The America's Cup 2007

Light airs for lake sprint

nobody@example.com — 2008-06-07T16:02:00Z

Weather conditions on Lake Geneva were light today for the start of the Geneva-Rolle-Geneva 35 nautical mile race. Race results are anticipated for Sunday...

"SPOTTED!"

nobody@example.com — 2008-06-06T11:45:00Z

Alinghi bowman Piet van Nieuwenhuyzen, keeping up to date with grand prix racing, was spotted in Marseille at the Audi MedCup on board the TP52 Quantum standing in for...

Telefonica's Black boat sound and safe in the Alicante base

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-05T21:47:00Z

After a trip that lasted 3 days aboard an Antonov cargo plane, Telefonica Negro, the Spanish VOR team's black boat, is now sound and safe in her base in Alicante. The Farr-designed Volvo Ocean Race boat arrived at the airport early in the morning on Thursday and after another odyssey that lasted almost 10 hours she was unwrapped in the team base in the afternoon.

The Telefonica shore crew is now working at full speed on fitting her out and, if all goes according to plan, she will make her maiden outing in the sea in approximately one week.

GGYC pleased with appellate court hearing

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-05T21:06:00Z

[Source: Golden Gate Yacht Club] The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) said it was very pleased with today’s hearing before the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court and looked forward to an expedited decision that would enable the next America’s Cup match to be held as soon as possible.

“Like nearly everyone in the sailing community we look forward to the court process now being resolved quickly, hopefully before the end of June, and having the next America’s Cup match as soon as possible,” Tom Ehman, the club’s spokesman said.
Ehman said the Court clearly had a good grasp of the issues, and had tough questions for Société Nautique de Genève (SNG’s) counsel. GGYC welcomed the Court’s questions about the key points at stake.

Today’s hearing was held after the Cup defender, SNG/Alinghi, lodged an appeal to overturn the decisions by Justice Herman Cahn in the New York State Supreme Court that declared GGYC the valid challenger for the Cup.

SNG/Alinghi also appealed against Justice Cahn’s ruling that the match should go ahead in March 2009, asking for more delay.

Under the Cup’s rules the defender is entitled to ten months notice. SNG/Alinghi are seeking more than 22 months notice since GGYC’s challenge was filed in July 2007.

“The arguments put forward by SNG/Alinghi today were no different than the ones put before Justice Cahn, which he rejected,” Ehman said. “We are confident in our position as Challenger of Record, and we look forward to going racing without any further delay.”

Société Nautique de Genève puts case to Appellate Division and looks forward to resolution

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-05T19:28:00Z

[Source: Alinghi] The Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the America’s Cup Defender, today put its case to the five judges sitting in the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court. The Swiss yacht club successfully consolidated its appeal from Justice Cahn’s 12 May 2008 order with the previously expedited 14 April 2008 appeal. Now it continues to wish for a speedy resolution and to conclude the litigation initiated by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) almost a year ago.

Justices David Saxe, Eugene Nardelli, Karla Moskowitz, Rolando Acosta and Leland DeGrasse granted approx 30 minutes for the oral arguments from both SNG and GGYC. This was the last opportunity for either party to present their merits to the Court and a ruling is expected in a reasonably short time.

Lucien Masmejan, SNG lead counsel, comments: “We were pleased to have our arguments heard by the Appellate Court regarding the validity of the GGYC Challenge while simultaneously seeking clarification on the date and venue for the 33rd America’s Cup. Justice Cahn’s orders left several issues unresolved and we hope that our position can now be sustained by the Appellate Court. The Justices presiding over the case seemed receptive and we look forward to receiving their judgment. We are hopeful that by consolidating our appeals and achieving the expedited status, unnecessary delays will be minimised. We are looking forward to finally putting an end to the disruption brought to the America’s Cup by BMW Oracle Racing’s opportunistic legal strategy.”

Platoon wins coastal race in a day of carnage

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-05T17:38:00Z

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Platoon powered by Team Germany, steered by triple Olympic gold medallist and double America's Cup Winner Jochen Schuemann (GER) emerged unscathed from a dramatic and exciting coastal race to take the best of the points available, winning both sections of the 39 miles passage to Cassis and back, on the third day of racing at the City of Marseille Trophy, the second regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit.

It was the first ever winning gun for the German boat which is owned by Harm Muller-Spreer (GER) and helmed by Schuemann with Rod Dawson (NZL) calling the tactics. Only swift avoiding action by the helm, who saw at the last minute what was happening, saved Platoon from becoming involved in a nasty series of crashes and near-collisions when the leading pack converged at speed at the first windward mark.

A big wind shift accelerated the arrival and suddenly favored a pack coming from the left at the buoy, while those with right of way on starboard tack slowed and struggled momentarily. Lightning quick reactions and bold decisions were required from the line up of port tack boats. Sadly Matador (ARG), CxG Caixa Galicia (ESP) and Mutua Madrileña (CHI) all sustained damage and had to retire.

Desafío loses the spinnaker but also first place in the coastal race. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

There were six protests from the incidents, all three boats are seeking redress, but CxG Caixa Galicia’s owner Vicente Tirado confirmed this evening that the damage to the bow of their boat is such that he is presently looking for a suitable replacement boat to continue the Audi MedCup season with.

Caixa Galicia’s bow was badly smashed after they hit Mutua Madrileña which sustained a one metre gash in her hull side just below deck level, while in a related crash Mean Machine(MON) hit Matador, who have much of their aft port quarter crumpled.

“I think these things happen sometimes because the boats are so evenly matched for speed but Mean Machine crushed Matador’s stern right in front of us and I had to do something quickly or we would have done the same thing.” recalled Schuemann,

“For us as a team it is great got get a win under our belt. The first coastal race we have won for a long time and the first Audi MedCup Circuit race for me and my crew so that feels pretty nice! We are happy after some problems yesterday, we were glad to get a win in! We made it around the top mark well in second and closed in to the Spanish team El Desafío who were leading. We had a long fight and stretched out there. Russell Coutts came close on USA-17 with very good boat speed but we kept them at bay and got a good lead, never risking our win. The learning has been big. Today we have made good decisions and we feel we are really moving up.”

Excellence performance by Platoon, winners of the coastal race's both legs. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

The 39-miles course offered a good selection of points of sail to contest, with a short two miles beat up to the Islands of Ratoneau and Grand Salaman before a long, exciting sleigh ride, peppered with an array of wind shifts to make gains and losses on, down to the scoring gate, 26 miles into the race.

From the turning mark off the entrance to the beautiful bay of Cassis, there was a tough beat back up along the coast, the TP52’s dwarfed at times by the 200 metre high cliffs, which accelerated the Mistral winds to over 22 knots.

Platoon was ahead after about 12 miles when the spinnakers were set, passing early leader El Desafío (ESP). After a poor start USA-17, the regatta leaders, steadily picked their way through the fleet. As the leaders squeezed through the narrow gap between the Ile Jaire and the mainland, tacking only 15 metres or so off the rocky coast, and with the hard hiking crew regularly able to see the sea bed beneath their keels, USA-17 used the shifts and wind bends to get back to within a few boat lengths of the German crew. But Schuemann and his crew extended again to win by 37 seconds from USA-17, who left their Swedish sistership Artemis to pick up third place three minutes behind.

The Reichel/Pugh-designed sisterships, built to the same design from different moulds, shared the seconds and third places between them, ensuring that USA-17 still lead by four points ahead of Artemis going into the penultimate day of racing.

Video highlights from the third day of the Marseille Trophy

Russell Coutts (NZL), tactician on USA-17 :
“Conditions here are fantastic today the boat is going very well. We have some tuning to do in the lighter winds but in the stronger stuff it all fits together pretty nicely. We have got a pretty experienced team on board and that makes a huge difference especially in these very windy conditions.”

“The first part of the race was important that was how Platoon got the jump, but then the long downward leg was pretty key, and there were some gains and losses with some pretty big wind shifts and big wave surfing conditions. If you had good boatspeed that was a big factor. Coming upwind it was very tricky, puffy, shifty, and a lot of sail trimming – that was great! There is a lot of good banter going between us and Artemis but it is all fun – and obviously we have members of the team on both boats so it is good for both of us to be doing well.”

Guillermo Parada (ARG), Matador’s skipper and helm:
“Approaching the weather mark on starboard a couple of boats came in on port including Mean Machine who overstood. So they were reaching a little bit and by the time they approached us, they must have had a gust and were not able to come down enough and hit us in the aft port quarter of the boat, causing serious damage. “

“We lost the spinnaker sheet system, three stanchions, structural damage in the bulkhead side, lost the traveller, there is a crack on the deck and obviously the whole port side is completely destroyed. In the middle of the boat there is internal damage and many other things we're still exploring but we are trying our best to get it fixed and be back racing as soon as possible. We are flying people and materials here.”

Nacho Postigo (ESP), navigator on Mutua Madrileña:
“1.8 miles after the start on the first beat and approaching on port tack and trying to duck the boats arriving in starboard tack we had Caixa behind us and to weather. We bore away hard to avoid Quantum and found a gap behind them ahead of Bribón and behind Audi Q8. CXG had the intention to go behind us. But he suddenly found the Russain boat to leeward of them on port and although they had been shouting at them to avoid the fleet the Russian boat luffed and tried to tack, which forced them to hit CXG and then CXG hit us badly in the middle of the hull.”

“Luckily it was not a high speed collision and nobody was hurt. Vasco Vascotto, steering the boat, was a little injured, but not too seriously as he took about a four metre flight through the air. The boat has a crack in the outside skin, the Nomex is broken along with the inner skin in the panel between two bulkheads. It is possibly a one-week job to repair.”

“Another incident took place at the same buoy between Matador and Mean Machine where MM (similarly to us ) bore away to get behind Matador. Suddenly a big puff came along and they lost control whilst trying to bear away they hit the last few metres of the stern of Matador, but in this case the conditions fully influenced the situation.”

Marseille Trophy - AUDI Medcup / Standings after 6 races

	Team	Races							Points
	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6A	6B	Points
1	BMW Oracle	12	1	2	2	3	3	2	21
2	Artemis	4	4	4	5	3	2	3	25
3	Bribón	6	5	1	1	5	4	5	31
4	Platoon	7	9	5	3	6	1	1	32
5	Matador	2	2	7	7	12	6	6	42
6	Quantum Racing	3	6	12	6	1	10	7	45
7	Desafío	11	10	9	8	8	5	4	55
8	AUDI Q8	8	7	8	13	9	6	8	59
9	Mean Machine	1	14	3	9	4	15	15	61
10	Caixa Galicia	9	11	6	4	2	15	15	62
11	Cristabella	15	3	13	12	7	7	9	66
12	RUSAL Synergy	10	12	11	11	13	8	6	71
13	Mutua Madrileña	5	8	14	10	11	15	15	78
14	Valars	13	13	10	14	15	9	10	84
15	TAU Andalucia	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	140
16	ONO	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	140
17	AIFOS	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	140
18	CAM	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	140
19	Bigamist	20	20	20	20	20	20	20	140

The brand new "Telefonica Negro" VOR boat arrives in Spain

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-05T14:54:00Z

Here are the first images from the arrival of the brand new "Telefonica Negro" VOR boat from New Zealand.

Two collisions force 3 TP52's to retire at the Marseille Trophy

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-05T13:35:00Z

The details are still unclear but it appears that two collisions took place at the first weather mark of today's coastal race, forcing three boats, Matador, Caixa Galicia and Mutua Madrileña, to retire and head back to port.

Caixa Galicia hit Mutua Madrilena whilst trying at the last minute to take avoiding action when Rusal came in hard on port with nowhere to go.

In a separate collision, Matador was hit in a port-starboard crossing when the mainsheet on Mean Machine did not get released.

Caixa Galicia collides with Mutua Madrileña at the weather mark. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget

The bow of Caixa Galicia, damaged after colliding with Mutua Madrileña at the weather mark. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Enrico Fager / AUDI Medcup

Vasco Vascotto, skipper and helmsman of Mutua Madrileña, checking the damage on his boat. Marseille, 5 June 2008. Photo copyright Enrico Fager / AUDI Medcup

Regatta preview: Geneva-Rolle-Geneva

nobody@example.com — 2008-06-05T13:18:00Z

The Alinghi Décision 35 (D35) crew is limbering up this week in preparation for the 44th edition of the Geneva – Rolle – Geneva, a 35nm (65km) sprint across the Swiss lake. The start gun is due at 14:00 on Saturday 7 June and heralds the third event of the D35 Julius Baer Challenge, which Alinghi is currently leading. This event is also an opener for the Bol d’Or, Geneva’s famous annual regatta and many of the 250 competitors will be on the start line again a week later, on 14 June.

BMW Oracle claims top spot at Marseille Trophy after protest

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-04T21:23:00Z

The jury ruled in favor of BMW Oracle and gave them 3 points in Wednesday's 2nd race (Race 5 of the event) instead of the 10 they had initially received. The American team, together with Mutua Madrileña, AUDI Q8 and Cristabella were found to have crossed the starting line too early but Russell Coutts and James Spithill immediately raised the protest flag.

Cristabella's request was denied and Mutua Madrileña withdrew their request. USA-17 are granted average points for Race 5, averaged over all the windward-leeward races sailed before Wednesday night, not including Race 5.

As a result, BMW Oracle now jumps to first place, followed by Artemis and Bribón. The Marseille Trophy score table is as follows:

Marseille Trophy - AUDI Medcup / Standings after 5 races

	Team	Races					Points
	Team	1	2	3	4	5	Points
1	BMW Oracle	6	5	1	1	3	16
2	Artemis	12	1	2	2	3	20
3	Bribón	4	4	4	5	5	22
4	Quantum Racing	3	6	12	6	1	28
5	Matador	2	2	7	7	12	30
6	Platoon	7	9	5	3	6	30
7	Mean Machine	1	14	3	9	4	31
8	Caixa Galicia	9	11	6	4	2	32
9	AUDI Q8	8	7	8	13	9	45
10	Desafío	11	10	9	8	8	46
11	Mutua Madrileña	5	8	14	10	11	48
12	Cristabella	15	3	13	12	7	50
13	RUSAL Synergy	10	12	11	11	13	57
14	Valars	13	13	10	14	15	65
15	TAU Andalucia	20	20	20	20	20	100
16	ONO	20	20	20	20	20	100
17	AIFOS	20	20	20	20	20	100
18	CAM	20	20	20	20	20	100
19	Bigamist	20	20	20	20	20	100

Artemis grabs leadership of the Marseille Trophy under stunning conditions

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-04T18:31:00Z

If the opening day of the regatta offered a modest introduction to ‘Mistral-lite’ conditions, 15-19 knots, today’s two windward-leeward contests met with conditions much closer to the upper racing limit for the Audi MedCup Fleet of TP52’s.

After an initial postponement, waiting for the wind to drop enough, there were still 22 knots blowing from the Mistral’s hallmark North West direction when Race 4 started. With the windward mark set under the cliffs of the Isle du Frioul the breeze may have been strong, but it was erratic at times on the approach to the top turn.

Long, spectacular surfs downwind on the limit of control at times, ended with a bumpy turn at the leeward gate just offshore from Marseille’s Pointe Rouge, overlooked by the spectacular Montagnes de Marseille Veyre.

The 2007 circuit winners were on regular form. Tactician John Kostecki (USA) helped owner-helm Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) to make two solid starts, while other contenders faltered. And getting into phase with the shifting breeze was key, a talent Kostecki has proven to be strong on over his years on this circuit with different boats, all complemented by solid crew work from the BMW Oracle Racing Team who fill the core positions.

Artemis chased their Reichel/Pugh-designed sistership USA-17, across the finish line to take second in the first race only 15 seconds behind with Platoon by Team Germany earning third.

A 12th from the first race of the regatta is weighty ballast in this white hot fleet for Artemis, but being able to return regular scores, second and third in these bruising conditions was impressive today. Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine (MON) which lead into this regatta, had a problem on the start line of the first race and was left flat footed, to start last. Whilst in the second race USA-17 was judged to be one of four boats over the start line and forced to re-start. Russell Coutts (NZL) and the USA-17 crew were seeking redress, believing they should not have been called as one of the four offenders.

The day’s second race proved a resounding victory for Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the crew on the new Botin & Carkeek-designed Quantum Racing, their first win this season for a team which won the 2005 circuit. Vicente Torado’s CXG Caixa Galicia (ESP) also raised team morale with a hard won second, their navy blue bow and iconic ’watching-eye’ gennaker breaking the line ahead of a four-way scramble across the finish line, pipping Artemis which has their 2007 season tactician Kostecki on board.

Artemis go into tomorrow’s 40-mile double points coastal race around the Frioul islands and down to Cassis and back with a two points lead, ahead of Bribón who are a point ahead of USA-17.

Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE), owner-helm of Artemis said:
“I like these kind of conditions, windy, wavy and physically tough, just love it. Good, tight racing. We are getting there, we are working better as a team and getting over my long lay off. It is starting to come together. It shows that we are performing better. It was so enjoyable. Tough conditions, testing and it helps when you come off the water having done well. We do well in the windy conditions when the quality of this team is playing off.”

Artemis trimmer Juan Meseguer (ESP):
“The boats are identical and so the settings are pretty much identical. We had so little time to prepare and sail them together because the other boat was late that we are all still learning. Some crew were in Austria and so had very little time to sail the boat after Alicante. It was hard, but it was good, and you just can’t top these kind of days, downwind was really hard work, but every position on these boats is hard when the breeze is like that.”

Terry Hutchinson (USA), skipper and helm of Quantum Racing:
“That race was a long overdue race. We have had more than a couple of things that have not really fallen in line for us, so it was it was nice to be in a position where, when something does go your way it is nice to be able to capitalise on it. And the first race we were sailing a great race and the breeze went 25 degrees right on the second beat and stayed there, but I think collectively as a team we learned a lot about the boat handling, and it was just nice to sail aggressively today in conditions that were challenging. And, steering, for me it was awesome, nice gybes, no broaches and downwind in the second run of the first race I think we were well over the middle 20 knots, but we could not see the instruments ‘cos they were covered in sheets of spray. Awesome!!!"

Audio highlights from the second day of the Marseille Trophy Terry Hutchinson, Helmsman of Quantum Racing

Video highlights from the second day of the Marseille Trophy

Matador leads TP52 Marseille Trophy

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-03T18:44:00Z

[Source: AUDI Medcup] The MedCup in France carries memories the international crew of the Argentine TP52 Matador will be happy to bury today. In Hyeres last year they broke their mast during the final regatta of the season and had to consign to the deep their hopes of a top three finish overall. But today the international crew mastered the Mistral and used the awkward swell to best effect and emerged from the three excellent races leading the regattas by just one point.

With multiple Star world champion Vince Brun (USA) calling tactics Matador earned two second places and a seventh place to hold off the advances of the new USA 17.

With owner Larry Ellison sharing the steering with James Spithill (AUS), and Russell Coutts (NZL) on tactics, USA 17 improved as the crew learned their new boat in the testing conditions, rising from sixth in the first race, to fifth in the second before winning the third, just getting the better of their sister-ship Artemis on the finish line.

After today's excellent performance, Bribón is the overall leader of the circuit. Marseille, 3 June 2008. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / AUDI Medcup

In the shadow of Marseilles’ Pointe Rouge there was no more than the swish of a fighter’s cape between Matador and Mean Machine on the finish line of the first race. Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine had lead from the first turn, but Matador closed on the final run, earning with downwind speed and some excellent surfing, using every wave to best effect, but were denied by just one second.

Artemis, sailed by the reigning MedCup Circuit crew and steered by owner Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) won their first race with their new 2008 boat, extending to win my more than one minute. But this second race proved a punishing one for the Mean Machine team who had to do penalty turns on the first run and finished last.

Matador "flies" to victory in the opening day of the Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 3 June 2008. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

The third race saw another close finish with USA 17 just scraping home ahead of Artemis, with Mean Machine challenging with a final gybe on the line and all three boats finishing within a boat length of each other. Matador would have been better than their seventh place finish but for a misunderstanding as they tried to cross Desafio on the first beat.

“We had two good race and were pleased to get back to seventh in that third one. I though we had been told we could cross ahead of Desafio and then we realized we weren’t. It was just a misunderstanding and it was only when they hailed us to do our turns I realized.” explained tactician Brun.

“I think we felt confident with boat speed and handling.” said Guilermo Parada (ARG), Matador’s skipper and helmsman, “We didn’t do anything special just let the boat do its job and stay out of trouble and not make any mistakes which are expensive. It is a good feeling to be leading the City of Marseille Trophy but there is still a long way to go obviously we are very happy and looking forward to continuing this way. Today it is Juan Pablo Cadario’s 40th birthday every time it is his birthday we have a good day and luckily today we could give him a good present.”

Photo finish victory for Mean Machine in the first race of the day. Marseille, 3 June 2008. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup

But in the long run, the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit, it is consistency which will prevail and no-one was more consistent than Bribon. With owner Jose Cusi on board enjoying the fulsome downwind surfing at up to 20 knots at times, Ross MacDonald (CAN) and Dean Barker (NZL) combined with some excellent crew work to post three fourth places to regain their overall lead in the Audi MedCup Circuit.

Audio highlights from the first day of the Marseille Trophy James Spithill, Strategist/Helmsman of USA 17

Video highlights from the first day of the Marseille Trophy

BMW Oracle to focus on multihulls; will withdraw from AUDI MedCup

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-03T11:08:00Z

[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW ORACLE Racing said today that it will compete only at the Marseille stop of this year’s Audi MedCup Circuit as the team’s number one priority is to now get ready for the next America’s Cup.

“This is a great circuit, but we have decided to now put our focus very firmly on getting ready for the America’s Cup,” said team skipper Russell Coutts. “We are pleased we will still have a number of our sailing team continuing on the TP circuit with Artemis. “And meanwhile we look forward to a great regatta here in Marseille this week against this highly competitive fleet.”

Competing for the City of Marseille Trophy, USA 17 has Larry Ellison at the helm with Russell Coutts calling tactics. James Spithill is the strategist and Michele Ivaldi the navigator.

Another ten BMW ORACLE Racing team members are in Marseille racing with Torbjorn Tornqvist on board the TP 52 Artemis, with John Kostecki calling tactics.

The team is stepping up its multihull training, including more time on its two X-40 catamarans and with the 60-foot trimaran Groupama 2 in Lorient.

BMW Orace's USA-17 during the practice race of the Marseille TP52 Trophy. This must be the shortest-lived TP52 team, a mere week. Marseille, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

Shosholoza's RSA-83 sails in Velalonga regatta in Naples

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-02T21:35:00Z

After a year of inactivity in Valencia, Shosholoza's RSA-83 is back on the water, this time in Naples, Italy. The South African America's Cup boat took part in Velalonga, one of the most popular sailing events held in the southern Italian city. More than a racing event, the Velalonga is a popular nautical festival and the brightly colored boat, once the pinnacle of sailing technology, had to share the Gulf of Naples together with another 200 boats.

Although it was a purely exhibition race, it is always nice to see that there is still some activity in the America's Cup field, even if indirectly related. It is also a clear sign that, given the right conditions, the South African team at least has the intention to return to the America's Cup.

Had this edition of the world's oldest sports competition gone according to schedule, we would be most probably preparing now for the first Act in Valencia and Shosholoza's crew would be busy training off the Malvarosa beach. Instead, these yachts, are gathering dust in Valencia or sailing in exhibition races with amateur boats.

After a year of inactivity, Shosholoza's RSA-83 sails in the Velalonga regatta. Naples, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Shosholoza

After a year of inactivity, Shosholoza's RSA-83 sails in the Velalonga regatta. Naples, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Shosholoza

After a year of inactivity, Shosholoza's RSA-83 sails in the Velalonga regatta. Naples, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Shosholoza

El Mundo a sus Pies

nobody@example.com (sir freelancer) — 2008-06-02T21:29:15Z

sir freelancer posted a photo:

La Ministra de Administraciones Públicas, Elena Salgado comparece ante los medios en la abarrotada entrada del edificio Veles e Vents, en el puerto de Valencia.

Mean Machine wins practice race in TP52 Marseille trophy

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-02T17:25:00Z

[Source: AUDI MedCup] It was an opportunist's victory for Mean Machine, gained on the final gybe of the practice race for the City of Marseille Trophy regatta, but today's race is a clear indication that Peter de Ridder's crew are ready to win again.

The ancient city ramparts around Marseille’s Vieux Port are given over to an exhibition of hundreds of paintings but for most of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit’s crews gathered in France’s third city this week the writing may be on the wall, written large today by Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine team when they seized victory in today’s practice race in the final 90 seconds.

After winning the opening regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit two weeks ago in Alicante, today’s warm-up contest, raced in 8-10 knots of Southerly breeze amidst a spectacular Mediterranean amphitheatre bound to the east by L’Ile Maire and the Montagne de Marseille Veire, signaled a clear warning that De Ridder’s team will be the crew to beat here.

Practice race in the TP52 Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / AUDI MedCup

Platoon powered by Team Germany, skippered by three times Olympic gold medallist Jochen Schuemann proved that their hard work in Valencia, tuning their new Rolf Vroijk designed boat and a hard week of crew training after Alicante, may reveal a dividend this week. They were quickest off the start line and made the best tactical call to lead the race all the way until the last 400 metres, but showed very good speed, especially downwind.

The maiden race outing for USA 17 saw Larry Ellison (USA) enjoy his first sail on the Reichel Pugh TP52. With Russell Coutts (NZL) and James Spit hill (AUS) orchestrating the tactical decisions at the back of the boat, USA 17 was seventh at the first windward mark, four seconds behind sister-ship Artemis, and finished ninth.

While it was a gentle introduction for Ellison, Coutts and Co to their new boat and the rest of the 14 boat fleet, local forecasters and team navigators are predicting at least 20 knots of Mistral breeze for tomorrow’s opening races.

Practice race in the TP52 Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / AUDI MedCup

“Twenty knots would be just fine for us. There is less chance for the tactician to get it wrong when the breeze is up.” grins Ray Davies (NZL), Mean Machine’s tactician, “But really, we are a good team and the crew work is generally very good, so we are happy in the breeze. We had a new mainsail on today which we were testing for when the wind is a little more down the range, but otherwise have not really done anything much to the boat.

It is not quite as busy on the start lines with a couple less boats and the start line was a little longer today. We will be out for a clean start tomorrow and to really let the boat do the work. There is nothing specific contributing to our speed, but we have good sails and good trimmers and generally a nice rig set up which is easy to tune. I don’t think there is anything in the hulls particularly because it is the same shape as others.”

Jochen Schuemann, Platoon Powered by Team Germany's helm and skipper was not reading too much into their performance today:

"We have done some good work on the boat since Alicante, and have learned the right things about the boat. We obviously struggled to have the boat finished before the first event, and now we have settled in a little bit better, have done a little a bit of work on rig tuning, optimised a few things, but essentially learning the rake and sails is a major thing.

We are always optimists but I think we had the right strategy it was so clear which side was favoured today. We did all the right things and that made us look really good but in general lining up with the rest of the competition we have always been happy how we do. We have a good boat - we’ll see how it goes."

James Spithill (AUS), tactician/strategist on USA 17:

"Like any new boat it takes a lot just to learn it and get the optimum out of it, the boys did a great job to get us here in such a tight time frame. My exact role is sitting on the side and hiking very hard and helping out when needed really, obviously Larry is going to drive, Russell is doing tactics so I will assist when needed. Larry did a great job in Austria driving and is doing so here .It should be fun and from what I hear we should have some good wind.

We want to get the boat performing as well as we can and get a good result but it is tough on the first regatta with a brand new tool but the only way to improve it is to race new boats so that is what we are going to do, and each day we will get a little bit better. We are just taking one event at a time will focus on this one event for the time being and see how we go.

The boats are a lot closer this season as the old boats are still very competitive- its going to be nice."

Racing starts tomorrow (Tuesday) with the first of nine scheduled windward-leeward races.

From one eXtreme to another: highlights from Lugano

nobody@example.com — 2008-06-02T17:16:00Z

Alinghi claimed a fifth overall at the first of the iShares series on home waters in Lugano – it was a weekend of highs and lows; day one brought a capsize in a violent gust during a stormy squall; day two the team had everything under control again having worked late into the night to replace the mast and with day three came a race win!

Igor Lah and James Spithill conquer the RC 44 Austria Cup

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-06-01T19:38:00Z

[Source: RC44] The Slovenian team Ceeref confirms its new leadership over the RC 44 Class. After having won the match race event, Igor Lah and James Spithill have also conquered the fleet regatta ahead of Chris Bake’s Team Aqua and Patrick de Barros’ Banco Espirito Santo. The latter is the winner of the long distance DHL Trophy.

Following the sumptuous gala diner organised last night in the beautiful Gmunden City Hall, the sailors needed a little bit of time to get back in racing mode this morning. Indeed, the first start turned out to be a general recall, most of the fleet being over the line at the due time.

The second attempt was the right one. Merely separated by two points at this stage, Team Aqua and Team Ceeref both got perfect starts at the pin end of the line, and immediately started controlling each other’s moves. The tacking dual on the first beat cost a lot to Aqua, who reached the windward mark in fifth. As for Ceeref, it was once again in the lead, having already won two races on Friday. Chris Bakes’ Team Aqua managed to fight its way back to third before the arrival line, but the gap between the two teams was increasing. In good form, Patrick de Barros’ Team Banco Espirito Santo, with Russell Coutts calling the shots, finished second.

The second race took place in similar light wind conditions. However this time, unlike during the first regatta, the right side of the course was favoured. A difference that Spithill didn’t miss, tacking to port soon after the start together with Team Hiroshi – Città di Milano.

The move paid off and the two teams grabbed the lead, with Armando Giulietti and Sébastien Col smartly controlling the rest of the competitors. The victory by Hiroshi – the first in this event – brought back a smile to Giulietti’s face. Sailing with the RC 44 Championship Tour leader’s gold wheels, Hiroshi is clearly not at ease with the lake conditions and Armando Giulietti confessed earlier on that their goal was to “limit the damage”. An objective well reached thanks to this victory, ahead of Ceeref and Beecom.

The third race saw the domination of the Japanese team Beecom. Controlling the situation throughout the race, Beecom’s owner and helmsman Isao Mita grabs the first victory of his career in an RC 44 fleet regatta, ahead of Team Aqua and Ceeref. A well deserved achievement.

The last race of the event was also the DHL long distance trophy. During the morning, the RC 44 were sailing in the southern part of the lake, called Ebensee. The DHL Trophy took them back to Gmunden, with a long beat alongside beautiful cliffs and wild forests; a stunning surrounding.

Last day of racing at the RC44 Austria Cup. Gmunden, 1 June 2008. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

Already guaranteed to win the fleet event, Team Ceeref made the wrong initial call (for the first time), sailing together with Beecom to the right side of the course when the left proved to be the favored one. At the front of the fleet, Team Aqua, Banco Espirito Santo and BMW ORACLE Racing were battling hard for the lead, tacking along the coast to try to benefit from the land effect to gain a few meters. Banco Espirito Santo made it first in Gmunden, ahead of team Aqua and Team Hiroshi – Città di Milano, grabbing the DHL Trophy and the third place overall.

Chris Bake’s Team Aqua finishes second of the DHL Trophy and of the Austria Cup. As for Team Ceeref, it crossed the finish line last but remains the great winner of the event, illustrating the fact that in this tough Class, everybody can win races but also loose some badly.

The next regatta of the RC 44 Championship Tour is the Malcesine Cup, on Lake Garda, on July 9-13.

They said:

Igor Lah, helmsman, Team Ceeref: “James Spithill did a fantastic job today, and the crew was just perfect; they haven’t done a single mistake. I enjoy lake sailing. It is very challenging but it is beautiful. This was really an excellent event, and I want to thank the organizers for a great job.”

Chris Bake, helmsman, Team Aqua: “Our boat is back in shape and our speed is good. It was very interesting to race here; it’s challenging to read the shifts and to manage the wind. I have enjoyed this very much and the scenery was fantastic.”

Patrick de Barros, helmsman, Banco Espirito Santo: “This has been a fantastic event, with an outstanding organization. Of course, sometimes it was frustrating and we had to wait for the wind. But it is definitely worth it. I have enjoyed the scenery but Russell has given me a hard time. He doesn’t leave me half a second to look around. If I turn my head to look, I immediately get told off!”

Russell Coutts, tactician, Banco Espirito Santo: “This was a fantastic event. For us sailors, it is really refreshing to sail in different locations, and to mix the conditions we sail in. It tests all our skills. And the consequence is that some people are better in some conditions and some in other. The hierarchy is not the same. That’s what’s great about sailing; nothing’s ever acquired. In this lake, you just need to keep looking out of the boat. And if you make a mistake, carry on looking for a solution instead of being frustrated. You must permanently look ahead and focus on the future.”

Fleet-race, final results after seven races (no discard):

1) Team Ceeref, Igor Lah, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 9 - 19 points
2) Team Aqua, Chris Bake,1, 3, 2, 3, 7, 2, 2 - 20 points
3) Team Banco Espirito Santo, Patrick de Barros, 4, 4, 4, 2, 6, 4, 1 - 25 points
4) Team Hiroshi - Città di Milano, Armando Giulietti, 5, 7, 6, 5, 1, 5, 3 - 32 points
5) Team Beecom, Isao Mita 7, 5, 5, 4, 3, 1, 8 – 33 points
6) BMW ORACLE Racing, Larry Ellison, 3, 9, 3, 9, 5, 7, 4 - 40 points
7) Team Organika, Maciej Navrocki, 8, 8, 7, 6, 4, 8, 5 – 46 points
8) Sea Dubai, Markus Wieser 6, 2, DSQ, 8, 9, 6, 6 – 47 points
9) Cro-Aut-Sail, Rene Mangold, 9, 6, 8, 7, 8, 9, 7 - 54 points

Lessons learnt in Lugano

nobody@example.com — 2008-06-01T16:21:00Z

The wind continued to play hide and seek with the fleet on the final day of the Lugano iShares Cup, but the committee managed to squeeze two races in between lulls...

Yet another windless day at RC 44 Austria Cup

nobody@example.com (noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing)) — 2008-05-31T17:17:00Z

No racing took place on the fourth day of the RC 44 Austria Cup. Today’s fleet regattas got cancelled at 5:00 PM after a long day waiting for the breeze to settle.

A light air lottery in Lugano

nobody@example.com — 2008-05-31T16:50:00Z

Alinghi was back on the water bright and early this morning with a new mast in place, the crew having spent most of Friday evening rigging it and getting it ready to step. By Saturday morning it was back to business for the Swiss team...