Saturday 23 October 2010

VOR: VO70 Designs and Designers, delving into the past


PUMA. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.

by Andi Robertson

When the Volvo Open 70 class rule was introduced for the 2005-6 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, it effectively opened the door for a new generation of designers to start with an entirely blank sheet of paper, to apply their thinking to what would get round the planet fastest, safest and in one piece.

History records that this 2005-6 edition of the race was a baptism of fire for many of the new, relatively unproven designs, especially pushing the newly introduced canting keel systems and their supporting structures. At this time, the engineering and its application to the new class was still pretty new.

This epic first race in VO70s really brought the name of Juan Kouyoumdjian to global prominence.


PUMA. Image copyright Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race.

First-time sponsor ABN AMRO adopted a strategy similar to the blueprint previously drawn by past winners, EF Language and illbruck: funding in place early, selecting key sailors early, building two boats and developing from one to the other, and maximising training and development time; however, their choice of the Argentinian designer displayed something a leap of faith by Roy Heiner, who got the project off the ground for the Dutch bank.

With no signature high-profile global success to his name, Juan K received strong support from Heiner during the pitch for the ABN AMRO project.

"Roy knew of me from Star boat sailing and that kind of thing - we knew each other, but were not friends," he recalled, "but he was convinced all along that we could do a good job. He was especially impressed with the tools and the set up of the office that we had then. He never hesitated and asked us very early on."

The bank also did not hesitate. "They trusted Roy and asked us to go in and do a presentation of how we were going to provide this winning boat. I presented my philosophies and they said, ‘let's go'."

As the race got underway it became increasingly apparent that ABN AMRO 1 - ‘Black Betty' - was a real weapon in the hands of skipper Mike Sanderson and crew. ABN AMRO 1 categorically dominated the race, winning six of nine legs, while ABN AMRO 2 set the world 24-hour record of the time and Juan K's concepts set the template which has become the benchmark for the VO70 - very wide, powerful stern sections, a hard chine aft, twin rudders.

Throughout the race, the designer was very clear and up front on the performance profile of the two boats, their relative advantages and disadvantages. Kouyoumdjian has invested heavily in developing his own CFD programming since he set out, and he has endeavoured to retain that advantage ever since.

"Back then, the world of yacht design was very tank testing related and experimental," he explained. "Since 2001-2002 really we took it full-on from a CFD point of view, developing seven core tools."


Ericsson 4. Image copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.

The design house invested heavily in the development of those tools, which allowed them to take an accurate look at many different options including the hydro and the aero packages.

"This was a real transition time, going from the Whitbread/Volvo Open 60 to the Volvo Oopen 70," he said. "It was in effect a generation change - Marcelino Botin was doing well at this time too - and it was very exciting to have this opportunity, a project I took to with all my heart."

Botin Carkeek, the Santander-based firm of Marcelino Botin and Shaun Carkeek, came into the last Volvo Ocean Race as PUMA designers on the strength of an acclaimed track record. Botin worked in the 33rd America's Cup as lead hull designer with Emirates Team New Zealand, while their IMS designs had won at least six of Spain's key Copa del Rey regattas outright and many IMS world championships.

Shaun Carkeek maintains that in an event as complex as the Volvo Ocean Race, prior experience in the race is a vital element of success. "To win as a designer from a start-up situation seems very unlikely," he said.

"We put together a proposal for PUMA which drew on our very extensive experience and success at grand prix and IMS level and in the TP52 class," he explained, "and PUMA bought into our commitments to delivering a winning design in six months."


Telefonica Blue. Image copyright Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.

"That was largely based on the very strong methodology, processes and skills that we had built up. Having no previous data or practical experience of the race was a disadvantage, but what we were very strong on was delivering an optimal package. And we came very, very close to delivering."

"But without a doubt it is huge, massive to have previous experience and data to fine tune everything, from the naval architecture, CFD, VPP, weight info, and how that all translates makes a huge difference."

The next race will once again pitch three key design teams against each other: Juan Yacht Design, which is unbeaten in the class, Botin Carkeek and Farr Yacht Design. Carkeek is unfazed by the competition.

"We're not too concerned about other design offices and tend to focus on our game plan," he asserted. "The most important factor for us is a client's trust, belief, shared vision and work ethic."

"A top design office can handle two, maybe three teams without compromising the quality and support. Although we initially prepared for multiple teams we're feeling good with one and believe it's advantageous in some respects."
Juan K feels they have a clear advantage in their winning track record, both from their database from the racecourse and from two-boat testing programmes of two successive well-funded and successful Volvo Ocean Race campaigns.


Telefonica Blue. Joakim Rechnitzer/baadmagasinet.dk

"We have just finished designing our sixth generation of boat," he revealed. "After four or five, you feel a lot more comfortable."

"There is data rolling forwards, of course, and we are lucky that both the previous programmes were nice, well-funded programmes, particularly Ericsson. You learn a lot from that, like why some specific sails work or not, and the level of resolution from two-boat testing is much higher."

Just as the sailing teams do on the water, Juan K thrives on the competition between the designers and would love to see more design teams in the race.

"I think the rule does now favour designers who have the experience, benefiting us," he said. "I would like to see it giving a lot more chances to younger designers. I pushed really hard for Guillaume Verdier to get into it. He showed interest and I promoted him to teams. It would be great to see more designers."

"We take yacht design and compete prior to the race as well as during it. It's part of the high tech evolution. The more we are all out there competing, the better it is, and the better the winning feels!"

Volvo Ocean Race

Máster de España Match Race, Day 3: Morvan and Marinho to Meet in Finals

Alexis Littoz-Baritell, from France, and the South African, Ian Ainslie, will fight for the 3rd and 4th places

The French sailor, Morvan, and the Portuguese one, Marinho, will decide the winner of the Máster de España ISAF Grade 2 at the Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona


Image copyright Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona.

by MRCYB media (in translation by SailRaceWin)

The Master of Spain Match Race that finishes tomorrow in the seafaring village of Baiona has its finalists. They are the French sailor Pierre Antoine Morvan, number 7 in the ISAF World rankings, and the Portuguese sailor Álvaro Marinho, number 18 in the ISAF rankings. These two will be the skippers who, tomorrow, Saturday, will try to obtain the maximum reward from this international Match Race, Grade 2. The other Frenchman who was in the semi-finals, Alexis Littoz-Baritel, and the South African, Ian Ainslie, will determine who finishes in the 3rd and 4th places.

The other positions have already have been determined according to their merits in this event. Thus the fifth place belongs to the Majorcan, Manu Weiller, the best of the four crews who today disputed their position in 5th to 8th places. The Danish youth, 16 year old Joachim Aschenbrenner finished in 6th place. Seventh place went to the Spanish sailor Támara Echegoyen in a disputed encounter with the Sevillian Juan Luís Páez, who was eighth.

The weather did not distingush itself today in Baiona. After the terral wind in the morning, as with every other day, the Máster de España fleet returned to land. Only one Flight had been disputed. At 1600 the Race Committee found in conditions in which to make a new start. After the change of 180 degrees in the direction of the wind from 1000 hours in the morning, there was also a 300 degree change, with feeble pressure.


Image copyright Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona.

The final between Marinho and Morván will be the first to obtain 3 points, and the "petit final", between Littoz-Baritel and Ainslie, the one that obtains two points.

The awards ceremony will be celebrated at 1600 in the Main Parlour of the Monte Real Club de Yates, in the presence of the Mayor of Baiona, Jesus Vázquez Almuiña, and of the representatives of both sponsor firms, VALIANT and SLAM, as well as of the Provincial Delegate for Sports of the Junta of Galicia, Daniel Benavides, coordinator of the Máster de España, and also in the presence of the President of the Federación Gallega de Vela, José Angel Rodriguez.

Match Race Extreme Team Morbihan (Morvan, FRA) report that they won their semi-final against Ian Ainslie (RSA) 3-0, to earn a spot in the finals, against Marinho (POR) tomorrow. They also report that, having finished as runners up twice at this event, they are determined to win tomorrow!

In Spanish:

El Máster de España que mañana finaliza en la villa marinera pontevedresa de Baiona ya ha definido a sus finalistas. El galo Pierre Antoine Morvan, número 7 del mundo, y el luso Álvaro Marinho, número 18 en el ranking de la ISAF, serán los patrones que mañana sábado intentarán llevarse el máximo galardón de este Match Race Internacional, puntuable en el Grado 2. El otro francés de esta cita de alto nivel, Alexis Littoz-Baritel y el sudafricano Ian Ainslie, determinarán quien se queda con la 3º y 4ª plaza.

Los demás puestos ya han sido adjudicados según sus méritos en este evento. Así la quinta plaza se la queda el mallorquín Manu Weiller, el mejor de entre las cuatro tripulaciones que hoy disputaban su puesto en el listado del 5º al 8º. Le sigue el joven danés de 16 años Joachim Astrenbenner en el 6º lugar. La 7ª plaza se la quedó la gallega Támara Echegoyen en un disputado encuentro con el sevillano Juan Luís Páez, que fue octavo.

El meteoro no se dejó ver mucho hoy por Baiona. Tras el terral de la mañana, como cada día, la flota del Máster de España regresó a tierra. Sólo se había disputado un Flight. A las 16.00 horas el Comité se encontraba en condiciones de dar una nueva salida. Tras el 180 en la dirección del viento de las 10.00 horas de la mañana, la fuerza motriz en el campo de la regata la aportaba un 300, también flojo.


Image copyright Monte Real Club de Yates de Baiona.

La final entre Marinho y Morván se la llevará el primero que consiga 3 puntos, y la "petit final", entre Littoz-Baritel y Ainslie, el que antes sume dos puntos.

La entrega de premios se celebrará a las 16.00 horas en el Salón Principal del Club de Yates, con la presencia confirmada del Alcalde de Baiona, Jesús Vázquez Almuiña, y de los representantes de ambas firmas patrocinadoras, VALIANT y SLAM, así como del Delegado Provincial de Deportes de la Xunta de Galicia, Daniel Benavides, colaboradora del Máster de España y el Presidente de la Federación Gallega de Vela, José Ángel Rodríguez.

Máster de España Match Race

Live Web-Chat with Ben Ainslie

Live Web-Chat with Triple Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie CBE, Wednesday, 27th October 2010 at 1700 BST (1800CEST, 0500NZDST)



Britain's most successful Olympic sailor, triple Olympic gold medallist BEN AINSLIE CBE will be live and answering your questions.

Ben has just confirmed he will be campaigning full time for his place at the 2012 Olympics.

This is your chance to get your questions answered by Britain's most successful Olympic sailor.

TOPICS BEN WILL BE ANSWERING QUESTIONS ON:

* Qualifying and training for the 2012 Olympics
* The Olympic experience - what he expects London will deliver in 2012
* Getting involved in the sport and the best route through to the Olympics
* Nutrition and fitness
* Your technical sailing questions

Click here to post your questions now http://on.fb.me/c8QeYd

www.facebook.com/volvocarssailing

PLUS - Ben's favourite question will win a signed copy of his autobiography, Close to the Wind

About Ben Ainslie CBE

Ben Ainslie is Britain's most successful Olympic sailor of all time, in total he has won three gold medals and one silver.

Ben won his first Olympic medal at just 19 years old - silver in the Laser class at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Four years later, he achieved every athlete's dream of Olympic gold on Sydney Harbour. For the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Ben switched to the larger Finn dinghy he again won Olympic gold. In August 2008 Ben proved his was still the best by winning his third straight Olympic gold medal.

Ben's sailing achievements are unprecedented not only is he a triple Olympic gold medallist, he is also a nine times World champion, eight times European Champion and three times ISAF world sailor of the year. Ben's next aspiration is to qualify for and bring back a historic fourth gold in the London 2012 Olympics.

www.benainslie.com

Rolex Middle Sea Race: On the Eve of Departure


Skippers' briefing. Image copyright Rolex/Kurt Arrigo.

by Alex Bocage

The day before the start of the 2010 Rolex Middle Sea Race and for the crews of the 75 boats registered there are different approaches to be battle ready. Most of the boats have been onsite in Malta for the past week and despite some rough conditions early on, they have been able to get out a few times to practice. Though with some crews not arriving until today, quite a few boats were off the dock this afternoon to check sails and practice some maneuvers in advance of tomorrow’s 11am start in Valletta’s spectacular Grand Harbour.

Mike Slade’s Farr 100, ICAP Leopard (GBR) was one of those, running through some maneuvers and showing forethought, sailing into nearby Marsamxett Harbour to check out the finish line off the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Vladimir Prosikhin, who has chartered the Volvo 70, E1, was out with his team tuning up. The Russian technology entrepreneur first sailed on the boat on a Round Sardinia Race that saw 50 knots of breeze – a fitting test for a former Volvo Ocean Race boat. Many of the fleet retired in that race, including E1 having torn their mainsail. Still for Prosikhin it was “really fun”. Clearly he’s found the right boat. This will be his second Rolex Middle Sea Race, having competed last year on the Shipman 72, Nadejda.

While several others in the fleet were out sailing, and others were dockside provisioning and otherwise tending to last-minute repairs and tweaks, and still others were awaiting the 11th hour arrival of crew, the TP52 Lucky was tucked in at the dock. For sure, they had their practice with a classic Maltese shakedown during Wednesday’s coastal race that served up 20-25 knots and big seas. While the Rolex Middle Sea Race course has been described as one of the most beautiful in the world – with the volcanoes of Etna, Stromboli, and Vulcano along the way – some competitors felt the need for a closer reconnaissance. Early this morning, Lucky’s skipper/owner Bryan Ehrhart and one of his crew had plans to hop a fast ferry to Sicily and make their way to scale Mt Etna, at 3,350m the highest active volcano in Europe. That would certainly get your mind off the impending race start.

Back on the dock in Grand Harbour, the discussion was about weather and what the fleet might encounter. As usual, several forecasts were in circulation and it was up to the navigators to sort out their plans for the race. On Andres Soriano’s 2009 Rolex Middle Sea Race winner, Alegre (GBR), that task falls to Welshman Will Best. With over 24 hours to the start, Best discussed the current strategy and said, “It’s a little different competition this year. But we still have two bigger boats, two boats that are a lot faster, so obviously we were going to try to keep our time on them. Best is referring to the two biggest yachts in the fleet, the 30-metre Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) and the 2009 Rolex Middle Sea line honours winner, the Farr 100, ICAP Leopard (GBR). Of these two, Best says, “We’ll be on them all the time.”

The Mills 68 Alegre has had a good year, coming in second in last month’s inaugural Mini Maxi Rolex World Championship, and missing out on first place by the slimmest of margins. Best described the expected conditions, saying, “It’s looking quite good for us weather-wise, we know we’re quite competitive in the lighter stuff, so we’re quite happy with the weather at the moment, but obviously, we all know with the Rolex Middle Sea Race, things change and we’ll see a bit of everything. But, at the moment it’s teeing up for a sub-15 knot race.”

“We’ve doing a lot of work to widen our range so we’re a lot more competitive in the heavier ranges. When it’s really windy we’re competitive, and also we’ve upped our game in the lower teens and even the higher teens now. Certainly upwind we’ve made big changes to the boat, so it’s a lot stiffer.”

What many like about the race is that it covers different ground, and Best says, “I like this, there are a lot of corners, so it’s not ‘there and back’. It’s quite nice geographically as well, and there are some spectacular sights, when you’re stuck under an erupting volcano at night – there’s something going on all the time. And you do get a massive variation in weather, not just sea state and wind, so it’s good fun.”

The Baltic 77, Black Pearl (GBR) was launched in June 2008. The boat has been cruising most of the season starting last March in Egypt, through the Suez Canal, then Turkey, Greece, Majorca, and Malta.

The Bill Tripp-design is a cruising boat; but, as the American designer’s boats tend to be, it is quite race-oriented, fully carbon fibre, and only weighs 30 tons, approximately 20-25% less than a typical cruising boat. This will be the boats first offshore regatta, and skipper Matthew Sweetman said, “It fits in with our program this year. We’re often all over the place cruising. This is sort of end to the season, we were in the vicinity, and so it helped. But also, it’s a fun course. This is one of the more interesting courses, as you’re pretty much in sight of land the whole way, so it’s more of an inshore/offshore, as it were.

“We have a mix of pros and amateurs: lawyers, bankers, and then we have a couple of ex-Cup sailors. We want to have a fun regatta, but we want to get around. It’s a big boat to sail so we do need professionals onboard, to stop it biting back really. It’s a cruising boat we’re trying to get around the racecourse. It’s orientated to cruising, so it’s really easy to sail, but in regards to racing, it’s quite difficult because you’re compromised quite often.”

Esimit Europa 2 (ex-Shockwave) came on the racing scene earlier this year, and has been gobbling up trophies ever since: Line Honours winner at the Giraglia Rolex Cup, a class win at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, and a new course record at the Barcolana race. The Slovenian boat, skippered by Flavio Flavini and a crew of professional Italian sailors was back alongside the dock, after an afternoon of sailing. They’ve been held ashore the last few days, repairing electronic equipment heavily damaged by lightening last Monday on the delivery to Malta.

Tactician Tiziano Nava reviewed the weather conditions they are expecting and said, “The forecast talks about light conditions of 8-12 knots at the start from Saturday noon to midnight. We expect the new wind will be the mistral, northwesterly and probably and we’ll find this wind after Stomboli and Palermo. For the second or third day, we expect strong winds from the mistral of 25 -30 knots. It’s important for us to make a big distance in the first part of the race, because the second part will probably be better for the small boats that should have strong winds to the finish line. With this weather forecast, the change between the southeast and the northwest is important. I think that’s the point that can decide the race.

“Probably we have to stay near Leopard to understand what is the difference in strong or light winds. The numbers say we have to sail a little faster in light to medium conditions. In heavy winds, particularly reaching, Leopard will probably be faster.”

Tomorrow, Saturday, 23 October, is the start of the Rolex Middle Sea Race. First warning signal will be at 10.50am in Grand Harbour, Valletta. There will be five starts, beginning with Multihulls (of which there is one) and continuing though four IRC classes, beginning with the smallest through the largest.

The final prize giving is at 12.00pm on Saturday, 30 October at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta.

George David's Rambler (USA) established the current Course Record of 47 hours, 55 minutes, and 3 seconds in 2007.

Rolex Middle Sea Race

La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale: The 86 in St Malo




The Rhum boats in St Malo, © Marcel Mochet /AFP.

by Régis Lerat

In the glowing Autumn sunshine 2010 Route du Rhum La Banque Postale took shape and form today around the historic basins in the heart of Saint Malo, a remarkable fleet mustering for what promises to be a remarkable ninth edition.
There are nine days still until the start gun sounds at 1302hrs on Sunday 31st October but the record fleet of 86 boats and their solo skippers from ten different nations, set to compete in five different classes was set the deadline of being in Saint Malo by midday today.

At the early morning locking in, just as the sun was rising, sure enough there was a posse of IMOCA Open 60's arriving to take their place in the Duguay-Trouin Basin. So too Sidney Gavignet's giant Arabian 100 Oman Air Majan moored up on cue in Vauban Basin, ready to line up in a nine strong clash of the titans, the Ultime class which will certainly by one key focal point for the huge number of visitors who are expected to make the odyssey to Saint Malo over the coming days.

The last edition of the Route du Rhum La Banque Postale, in 2006, attracted over 1.2m visitors over the ten days leading up to the start.

At rest at the quayside it will be the well-read or keen-eyed visitors who will be able to spot the differences between the five different Ultime multihulls which all hold records of their own. Unlike their ORMA 60 predecessors, each was designed with different dimensions, configurations and primary purpose and this will be the first time that these giants, in their current form, have finally lined up to race, no holds barred down the 3542 miles course to Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe.

The key questions are not just which one will prevail, but how low might they take the 7d17h19m race record, which was set last time by Gitana 11?

At the set time, midday, most of the fleet were either in the basins, with three moored off awaiting the early evening locks: Côte d'Or 2 of Bertrand Quentin, Generik-Exp'hair en Beauté of Joris de Carlan and Maire Toit – Caen La Mer of Marc Lepesqueux.

Two entries remain in the balance. A decision is expected tomorrow once a structural survey has been completed this evening on the Class 40, L'Express-Sapmer of Pierre-Yves Lautrou who was hit by a fishing boat off Cape Frehel on Wednesday night whilst on delivery passage here. The journalist-skipper's boat sustained a hole in the port side of about 1 metre across. And in the Ultime class Philippe Monnet is still trying to secure his budget to fulfil his place as the ninth entry in this exciting class.

The nine strong IMOCA Open 60 class will feature all three of the new 2010 launched boats. Vincent Riou's PRB has already finished second in the round Spain Vuelta España race this summer, but this will be the first big test for Jean Pierre Dick's Virbac Paprec 3 as well as Michel Desjoyeaux's new Foncia which was only launched last month.

The extensive Race Village opens Saturday at 1000hrs and offers a very comprehensive offering of displays, entertainment and exhibitions for all ages.

Among the keynote displays will be “La Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale, A History of the Queen of Transats” which is an exhibition in the Saint Sauveur Chapel which traces the history of the race and the highlights from 1978 to the present, with many stunning black and white and colour images. The majority of these photos are by Gilles Martin Raget and the AFP agency, but supplemented by Yvann Zedda, Thierry Martinez and Jean-Marie Liot.

La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale

La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale: Race Village Opens to the Public



This Friday, 22nd October, the fleet of boats almost signed-up to this ninth edition of La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale are moored in the port of St Malo. The 60 foot IMOCA monohulls and the boats in the Rhum class are in the Duguay-Trouin Basin, while the Ultimates, the Multi50s and the Class40s are in the Vauban Basin. Tomorrow, at 10 o'clock, the race village will open its doors to the general public for a week of fêtes and meeting with the exceptional sailors. On the animation programme : exhibitions, concerts, spectacles of light and sound, meetings, film projections, art workshops, mini races...


Image copyright © Pen Duick

by Régis Lerat

Ce vendredi 22 octobre, l'ensemble des bateaux ou presque - inscrits à cette 9e édition de La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale est amarré dans le port de Saint-Malo. Les monocoques 60' Imoca et les bateaux de la Classe Rhum dans le bassin Duguay-Trouin puis les Ultimes, les Multi50 et les Class40 dans le bassin Vauban. Demain, à 10 heures, le village de la course ouvrira ses portes au grand public pour une semaine de fête et de rencontres avec des marins d'exception. Au programme des animations : expositions, concerts, spectacles son et lumière, conférences, projections de films, ateliers artistiques, minis régates...

Les 86 bateaux amarrés à Saint-Malo ce soir

L'heure limite d'arrivée des bateaux engagés dans cette Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale 2012 était fixée à midi, ce vendredi. A l'heure dite, la quasi-totalité de la flotte était amarrée dans le port de Saint-Malo. Seuls Côte d'Or 2 de Bertrand Quentin, Generik-Exp'hair en Beauté de Joris de Carlan et Maire Toit – Caen La Mer de Marc Lepesqueux manquaient encore à l'appel mais patientaient au large de la cité corsaire en attendant l'ouverture des écluses de 17h15. Ce soir, la flotte sera donc au complet. Deux interrogations cependant. D'une part, le Class40 L'Express-Sapmer de Pierre-Yves Lautrou, qui, rappelons-le, s'est fait abordé mercredi soir vers 20 heures au niveau du Cap Fréhel par un bateau de pêche, pourra t-il s'aligner ou non, au départ, dimanche 31 octobre ? Les experts sont attendus cet après-midi à 18 heures. Leur verdict tombera dans la soirée et le skipper annoncera sa décision demain. D'autre part, Philippe Monnet parviendra t-il à boucler son budget et ainsi devenir le neuvième inscrit de la catégorie Ultime ? L'appel aux partenaires est lancé.


St Malo - pontoons, © Marcel Mochet /AFP

Un programme d'animations haut en couleur

Le village officiel de La Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale ouvre ses portes demain à 10 heures au grand public. Tous les jours jusqu'au 31 octobre, jour du départ de la course, de nombreuses animations sont programmées. Revue de détails des festivités :

Les expositions

Tous les jours, de 10h à 12h puis de 14h à 18h. Entrée gratuite

-« La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale. Histoire de la Reine des Transats », chapelle Saint Sauveur à Saint-Malo. Cette exposition a pour but de retracer les éditions de la course et ses grands moments de 1978 à 2010. À travers une exposition en linéaire, le visiteur pourra découvrir ou redécouvrir les grands moments de la Route du Rhum grâce aux photos anciennes et récentes, noires et blanches ou couleurs. La majorité de ces photos ont été réalisées par Gilles Martin-Raget et l'AFP, complété par des auteurs tels qu'Yvan Zedda, Thierry Martinez, Jean-Marie Liot, Julien Girardot pour l'édition 2010.
-« Aquarelles et costumes du carnaval de Pointe-à-Pitre ». Centre Allende.
-« Tara Océans » de Julien Girardot. Tour Bidouane
-« Portraits de skippers » de Stéphane Maillard. Tour Bidouane

Le Journal du Rhum

Direct animé par Serge Herbin et ses témoins recevront au total une quarantaine de skippers au Club Pelforth. Du lundi 25/10 au jeudi 28/10, émission en direct animée par Serge Herbin et ses invités de 17h à 18h. Rediffusion sur écran géant de 18h30 à 19h30. Du vendredi 29/10 au samedi 30/10 de 12h à 13h. Rediffusion sur écran géant de 14h à 15h.


St Malo Basin, © Marcel Mochet /AFP

Les concerts

Samedi 23/10

18h : Live « Fanfare les Nymphonicks » au Bar Pelforth
20h30 : « Face à la Mer » et « Mas Bajo »

Dimanche 24/10

13h30 : Chants de marins

Vendredi 29/10

19h : Fanfare Les Montypicons
21h15 : « Quic en Groigne »
22h30 : « Avalon Celtic Danse »

Samedi 30/10

21h30 : Soirée Zouk (payant 12 euros)

Tous les jours, du lundi 25/10 au samedi 30/10 : Déambulations des groupes guadeloupéens « Kontak » et « Vidim »

Les minis régates

-Du samedi 23/10 au mercredi 27/10, de 10h30 à 12h30 : Challenge Handivoile en Mini J.

-Du samedi 23/10 au mercredi 27/10, de 14h30 à 17h : Trophée des Saintoises.

-Jeudi 28/10 : Challenge Scol'aviron, de 13h à 17h30. Epreuve de match race en yole de mer (4 barré) réunissant 120 jeunes des collèges et lycées de Saint-Malo.

La remise des prix des trois épreuves aura lieu vendredi 29/10 à 11h en présence de Luc Alphand.

Les spectacles son et lumière

Spectacles tous les soirs à 19h30 et 22h aux pieds des remparts.
Samedi 30 octobre à 22h : feu d'artifice

Les projections de films

Lundi 25/10 à 16h : Le carnaval de Pointe-à Pitre suivi d'un débat animé par Michel Halley au Centre Allende. (Entrée gratuite)

Mardi 26/10 : Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges suivi d'un débat animé par Jean-Claude Halley au Centre Allende (Entrée gratuite)

Les conférences

Mercredi 27/10 à 10h30 : Le sommeil en condition extrême. Sous le chapiteau.

Les ateliers

Du lundi 25/10 au mercredi 27/10 à 16h : Fabrication de masques de carnaval encadré par Alain Ganot, plasticien Guadeloupéen au Centre Allende pour les 10-13 ans. (Entrée gratuite)

Du jeudi 28/10 au samedi 30/10 de 11h à 18h : Animations musicales en mouvement organisées par la Ville de Saint-Malo. Intra-muros et village de la course.

Les baptêmes

Samedi 23/10

12h : Ultime Côte d'Or 2 de Bertrand Quentin. Parrain : Yann Quéfélec.
14h : Class 40 Géodis de Fabrice Amédéo. Parrain : Monsieur Blayau, PGD de Géodis.
16h : Rhum Pour le Rire Médecin de Luc Coquelin. Parrain : François-Xavier Demaison, acteur.

Vendredi 29/10

11h : Class40 Routes du Large de Rémi Beauvais.
11h30 : Multi50 Maître Jacques de Loïc Fequet. Marraine Dominique Loiseau.
15h : Class40 Groupe Picoty de Jean-Edouard Criquioche. Parrain : Yannick Noah.
16h30: Green Energy 4 Seasons de Denis Van Weynbergh.

Samedi 30/10

10h : Multi50 Axa Atout Coeur d'Erik Nigon. Marraine : Sam Davies.
11h30 : Class40 Des Pieds et des Mains de Damien Seguin. Parrain : Patrick Poivre d'Arvor.
12h30 : Class40 Comiris – Pôle Santé Elior de Thierry Bouchard. Marraine : Carole Ferrion, championne du monde de tir à l'arc. Parrain : Brice Guyard, médaillé d'or en escrime aux JO de 2004)
16h30 : Rhum Jeunes Dirigeants de Pierre-Yves Guennec. Marraine : Jacqueline Tabarly.
17h30 : Rhum Eurosanit de Jean-Paul Froc. Parrain : Mike Birch.
18h : Class40 40 Degrees de Conrad Colman. Parrain : Mike Birch.

Le village sera ouvert tous les jours de 10heures à minuit. Il fermera ses portes à 17 heures le dimanche 31/10. Venez nombreux !

La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale

Velux 5 Oceans: Brad van Liew's Le Pingouin Knocked Flat in First Race Scare




Le Pingouin - Brad van Liew. Image copyright onEdition.

by Sarah Hames

AMERICAN ocean racer Brad Van Liew had his first scare of the VELUX 5 OCEANS just days into the first ocean sprint when his yacht Le Pingouin was knocked flat in the Atlantic.

Brad had been resting in his bunk with Le Pingouin travelling at 20 knots when the power to his autopilot, the device that steers the boat, failed, forcing the boat to crash gybe – an involuntary movement when the wind changes direction suddenly forcing the boat’s sails to move violently onto the other side of the boat. Le Pingouin was knocked 90 degrees onto her side, her sails flat to the water and Brad was thrown from his bunk.

The 42-year-old, along with Polish ocean racer Zbigniew ‘Gutek’ Gutkowski and Canadian Derek Hatfied, opted to sail west towards the Azores in search of more wind – and they found it in abundance, with some gusts hitting 45 knots. When his boat was knocked flat Brad, a very experienced solo sailor who has been round the world singlehanded twice before, immediately feared the worst, reaching for Le Pingouin’s liferaft in case her keel had fallen off.

“I had just crawled into my bunk for a much deserved and long awaited nap,” he explained. “I was just dozing off when the autopilot shut off due to a lack of power. The boat crashed into a gybe. I was sleeping on the high side and when you crash gybe you end up on the low side. A few things got tossed round the cabin. The boat laid so flat in the water that my first reaction was to reach for the liferaft – I thought the keel had fallen off and we were rolling over. I didn’t know how serious it was but it was so violent, the way it crashed and laid flat. It didn’t seem like it should be that violent.

“My initial thought before I went on deck was that something really serious had happened. Then it stopped and the boat didn’t roll over and I realised it wasn’t that the keel had gone. By the time I got on deck and was alert enough to look at what was going on I realised the boat had crash-gybed, but I didn’t know why. Turns out it was just a mismanagement of power on the boat and it caused a low voltage situation – that was the culprit. I can’t blame anyone else but myself!

“My approach to these things is to just take time t think about the situation, don’t just go running into it. I assessed the situation for about 30 seconds before I did anything, and we were laid flat for about five minutes in total. The good news is the boat appears to be ok, and I’m ok.”

Race leader Gutek was also caught out last night, this time by a freak gust of 45 knots hitting Operon Racing as she ploughed through 7-8-metre seas at 22 knots.

“I had a lot work with sail changes, and after all I decided to put up a little spinnaker,” he said. “And suddenly it came: a burst of 45 knots, huge waves - the boat started to fly. I just asked myself how to get this sail down? Boat speed was a steady 22 knots, like driving F1 on a big highway full speed waiting for something to go wrong… So I said to myself – Ok, let’s try to get it down, otherwise it will fly away or I will have to cut it out down. What else could I do? Thankfully I finally I managed it.”

Meanwhile ocean racer Derek Hatfield has been reeling in the VELUX 5 OCEANS front runners after putting in the best performance of the last 24 hours. After a frustrating start for the 57-year-old which saw him struggle to get his Eco 60 yacht Active House into a groove, Derek has been clawing back places sailing the furthest out of any of the skippers in the 24 hours from 12pm UTC yesterday.

Active House averaged nine knots and sailed a total of 216.8 nautical miles over that 24 hour period, reducing the distance between Derek and Gutek by 27 nautical miles to just 75.3 nautical miles. Polish solo sailor Gutek sailed 189.5 nautical miles during the time period while Briton Chris Stanmore-Major, stuck in light airs off the coast of Spain, managed just 67.8 nautical miles.

CSM, skipper of Spartan, chose to hug the Spanish coast taking a more direct route to Cape Town. The move seemed to pay off when hecut inside the fleet and jumped three places into second position. While the others went west searching for wind, CSM chose to stay put. Two days of high pressure and little wind has cost him two places and he has slipped to fourth place.

“I managed to drag myself out of it yesterday and got some reasonable breeze,” he said. “I had some decent speeds out of the boat and was making my way south on the course that I wanted, about 220 degrees, and then about 4am this morning the wind just completely disappeared. Now there’s no wind at all. As I read it now on the dial there is 0.5 of a knot of wind. The boat is just struggling forward at 0.2 knots. I’ve got the boat healed over using the canting keel so the sails take on some kind of shape but as I speak the sails are flapping uselessly and my flags are hanging straight down. We are going absolutely nowhere.”

Despite his lack of progress, the latest position report placed CSM just 225 miles behind Gutek. The 33-year-old was remaining positive about his position while awaiting the forecasted breeze to fill in.

“I’ve been in this situation before and it is frustrating but it’s also an opportunity to jobs on the boat which require a level deck,” he said. “If you started to get too worried about it and started to count the miles the other guys are dragging away from me it would be very worrying. The other guys took a massive detour off that route to get the good breeze and all credit to them, they have done a really good job of it. But when the breeze starts to fill back in in the next 12 hours it will come in the same for all of us and I am on that inside line, the straightest possible route. I’m hoping I can drag some of the miles back. We shall see, but it’s not all over yet, we’re only a few hundred miles into it and there’s still a long way to go.”

Christophe Bullens had hoped to set sail from La Rochelle at 5pm afternoon but decided to delay his departure by 12 hours to finish some work to the electronics onboard Five Oceans of Smiles too. He has more than 900 miles to catch up if he is to overtake Gutek – but with ocean racing, anything can happen!

Velux5Oceans

ICAP Leopard To Take On Mediterranean Offshore Classic

by Alex Mills

At 1100 (local time) on 23rd October, ICAP Leopard, the record breaking 100ft super-maxi racing yacht owned by Helical Bar PLC chief executive Mike Slade, will start the Rolex Middle Sea Race from Grand Harbour, Malta. Last year ICAP Leopard won line honours in this Mediterranean offshore classic, although narrowly missed out on the current course record by a mere 25 minutes.

Slade will lead a crew of vastly experienced offshore talent, including top Volvo ocean race sailors Justin Slattery (IRE) and Guy Salter (GBR) on the bow and Race Captain/Helm Rob Greenhalgh (GBR). Other notable members of the crew include Watch Captain Mark Thomas (AUS) and North Sails guru Jez Robinson (GBR).

Owner Mike Slade commented: “The forecast for the race start is lighter than we would have hoped for, which will make breaking records difficult, however we will be working hard to be the first boat home! I personally love the Middle Sea Race for its spectacular scenery combined with exceptional hospitality of the Royal Malta Yacht Club which makes it one of my favorite European offshore events.”

Speaking about the conditions expected during the race, Race Tactician Rob Greenhalgh said: “Early forecasts are showing that the race is likely to be split into two parts. The start is due to be light and variable with the breeze unlikely to exceed 20 knots in the first 24 hours. As we reach the west of Sicily the breeze looks likely to increase as we benefit from a funneling effect in the Sicily Straits. With light conditions the crew will need to work extra hard to ensure that we are up to speed, however with a great crew onboard we are confident that we’ll be up to the task.”

The 31st edition of the race begins on Saturday from Malta’s Grand Harbour and is a 606 nautical mile rounding of Sicily and its surrounding islands in an anticlockwise direction. Leopard’s competition is in the form of ex Alfa Romeo 2, Reichel/Pugh-designed Esimit Europa 2 and the 2008 line honours winner Alegre who is also sailing under British ensign. The current course record stands at: 1day, 23hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

ICAP Leopard
Rolex Middle Sea Race

America's Cup: Images of AC45 Production on 20th October 2010

One week on from the first set of images, these new images show the rapid development in hull construction of the AC45 that has taken place at Core Composites in Warkworth, New Zealand


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com


Image copyright Ivor Wilkins/www.americascup.com

America's Cup

America's Cup: ACRM Hosts Preliminary Briefing for Prospective Competitors for the 34th America's Cup



45 representatives of 24 prospective teams from 13 countries meet in Paris


Iain Murray leads the meetings with the team representatives. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/America's Cup.

by Jane Eagleson

Twenty-four prospective teams for the 34th America’s Cup met today with the newly established independent organization, America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM), regarding the details for the next Cup racing cycle set to begin in 2011 with an America’s Cup World Series.

“With the entry period for the teams fast approaching, we called the prospective teams together to share with them as much information as is available on all aspects of the America’s Cup starting next year and ramping up to the 34th America’s Cup in 2013,” said Iain Murray, CEO and Regatta Director for the ACRM.

“The goal is to get everyone on the same page on where we are in the planning and to encourage candid discussion and input. Communication among the prospective teams is important right now with a new event format, new boats and new event management. It’s an exciting time in the America’s Cup, but there’s plenty of work ahead before we get to the start line.”

The newly established event organization ACRM is also designed to carry on beyond the 34th America’s Cup, no matter which team wins. This will reintroduce certainty to the sport and benefit the teams with the stability of an ongoing event management entity and an ongoing robust racing program.


Potential 34th America's Cup Challengers in Paris, Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/America's Cup.

The 45 representatives, on behalf of 24 teams from 13 countries, reviewed the marketing and television plans from the recently formed commercial arm, the America’s Cup Event Authority. The ACEA will provide the financial stability to allow the America’s Cup the continuity of racing and management from cycle to cycle regardless of Defender/Trustee.

“The teams are now in the marketplace for prospective partners to fund their programs,” said Richard Worth, Chairman of ACEA. “We are supporting them as much as possible by providing the teams with the right tools to help source commercial partners.”

“With the planned enhancements for the media model and other positive event changes, the teams have the best package ever to attract sponsors on board,” Worth said.

The entry period for competitors opens on the 1st of November and closes 31 March 2011. Teams are at an important stage to evaluate and finalize their plans to enter.

Friday’s meeting was a preliminary briefing and it marked the first gathering of prospective competitors with ACRM and ACEA officials.

The briefing included a review of the event management structure, commercial matters, venue update, the 2011 AC World Series program, plans for the AC45 catamaran, the newly released AC 72 class rule, cost reduction strategies and possible budgets for prospective teams.

A regular series of Competitor Forums, as required by the Protocol that provides the framework of rules for the 34th AC, will start next month once the entry period has opened.


Potential challengers meeting, Hotel Crowne Plaza, Paris. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/America's Cup.

America's Cup

Alinghi Competes in Bentley Geneva Match Race



A new Alinghi crew including Arnaud Psarofaghis turns its hand to match racing this weekend


The Société Nautique de Genève clubhouse. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.

by Paco Latorre

Alinghi America's Cup match racers, Nils Frei and Yves Detrey team up with helmsman Arnaud Psarofaghis and their fellow D35 sailor, Tanguy Cariou, for this weekend's Bentley Geneva Match race, a grade two event.

As the five match racing teams are postponed ashore waiting for a south-westerly to fill in, we check in with Nils Frei, trimmer, who along with Yves Detrey and Tanguy Cariou, has just completed the D35 season on the lake. Nils admits to being a bit rusty having not done any serious match racing since the 32nd America's Cup Match, which Alinghi won in 2007.

What is the current state of play at the Bentley Geneva Match Race?

Nils Frei: We have no wind at the moment, but we are going to try to race later as it is supposed to fill in this afternoon. The teams are few, but the level is high, there are some really good match racers: Bertrand Pace is here and Eric Monnin is also very good. We have Keith Swinton from Australia who is ranked 16th and is back to defend his Bentley Geneva Match Race title. We also have Jerome Clerc from Société Nautique de Genève racing this weekend. He is a good match racer and he knows the Surprise boats very well. It should be fun, we are excited to race.

As a new group, what's the approach this weekend?

NF: As it is our first time together as a team, there is no pressure, we are just trying to learn to match race together and hopefully we will sail more in the future. We obviously know Arnaud from sailing on the lake – he is very talented. We could see that in the practice sessions we had yesterday and the day before. He needs more hours match racing, but there is a lot of potential. It should be a good weekend. There is a good atmosphere on board, we are all good friends, so it's nice.

When did you last race a Surprise?

NF: It has been many years since Yves and I raced the Surprise. It is the most sailed boat here on the lake and there are 600 in the country, so it is a very popular fleet and everyone does their time on board.

Can you remember your last match race?

NF: I did a fun match race a few weeks ago, but I haven't raced seriously since 2007. We are quite relaxed about this weekend, we are a new group and the others are much more match fit, they have been training a lot over the last months, so it will not be easy to win. We are a little bit rusty and Arnaud hasn't done a lot of match racing, but anything can happen I guess!

Bentley Geneva Match Race is from 22-24 October at the the Société Nautique de Genève.

Alinghi
Bentley Geneva Match Race

Friday 22 October 2010

Prince de Bretagne Safe in Port at St Malo




Lionel Lemonchois on board de Prince de Bretagne, © MOCHET Marcel

by Fanny Evenat (in translation by SailRaceWin)

The Multi50 in the colours of Prince de Bretagne reached St Malo yesterday about 1900 after a delivery trip from Lorient. The boat is currently moored in the Vauban basin, adjacent to its 11 adversaries. For Lionel Lemonchois, the marathon session with the press and briefings begins this afternoon.

Rendez-vous at sea

The delivery of Prince de Bretagne to St Malo took place in two phases. One rendez-vous was arranged off Roscoff, between the Multi50 and l'Armorique, one of the Brittany Ferries' boats, at 9 o'clock yesterday morning. After leaving Lorient, Prince de Bretagne arrived off Roscoff about 0400 yesterday morning, where she waited for the Brittany Ferries' boat. At the appointed hour the two boats were able to keep the highly symbolic rendez-vous at sea. Brittany Ferries was created in 1972 by Bretons produce sellers to export their vegetables to Great Britain. After travelling together for some miles, the two boats each went their own way once again.

A great sail

The delivery wasn't very sportive, due to lack of wind, but Lionel nevertheless appreciated this last sail before the big start of la Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale, towards Guadeloupe in just over a week. «We have been fortunate, because, even if there wasn't a lot of wind, the wind changed direction at the same time as us and we were able to travel almost all this distance without motoring, except for the last miles after Bréhat. The first night at sea was very clear and peaceful, even if a bit fresh. After this, while we waited calmly off Roscoff, we saw lots of the participants in the Rhum go past. Rather like a review of the series. It was nice ».


Lionel Lemonchois on board de Prince de Bretagne, © MOCHET Marcel

After the short stop in front of Roscoff, Prince de Bretagne left again for the east. «We had to put in a long and pretty tack, towards les Triagoz, the 7 islands, then to the interior of the Bay of Perros-Guirec. It's a really pretty part of the world ».

This peaceful episode has finished and, this afternoon, the winner of the last edition of la Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale will answer numerous enquiries from the press. Tomorrow, Saturday, after the briefing and welcome for the skippers and the obligatory safety check of the boat, Lionel Lemonchois will have two or three days of repose with his family.

Prince de Bretagne

Situated in the north of Brittany, in an area of traditional vegetable production, Prince de Bretagne, which exports to more than 23 countries, is the standard-bearer of a system: research, production, commercialisation, marketing, communication and school of fruit and vegetable formation. World market leader in fresh fruit and vegetables, with a range of 25 products, and 2500 exploitations, Prince de Bretagne is the mark to the consumer for the best in terms of safety, health and flavour.

In French:

Le Multi50 aux couleurs de Prince de Bretagne a atteint Saint Malo hier vers 19 heures après un convoyage depuis Lorient. Il est à présent amarré dans le bassin Vauban, aux côtés de ses 11 adversaires. Pour Lionel Lemonchois, le marathon des rendez-vous avec les médias et des briefings va commencer dès cet après-midi.

Rendez-vous en mer

Le convoyage de Prince de Bretagne vers Saint Malo s’est déroulé en deux temps. En effet, un rendez-vous avait été fixé devant Roscoff entre le Multi50 et l’Armorique, l’un des bateaux de la Brittany Ferries, hier matin à 9 heures. Parti la veille de Lorient, c’est vers 4 heures du matin hier, que Prince de Bretagne s’est présenté devant Roscoff, où se tient le siège de la Brittany Ferries. A l’heure dite, les deux bateaux ont pu honorer ce rendez-vous hautement symbolique en mer. La Brittany Ferries a en effet été créée en 1972 par les producteurs bretons pour exporter leurs légumes vers la Grande-Bretagne. Après quelques milles de concert, les deux bateaux ont repris chacun leur route.

Une belle navigation


Lionel Lemonchois on board de Prince de Bretagne, © MOCHET Marcel

Le convoyage n’a pas été très sportif, faute de vent, mais Lionel a néanmoins apprécié cette dernière navigation avant le grand départ de la Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale, vers la Guadeloupe dans un peu plus d’une semaine. «Nous avons eu de la chance, parce que même si il n’y avait pas beaucoup d’air, le vent a tourné en même temps que nous et nous avons pu avancer presque tout le temps sans moteur, sauf sur les derniers milles après Bréhat. La première nuit en mer était très claire et paisible, quoiqu’un peu fraîche. Ensuite, en attendant tranquillement devant Roscoff, on a vu passer beaucoup de concurrents du Rhum. Un peu toutes les séries d’ailleurs. C’était sympa ».

Après le petit stop devant Roscoff, Prince de Bretagne est reparti vers l’Est. «On a pu tirer un long et joli bord de jour, vers les Triagoz, les 7 îles, puis à l’intérieur de la baie de Perros-Guirec. C’est très beau ce coin-là ».

Ce paisible épisode est désormais terminé, et cet après-midi, le vainqueur de la dernière édition de la Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale répondra aux nombreuses sollicitations de la presse. Demain, samedi, après le briefing d’accueil réservé aux skippers et la visite de sécurité obligatoire des bateaux, Lionel Lemonchois s’accordera deux ou trois jours de repos en famille.

Prince de Bretagne

Situé en Bretagne Nord, dans un terroir traditionnel de production légumière, Prince de Bretagne, qui exporte dans plus de 23 pays, est le porte-drapeau d'une filière : recherche, production, commercialisation, marketing, communication et école de formation fruits et légumes. Marque leader dans le monde des fruits et légumes frais, avec une gamme de 25 produits, et 2500 exploitations, Prince de Bretagne est au service du consommateur pour lui donner le meilleur en termes de sécurité, santé et saveur.

Prince de Bretagne
La Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale

HSBC Premier Coastal Classic: More Images from the Start and 'Big Red' Finishing

by SailRaceWin

Chris Dickson, on board Evolution Sails Limit, Alan Brierty's Reichel-pugh 62 footer, achieved line honours in the monohull division, finishing at 19:40:02. Wired finished as the second monohull some 48 minutes later.

Although the results are showing that Cosmic Cruz achieved a race record time, the monohull was not actually competing in the race, and used her engine to power up to Russell.

Behind TeamVodafoneSailing's multihull record (by about 4 minutes over Split Enz's time of fourteen years' earlier), Triple 8 was second to finish two and a quarter hours later, followed by Split Enz and Taeping, who finished within 26 seconds of each other after another 10 minutes.

Current overall handicap leader is Whio in Division 7. Finishing just after 2045, Whio has a corrected time of 08:58:31. With the light conditions, the tenth edition of the HSBC Premier Coastal Classic was a small boat race.

TeamVodafoneSailing (aka 'Big Red') Finishing off Russell


Image copyright Matt Buchanan.


Image copyright Matt Buchanan.


Image copyright Matt Buchanan.


Image copyright Matt Buchanan.


Image copyright Matt Buchanan.

The Start in Auckland


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.


Image copyright Mandy Varney.

HSBC Premier Coastal Classic