Warm climate retirement homes going cheap
As Port Dickson, Malaysia has not yet recovered from the early nineties building boom and subsequent 1997 Asian financial collapse, there is an excess supply of condominium apartments in housing estates and marina's, going incredibly cheap. Anywhere around Malaysian Ringgit MR 70k to 150k (US$ 19k to 40k) will get you a two or three bedroom apartment or house lot. More and more foreigners enjoy living in a warm climate all year round and have taken to basing themselves in sunny PD. Imagine an air conditioned, 2 bedroom apartment, with all the furniture could be yours for RM90,000 (around Euro 20k)? Come try us out! Would suite retired couples looking for somewhere quiet to get them through the present economic crises. Goto: AY Real-Estate page at: http://asianyachting.com/Mall/Real-Estate.htm

Distribution: Emailed to over 2700 recipients on all points of the compass. Known to be read by sailors as far north as Iceland, to the extremes of the Southern Ocean. Can also be found hidden away (No doubt for future consumption) by some of Europe's business elite and royalties at posh oriental clubs in the far east.

AsianYachting.com is now a major yachting news provider in Asia which averages over 2000 page views per day.

CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Can't wait to get up to Pattaya for TOTGR - Stop Press: New York State Court of Appeals rules in favour of the Golden Gate Yacht Club.
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Knickers to aid navigation of the North Pole - Body of missing yachtsman found in Thailand - Get in early for the Monsoon Cup Qualifiers - Cape Horn Update from Puma - They pay us to do this! - ISAF News - Nations Cup - Elliott 6m keelboat hits the water - ISAF Olympic Commission appointed - Officials for 2012 London Olympic Games - ISAF Sailing World Cup arrives in Europe - Gulf of Aden Pirate Corridor - New coordinates in effect - Oman's 'Musandam' sets new Arabian record - IRC Rule gets a website - First Indian to sail around the world? - Missile-interceptor for North Korean rocket launch - Tsunami Buoys for South China Sea
Up next - Top of the Gulf Regatta (30th April-4th May) - Sawadee.com Regatta 2009 Samui (June 1st- 6th)
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Portimão Global Ocean Race Leg 3 finish is wide open - Ericsson 3 triumph on Leg 5 gamble and VOR planning for next race - Ericsson 3 triumph on Leg 5 gamble and VOR planning for next race - Yacht Racing Design & Technology Symposium runs parallel to Forum - Revolutionary Tomahawk Foils
Follow the - Volvo Ocean Race - Portimão Global Ocean Race
4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - Macquarie Innovation reaches 50.43 knots - Richard Jenkins & Greenbird go 126.4 mph on land
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Firefly noses in Thailand - Paul Larson & Sailrocket - On with the show - Whooping it up at St. Maarten Heineken Regatta

1. EDITORIAL

As the April 1st euphoria dies down, we present our own brand of entertaining and often to serious approach to the news. We just can't wait to get up to Pattaya at the end of the month for the Top of the Gulf Regatta (30th April-4th May). Several big names like Neil Pryde, Frank Pong and Ray Roberts will be making their first appearance at this event and the on going Platu 25 Championships have incorporated the Coronation Cup as there second event this year. Racing is expected to be very tight and exciting again, as last time three races were decided by only one second. There are still boats available for charter and OD Teams can contact Kevin Scott at: kevscott@hotmail.com

The Sawadee.com Regatta 2009 Samui (June 1st- 6th) is shaping up to be another great event. They had an amazing presence at this year's ITB Berlin Fair, one of the world's largest travel and leisure industry fairs. Samui was represented in a booth with 5m high images of regatta yachts and handed out 6000 maps with the logo on them, 12000 flyers advertising a Thai International Package to Samui from Germany for the regatta, and 10,000 bags with a really big regatta logo above a map of Samui Island. Fantastic exposure for Samui and the Regatta with much more to come.

Stop the Press...
(Apr. 2, 2009) - The New York State Court of Appeals, in the case between Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and Societe Nautique De Geneve (SNG), regarding the validity of Club Nautico Espanol De Vela (CNEV) as the Challenger of Record, has found in favor of GGYC, reversing the Appellate Division and reinstating Justice Cahn's orders. The unanimous decision is at: http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/decisions/2009/apr09/25opn09.pdf With that all said and done let the fireworks begin.

All these events and more are either covered below or on the website with links to the main stories. So keep checking the website for any updates and Enjoy!
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 Knickers to aid navigation of the North Pole.
Arctic explorer Pen Hadaow and his team are relying on a pair of lady's knickers to navigate their way to the North Pole after the compass failed. The Catlin Arctic Survey are trekking 700 miles to the North Pole to measure the thickness of the shrinking Arctic icecap. However due to the proximity of the magnetic north, the compasses are "going haywire". The freezing conditions also mean the latest global positioning satellite or GPS equipment will not work. Therefore the team have to rely on navigating using the position of the sun. When it is cloudy they rely on following the direction of the wind helpfully indicated by a pair of lacy knickers shredded and stuck to the end of a ski pole. Mr Hadow, who was the first person to trek solo to the North Pole, said the knickers were kindly donated by a supporter of the expedition. Speaking from the Arctic via satellite phone, he said: "It an entirely genuine situation. If you can get gossamer thin material and attach it your ski pole it is particularly useful for this project because we can cannot use the compass as we are so close to magnetic north and it is too cold to use the GPS. "The knickers have taken up a whole new value operationally." So far the team have covered almost 62 miles (100 km) and expect to have to swim through open water to make it the Pole by May or June. However Mr Hadow was confident the expedition will make it. He said: "We have no plans to change the route. It is proving difficult but we are going to bite the bullet and do what explorers do and get on with it." Full story http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/5061498/Lacy-underwear-secret-tool-of-polar-expedition.html

2.2 Body of missing yachtsman found in Thailand
31 March 2009 The body of 64-year-old Malcolm Robertson has been found by the authorities in Thailand a week after he went missing during a robbery onboard his yacht Mr Bean. Thai fishermen found a body 10 miles north of Lipeh Island in Satun, southern Thailand. The three Burmese fishermen arrested last week have now been charged with murder, having admitted boarding the yacht and robbing Robertson and his wife Linda. The Foreign and Commonwealth office is providing consular support to Robertson's wife who survived the attack with minor injuries and family members who have flown in from the UK. In the meantime the scene of the tragedy, the Adang Archipelago lies, as it always did, a quiet dream escape from the busy mainland of Thailand. Full story at: http://asianyachting.com/news/MurderThailand.htm

2.3 Get in early for the Monsoon Cup Qualifiers
The Monsoon Cup Malaysia 2009 is looking for young sailors and fresh talents across Malaysia and Asia for its qualifiers with the winners getting the opportunity to race with the world's best sailors in the Monsoon Cup the final event of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) at Pulau Duyong in Kuala Terengganu from Dec 1- 6. Monsoon Cup Race Advisor, Dato’ Peter Gilmour said entries are FREE and each team must comprise of 5 sailors to participate in the Qualifier Series to be held in the match circuit in Kuala Terengganu. The Asian Match Racing Championship from Nov 9 to 12 is open to members of Asian yachting clubs and is followed by the Malaysian Match Racing Championship which is open to Malaysian sailors is from Nov 23 to 26. Registration for both qualifiers will close on October 31, 2009, but first in will secure their spot. Gilmour added that the overwhelming response from both Malaysian and Asian sailors have encouraged us to expand the number of participants in the qualifiers which has also extended over four days instead of three previously. Apart from qualifying to race with world-class sailors in the Monsoon Cup, the Malaysian and Asian Match Racing Championship winners are also racing for the RM1 million prize money that awaits the Monsoon Cup teams. For more details contact Ms. Mira Navaretna Tel: +603-2142 2882 or E-mail: mira@tbest.com.my Website: http://www.monsooncup.com.my

2.4 Charter a Sunsail yacht at the next Asian regatta.
The world’s largest yacht charter and watersports beach club operator, is expanding operations in the Gulf of Thailand for 2009, with a dedicated fleet of yachts offering all year around sailing opportunities from their island bases on Koh Chang (Trat Province) and Koh Samui. The yachts will include the latest additions to Sunsail’s fleet, introducing the Sunsail 39 and Sunsail 43 monohull yachts, and the award winning Sunsail 404 Catamaran. The extended season will now allow the yachts to be available for the Top of the Gulf Regatta 1st – 5th May and the Koh Samui Regatta in the first week of June. Sunsail Asia have launched their new look website www.sunsailasia.com offering special packages and promotions with regular updates and up to date news on Sunsail's activities in the Asian region. Contact them directly for other sailing activities by Tel: +66 (0)76 239057 or Email: sales@sunsailasia.com

2.5 Cape Horn Update from Puma - They pay us to do this!
A fantastic rounding of Cape Horn - 30 knots of wind, big waves and daytime to boot. We only got to see the actual rock way off in the distance but that’s okay. Rounding Cape Horn is a big bag full of emotions - relief that you are alive and out of the danger that is ever present in the Southern Ocean, regret that you may not come this way again, and a sense that you are passing not only a geographic landmark, but perhaps an important and significant milestone in your life. Casey made good on his promise to get nude at the Horn! It was absolutely hilarious watching him come out of the hatch in his birthday suit, accompanied by Sid in tights, before together running to the bow and hanging onto the headstay for a photo-op where they got drenched by a freezing Southern Ocean wave before running back and driving the boat for a minute. I wondered what the people at Volvo would make of this! I'm sure they had good reason to introduce the under 30 rule, but I bet no one anticipated some of the potential consequences. It was tough moment for a MCM - standing there on the pitching deck with a camera in both hands, waves breaking over the deck, and people running around everywhere. Everyone wants a picture, plus we need to get a video.

2.6 ISAF News - Nations Cup
Skippers Damien IEHL and Claire LEROY led the French teams to repeat success as they triumphed in Porto Alegre, Brazil to win the 2009 ISAF Nations Cup in both Open and Women's divisions. France have again proved themselves a nation of match racing excellence as both teams came back from 1-0 deficits to repeat the double success at the last Nations Cup in 2006. The world’s top match racing nations have been put to the test through a series of Regional Finals held around the globe, with the winners facing off at the Grand Final in Porto Alegre, Brazil. IEHL and his team started the final day of the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final 1-0 down to home favourite Henrique HADDAD of Brazil. However the French skipper, ranked #7 in the world, turned the tie around to triumph 3-2. In the women’s final, LEROY, also the reigning World Champion and world #1 ranked women’s skipper, was defending the Nations Cup title she won in 2006. Although she also went into Saturday 1-0 down in her final with Lucy MACGREGOR of Great Britain, LEROY turned things around, winning the 2009 ISAF Nations Cup Women’s title by a 3-1 scoreline. In the two petit finals, Denmark took the bronze medal in the Open division as Mads EBLER defeated Alvaro MARINHO (POR) 2-1. Bronze in the Women’s division went to the USA as Beijing Olympic gold medallist Anna TUNNICLIFFE (USA) overcame Giulia CONTI of Italy 2-0. ISAF media: http://www.sailing.org/nationscup

2. 7 Elliott 6m keelboat hits the water
The Elliott 6m keelboat will finally make its debut on the world stage this June during event six of the 2008-2009 ISAF Sailing World Cup at Kieler Woche in Germany. For its selection as equipment for the Olympic Games, the boat has undergone modifications to the original design of the sails, rig and keel to specifically suit a crew of three women. The first eight Elliott 6m built under this new design will be shipped directly from the McConaghy factory in China to Hamburg. A charter arrangement at Kieler Woche will allow all women's match race competitors an equal chance to sail the new Olympic equipment for the first time. The Elliott 6m will also be used for the final event of the 2008-2009 World Cup, the Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta held at the 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition venue in Weymouth and Portland. The Delta Lloyd Regatta, held during May in The Netherlands, will use Yngling keelboat as match racing equipment this year, switching to the Elliott 6m from 2010. More about the ISAF Sailing World Cup goto: http://www.sailing.org/isafsailingworldcup

2.8 ISAF Olympic Commission appointed
Following the appointment of the ISAF Olympic Commission, the ISAF website www.sailing.org spoke to chairman of the Commission Phil Jones to find out more about his new role. The new Olympic Commission will report directly to the ISAF Executive Committee and is tasked with assisting them in ‘developing, agreeing and promoting a comprehensive vision and strategy of the sport of sailing in the Olympic Games’. The Commission is formed of six members, including the chairmen of the Athletes’ Commission and Events Committee, and is chaired by Phil Jones. Jones has been the CEO of Yachting Australia since 1997, which he joined after acting as ISAF’s Olympic Manager and one of two ISAF Technical Delegate for sailing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. The Commission is scheduled to hold their first meeting in Warsaw, Poland this May, during the ISAF Mid-Year Meetings. The ISAF Sailing.org team caught up with Phil Jones to get his views on Olympic Sailing at: http://www.sailing.org/27657.php

2.9 Officials for 2012 London Olympic Games
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has announced the early appointment of the Executive Technical Delegate and the Race Officials Management Team for the 2012 London Olympic Games Sailing Competition. The Executive Technical Delegate David Kellett (AUS) and the chair of the Jury, David Tillett (AUS), Measurement Dick Batt (GBR) and Race Officials Teams Charley Cook (USA) from the Olympic Sailing Competition at Beijing 2008 have all been re-appointed to the same role for London 2012. They will form the core of the team charged with ensuring fair play on the water and will work closely with the London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG) to deliver a successful Olympic Sailing Competition. -- Read on: http://www.sailing.org/27570.php

2.10 ISAF Sailing World Cup arrives in Europe
Anticipation is high for the first-ever European event of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, with 250 teams, almost 400 competitors from 40 nations registered by early March for the Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofía MAPFRE this April. The 40th edition of the Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofía MAPFRE, held from 4-10 April in the bay of Palma, has generated great expectation following its inclusion in the ISAF Sailing World Cup. Following the first two events, Sail Melbourne and the Rolex Miami OCR, the World Cup will make its debut in Europe with the Majorcan regatta, sponsored for the fourth consecutive year by the leading Spanish insurance company MAPFRE and organized by four clubs of the bay of Palma de Mallorca: Club Nàutic S’Arenal, Real Club Náutico de Palma, Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa and Escuela Nacional de Vela de Calanova. Competitors from all over Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, USA and Oceania will meet in the bay of Palma at Easter. Find out more about the ISAF Sailing World Cup, including more on the seven events, the latest World Cup Standings, the scoring system and the Notice of Series at http://www.sailing.org/isafsailingworldcup

2.11 DK Yachts dominate the racing class
Three King's Cup victories for the top performing DK 46 (Hull# 02 Drumstick in 2005, 2006, and Hull# 07 Quantum Racing in 2008). Making it three wins for Ray Roberts of which two have been on two different DK46’s, added onto his unmatched International racing record has led Ray and Quantum Racing to being crowned AsianYachting 2007-08 Skipper and Yacht of the Year. So what are you waiting for? Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

2.12 Gulf of Aden Pirate Corridor - New coordinates in effect
February to April are the months when most cruising sailors are going east to west across the Indian Ocean, and set out to transit the pirate infested Gulf of Aden. At this time of year the trade winds in the Red Sea are favorable, and a boat will reach the Mediterranean just in time for the European Spring. Between August to November during the SW trades is when yachts are likely to make the return journey from west to east. As this area has become notoriously famous for pirate attacks, a security corridor International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) has been established, and boats are advised to travel in convoys. New coordinates came into effect on 0001Z 01 FEB 09 See Map & goto Full Details http://asianyachting.com/news/PirateCorridor.htm

2.13 Oman's 'Musandam' sets new Arabian record
After 76 days at sea, Oman's Mohsin Al Busaidi became the first Arab to ever sail non-stop around the world when they completed their journey at Muscat, Oman on March 25th at 15:43:12 Local Time (11:43:12 GMT). Sailing onboard Ellen MacArthur's former record-breaking 75-foot trimaran 'Musandam' alongside four international teammates Skipper Loik Gallon (FR), Thierry Duprey Du Vorsent (FR), Charles Darbyshire (UK) and Nick Houchin (UK), 33-year-old Mohsin Al Busaidi has made history and was welcomed home to Muscat a hero. In 2005, MacArthur singlehanded the same trimaran to a record time of 71 days. -- Full story at: http://www.omansail.com/

2.14 IRC Rule gets a website
The Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Union National pour la Course au Large, joint owners of the IRC Rule, have given IRC its very own website. 'We felt it was time to give IRC its own identity now that it is established in over 38 countries worldwide,' commented RORC Technical Manager, Jenny Howells. 'The web site is designed for sailors to get information about IRC including news and technical guidance. We hope to get feedback from the visitors to the web site, to make it as useful and practical as possible.' The new web site is packed with information, with news feeds from both the RORC rating office and UNCL, new boat information from builders and designers and news of IRC events, race reports and results. A new feature is ‘Concentric Circles’ covering areas of IRC not usually in the limelight. Try the one-stop shop for IRC technical information at: http://www.ircrating.org/

2.15 Quantum Sails going from strength to strength
Have you ever noticed that more and more photos of winning boats at top events are wearing the familiar Green Q on their sails. Quantum Sail Design Group designs, engineers and manufactures sails for racers and cruisers who demand the highest levels of quality and performance. Recently crowned US SAILING's Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Terry Hutchinson and the Quantum Sail Design Group have agreed on a partnership, bringing Terry into the company in a role that is focused on product development and customer awareness. He will work directly with Quantum designers on developing sails and technology, and he will use Quantum sails exclusively on all his racing programs. Along with his other professional racing commitments in 2009, Terry will be helming the TP52 Quantum Racing in the 2009 Medcup, and campaigning Barking Mad in the European Farr 40 Circuit. The fastest sails are now available at 55 lofts throughout the world. So now, more than ever, you can count on Fusion M delivering great boat-speed and reliability. Goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm

2.16 First Indian to sail around the world?
Mumbai, India: A little over five months, on India's Independence Day, August 15, Commander Dilip Donde of the Indian Navy will embark on an unusual and ambitious mission: to try and become the first Indian to sail solo around the world, in an Indian-made sailing yacht. He will set sail on Mhadei a Van De Stadt 56 built by Aquarius Fibreglass in Goa India, is considered very adequate for making what is considered the most difficult passage through the dangerous Southern Oceans. Cdr. Donde has served in the Navy for more than two decades and has spent three years training for the mission. He will spend nine months on the high seas, traveling some 35,000 km and will have on board only food supplies and medicines. The Mhadei is named after the river Mandovi - using its ancient form - on whose banks it was built on. The voyage will follow the old clipper route on an eastward journey, rounding the three Great Capes with stopovers in Fremantle, Western Australia; Christchurch, New Zealand; Stanley, in the Falkland Islands off South America, and Cape Town, South Africa before returning home. Ananth Krishnan in The Hindu, http://www.hindu.com/2009/03/07/stories/2009030757222000.htm

2.17 Missile-interceptor for North Korean rocket launch
30 March 09 SEOUL - The United States plans to deploy two missile-interceptor ships from South Korea, a military spokesman said, days ahead of a North Korean rocket launch seen by many as a test of its longest-range missile. The launch presents the first significant challenge by the prickly state to U.S. President Barack Obama, who makes his first major international appearance this week at the G-20 summit where he will discuss Pyongyang’s intentions with global leaders including Chinese President Hu Jintao. The United States, however, has no plans to shoot down the rocket in a test seen by Washington as part of Pyongyang’s goal to eventually develop an intercontinental ballistic missile, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday. “I would say we’re not prepared to do anything about it,” Gates said on “Fox News Sunday”. “If we had an aberrant missile, one that looked like it was headed for Hawaii, we might consider it,” he said, adding the Pentagon does not believe North Korea can put a warhead on the missile or reach the U.S. West Coast.U.S. Forces Korea plans to dispatch two Aegis-equipped destroyers currently at the South Korean port of Busan, a spokesman said without offering further details. Local media quoted informed sources as saying the vessels with sophisticated radar will monitor the launch. Japan deployed two missile-intercepting vessels to waters off its west coast at the weekend. The North Korean rocket is supposed to drop booster stages to the east and west of Japan. Government officials said Tokyo is poised to shoot down debris that poses a threat to its public. Source: Khaleej Times Here...

2.18 Tsunami Buoys for South China Sea
Science Applications International Corporation (NYSE:SAI) announced on March 11th it has been awarded a contract by the People's Republic of China State Oceanographic Agency to produce and deliver two SAIC Tsunami Buoy (STB) systems. The systems will be the basis of China's tsunami warning system network in the South China Sea, continuously sending data to the Chinese Tsunami Warning Center in Beijing. The STB system consists of three subsystems: a surface communications buoy, a buoy mooring, and a bottom pressure recorder. The bottom pressure recorder includes a highly accurate sea floor pressure sensor which can detect earthquakes and sea level changes. Acoustic communications transmits the pressure data to the surface buoy which then relays the data by satellite communications to the Chinese Oceanographic Environmental Forecast Center for analysis. Once processed, the data can provide real-time assessments seismic events or other forces such as underwater mudslides.

2.19 Discovery & Learn to SAIL courses
We are constantly updating the Learn to Sail with Asian Yachtmasters keelboat training scheme with courses that suite the local sailing scene. If you would like to receive a brief taste of what sailing is all about, check out the dates for the Discover Keelboat Sailing program. If you are looking for a more hands on approach to sailing on a racing yacht then Register Online... for the 2-Day Introduction to Sailing course. No previous sailing experience is needed and start your trip by flying to KLIA (Port Dickson is less than a hours drive from the airport). Also available for pre-Chinese wedding photos, team building or impressing your friends with a quick trip around the harbour. If your interested in AY Sailing Courses goto: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm or contact the AY Headquarters on +6 06 6477701, Hasslan +6 016 2564532 or Email: info@asianyachting.com

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 Portimão Global Ocean Race Leg 3 finish is wide open
As the sun rose off Brazil shortly after 0800 GMT this morning (02/04), the gap between the two leaders has shrunk to nine miles with Felipe Cubillos and José Muñoz extracting just over four knots from Desafio Cabo de Hornos in six knots of breeze and continuing to close down on Boris Herrmann and Felix Oehme on Beluga Racer with the German duo averaging 3.2 knots. After 40 days at sea, the final 40 miles of Leg 3 are going to be incredibly tight with the breeze forecast to lift to around ten knots and shift south-east at around 1400 GMT. With the frequency of the satellite position poll transmission increased from every three hours to every hour, waiting for the leader board data to drop into the inbox on both boats will be an intense time. Jeremy Salvesen and David Thomson continue thundering north towards Ilhabela on Team Mowgli south of the race leaders in around 20 knots of south-easterly breeze polling 12 knots. The fleet’s solo sailor, Michel Kleinjans on Roaring Forty, has maintained a solid ten knots throughout the finish line scramble, sailing further offshore than the British double-handed duo. Take a look at the race tracking at: http://www.globalracetracker.com/en/ or the website at: http://www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com/

3.2 Ericsson 3 triumph on Leg 5 gamble and VOR planning for next race
(Mar. 26, 2009; Day 41) - Ericsson 3 finally crossed the Volvo Ocean Race finish line in Rio De Janeiro to win Leg 5. After an agonizing march to glory, Swedish skipper Magnus Olsson and his men officially finished at 10:37:57 GMT. On arrival, a jubilant Olsson, buoyed by the result, said: "It's unbelievable. We had a fantastic strategy when we needed it. Aksel (Magdahl) did a fantastic job on that. We executed that strategy in a very good way. We were so tired but we were fighting on with tremendous spirit right to the end, everybody worked well with each other. And, finally, we nursed the boat really well and didn't have any breakdowns." While the teams in the current Volvo Ocean Race were charging east to Cape Horn before heading north to the next stopover in Rio, back at race HQ, work will start at the end of the month on the port selection for the 2011 edition of the race. The Race will be looking for a similar routing for the next event with a likely return to Asia. The stopover ports in the current edition have seen record visitor numbers with close to 1 million visitors at the start in Alicante last October and in Cochin in India. Interested ports for the 2011 - 2012 Race can contact Angus Buchanan at angus@thesportsconsultancy.com or tel +44 (0)207 299 4449 for more information.

3.3 TELEFONICA BLUE files for Redress
Remember back on February 14th, when Telefonica Blue ran aground at the start of the 12,300 nm Leg 5 from Qingdao, China to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, leaving only three boats to start on time from the eight boats that originally entered the race. To everyone's amazement Telefonica Blue went aground and immediately made plans to return to port to address damage to her bulb and fin. The team finally crossed the starting line nearly 19 hours behind the leaders. Now Telefonica Blue has submitted a request for redress, claiming their delayed start was a result of mistakes made by the Race Committee and/or Organising Authority. The International Jury arrives in Rio de Janeiro later this week for the hearing. The redress form, submitted by skipper Bouwe Bekking on March 29th, can be read here:
http://noticeboard.volvooceanrace.org/wp-content/uploads/tela-redress.pdf

3.4 Yacht Racing Design & Technology Symposium runs parallel to Forum
March 30, 2009 - Informa Yacht Group, organisers of the World Yacht Racing Forum have announced the addition of the Yacht Racing Design & Technology Symposium to run parallel to this year’s Forum, 9-10 December at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. Over 300 delegates and 65 media attended the inaugural World Yacht Racing Forum last December, co-located with the 4th edition of the popular Motorsport Business Forum. The two day symposium will bring together the world’s leading yacht racing designers, naval architects and technology experts to meet and discuss some of the latest developments and issues in yacht racing design and technology. The schedule will include topics such as composite technology, canting keel and rudder technology, hydrodynamics, rig technology, advances in coating techniques and sail design. The symposium will also address the environmental implications on today’s yacht racing designers and builders. For more information and details on how to register, visit http://www.yrdts.com

3.5 Revolutionary Tomahawk Foils
At this year’s RYA Volvo Dinghy Show, Weymouth-based Tomahawk Foils unveiled its Tomahawk foil, the surface running, ventilated hydrofoil it has invented and patented for both sailing and powered water craft. The foil’s inventor, Jonathan Howes explains the concept: “It’s a totally new type of hydrofoil that solves many of the problems inherent in conventional foil designs. The ventilated design has features that give a wide operating speed range without moving parts and exceptional tolerance to rough water, making the windsurfer simpler, more versatile and easier to sail” The concept uses subtle upper-surface shaping to provide progressive changes in lift force with increasing speed in a similar way to an aircraft’s wing flaps but without any moving parts. This means that the windsurfer lifts on to the foils at a very low speed but automatically corrects for higher speeds, giving smooth performance throughout the speed range. Ventilated surface running allows the foil to move in and out of waves with minimal impact on foiling performance and gives speed potential without sudden changes in handling due to uncontrolled ventilation or cavitation. Not only does it fully exploit the concept’s forgiving characteristics, but a windsurfer fitted with the hydrofoil still behaves like a normal windsurfer. More on this at: http://www.tomahawkfoils.com/

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 Macquarie Innovation reaches 50.43 knots
26th March 09: Australian sailors Simon McKeon and Tim Daddo who made history in 1993 with the Lindsay Cunningham designed Yellow Pages, leapt back into the history books on Thursday when Macquarie Innovation powered down the Sandy Point speed course near Wilsons Promontory in Victoria, at an average speed of 50.43 knots. In November 2008, McKeon and Daddo did a 500-metre run at 48.14 knots, claiming a class ‘C’ world speed record. Now in March 26th of 2009, they have lifted their own ‘C’ class record and come within a whisker of breaking the outright record of 50.57 knots, now in the hands of kite boarder Alexandre Caizergues. ‘During that run we hit a peak speed of over 100 km/hr (54 knots) and while the claimed average speed, (50.43) which is about to be sent for ratification, will be reduced to 50.08 knots due to the tidal allowance, we have sailed our craft in excess of 50 knots. ‘It is the culmination of over 15 years of work by the team and their loyal group of supporters to be just shy of the current outright world record. Co-pilot Tim Daddo saild ‘we created a little piece of yachting history on Thursday. ‘During the run we don't have time to look at speed data, we have way too much on our plate, but we actually have a 54 knots over speed alarm set into the cockpit and that went off. Looking at the data, for over half of the run we were doing 52 knots plus.’ Simon McKeon had the last word. 'We waited 15 years for that wind, hope we don't have to wait more than a few weeks again.' See http://www.macquarie.com.au/speedsailing.htm

4.2 Richard Jenkins & Greenbird go 126.4 mph on land
(Mar. 26, 2009) - After many years of trying, Richard Jenkins, a mechanical engineer from England, today, March 26, has taken his Greenbird to 126.4 mph (to be verified by Bob Dill at NALSA) in 30 to 40 mph winds on a dusty Ivanpah Dry Lake at Primm, NV during the NALSA Pacrim 2009 Championships and America's Landsailing Cup Regatta. The previous record of Bob Schumacher and Bob Dill from 1999 of 116.7 mph in the Iron Duck has been raised. It has been an incredibly difficult challenge,' Mr Jenkins said. 'Half the challenge is technical, having to create a more efficient vehicle than the previous record holder, then the rest is luck, being in the right place, at the right time, to get the perfect conditions, with the right people watching. I must have been on record standby at some remote location around the world for at least two months of every year for the past ten years. 'Then everything came together perfectly and the Greenbird stepped up to the mark and performed amazingly. I am absolutely delighted.' Full report with photos and watch the video at: http://blog.greenbird.co.uk/2009/03/27/greenbird-smashes-world-record/

5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Firefly noses in Thailand
Roger Kingdon, Firefly class captain comments
As spins collapsed, one of my crew looking to windward shouted out 'Big wind coming' so all crew moved quickly to windward, I turned and looked then the new wind hit us, at first strong but within very short time increased, at that time we were still trying to sail with the spin. But very quickly realized we had to drop the spin, so bore off but not quick enough, we accelerated very quickly. The main traveler was not all the way out but all the sheet had gone so the top half of the main was inverted around the shrouds and the boom quite high in the air spilling wind from the bottom one third. Peter Dyer's SEA Properties ended up quite a long way in front as she powered off going at great speed down wind. Then we were hit by a very big gust and we nose dived severely, the boat stopping very quickly as the bows dug in, I slid forward into other crew who cushioned me against cockpit. Most crew managed to remain in the aft half of the boat. As we dropped back down (the rudders had been clear of the water so no steerage) the next gust came through and we again accelerated very quickly and I slide backwards and had to make a quick grab of a winch to stop myself disappearing back over the stern. As I recovered and looked forward I saw SEA Properties hit by the same gust go up and pitch pole, we then dropped our spinnaker, then in the next lull rounded up. Good class spirit prevailed when we all abandoned the race to offer assistance. More pictures can be found at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andamanseaclub

5.2 Paul Larson & Sailrocket - On with the show
03/13/2009 Obviously the last couple of days have been pretty strange from my perspective. One moment I'm going 47+ knots with the glorious Walvis Bay 'speed-spot' stretched out before me and ready for the taking... the next I'm on a hospital Gurney sort of aware that I'm asking the same question over and over... "what happened"? It appears that something failed structurally early on the record attempt today and the boat collapsed and turned over very quickly. Paul has some nasty cuts and was badly concussed. I won't go into too much detail here until we are certain of all the factors. I went straight back to the container once out of hospital and had a look at all the onboard and shore footage of the incident. It appears that a lashing on the stay that holds the main beam forward failed and the beam swung aft. The huge side loads on the main foil then levered the hull to beam frame out of the heavy carbon forks which they attach to on the beam and allowed the main hull to rotate as if it was attached to an industrial lathe. The free inboard end of the beam then shot back towards the cockpit. It was all over in milliseconds... I do recall jamming the control full aft as she began to roundup... but that was it and now I know why. Poor VESTAS SAILROCKET has been extensively damaged in altogether new and creative ways. Never mind... we've been here before. We probably have the best boat building team we have had on site and now it's their time to shine.

5.3 Whooping it up at St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
The 2009 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will largely be remembered as the year a solid north easterly breeze kicked in on the first day of the three-day event, and continued in unrelenting style for the duration of the event. The first day of racing was not for the meek of heart or the weak of hull. For after a brief series of morning squalls, a northerly breeze packing gusts over 30-knots swept in with a vengeance, and the steady, pumping winds that accompanied them generated gear-busting seas of 8-10 feet and more. Torn sails, bruised sailors, broken equipment - as well as a dismasting, numerous collisions, and a near sinking - soon followed. The carnage began after the respective racing, cruising and bareboat classes came hard on the freshening breeze off Plum Point on the island's western flank in the early stages of the day's traditional round-the-island race. The Melges 24, French Connection, lost their mast off Point Blanche in the final stretch of the race, which ended nearby in Philipsburg's Great Bay. The second casualty was the crew of the Beneteau 47.7, Yo Yo, which was holed in a collision off Tintamarre, and with the boat beginning to flounder, made it to safe haven and the travel lift in the nick of time. While French Connection and Yo Yo may have suffered the worst mishaps, there were countless other misadventures, as well. "There were some spectacular t-bones in the bareboat class, right at the windward mark," said David De Vries, "Then a squall came through and you could see all these spinnakers tearing and popping. It was wild. "We clocked 32 knots of wind in the Anguilla Channel and 34 knots in the squall," he added. "The waves were great with this enormous swell." The rugged, stiff conditions often rewarded discretion over valor. Read all about it at: http://www.heinekenregatta.com

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