Friday 2 July 2010

Full Throttle Up in Newport

by Joy Dunigan

John Porter on Full Throttle and team comprised of tactician Jonathan McKee, Andy Burdick, Fritz Lanzinger, sons Corbet and Vincent Porter along with Kelly McKenna and Matthew Woodsworth are 2010 Layline Oakcliff Northeast Regatta Champions. Porter finished the event a solid six points ahead of heavy opposition. Long-time Melges 32 owner Kip Meadows on roXanne with Andy Horton on tactics really came on strong Saturday to complete the regatta in second.

Enough can’t be said about the incredible progress made by third place finisher, Newport’s own Michael Dominguez on Bronco with experienced tactician Anthony Kotoun.
As mentioned in the preview release, Dominguez officially, yet apprehensively entered the fleet in December ’09 at the Gold Cup. He knew the competition was stiff. Over the last seven months, tremendous strides have been made by this very competitive team. A fourth place finish at the East Coast Championship showed that they are growing fast. "It's all starting to come together," was a frequent comment heard from several of Dominguez’s crew over the course of the weekend.

Last evening, the Melges Rocks party took place with the fleets jamming into the late evening hours at Riptide to the sounds of Chelley of the Ravers, free beer and great camaraderie! Special thanks to Melges USA for bringing this amazing party to Newport!

Heavy fog and no breeze kicked off Sunday, the final day of racing. The fleet went into immediate postponement for more than an hour with hopes that it would burn off quickly and racing could resume. PRO Tom Duggan was optimistic early on, however around 1p.m. racing was abandoned due to the uncooperative conditions.

An event such as Northeast Regatta never happens without the unwavering dedication and input from many individuals, excellent host sailing club volunteers and countless hours of organizing. The International Melges 32 Class (IM32CA) would specifically like to recognize the hard work and passion of U.S. Melges 24 NE District Governor Cary Siegler, Regatta Co-Chair J.C. Raby and, especially Anthony Kotoun for all their efforts. Most especially to Kim Cooper at Sail Newport and awesome PRO Tom Duggan and committee for the incredible race management.

Top Five Results (FINAL)
1.) John Porter/Jonathan Mckee, Full Throttle; 1-3-4-6-1-[10] = 15
2.) Kip Meadows/Andy Horton, roXanne; 4-5-[10]-3-2-7 = 21
3.) Michael Dominguez/Anthony Kotoun, Bronco; 3-7-7-2-7-[14] = 26
4.) Jim Swartz/Gavin Brady, Q; 10-1-6-1-9-[11] = 27
5.) Jeff Ecklund/Bill Hardesty, STAR; 8-9-[14]-5-3-2 = 27

Melges 32

Extreme 40s: Veolia Environnement Announces Participation in Extreme Sailing Series at Cowes Week


Roland Jourdain, skipper of Veolia Environnement. Image copyright B.Stichelbaut/ Veolia Environnement.

by Emily Caroe

Round the World sailing legend Roland Jourdain has thrown his hat into the ring and will be entering his Extreme 40, Veolia Environnement, into the Extreme Sailing Series at Cowes Week this year, bringing the fleet to nine in total. One of the World's very best ocean racing skippers, Jourdain is a two-times IMOCA World Champion and has won the Transat Jacques Vabre twice as well as the infamous Route du Rhum.

Swapping long-haul ocean racing for the short racecourses the circuit has become renowned for will certainly challenge the skipper from Quimper, France, who for the past 15 years has been focussing on long-course monohull racing since being crowned Formula 40 World Champion in 1989, the catamaran made famous in the Hollywood movie, The Thomas Crowne Affair.

Jourdain commented, "Our participation in Cowes Week in August is an excellent occasion for us to be up against the big champions from all countries. I hardly sailed multihulls for the past ten years so it will be a tough task, but it will be a pleasure to be on the Formula 40s of the third millennium."

Joining Jourdain will be experienced Extreme 40 sailor Jean-Christophe Mourniac, former French National Match Racing Champion Philippe Legros and America's Cup veteran and experienced match racer, Christophe André, who raced in 2009 in both the Kiel and Amsterdam Extreme 40 events with LUNA.


Other French sailors in the Extreme 40s: Franck Cammas (Groupama) and Yann Guichard (Groupe Edmond de Rothschild), with ECOVER passing behind. Image copyright Anne Hinton - all rights reserved.

Jourdain will be up against some of the biggest names in multihull sailing. Three French compatriots will be on the start line on 31 July. Loïck Peyron, helming defending Champions Oman Sail Masirah, Franck Cammas, onboard Groupama 40 and Yann Guichard, winner of the first event in Sète at the end of May 2010 with Groupe Edmond de Rothschild.

The nine-strong line up will include Jourdain's old sparring rival Mike Golding, another veteran Vendee Globe skipper, with Ecover Sailing Team and double Olympic Gold Medallist Roman Hagara onboard Red Bull extreme Sailing.

The Extreme Sailing Series at Cowes Week will see more racing than ever before with six days of action right off the shorefront at Egypt Point every afternoon. For the first three days racing will be from 3pm and for the final three days the shore side entertainment will start from 4pm to ensure as many competitors taking part in Cowes Week will be able to enjoy the action.

As part of the Extreme Sailing Series' initiative to engage with the wider community, Veolia Environnement will be supporting the charity Plan France, the French arm of Plan International, one of the oldest and largest children's development organisations in the world, founded over 70 years ago. Plan works in 48 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan works with more than 3,500,000 families and their communities each year and is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations. Plan's vision is of a world in which all children realise their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity.

2010 Extreme Sailing Series at Cowes Week Schedule

Friday 30 July
1pm - Media Day, Press Conference
2.30pm - Informal racing, first start off Royal Yacht Squadron

Saturday 31 July - Monday 2 August
10am - Start long-distance race off Royal Yacht Squadron
3pm - Afternoon, short course racing off Egypt Point
End of Racing - Daily prizegiving

Tuesday 3 August - Thursday 5 August
10am - Start long-distance race off Royal Yacht Squadron (no race Tues 3 Aug)
4pm - Entertainment begins
5pm - Afternoon, short course racing off Egypt Point
6.30pm - End of event prizegiving

Extreme Sailing Series Europe

Thursday 1 July 2010

WMRT: BlackMatch Finish credible 3rd at Portimao Portugal Match Cup


Adam Minoprio leads Peter Gilmour during their semi final at Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

by David Swete

After a roller coaster week of 'ups and downs', BlackMatch managed to put a horrible semi final series defeat behind them to take down Ian Williams in the petit final and clinch 3rd position at the Portimao Portugal Match Cup.

The Australian teams skippered by Torvar Mirsky and Peter Gilmour had been showing great form throughout the week and won their semi finals convincingly 3 nil, over us and Williams. In our semi final against veteran Gilmour we definitely had our chances, but just couldn't captilize on them as his Yanmar racing team sailed very smartly to take the win.

After Williams also lost his semi final 3 nil to Torvar Mirsky, both teams were pretty demoralized, but it was us that managed to pull it together in the one race petit final to edge out the British team in a fierce race.

Our third place here means we are still in second position on the overall World Tour Standings and have narrowed the gap to trail Mathieu Richard by 17 points. We now have a week off before Match Cup Sweden and are looking for a good showing here.

BlackMatch would like to thank their sponsors FedEx Express and Events Clothing/Line 7 New Zealand. We would also like to thank our new sponsor Steinlager Pure and Emirates Team New Zealand, as without their support we would not have this opportunity.

BlackMatch Racing
World Match Racing Tour

WMRT: YANMAR Racing Win Portimao Portugal Match Cup

by Rob Kothe

A great result on finals day for Australia's Peter Gilmour and his YANMAR Racing crew - mainsheet-tactician Cameron Dunn, trimmer Thierry Douillard, pitman Yasuhiro Yaji and bowman Kazuhiko Sofuku.

The first match of the semi finals for YANMAR Racing Team's Peter Gilmour was against the reigning world champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing.

YANMAR Racing won the start comfortably, controlled the race and was never headed. In the second race another starting win on the pin end. Minoprio was penalised at the windward mark. He worked that off but then picked up another penalty. It was close at the finish but Gilmour won. Race 3 was another pin end start for Gilmour. YANMAR Racing gained strongly on the left and won by almost half a leg.

With Torvar Mirsky (Mirsky Racing Team) beating Ian Williams (Team GAC Pindar) 3 - 0 in the semi finals the stage was set for an all Australian, all West Australian, all Perth final.

In the first race of the final, Gilmour once more started on the pin and headed left, but this time it did not work. Mirsky was bounced away to the right, found a big shift, rounded the top mark and controlled the race to win.

In the second race Gilmour came in from the favoured starboard entry. A great start from Gilmour, perfect timing at the pin. Gilmour made a good six lengths gain on the left hand side and ran away with the race. It was Mirsky 1 - Gilmour 1 and as it was a first to two final, the third race would decide the title.

The breeze was still about six to eight knots and south-easterly as the two boats went into the starting box. Mirsky had the starboard entry, he led out of the dial-up. Gilmour chased and pinned his apprentice to windward.

It was a great reversal from Gilmour out of the port entry and YANMAR Racing again started on the pin and headed left. YANMAR Racing found a shift and went on from there to win by eight lengths.

YANMAR Racing are the new Portugal Match Race Champions. Mirsky Racing Team, the 2009 defending champions finished second, with Adam Minoprio's ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing third and Ian Williams' Team GAC Pindar fourth.

Dockside there were lots of smiles from the Men in White.

Thierry Douillard. 'A very satisfying day. More fun that the football for this Frenchman.

'We enjoy racing together; Fuku, Yaji, Cameron, myself and Peter. We had some challenges today, just a few minutes before the start of the second race the port mainsheet winch jammed, we had to use the port pit winch but we had a good race regardless and we went on to win.

'Peter was very accurate on the starts, with Cameron and Fuku.

'We were more than the Perth Championship winners today. Our results overall came from a lot of small things - technique, timing - we were in the zone.'

Yasuhiro Yaji. 'Today was a very nice day. First 3-0 against Adam Minoprio and that came from good teamwork, everyone was concentrating very hard.

'Then in the final good crew work again, we were working on taking the pin end. YANMAR Racing sailed hard today and we achieved the results.

Cameron Dunn. 'We've had a very strong last two days. Yesterday we struggled on the start line but sailed very well around the course to win our quarter final. Today we nailed the starts. It was pretty much 'a must win left' all day and Gilly did a great job winning the left five times out of six.

Smiling Peter Gilmour summed up. 'This season YANMAR Racing has been steadily building up; we did not have a good start in the first two events but we have not lost focus and we have been tenacious.'

'The racing was very technical today, in terms of position and strategic discussion and we did that really well.

'The left hand side of the course was favoured. Because we had the second semi final Torvar (Mirsky) never saw us start.

'At lunchtime when we knew we would be racing Torvar in the final, I was thinking it was a 'win win' no matter the finals result, with Torvar going so well on the Tour in the last few seasons.

'We have encouraged him from the beginning of his career, before the Warren Jones wins set him on his way.

'We are looking forward to Sweden; we will have this same crew and have a good record there!'

Day 5 - Overall Standings

1 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 25 Points
2 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 20 Points
3 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 15 Points
4 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 12 Points
5 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 10 Points
6 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 8 Points
7 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6 Points
8 Manuel Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola 4 Points
9 Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
10 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team
11 Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team
12 Eugeny Neugodnikov (RUS) Team Synergy

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Event 4 of 10)

1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 71 Points
2 Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
3 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 48 Points
4 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
5 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 42 Points
6 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 33 Points
7 Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 20 Points
8 Jesper Radich (SWE) Radich Racing Team 20 Points
9 Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points
10 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 15 Points

YANMAR Racing
World Match Racing Tour

Wednesday 30 June 2010

WMRT: Two Australians in Final in Portugal: Gilmour vs Mirsky



New Zealanders on all three steps of the podium in Portimao Portugal Match Cup: Cameron Dunn in Gilmour's team (1st), Kinley Fowler in Mirsky's team (2nd) and BlackMatch Racing (3rd)


Peter Gilmour and his YANMAR Racing team after winning Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

by Cailah Leask

Finals day for Stage 4 of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour produced an all Australian final with Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team yet again taking on the icon of match racing, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing. The ‘Perth Prodigy’, 24 year old Mirsky, did not defend his Portugal Match Cup title from last year as the Master, Gilmour, taught his Apprentice a few new lessons and stepped into the spotlight as the 2010 Portimão Portugal Match Cup Champion.

A glowing Gilmour was almost lost for words, “It was all about the starts out there, we managed to win the last two starts giving us a good lead on both finals races”.


Peter Gilmour splits tacks with Adam Minoprio during their semi final at Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

The Semi Finals greeted eager teams with an oscillating 8 – 10 knot wind, conditions suited Mirsky who slam dunked Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 3-0 and Gilmour grasped the glory from current ISAF Match Racing World Champion, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, also gliding through on 3-0. Minoprio then went on to take 3rd overall much to the disappointment of Williams.

As the Fremantle Doctor style breeze blew in for finals frenzy, the racers, both skippers originally from Perth, felt a nostalgia for home and with a ‘first to 2 point final’ the pressure was instantaneous. The wind then moderated and returned to the testing Mediterranean style shifts commonly experienced on this year’s Tour. This kept both Gilmour and Mirsky on their toes to the bitter end with Gilmour winning the deciding 3rd match from a port entry.

Mirsky was humorous at the relaxed dance floor prize giving chatting to the crowd, “They showed us how to do it we learnt a lot about our starts today and my team are stoked, this is the best result so far on the Tour this year”.


Peter Gilmour and Torvar Mirsky shake hands after the finals of the Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

There is now a mixture of movements in the overall World Match Racing Tour 2010 standings. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team before Portimão sat on high with 65 points, a supreme 26 points in front of his nearest rival Minoprio.

Richard was then ironically knocked out at the Quarter Final stage yesterday in an unexpected last minute lunge to the line by Minoprio. Minoprio closes the gap slightly on Richard, as the Kiwi now has 54 points, while Mirsky moves into 3rd with 48 points overall. Gilmour shoots up from 8th to 4th with 43 points, closely followed by Williams who finishes on 42 points.

As the morning light dawns tomorrow in Perth, Australia ‘the City of Lights’ the locals will wake up to two of their highly prized match race fraternity in the World’s spotlight having pushed past some of the most respected international sailors, who now have to bow to the power of Australia as a sporting nation.


Peter Gilmour leads Torvar Mirsky in the finals of Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

The sand of Rocha Beach will continue shaking into the night under the control of thumping tunes spun by a zebra clad DJ and the skippers will no doubt be ready to enjoy the short interlude between Stage 4 and 5. The Tour now turns its focus to Stena Match Cup Sweden starting in 8 days on July 5th.


Peter Gilmour and his YANMAR Racing team after winning Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Mirsky finished off by saying, “Sweden is our home from home as I currently live there and the team join me to train. It will be an awesome event and we are really looking forward to being in Marstrand for Stena Match Cup Sweden.”


Champagne spraying after the finals of the Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 27 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Day 5 - Overall Standings

1 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 25 Points
2 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 20 Points
3 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 15 Points
4 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 12 Points
5 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 10 Points
6 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 8 Points
7 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6 Points
8 Manuel Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola 4 Points
9 Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
10 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team
11 Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team
12 Eugeny Neugodnikov (RUS) Team Synergy

2010 ISAF World Match Racing Tour Standings
(After Event 4 of 10)

1 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 71 Points
2 Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing 54 Points
3 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 48 Points
4 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 43 Points
5 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 42 Points
6 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 33 Points
7 Ben Ainslie (GBR) TEAMORIGIN 20 Points
- Jesper Radich (SWE) Radich Racing Team 20 Points
9 Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Italia 16 Points
10 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Gill Global Team 15 Points

Portimao Portugal Match Cup
World Match Racing Tour

Monday 28 June 2010

Tour de France à la Voile: The science of the current



* Little wind and strong current at Dunkirk
* Ile-de-France 2010 wins the first stage of this 33rd edition


* Peu de vent et fort courant à Dunkerque
* Ile-de-France 2010 remporte la première manche de cette 33ème édition



Ile-de-France 2010 wins the first race, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

by Fabienne Morin (in translation by SailRaceWin)

Today, a common factor: the current. It provided a win in the only race of the day to Ile-de-France 2010, and a great second place to Nouvelle-Calédonie. However, it jammed the students of Supelec far away from the starting line, preventing them from starting on time, and the boats Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers / Centrale Paris far from the finishing line. In the end, the current dictated the results, distributing the points in a surprising manner on the Flemish waters!

For the first completed stage of the Tour de France à la Voile 2010 - a round trip race of coefficient one - the conditions were particularly random. A long wait, then a start in scarcely 5 knots of wind from the northeast. And a cross-current of two knots!


Start of the first race, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

The 28 participants tried to play with the current under the beautiful sun of Dunkirk. The skipper of Ile-de-France 2010, Jimmy Pahun, spoke of "a treadmill". A carpet that he and his men mastered while the waters shifted, and they positioned themselves with finesse throughout the race. Ile-de-France 2010 gained a first, very tactical, victory. Just behind them, Nouvelle-Calédonie equally saw the right way and finished second. In third place, CSC-HEC-Ecole Navale was the first student team! Courrier Dunkerque and Oman Sail’s Renaissance, despite good starts were relegated to the mid-ground and obtained 8th and 9th place, respectively.

Other students suffered from the misleading forecast. Counting a null, Supelec didn't reach the start within the required four minutes and was classed DNS. Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers / Centrale Paris all reached the finish more than thirty minutes after the first boat and scored DNF. The treadmill was a little dented!

They said:

Jimmy Pahun, skipper of Ile-de-France 2010 :
"It's only the first race, but it's nice to win! Tomorrow we will have the red spinnaker. That is good for morale. Martin and Benoit, our boatmen, leave us a few words every morning. Today this was: "One begins as one ends". I don't know if this is a happy omen! It is necessary to stay grounded. There are 30, 35 races to go and there are very good crews on the TFV. We know what we are aiming for in the general classification and we are above our ambitions. On the water it was, above all, a game of the start. We had a good start on the right, at the committee boat. We were immediately in the game with Oman and when one is in front the race is not very different.

Eric Drouglazet, skipper and tactician of BRED :
« It was a very difficult stage with feeble and unstable winds, and a strong current. A very difficult start because we had some current in the backside that pushed us towards the line. It was necessary to slow the boat and we got a good start. We were up at the windward mark - 8th. After this it was very random under spinnaker with zones of no wind but of current. We made 11th at the finish, and even if this was mid-field, we are satisfied. There are always dodgy stages and we reassured ourselves of the speed of our boat, BRED. We can fight! »

Félix Pruvot, helmsman of CSC – HEC – Ecole Navale :
« It's a very good stage for our boat. We reached the first windward mark in 15th position, to fight with the other students. On the first kite leg, we made a very good decision in putting ourselves on the right. That turned out to pay off very well: so, we were 6th at the leeward mark. After that we gained some places. It isn't easy, but it is very interesting with the current, and it treated us well. Hervé Gautier is very at ease in these conditions of light winds and strong currents, and I am too. We successfully negotiated the current, used it, and gained. »

In French:


Kite in the water, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Aujourd’hui, un facteur commun : le courant. Il a offert la victoire de la seule manche du jour à Ile-de-France 2010, et une belle deuxième place à Nouvelle-Calédonie. Mais il a coincé les étudiants de Supelec loin de la ligne de départ, les empêchant de partir à temps, et ceux de Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers / Centrale Paris loin de la ligne d’arrivée. Au final, le courant a dicté sa loi, distribuant les points de façon surprenante sur le plan d’eau flamand !

Pour la première manche comptabilisée du Tour de France à la Voile 2010 – un parcours aller-retour de coefficient un -, les conditions étaient particulièrement aléatoires. Une longue attente, puis un départ dans cinq nœuds de vent de Nord-Est, à peine. Et un courant traversier atteignant les deux nœuds !

Jouer avec ce courant, voilà ce que les 28 concurrents ont essayé de faire sous le grand soleil de Dunkerque. Le skipper d’Ile-de-France 2010, Jimmy Pahun, parle de « tapis roulant ». Un tapis que ses hommes et lui ont su maitriser en se décalant sur le plan d’eau au portant, et en se positionnant avec finesse tout au long de la manche. Ile-de-France 2010 remporte une première victoire très tactique. Juste derrière eux, Nouvelle-Calédonie a également vu juste et prend la deuxième place. Troisième, CSC-HEC-Ecole Navale est le premier étudiant ! Courrier Dunkerque et Oman Sail’s Renaissance, pourtant bien partis sont relégués au deuxième plan et se classent respectivement 8e et 9e.

D’autres étudiants ont quant à eux souffert de cette météo trompeuse. Pris au dépourvu, Supelec n’arrive pas à prendre le départ dans les quatre minutes réglementaires et est DNS. Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers / Centrale Paris, lui, coupe la ligne d’arrivée plus de trente minutes après l’arrivée du premier. Il est DNF. Le tapis roulant était un peu cabossé !


Setting out of the harbour for race one, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Ils ont dit :

Jimmy Pahun, skipper d’Ile-de-France 2010 :
« Ce n’est qu’une première course, mais ça fait plaisir de la gagner ! D’abord, demain, nous aurons le spi rouge. Et c’est bon pour le moral. Martin et Benoit, nos préparateurs, nous laissent chaque matin un petit mot. Aujourd’hui, c’était : "on commence comme on finit." Je ne sais pas si c’est un heureux présage ! Il faut savoir raison garder. Il reste 30, 35 courses et il y a de très bons équipages sur le TFV. Nous savons ce que nous souhaitons au classement général et nous sommes au dessus de nos ambitions. Sur l’eau, ça s’est surtout joué au départ. Nous avons eu la bonne vue de partir à droite, au comité. Nous avons tout de suite été dans le match avec Oman et quand on est devant, la régate est un peu différente. »

Eric Drouglazet, skipper et tacticien de BRED :
« C’était une manche très difficile, avec du vent très faible et pas établi, et un gros courant. Un départ très difficile à prendre car nous avions du courant dans les fesses et qui nous poussait vers la ligne. Il fallait ralentir le bateau et nous sommes bien partis. Nous sommes bien passés à la bouée au vent – 8e. Après, c’était très aléatoire sous spi, avec des zones de pétole et de courant. Nous faisons finalement 11e et, même si c’est une place en milieu de paquet, nous sommes plutôt satisfaits. Ce sont toujours des manches dangereuses et nous nous sommes rassurés sur la vitesse du bateau BRED. Nous pouvons lutter ! »

Félix Pruvot, barreur de CSC – HEC – Ecole Navale :
« C’est une très bonne manche pour notre bateau. Nous enroulons la première bouée au vent en 15e position, à nous batailler avec les autres étudiants. Au premier bord de spi, nous tirons une très bonne option en nous décalant à droite du parcours. Ca s’est révélé très payant : du coup, nous sommes 6e à la bouée sous le vent. Après, nous grapillons quelques places. Ce n’était pas facile mais très intéressant avec ce courant, et ça nous a bien réussi. Hervé Gautier est très à l’aise dans ces conditions de vent faible et de courant fort, et moi aussi. Nous avons réussi à identifier ce facteur courant pour le négocier et revenir. »


Close racing in race one, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Classement général provisoire à l'issue de la manche 1.1 :

1 Ile de France 2010 (Jimmy Pahun / Vincent Aillaud) 1pts
2 Nouvelle Calédonie (Bertrand Pacé / Vincent Portugal) 2pts
3 CSC - HEC - Ecole Navale (Hervé Gautier) 3pts
4 Team SOG - SAFRAN (Julien Villion / Quentin Ponroy) 4pts
5 Toulon Provence Méditerranée - COYCH (Fabien Henry) 5pts
6 Normale Sup Lagardère (Eric Brezellec) 6pts
7 GROOVEDERCI (Deneen Demourkas) 7pts
8 Courrier Dunkerque (Daniel Souben) 8pts
9 OMAN SAIL'S RENAISSANCE (Rob Greenhalgh) 9pts
10 BRUNEL (Peter Jan Postma / Bart Verwerft) 10pts
11 Bred (Eric Drouglazet / Christophe Bouvet) 11pts
12 Nantes - Saint Nazaire (Jean Queveau) 12pts
13 Ville du Port - Région Réunion (Thomas Terte / Thomas Pasquier / Noé Delpech) 13pts
14 INSA SOPRA TSP TEM (Thomas Rahier / Nicolas Andrieu) 14pts
15 Port de plaisance de Roscoff - CCI de Morlaix (Julien Berthélémé / François Liron) 15pts
16 Bienne Voile - SRS II (Lorenz Muller) 16pts
17 Manche Basse Normandie (Benoit Charon) 17pts
18 Côtes d'Armor (Stéphane Letertre) 18pts
19 Purflo Les Thermes Marins - St Malo (François Lebourdais / Pierre Hingant / Quentin Grueau) 19pts
20 Bienne Voile - SRS I (Stefan Seger) 20pts
21 Ville de Genève - Carrefour Prévention (Jérôme Clerc) 21pts
22 TU Delft (Bert Schandevyl) 22pts
23 MUMMADUCK (Laurent Pagès) 23pts
24 ESSEC – Hanploi (Damien Seguin) 24pts
25 Région de Bruxelles Capitale Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Cyril Michel / Laurent Declercq) 25pts
26 Brest Grandes Ecoles - ENSIETA - ESCB - ISEN (Tangi Mahé) 26pts
27 Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers /Centrale Paris (Clément Hochart) 29pts
28 SUPELEC (François Isopet / Pierre Joly) 29pts

Au programme demain :
8h30 : départ ponton
10h30 : départ de la première manche. Plusieurs manches à suivre
17h30 : retour au ponton

Tour de France à la Voile

Porter Continues To Lead Melges 32s In Newport


Melges 32s racing off Newport. Image copyright Joy Dunigan.

by Joy Dunigan

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.

Porter took race two in stride, stealing the lead from early race leader Meadows. A seriously tight fleet race from mark, to gate, to finish found Porter pulling ahead for the win, his second bullet of the regatta. Commonly referred to and revered as ‘the Admiral’, Porter went on to win the heat with Meadows in second, the young Ryan Devos (Ed Baird, tactician) on Volpe was third. Geoff Pierini (Max Skelley, tactician) on Shakedown sneaked in from the right to take a surprise fourth ahead of John Taylor (Andrew Campbell, tactician) on Ninkasi finishing fifth.

The last race of the day was a steady course four, 225 at 1.4 nm bringing out the best in long-time Melges 32 owner Taylor. He took the lead at the top, performed perfect sets and jibes to take the ultimate win over of Devos. Jeff Ecklund on STAR stepped up to take third.

Saturday night is Melges Rocks party night! Teams will congregate at Riptide for beer, prizes and daily awards. It will be the ultimate regatta party!

Top Five Results(After 6 Races and 1 Discard)
1.) John Porter/Jonathan Mckee, Full Throttle; 1-3-4-6-1-[10] = 15
2.) Kip Meadows/Andy Horton, roXanne; 4-5-[10]-3-2-7 = 21
3.) Michael Dominguez/Anthony Kotoun, Bronco; 3-7-7-2-7-[14] = 26
4.) Jim Swartz/Gavin Brady, Q; 10-1-6-1-9-[11] = 27
5.) Jeff Ecklund/Bill Hardesty, STAR; 8-9-[14]-5-3-2 = 27

Melges 32

Superyacht Cup, Palma: All's Well that Ends Well

by Norma Trease

Day Three of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2010, and the docks felt a little subdued in the morning, but the best news was the steady breeze blowing. There was the usual amount of grumbling about the ratings, apparently inevitable with such a wildly diverse fleet, and the competitive nature of these elite owners and sailors - making poor Jim Teeters surely at once the most beloved and most hated man in the large yacht world. By the end of the day, however, after a good long race, the happy feel of the entire regatta resounded throughout the village with echoing Hurrahs, champagne cork gasps, back slaps and smacking kisses.

The results ended as they started, with Scorpione dei Mari gleefully sweeping in to a cumulative First in Cruising Class and a convincing win overall. Gorgeous Royal Huisman Gliss, always a strong performer, brought in 2nd Place overall, and also a 2nd in the Performance Class. Jongert Ithaka proved her Dutch creds by coming in 3rd overall and 2nd in Cruising Class. Exemplifying the international nature of such events, the wins were rounded out with Alloy Irelanda sneaking into 3rd Place in Cruising, while P2, Perini Navi's lovely baby, of course ended up on the podium with a 3rd in the Performance division.

Large yacht regattas are invariably sentimental and close-knit affairs, bringing together sailors from all over the world, some always sailing on the same teams, and many acting as hired guns, sharing their expertise on a different yacht each time, but the team spirit is part of the joy on every yacht. It was the end of an era on Destination Fox H'br, as affable owner Ron Joyce, a veteran of many Superyacht Cups, Buckets and other races brought together his loyal crew for one final race, as his comfortable yacht will soon be handed over to a new owner. His sentimental speech at the day's end brought a tear to the eyes of many onboard, as Ron's generosity, kindness, and incredible hospitality are deservedly legendary. Also a bittersweet day for his brokers Annie Avery of N&J and Dubois' James Troup, who announced that he is retiring from yachting after this race. They have successfully collaborated on several deals recently - proving that not all yacht brokers are ruthlessly selfish, and James' wide smile will also be sorely missed.

Yet another yachting legend, the newly-named CBE Peter Harrison, owner of Sojana, honored his frequent team member, young Frenchwoman Alexia Barrier, to make Day Three of the Superyacht Cup on Sojana 4 My Planet Day, in recognition of her recent solo circumnavigation to raise environmental awareness - Bravo to both!

There was a whole lot of celebrating going on at the Prize Giving ceremony, held once again at the spectacular Es Baluard Museum, without a doubt one of the loveliest party venues anywhere. Scorpione dei Mari once again took up residence on the podium when they were awarded the Best Team Costume for their wacky Western-theme gear. Event Director Patrick Wetter did his usual excellent job of starting and finishing the awards ceremony quickly enough to allow the entire happy crowd plenty of time to celebrate together the end of yet another fantastic Superyacht Cup. The full moon shining on the huge group of race fans wildly dancing and singing to the tunes of the Red Sox perfectly rounded off another weekend to remember in Palma de Mallorca, where hospitality is warm, the sailing is hot, and the fun is unlimited. See you next time in Antigua!

The Superyacht Cup

WMRT: Semi Finals Pairings on Defining Day at Portimão



by Cailah Leask

On a bright new morning to the Stage 4 of the ISAF World Match Racing Tour Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team had the pick of the bunch as he headed to the Semi Final pairings selection.

Mirsky started the draw picking Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar. Walking down the pontoon to prep his boat for the first match of the day he reasoned his choice of opponent for today. “Gillie is good in the SM40s, they suit him and he’s comfortable. Adam Minoprio came through 8th out of the Round Robin and looks like he is improving each day. Williams on the other hand started well and now might go the other way so could be the weakest. They are all tough contenders but I had to choose one”.

Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing goes up against current reigning ISAF Match Racing World Champion, Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, which will definitely provide Gilmour with some action.

Semi Finals Pairings announced as:
Torvar Mirsky v Ian Williams
Peter Gilmour v Adam Minoprio

Portimao Portugal Match Cup
World Match Racing Tour

Kieler Woche: Perfect conditions for the final day



Greg Wilcox (NZL) wins the OK dinghy class by a six point margin


Kiel-Schilksee. Image copyright Kieler Woche / segel-bilder.de

by Hermann Hell

Glorious sunny weather and thrilling races: Perfect conditions for the final day of the Kieler Woche. "Overall we are more then happy with Kieler Woche 2010. Some days we had a little bit less wind but in the end we could made enough races in all international classes and in the olympic classes at the start of the week. But the last day with a magnificent sunshine and wind up to eight knots recompense the sailors for all the hours waiting for races the days before," Jobst Richter, Chairman of Kieler Woche.

The ISAF Sailing World Cup in the olympic classes ended last Wednesday with medal races. The home nation, Germany shared the biggest medal haul with the USA, both with four medals but no golds. Great Britain and Australia came out on top, GBR with two golds and one silver and Australia with two golds and a bronze.

Next Kieler Woche: 18 - 26th June 2011.

Results

505: 1. Dr.Wolfgang Hunger / Julien Kleiner (Strande) 1,1,2,8,(24),4,3,19; 2. Jan Saugmann / Morten Ramsbæk (DEN) 6,6,1,2,4,1,(7),20; 3. Meike Schomäker / Holger Jess (Kiel) 8,3,3,5,(10),2,1,22; 4. Jacob Bojsen-Møller / Jørgen Bojsen-Møller (DEN) 5,4,15,1,(28),3,5,33; 5. Martin Goerge / Rainer Goerge (Kiel) 3,12,8,3,(15),5,2,33; 6. Florian Kemper / Michael Krause (Hamburg) (31),7,16,4,5,6,11,49;

FD: 1. Majthenyi Szabolcs / András Domokos (HUN) 2,1,1,2,2,(2),1,9; 2. Bas van der Pol / Marc van der Pol (NED) 3,3,2,1,(23),1,2,12; 3. Kilian König / Johannes Brack (Waldeck-Scheid) 1,2,4,4,(10),8,6,25; 4. Harold Wijgers / Niels Kamphuis (NED) 4,4,3,(14),6,9,5,31; 5. Christoph Aichholzer / Philipp Zingerle (AUT) 6,(10),6,6,5,4,4,31; 6. Kai Schäfers / Christian Porsche (Hamm) 8,5,(13),10,1,6,3,33;

Formula 18: 1. Helge Sach / Christian Sach (Zarnekau) 1,(2),1,1,1,1,1,6; 2. Jürg Gosche / Hannes Pegel (Bremen) 2,1,2,(5),2,2,2,11; 3. René Schwall / Detlef Holland (Kiel) 7,3,(12),7,3,3,4,27; 4. Horst Fock / Nathan Wolf (Oststeinbek) (10),4,5,6,5,4,3,27; 5. Andreas John / Felix Oehme (Hamburg) 5,(8),7,3,4,6,6,31; 6. Eckart Kaphengst / Söncke Kühl (Kiel) 4,7,3,4,6,(9),8,32;

Hobie 16: 1. Wee Chin Teo / Justin Wong (SIN) 1,2,(4),2,1,2,1,9; 2. Wen Chun Low / Jonathan Russel Chew (SIN) 4,3,1,(4),2,1,2,13; 3. Detlef Mohr / Karen Wichardt (Reinfeld) 2,1,3,5,4,(29),3,18; 4. Georg Backes / Joshua Schütze (Kiel) 7,(11),7,1,3,5,6,29; 5. Knud Jansen / Anke Delius (Kiel) 5,6,5,(29),17,3,4,40; 6. Stephan Schubert / Tom Schreyack (Hamburg) (29),14,6,12,5,4,7,48;

Europe: 1. Sylvain Notonier (FRA) 1,3,2,4,5,(6),2,17; 2. Anna Livbjerg (DEN) 3,1,3,3,4,(49),6,20; 3. Kajsa Sundklev (SWE) 10,11,8,10,1,2,(16),42; 4. Stine Paeper (Hamburg) 2,8,1,2,20,(49),11,44; 5. Janika Puls (Kiel) 11,6,(13),5,2,11,10,45; 6. David Kölby (SWE) 3,5,3,7,(30),4,26,48;

OK-dinghy: 1. Greg Wilcox (NZL) 4,1,(11),1,1,3,3,13; 2. Bartosz Rakocy (POL) 1,6,1,(10),3,7,1,19; 3. Tim Goodbody (IRL) 2,(13),4,5,2,8,4,25; 4. Oliver Gronholz (Bad Segeberg) 6,3,2,11,6,(11),10,38; 5. Antoni Pawlowski (POL) 5,11,(35),9,11,1,5,42; 6. Jørgen Holm (DEN) 9,2,9,3,(16),12,9,44;

Condender: 1. Bjarke B. Johnsen (DEN) 4,2,(7),2,1,1,5,1,16; 2. Sören Andreasen (DEN) 3,(9),5,1,8,3,6,5,31; 3. Jacob Lunding (DEN) 10,1,3,6,4,2,(10),9,35; 4. Max Billerbeck (Bokholt-Hanredder) 15,(17),8,5,2,7,1,3,41; 5. Jens Langendorf (DEEN) 5,4,1,(49),15,4,7,7,43; 6. Karsten Kraus (Schwedeneck) 7,7,10,(11),6,8,2,8,48;

Folkboat: 1. Per Jürgensen / Kjeld Skov / Kristian Hansen (DEN) 9,(9),2,1,4,7,3,26; 2. Christoph Nielsen / Bjoerge Dehn / Torben Dehn (Berlin) 4,(39),3,4,5,4,8,28; 3. Ulf Kipcke / Gero Martens / Dieter Kipcke (Neumünster) 7,6,5,7,1,9,(12),35; 4. Heines Nielsen / Helmuth Schwarz / Ole Mathiesen (DEN) (17),1,15,3,9,8,1,37; 5. Dirk Rohrbeck / Uwe Grigull / Johann Rathjen (Mönkeberg) 2,14,8,8,3,(39),6,41; 6. Uwe Pfuhl / Jens Callsen / Siegfried Busse (Laboe) 3,7,9,16,(23),3,5,43;

Platu 25: 1. Martin Sigrist / Luca Gerig / Matthias Bosshart / Benjamin Dierauer / Simon Brügger / Markus Sigrist (SUI) 2,4,1,2,(9),2,2,2,3,18; 2. Ingo Lochmann / x / Jens Steinborn / Max Rieger / Matthias Krüger / Christian Maedel (Berlin) 1,1,(14),12,10,1,1,3,2,31; 3. André Teutenberg / x / Jan-Pit Teutenberg / Jens Wehrenbrecht / Lars Teutenberg / Sven Wehrenbrecht (Dortmund) 8,2,2,6,5,9,3,(10),1,36; 4. Jens Ahlgrimm / x / Enrico Taeufer / Carsten Wernecke / Mathias Gedrange / Stephan Moelle (Niederstotzingen) 3,7,(13),4,3,4,4,8,7,40; 5. Daniel Nauck / Thorben Nowak / Frank Barownick / Steve Bärtle / Thomas Piesker (Berlin) 10,11,3,1,1,10,(11),1,4,41; 6. Rüdiger Margale / x / Pierre Tscherneck / Arnd Ritter / Marc Daniel Siegfried / Dennis Siegfried (Arnsberg) 5,5,11,3,(12),3,5,9,5,46;

J24: 1. Christopher McLaughlin / Julia Scott / Chris McLaughlin / Michael Kyte / Andy McLelland / Ian Southworth (GBR) 1,1,2,(6),1,2,2,3,5,17; 2. Kai Mares / x / Justus Kellner / Tobias Peters / Tim Becker / Jan-Marc Ulrich (Dänischenhagen) 2,7,15,5,4,3,11,(18),1,48; 3. Dirk Strelow / x / Jan Ehlting / Jan Broyer / Lars Schafmeister / Elmar Schmitz (Erftstadt) 10,8,6,11,3,1,(16),2,11,52; 4. Peer Kock / x / Valentin Zeller / Marc-Daniel Mählmann / Ole Hicken / Hannes Pagel (Hamburg) 5,2,3,4,13,(13),12,8,6,53; 5. Matthias Garzmann / x / Michael Skotzki / Benjamin Voigt / Roland Böhm / Thorsten Glabisch (Hamburg) 11,4,1,1,8,11,(26),6,17,59; 6. Stephan Mais / Mustermann Andreas / Stefan Schmollt / Heyo Schönwälder / Falco Feindt / Swantje Mais (Jemgum) (18),9,7,8,6,10,8,7,7,62;

420: 1. Justin Liu / Sherman Cheng (SIN) (9),1,1,1,1,4; 2. Damien Brebac / Julien Lacaze (FRA) 2,2,3,1,(3),8; 3. Jordi Xammar Hernandez / Joan Herp (ESP) 5,4,1,2,(66),12; 4. Chuan Yang Ko / Andrew Paul Chan (SIN) 4,1,2,(19),6,13; 5. Rachel Lee / Cecilia Low (SIN) (12),5,1,5,2,13; 6. Cassandre Blandin / Marion Leprunier (FRA) 1,2,4,(15),9,16;

29er: 1. Fizulic Domagoj / Basic Tomislav (CRO) 2,1,2,3,1,1,(25),2,3,2,5,22; 2. Justus Schmidt / Max Boehme (Schönwalde) 1,2,3,1,4,(19),6,4,2,1,2,26; 3. Mads Emil Lübeck / Christian Peter Lübeck (USA) 2,6,1,1,1,3,1,7,1,6,(25),29; 4. Jule Goerge / Lotta Goerge (Kiel) 1,(25),2,4,5,9,13,1,4,4,4,47; 5. Christian Kirketerp / Mathias Sletten (DEN) 4,6,1,2,(16),2,5,6,14,7,1,48; 6. Kim Niclas Holste / Yannik Holste (Wunstorf) 3,3,4,5,7,4,(19),8,5,3,8,50;

Dragon: 1. Ben van Cauwenbergh / Yves Bassette / Manu Hens (Essen) 2,(5),3,3,1,2,11; 2. Jesper Bendix / Jesper Baungaard / Lars Christensen (DEN) 1,1,6,(13),4,4,16; 3. Thomas Müller / Mario Wagner / Tom Robin Müller (Zug) 6,6,5,2,2,(7),21; 4. Ulli Libor / Dines Pontoppidan / Uwe Mares (Hamburg) 4,10,2,(12),3,5,24; 5. Tim Ladehof / Arne Brügge / Tim Jesse (Hamburg) 8,7,1,(19),5,8,29; 6. Mitja Meyer / Zino Soyka / Miklas Meyer (Hamburg) 5,2,8,(11),10,9,34;

H-Boat: 1. Mads P.G. Korsgaard / Anders Rydlöv / Uffe Dreiser (DEN) 1,1,1,1,(3),2,6; 2. Jesper Dietz / Torben Henriksen / Jakob Hansen (DEN) 6,6,(7),2,2,1,17; 3. Carsten Lauridsen / Erik Ibsen / Peter Eriksen (DEN) 2,3,(30),4,6,11,26; 4. Dr. Jörg Thoben / Ole Jensen / Dirk Thoben (Fahrdorf) 8,4,9,3,(11),5,29; 5. Rolf Schuberth / Rainer Sorg / Kirsten Scheunemann (Hamburg) (10),7,8,5,5,4,29; 6. Per Hovmark / Søren Bredal / Anders Bertelsen (DEN) (12),8,2,10,10,6,36;

Kielzugvogel: 1. Jens Liebheim / Thomas Kindermann (Essen) (11),1,4,5,3,2,15; 2. Alexander Antrecht / Klaus Antrecht (Neustadt) 7,3,1,(12),2,3,16; 3. Jörg Friedlein / Daniel Scheer (Witten) 4,2,(33),4,6,4,20; 4. Herbert Kujan / Christian Kujan (Marktoberdorf) 3,4,2,(33),4,10,23; 5. Thomas Schiffer / Heinz Lenz (Krefeld) 6,5,(25),13,1,1,26; 6. Axel Fischer / Martina Stemmer (Stuttgart) 5,(8),5,2,7,7,26;

Kieler Woche

America's Cup: "Venezia Challenge" for the 34th America's Cup

by PR Italy

The brand name “Venice Challenge” was filed this morning [22nd June 2010] at the Chamber of Commerce of Milan, Italy.

The application (number of MI2010C006587) refers to categories 12 (vehicles, apparatus for locomotion by land air or water) and 25 (clothing, footwear, headgear).

The registration of brand name was sought by Emanuela Pulcino, lawyer in Milan, social entrepreneur with Carlo Magna.

There is still nothing official but reliable sources give for certain that “Venice Challenge” is the name of the italian boat that will participate to the 34th America’s Cup against the team Defender BMW Oracle Racing and the Challenger of Record the italian “Mascalzone Latino.“

Note from SailRaceWin: Venezia Challenge has a website holding page and is on Twitter. It would seem a good idea for the Italian teams to hold their own qualification event to then send the top Italian challenger to the 34th America's Cup challenger series as there are so many of them from the one country...

In Italian:

E’ stato depositato questa mattina presso la Camera di Commercio di Milano il marchio verbale “Venezia Challenge”. La domanda di registrazione per marchio d’impresa porta il numero di protocollo MI2010C006587 ed è riferito alle categorie 12 (veicoli, apparecchi di locomozione terrestri aerei o nautici) e 25 (articoli di abbigliamento, scarpe, cappelleria). La registrazione del marchio è stata richiesta da Emanuela Pulcino, avvocato di Milano, socio dell’imprenditore Carlo Magna, anche lui milanese.

Non c’è ancora nulla di ufficiale ma fonti attendibili danno per certo che “Venezia Challenge” sarà il nome dell’imbarcazione italiana che parteciperà alla 34a America’s Cup oltre, ovviamente, al team Defender “BMW Oracle Racing” e al “Challenger of Record”, l’italiana “Mascalzone Latino“.

Venezia Challenge
America's Cup

WMRT: BlackMatch through to semi finals in Portugal, but not without controversy...


Adam Minoprio. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

by David Swete

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.


Tom Powrie trimming for BlackMatch Racing. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

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.

Understandably Mathieu and his team were upset at the result and still went through with their protest. But after a hearing we were cleared of any wrong doing and qualified for our second semi final of 2010.


Nick Blackman on the bow for BlackMatch Racing. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

BlackMatch would like to thank their sponsors FedEx Express and Events Clothing/Line 7 New Zealand. We would also like to thank our new sponsor Steinlager Pure and Emirates Team New Zealand, as without their support we would not have this opportunity.

BlackMatch Racing
World Match Racing Tour

WMRT: Mirsky Racing Team on Top of the Round Robin in Portugal


Torvar Mirsky. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

by Kinley Fowler

Winning the round robin with only two losses behind them, MRT went on to choose to race Team Iberdrola’s Manu Weiller from Spain, winning 3 -1. They now have a tough decision ahead of them as to who to race in the semi finals.

Weiller came out firing, winning the first match of the quarterfinals which set MRT back in their place, and forced them to snap into action. However the Spaniard wasn’t making it easy, pouncing on every slight mistake.

The final race saw numerous lead changes as the sea breeze began to die and shifted from side to side.

“He was sailing really well, and we were getting nervous in the last couple of matches” said Graeme Spence, MRT’s bowman. “We really have to take our hats off to him, but now that is behind us and we have a really tough task ahead of us with some of the best match racers in the world to choose from. Hopefully we will make the right choice!”

Tomorrow we have the choice of 5 times world champion and match racing veteran Peter Gilmour, 2 times world champion Ian Williams or the current world champion and world number one Adam Minoprio.

Mirsky Racing Team
World Match Racing Tour

WMRT: YANMAR Racing into semi-finals in Portugal

by Rob Kothe

Another great day of sailing, sun and a steady 12-14 knots of breeze at the Portugal Match Cup, which is stage 4 of the 2010 ISAF World Match Racing series.

A smiling Cameron Dunn summed up the day for YANMAR Racing. 'Seven races today, unbelievable - getting a bit much for us old fellas. Thierry Douillard and I are the babies of this team. We are 37, Yashuhiro Yagi and Kazuhiko Sofuku are both 39 and then there is the really old fella Peter Gilmour 50. But we sailed 6-1 so there is life in the old bones yet.

'This morning YANMAR Racing was 5-3 and had three tough races left in the Round Robin.

'The first was against Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, who was already topping the round robin series.

'Peter did a really nice job; we got a penalty on MRT in the dial up. YANMAR Racing had the better start, Mirsky tried to sailing inside us at the top mark and received another penalty and it was game over.

'Next up was the leader of the 2010 Tour, Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team. We sailed around his bow tacked and crossed him and had four lengths lead at top mark and went away to a good win.

'Our last round robin match was against Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team. Bjorn had knocked us out of the quarter finals in Korea. 'The prestart did not go well. We were penalised for not keeping clear as windward boat. Off the line we went hard right and Bjorn hard left. When we came together we were five lengths ahead, we extended, did our penalty upwind and still won by three lengths.

'This fleet is very tough, so we were pretty pleased to qualify second overall.

'Into the quarter finals and we picked Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge.

'In the first match Magnus won the start, we kept it close and were two lengths behind at the top mark. However we attacked, gybed earlier and got onto their air and closed in on them.

'YANMAR Racing tried to shut the gate on us and we had to gybe away to miss T-boning them. It was a huge loss for us. They were given two red flag penalties because of the substantial advantage they had gained and we went on to win.

'In the second match Holmberg won the start. We caught them at top mark but they kept us close and down the last run they snatched the lead. We fouled trying to get past them and so they won. The scores were tied up 1-1.

'In the third race YANMAR Racing had a really nice start to leeward. They started on our hip and had to tack away. We went left, protected that and with the advantage of favourable current and pressure we were six lengths ahead at top mark and extended away.

'In race four they won the start, YANMAR Racing followed them to left. At the top mark we were right on their hammer, managed to gybe on them, and rolled them down the run. At the bottom mark we protected the right, got a big 'righty' and good breeze on the second upwind and gained five lengths and won comfortably through to the semi finals with a 3-1 win.

'It was a much better feeling than after the quarters in Korea; we are sailing very well and fast and looking forward to tomorrow.'

Into the semi finals of the Portugal Match Cup are two Australia crews, a Kiwi and a British crew. It's a top qualify field. As Graeme Spence, Mirsky Racing Team's bowman summed up, after MRT topped the round robin leader board and therefore have first choice of opponent, 'We have a really tough task ahead of us with some of the best match racers in the world to choose from. Four times world champion and match racing veteran Peter Gilmour, two times world champion Ian Williams or the current world champion and world number one Adam Minoprio.'

YANMAR Racing Team's Skipper Peter Gilmour concluded 'It was a very big day; the team was very solid when we needed to be. We finished second in Korea, so we've been doing well in the Round Robins; we did well today to get through the quarter finals, so we need to finish it off from here.'

Semi-Finalists Portugal Match Cup

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing

Day 4: Quarter Final Results

Torvar Mirksy (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team v Manual Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola (3-1)
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing v Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge (3-1)
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GBR v Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra (3-1)
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing v Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team (3-1)

Final Round Robin Standings

1 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 9 points
2 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 7.5 points
3 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 7 points
4 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 6.5 points
5 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6 points
6 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 6 points
7 Manuel Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola 6 points
8 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 6 points
9 Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 4 points
10 Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 4 points
11 Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team 1 point
12 Eugeny Neugodnikov (RUS) Team Synergy 1 point

YANMAR Racing
World Match Racing Tour

WMRT: Mouth Watering Match Racing at Portimão Portugal Match Cup




Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar at Day 4, Portimão Portugal Match Cup © Subzero Images 2010.

by Cailah Leask

Twenty five matches were raced today with wind speeds peaking at 15 knots for mouth watering match racing. The Round Robin was smoothly finished first thing, moving swiftly into the Quarter Finals with the remaining 8 skippers and the subsequent 4 Semi Final slots decided.

The Quarters were raced as the first to 3 points. After 4 matches Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and his fellow Australian, Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing headed convincingly through to the Semi Finals, both with a secure score of 3-1. It is now the end of the line for Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge with this match race legend eliminated by his counterpart Gilmour. Manuel Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola was driven down by hot ticket Mirsky.


Yannick Simon looks around the forestay as Adam Minoprio crosses ahead of Mathieu Richard. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Gilmour is revving up his results as he progresses through the 10 events and after his races against Holmberg today said, “I’ve been racing against Magnus since he started over 15 years ago, the reason we chose him in the quarters was because he is a similar age to me and is sailing with a new crew. Holmberg today had excellent starts and we were behind him every time, but we managed to pull ahead by the finish line where it counts. It was very technical sailing out there today due to the current from the river and wind shifts. We needed to be strategic and have a good idea of where to go which sat with Cameron Dunn, who did a great job”.


Ian Williams to windward of Torvar Mirsky. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Weiller has made a notable improvement from Portugal Match Cup 2 years ago when he was 11th, having today gone through to the Quarter Finals paired with Mirsky. Weiller is currently ranked 25th in the ISAF Match Racing World Rankings and Mirsky sits high up in 2nd, this though did not phase Weiller as he went onto beat Mirsky in the first match of the Quarters. “Our aim was to make it through to the quarter finals which we did so we are very pleased. The Iberdrola team would really like to now do more World Match Racing Tour Events”.


Torvar Mirsky to leeward of Ian Williams. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

As the wind made its daily pilgrimage to the right and the sun dipped into the horizon Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar on 3-1 booked his place in the Semis knocking out Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra. The Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing versus current overall Tour leader, Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing, duel was as an epic with Minoprio finally taking victory.

Fireworks flew today when Bruni met Williams and every match was fought to the death. Bruni will be regretting his choice of left on the final beat as Williams’ right hand strategy won the deciding match.

Minoprio was quoted earlier saying that if he could have chosen his Quarter Final opponent he would have chosen Richard to try and knock the Frenchman out early in an attempt to square up this year’s Tour leader board. This is another big call which this young Kiwi is beginning to become synonymous with. Match 1 was a winner for Minoprio and by match 2 he had a firm grasp over Richard who picked up 2 penalties and then went onto rub salt into his wounds with a ripped spinnaker. In the 4th and final match Richard led for the majority of the race but Minoprio edged past Richard in the final 50 metres of the race to make the Semis with a 3-1 score line.


Bjorn Hansen rounds the windward mark ahead of Adam Minoprio. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Pairings for the Semi Finals will be picked at the start of Sunday. This will be the defining point of Portimão Portugal Match Cup as the Tour heads into the 4th finals day of WMRT 2010 and the spotlight again turns to Mirsky to see if the 24 year old can retain his winning title from last year and make a much needed comeback from Korea.

Semi Finalists

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing

Day 4: Quarter Final Results

Torvar Mirksy (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team v Manual Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola (3-1)
Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing v Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge (3-1)
Ian Williams (GBR) Team GBR v Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra (3-1)
Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing v Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team (3-1)


Adam Minoprio. Portimao Portugal Match Cup 2010. World Match Racing Tour. Portimao, Portugal. 26 June 2010. Image copyright Gareth Cooke/Subzero Images.

Final Round Robin Standings

1 Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team 9 points
2 Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing 7.5 points
3 Francesco Bruni (ITA) Azzurra 7 points
4 Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge 6.5 points
5 Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team 6 points
6 Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar 6 points
7 Manuel Weiller (ESP) Team Iberdrola 6 points
8 Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing 6 points
9 Bertrand Pacé (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team 4 points
10 Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team 4 points
11 Alvaro Marinho (POR) Seth Sailing Team 1 point
12 Eugeny Neugodnikov (RUS) Team Synergy 1 point

World Match Racing Tour

Audi Winter Series: Conditions provide a fast ride for all




Robert Skol's Scarlett O'Hara, Winner Division D, Race 10, Audi Winter Series 2010. Image copyright ACE Marine Photography.

by Di Pearson

The 123 starters in today's Race 10 of the Audi Winter Series were blessed with a quick ride around their respective courses when an early sou-westerly breeze of 12 knots clocked left during the start and lifted to 15 knots, providing a fast ride around Sydney Harbour and a great deal of enjoyment for participants.

“We were about halfway through our start sequence when the breeze went to the west. At times there were squirts of 18 knots, but mainly it was around 15,” Principle Race Officer Denis Thompson said.

While the sun smiled down on the fleet early in the day, it was not long before a big cloud bank covered Sydney Harbour and with it, the warmth went out of the day. “It got freezing cold,” a competitor stated.

“It was a very fast race – and a straightforward one – except for Guy Stening’s Optimum, which I believe was on the receiving end of some damage after being involved in a collision,” Thompson told.

So while everyone else appears to have had a fast and fun ride back to the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, which hosts the Audi Winter Series, Stening was forced to pull out when the collision caused his Melges 32 major damage.

“We’d dropped our kite and were rounding the Cannae Point mark and ended up head-to-wind. We lost steerage, so called to the boat behind us, which was trying to overtake us, but the yacht kept coming and hit us hard on our starboard aft quarter,” Stening told.

“The impact was so hard I fell on top of our mainsheet trimmer and the pushpit was ripped out of our boat. The damage was so severe we had to retire. I don’t know that we can repair in time for the last three races – we’ll have to wait and see,” said a still shocked Stening, who amongst his other sailing feats, won the Mumm 30 World Championship in 2008.


Steve Wyatt's Bavaria 35 Match Double Trouble, Winner Division F, Race 10, Audi Winter Series 2010. Image copyright ACE Marine Photography.

On a brighter note, there were some very happy people in the winners’ circle today, none more so than Division F winner, Steve Wyatt, the owner of Double Trouble, a Bavaria Match35. “We’re pretty happy,” he said.

“Usually we do half the Audi Winter Series and then we go skiing for the other half. This year, we decided to do the full series – and now we’re leading our division, but we’ll have to stay on alert, it’s not over yet and things can change rapidly,” Wyatt said.

“Leading the series with three races to go makes me feel a bit like the rabbit with the hounds chasing after us – we look around from time to time – then we keep going and hope we’ll stay in front,” he laughed.

Although Wyatt’s only win of the Audi Winter Series has come on a heavier weather day, he says his yacht much prefers lighter airs, “We’re praying for lighter wind for the last three races, the boat always sails well then. I’m pleasantly surprised by our win today, as it was getting up to 18-19 knots. We picked the shifts well today, too,” he said.

Wyatt and his crew only have a three-point buffer over nearest rivals, Bob Penty’s Beneteau 38s5, Big Blue, with a further seven and a half points to Kevin O’Shea’s Sparkman & Stephens Stormy Petrel.

“We’ll have to be vigilant. Funnily, it’s the other Match 35, Perfect Match, that has kept us on our toes,” said Wyatt of Alun Lewis’ sistership which is currently sixth overall.

Another happy Race 10 winner is Robert Skol, who racked up his second win of the series with Scarlett O’Hara, to be third overall in the series. He is seven points behind leader Mean Machine (Chris Rabbidge) and four adrift of The Philosophers Club, Peter Sorensen’s Audi IRC Australian Championship winner of 2008. Sorensen has made no secret of the fact that he is a big Audi fan.

Skol knows he has to stay on top of his game to take out the series, and akin to Wyatt, has a benchmark in his division which is sitting in fourth place overall, but on equal points with Scarlett O’Hara. “Yep, it’s Akela and we have a friendly side-bet with them in the series. Whoever is the loser between us at the end of the series has to buy the other crew dinner,” Skol laughed.

The two boats, Skol’s 30 Square Metre and Akela, the Jutson 40 skippered by Alan ‘Big Al’ Mather, have been slogging it out all winter. “We were lucky because today was the right wind for us – last week was light and we were dead last, so I was very pleased when I looked at today’s forecast,” Skol commented.

“We spend every race covering Akela – we don’t even check out the rest of our division,” Skol admitted, laughing.

Of today’s race, Skol said, “the breeze was all over the shop when we started – we couldn’t lay the line on starboard – and we couldn’t lay it on port either. Once we got started though, it settled down.

Division H winner, Paul O’Connell, a long time member of the CYCA and skipper of Katinka, was the lucky person handed the set of keys to an Audi A5 Sportback 3.0 TDI quattro for a week.

Three races remain in the Audi Winter Series, with the non-pointscore Ladies Day Race to close the series on July 25.

CYCA

Tour de France à la Voile: Christening of the first M34


Dean Barker cracks a bottle of champagne over the stern of the first M34, Batistyl - Ville de Pornic, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

by Fabienne Morin (in translation by SailRaceWin)

Sea and champagne for Batistyl - Ville de Pornic! The first of the M34s sailed in the environs of Dunkirk before being christened by Dean Barker Saturday evening, on the quai des Hollandais. The skipper of Emirates Team New Zealand is the patron of this Joubert-Nivelt design, official boat of the Tour de France à la Voile from 2011.

After words from William Borel, Director of the Tour/Voile, from Henri Bacchini, Vice President of the Fédération Française de Voile and from Bernard Decré, the founder of the regatta, Barker broke the traditional bottle of champagne on the hull built by Archambault.

A prestigious patron, who is demonstrably very enthusiastic: "It's a great honour to be here to christen the boat. I have appreciated these two days of sailing! They were good, even if a lot of tuning remains to be done in relation to the M34. It was only its third day of sailing, and it is really promising."

The christening marked the début of a long-awaited boat; the announcement of it as successor to the Farr 30 excited a great deal of interest. Batistyl - Ville de Pornic has sailed off the Opal Coast these last two days and slid into the middle of the Farr 30s to sail the practice race this Saturday. Good speed, notably for the future, under asymmetric kite, and second place behind Nouvelle-Calédonie. And Barker concluded "The TFV fleet is very competitive. The races will be tough; the standard has gone up."

In French:

Mer et champagne pour Batistyl - Ville de Pornic ! Le premier exemplaire du M34 a navigué au large de Dunkerque avant d'être baptisé par Dean Barker ce soir, sur le quai des Hollandais. Le skipper d'Emirates Team New Zealand est le parrain de ce plan Joubert-Nivelt, support officiel du Tour de France à la Voile à partir de 2011.

Après les prises de parole de William Borel, directeur du TFV, d'Henri Bacchini, vice-président de la Fédération Française de Voile et de Bernard Decré, le fondateur de la course, Barker a lancé la traditionnelle bouteille de champagne sur la coque construite par Archambault.

Un parrain prestigieux qui s'est montré très enthousiaste : « C'est un grand honneur d'être ici pour baptiser le bateau. J'ai apprécié ces deux jours de navigation ! C'était bien, même s'il reste encore beaucoup à faire pour améliorer le M34. C'était seulement son troisième jour de navigation et c'était vraiment prometteur ».

Ce baptême marque les débuts d'un bateau très attendu, dont l'annonce comme successeur du Farr 30 suscite un vif intérêt. Batistyl - Ville de Pornic a d'ailleurs navigué ces deux derniers jours au large de la Côte d'Opale et s'est glissé au milieu des Farr 30 pour disputer le prologue de l'épreuve, ce samedi. Belles vitesses, notamment au portant, sous spi asymétrique, et deuxième place derrière Nouvelle-Calédonie ! Et Barker de conclure : « La flotte du TFV est très compétitive. La course va être rude, le niveau est élevé. »

M34
Tour de France à la Voile

Tour de France à la Voile: Good Start for Nouvelle - Calédonie




Damien Iehl at the helm of Nouvelle - Calédonie, winner of the practice race, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

* Ideal conditions for racing in Dunkirk
* Victory for Nouvelle-Calédonie in the practice race
* The M34 christened by Dean Barker


* Des conditions de course idéales à Dunkerque
* Victoire de Nouvelle-Calédonie sur le prologue
* Le M34 baptisé par Dean Barker


by Fabienne Morin

It’s a simple recipe: sun, ten knots of wind, some training and a tough practice race on a pleasant first day! Today’s schedule: four practice starts followed by a practice race not counting towards the score.

Winning this first inshore race doesn’t count for the race’s ranking but is highly symbolic. Nouvelle-Calédonie took a beautiful first place, enjoying a pleasant lead on the finish line in front of Courrier Dunkerque, second, and Oman Sail’s Renaissance, a promising third.

Attention must be paid to the Dutch, who also enter nicely this 2010 edition with a fourth place for Brunel (first amateur) and a sixth place for TU Delft (first student).

The first M34, Batistyl – Ville de Pornic, was also there. He finished second of the prologue. This Joubert-Nivelt design will be the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile 2011. “It was only her third day sailing, and she shows a lot of promises,” explains Dean Barker, the boat’s patron, when christening the M34 in Dunkerque. The Kiwi skipper helmed the boat for two days off the North beaches. “It has been nice to sail for two days. I hope to sail more onboard later this year.”

Sailing? That’s what Supelec can finally do! The student crew didn’t pass the first gauge control and had to stay on the dock today. At the end of the day, they were finally allowed to take part to the TFV. The 28 Farr 30 are now together, and the show can go on.

Interviews


Practice race, with the M34 too, Tour de France à la Voile, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Dean Barker, M34’s patron:
“It’s a great honour to be asked to be here to christen the boat. It has been nice to sail two days onboard. It was great – there is still a lot to do to keep tuning, to make it better. But I think today was good. It was only her third day sailing, and it shows a lot of promise. The racing today was very interesting. The Farr 30 fleet is very competitive. I think it’ll be a difficult regatta, because the level of the competition is high.”

Damien Iehl, Nouvelle-Calédonie’s helmsman:
“Before the practice race, we did four starts with very close upwind marks. It was a good training. The team is rather happy about the sails and the boat now. Every body onboard is used to sail on a Farr and it’s a good thing. We still need to get used to each other. It’s great to start like this, but the road is long.”


Practice race, Tour de France à la Voile, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Koen De Smedt, Brunel’s tactician and helmsman:
“It was amazing! The weather was amazing and it was great. We finished fourth. We didn’t know what to expect since we didn’t train much. We’ll see what’s gonna happen! If we have fun, it’s great. And today, we surely had fun: before the practice race, we sailed very short triangle races and it was exciting.”

Natacha Combier, Supelec’s crew (before the second measurement):
“We didn’t sail today because we didn’t succeed to pass the measurement yesterday. We were missing lots of material. We had issues with our van: we had a car crash and it was a mess. Our boat’s renter also told us the boat was ready to sail, and it wasn’t. Both skippers had to leave and we found ourselves alone. We were late. But a first control allowed us to make a list of the missing components and the other teams helped us. We are now ready! Our goal? Racing!”

Provisional Results from the Practice Race

1. Nouvelle Calédonie (Bertrand Pacé / Vincent Portugal)
2. Courrier Dunkerque (Daniel Souben)
3. OMAN SAIL'S RENAISSANCE (Rob Greenhalgh)
4. BRUNEL (Peter Jan Postma / Bart Verwerft)
5. Ville de Genève - Carrefour Prévention (Jérôme Clerc)
6. TU Delft (Bert Schandevyl)
7. Nantes - Saint Nazaire (Jean Queveau)
8. CSC - HEC - Ecole Navale (Hervé Gautier)
9. GROOVEDERCI (Deneen Demourkas)
10. Brest Grandes Ecoles - ENSIETA - ESCB - ISEN (Tangi Mahé)
11. MUMMADUCK (Laurent Pagès)
12. Ile de France (Jimmy Pahun / Vincent Aillaud)
13. INSA SOPRA TSP TEM (Thomas Rahier / Nicolas Andrieu)
14. Côtes d'Armor (Stéphane Letertre)
15. Team SOG - SAFRAN (Julien Villion / Quentin Ponroy)
16. Manche Basse Normandie (Benoit Charon)
17. Port de plaisance de Roscoff - CCI de Morlaix (Julien Berthélémé / François Liron)
18. Bred (Eric Drouglazet / Christophe Bouvet)
19. Purflo Les Thermes Marins - St Malo (François Lebourdais / Pierre Hingant / Quentin Grueau)
20. ESSEC – Hanploi (Damien Seguin)
21. Toulon Provence Méditerranée - COYCH (Fabien Henry)
22. Ville du Port - Région Réunion (Thomas Terte / Thomas Pasquier / Noé Delpech)
23. Bienne Voile - SRS II (Lorenz Muller)
24. Région de Bruxelles Capitale Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Cyril Michel / Laurent Declercq)
25. Bienne Voile - SRS I (Stefan Seger)
ABD. Normale Sup Lagardère (Eric Brezellec)
ABD. Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers (Clément Hochart)
DNS. SUPELEC (François Isopet / Pierre Joly)

Tomorrow's programme:
0830 : leave the pontoon
1030 : Start of the first stage. Many stages to follow
1730 : Return to the pontoon

In French:


Nouvelle - Calédonie, winner of the practice race, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

La recette est simple : du soleil, dix nœuds de vent thermique, une cession d’entrainement et un prologue disputé pour une première journée de course appréciée ! Au programme : quatre procédures de départs suivies d’un prologue, le tout de coefficient zéro.

Le vainqueur de ce parcours à trois allers-retours, non comptabilisé mais symbolique ? L’équipage de Nouvelle-Calédonie, fort d’une confortable avance sur la ligne d’arrivée devant Courrier Dunkerque, deuxième, et Oman Sail’s Renaissance, prometteur troisième. Les Hollandais font une entrée remarquée dans cette édition 2010 puisque les premiers amateurs sont l’équipage de Brunel et les premiers étudiants, TU Delft.

Damien Iehl revient sur cette première manche. C’est lui qui barre le bateau néo-calédonien en l’absence de son skipper, Bertrand Pacé. « Au moment du prologue, le courant s’est inversé et n’était plus dans le sens du vent. Le départ était donc primordial parce qu’il fallait aller dans le chenal, à gauche du parcours. Nous avons réussi à prendre le meilleur départ en partant à la bouée pour ensuite passer la bouée au vent en tête et creuser suffisamment pour garder notre avance. »

Le premier M34, Batistyl – Ville de Pornic, était aussi de la partie aujourd’hui. Il s’est mêlé aux Farr 30 et termine en deuxième position du prologue. Le premier exemplaire de ce plan Joubert-Nivelt, support officiel du Tour de France à la Voile à partir de 2011, a pu faire ses « premiers pas » sur le TFV avec, à la barre, un des meilleurs skippers internationaux : Dean Barker. « C’était seulement son troisième jour de navigation et c’était vraiment prometteur, » affirme-t-il au moment de baptiser le M34 sur le port de Dunkerque. Le skipper néo-zélandais a barré le bateau pendant deux jours au large des plages flamandes. « C’était bien, même s’il reste encore beaucoup à faire pour l’améliorer. J’ai apprécié ces deux jours de navigation et j’espère pouvoir de nouveau naviguer plus tard dans l’année ! »


Practice race, Tour de France à la Voile, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Naviguer ? Voilà ce que Supelec va enfin pouvoir faire ! L’équipage étudiant n’avait pas passé le premier contrôle de jauge et a dû rester à terre aujourd’hui. En fin d’après-midi, ils ont appris qu’ils pouvaient participer à la course. Les 28 Farr 30 sont désormais réunis, et la fête peut continuer.

Ils ont dit:

Dean Barker, parrain du M34 :
« C’est un grand honneur d’être ici pour baptiser le bateau, d’être son parrain. J’ai apprécié ces deux jours de navigation. C’était bien, même s’il reste encore beaucoup à faire pour améliorer le M34. C’était seulement son troisième jour de navigation et c’était vraiment prometteur. A bord, nous avons parlé un mélange de français et d’anglais… Avec une majorité de français ! J’en ai vraiment profité. Et sur l’eau, la flotte du TFV est très compétitive. La course va être rude, le niveau est élevé. »

Damien Iehl, barreur de Nouvelle Calédonie :
« Avant le prologue, nous avons d’abord fait quatre départs avec des bouées au vent très proches, c’était un bon entrainement. Depuis quelques régates, l’équipage est assez content des voiles et du bateau. Tout le monde à bord a l’habitude de naviguer en Farr et c’est pas mal. Il nous faut encore nous roder. C’est mieux de commencer comme ça, mais la route est longue. »

Koen De Smedt, tacticien et barreur de Brunel :« C’était super ! Les conditions étaient magnifiques, donc c’était chouette. Nous finissons en quatrième position. Nous ne savions pas trop à quoi nous attendre car nous avions eu une très courte préparation. Nous verrons ce que ça donne ! Si nous nous amusons, c’est bien. Et aujourd’hui, nous nous sommes certainement amusés parce qu’avant le prologue, nous avons fait de toutes petites manches avec beaucoup de départs. »

Natacha Combier, équipière de Supelec (avant le second contrôle de jauge) :
« Aujourd’hui, nous n’avons pas navigué parce qu’hier, nous n’avons pas passé la jauge. Il nous manquait plein de matériel. Nous avons eu des problèmes de camion : nous avons eu un accident de voiture en arrivant et ça a été le bazar. Le loueur de notre bateau nous avait aussi assuré que le Farr 30 était quasiment prêt à partir, mais c’était faux. Il a fallu acheter plein de trucs qui manquaient. Nos deux skippers ont dû partir et nous nous sommes retrouvés sans maître à bord. Nous avons pris du retard. Mais une pré-jauge nous a permis de faire une check-list de ce qu’il manquait et les autres équipages nous ont aidés. Maintenant nous sommes prêts ! Notre objectif ? Participer ! »


Practice race, Tour de France à la Voile, © JM Liot / Tour de France à la Voile.

Classement du prologue (avant jury)

1. Nouvelle Calédonie (Bertrand Pacé / Vincent Portugal)
2. Courrier Dunkerque (Daniel Souben)
3. OMAN SAIL'S RENAISSANCE (Rob Greenhalgh)
4. BRUNEL (Peter Jan Postma / Bart Verwerft)
5. Ville de Genève - Carrefour Prévention (Jérôme Clerc)
6. TU Delft (Bert Schandevyl)
7. Nantes - Saint Nazaire (Jean Queveau)
8. CSC - HEC - Ecole Navale (Hervé Gautier)
9. GROOVEDERCI (Deneen Demourkas)
10. Brest Grandes Ecoles - ENSIETA - ESCB - ISEN (Tangi Mahé)
11. MUMMADUCK (Laurent Pagès)
12. Ile de France (Jimmy Pahun / Vincent Aillaud)
13. INSA SOPRA TSP TEM (Thomas Rahier / Nicolas Andrieu)
14. Côtes d'Armor (Stéphane Letertre)
15. Team SOG - SAFRAN (Julien Villion / Quentin Ponroy)
16. Manche Basse Normandie (Benoit Charon)
17. Port de plaisance de Roscoff - CCI de Morlaix (Julien Berthélémé / François Liron)
18. Bred (Eric Drouglazet / Christophe Bouvet)
19. Purflo Les Thermes Marins - St Malo (François Lebourdais / Pierre Hingant / Quentin Grueau)
20. ESSEC – Hanploi (Damien Seguin)
21. Toulon Provence Méditerranée - COYCH (Fabien Henry)
22. Ville du Port - Région Réunion (Thomas Terte / Thomas Pasquier / Noé Delpech)
23. Bienne Voile - SRS II (Lorenz Muller)
24. Région de Bruxelles Capitale Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Cyril Michel / Laurent Declercq)
25. Bienne Voile - SRS I (Stefan Seger)
ABD. Normale Sup Lagardère (Eric Brezellec)
ABD. Défi SEP / Arts et Métiers (Clément Hochart)
DNS. SUPELEC (François Isopet / Pierre Joly)

Au programme demain:
8h30 : départ ponton
10h30 : départ de la première manche. Plusieurs manches à suivre
17h30 : retour au ponton

Tour de France à la Voile