Greetings yachties,
BMWOracle – back in the water,
Match Race Rankings – 28 October 2009,
BlackMatch,
blocksailTV – Rant,
The Wendy’s Great New Zealand Santa Run,
2009 Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Multisport Event
The Australian Sports Boat Association,
Russell Coutts speaks out,
Abby Sunderland – Buys an Open 40,
Alinghi – continue training & local reaction,
Don McIntyre,
Jessica Watson – Life at Sea,
Enjoy,
Match Race Rankings – 28 October 2009
ISAF World Match Race Rankings
New Zealand’s Adam Minoprio and French skipper Claire Leroy are again unmoved from the top spots in the latest release of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings on 28 October.
The top three skippers in the Open World Rankings remain unchanged, with Adam Minoprio (NZL) holding onto the world #1 spot for the third consecutive Ranking release. Australia’s Torvar Mirsky (AUS) stays at #2, ahead of Mathieu Richard (FRA) at #3. Reigning World Champion Ian Williams (GBR) returns to the world top five as he climbs two places to #4, with ISAF Nations Cup winner Damien Iehl (FRA) unmoved at #5.
more Melges 24 Class Association video here
RUN SANTA RUN!
By The PR Shop
The Wendy’s Great New Zealand Santa Run is calling all active Santas to participate in a 3km fun run taking place on 9th December at 6.30pm in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.
A $30 registration fee not only buys your entry into this fantastic nationwide event, but it also secures you a full five-piece Santa suit for racing (for the first 1,100 registrations) and $15 goes directly to Cure Kids, the official charity partner of the race.
Through its commitment to researching life-threatening illnesses affecting children, Cure Kids turns research into hope. Founded over 30 years ago, Cure Kids relies on donations from events such as this to continue its groundbreaking work, which has helped save hundreds of young lives.
The circuits, at central locations in all of the cities involved, can be run, walked or cantered (should you choose to arrive as a reindeer), making it an ideal activity for all ages and fitness levels. Last year over 250 Santas and Christmas-themed runners took to Auckland’s Viaduct for the inaugural race. This is the first year the race will be held across the country and the challenge is to create an Australasian record for the most Santas in a race.
Last chance to be part of Multisport Magic at Lake Waikaremoana!
By Lake to Lighthouse
WAIROA
Don’t delay! This Saturday 31st October is the final day to enter the 2009 Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Multisport event.
Taking place on 20th and 21st November this spectacular Multisport event starts at Lake Waikaremoana in the Urewera National Park. Competitors then traverse 185 km over two days; covering stunning native bush tracks, back country gravel roads, farmland and rivers. Teams and individuals cover the same course by foot, mountain bike and kayak, finishing at the coastal town of Wairoa.
Despite being labeled one of the toughest 2-day Multisport events in the country – the number of individual competitors have increased from last year, testament to the superb inaugural event and the overwhelming feedback from competitors, it really is a great New Zealand Multisport experience. Event Director, Chris Joblin elaborates,
“Judging from the feedback we are getting from the 2009 entrants, the event has really stood out to competitors for the overall social and cultural experience as much as the challenging course. I believe people have also recognised the value for their entry, with three evenings of buffet dinners and entertainment, massages, camping facilities, water taxis and serious prize-money available. A robust sporting structure delivered by more than 150 enthusiastic volunteers each day adds to the spirit of camaraderie that was so evident last year.”
The $39,000 in prize money will be hotly contested and has attracted a few big names in the sport, including defending champion – Richard Ussher. George Christison, Marcel Hagener and Cam Durno are expected to battle it up front with Ussher. However line honors will also be hotly contested with experienced Multisport athletes – Gordon Walker and Dwarne Farley combining as a two-man team.
Elina Ussher will be back to defend her title as well and will be joined by adventure racing athlete, Sia Svendsen (Denmark) and Head to Head Multisport race winner, Louise Mark.
Whether you are considering an individual or team entry (team entries are accepted as 2, 3 or 4 person teams) get online and enter! We will see you at Lake Waikaremoana for two days of Multisport magic!
The Australian Sports Boat Association (ASBA) in conjunction its major sponsor Meridien Marinas is holding the inaugural ASBA Qld State Sports Boat titles at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (RQYS) on the weekend of the 5-6 December 2009.
It’s been three years since the ASBA was formed and the Sports Boat Measurement System (SMS) was first introduced nationally. Around the country there is now over 85 SMS’d boats racing under the ASBA banner and over 30 of these are based in Queensland. The SMS system is the first ever measured handicap system for trailerable boats and is generating huge interest and most importantly close results in a fleet of boats that varies in size from 6 to 8.5 metres.
A fleet of close to 30 boats is expected to line up for the 5 race series. The winner of the 2009 ASBA National Titles in Geelong, Heath Walters from Sydney, is making the trip to Qld along with the 5 time National Champion Chris Williams, also from Sydney, to give the event a State of Origin edge.
The winning crew from the 2009 Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week, have also chartered a local boat and will fly in for the regatta from Geelong. Skipper, Cam Rae and his crew, are aiming to fly under the radar and snatch the series for Victoria but most think to also find some warm weather.
The Qld fleet has had some great racing over the last 12 mths and is well prepared to ensure the winner’s SLAM jacket stays in Qld. The Gold Coast contingent of the 8mtr Vivace (Ben Leigh-Smith) and the 6mtr Evolution Sails (Graham Sherring) should be at the pointy end of the SMS results despite the boats being radically different in size and performance.
RQYS boats Raptor (Mark Buchbach), Business Time (Nick Moriarty) and Alien Biopsy (Andrew Turner) have shown some great form lately as well and are expected to stake a claim for the title.
Russell Coutts speaks out
Skipper and CEO of Golden Gate Yacht Club’s team BMW Oracle Racing, Russell Coutts, has released a statement regarding the venue for the 33rd America’s Cup.
On Wednesday, 28 October, in San Diego, CA, Coutts issued the following statement:
Valencia is the best option to get the America’s Cup back on track as soon as possible. This is what sailing fans from around the world are waiting for.
Both BMW Oracle Racing and Alinghi still have bases in the Port America’s Cup. The infrastructure created to the specification of the Swiss defender is in place, available and ready to recreate the atmosphere of the previous America’s Cup in 2007.
Last week Cristobal Grau, Director of Sport for Valencia City, said it would only take a few weeks to have Valencia back in action. Today (28 October) the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, said her city would welcome the Cup back with open arms.
In her ruling at the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday, (27 October) Justice Shirley Kornreich confirmed the primacy of the governing Deed of Gift document for the America’s Cup. This means that Société Nautique de Geneve (SNG) must choose a Deed-compliant location. Although Valencia is in the northern hemisphere, it is possible to hold the 33rd Match there in February because both SNG and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) had agreed to it by mutual consent.
Were SNG to propose a location in the southern hemisphere instead of Valencia, we ask the defender to name it as soon as possible so that we have the maximum opportunity to make an informed assessment. We say this noting that nearly three months of the court-ordered six month minimum notice period for the venue has gone already.
We again confirm our willingness to sit down immediately with SNG/Alinghi for talks to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the 33rd America’s Cup.
Wild Eyes
I finally get to write a blog with some really exciting news! We bought Wild Eyes, the Open 40 in Rhode Island, yesterday!! My dad, Zac and I will be flying out to Rhode Island tomorrow to sail her to Fort Lauderdale. It should be a pretty fun sail and hopefully we’ll get some good weather. Its only a 6 to 7 day trip and then we have some work to do on the boat while in Fort Lauderdale.
Alinghi continues with its training plan towards the 33rd America’s Cup scheduled for February next year and will continue its development throughout the coming weeks.
The crew sailed the Defender’s giant catamaran, Alinghi 5, off the dock this morning in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, in a 5-10 knot northwesterly.
New York Court America’s Cup Decision takes the Wind out of UAE Sails
The people of the UAE are waking up to learn that a New York court has rejected Alinghi’s proposal that Ras Al Khaimah be the venue for the sailing of the 33rd America’s Cup in February 2010.
The airwaves and Internet today are being bombarded with headlines that RAK has been robbed and the America’s Cup competition is on the rack.
There has been a substantial monetary investment in the AC facilities at the Al Hamra harbour but the loss of face contributes greater disappointment as does the loss of an opportunity to host a big event and showcase the Emirates to the world. Arab hospitality has been lauded for centuries but this decision in a New York court kicks sand into the face of those preparing to welcome the world into the Emirati tent.
Statement from the Golden Gate Yacht Club:
We’re pleased with the court’s decision today that Alinghi’s choice of the venue for the 33rd America’s Cup was not allowed under the Deed of Gift.
We look forward to Justice Kornreich’s decision later this week regarding two additional issues.
Statement from Société Nautique de Genève:
The New York Supreme Court today ruled that the 33rd America’s Cup, scheduled in February 2010, must take place in a venue in the Southern Hemisphere as per the strict reading of the competition’s governing document, the Deed of Gift, or in Valencia, Spain, as the only exception to that rule.
“This is a disappointing result as we were certain that Justice Cahn’s May 2008 decision allowed the Defender to chose Valencia or ‘any other location’,” said Lucien Masmejan, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) legal counsel. “Ras Al Khaimah has put enormous time and effort into this 33rd America’s Cup project. We thank them and feel sorry for this unexpected result out of the New York court”.
McIntyre clan reunion on Skye
Don McIntyre seen here with Mike Perham
Don McIntyre, the Australian adventurer and solo round the world sailor is to host a reunion of fellow McIntyre/Mcaintyre clan members on Skye over the weekend 14-15th November.
“I would like to share a few drams with any of my namesakes who also have links with the Hebridean Island, and trace as many direct family members as I can across Scotland.” says Don, whose grandparents, Thomas and Mary McIntyre emigrated to Australia shortly after their marriage at Larbert, Stirling on June 28th 1901.
Next April, Don McIntyre is to lead a 4,000 mile expedition in an open boat across the Pacific to re-enact the voyage by Capt William Bligh following the mutiny on HMS Bounty 220 years ago. Those who can attend this McIntyre Reunion, will have the opportunity to talk to Don about his Bounty Boat Expedition, see the boat that that he and his crew will be sailing – and have the opportunity to sail in her!
Jessica on ONE HD Tonight!
Check out ONE’s ‘Thursday Night Live’ sports show TONIGHT to catch up on all the latest news about Jessica’s journey and hear from the girl herself. Tune in from 7.30pm.
ONE HD is Network Ten Australia’s 24 hour sports channel which can be located on Channel 1 on digital TV sets. It can also be found on Channel 531 for cable subscribers.
life at sea
Jessica Watson yachtyakka thread
This post is tagged Abby Sunderland, alinghi, Blackmatch Racing, Blocksail, Don McIntyre, Genesis Energy, Jessica Watson, Lake to Lighthouse Challenge, russell coutts, sailinganarchy, Santa Run, The Australian Sports Boat Association
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