home country of New Zealand, said he's heard a lot of dock talk about the fluky conditions on the Chesapeake Bay and took time to defend the body of water he's come to know quite well.
"I hope the owners go away feeling that Annapolis is a great place to race. Yes, it can be very tricky, but that is part of the challenge of yacht racing," Brady said. "When we have the right race committee, which we do here this week, the racing is quite enjoyable. Today was a perfect example. We maximized the available breeze then called it a day. Now the crews are back onshore and able to enjoy all that this great town has to offer."
2013 Farr 40 East Coast Championship (eight entries)
1, Barking Mad, Jim Richardson, Newport, RI, 1-4-7-3-1-2-3=21
2, Enfant Terrible, Alberto Rossi, Ancona, Italy, 2-2-6-1-3-7-1=22
3, Groovederci, John Demourkas, Santa Barbara, CA, 3-3-5-4-2-4-5=26
4, Plenty, Alex Roepers, New York City, 4-5-1-5-7-1-6=29
5, Ramrod, Rod Jabin, Annapolis, MD, 8-1-2-7-4-3-8=33
6, Nightshift, Kevin McNeil, Annapolis, MD, 7-6-4-2-5-6-4=34
7, Asterisk-UNO, Hasip Gencer, Instanbul, Turkey, 6-8-3-6-8-8-2=41
8, Struntje Light, Wolfgang Schaefer, Lueneberg, Germany, 5-7-8-8-6-5-7=46
Farr 40
Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta : Autumn Like Start for the Inshore Racing
The multiclass 2013 Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta in The Hague/Netherlands started with autumn like conditions. Temperatures below normal, steady rain and high waves made it tricky for the sailors on six courses. However, the racing went smoothly, without collisions or dropouts. Due to the strong wind of the previous day, there was still a decent swell, although the breeze had already dropped to about fifteen knots. This combination made it difficult to keep up the boat speed. For all classes, there were two scheduled races today.
During the official opening ceremony, longtime organizer Frans Sluyters received a well-deserved surprise. He has already been involved in the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta for twenty-two years and this edition is going to be his last. Max Blom, Director Magic Marine and clothing sponsor of the Delta Lloyd sailing team, interrupted Sluyters during his speech and spoke of a historic moment in the sailing history: 'Frans has developed this regatta into a gigantic event and lifted it to a level where many people would dream of.' Blom and Sluyters share the love for sailing. Blom collected himself many yachting prices, but today he introduced one that represents Sluyters' combativeness, called the 'Frans Sluyters Trophy'. Every year during the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta, Sluyters will award this special trophy of crystal and silver to someone of whom he thinks that he or she earns it.
Swan 45: 'You cannot make any mistake'
The Swan 45 class series (5 entries) started well for skipper Harm Tiddens and his crew on the Van Uden. They scored two bullets. Tiddens: 'It went nicely. During the first race we already got away in the first beat. We have Bouwe Bekking as tactician and he didn't miss one shift. He picked up everything. The others were very close to each other at the buoy, whereas we were far ahead. The second race we had a fierce battle with the Checkmate, but in the end we got away and we won. The conditions were quite tricky. There was a turbulent sea with a breeze between the eleven and fifteen knots. You can make no mistake in this class, otherwise the others will be on top of you. We sail this year with Bouwe as a tactician and Gideon Messink as coach. Bouwe brings really another gear. It is a quiet and great combi, and a pleasure to sailing with both of them.'
VanUden in action. Image copyright Sander van der Borch
ORC1: 'Daily progress'
In the ORC1, the Skarp with skipper Erik van Vuuren proved to be strong in the offshore races. On Friday, the team added a second and a first place to their overall score so far. Van Vuuren: 'The Skarp is a thoroughbred racer with a relatively young crew. With the purchase of this boat last year, the ambition of the owner Chris Daniel increased. He decided quickly that he needed coaching and expertise on board. That is why he hired me. It was a difficult upwind leg in the first race. We didn't get any speed. In fact, we wanted to go too high. When we steered a bit lower, we started to run a little better. We have been sailing together for a few months now and you see very clearly that everyone starting to know the boat. The foundation is there, now we need to work towards the next level in order to get the most out of the Skarp. Chris is at the helm and he improves every day. That gives a boost to the team."
Melges 24: 'We need more wind to glide'
The Melges 24 Team Kesbeke/Sikaof Ronald Veraar sailed a first place in the fourth race, much to his own surprise. 'The first everin this class', said Veraar.'It went very well, usually we can't compete against the well trained teams as, for example, Mr. Henri.We have all the equipment, but we cannot make the hours they sail. The conditions were difficult. A Melges 24 needs justa few knots more wind to glide. Now, we needed to play with the waves. It was not just downwind standing in the back of the boat, cheering and gliding. Only occasionally we glided off a wave. The peakwas 15.1 knotsspeed today, that was wonderful. With this current the boats don't stay close too much, but we have seen all of them somewhere underway. This means that we all sail pretty equal. We reached the buoys with three, four boats at the same time.Our tactic was reading the current, we had to see which side would be the best. The last race that went certainly well, the plan that wethought off worked out well."
Catamaran fleet
The catamarans were on the water today for a few training races. On Saturday, they start with the serious business. Then the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta begins for them and will last until May 20. Father and Son Mitch and Jordi Booth were the best in the F18 class.
Festive conclusion
The first day of the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta has been concluded in a festive way with all kinds of live music. The sailors could enjoy the festivities until late.
For the results, see http://www.nsr.nl/results-all.
About Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta
Tuesday May 7th the Vuurschepenrace from Scheveningen to Harwich started at 19.00h. This offshore race of 110 nautical miles is the opening race of the multi-class Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta 2013. After a day of rest in Harwich the IRC and ORC classes sailed the R.O.R.C. North Sea Race back to Holland at Friday May 10th. In the Pentecost weekend from May 17th to 20th 2013, more than 400 teams will race just off the coast of Scheveningen. Different classes will attend: yachts, Olympic and former Olympic classes, one design classes, catamarans and dinghies. New this year is the kitesurfing competition.
Alpari World Match Racing Tour : Adam Minoprio leads Team Alpari FX into 2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour
Team Alpari FX at Match Race Germany. Image copyright Brian Carlin/AWMRT
by Alpari media
The first stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour is underway at Match Race Germany, Langenargen, which runs until 20 May. We’re delighted to be supporting professional skipper Adam Minoprio and his sailing team for the 2013 season, having become the team’s principal sponsor in April this year.
Minoprio, said to be one of the strongest contenders this year, returns to the Tour after a two-year break, having meanwhile competed in the Volvo Ocean Race with Emirates Team New Zealand. More recently, Minoprio won the GC32 Austria Cup on 12 May, his first ever multihull regatta.
Back in 2009 Minoprio and his team raced under the name BlackMatch Racing and not only became the 2009 ISAF Match Racing World Champion but were also crowned the youngest ever at the age of just 24.
We’re behind the champion skipper
A seasoned match racer, Minoprio is no stranger to the Tour, which will guarantee close racing between the current and former tour champions, including UK’s own Ian Williams.
“I am really excited,” Minoprio said. “I’m looking forward to this first event and getting back into the match racing this year. Last year I had a taste of it in Bermuda and at the Monsoon Cup and I wanted to do some more this year. I am lucky to have Alpari help me get back on to the Tour.”
Joining Team Alpari FX and skipper Adam Minoprio will be Chris Main (trimmer), Tom Powrie (trimmer), Dave Swete (trimmer) and Nick Blackman (bowman).
Expanding our commitment to sailing
With Team Alpari FX, we have further enhanced our commitment to the sport of sailing. We’ve been the AWMRT title sponsor since early 2012 because we believe that sailing and trading attract people with very similar mindsets and reach out to an international audience. By supporting sailing, we can educate more people worldwide about forex trading.
To follow all the live action from the tour and show your support for Team Alpari FX – follow us on Twitter!
La Solitaire du Figaro : Ed Hill - Going to the Solitaire
Ed Hill. Image copyright Artemis Offshore Academy.
by Artemis Offshore Academy media
After a hectic few weeks in France, I headed back to the UK for a weekend’s rest after the Solo Concarneau. This race was one of the toughest races I have done mentally and I really pushed myself and found out (by error) where my breaking point is.
For the duration of the race I had in the back of my mind that I needed to show that I could keep in the mix when racing with the best of the French sailors and made it my goal to stay in contention with the best and stay with the pack. It was a race of playing the percentages, especially with the tricky weather conditions and the fleet had very different ideas as to which was the right way to go. My race plan worked very well, up until the point I started to suffer from the side affect of sleep deprivation!
Throughout the last couple of races, managing myself has been more of an issue than managing the boat and my inexperience in this area has cost me dearly. I lost six places in the last 80 miles of the Solo Concarneau through 'hitting the wall' and hallucinating. I'm not sure for how long I was blacked out, but it was certainly pretty terrifying to wake up pouring water over my eyes and not being able to see properly.... fortunately I had an inkling of what was going on and immediately put the auto pilot on and got some much needed sleep. Studying my race track afterwards clearly shows how out of it I was and how badly I was sailing the boat... Another lesson well and truly learned - 20 minutes of sleep in over 48 hours is no way near enough!!
These may seem simple mistakes to make, but actually it's incredibly hard to know where your body and minds breaking point is, especially as most sane people do not forgo sleep for such a long time.
The fantastic news was that a day after finishing the race, the Artemis Offshore Academy confirmed that I would be racing in the 2013 Solitaire du Figaro. This has been my aim since joining the Academy and it is a huge reward and payback for all the hard work and sacrifices that I have made throughout the year. I'm under no illusion, the Solitaire will be 100 times harder than anything I have done before, but at the same time I am relishing this challenge and being part of one of the toughest yacht races and arguably one of the toughest sporting events in the world, full stop.
After a hectic few weeks in France, I headed back to the UK for a weekend’s rest after the Solo Concarneau. This race was one of the toughest races I have done mentally and I really pushed myself and found out (by error) where my breaking point is.
For the duration of the race I had in the back of my mind that I needed to show that I could keep in the mix when racing with the best of the French sailors and made it my goal to stay in contention with the best and stay with the pack. It was a race of playing the percentages, especially with the tricky weather conditions and the fleet had very different ideas as to which was the right way to go. My race plan worked very well, up until the point I started to suffer from the side affect of sleep deprivation!
Throughout the last couple of races, managing myself has been more of an issue than managing the boat and my inexperience in this area has cost me dearly. I lost six places in the last 80 miles of the Solo Concarneau through 'hitting the wall' and hallucinating. I'm not sure for how long I was blacked out, but it was certainly pretty terrifying to wake up pouring water over my eyes and not being able to see properly.... fortunately I had an inkling of what was going on and immediately put the auto pilot on and got some much needed sleep. Studying my race track afterwards clearly shows how out of it I was and how badly I was sailing the boat... Another lesson well and truly learned - 20 minutes of sleep in over 48 hours is no way near enough!!
These may seem simple mistakes to make, but actually it's incredibly hard to know where your body and minds breaking point is, especially as most sane people do not forgo sleep for such a long time.
The fantastic news was that a day after finishing the race, the Artemis Offshore Academy confirmed that I would be racing in the 2013 Solitaire du Figaro. This has been my aim since joining the Academy and it is a huge reward and payback for all the hard work and sacrifices that I have made throughout the year. I'm under no illusion, the Solitaire will be 100 times harder than anything I have done before, but at the same time I am relishing this challenge and being part of one of the toughest yacht races and arguably one of the toughest sporting events in the world, full stop.
Last week was blighted by the terribly tragic news of the death of Andrew 'Bart' Simpson whilst training for the America's Cup. I was lucky enough to have been coached by him whilst in youth classes, but only rarely encountered Bart in the keelboat world. His loss will be huge among so many people as he seemed to create such a positive impact on anyone he met. At this incredibly sad time my thoughts are with his Wife, family and friends and the tragedy comes as a reminder to us all to live life to the full and enjoy the sport we love. This is something that I will be doing over the next six weeks as I go out to enjoy and compete in the Solitaire du Figaro.
Artemis Offshore Academy
Melges 20 : European Audi Melges 20 Fleet Takes To The Waters Of Porto Ercole For Act Two Of The 2013 Audi Sailing Series
by Joy Dunigan
Twenty-nine Audi Melges 20 teams are expected to take to the waters of Porto Ercole, Italy on Saturday, May 18 for the start of Event No. 2 of the 2013 Audi Sailing Series organized by BPSE - B.Plan Sport & Events in full coordination with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association (IAM20CA) and Melges Europe. This event will conclude a major Melges double-header, back-to-back weekend extravaganza where more than 50 Melges boats will have enjoyed the incredible racing conditions that Porto Ercole has to offer!
Among those competing is current Audi Sailing Series leader Guido Miani aboard Out of Reach with steady tactician Gabriele Benussi, Achille Onorato's Mascalzone Latino Jr. and Francesco Farnetti's ITA-157. Former Gold Cup Champion Alessandro Rombelli on STIG and reigning Champion Dario Levi aboard Fremito D'Arja are in attendance, as is Mirko de Falco on Peccerè, Federico Albano on 3Menda and last but not least, is Renato Vallivero's Audi Ultra Giacomel.
The stunning scenery by the race track. Image copyright Steffano Gattini/BPSE
Competing for the first time in 2013 in Europe is International Class President Manfredi Vianini Tolomei on Maolca, and Davide Albertini on Leviathan who finished an amazing fourth at the 2012 Gold Cup Regatta.
The IAM20CA is thrilled to complete the international roster of competitors with Joe and Stephanie Lacey on Fantome from France, Jurgen Fuchs on Hellcat and Florian Rixner on Mojito both represent Germany. Wes Whitmyer Jr.'s Slingshot and Russell Lucas aboard Shimmer hails from the USA, while International Class Vice President Rob Wilber's Cinghiale will sail under the English flag.
It is set to be a challenging, yet wonderful weekend of Audi Melges 20 racing. Surely there will be a many twists and turns as the racing unfolds.
Racing is set to commence on Saturday, May 18 and conclude on Sunday, May 19. Six races are scheduled for the entire event (4 per event) with a discard going into effect on the completion of Race Six.
Boats waiting to sail... Image copyright Steffano Gattini/BPSE
Once racing in Porto Ercole is finished at Circolo Nautico e della Vela dell'Argentario, the 2013 Audi Sailing Series season will progress to Portoferraio on 8-9 June and Torbole on 6-7 July. Fleet numbers will be on the rise as it pushes onward to Porto Rotondo on 29 August - September 1 for the first ever European Championship since the classes inception as an ISAF International Recognized Class. Many of the teams are looking forward to competing at the 2013 Audi Melges 20 World Championship taking place in Key Largo, FL at Ocean Reef Club on December 11-14.
Melges 20s in Porto Ercole. Image copyright Steffano Gattini/BPSE
FULL ENTRY LIST
1.) Joe Lacey/Stephanie Lacey, Fantome
2.) Robert Wilber/Anthony Kotoun, Cinghaile
3.) Florian Rixner/Christopher Nordhoff, Mojito
4.) Jurgen Fuchs/Corinna Fuchs, Hellcat
5.) Achille Onorato/Lorenzo Bressani, Mascalzone Latino, Jr.
6.) Dario Levi/Pietro Sibello, Fremito D'Arja
7.) Alessandro Rombelli/Paul Goodison, STIG
8.) Claudio Dutto/Fabio Zeni, Asante Sana
9.) Davide Albertini/Flavio Favini, Leviathan
10.) Mirko de Falco/Guglielmo Giordano, Peccerè
11.) Pasquale Orofino/Dario Desiderio, Raffichetta
12.) Michele Dandolo/Fabio Montefusco, Tachicardia
13.) Luca Carafa/Filippo D'Arrigo, Shut Up
14.) Lauro Bonora/Carlo Fracassoli, Camay
15.) Ugo Capolino/Michele Mennuti, Kempo
16.) Valter Campanile/Niccolo Bianchi, Nellaria 20
17.) Francesco Farneti/Alberto Bolzan, ITA-157
18.) Stefano Santucci/Andrea Fornaro, Tomahawk
19.) Saverio Bifulco/Paolo Scutellaro, Noi di Notte
20.) Manfredi Vianini Tolomei/Andrea Misalli, Maolca
21.) Simone Anichini/Filippo Anichini, Henneken
22.) Marco Zaoli/Gabrio Zandona, Shadow
23.) Marco Franchini/Sandro Montefusco, Mezza Luna
24.) Giancarlo Capolino/Francesco Ivaldi, Legionario
25.) Federico Albano/Giulio Desidero, 3Menda
26.) Renato Vallivero/Enrico Fonda, Audi Turnover
27.) Guido Miani/Gabriele Benussi, Out of Reach
28.) Russell Lucas/Harry Melges III, Shimmer
29.) Wes Whitmeyer/Maxwell Fraser, Slingshot
Melges 20
Melges 20 : Porto Ercole - da domani Mascalzone Latino jr di nuovo in lotta con di Loi Melges 20
di Lorenza Priamo
Questo week end a Porto Ercole torna in scena l'Audi Sailing Series con il secondo round della stagione dedicato ai Melges 20, come da tradizione a una settimana di distanza dalla divisione "regina" dei 32 piedi, e con l'equipaggio "junior" di Mascalzone Latino che non ha certo intenzione di rimanere a guardare.
Al suo secondo anno di attività in questa classe, l'armatore-timoniere Achille Onorato, infatti, ha mostrato una crescita anche superiore alle sue stesse aspettative, esordendo nel 2013 con un brillante secondo posto nella tappa inaugurale di Gaeta. Grazie all'indispensabile collaborazione del tattico Lorenzo Bressani e al "nuovo" tailer Stefano Ciampalini, Onorato junior si prepara quindi a disputare la sua prima stagione intera e ad alzare sempre più l'asticella, nonostante il crescente livello degli equipaggi in campo.
Questa settimana, nonostante previsioni meteo non incoraggianti, sulla linea di partenza si schiereranno una trentina di equipaggi: fra questi da segnalare il ritorno, alla barra, di Guido Miani, owner-driver di Out of Reach, sostituito da Alessio Marinelli nel primo appuntamento del 2013.
Analogamente all'equipaggio del Melges 32, la formazione junior di Mascalzone Latino quest'anno corre per i colori dello Yacht Club Monaco.
"La stagione dell'Audi Sailing Series, composta da cinque tappe, ovviamente è lungi dall'essere definita", spiega Achille Onorato a poche ore dal via, "ma ogni prova dovrà essere affrontata seriamente sia per consentirci di rimanere in gioco nella classifica del circuito, sia per portarci a un livello sufficiente per essere competitivi all'Europeo, che quest'anno si terrà in Costa Smeralda, un campo di gara che mi è sempre piaciuto. Ma anche quello di giugno, in occasione della terza tappa del circuito Audi, sarà per noi un appuntamento cruciale della stagione, visto che correremo in casa, all'Isola d'Elba. Oltre al calore del pubblico locale, per me tornare a gareggiare a Portoferraio porta a galla ricordi indelebili nella mia memoria di regatante, visto che, nel 2012, è stata la gara del mio esordio in questa classe, in tandem con una seconda barca di Mascalzone Latino dove al timone c'era mio padre."
Mascalzone Latino
Melges 20
Saint-Quay Women's International Match Race Cup : Lucy Macgregor remains at the top in Saint Quay
by WIMRS media
Lucy Macgregor remains at the top in Saint Quaywith Julie Bossard and Stephanie Roble just one victory behind
When racing continued today in Saint Quay-Portrieux, France, Lucy Macgregor won all her matches but two, keeping her top position with an impressive 12 – 2 record after a still unfinished second round-robin. Local sailor Julie Bossard and Stephanie Roble from the USA both defeated the British sailor today, and with a 11 – 4 record respectively they are now chasing her just behind. Despite losing two matches Lucy Macgregor thinks she and her team had a really good day:
– Yes, we sailed better and better as the day went on, but just as on the opening day we had to come from behind a couple of times, she sums up her Friday on the first event of the inaugural Women’s International Match Racing Series 2013.– I’m actually in an Olympic campaign in 49er FX right now, so I didn’t know until very late that we could participate here in Saint Quay. Now we have got our teamwork together and found the speed too, she smiles, especially thinking of her match against Lucy Macgregor.
– There was a lot of fighting in the start, but no penalties were given. When the gun went off both boats lacked speed and were on different tacks, so it was a split start. We led at the first crossing and could then, thanks to better upwind speed, defend the advantageous starboard side of the course to stretch out our lead even further, Julie Bossard explains.
– Unfortunately we got the wrong side at the first beat, and once behind it was really hard to fight back and get round them, Lucy Macgregor admits.
– Looking at the results it was worse than yesterday, but my impression is we sailed better today. Except for a few timing mistakes by myself. And we definitely came off the water with a good feeling!
So did Kjellberg & Co, who was defeated only by Stephanie Roble:
– We had a completely different mind-set today, sailing our matches from a tactical point-of-view instead of thinking too much about our manoeuvres. And the cooperation within our crew also worked a lot better, Anna Kjellberg concludes.
2. Julie Bossard, FRA, 11 – 4
2. Stephanie Roble, USA, 11 – 4
4. Anna Kjellberg, SWE, 9 – 6
4. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED, 9 – 6
6. Claudia Pierce, NZL, 6 – 8
7. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 6 – 9
8. Milly Bennett, AUS, 5 – 9
9. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 4 – 11
10. Morgane Dréau, FRA, 0 – 14
* May 15-19 – Saint Quay Women’s Match Racing – St Quay-Portrieux, France – Elliott 6m.
* June 6-9 – Busan Cup International Women’s Match Race – Busan, Korea – K 30.
* June 20-23 – Danish Open Ladies Cup – Copenhagen, Denmark – J/80.
* July 11-14 – New York Women’s Invitational – Oakcliff, New York, USA – SM 40.
* August 5-10 – Lysekil Women’s Match – Lysekil, Sweden – DS 37.
Julie Bossard from neighbour city Saint Brieuc used her knowledge of the local conditions to climb up the scoreboard, after losing just a single match during Friday’s races:
Anna Kjellberg of Sweden and Klaartje Zuiderbaan, The Netherlands, are tied on fourth place with nine wins and six losses. The latter lost four matches but only won three during the Friday:
Event standings after the second day of racing in Saint Quay Women’s Match Racing, the first event of the inaugural 2013 Women’s Match Racing Series. The eight first teams will advance to the quarterfinals. Place/name/nationality/victories/lost matches:
1. Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 12 – 2
The inaugural 2013 Women’s International Match Racing Series is a professional sailing circuit, hosted by the Women’s International Match Racing Association for the world’s leading women match racing sailors. In match racing the crews meet two by two in exciting duels that can easily be followed and understood by the spectators.
An overall prize purse of 50 000 USD will be distributed by the WIMRSeries at the final event in Lysekil, Sweden, in addition to the prize money at each of the five events included in the WIMRSeries (date, event name, location, boat type):
Finn World Masters 2013 : La Société des Régates Rochelaises accueille le Championnat du Monde de Masters Finn !
par Céline
Schatt
C'est parti ! Les premiers coureurs de ce Championnat du Monde de Masters Finn ont confirmé leur inscription ce matin et sont passés à la jauge avec leur bateau. Plus de 300 bateaux venus de 30 pays dans le monde sont attendus !
Dès lundi prochain, la classe Finn naviguera en masse dans la baie de La Rochelle. A ce jour, 309 bateaux venus de 30 pays se sont pré-inscrits par internet et sont attendus sur la confirmation des inscriptions à La Rochelle. La classe internationale annonce déjà un record historique de participation pour ce championnat du monde !
Alors que les Séniors avaient organisé leur Championnat Européen en 2004 et se retrouveront en 2014 à La Rochelle, les Masters n'étaient pas revenus sur le Port des Minimes depuis 1996 ! Mais depuis, l'événement a pris de l'ampleur : il accueillait à l'époque 120 bateaux. Certains coureurs de 1996 seront d'ailleurs à nouveau présents pour le Championnat du Monde de Masters Finn cette année à La Rochelle !
Le vainqueur de l'année dernière, et d'ailleurs des trois dernières éditions, Michael Maier, venu de République Tchèque, est incontestablement le favori cette année. Il y a également un réel intérêt pour les concurrents qui seront capables de le mettre en difficulté, voire de le détrôner sur le podium.
Parmi eux, le Britannique Allen Burrell cherchera à gagner sa troisième médaille consécutive. Il était en 2011 et 2012 le challenger de Maier. Il commente : "L'événement sera extraordinaire étant donné les 300 bateaux inscrits et les très belles conditions de navigation annoncées à La Rochelle. Le niveau des coureurs ne cesse d'augmenter et il devient de plus en plus difficile pour les plus anciens d'entrer dans le top 10 étant donné le niveau des nouveaux coureurs et des plus jeunes. J'espère que La Rochelle convient aux coureurs les plus grands et les plus costauds, de sorte à ce que je puisse me battre pour une médaille à la fin de la semaine (ndlr : les 10 meilleurs coureurs se rencontreront le 24 mai pour une course à la médaille). Mais avec autant de coureurs, tout peut arriver !"
Laurent Hay, meilleur coureur français de ces dernières années, sera également présent sur ce Championnat du Monde. Il est d'accord avec Allen Burrell : "Cette année, le niveau des concurrents promet d'être vraiment élevé, avec notamment la participation de Mike Maier, le meilleur d'entre nous. Il y aura également l'Allemand Uli Breuer, Allen Burrell, le Néerlandais Karel Van Hellemond (première participation), l'Allemand Andre Budzien, le Néo-Zélandais Rob Coutts, le Danois Jorgen Svendsen,... et quelques nouveaux compétiteurs dans ce Championnat du Monde de Masters Finn. Mon but est tout d'abord de faire de très belles courses et de prendre un maximum de plaisir sur le plan d'eau de La Rochelle. Si je finis dans le top 10, je serai pleinement satisfait !" Laurent Hay s'est entraîné cet hiver à La Rochelle, aux côtés des coureurs français et notamment du Rochelais Michel Audouin.
Expliquant les conditions de navigation, il ajoute : "A La Rochelle, nous pourrions avoir différents types de vent. La brise thermique souffle de 14 à 18 noeuds si les conditions sont bonnes. Mais la principale caractéristique du plan d'eau rochelais, c'est le courant dû aux marées et avec lequel il va falloir jouer."
La flotte sera répartie en Masters (40-49 ans), Grand Masters (50-59 ans), Grand Grand Masters (60-69 ans) et Legends (70 ans et plus). Cette année, outre le nombre record de participants, il y aura également un nombre record de "Legends" : 27 coureurs de plus de 70 ans sont inscrits ! Parmi eux, le gagnant de la catégorie ces deux dernières années, le Britannique Howard Sellars.
Karl Purdie, venant de Nouvelle-Zélande et champion du monde sur dériveur Yole OK sera également de ce championnat pour la première fois cette année. Il explique : "J'ai toujours voulu faire du Finn, mais ce n'est qu'à la fin de ma carrière en Yole OK que j'ai été capable d'acheter un Finn. Aujourd'hui, c'est donc comme un rêve qui se réalise pour moi. Mes objectifs principaux sont de rivaliser avec les coureurs du Top 10 et de finir dans le Top 3 sur au moins une course. Il sera également intéressant de croiser sur l'eau les anciens et les nouveaux très bons coureurs. Etant donné le très grand nombre de participants, je pense qu'il va falloir être très bon sur la ligne de départ !"
Dans cette flotte, il y a autant d'âges que de participants ! Le plus jeune a 39 ans (il faut avoir 40 ans dans l'année pour pouvoir participer à ce Championnat du Monde) et le plus âgé a 78 ans. Il s'agit de l'Américain Gus Miller. Il ne participe au Championnat du Monde de Masters Finn que pour la seconde fois : "La première fois que j'ai participé, c'était également à La Rochelle en 1996.". Il terminait alors à la 12ème place. Il ajoute : "Je suis également venu à La Rochelle en 2004 pour les Européens. J'y ai encadré l'équipe chinoise." Miller explique qu'il utilise ce Championnat du Monde de Masters comme une régate d'entraînement pour la Finn Gold Cup de Tallinn, qui aura lieu en août prochain. Il s'est promis de ne pas arrêter de naviguer en Finn avant d'avoir participé à la Finn Gold Cup.
Le Néerlandais Fons Van Gent, président des Masters Finn explique : "C'est un réel plaisir de revenir à La Rochelle et je suis persuadé que la Société des Régates Rochelaises fera un travail magnifique pour organiser un événement très agréable, à terre et en mer. A ce jour, nous avons plus de 300 bateaux inscrits ! Mais le très grand nombre de coureurs n'empêchera pas à la S.R.R. d'organiser des courses de très bonne qualité ! Il sera également agréable de rencontrer autant de Finnistes et leurs familles à La Rochelle, surtout les très nombreux "Legends". Tout cela nous prouve que La Rochelle est une ville très reconnue pour la voile !"
La Société des Régates Rochelaises a mobilisé 75 bénévoles, habitués et nouveaux venus, à des postes variés. Ils s'impliquent dans le comité de course aux côtés de l'Alsacien Pierre Lemaire, qui avait déjà présidé le comité de course lors des Championnats du Monde de Laser en 2011 et lors du SAP 5O5 World Championship l'année dernière. Il est entouré des Rochelais Patrick Maurin, Yves Lorber, Alain Chenais et Roland Desforges, comités nationaux. Ils sont assistés des mouilleurs Marc Reine et Bob Tuffnell, un Rochelais venu d'Angleterre, membre du Conseil d'Administration de la S.R.R. et qui s'est beaucoup investi dans l'organisation de ce championnat qui lui tient à coeur, en tant qu'ancien finniste. D'autres membres du CA et de nombreux bénévoles sont à leurs côtés pour l'accueil et les inscriptions, la jauge des bateaux, le jury, la sécurité sur l'eau, les classements,...
Les courses commenceront ce lundi 20 mai et se poursuivront jusqu'au vendredi 24 mai. Sept courses de qualification maximum seront courues et les 10 meilleurs se retrouveront lors d'une course à la médaille le dernier jour.
Informations essentielles :
Dates des inscriptions : 17, 18 et 19 mai
Course d'entraînement : 19 mai
Courses : 20 - 24 mai
Village de course : Port des Minimes, devant la Société des Régates Rochelaises
Zone de course : baie de La Rochelle, devant la plage des Minimes
309 coureurs inscrits au 17 mai 2013
30 nations représentées au 17 mai 2013
Plus de 75 bénévoles impliqués
Dates des inscriptions : 17, 18 et 19 mai
Course d'entraînement : 19 mai
Courses : 20 - 24 mai
Village de course : Port des Minimes, devant la Société des Régates Rochelaises
Zone de course : baie de La Rochelle, devant la plage des Minimes
309 coureurs inscrits au 17 mai 2013
30 nations représentées au 17 mai 2013
Plus de 75 bénévoles impliqués
Vous pouvez suivre les courses sur le site officiel de l'épreuve www.finnworldmaster2013.com.
Saint-Quay Women's Match Race Cup : une deuxième journée idéale et le premier round robin achevé
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par Benjamin Godefroid
C'est en début d'après midi que le premier round robin s'est achevé. Les conditions météo étaient parfaites : un soleil resplendissant et un vent de nord-est beaucoup moins capricieux qu'hier puisque stable à environ 10 nœuds : l'idéal pour ce type de bateau, l'Elliot 6. Par conséquent, il y a eu plus de suspense les matchs étaient plus serrés et les équipages ont vraiment pu exprimer tous leurs talents. Par la suite, le vent a tourné plein nord puis NNW. Les matchs ont été très techniques, les bateaux fusaient et l'impression générale qui ressort de cette deuxième journée peut se résumer par ce que toutes les filles et les arbitres en ont dit : "c'était top !"
Classement à l'issue du premier round robin :
1ère place : Lucy Macgregor (8–1, 89 %)
2e : Klaartje Zuiderbaan (7–2, 78 %)
3e : Steph Roble (7–2, 78%)
4e : Julie Bossard (6–3, 67%)
5e : Anna Kjellberg (4–5, 44%)
6e : Claudia Pierce (4–5, 44%)
7e : Caroline Sylvan (3–6, 33%)
8e : Alexa Bezel (3–6, 33%)
9e : Milly Bennett (3–6, 33%)
10e : Morgane Dréau (0–9, 0%)
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L'équipage de Morgane Dréau au premier plan, qui devance celui des australiennes mené par Milly Bennett. Image copyright Christian Chardon
Les courses se sont déroulées jusqu'à 17h30 et, pour le second round robin, 7 flights sur 12 ont été disputés
Le classement provisoire est le suivant
1ère place : Lucy Macgregor (12–2, 86 %)
2e : Steph Roble (11–4, 73 %)
2e : Julie Bossard (11–4, 73 %)
4e : Anna Kjellberg (9–6, 60 %)
4e : Klaartje Zuiderbaan (9–6, 60 %)
6e : Claudia Pierce (6–8, 43 %)
7e : Caroline Sylvan (6–9, 40 %)
8e : Milly Bennett (5–9, 36 %)
9e : Alexa Bezel (4–11, 27 %)
10e : Morgane Dréau (0–14, 0 %)
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L'équipage de Stephanie Roble (États-Unis). Image copyright Christian Chardon
Impressions des Françaises :
Julie Bossard (France) : c'était plutôt une bonne journée puisqu'on a gagné 4 matchs sur 5. On a juste perdu le dernier, et de justesse puis qu'on a réussi à revenir sur la fin mais pas assez. Du coup on était un peu sur les crocs. Au début de la journée on allait assez vite sur les vagues et on prenait les bonnes directions. Après, le vent a un peu tourné, il est passé au nord et les vitesses entre bateaux étaient similaires ce qui a permis de faires des matchs race très tactiques avec du fight au portant. On a pris beaucoup de plaisir. On est une équipe qui s'est constituée au dernier moment mais les filles s'adaptent parfaitement à leurs postes. En plus, on rigole bien et ça, c'est le principal. Concernant les autres concurrentes, elles sont toutes fortes et il n'y a aucun équipage à négliger. Depuis le début de la compétition, on a perdu quatre matchs contre quatre équipages différents et on en battu certains contre lesquels on avait gagné. Il ne faut vraiment rien lâcher. Mais le bateau est top, il permet des matchs au contact. Sinon, pour la suite, je pense qu'on sera dans les huit premières et donc sélectionnées pour les quarts de finale. Après, on remet tout à zéro et on verra contre qui on va jouer en quart. Ce sera normalement trois matchs gagnant et on fera tout pour aller le plus loin possible.
Morgane Dréau (France) : pour nous, aujourd'hui c'était beaucoup mieux même si on n'a pas gagné de match. Mais on était beaucoup plus prêts des filles. Contre certaines, on a fait des erreurs bêtes, mais bon, on n'a pas le même niveau. On ne gagne pas encore mais on est plus proches, les manœuvres sont beaucoup plus propres. Je suis super fières d'avoir mis une pénalité à Lucy Macgregor ! Ce qui nous pénalise, c'est la vitesse pure. Elles sont habituées à naviguer sur ces bateaux depuis quatre ans pour la plupart. Moi j'ai encore un peu de mal : c'est un bateau qui demande beaucoup de relance. Lucy nous a mis une avance impressionnante en très peu de temps. Pour demain, on a plus que quatre matchs pour terminer le round robin et il y a des filles contre lesquelles on peut gagner. En tout cas, on va tout faire pour.
Réactions des arbitres sur cette deuxième journée : ensoleillée ! Beau temps belle mer. Super conditions, que ce soit pour nous ou pour les filles. Les matchs étaient plus serrés qu'hier car les bateaux étaient plus souvent très proches les uns des autres.
Saint-Quay Women's Match Race Cup
Alpari World Match Racing Tour : Trio tied at the top
by Alpari World Match Racing Tour media
Lake Constance remained well behaved for day two of Match Race Germany, the opening event of the 2013 Alpari World Match Racing Tour. A light sub-10 knot northwesterly blowing down the lake allowed Rudi Magg’s race management team to hold eight flights, leaving all 12 teams having sailed nine races of this Qualifying stage of the event.
The closeness of the competition off Langenargen is evident from the fact that at the close of play today the top three teams remain tied on seven points, all having lost two races. Among these heavyweights, Ian Williams’ GAC Pindar team today beat France’s Mathieu Richard and his newly christened GEFCO Match Racing Team, while US Virgin Islander Taylor Canfield and his USone crew beat Richard. Canfield and Williams have to wait until tomorrow before they lock horns.
Equally at the bottom of the leaderboard the two German teams - National Match Racing Champions Sven Erick Horsch/NRV Match Race Team and Laser ace Philip Buhl’s STG/NRV Youth Team, respectively on zero and one wins - look set to be packing their bags and heading home tomorrow.
“It was another very good day for us,” said Mathieu Richard. “We came from behind several times - we overtook Swinton, Berntsson, Morvan, Robertson.” And these passes occurred on different parts of the race course. Particularly intense was the French derby with Pierre Antoine Morvan’s Vannes Agglo Sailing Team, where a lengthy dial-up at the top mark saw Richard take off down the run ahead, to lead for the rest of the race.
However one of the two races Richard lost was to his old foe Ian Williams, whose sponsor, GAC Pindar, by coincidence is an international shipping and logistics company, as is Richard’s new sponsor, GEFCO.
Williams got the better of his opponent at the start after the French team picked up a penalty for being in the wrong during a dial-down that resulted in a collision. “We got a penalty on the start against us, but we managed to get ahead on the first beat and had a good lead on the first run,” said Richard. But his lead wasn’t large enough to carry out his penalty, so he had to wait to engage his rival in an attempt to offset it instead. In attempting this Williams got the better of him, overtook and from there it was a comfortable run home for the GAC Pindar team.
It has been a slow start to Match Race Germany for former America’s Cup helmsman, Karol Jablonski, but today he claimed some big scalps, including that of Ian Williams. Still to face the two German competitors, the Pole remains very much in the hunt.
Williams explained his match with Jablonski: “We got ourselves into a tangle on the start. We went to try and roll over the top and we didn’t quite make it. So he started ahead of us and did a nice job of defending around the course.”
There was another collision involving New Zealander Adam Minoprio’s Team Alpari FX, this time with Swede Bjorn Hansen and his Mekonomen Sailing Team. In this Hansen was deemed to be in the wrong and at a subsequent hearing was deducted a 0.5 point.
“It was in the pre-start, in the dial up,” explained Hansen. “We were on starboard and tried to bear off and get in front of him, but he managed to come all the way down before our boat started to turn, so our stern touched his bow and we got the penalty.”
In Langenargen today, as an ambassador of adidas, was German match racing legend, Jochen Schuemann, a double America’s Cup winner with Alinghi and owner of four Olympic medals, three (two golds and a silver) match racing in the Soling class.
Schuemann reckons the last time he competed at Match Race Germany was a decade ago with Alinghi. As to the modern day Alpari World Match Racing Tour, he says: “Still the best match racers are here. Match racing is a great discipline in sailing, very helpful as a training tool for every sailor because all the action is compressed - sailing the boat fast, making the right manoeuvres, having a good start - into a short time, under the permanent influence of a strong opponent. It is a great sport with a lot of emotions. And it is really good fun.”
Johnie Berntsson/Stena Sailing Team - The Challenge Ahead
Racing continues at Match Race Germany tomorrow with the final four flights of the qualification series. The winner of this – at present Mathieu Richard is looking favourite - will graduate directly to the semi-finals, while the next six head for the quarter finals. With the on-set of the weekend, large crowds are expected at the sizable race village.
STAGE 1: Match Race Germany - Results after Qualifying Round 2
Taylor Canfield (ISV) USone Sailing Team 7-2
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 7-2
Mathieu Richard (FRA) GEFCO Match Racing Team 7-2
Björn Hansen (SWE) Mekonomen Sailing Team 5.5-3
Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing 5-4
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Stena Sailing Team 5-4
Pierre-Antoine Morvan (FRA) Vannes Agglo Sailing Team 4-5
Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 4-5
Karol Jablonski (GER) Jablonski Sailing Team 4-5
Adam Minoprio (NZL) Team Alpari FX 4-5
Philip Buhl (GER) STG/NRV Youth Team 1-8
Sven Erick-Horsch (GER) NRV Match Race Team 0-9
The qualifying series continues tomorrow with the start time scheduled for 0900.
Alpari World Match Racing Tour
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