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SCUTTLEBUTT EUROPE #1480 - 7 APRIL

Brought to you by boats.com Europe ( http://www.boats.com ) and Yachtworld.com Europe ( http://www.yachtworld.com ) Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

LEROY RETAINS WOMEN'S MATCH RACING WORLD TITLE Auckland, New Zealand: Claire Leroy of France secured her second consecutive ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship title following the conclusion of racing in Auckland.

The 2008 BSPORT ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship, the tenth edition of the championship hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron on Waitemata Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand concluded with a frustrating finish as the wind failed to show up. Four prior days of superb racing had set the scene for a spectacular finale, but it was not to be

Claire Leroy (FRA) successfully defended the title she won on her home waters of St Quay, France last year. American Liz Baylis took silver, and Silja Lehtinen of Finland bronze in a frustrating day that was mostly spent waiting for the wind to arrive, meaning that final places for the split at first and third place were determined on countback.

28 year old Leroy has been virtually untouchable in her recent match racing career, hanging on tight to the #1 spot in the Women’s ISAF World Match Race Rankings since May 2005.

Of Leroy’s crew of Marie Riou, Elodie Bertrand and Claire Pruvot, both Riou and Pruvot are newcomers to the team this year

The 2009 event will take place in Lysekil, Sweden.

Overall Standings

1. Claire Leroy, FRA 2. Liz Baylis, USA 3. Silja Lehtinen, FIN 4. Josie Gibson, GBR 5. Katie Spithill, AUS 6. Silke Hahlbrock, GBR 7. Nicky Souter, AUS 8. Jessica Smyth, NZL 9. Christelle Philippe, FRA 10. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN 11. Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN 12. Sabrina Gurioli, ITA 13. Jan Dawson, NZL 14. Gemma Farrell, GBR

http://www.rnzys.org.nz/Sailing/Regattas/ISAFWomensWorlds/tabid/251/Default.aspx

YNGLING WOMEN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Blanes, Spain: After a thrilling Medal Race Sarah Ayton, Sara Webb and Pippa Wilson (GBR) are the 2008 Yngling European Champions.

Going into the Medal Race the 6 top boats had only a seven points difference setting the stage for a very exciting race. The bay of Blanes provided excellent conditions with blue skies and a see breeze of about 15 knots building up great surf waves.

After an equal start and a very tight first lap four boats managed to get a small gap to the fleet. Going down towards the finish the teams of Sarah Ayton (GBR), ), Sally Barkow (USA) Renee Groeneveld (NED) and Mandy Mulder (NED) were all side to side. At different points at the down wind there were all Gold medallists. Team Barkow got the last surf and won the race but did not get a boat between themselves and team Ayton so they finished second.

Final top ten:

1. Sarah Ayton / Sarah Webb / Pippa Wilson, GBR, 53 points 2. Sally Barkow / Carrie Howe / Debbie Capozzi, USA, 54 3. Renee Groeneveld / Annenieke Bes / Merel Witteveen, NED, 57 4. Mandy Mulder / Brechtje Van der Werf / Floortje Hendriksen, NED, 61 5. Anna Basalkina / Vladislava Ukraintseva / Ekaterina Maximova , RUS, 67 6. Ekaterina Skudina / Diana Krutskikh / Natalia Ivanova, RUS, 68 7. Ulrike Schuemann / Julia Bleck / Ute Hoepfner, GER, 95 8. Anne Le Helley / Catherine Lepesant / Julie Gerecht, FRA, 102 9. Monica Azon / Graciela Pisonero / Sandra Azon, ESP, 105 10. Sofia Bekatorou / Sofia Papadopoulou / Virginia Kravarioti, GRE, 112

Full results on the event site: http://cvblanes.esportcatala.com

APPROACHING THE FRONT Lionel Lemonchois and his ten crew celebrated their first week at sea in their North Pacific record attempt last night at 21h45’45’’ UT. Conserving a comfortable 551 mile lead over the reference time, the maxi-catamaran equipped by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild is making headway on a reach as the crew prepare to negotiate another cold front late today.

“The passage of the ridge of high pressure proved more difficult than forecast. We had to deal with shifty, fairly light winds throughout the day, which slowed our progress. However, we're gradually finding more pressure. Gitana 13 is currently under full mainsail and gennaker in around fifteen knots of breeze” detailed Lionel Lemonchois shortly after 2100 UT yesterday. However, the skipper of Gitana 13 is already focused on a big low, which the crew of the maxi-catamaran will most likely have to tackle on Tuesday: “We’re heading towards the cold front but we’re also looking a little further along the route as conditions at the end of our course promise to be feisty. The wind will fill in and we should be scooped up by a strong depression system in a little over 72 hours time" explained Lionel Lemonchois, who went on to elucidate: “It will all depend on the sea state, but whatever happens Gitana 13 is ready to weather this gale. We’ll go at it with care.”

A few figures after a week at sea - Data from 5th April at 2130 (UT)

Distance made good: 3,577 miles, at an average speed of 21.41 knots Distance covered along the great circle route (direct course): 2,604 miles, at an average speed of 15.60 knots Distance left to go: 1,879 miles Most distance covered in 24 hours: 612.7 miles (dating back to 3rd April)

http://www.gitana-team.com

SEAHORSE SAILOR OF THE MONTH Last month's winner:

Torvar Mirsky (AUS) ‘I have watched Torvar sail in every one of the six Warren Jones Match Race Regattas we have held here, starting as a 16 year old. He has certainly matured into a cunning, no holds barred skipper, that is now a force to be reckoned with at any level of match racing - even at the tender age of 21 years old’ - Skip Lissiman.

This month's nominees:

Jim Richardson (USA) King of the Farr 40s? We’ll find out in April when this two-time world champion, current class president and the winner of both of this winter’s big tune-up regattas goes for his third world title in Miami on what would be the 10th anniversary of his first big success. Diarist Terry Hutchinson also has a passing interest in another happy outcome for the Barking Mad team... as Jim Richardson’s tactician

Darren Bundock (AUS) In Auckland in February Darren Bundock finally matched the record of six Tornado world championship titles held by his former crew John Forbes - the fellow Australian sailor who first dragged a less than convinced Bundock into the Tornado many years ago. Now sailing with A-Class world champion Glenn Ashby in the front of his boat, this experienced crew look a good bet for the difficult conditions of Qingdao

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Harken McLube, Dubarry & Henri Lloyd.

Cast your vote at http://seahorsemagazine.com

TRANSPAC RAISES LIMITS The TPYC board of directors has posted an Advance Notice of Entry Requirements for the 45th race from Los Angeles to Honolulu next year with two key changes: a maximum length overall (LOA) extended to 30.48 meters (100 feet) for fastest elapsed time or course record contenders and the free use of stored energy for sail hoisting, trimming and adjusting---essentially, ending a Transpac ban on powered winches.

Entry chairman Bill Lee said, “We wanted to set a limit consistent with the major races in the rest of the world, and 30.48 is where it’s going. This should include all of the modern 100-foot racing boats, and is consistent with the International Maxi Association’s maximum size for racing boats.”

The 30.48-meter limit matches that established recently by the International Maxi Association. One prominent Maxi owner, Neville Crichton of New Zealand, has already stated his endorsement in regard to Transpac.

The new Transpac entry requirements also allow for a multihull fleet with a minimum of two entries and no maximum size or rating limit but a minimum LOA of 45 feet.

The Transpac Technical Committee chaired by Bill Lee and composed of Commodore Dale Nordin, designer Alan Andrews, veteran ocean racing navigators Ernie Richau and Stan Honey, US Sailing Offshore Director Dan Nowlan and Transpac veteran Sue Senescu presented the new requirements to the board of directors.

Lee said, “It was agreed that heavy cruising Aloha Division-type boats which are not contenders for the course record should be permitted to enter and compete for Aloha division prizes, even if they exceed the race boat limit of 30.48 meters.” -- Rich Roberts

Other highlights of the new requirements: -- A minimum LOA of 26 feet for monohulls and a rated speed equal to that of a Catalina 34 with spinnaker and 155% jib.

-- Minimum crew will be two, and the use of auto pilots will be allowed only on boats competing for double handed prizes.

--A tungsten bulb that meets all of the conditions of the IRC grandfather is permitted.

http://www.transpacificyc.org

TEAM NZ BROKE AND DESPERATE - BUTTERWORTH Brad Butterworth believes Team New Zealand is on the cusp of going broke and has no chance of sailing in another America's Cup if managing director Grant Dalton stays at the helm.

In an explosive interview with the Sunday Star-Times the Alinghi skipper and former America's Cup winning Team NZ sailor:

- Slams Dalton's decision to sue the Swiss syndicate, saying it was an act of betrayal that will ultimately lead to his demise.

- Reveals that he barely speaks to his friend and former sailing partner Russell Coutts because of the legal battle between Alinghi and Coutts' BMW Oracle syndicate over the next America's Cup.

- Says Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli essentially ensured Team NZ was at last year's America's Cup in Valencia by arranging sponsorship and providing finance to the Kiwis.

Dalton denies the claims.

But Butterworth has documents and details that appear to reveal that Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli not only saved Team New Zealand with a loan in 2003 but set up a sponsorship deal with Spanish brewer Estrella Damm so the team could compete in Valencia. He also financed the air freight of a Team NZ boat when it was cash-strapped and shared last year's regatta spoils, writing a multi-million-dollar cheque to Team NZ from its profits.

"Grant definitely got special treatment," says Butterworth. "We're now wondering why he has taken this extraordinary action, but we now believe he's jumped into bed with Oracle, that he's so desperate for cash that he's now become their lapdog."

Sensational claims are nothing new in the America's Cup, but Dalton had previously distanced himself from all the petty squabbling and fighting. But his decision to sue Alinghi for millions claiming they broke a promise to hold the next cup in 2009 has changed all that.

Last week, Butterworth produced Team New Zealand's Notice of Entry signed by Dalton on July 25, 2007. In it Dalton absolves Alinghi of any liability should a third party delay the cup. It specifically refers to the risk of pending legal action from Oracle that has led to Team NZ's exclusion from the next regatta, a multihull one-on-one challenge between Oracle and Alinghi.

"I don't know the finer points of his financial position but my guess is he's broke," said Butterworth.

"Why other than the fact he's desperate and out of his depth would he take this action? It's a joke." -- Greg Ford, his full article at http://www.stuff.co.nz/sundaystartimes/4466727a6656.html

ALOHA AND MAHALO TO HAWAII AS RACE 8 GETS UNDERWAY Ala Wai Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii " Race 8 in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race series is underway after a keenly-contested start in 15 knots of breeze off Honolulu on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.

Nova Scotia was the first of eight internationally-backed yachts to cross the start line at the western end of the world-famous Waikiki Beach, before racing along the shore towards Diamond Head and out into the Pacific Ocean at the beginning of the 2,080-mile race to Santa Cruz, California. Durban 2010 and Beyond and westernaustralia2011.com did not make the start line as work continues on their new masts.

The start was postponed 30 minutes from the advertised time due to a final rig inspection and a new gas sensor being fitted on Hull & Humber.

The crews have had a longer than expected stopover in Honolulu after race organiser, Clipper Ventures, took the decision to replace some rigging fittings across the rest of the fleet following the dismasting of two yachts, westernaustralia2011.com and Durban 2010 and Beyond, during the Pacific Ocean race from Qingdao, China. The work was completed yesterday and all eight teams headed out of the Ala Wai Harbor for short test sails to check their rigs and to get back into an ocean racing frame of mind.

Durban 2010 and Beyond followed the eight yachts out of the Ala Wai to wave farewell to the teams who set off on Race 8 this morning. Watching from the quayside was westernaustralia2011.com’s skipper Martin Silk along with several of his crew. Round the worlder, John Kimber said, “This is weird, watching them go and being left behind.”

Progress on the masts has been excellent and the shipment containing the spreaders arrived yesterday. The team will work through the weekend to ensure the task of getting westernaustralia2011.com and Durban 2010 and Beyond on their way to Santa Cruz is completed as quickly as possible.

http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

PIRATES HIJACK THREE MASTED YACHT IN GULF OF ADEN The French three-masted sailing ship Le Ponant was hijacked on Friday morning in the Gulf of Aden.

A group of pirates have taken over the 88 metre, 850-tonne, three-masted French luxury yacht with 30 crew on board off the coast of Somalia. French cruise operator CMA-CGM confirmed Le Ponant had been seized on its way from the Seychelles to the Mediterranean. The luxurious yacht was scheduled to take on board passangers in Malta between April 21 and April 22.

The 32-cabin Le Ponant, is a fully equipped with lounges, bar and restaurant, is one of three operated by the Marseille-based firm, which describes itself as France's leading cruise provider. With a capacity for 64 passengers, it offers cruises in the Gulf region, including between Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan, and off the coast of Oman.

Le Ponant, 'was the victim of an act of piracy as it was sailing between Somalia and Yemen,' CMA-CGM spokesman Christophe Prazuck said.

A spokesman for the boat's owner, the Compagnie des Iles du Ponant, said there were no holidaymakers on board, and that most of the crew are from France and Ukraine.

The lastest news is that Le Commandant Rouen, warship, has been diverted from NATO’s Afghanistan operation to join the Yemeni coast guard in the hunt for and rescue of the captured craft. -- Crusing World, http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=43276

* France has made contact with pirates who hijacked a French luxury yacht off Africa's eastern coast with 30 French and Ukrainian crew members on board, the French foreign minister said Sunday.

About 10 suspected pirates stormed the 288-foot Le Ponant on Friday as it was returning, without passengers, from the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. The pirates then guided the vessel down Somalia's eastern coast.

The hijacking comes amid a surge in piracy in the seas off the chaotic Horn of Africa nation, where a weak and impoverished government is unable to patrol its territorial waters. Pirates have seized more than two dozen ships off the country's coast in the last year, typically demanding high ransoms to free their hostages.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner told France-Inter radio that France was in contact with the pirates.

"We have established contact, and the case may take a long time," he said, without providing more details. Asked whether France would consider paying a ransom, he responded, "We'll see."

"We have to do everything to avoid bloodshed," Kouchner said. -- Associated Press writers Mohamed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu, Somalia, and Pierre-Yves Roger in Paris, full article at http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20080406/API/804062453

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - editor@scuttlebutteurope.com Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

deeper than what is still open to alter the choice made by ISAF council.

Let's assume, to simplify, that Men and Women Singlehanded dinghy and Windsurf are not threatened.

Then, * why 4 male and just 2 female events? * why NO match racing male? * why NO 'open' (i.e. male+female) events?

This could lead to: * accept MH 'open' * replace fleet racing by match racing male, sorry for old-timer Star, the only interest is to bring additional medals to some nations making already a lot of... * if one other event has to disappear... there is still opportunity to reduce singlehanded and doublehanded dinghy male to one event (sorry if this gives IOC the bad idea to reduce to 9 events for 2016) * doublehanded dinghy male and female may be HP. Medias like it as it is more spectacular...

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THE LAST WORD Everybody gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense. -- Gertrude Stein

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