Team Russia Arrives in Alicante

Pitman/Bowman Oleg Zherebstov from Russia packs his national flag away onboard Team Russia¹s Volvo Open 70 ŒKosatka. The crew arrived from Portland, UK into the race start port of Alicante, Spain where they will be training before the In Port Race on the 4th October.
The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be the 10th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, on 4 October 2008, it will, for the first time, take in Cochin, India, Singapore and Qingdao, China before finishing in St Petersburg, Russia for the first time in the history of the race. Spanning some 37,000 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports over nine months, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier ocean yacht race for professional racing crews.

Rolex Swan Cup

Racing started at the Rolex Swan Cup 2008 bright and breezy, and bang on time at 1135, September 9. Conditions for a first day could not have been gentler. All four divisions will have come off the water having had a very satisfactory day's racing in winds that peaked in the early-teens in the channel, but stayed below ten knots elsewhere on the various courses. Some will be delighted with proceedings and some will not, but that is yacht racing. The standings at the end of Day One, see Favonius heading the Swan Maxi Division, Zen leading the Classics and Earlybird and Kora respectively top guns in the Swan 45s and Club Swan 42s. One day down.

Day two of the Rolex Swan Cup. The Swan Maxis went on a hefty 30 nautical mile w/l course, whereas the Classics undertook a shorter, 24 nm stroll. Meanwhile, the sprightlier Swan 45s and Club Swan 42s were given their own part of two four-leg windward/leewards of 8 nm. In the Swan Maxis the Swan 80, Favonius (BVI) played everyone off once again winning both on the water and on handicap. The Swan 48 Zen (GBR) conceded her waterline length to finish third on the water, but still came first on handicap in the Classics. Swan 45, Earlybird (GER), was later to finish in her fleet than yesterday posting a 6, 5, but sufficiently good to still lead overall. Equally, Kora (ITA), the Club Swan 42, had a drop in performance to score two seconds, but again held onto first overall. So, no change at the top after the day's proceedings.

Flat calm left a flat mood at the third day of the Rolex Swan Cup 2008. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Race Committee finally called a halt to the waiting at 1230, after a patient but fruitless delay to see if forecast light winds would arrive soon enough and stabilize sufficiently for the scheduled Long Island Race to be held. The breeze did not play ball and racing was abandoned for the day.

Playing water polo in the still waters off Porto Cervo was an odd way to prepare for the winds to come. But no one had predicted the speed and severity of the conditions that would end the day, prematurely for some. The scheduled earlier start of 10 AM came and went without any sign of the wind that had been forecast yesterday. The Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Race Committee kept everyone ashore for an hour and a half, before heading out in the hope of finding the promised breeze. It came, eventually, at three o'clock. A gentle 10 knots from the north-northwest stirring a ripple in the calm. Nothing too special and certainly no great warning. The aborted second race started in twenty-five knots and it was not until halfway down the first run that the alarm bells really started to ring as the breeze built in an instant to probably 40 knots at the masthead. It did not take long for the Race Committee to realize that this was more than a passing shower and, as the Swan 45s headed upwind for a second time some flying orange storm jibs and navigation lights shining in the gloom, the call was made to abandon. Not a moment too soon. Within minutes it was lights out as visibility went from poor to pitiful. Twenty minutes later visibility returned and the drenched Swan 45s were glad to return to safe haven.

Next day, at 1130, Peter Lawson, from the Committee, relayed the message from the course that the general situation was not expected to improve. Moments after giving three short blasts on the horn and hoisting the November flag over the Alpha flag to signify the curtailment of any racing, Lawson described the conditions leading to the decision, "in the course area the winds are 27 - 28 knots, gusting to 30 plus and conditions will continue to deteriorate during the next few hours. Gusts are expected to increase to the mid-30s or higher." So that was that. Game over for the day.

The final day of the Rolex Swan Cup 2008 dawned with an overcast sky and a moderate southwesterly of 15 knots. With the forecast warning that the wind would build during the day, the start time had been brought forward to 1030. The weather played ball for three of the divisions to complete one race apiece and for the Swan 45s to complete two. At the end of a difficult week with wind at both ends of the scale, the Rolex Swan Cup overall division winners were: Roel Pieper's Swan 80 Favonius (BVI) in Swan Maxi, Hendrik Brandis & Christian Nagel's Earlybird (GER) in Swan 45, Enrico Scerni's Kora (ITA) in Club Swan 42 and John Bainbridge's Swan 48 Zen (GBR) in the Classics.

VOR confirmed 8th entry

Dutch yacht Team Delta Lloyd is confirmed as the eighth entry in the Volvo Ocean Race at a press conference in Amsterdam, which starts in Alicante, Spain on 4 October. The team will be sailing the winning boat from the 2005-06 event and will sail under the Dutch flag with sail number NED -1.

The Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 will be the 10th running of this ocean marathon. Starting from Alicante in Spain, on 4 October 2008, it will, for the first time, take in Cochin, India, Singapore and Qingdao, China before finishing in St Petersburg, Russia for the first time in the history of the race. Spanning some 37,000 nautical miles, visiting 11 ports over nine months, the Volvo Ocean Race is the world's premier ocean yacht race for professional racing crews.

St Moritz Match Race, 3 - 7 September 2008

St Moritz Match Race got under way while the lake looked like glass, as promised the wind came through in time for the scheduled start. With eight of the top ten ISAF ranked teams competing, competition is sure to be fierce as the teams battle out. The format for this regatta sees the teams split in to two groups for the Round Robins. In Round Robin A the top three teams proceeding to the quarter-finals. The remaining three teams will compete in a repechage Round Robin with the bottom three teams from Round Robin B to decide the final two quarter final places. A fleet race started the day off with the teams from Group A all fighting for a top spot, knowing that if it came to a count back it would be the fleet race result that would help decide the outcome. Michael Hestbaek took out 1st place in the fleet race.

Torrential rain all night did nothing to deter the competitors of St Moritz Match Race as they prepared for day two of the sixth event of the World Match Racing Tour. A south-westerly breeze of eight to twelve knots came through and provided for some very close match racing. With the repechage scheduled to start this afternoon, the wind decided it didn’t want to play ball and slowly died away. The fleet race was completed and after waiting for an hour for breeze the teams were brought back to shore.

Day three at St Moritz Match Race and the big black rain clouds were slowly beginning to clear to make way for some great racing. With no races of the repechage round robin completed yesterday, organisers were starting to feel the pressure to get some races away. The course was quickly moved to the northern end of the lake, where 5-7 knots of wind was enough to get the sailors off the start line. With racing starting an hour earlier than the previous two days, the race committee were hoping to start the quarterfinals mid afternoon.

The sunshine has returned to the shores of Lake St Moritz today, bringing with it the breeze, albeit a shifty one. Racing got underway as scheduled. Adam Minoprio (NZL) began the day on match point against Peter Wibroe (DEN), in their first to two point quarter final. However Wibroe managed to take the first win. In the other quarterfinal, Ian Williams’ (GBR) Team Pindar took an essential win after starting the day one nil down against local favourite Eric Monnin (SUI). With both matches going to one all, whoever won the next race would be through to the semi finals. Minoprio defended well to maintain the lead at the top and they managed to hold on for victory and to claim their spot in the semi finals. Ian Williams took another win over local Eric Monnin securing his semi final spot. Sebastian Col (FRA) taking on Philippe Presti (FRA). Mathieu Richard winning his quarterfinal two nil. In the deciding race between Col and Presti, Presti managed to maintain a small lead. The semi finals got underway and in diminishing breeze only one match between Mathieu Richard and Philippe Presti was completed. Richard went on to win the race.

Mathieu Richard was crowned the ‘King of the Mountain’ today in St Moritz after beating Ian Williams 2-0 in a light wind final. Finally around lunch time the breeze arrived. It was barely visible on the lake but officials deemed it enough to race in. The first match of the day saw Ian Williams meet Adam Minoprio for a tough race in very shifty conditions, won by Ian Williams. In the second match between the two, Williams led comfortably around the course, and was able to fend off Minoprio. In the other semi final, Mathieu Richard was already one up against fellow Frenchman Philippe Presti after winning the first match yesterday. The wind was rapidly disappearing and moments after the race started it looked as if the breeze had died completely. Mathieu Richard managed to get ahead and stay in front for the rest of the race. From there on, there was no stopping the French team who went onto win the final two nil against last year’s winner Ian Williams.

Southampton Boat Show

Celebrating its 40th Show, the sixth largest Show in the UK features Europe's largest purpose built on-water marina and runs from 12-21 September 2008.

There are plenty of activities off the water that you can enjoy too. Over 600 exhibitors will be showcasing their products including sailing accessories and marine fashion.

Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup

A one-hour postponement saw the wind build from zip to 20 knots and more. With the wind came the sea - short, sharp and steep. And, whilst it was not all plain sailing, today was one of those days off Porto Cervo that sailors live for. Principal Race Officer Peter Craig and the race committee kept crews in the harbour for an extra hour, which would have done little to help anyone prepare for the afternoon ahead, because though the wind was expected to build no one had quite predicted what occurred. Neville Crichton's 30-metre lightening bolt, Alfa Romeo (NZL), blitzed the 24 miles in a shade over two hours. Come results time, honours were even in the Mini Maxis with Numbers and Rosebud/Team both posting a first and second in their two races. J One collected a first bullet of the week in the Wally Division; the J-Class Ranger maintained her perfect record in Cruising and Racing went to the super-maxi Alfa Romeo.

Cannes Regates Royales

Close to two hundred yachts are expected from 21^st to 28^th of September to celebrate the 30^th anniversary edition. Different categories, representing almost thirty different nationalities, all sharing the all-consuming passion for beautiful things, leading them each year to gather in increasing numbers on the popular Mediterranean bay. From elegant Dragons, to Toucans and Super Tofinou (newcomers to the race), from the most competitive yachts to the formidable schooners, yawls, ketches and other Gaff Cutters or Marconis, including the legendary metre classes of the beginning of the century, the finest yachts in the world will unfurl their sails to display their majestic sail plans on the French Riviera.

Since it’s creation in 1978, the Cannes Régates Royales has welcomed the cream of yachting and once again this year, Shamrock V and Agneta, who will both be defending their titles, Mariquita, Mariette built in 1915, Moonbeam IV, Adria, L’Iliade, Nan of Fife, Milena, Sunshine, Thendara and countless more of these timeless rare gems will all take part in the event. The sparkling waters of the magnificent Bay of Cannes will play court to these magnificent yachts for this first week of Autumn, with the grand massifs of the Mercantour and the Lérins Islands as their backdrop.

The event is outstanding, particularly for the elegance of the yachts, but above all for being a competitive event, and each year it attracts a growing number of skippers, sailing enthusiasts and onlookers. Very close to the coast, and visible to all, these legendary boats – some of which are classed as world heritage historical monuments – will once again sail together. No one can be untouched by the charm and stunning beauty of these classic yachts.

Danish Open

The first day of the Danish Open, Stage 5 of the World Match Racing Tour 2008 season saw 12 crews from 7 countries take to the waters off the Jutlandic peninsula. With a shifty gusty breeze that blew off the land up to 22 knots the teams were tested to the max. The morning session saw six teams take to the water to compete against one another. The afternoon session saw the other 6 teams take to the water. The second day of racing had wind ranging between 10 to 20 knots. Race officials took advantage of the conditions and completed 10 flights in the day’s schedule. Ian Williams ended the day 7-3. Mathieu Richard was pleased with his win loss record of 6-2 for the day. Torvar Mirsky finished the day on 5-3. Adam Minoprio finished 4-4 which leaves him with plenty to do. Johnie Berntsson also finished 4-4. With four flights left in the round it was all wide open with 6 teams capable of getting to the magic number of seven wins. It was Ian Williams that topped the Round Robin followed by Johnie Berntsson, Sebastien Col and Torvar Mirsky going to the Semi Finalists.

In semi final one against Johnie Bernsson, Ian Williams was over the line early but a big left shift propelled him back into lead. In the second match Berntsson struck back leading Williams from start to finish. In semi final two Torvar Mirsky capitalised on a big shift to get the jump he needed on Sebastien Col. Their second match was much closer. Col got a lead he defended well to the the finish.

The Danish Open ended today with Ian Williams (GBR) of Team Pindar taking 1st place in a best of three final against Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge. In the petit-final the results went to one all after Johnie Berntsson equaled the score by winning the second race against Torvar Mirsky. Berntsson then went on to win the third match.

MedCup Cartagena

Bribón took the final winning gun in Cartagena to win the Region of Murcia Trophy, their first regatta win this season. Quantum Racing head for Portugal having enhanced their Audi MedCup Circuit lead to 41.5pts. Gaining a two boat lengths advance on the final gybe of the last run of the final nail biting race was enough to clinch the Region of Murcia Trophy for José Cusí’s Bribón, winners of the fifth regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit. It was a fitting climax, the final twists and turns settling a great event as Cartagena delivered a whole new set of challenges to the TP52 fleet in testing winds on a challenging race arena, complemented ashore by a warm and very enthusiastic reception on the docksides and around the streets of an historic City. Locals and visitors wholheartedly embraced the first ever visit of the MedCup Circuit to a fast emerging region of Spain and were rewarded when overall victory went to one of Spain’s best known racing yachts. After four days of moderately fresh breezes, the final two races were contested in a light sea-breeze which carried some big changes in direction to frustrate and challenge crews, particularly in the first windward-leeward contest. Bribón win the regatta by two points and regain second place overall on the Audi MedCup Circuit 2008, behind Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the crew of Quantum Racing (USA) who leave Murcia and head for the final regatta in Portimao having extended their overall lead from 30 points to 41.2 points.

MedCup Cartagena

Fighting to the end of each and every race and good downwind speed see Matador lead the Region of Murcia Trophy regatta into the final day, but they have only two points on Bribon. The remarkable ‘never say die’ team spirit aboard Alberto Roemmers’ Matador (ARG), complemented by some smart calls from Thierry Peponnet and a healthy dose of sheer downwind speed all contributed to the key gain of four places on the final run of the last race today which means the Argentinan boat will enter the last day of the Region of Murcia Trophy Regatta with a slender two points advantage over Jose Cusi’s Bribón.

Another three challenging windward-leeward races on the testing Cartagena race track in 13-19 knots of NE and E’ly breezes saw three different winners, Inaki Castaner’s ONO, Matador and Bribón, all 2006 or 2007 build boats. Once again it proved an arena which favoured those prepared to stick to their convictions, with wind shifts variously benefiting both sides of the course area. A big shift during the first race of the day, with the breeze moving 35-40 degrees to the right, proved terminal to the hopes to those who were caught on the wrong side of it.