Greetings yachties,

World Match Racing Tour – Argo Group Gold Cup’s,

Sunseeker Australia Cup – Torvar Mirsky

Jessica Watson gets support,

Mini650 – Transat Start,

St Tropez – Winners

Alinghi – Still waiting for BMWOracle to show up

Valencia Sailing in RAK

Matt Sheahan’s blog – Dean Barker, Russell Coutts, Ray Davies & Cameron Appleton,

Part 46 – Cory E. Friedman/Scuttlebutt,

Mad Way South – Kite Buggy across the Sahara Desert

Enjoy

2 fantastic sailing websites are Old Salts and Pirate’s Cove you must check them out!

Round Robin Pairings Announced For Argo Group Gold Cup

Argo Group Gold Cup 2009
Hamilton, Bermuda

The skipper parings for the opening races at the Argo Group Gold Cup have been announced, as the world’s top match racers prepare for the eighth of nine stages on the 2009 World Match Racing Tour groupings for important first stage round robin in the Argo Group Gold Cup’s unique format. The top eight skippers on the World Match Racing Tour and last year’s champion Johnie Berntsson are evenly dispersed in the three groups.

Stage one round robin groupings were all the dock talk at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club on Sunday. Argo Group Gold Cup skippers and crews weighed in and completed the final stages of the entry process and got their race packets.

The packets included the important Sailing Instructions with the all-important Appendix A. That’s the group parings list that tells the skippers which opponents they must face to reach the quarter-final round. The round robin is the first step on the path to the King Edward VII Gold Cup and $50,000… half of the total $100,000 prize purse.

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) in Group 1, Adam Minoprio (NZL) in Group 2, and Mathieu Richard (FRA) in Group 3 are the top seeds. They occupy the top three spots in both the World Match Racing Tour and on the ISAF Ranking list. Mirsky is placed first on the WMRT while Minoprio is ranked first on the ISAF World Rankings. Richard is third on both.

Joining Mirsky in Group 1 are Ian Williams (GBR), Damien Iehl (FRA), Keith Swinton (AUS), Eric Monnin (SUI), Reuben Corbett (NZL), Robbie Allam (GBR) and Ian Evans (USA).

Paired with Minoprio in Group 2 are Sébastien Col (FRA), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Bjorn Hansen (SWE), Álvaro Marinho (POR), Dave Perry (USA), Rasmus Viltoft (DEN), and Paula Lewin (BER).

Matched in Group 3 with Richard are Peter Gilmour (AUS), Johnie Berntsson (SWE), Mattias Rahm (SWE), Phil Robertson (NZL), Blythe Walker (BER), Don Wilson (USA), Charlie Enright (USA).

more here

Sunskeeker Australia to Sponsor Mirsky ‘Home Game’ in Perth.

Sunseeker Australia will sponsor the return of the Australia Cup. The event will be run in Perth from the 26-29 of November after an 8 year break.

Though not currently a World Match Racing Tour event, the Sunseeker Australia Cup will give current tour leader, Torvar Mirsky and his team a nice home-game test before the final round – the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia.

Sunseeker Australia’s Troy Barbagallo sees the partnership as a perfect fit saying:

“As the leading luxury brand in the Australian marine market it is fitting that we support the leading match racing event in Australia. We are excited to be part of such a special event.”

Perth Based Leader of the World Match Racing Tour, Torvar Mirsky.

Competing in Foundation 36 One Design yachts. The world’s who’s who of elite sailing will contest the Sunseeker Australia Cup including:

* Triple gold and silver Olympic medalist, Ben Ainslie from Great Britain.
* Perth Based current leader of the tour, Torvar Mirsky.
* Reigning double World Match Racing Tour champion, Ian Williams.
* 2nd ranked skipper, Adam Minoprio from New Zealand.
* 3rd ranked skipper Mathieu Richard from France.

Double World Champion skipper Ian Williams said it was fantastic to see the Sunseeker Australia Cup back on the match racing circuit.

“The Sunseeker Australia Cup has a proud history where some of the world’s greatest skippers and crew have won as a lead up to the America’s Cup. The event provides critical match racing practice against the world’s best skippers. Racing in Perth is always exciting, the weather, location and organising team always create a fantastic event and that is why the world’s best like coming back to Perth.”

Officially launching the Sunseeker Australia Cup and supporting partner for the event, City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said having the world’s best yacht racing right on the city’s doorstep will provide spectators with the opportunity to see a mini America’s Cup on Perth waters.

more here

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couriermail.com.au story here

JESSICA ARRIVES SAFELY IN SYDNEY

Monday, 5 October, 2009

Teenage adventurer Jessica Watson says her five-day sail from Queensland to Sydney proves she’s ready to tackle a solo circumnavigation of the globe.

If successful, she will become the youngest person to ever sail single-handed around the world. The 16-year-old faced a five-metre swell and 36 knot winds during her trip from the Gold Coast, but conditions eased on the weekend as she sailed closer to Sydney.

Jessica sailed through Sydney Heads shortly after 3pm today and moored her yacht, Ella’s Pink Lady, at Andrew Short Marine at The Spit in Middle Harbour, then hugged her family and supporters before she addressed a large media contingent.

“It’s not quite the welcome I expected. It’s amazing all the interest and how many people came out to say hello,”Jessica said

She said the voyage from Queensland had been great preparation for her longer expedition, and that her biggest problem was coping with being back on firm ground.

“I’ve got a bad case of land legs and I’m still spinning a little,” she joked.

“This trip gave me a lot of confidence because I haven’t had that sort of exposure at sea before and now I know I can really handle it.”

more here

Sydney-to-Hobart veteran backs teen sailor

By Charmaine Kane and Jo Skinner

A Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race veteran says Jessica Watson has the determination, skill and experience to succeed.

A Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race veteran says Jessica Watson has the determination, skill and experience to succeed. (AAP Image: Dave Hunt)

Teenage sailor Jessica Watson is expected to sail into Sydney today where she will begin her attempt to sail non-stop around the world later this month.

The 16-year-old from the Sunshine Coast hit a cargo ship off southern Queensland last month on the first night of her voyage.

She set sail from Queensland’s Gold Coast on Thursday morning and is expected to berth in Sydney about 4pm AEST today.

Joe Akacich, a veteran of nine Sydney-to-Hobart yacht races, says Miss Watson has the determination, skill and experience to succeed.

“She’s not at a dance party, she’s not at a schoolies week, she has taken on an inspirational task that most other children should look on and think, ‘no reason why I couldn’t do that’,” he said.

He says she has everything she needs on the Pink Lady.

more here

The Canaries, judge first

*Night and early morning, as expected, have changed the second stage of
The Charente-Maritime/Bahia 2009 Transat 6.50′s layout . That one night
was difficult as expressed by the escort boats who faced 35 knots heavy
showers and plenty of rain. *And if the most of the fleet sailed west in
the early evening, there were at dawn only four boats sailing East, with
a majority of the fleet in the West packed in the middle of the zone and
samll group that continues completely West. With a leader for each
group, both prototypes and series with Andrea Caracci (Speedy Maltese)
for the east version and Thomas Ruyant (Faber France) for the west
version and Bertrand Delesne (Entreprendre durablement) in the center.
On series sidel, Joel Miro (Gaes 677) was also in the east while on the
west side and center, were the unavoidable Charlie Dalin (Cherche
sponsor-charliedalin.com , Xavier Mavaire (Masoco Bay), Francisco Lobato (ROFF TMN) and Henri Meyniel
(Beveac Consulting) … No doubt, the first stage’s leaders are ready to
fight for the second stage!

*Delesne and Dalin …*
At 3 pm, Bertrand Delesne (Entreprendre Durablement) is in pole position
followed by Fabien Despres (Soitec), Henry Paul Schipman (Maisons de
l’Avenir Urbatys), Stéphane Le Diraison (Cultisol Marins Sans
Frontières) and Laurent Bourgues (Prim’Soins)… All are just a few
miles from each other and sail at 5 / 6 knots. Thomas Ruyant which had
remained West longer than the other is 13th.
On series side, Charlie Dalin leading the fleet followed by Xavier
Macaire, Francisco Lobato, Henri Meyniel and Pierre Rolland… No
significant difference and these rankings can change at each positioning.

Also, does the extreme east and west options supporters will capitalize
on their risk-taking? Is grouping on a median highway is a sign of
wisdom to face the uncertain weather? It is clear that all know one
thing, the transition zone will letb us know. The first to get in and
out( from the zone will feel more comfortable… But one thing is
certain: it will not mean that he/she will be the king of the
playground, because the difficulties are only beginning.

Finally, no majorproblems for the fleet:: a problem of VHF and autopilot
for Maxence Desfeux (Matmut) and a problem of pilot for Olivier Richard
(Minute) reported by the escort boats.

Ranking on Sunday, October the 4th at 15:00:

*Series:*
1. Charlie Dalin (Cherche sponsor-charliedalin.com : 2 935,55 miles from the finish
2. Xavier Macaire (Masoco Bay) : 1,3 miles from the 1st
3. Francisco Lobato (ROFF TMN) : 3,22 miles from the 1st
4. Henry Meyniel (Beveac Consulting): 4,27 miles from the 1st
5. Pierre Rolland D2 Marée Haute) : 4,55 miles  from the 1st

*Prototypes:*
1. Bertrand Delesne Entreprendre durablement) : 2 926,76 miles from the
finish
2. Fabien Despres (Soitec): 1,84 miles from the 1st
3. Henry-Paul Schipman (Maisons de l’avenir-Urbatys) : 2,66 miles from
the 1st
4. Stéphane Le Diraison (Cultisol-Marins sans frontière) : 4,11 miles
from the 1st
5. Laurent Bourgues (Prim’Soins) : 4,95 miles from the 1st

more here

Photos credit: Rolex /  Kurt Arrigo

ROWDY WINS ROLEX TROPHY FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR

October 4, 2009

Sunday morning the sun shone bright and clear as participants and spectators gathered in La Citadelle of Saint-Tropez for the prize giving ceremony that marks the official ending of this year’s edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Teams applauded each winner with great enthusiasm, already speaking of plans for the 2010 edition of this spectacular event.

For the past four years there has been a special trophy given to the Classic Yacht over 16-metres that accumulated the fewest points over the week of races. This year the winner was once again Graham Walker and his Marconi Rowdy, who finished the week at the top of her class. Philippe Schaeffer, Rolex France, presented Walker with the Rolex Trophy and a Rolex Submariner, close companion to all nautical achievements. “Thank you very much, it really is a great honor to be here, and to have won this one,” Walker said, upon receiving his trophy. “We put a lot of effort into, it was very much a team effort and my entire team should be up here with me. It’s really wonderful and very much valued, thank you everyone.”

Rowdy also won the Rolex Trophy in 2008, following previous winners So Fong (2006) and Agneta (2007).

Rowdy was designed by legend Nathanial Herreshoff and built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in 1916 in Bristol, Rhode Island. She is part of the New York 40 Class, named so because the design is 40 feet off the waterline, and is one of the 14 or so boats in the class that was constructed between 1916 and 1917. Also known as the “Fighting Forties,” these sailing yachts were built for members of the New York Yacht Club and Rowdy raced for many years with great success. World War I put a halt to further construction of the class and most of these great vessels have ceased to exist today. Rowdy is one of the few and recently underwent a major rebuild, ensuring a long life for this “Fighting Forty.” Announced at the prize giving was the unusual fact that Graham Walker had purchased his incredible racer on eBay, making her an alternative mix of classic and modern, matching the spirit of this regatta perfectly.

more here

more images here

Ras al Khaimah authorities confirm that there are no securities issues at the Venue of the 33rd America’s Cup

Following the latest lawsuit brought by GGYC/BMW Oracle and their claims of a lack of safety in Ras al Khaimah, UAE, the Venue for the 33rd America’s Cup, the local government authorities issued the following press release today refuting the American team’s claims.

America’s Cup to highlight Ras Al Khaimah’s popularity as a safe destination

October 4th, 2009

RAK Investment Authority, the government agency responsible for attracting economic development and promoting the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, issued a statement today addressing the concerns raised about security for the upcoming 33rd America’s Cup to be held in February 2010.

“The UAE and specifically Ras Al Khaimah is an extremely safe venue for the America’s Cup. The Emirate of Ras al Khaimah has peaceful and friendly relations with all of its neighbours. The venue and all the visitors to Ras Al Khaimah in the coming weeks and months will be received in a similar friendly, peaceful and security conscious way,” said Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Investment Authority and Special Advisor to Ras Al Khaimah’s Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler, H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi.

Massaad went on to say that: “It is quite reasonable to state that security for the America’s Cup would be significant no matter where the event is held and in Ras Al Khaimah this event will receive the same level of importance with full cooperation from the Navy, Coast Guards and the Police services to ensure the safety and well being of all visitors to the Emirate.”

Internationally, the UAE has a well regarded reputation as one of safest holiday destinations and for maintaining one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The country annually welcomes international events of all sorts: academic, diplomatic, sporting, business… and has never had any problems, particularly in terms of safety. We are familiar with hosting sports personalities – including Americans – who compete in events with worldwide acclaim.
Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE is a multicultural and forward looking country, there are, for example, 87 American companies which represent approximately 8% of the new companies that have commenced business in the emirate over the past few years. These figures grow in to the hundreds when you look at the UAE as a whole.
“More than 80% of the total numbers of new companies in Ras Al Khaimah are foreign-owned, further proving that the Emirate is a very safe and productive place to do business and to live. The local and federal governments have worked hard to transform the Emirates in to an investor’s haven, with security as a core element,” concluded Dr Khater Massaad
The Emirate has been working for the past two months installing infrastructure on Al Hamra Island, the base for both teams, and is reaching the final stages of delivery for Alinghi. However, Dr Massaad said, Ras Al Khaimah is still waiting for direction from BMW Oracle in regards to their requirements.

more here

Valencia Sailing

Alinghi 5 getting settled in her new base. Ras Al-Khaimah, 5 October 2009. Photo copyright Alinghi
The Emirate has been working for the past two months installing infrastructure on Al Hamra Island, the base for both teams, and is reaching the final stages of delivery for Alinghi. However, Dr Massaad said, Ras Al Khaimah is still waiting for direction from BMW Oracle in regards to their requirements.

In addition, Ras Al Khaimah offers close to 3000 hotel rooms and is situated less than one hour north of Dubai, where there are in excess of 10,000 hotel rooms available to visitors and fans of the event.

Local and international experts and officials concur that Ras Al Khaimah is one of the safest destinations for the 33rd America’s Cup. “We hope BMW Oracle will reconsider their position and join us in Ras al Khaimah for what will be one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the history of yachting,” said Massaad.

more here

Matt Sheahan’s blog
Web log entry dated 4 October 2009

Take 4 Top Jockeys

Missing marks, forgetting to start the stopwatch, or misunderstanding the race committee, they’re the things you and I have to live with. If only we could sail like the pros we’d never miss a beat and our results would take a hike. But perhaps you’d be surprised at how many mistakes the top guns make and even more surprised at the markedly different styles between sailors that have often spent many years sailing with each other.

The RC44 event in Portoroz, Slovenia gave me an opportunity to ride aboard four different boats run by four different world class skippers as they went head to head. Never before have I had such a great opportunity to observe four of the world’s best sailors slug it out in a fleet of strict one designs. The difference between them and their different approaches was fascinating.

Dean Barker – Quiet, consistent, in control and definitely running the show. I’ve never heard Barker raise his voice in any situation, I’m sure he must, but I bet there are precious few who’ve ever seen him let rip. Our match race against Team Aqua was no exception.
Barker makes all the calls through manoeuvres, including when the crew should move to the high side and roll the boat through a tack. As a result the boat has a feel of well oiled machine. The downside? Perhaps as a team they’re not as quick to respond when caught off guard.

Russell Coutts – Totally locked into the weather, manoeuvres and tactics, his mind appears to work as if three separate computers are running in parallel…

more here

also  Ray Davies & Cameron Appleton

by Cory E. Friedman/Scuttlebutt

Part 46 – Maybe a February 2010 match was optimistic

“What a Difference A Day Makes.” Maria Grever and Stanley Adams (Dinah Washington).

(October 4, 2009) – As autumn approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, the leaves are starting to fall, but not as fast as paper in the America’s Cup battle between Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and Société Nautique De Genève’s (SNG) are landing.

Just as GGYC finished briefing its motion to renew its rules motion, it served a motion to throw out Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) as the venue for the February Match. SNG then used a letter about a routine scheduling issue to lay out the broad strokes of its response to GGYC’s venue motion. In the anti-climax of the month, GGYC submitted its long sought Certificate of Documentation, which is devoid of useful information save the basis for calculating how many barrels of Mount Gay Rum USA can carry as movable ballast and/or refreshment. At the rate this is going, I am going to have to start batch processing the papers. The seasonal metaphor will probably change from falling leaves to white out blizzard conditions.

By switching from motions brought on by orders to show cause, to motions brought on by 16 day notices of motion, GGYC gets to file reply papers responding to SNG’s papers answering the motion. On the rules motion, GGYC has put its reply to good use, easily covering and slam dunking SNG. Even more importantly, having the last word allows GGYC to organize the dispute in a nice, neat, user friendly bundle for Justice Kornreich.

Their four major points are:
1) SNG cannot change its pre-challenge rules;
2) GGYC’s boat may not exceed, but need not match its challenge dimensions;
3) Rudders do not count in measuring load water line (LWL); and,
4) Movable ballast must be on board when LWL is measured.
On each of the four major points, GGYC anchors its position in the Deed and sailing practice in George Schuyler’s day. (Disclosure of the ISAF – SNG Agreement is now moot.) In contrast to SNG’s personal attacks and unfocussed rants, GGYC’s reply is calm, cool and collected, making its arguments clearly and cogently. It is readily accessible to lay readers.

more here

We Made It – In Brief !

The Senegal River – a meandering brown stain that separates Green Senegal from Dry Mauritania had long been our target … we had some difficulty reaching it when the bogs of Djemma halted our progress and nearly killed us 7 km short of the northen banks of the river.

Evacuated – we illegally reintered Mauritania to cover the ground again and then caught a punt across the river. This punt died half way across and Steve and Geoff ended up paddling with a broom and dustpan to the southern banks.

The wind died and rain hammered us for the next 4 days – we covered less than 100 km in these days and on the 30th of August called it a day as we had run out of time – roughly 2160 km (without independant verifcation of GPS track) – The first time the Sahara has been crossed by Wind Power and also the longest kite buggy journey ever accomplished – Not bad ! But Dakar was 180 km away and an impossibility as the wind swung to the south – Our Wind Router (Worldwide Weather 4 Expeditions) Marc also confirmed that going on was not feasible with no real change in view. So in northern Senegal we ended our amazing adventure – Please see more detailed Blogs to follow – Expedition Summary coming and a huge thankyou to all of you avid Blog readers, supporters and sponsors – Remember its all for the Girls and due to our not making 2500 km target we need your help even more – not too late to sponsor the Madness – we head to London tomorrow.

more here

This post is tagged - Cory E. Friedman, - Transat Start, alinghi, Argo Group Gold Cup’s, cameron appleton, dean barker, gets support, Jessica Watson, Matt Sheahan's blog, Mini650, old salts, Part 46, Pirates Cove, ray davies, russell coutts, scuttlebutt, St Tropez, Sunseeker Australia Cup, Torvar Mirsky, valencia sailing, World Match Racing Tour