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SCUTTLEBUTT EUROPE #1494 - 24 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

TESTING CONDITIONS FOR FINAL STAGE The wind tested the skills of the racing committee and sailors for the first day of finals in the 40th Semaine Olympique Française in Hyeres. Some top names scored big points while light wind specialists were able to show their full potential. The race inside the race, for Olympic selections, intensified between some teams. Thursday will see the last opportunity for qualifying into the medal race.

It was a totally different day this morning in Hyeres with the palm trees slightly moving with the remains of a dying Mistral. The wind shifted all day from the south-west to the East to reinforce in a sea breeze by mid afternoon. Regatta PRO, Ion Echave had already announced, in the early team leader's meeting, that the day could be unpredictable. The intention of the race committees to start 2 to 3 races in each class, could take all day and it did. Starting on time at 11am, the 45 races, run in the 6 racing areas, ended up 8 hours later. The committees spent the day moving the marks around to follow the wind.

Some top names didn't make the cut into the Gold fleet this morning. In the 470 men, Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page (AUS) could not discard an earlier disqualification after a starboard incident with a Russian boat and raced in the silver fleet. British 49er sailors Morrison/Rhodes who had twice suffered from gear failure could not come back to the score with only four races sailed and no discard. The vice-World champions missed as well the Gold fleet and decided to end their regatta to go home and rest. The same decision was made by Athens Gold medallist Faustine Merret (FRA) after a slow start in the regatta.

Racing will resume on Thursday in all 11 events. -- Corinne McKenzie

http://sof.ffvoile.net

LIGHT WINDS, BUT STILL HOT ACTION Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Brasil: An unusually light and shifty northerly breeze today prevented the intended completion of round robin action for both Groups A and B in Day Two of the Brasil Sailing Cup. Only the six skippers and teams from Group B were able to race today, and a bailer problem with one of the SM40's used in the competition kept two pairs from racing to conclude this round.

But the outcome one of these matches will determine the winner of the round robin, and therefore the placings of the top three teams who will advance to the Quarter Finals, along with the top two who will emerge from the Repechage in order to advance. World Match Racing Tour veteran Paolo Cian (ITA) and his Team Shosholoza, who finished with four wins in this round, are hoping Peter Wibroe (DEN), the reigning European Match Race Champion, defeats another WMRT veteran Bjorn Hansen (SWE) and his Alandia Sailing Team, as Hansen today defeated Cian, and would therefore win a tie-break.

Round robin action continues tomorrow, along with the start of the Repechage.

Results after Day Two:

Group A (unchanged from Day One):

Ian Williams, Team Pindar 3-0 Magnus Holmberg, Victory Challenge 3-0 Torvar Mirsky, Mirsky Racing Team 2-1 Adam Minoprio, Emirates Team New Zealand, BlackMatch Racing 1-2 Daniel Glomb, Team Bravissimo 0-3 Juan Grimaldi, Tag Heuer Sailing Team 0-3

Group B

Paolo Cian, Team Shosholoza 4-1 Bjorn Hansen, Alandia Sailing Team 3-1 Mattias Rahm, Stenna Bulk Sailing Team 2-2 Henrique Haddad, Giant Sailing Team 2-3 Peter Wibroe, Wibroe Sailing Team 1-3 Pierre Antoine Morvan, Equipe de France espoir de match racing 1-3

http://www.brasilsailingcup.com http://www.worldmatchracingtour.com

CLIPPER EVENTS IS HIRING Post: Corporate Sailing Skippers / Mates - 2008 Summer Season Department: Clipper Events, Clipper Ventures plc, Gosport Responsible for: Corporate Sailing / Yacht Maintenance Start/Finish 01/7/2008 - October 2008 Salary Scale: 18-24,000 GBP per annum pro rata

Clipper Events is a world leader in corporate sailing and management training/development. Using the current Clipper 68' RTW Racing Yachts we deliver high quality corporate sailing, racing and management training. We are currently looking to recruit a number of qualified, experienced and high quality sailing staff for the forthcoming summer season. Minimum of Yacht Master (commercially endorsed) and big boat experience.

Send CVs to Becky: bscarrott@clipper-ventures.com

THE STAR KEEL SHORTIES Information reaches me of the Short Arse Club. Membership is open to crewmen in the Star keel boat class.

Bryn Vaile is a fully paid-up member. The 1988 gold medal winning crew to Mike McIntyre tells me that the optimum inner leg measurement for crew in the class is 27 inches.

Compelled to ask how Vaile knows such a thing, he cites detailed research. Seemingly he was on the scales at a championship crew weigh-in alongside (but not literally) the legendary American crew man Steve Erickson.

Known to all as Stevie Wonder, Erickson won the 1984 Gold crewing for Bill Buchan, and somehow he and the Welshmen discussed what was the common denominator in Gold medal winning crew. So the SAC had its roots.

Seemingly SAC members can hike the trunk of their bodies over the side of the Star's low freeboard hull with their backsides just kissing the water.

A longer leg length results in greater immersion. Which is wet and slow. -- Tim Jeffery, an excerpt from his latest blog posting at http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/timjeffery/

SOLENT PROTECTION SOCIETY Following the announcement last December by the Solent Protection Society that it has registered its objection to the introduction of the proposed larger ferries on the Lymington to Yarmouth route, the Society organized a Briefing Meeting of principal parties to further consider the situation.

The Briefing Meeting, held in Lymington on 22nd April 2008, was attended by over 60 invitees and chaired by Mr Peter Nicholson, President of the Society. Introducing the meeting he said "We have been regularly consulting with the various parties concerned and felt that a meeting of all the key players to discuss the BMT SeaTech Ferry Operations Risk Assessment, Phase 1, and associated issues would be appropriate".

In summing up the discussions at the end of the meeting the Chairman of the Council said "It is clear that Phase II of the Risk Assessment will be critical in clarifying the potential environmental and safety impacts of the new ferries and the Society will continue to be proactive in the process".

Synopses of the Speakers' presentations can be found on the Solent Protection Society website: http://www.solentprotection.org -- Susan Preston Davis

HIGH PERFORMANCE CLOTHING There are many variables that go into performing well at a regatta. Some are controllable, some are not. Clothing is a controllable variable. Therefore, when looking for high performance clothing, the Code Zero quick dry shirt from Camet is a perfect choice! Made with a double circular knit lightweight fabric that is designed to wick away moisture, dry fast, be comfortable, and have maximum UV protection. This high performing shirt is perfect as a single warm weather layer or as an under layer for cold weather. Camet is the source for Padded Sailing Shorts, Pants, Vests, and so much more...

http://www.camet.com

COWES DIVISION IS GO! The X One Design came from the drawing board of Isle of Wight naval architect Alfred Westmacott in 1909 and records show that the class was formally established in 1911. The Cowes Division was formed in 1951 and raced regularly until the late 1980s. The Class is now looking ahead to their centenary year in 2011.

Following a very successful, and well attended meeting, on Saturday 12th April at the Island Sailing Club it has been decided to move to the next stage in re-establishing a Division of XODs at Cowes with the formation of a steering group.

The Cowes Combined Clubs have already made provision for XOD racing in their programme for this season and there will be an invitational series throughout July, ahead of Skandia Cowes Week. The Island S.C. had the silverware from previous years on display, all the cups need is a clean. The Cowes Harbour Commissioners have assigned 12 moorings for the XODs and three of these have already been taken.

There will be a further meeting in the next few weeks time and the date, time and venue will be confirmed as soon as possible. Anyone who was unable to attend the last meeting but would like further information about the next meeting or the Division's development should email the Class Secretary on xodsec@tiscali.co.uk -- Eddie Mays

NEW RECORDS RATIFIED The World Sailing Speed Record Council announces ratification of a number of intermediate records achieved by Francis Joyon during his record breaking singlehanded Around the World voyage:

Record : 24 Hour Singlehanded. Yacht: "Idec" Name: Francis Joyon, FRA Dates: 11th December 2007 to 12th December 2007 Start time/position: 11/12/07: 05:01:00 UTC: Latitude: 45.784 Longitude: 52.796 Finish time/position: 12/12/2007 05:00:00 UTC: Latitude: 47.480 Longitude: 67.505 Elapsed time: 23 hours 59 minutes Distance: 613.5 nm Average speed: 25.56 kts Comments: At the time of this claim the current record was: 2006, "Brossard", 60ft Tri, Yvan Bourgnon, SUI, 610.45nm, 25.76kts. Subsequently on the 6th January 2008, Thomas Coville, FRA, established a new record of 619.3nm, 25.8 kts.

Francis Joyon therefore held the record over the intermediate period.

Records: Equator/Equator. Indian Ocean. Pacific Ocean - All singlehanded. Yacht: "Idec" Name: Francis Joyon FRA. Dates: 2007/2008.

Elapsed times: Equator/Equator: 41 days 9 hours 14 minutes. Indian Ocean: 9 days 12 hours 6 minutes Pacific Ocean: 10 days 14 hours 26 minutes

Previous records: Equator /Equator: 05. "B&Q, Ellen MacArthur GBR 51d 19h 17s Indian Ocean: 05. "B&Q", Ellen MacArthur GBR. 12d 18h 57m Pacific Ocean: 05: "B&Q", Ellen MacArthur GBR. 12d 13h 39m

John Reed Secretary to the WSSR Council

BILL BISHOP - MARINE ARTIST Bill Bishop has been a professional artist since 1981, specialising in marine art and collectors all over the world have bought his exquisite work.

His paintings range from modern day classic yachts and naval warships, to the America's Cup past and present and historic sea battles.

Every detail is researched in minute detail for historic precision, hull lines and rig configuration, deck layout and even crew kit and equipment.

Titles include: The Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805 towards 2.30pm Lifeboat rescue c.1900 (the RNLI Christmas Card) Westward and Meteor IV off Cowes c. 1911 'Windy Corner' at the Battle of Jutland 1916 The 10 Minute Gun for the J Class c.1937 HMS Andromeda in ice 1983 America's Cup Jubilee Regatta 2001 - Shenandoah and Mariette of 1915 Mariella and Altair - Antigua 2006

For further information, visit the new website at http://www.bishopmarineart.com

THE AMERICAN SAILING LEAGUE IS OFFERING BIG PRIZE MONEY Long has the 18ft Skiff been considered the ultimate dinghy to sail or to watch sailing. As such it has often been the boat of choice for those wanting to make an impression on the general public. Most can remember the 18ft Skiffs being televised in the 90s on Sydney Harbour and this success has been talked about being emulated much before. Now the newly formed American Sailing League is having a no holds barred go at doing just that, and it would seem they are off to a good start.

Founded by Jeff Causey and Thomas Loughborough, the American Sailing League has a simple aim: to bring exciting sailing to the masses in the form of close to the shore events sailed in high performance boats.

This idea is not new. Back in the 1980s there was ProSail and the Ultimate 30s. Locally in San Francisco In the 1990s the 11m class managed to put on a successful series of events racing just off PIER 39's Fisherman's Wharf, managing to attract decent crowds. "They did it for a few years, it got really big, with all the 11s sponsored then a few people left and it all suddenly went away," laments Causey.

Perhaps part of the reason such a competitive fleet is due to attend the PIER 39 events this year is due to the prize money that has been put up. "The plan is to present a $10,000 cheque for the winner of the cash prize race, which will be the final race of the series," Causey comments. "That will be something you will have to qualify for by racing the first Saturday of the June event as well as the first three or four races of the day on Sunday. That money has come out of our sponsor budget." Clearly then $10,000 is a big draw for an event that takes place over the course of a single weekend. -- Excerpt from The Daily Sail: http://www.thedailysail.com

http://americansailingleague.com

PAN AMERICAN SAILING GOLD MEDALIST SHOT AND WOUNDED IN BRAZIL Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Pan American Games sailing gold medalist Pedro Tinoco Amaral of Brazil was shot and slightly wounded during a fight early Saturday morning.

Police said the 23-year-old Amaral, who won the Snipe category at the 2007 Pan American Games held in Rio de Janeiro, was shot in front of a nightclub while defending a friend during a fistfight.

Police said a single bullet entered and exited Amaral's upper left thigh without causing any major damage. He was treated and released from a hospital. -- Associated Press, International Herald Tribune, http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/05/sports/LA-SPT-SAI-Brazil-Sailor-Shot.php

IOC WOMEN IN SPORT CONFERENCE Within ISAF, recent debate has focused on women in the committees and decision making structures of ISAF. As we know, this is just one part of the sports mix in which women are involved. The IOC Women in Sport Conference certainly reminded us of the diverse and crucial role women play in sport, but also highlighted the numerous barriers women face based on gender discrimination.

The IOC President opened the session by highlighting the role women play in introducing their children to sport and supporting their ongoing involvement - a vital recruitment process from youth upwards. "Sport needs women's participation, not only because they represent half of humanity, but also because they are key in transmitting the love of sport to our youth. It is the mothers who determine their children's love to sport and we have to bring them back to sport. This is why all of us, we have to continue to give our utmost to promote and defend the cause of women in sport."

Reflecting on attaining the targets for women's representation in the International Olympic Committee (IOC), National Olympic Committees (NOC's) and International Federations (IF's), the IOC acknowledged that progress had been slow in meeting the previously set targets, but re-iterated its belief that in order for the targets to be achieved, more intervention work was needed across the world. Interestingly, the IOC is considering introducing an enforceable requirement for NOCs to meet the IOC requirements for gender representation.

Full report from Fiona Kidd, Chairman of the ISAF Women's Forum at http://www.sailing.org/23079.php

FEATURED BROKERAGE IMS 51 Fram XV, $600,000 USD. Located in Oslo Norway.

FRAM XV, sister ship to Farr IMS 51' Mascalzone Latino, is a direct development of 2000 Copa del Rey winner BRIBON (D. 467) exhibiting significant advances in hull shape, rig configuration and appendages. FRAM XV's deck and interior are adaptations of our successful IMS 49s and designed to function efficiently using the least amount of weight while meeting the requirements of the IMS rule. The sailplan has overlapping headsails for flexibility in the wide range of expected weather conditions.

Brokerage through Farr Yacht Sales: http://www.farryachtsales.com

Complete listing details and seller contact information at http://www.farrdesign.com/brokerage/488_FramXV.htm

THE LAST WORD Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim. -- Bertrand Russell

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