Sir Peter Blake liked to wear his red socks for good luck, and during the America’s Cup Challenge of 1995 New Zealanders supported the boat by putting on their own red socks. This year, we’re bringing them back!
National Red Socks Day will be held during Leadership Week on Friday 2nd July 2010 – to encourage schools, organisations and individuals throughout New Zealand to celebrate leadership in action and to remember a great New Zealand leader, Sir Peter Blake. Take a look at the photos, video and links below for some inspiration, or celebrate in a way that reflects your particular group, vision or values.
Greetings yachties,
In this issue:
SOL – Young 88 round Waiheke Island here
RAYC Summer Prize giving
Melges 32
Amber Sands,
Hugo Boss,
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta,
BlackMatch,
Geoff Holt,
Social Media – Youth Olympic Games,
ISAF Making Waves – latest issue here,
Scuttlebutt Europe – latest issue here,
Scuttlebutt USA – latest issue here,
Sail-World – latest issue here
34th America’s Cup draft Protocol,
Lectronic Latitude – latest issue here – and another issue here
Wooden Boat Show,
Extreme 40′s,
The latest from Abby’s blog here
Enjoy,
more later – got to go sailing and attend sailor of the year dinner 
vote for Jessica here
RAYC Summer Racing Prize Giving
Edwin Delaat – Academy sailor of the year - Edwins facebook here
Porter Continues To Lead Melges 32s In Newport
Newport, R.I., 26 June 2010 – After two days and six races, John Porter on Full Throttle continues to lead the 15-strong Melges 32 fleet in Newport, RI. Kip Meadows on roXanne had a splendid day to finish second overall, six points out of first. Newport local, Michael Dominguez on Bronco performed well once more taking him from fifth to third overall.
Everyone’s expectations for the day was a potential carbon copy of Friday’s extremely light and difficult conditions. But much to everyone’s enjoyment, the sunshine and moderate temps prevailed with the breeze building throughout the day to a pleasant 10-12 knots.
Race one of the day was all Jim Swartz on Q. Port tacking the fleet, at the pin end to take an immediate lead was a key maneuver giving him an almost immediate lead. Swartz rounded the first mark several boat lengths in front of the fleet, followed by Dominguez and Meadows respectively. His biggest competition didn’t arrive until the last mark when he fumbled the set. It was just enough of a snafu to make everyone nervous as it allowed Dominguez to gain a little ground. Swartz was quick to recover and take first, Dominguez was second, Meadows kicked in some speed to take third.
Amber Sand starts Greek odyssey
Friday , June 25, 2010
After three days catching up on repairs and maintenance while an excessive NW blew through, we set sail for the peninsulas of the southern Peloponnese. The NW had left an uncomfortable swell along the west coast but, once past Methoni on the southwest tip, we enjoyed sailing on flatter water with a rising breeze taking us round to Koroni.
Abby update
At approximately 8am on Saturday, June 26 (9pm Friday June 25 Los Angeles) Abby will arrive in Reunion Island where Zac and some of the support team are waiting. International media will be there to greet her and she will do a short press conference on arrival.
We’ve spoken to her briefly over the past week and she is looking forward to seeing everyone again. She is looking forward to blogging again
SAINT-DENIS, Reunion—Sixteen-year-old Californian sailor Abby Sunderland has been reunited with her brother, after her solo around-the-world journey ended when her boat fell apart in an southern Ocean storm.
Abby Sunderland says she’s “really disappointed that things didin’t go as planned.”
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta is an annual event organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and Boat International Media. It opens the Mediterranean Superyacht calendar in early June and attracts some of the world’s most magnificent sailing yachts. It is hosted by the exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, located in the enchanting village of Porto Cervo, the jewel of the northern coast of Sardinia. The race programme includes four days of competitive racing and a vibrant social programme.
Greetings from BlackMatch,
A dramatic turn of events today saw BlackMatch just scrape into the quarterfinals, before knocking the current World Tour leader Mathieu Richard out of the regatta, with a 3-1 victory that set us up with a spot in the final four.
With three remaining matches in the round robin today and the unenviable task of scoring at least 2 wins. We lost out to Torvar Mirsky but won our other matches against Richard and Bjorn Hansen, to snatch the last remaining quarterfinal berth.
Although we had been showing mixed form throughout the week, the top qualifiers did not choose to race us and we were left to take on Mathieu in the quarterfinals. We raced out to a 2 nil lead after two very strong races that saw us totally dominating the French team, however in the fading light and breeze they fought back to take the next race convincingly.
It was after this loss that we had a boat swap and the fun began. With the race committee severely pushed for time (as it was 8pm and the sun was setting), we were certain that they would call the series at 2-1. However this was not to be and they pushed on for a third match, not only this but the French team had lodged a protest against for our previous races.
The accusation was that we had reversed our jib cars in order to get a better sheeting angle and therefore we were not sailing the boat how it was presented to us. The protest seemed ambiguous and perhaps clutching at straws but there was definitely a high level of tension on the water. By the time the next race got underway the sun was setting and it was clear that if the French managed to level the scores at 2 all, there would not be enough time for a decider and the results would go back to the round robin, this was not good news for us.
In the deciding race Mathieu absolutely nailed the start and we trailed off the line, the best we could do was try and limit the damage to keep in touch around the course. Approaching the final top mark in the dying evening sea-breeze, we trailed by 4 boat lengths and with a last roll of the dice we gybeset into what we thought was better pressure. The gamble paid off and by the finish line we were neck and neck. It wasn’t until the last gybe into the finish that we had clawed back a lead and managed to take a last gasp victory that sent us through to the semifinal.
World Match Racing Tour Quarter Final Pairings are now announced as:
Manuel Weiller v Torvar Mirsky,
Magnus Holmberg v Peter Gilmour,
Ian Williams v Francesco Bruni,
Adam Minoprio v Mathieu Richard,
Greetings From BlackMatch in Portugal,
Following a long day off the water waiting for the evening seabreeze to roll in, BlackMatch were only involved in one race and managed to take a win over the Russian Synergy Team, maintaining our unbeaten record here in Portugal.
We are currently at the top of the table and with the event now pushed for time, an added incentive for holding on to the top position is the fact that the top qualifier will proceed directly to the semi final, while only 6 other teams left to fight it out in a shortenened quarterfinal.
Day Two Portimão Portugal Match Cup Race Report
Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Team races at Day 2 -
Portimão, Portugal – 24 June, 2010 – Day Two at Portimão brought yet more sun and an afternoon wind stabilising later than yesterday, which again swung right into position from the West and generated some waves for the sea sailors amongst the fleet. The race course has changed the fortunes of some of the top runners with surprising scenarios playing out. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team lost 2 matches in a row and now sits at 3-2, with Francesco Bruni (ITA) also finishing on 3-2 having been beaten by Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge with Bruni having a half point deducted after a collision that resulted in damage. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, the youngest Tour seeds, sit in the most comfortable positions at 4-1 and 4-0 respectively. Minoprio is still the only unbeaten skipper in Stage 4’s Round Robin.
Please help my daughter with your vote
My thing is Performance Violin
I am going to achieve my master’s degree in violin performance at the Vienna Conservatoire of Music and establish myself as a great chamber musician.
I have been learning the violin since the age of 3 and from a very young age have had a passion for chamber music. By the age of 14 I had achieved all my Royal Schools grade examinations with distinction and my DipABRSM. Throughout my high school years I regularly participated in the Secondary Schools Chamber Music Contest, winning in 2004. I have recently graduated with a BMus from the New Zealand School of Music and am currently completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Music.
My goal is to continue my studies in Europe because I want to take advantage of the incredible history and culture Europe has to offer for the arts. I believe that I am ready to make the most of being surrounded and totally inspired by new places, teachers, and opportunities. I believe that this step is essential for me to make my dream of becoming a great chamber musician, become a reality.
I am incredibly determined to make this venture in my career happen. I have already formed a String Quartet with fellow students at my university. We have been finalists in an international competition and toured New Zealand, including a concert in Auckland in association with Chamber Music New Zealand. I am also a casual violinist in the Vector Wellington Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
I’m pleased to say that the BBC News channel which is viewable worldwide, will this weekend be showing a 30 minute documentary of my Atlantic crossing – Digby has done a fantastic job, I’ve seen it and it’s a great piece of work. The times given are in BST (GMT +1 hr). It is being shown several times so hopefully it fill fit with your time zone. You might have to copy and paste this link into your browser; www.bbc.co.uk The new website should go live tomorrow. Happy viewing.
Best regards,
Geoff Holt
Social Media Connects The World To The Youth Olympic Games
©IOC
Youth Olympic Games, Singapore
In an effort to spread the word about the inaugural Youth Olympic Games this August in Singapore, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has launched a comprehensive social media campaign.
The online presence of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) can be felt across numerous platforms, including Facebook, where the YOG’s official page has become the place to go to receive up-to-date information on the Games and interact with other fans of the Games for 14 to 18 year-olds.
Visitors to the site can also take part in exciting contests aimed at boosting awareness of the Youth Olympic Games and giving back to the public. One currently under way invites people to create slogans for the Youth Olympic Games, with a winning entry selected each week. Winners receive one-of-a-kind Olympic T-shirts featuring their slogans. The public can also get a taste of the action by playing a Facebook Youth Olympic Games video game, or share their real-life experiences of the Games by posting photos on the page. Owners of some of the best photos will win Youth Olympic Games memorabilia.
Photo: Gareth Cooke
Greetings From BlackMatch in Portugal,
Following a disappointing 7th placing in Korea a fortnight ago, BlackMatch were back to winning form today, gaining 3 wins from 3 races in a perfect start to the Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. Our wins came against veteran Peter Gilmour and his Yanmar Racing Team, Betrand Pace with his Aleph Sailing team and local talent Alvaro Marinho.
Portimao is new venue for the Portuguese leg of the World Match Racing Tour and it is an absolutely stunning location to have a sailing event. With sailing being held off the beautiful Rocha Beach in perfect sea-breeze conditions, this week promises plenty of exciting action.
In a hard fought match against the Australian skipper Gilmour, we traded tacks in a fierce tacking duel up the first beat. Nearing the top of the course we had ground out a narrow advantage to lead into the top mark on the starboard layline. The Yanmar Team were hot on our heals directly behind when Adam did a great job of locking them out. ‘Gillie’ then went for the swing behind our stern but misjudged it horribly and there was big contact. This collision not only forced a penalty on them but after we held on to take the victory they were also ‘docked’ half a point, due to extensive damage caused by the incident.
The round robin action will continue tomorrow and we are hoping to continue with the early form we have shown.
34th America’s Cup draft Protocol presented to teams
In a joint initiative by the defender, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club and the Challenger of Record, Italy’s Club Nautico di Roma, a draft of the Protocol rules for the 34th America’s Cup was sent to the challenging teams today.
Foremost amongst numerous innovations is a forward-thinking structure that allows funds and assets to transfer from one America’s Cup to the next.
The draft is a ‘listening and living’ document. Teams have been invited to comment and, contribute to its final form.
This follows an already unprecedented level of cooperation with the Challenger of Record and a dialogue with potential teams. It offers another chance for input before the Protocol is finalized and published by the target date of 31st August 2010.
“This has been a painstaking process, but we believe it sets out a New Deal for the America’s Cup and fair play for all teams. It also incorporates the vision of the Cup held by Larry Ellison and BMW ORACLE Racing,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing.
“To create a fair playing field we plan to issue all of the event rules before the end of the year, and this is a significant first step in that direction,” Coutts said. “Teams will know exactly what they are signing-up to.”
Potential teams asked for these key elements to be included the 34th America’s Cup Protocol and they have been:
• neutral race management body
• wide-ranging powers for the Jury
• cost cutting measures
• initiative to transform television & media output
• added-value to sponsors & business partners
• sustainable, long-term business model
Building on the initiative by the World Sailing Team’s Association, a maximum of eight pre-regattas per year is planned for consistent racing and exposure for the teams in the years leading up to the America’s Cup.
The Protocol will rein-in costs by reducing the number of racing crew, introducing no-sailing periods and limiting the numbers of hulls, masts, appendages and sails teams can build.
At the end of the 34th Match, the New Deal leaves an inheritance of substantial funding and assets to the next Defender in a move to end the stop-start cycle teams have faced previously. This sustainable legacy is dependent of the 35th America’s Cup defender continuing with neutral race management and a schedule of regular competition.
In keeping with GGYC’s pledge of fair-play for all, among the many measures which will achieve this is a commitment that GGYC’s defender will not will not compete in the final Challenger Selection Series but that there will be defense trials if there is more than one viable US team.
Television and media output have been prioritized in the draft Protocol to deliver more pictures, more audio and more data than ever before to audiences for an immersive experience, either through television or online broadcast.
Progress on a new, exciting and physically-demanding class of America’s Cup yacht, again with a dialogue with stakeholders fundamental to the process, is moving strongly ahead.
Key dates (as announced at the joint Defender & Challenger of Record Press Conference on 6th May 2010):
• Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup will be issued by 31st August
• Design rule released by 30th September
• Race rules published by 30th December
• Challenge Period open from 1st October – 31st January 2011
Plan to join us at Mystic Seaport for the 19th Annual WoodenBoat Show, June 25-27, 2010.
Top Ten Reasons to Attend
The WoodenBoat Show
This Weekend:
1) VIEW more than 50 new owner-built boats on the Village Green in “I Built it Myself” sponsored by Interlux, plus more than 50 additional boats at the docks;
2) ENCOURAGE all the families building their first boat together in Family BoatBuilding;
3) BUILD a toy boat with your child or grandchild;
4) BUY the boat of your dreams;
5) CLIMB aboard the Charles W. Morgan;
6) LEARN to plank, spile, cast in bronze, build a spar, understand boat lines;
7) VOTE for your favorite boat with “People’s Choice”, sponsored by Heritage Marine;
RIDE the free water shuttle to see all the great boats from the water;
9) CHEER on the “Cocktail Class” Skuas as they race in the Mystic River;
10) SHARE your passion with other wooden boat enthusiasts!
Extreme 40s on TV
The first Extreme Sailing Series programme of 2010 will be airing throughout Europe this weekend, 26 and 27 June.
One event down, four to go until the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series champions will be crowned in Almería, Andalucía, Spain, but for those that didn’t manage to join the crowds in their thousands in Sète, France for the opening event of the 2010 circuit, they can watch all the action on Bloomberg TV across Europe this weekend, and on Dahlia Sport in Italy.
At 1530 (local) on 26 June (repeated at same time on 27 June) across Europe including UK, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, Bloomberg TV will broadcast the first of five programmes about the 2010 circuit. Dahlia Sport in Italy will broadcast at 1925 (local) on 26 June, repeated on 30 June at 2230.
The programme features all the on-water action which saw Yann Guichard’s Groupe Edmond de Rothschild win the opening event in definite style with one race to spare. A behind the scenes look at the two teams from Oman Sail reveals that despite being the closest of rivals on the water, they share tactics and experience in joint-coaching sessions off the water and how the removal of multihulls from the Olympics has benefitted Mike Golding’s Ecover Sailing Team.
This post is tagged 34th America’s Cup draft Protocol, Abby Sunderland, Adam Minoprio v Mathieu Richard, Amber Sands, blackmatch, Extreme 40's, geoff holt, hugo boss, Ian Williams v Francesco Bruni, ISAF- Making Waves, Lectronic Latitude, Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta, Magnus Holmberg v Peter Gilmour, Manuel Weiller v Torvar Mirsky, melges 32, Red Socks Day, scuttlebutt europe, Scuttlebutt USA, Sir Peter Blake Trust, Social Media, Wooden Boat Show, Youth Olympic Games
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