Greetings yachties,

Alfa Romeo – Media Day,

More about that keel,

Waiheke Boating Club Opening Day,

Rolex Middle Sea Race Update,

Jessica Watson,

Alinghi – update,

Rolex Middle Sea Start,

Enjoy,

I had a ride on this puppy on Monday – words are knot enuff…. stand by for a pictorial tour of pure sex on carbon with a canting dingle dangle

crew.org regular Rob Web aka Allies Comet was also on the media day outing and tells his story here..

“If you’d told me that you could roll-tack a 100ft supermaxi then I wouldn’t have believed it. Lucky then that I witnessed it for myself this morning out on the Waitemata during a pre-Coastal Classic media sail. The wind was light and variable, 5-8kts max, and using this dinghy sailor’s tactic was made possible thanks to the amazing technology of a 13 ton tungsten-bulb canting keel – which can swing from 40’ one side to 40’ the other in only 12 seconds, courtesy of a hydraulic ram exerting 90 tons of pressure – the result was astonishing and literally rolled this sleek, silvery beauty from one side to the other in the time it took us to turn, giving us a noticeable extra boost out of the new tack.”

more here

LuvMyBoat.com

‘ALFA ROMEO’

Story and images by Cathy Vercoe @ LuvMyBoat
The Technology in the New Breed Of Super Yachts

The new ‘Alfa Romeo’, the 30-metre (98-feet) successor to the 27.5-metre (90-feet) world champion of the same name that took line honours in some 74 races in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, including the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, is the one of the most technically advanced ocean racing yacht in the world today. She is a magnificent example of the latest concept in design, engineering, construction, rigging and sails.

more here

But wait there’s more… check this puppy out

Barry Pickthall wades into Australia II design controversy

‘Australia II wins America’s Cup – 26th September 1983′
Barry Pickthall, former Yachting Correspondent to The Times (UK) was one of the top international sailing journalists, who followed the saga of the Australia 2 design claims and comments based on his notes from the time:

I have read with some surprise the claims by Dr Peter van Oossanen that he and Dutch aerodynamics expert Joop Sloof were largely responsible for the design of the radical wing keel on Australia 2.

I got to know Peter quite well during the 1983 Cup summer in Newport, and after the event, when Dutch Whitbread Round the World Race winner Conny Van Rietschoten was considering a Dutch challenge for the America’s Cup, Peter was one of the first people Conny turned to for advice.

more here

Waiheke Boating Club Opening Day 2009 @ Oneroa Beach, Waiheke Island

The weather was great and the rain came to nothing. The wind was strong but
sheltered at Oneroa and there was a great turn out of juniors and blokes.
For the keelboat race from KP to Oneroa the promised westerly filled in and
Panui got the jump on Free Willy at the start by easing her over the line
with half a minute to go. Free Will put an early board into Hururhi Bay for
some flatter water and Panui stood out and benefited from the tide to cross
ahead at Park Pt. Sheila with only two on board was loosing a bit of ground.
Panui was able to stretch her lead on the 2 sail reach to Owhanake Bay with
Free Willy closing the gap hitting 10+ under spinnaker to the finish at
Hakaimango Pt. Panui held on to finish one minute ahead in a quick time of
only one hour. After a pleasant BBQ on the beach with the Commodore and VC
driving the two new portable cookers we headed back into an even stronger
now South Westerly. Free Willy took on two junior sailors for the trip back
and Panui put reef in and had the benefit of her 16 year old exchange
student to take over the helm for most of the journey.
Next race for keelers is Wednesday week 4th November.
Chippy the dog

more here

Alinghi Media Day Nothing to Write Home About.

Formula One is preparing to touch down in Abu Dhabi in the next couple of weeks. A couple of hundred miles north in Ras Al Khaimah, Alinghi are settling into their new base to defend the America’s Cup. The courts have yet to rule on whether the venue is deed compliant, but the Swiss have invited the world’s media to view the facilities and watch the first ‘official’ test sail of Alinghi 5.

The Wall Street Journal reported that there was a press conference and that the boat sailed in 4-7 knots of wind reaching a top speed of about 10 knots. The Washington Post carried a story by Associated Press that quoted Alinghi owner; Ernesto Bertarelli refuting GGYC claims that the venue was unsafe. While BMW ORACLE have used media coverage of Ras Al Khaimah to allege it is the home of terrorism, Bertarelli is quoted as saying:

“I think perhaps if we want friendship and dialogue between nations, one cannot only just send aircraft and soldiers. They have to send sportsmen. That’s exactly what we are doing here.”

Abu Dhabi based, ‘The National‘ (which unsurprisingly was not one of GGYC’s media sources, in their letter to SNG this week) focussed on the benefits that hosting the America’s Cup in the region would bring.

They quote Bertarelli as saying:

“Sometimes when I read the press releases coming out of BMW Oracle I feel that I am reading the trailer for a Hollywood movie,”

more here

Photos credit: Rolex /  Kurt Arrigo

race update here

Photos credit: Rolex /  Kurt Arrigo

more later, need to catch the ferry for a ride on Alfa

Rolex Middle Sea Race Update

UPDATE – SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER, 1000 CEST

October 18, 2009

After a fast passage across to Capo Passero and the southern tip of Sicily yesterday afternoon, so the Rolex Middle Sea Race launched first the sting from its tail as darkness closed last night. Whilst the leaders closed fast on the Strait of Messina, the smaller slower yachts experienced a night of squalls and rain as the front pushed through earlier than expected.

Currently, ICAP Leopard is the breakaway leader sitting pretty, thirty miles due east of the lonely outpost of Ustica, and on a line north of Palermo. She is now starting to fly with her boat speed creeping up on each polling of her tracker as she punches into 30-knot headwinds from the northwest.

Behind Leopard the war of attrition has begun. Bella Mente was the first to encounter equipment failure and at 08.30 this morning reported her retirement soon after rounding Stromboli in fourth place on the water. Next came the call from Rosebud/Team DYT, which just before 10.00 called in to advise she had lost her mast and was motoring to Milazzo. All crew were reported to be fine.

Beau Geste is comfortable second on the water at the moment, with Rán, Luna Rossa, the two Volvo 70s and Alegre in hot pursuit. According to the transit at Stromboli, Alegre is leading on handicap.

Further back, Strait Dealer was the first Maltese yacht through the Strait and looks to be doing well on handicap, keeping pace with the Swan 82 Nikata and the Cookson 50 Calipso, both bigger yachts. It is doubtful that mainly Maltese crew on Strait Dealer is having quite as nice a time as those on Nikata, who called in to tell us that the menu last night included, “Slow roasted Moroccan lamb tagine.” Just to confirm that they are taking the race seriously, we were advised that, “we’re sailing in 30 knots from northwest, making a direct course to Stromboli. The sea state is reasonable, and the biggest gusts we’ve seen are 37/38 knots.

23 yachts are through the Strait of Messina so far, with more due through shortly. Last boat in the fleet is the veteran Zizanie, which is abreast of Etna making 6 knots. In the battle of the double-handers, Nemesis Credal is ahead on the water, whilst the crews of Cymba and Cambo III are locked in a duel just approaching the beginning of the Strait.

The key for ICAP Leopard’s assault on the course record, which is still on the cards, is how quickly she can reach the northwest corner of Sicily. The faster she gets there, the faster she meets the northwesterlies that will power her downwind and southwards to Pantelleria and Lampedusa. The afternoon review will take a closer look at her prospects for the second half of the race and how the remainder of the fleet have fared during the second day.

more here

Monday, October 19, 2009

Across the Start Line
Well yesterday was the big day, leaving Sydney and crossing the start line. After a good night sleep, a good breakfast and a last hot shower, that was it and I was off to sail around the world! Getting out of the harbour and across the start line was a bit of a feat in itself with spectator boats, helicopters, very little wind and a swell rolling though. It kept me on my toes but in the end we managed a sort of slow drift across the line and found a little more wind after clearing the Sydney Heads. I didn’t really have much time to take it all in as a I crossed the actual start line, but I can’t describe how proud I felt motoring away from the dock with my brave family standing there, along with so many of the people who made this happen. Getting to the start line has been the furthest thing imaginable from a solo effort!
My first day was busy for me trying to keep Ella’s Pink Lady moving away from the coast in very little wind, working through a few small problems and avoiding shipping. I’ll admit I was a little emotional for a while after all the goodbyes but on the plus side I already feel like I’m settling in and with such calm conditions I haven’t even been feeling any of my normal first few days at sea queasiness.
So after all the excitement of getting away, progress has been pretty slow. We’re still only just over 65nm from the coast, currently doing a not very remarkable, but steady 2.5knots. It’s a little frustrating but I’m not complaining. I’m just taking it one day at a time for now, giving myself a little time to settle in and waiting for a little more wind.
Loving all the comments!

Jesse

more here

”Tomorrow I’m going to get up and sail around the world!”
I’ll keep this update even shorter but just letting you all know, if you havent already heard, that tomorrow is finally the big day. I’ll be leaving the marina at around 0845 in the morning and clearing the Sydney heads soon after. The forecast is looking pretty positive and I’m just itching to get out there. I’ve had a nice final day fiddling round on Ellas Pink Lady and doing a little last minute packing with family and friends. Its hard to believe that the big day is almost here!!

Jesse

more here

Yachtyakka story here

Photos credit: Rolex /  Kurt Arrigo

ooooooooooooo

GRANDSTAND START

October 17, 2009

The 2009 Rolex Middle Sea Race set off this morning from the incomparable setting of Grand Harbour. To the sound of gunfire from the Saluting Battery, high above the water, the biggest fleet to depart Malta since the Turks left at the end of the Great Siege in 1565 set off on its 606 nautical mile adventure. 69 yachts crossed the start line, which used Fort St Angelo as its pin end. Crowds filled every vantage point on the southern side of Valletta, witnessing at first hand the dawn of a new era in this classic race. As the fleet streams across towards Sicily, ICAP Leopard (GBR) led on the water from Beau Geste (HKG), Bella Mente (USA) and Rán (GBR). By 17.00 local time Leopard was already abreast of Capo Passero. Game on.

The 30th edition has attracted a strong, international fleet. Trying to pick handicap favourites ahead of the start has not been straightforward. This is a race where making reliable predictions is as easy as picking winners in the Kentucky Derby. This morning, though, the bigger yachts in the fleet were feeling this might be their year. Mike Slade, owner of the biggest and fastest weapon in the fleet, the mighty ICAP Leopard – twice winner of line honours and course record holder at the Rolex Fastnet – was in ebullient mood. “I think the record is on, definitely, with these conditions,” he remarked just before the off. “The weather is looking very favourable for the big boats. We expect to be quite quick across to Sicily and up to Stromboli. Then, when we turn left, well, we’ll get all hell knocked out of us. When the forecast front comes in we’ll close on it very quickly. Getting to Palermo and the Egadi Islands is going to be a real fight. We’ll batten down and try to survive it. Once we turn that corner, though, and get the kite up we expect to see about 30-knots of boat speed, maybe even more. Whether we’re in on Monday morning, Monday midday or Monday night we’ll have to wait and see.”

If the big wind and seaway anticipated off the northern coast of Sicily does come to fruition, Slade will rest easier with the knowledge that he has the likes of world-girdling yacht-racers Brad Jackson (a three-time Volvo Ocean Race winner), Jules Salter, Rob Greenhalgh, Justin Slattery and Jason Carrington in his team. They have seen it all before and will know how to keep Leopard trucking along. Intact.

Thoughts of heavy weather were far from the spectators minds as Grand Harbour laid on the perfect morning for the watching crowds gathered to cheer on the departing fleet. Peter Dimech, Principal Race Officer for the Royal Malta Yacht Club, had divided the yachts into five starts, with the smallest boats leaving at 11 o’clock sharp to the resounding crash of a 24-pounder cannon, manned by Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna volunteers dressed in 19th century Royal Malta Artillery uniform. Contending with light and variable winds in the start area, Tomas Dolezal’s Three Sisters (CZE), with Milan Hajek on the helm, took the bragging prize for first yacht out through the breakwater. She was closely followed by the Maltese local heroes on Geisha. David Pizzuto is on his eighth race. Both he and his crew will have been delighted to overhaul their Czech opponents by St George’s Bay and to round the final mark off the Maltese coast in first place. The Italians on Alba Blu were third, rounding just before midday.

The second start was the biggest with twenty-four boats stretched across the water from the 16th century St Peter and St Paul’s Bastion to Dockyard Creek. Maltese representation was strong with Arthur Podesta’s Elusive II Medbank, Jonas Diamantino’s Comanche Raider II Gasan Mamo, Mark Schranz and Isaac Borg sailing Nemesis Credal double-handed, Jost Mertens’ Rebel, David Franks’ Strait Dealer and the Timmy Camilleri skippered Vikesha. Austrian Gosta Pongratz on his chartered yacht One has also secured some local knowledge with Anthony Camilleri an eight-race veteran. Camilleri endorsed the view it was likely to be a race that favoured the bigger yachts. “I think we will miss the bad weather likely to affect the faster boats. What is worrying me is towards the end of the race – Wednesday.Thursday – when we get the south-easterly. That is going to be Force 8 and a headwind all the way from Pantelleria to Lampedusa and then to Malta,” Camilleri explained. “It’s the end of the race, everyone is tired and it is a beat, which is hard against the strong winds.”

The third start of the day featured former Rolex Fastnet winner Piet Vroon and Tonnerre de Breskens III (NED), American Arthur ‘Bugs’ Baer with his chartered yacht Nix (BVI) and counting the talented single-handed racer Brian Thompson within his crew, and, the largely British manned Nisida led by Peter Hopps and Hilary Cook who are embarking on their sixth encounter with the Mediterranean’s biggest offshore race. Ian Loffhagen, Racing Manager of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, is aboard Tonnerre de Breskens III, “I think we are going to have a bit of everything. We’re going to get battered on the north side of Sicily, we’re then going to get dried out and a bit bored, but it should be a reasonably fast race. All the weather models seem to concur and it is a question of when the next front comes through and how far we’ve got before that kicks in. We think we’ll be finished before the winds get too strong and back into the south-east.”

The final monohull start saw the grand-prix racers have their moment in the spotlight. Torben Grael and Robert Scheidt, with eight Olympic medals between them, showed some small boat skills to get the STP 65 Luna Rossa (ITA) off the line first and out past the breakwater before their bigger rivals seemed to have woken-up. Hap Fauth and Bella Mente (USA) will be pleased to have been second out of the trap. Fauth is on his first Rolex Middle Sea Race and appears to have chosen a challenging one, “it looks like we’re going to have a fair breeze on the top side of Sicily with about 48 hours of 30-plus knots. May be as much as 45 knots. That said it changes every 24 hours, so who knows! Our idea is to be prepared for everything. You can’t win, if you don’t finish and I think there could be a fair amount of those. We’re looking forward to a good race.”

The fifth start was reserved for the two multihulls, Richard Mueller’s Silver Chiller (GER) and Hans Nagel’s High Q1 (GER). Mueller and Nagel are friends from Munich and enjoy the idea of their private duel, as Mueller explains, “we’re on the bigger of the two and we look forward to competing against them. We have to finish ahead to win.” Mueller did the race last year and sees this one as being similar, except in reverse, “last time there was low wind in the first three days and we expect more wind at the beginning this time. We could also get a little bit more at the end after five days.” Generally, though, Mueller is happy, “if you have no wind it is crazy for a sail boat!”

CORAL, Russia,

more images here

As yachts start passing the first transit mark of the racecourse at Capo Passero the early stages overall handicap standings will become clearer. But this is only 55 nautical miles into the race and with 551 still to go, no one will be celebrating at this point.

George David’s Rambler (USA) established the current Course Record of 47 hours 55 minutes and 3 seconds in 2007. In order to better this time, the first yacht needs to be home by approximately 11.00 local time on Monday, 19 October.

69 yachts representing twenty nations started the race.

more here

more shipwrecks here

This post is tagged Alfa Romeo, alinghi, crew.org, Jessica Watson, Rolex Middle Sea Race, waiheke boating club, winged keel