Euro 5,000 sailing holiday up for grabs at Raceweek
Answer a few simple questions and a five-day yacht charter holiday for 4 people on the new Andaman Cabriolet Da Vinci Niña valued at Euro 5,000, including two nights stay at the Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, is the prize. The competition is open to anyone, whether competing at Phuket Raceweek 2009 or not. The competition is sponsored by Composite Catamarans & Evason Phuket. Enter NOW! goto: http://www.phuketraceweek.com/charter_competition.htm

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CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Match Racing keelboats to suit Asian sailors with International aspirations
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Yacht Rallies all a rage in Indonesia - Putrajaya Sailing Week ready to roll - All set for Phuket Raceweek - SingaporeSailing’s new committee elected - Aussie girls dominate at first Elliott 6 match racing event - Quantum Sails "Live The Dream" Contest - Oman Sail Masirah takes line honours - Andy Soriano's Alegre is at it again - Frank Pong in Malcesine for RC 44 Championships - Celebrate the 20th Raja Muda Selangor Regatta - Chicago leads 2016 Olympic City Bid - Around Australia Ocean Race & Rally in 2011 - AVEC sells 1st licence to produce Palm Oil engines
Up next - Six Senses Phuket Raceweek (22-26 July) - Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race (Starts 18th July) - Sail Indonesia (Starts 18th July)
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Bi-annual Transpac Race already underway - 33rd AC - Alinghi ready to launch - VOR 08-09: All over bar the shouting - VOR set to become world's No 1 sailing event - Global Ocean Race to start in Sept 2011 - World's largest superyacht launched - ICOMIA Congress elected - Look Mum no crew needed here
Follow the: Transpacific Yacht Race - Audi MedCup TP52 & GP42 Series - iShares EX 40 Cup - Russell Coutts 44 - World Match Racing Tour - Rolex Events.
4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - Girls set New around Britain & Ireland record - Kito De Pavant Sets New Mediterranean Single-Handed Monohull Record
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Telefonica Blue/Bouwe Bekking hit the rocks

1. EDITORIAL

Match Racing Keelboats has become extremely popular all round the world and as it is now an Olympic Event, some local sailors (past & present) can see an opening to put the sailing skills they garnered over the years to good use. The Royal Selangor Yacht Club in Port Klang have taken the initiative of inviting local sailors every two weeks for some classroom theory, followed by setting a short course and pitting two Platu 25 crews against each other in races that last for 10-15 minutes. Some of the skippers have represented Malaysia at the SEA & Asian Games and others are dinghy coaches that are prepared to put the lesser experienced sailors through the paces. The aim is to form a couple of teams that can enter the Monsoon Cup qualification rounds in November, this time with a bit of keelboat sailing and match racing experience under their belts. As there is a distinct lack of qualified match racing officials in Asia, the club is looking for a rules expert or umpire to attend some future sessions and help sailors benefit from their worldly knowledge and experience.

The Olympic Women's Elliott 6m Match Racer successfully came through the first ISAF World Cup event at Kiel Week with flying colours. Twenty Teams learned a lot about the boats handling and how they stack up against the other international competitors. The next World Cup event is Sail For Gold in Weymouth (UK) in Sept at the London 2012 sailing centre. The annual World Cup events are bringing a new dimension to the ISAF Rankings and how to approach the 4 year Olympic cycle. Any National Sailing Organisations in Asia with serious International or Olympic aspirations should be endeavouring to get there best sailors onboard. Match Racing is an area where Asian sailors of all ages could excel. We often ask "What happened to all the past Optimist dinghy champions?" Well here is an opportunity to rejoin the sport and take their International ambitions to the next level. Don't miss the bus this time as one thing you can be sure off, is the ISAF World Cup brain child will just get better and better as time goes on.

The month of July brings sailing competitions to the length and breadth of the South East Asian archipelago. Presently underway Sail Malaysia - Passage to the East Yacht Rally are closing in on the shores of Sarawak, Borneo. Both the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race and Sail Indonesia Rally set sail on the 18th July heading for Indonesia's premier maritime event in Manado, Sail Bunaken. At the other end of the scale Six Senses Phuket Raceweek fires up the imagination by being first cab off the rank in the 2009-10 AsianYachting Grand Prix Championships. Internationally Asian owned multihull and monohull sailing teams are competing with distinction and more are on the way. Enter a competition or sail away on a heavily discounted charter holiday - All these topics and more are either covered below and regularly updated on the website. Enjoy!
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 Yacht Rallies all a rage in Indonesia
As July 18 gets closer there'll be much partying in dear ole Darwin town, as 135 yachts gather in the northern port to join the Sail Indonesia Rally and nine others on the Darwin Ambon Yacht Race that allows them to enter and sail the magic coastlines and islands of Indonesia with a minimum of fuss. This year Sail Indonesia is working in partnership with Sail Bunaken to channel all the boats to participate in Indonesia's Premier Maritime Event for 2009. At the end of Sail Malaysia - Passage to the East Yacht Rally another 35 yachts will be making their way from Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia to Manado for Sail Bunaken. All the yachts coming from Darwin are expected to gather in Ambon and on 5th August progress onto Ternate then to Bitung to get ready for the Sail Bunaken Sail Pass on 19th August. Amongst other festivities planned in Manado, the Indonesian Fleet Review is a parade of warships and tall ships from Indonesia and other participating countries including an American aircraft carrier.

2.2 Putrajaya Sailing Week ready to roll...
This year's regatta will be held from 10-12 July on the lake at the heart of the Malaysian government affairs. More than 30 teams have entered with 11 international teams from as far away as Belgium taking on the skilful young Malaysian sailors in there own back yard. The newly built RM 150m Maritime Centre is an up market lakeside facility with 5-star club house, boat storage, marina berthing, cruise terminal and commercial promenade will be on show for all to enjoy. Optimists, Lasers and International 470 dinghies are available for charter at reasonable rates. A new class of Laser Master Apprentice (Age 35-44) & Laser Master (Age 45-54) will be introduced at this year's race. NOR and more details contact the Regatta Director Megat Fairuz by Mobile: (60) 017.628.1007 Email: putrajayaweek@gmail.com

2.3 All set for Phuket Raceweek (22-26 July)
The annual Six Senses Phuket Raceweek has grown into the greatest four days of racing and eco friendly adventure, anyone can experience in Asian waters. It's an intoxicating combination of fast yachts and embracing the Evason theme - Redefining Experiences. The essence of the event is a four day sailing odyssey around the south east islands of Phuket which has quickly established itself as Asia's most exciting and fastest-growing regatta. Each regatta has there own way of organising things but being blessed by staging the entire event at the elegant Evason Phuket Six Senses Spa brings with it a new level of sophistication and top class service. The regatta HQ is on the lower sea view terrace, which also houses ‘Into the Beach’ is the perfect setting for the post-race bar and five nights of grand waterside entertainment. The extended party space will ensure some fantastic culinary delights are served and the 64 majestic acres of Evason Phuket will do the best to sweep you off your feet. More details as the event unfolds at: http://www.phuketraceweek.com

2.4 35th birthday celebrations at Sunsail
The 35th Birthday celebrations are continuing at Sunsail with a new round of selected dates and vessels that qualify for the whopping 35% discount packages on offer. The world’s largest yacht charter operator, have a diverse range of yachts at several locations that offer all year round sailing opportunities in Asian waters. Sunsail's base in Phuket, Thailand have just relocated to the brand new Ao Po Grand Marina which is conveniently near the airport and closer to the famous Phang Nga Bay cruising grounds. The extended season allows the yachts to be available for Phuket Raceweek mid July and just a reminder to get in early for December's King's Cup. Sunsail Asia have a new look website www.sunsailasia.com Receive regular updates on Sunsail's activities in the Asian region contact Tel: +66 (0)76 239057 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com

2.5 SingaporeSailing’s new committee elected
Executive Committee for the term 2009 / 10 was elected at the 43rd Annual General Meeting yesterday. The Executive Committee of the Singapore Sailing Federation now comprises: Top row: Mark Robinson (Head of High Performance), Edwin Low (Secretary-General), Peter Lim (Advisor), Dr Ben Tan (Deputy President), Rodney Tan (Deputy Treasurer), Gordon Maxted (Vice President, Keelboats), Andrew Sanders (Chief Executive Officer) Seated: Ms Mok Kah Mun (Treasurer), Low Teo Ping (President), Choy Zhen Fang (Co-opted Member) Not in photo: Ong Yew Huat (Vice President, Dinghies) and Dr Loh Kok Hua (Vice President, Windsurfing)

2.6 Aussie girls dominate at first Elliott 6 match racing event
The final day of racing in Kiel turned out to be a golden day for the Australian Sailing Development Squad women with Katie Spithill winning an all-Australian Women’s Match Racing final. Nicky Souter and her crew of Jess Eastwell and Olivia Price got off to a great start in the final, taking a two race to nil lead in the best of five series. But not to be outdone Katie Spithill, Nicole Douglass and Nina Curtis fought back to level the series at two-all before winning the final race to clinch the series. Women’s Match Racing coach Dayne Sharp said "That all four Australian crews gained a lot of experience racing in round six of the ISAF Sailing World Cup and the all-Australian final showed that the squad is progressing well." and added "Our experience in Elliott 6’s has definitely paid off here, despite the differences between the boats we’ve used before and the new models being used at this regatta and for the Olympic Games.” From Kiel the Women’s Match Racing Squad travels to Sweden to compete in the Women’s Match Racing tour event, the Swedish Match Cup, in preparation for the ISAF Women’s World Match Racing Championship, also in Sweden, in late July, early August.

2.7 Quantum Sails "Live The Dream" Contest
Quantum Sails will begin accepting entries to win an all-expenses-paid trip to be part of the crew on board TP52 Quantum Racing for the Audi MedCup event in Portimao, Portugal. To enter, ponder this: "Have you ever dreamed of racing on a grand prix yacht at the highest level? Here's your chance. Tell them why you should be the one to come to Portimao and live the dream." Essays up to 300 words accompanied by one photo, or video essays of less than two minutes will be accepted. The entry form will go live on the QuantumSails.com website on Friday, allowing participants from around the world to submit their best stories. A judging panel will narrow down the finalists, and then, for one week in mid-July, the public will be invited to pick their favorite to determine the winner. The winner will be a full member of the racing crew and will be involved in all the team activities. Quantum Racing crew gear will also be provided, along with full access to the Audi MedCup village, crew facilities, and special events. For additional information, and to submit an entry, visit http://quantumsails.com

2.8 Oman Sail Masirah takes line honours
Oman Sail Masirah led the 1,779 entrants back to Cowes in the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race as well as taking line honours in the Extreme 40 class. It was a nail-biting finish, with a provisional 29 seconds separating the Omani boat from Russell Coutts helming Team Aqua. Pete Cumming, skipper of Oman Sail Masirah said: "We were behind Team Aqua right up to Yarmouth but once round The Needles it was true champagne sailing. At St Catherine's we out-gybed Team Aqua and extended our lead to 22 minutes at Bembridge. We thought we might be able to cruise back to Cowes but then the wind started to go light. Once in the Solent it was even lighter and it shut down completely. We could see Team Aqua and Team Origin (Ben Ainslie) trying to short tack out of the tide. We decided to stick in the middle. It was a case of holding your nerve and covering Team Aqua. It's always good to have a close race but to go from a 22 minute lead down to a 29 second win, that's really something." The winning team comprised Olympic 49er silver medallist Chris Draper on helm, Pete Cumming trimmer with Mark Bulkeley, Olympic Tornado sailor on mainsheet. David "Freddie" Carr and Khamis al Anbouri shared the bow.

2.9 Andy Soriano's Alegre is at it again...
Finally the Yacht Club Italiano race committee saw several running lights - some red, a few green - materializing out of the night, at the Sturla finish line, outside the entrance to the port of Genoa. As the NW'ly breeze filled in yet again, two of the lights grew bigger and it was Alegre, the Mills 68 Mini-Maxi of Andy Soriano, leading Bella Mente over the Giraglia Race finish line. After 243 miles and 37 hours of racing, Alegre finished less than 3 minutes ahead in one of the closest finishes in recent race history. Skipper / owner Andres Soriano has won the Trofeo Rolex and the Trofeo Rene Lavainville as the first yacht overall in elapsed time. Alegre completed the course in 36 hours, 58 minutes, 45 seconds. Sixteen minutes after, Niklas Zennstrom's Ran crossed the line. Then Luna Rossa and Container - all five Mini-Maxis finishing in a fairly compact group, within 45 minutes of each other, given the race distance. The light winds allowed the small yachts to bunch up on the leaders and Javier Pujol's Sparkman & Stephens designed 43ft Calima (ESP), was confirmed handicap winner of the Giraglia Race.

2.10 Frank Pong in Malcesine for RC 44 Championships
Altogether, ten teams will compete for the Malcesine Cup. Most of them are involved since the beginning of the season; they are joined for the first time by Frank Pong’s Team Jelik, from Hong Kong, who has yet to announce the name of his pro-skipper. Organised by Fraglia Vela di Malcesine, the RC 44 Malcesine Cup will begin on Wednesday July 8 with the match racing event. The fleet regatta will take place from Friday 10 till Sunday 12. The long distance regatta - the DHL Trophy - will count for double; it will allow all the participants to discover the beauties of Lake Garda. Follow their progress at: http://www.rc44.com

2.11 Celebrate the 20th Raja Muda Selangor Regatta
Already over 40 yacht owners have indicated they are entering this years 20th anniversary event. Some Phuket based multihull's are organising an event within the event from Penang onwards to Langkawi. The organising committee have been busy tracking down past winners and inviting them to attend this 20th milestone. Festivities begin at the Royal Selangor Yacht Club on Friday 13th November and continue along the island hoping route to Langkawi till Nov 21st. During stop over's in Pangkor and Penang numerous activities like tri-shaw racing, windward/leeward racing and fancy prize giving presentations are being planned. The public are welcome to go down to the marinas along the way to cheer on there favourite team and get a taste of what yacht racing is all about. NOR, more info at: http://www.rmsir.com or if you want to join in the fun by chartering a yacht or take up a crewing position contact them by Emailing info@rmsir.com

2.12 Chicago leads 2016 Olympic City Bid
ATLANTA - June 8, 2009 - With less than four months until the IOC selects the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, the Around the Rings Olympic Bid Power Index says Chicago continues to lead the field--but Madrid has moved ahead of the other two contenders, and could be the city to watch. Chicago scored 80 out of 110 possible points, followed by Madrid with 78. Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo tied for third with 77 points. "While the race is close, Chicago still gets the top score, the result of a combination of factors such as strong infrastructure, accommodations and a city-centered venue plan," says Ed Hula, founder and editor of Around the Rings. "The support of U.S. President Barack Obama for Games in his hometown is also a factor in Chicago's hold on first place." Madrid's second place showing in the Power Index is testament to the quality of the city's bid, which may be the strongest plan among the four cities for sport, noted Hula. "Unfortunately for Madrid, bid leaders are facing the historic precedent that the IOC has not awarded consecutive Summer Olympics to the same continent. Read the entire article and rankings at http://www.AroundTheRings.com

2.13 DK Yachts lead the way in composite manufacturing
If your serious about forming a racing team and joining the racing class at major regattas in the region, there are two Mark Mills designed DK46's, that have won nearly every major event in the South East Asian region on the market. DK is one of the most technologically advanced composite manufacturing facility in the SE Asian region. The design office works on high performance IBM CAD/CAM systems which are data supply linked to production and directly command the five-axis milling machine that accurately cuts hull plugs and moulds. Contained within the 110,000 sq ft facility is a multi-cycle computerised temperature oven (25m x 5m x 3.5m), a spray chamber (18m x 6m x 5.5m), an engineering workshop and a dedicated laminating room. In addition, DK also has an in-house 40m long auto-clave to cure carbon fibre and kevlar finished products. So what are you waiting for? Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

2.14 Around Australia Ocean Race & Rally in 2011
Race promoters hope that this is one of those things every sailor wants to do during their life. Australia is the largest island continent to sail around. Surprisingly, it's only a small band of yachtsmen and yachtswomen that have done it. The last fleet race around Australia took place 21 years ago (1988) as part of the bicentennial celebrations.The race event incorporates 10 stop-over ports around Australia. Distance overall is around 7500 nautical miles with distance between ports ranging from 350 nautical miles to 1400 nm. Australian participants choose one of the 10 ports that suit them as their start and finish port. Overseas participants are welcomed and can choose a port that suits them best. Yachts starting from Fremantle start first. Ocean Events have posted a Provisional Notice of Race on the event web site http://www.sailaroundaustralia.com.au with an Event Slot Reservation Form ready to be completed.

2.15 Discovery & Learn to SAIL courses in Malaysia
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

2.16 AVEC sells 1st licence to produce Palm Oil engines
Axial Vector Energy Corporation ("AVEC") (Pink Sheets: AXVC) (Frankfurt: BAE1) has announced it has sold its first license to produce its multi fuel "work horse engines" in Malaysia. Premier Group with Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia signed the exclusive license agreement, which covers Malaysia, Indonesia and parts of Southeast Asia and has agreed to produce a minimum of 5,000 workhorse engines to be configured for palm oil use only. The agreement calls for a non-refundable fee of $500,000 dollars as well as a durability pilot site for 5,000 hours using palm oil, which is funded also by Premier. On completion of the durability testing, Premier is obligated to provide contract production in SE Asia for the engines or may opt to produce its own production facility. Rahim Mahmud, Managing Director of Premier Group, stated, "We are very pleased to be the first licensee to be able to produce this extraordinary engine. The enormous torque band allowing operation without a transmission and its ability to run on Palm Oil only or many other fuels creates an ideal situation for our country and most of Southeast Asia. As the world's largest producer of Palm Oil, our country has enormous ability to use these engines for very low cost power using "non fossil fuel".

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 Bi-annual Transpac Race already underway
The Transpacific Yacht Race, 2,225 nautical miles from Los Angeles to Hawaii, is sailed in odd-numbered years as the oldest and longest enduring ocean race in the world. The Division breaks and start dates for the Transpac race, with the first start to be on Monday June 29th for Divisions 6 and 7, which includes the smallest boat in the fleet, the Hobie 33, Bloodhound, and the only Tall Ship in the race, America's Privateer Lynx. Divisions 3, 4 and 5 are scheduled to set off for Hawaii on Thursday, July 2nd. These divisions include the 2007 overall winner, Reinrag2. Divisions 1 and 2 including "the fastest yacht in the world," Alfa Romeo II will roar out of Long Beach on Sunday, July 5th. -- Follow the action at: http://www.transpacrace.com

3.2 33rd AC - Alinghi ready to launch
Nothing has been really learned on the revolutionary Alinghi boat built in Villeneuve, that is to be launched on Lake Geneva, around July 7th is a plausible date. This delicate operation requires careful preparation. A Russian helicopter capable of air transporting a load of several tons has to be called. One month later, and no later than 8 August 2009, Alinghi will have to announce the location of the 33rd America's Cup duel against BMW Oracle scheduled for February 2010. This expectation is cruel, unbearable for sailing enthusiasts, eager to discover the 30-meter long giant multihull that was built in the past year on a site specially designed for Alinghi in Villeneuve. The secret was well kept and the mystery surrounding this revolutionary, even extreme according to some, boat will certainly mark the long history of the America's Cup.

3.3 VOR 08-09: All over bar the shouting
June 16, 2009 - Ericsson Racing Team yacht Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael of Brazil, captured the overall honors in the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 on the penultimate leg. Torben Grael, becomes the first skipper to win the Volvo Ocean Race and Olympic gold. The Ericsson 4 crew now features four multiple winners of the circumnavigation race. Tony Mutter and pitman David Endean have already won once before on ABN AMRO. Watch captains both from New Zealand, Brad Jackson will have his 3rd victory - the others on ABN and on NZ Endeavour. Stu Bannatyne also will have a 3rd victory - but his will have been in 3 different classes - the maxi class on NZ Endeavour, the Volvo 60 on Illbruck and on here in the Volvo 70. First-time winners in the crew are navigator Jules Salter (GBR), trimmers Horacio Carabelli and Joca Signorini (both BRA), bowmen Ryan Godfrey (AUS) and Phil Jameson (NZL), and media crewman Guy Salter (GBR). The crew's consistency is due in part to the fact that it hasn't changed any members since the race began last October. "For me, personally, the best moment was finishing Leg 1," said 28-year-old Godfrey. "We were behind after dropping Tony off, and then to win the leg and break the 24-hour speed record for a monohull with a run of 596 nautical miles, we realized the boat was quick. That was sort of the dawning moment." Watch captain Stu Bannatyne added "We have a very professional bunch of people and experienced group of people. Our No. 1 goal was to win, and now we can relax." So some great stats for the pundits out there

3.4 VOR set to become world's No 1 sailing event
22 June 09: Knut Frostad, the CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, presided over the fourth and final 'Roundtable' session in Stockholm. Attended by present, future and potential teams, along with journalists, sponsors and port representatives, the purpose of the Roundtable is to present new information about the next race and open a dialogue with interested parties. Announcements have already been made regarding cost-cutting measures that will be implemented to lower the cost of fielding a competitive team and to increase sponsor's return on investment. The main new information presented in Stockholm concerned the timetable for milestones relevant to the next race. Earlier this month a first draft of the Volvo Open 70 Class Rule and the Notice of Race was presented to stake-holders for consideration. In terms of stopover cities for the next edition, the list of potential ports has been winnowed from 82 to 34. The quality of the remaining bids is 'outstanding' according to Frostad. The critical path for port procurement will see the stopover ports announced beginning in March 2010. Frostad also stated the organisers goal of the race is to "become the world's number one sailing event; that's our ambition."

3.5 Global Ocean Race to start in Sept 2011
With the successful conclusion of the inaugural 2008-09 Portimão Global Ocean Race in Portugal, the Race Director, Josh Hall, has released details of the next edition of the event. Scheduled to start in September 2011, the Global Ocean Race will follow the same route raced by the yachts competing in the 2008-09 event and will start from a European port. In close affiliation with Class 40 Association and following the successful circumnavigation of three Class 40s, it has been decided to make the race exclusively for Category 0, Class 40 yachts, split into two divisions: single-handed and double-handed. Read on: http://www.portimaoglobaloceanrace.com/

3.6 World's largest superyacht launched
Friday 12th June: The Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg launched the world's largest superyacht Eclipse for Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich. The yacht will be used by Roman and his girlfriend Daria Schukowa for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He already has three other superyachts. The luxury yacht is designed by Terence Disdale and will have a gross tonnage of approximately 13,000 and reportedly measures 170 metres, which would make her the world’s largest yacht. The yacht won't be ready for delivery before 2010 or late 2009, but what a surprise for the watching crowds in Hamburg. Estimated to have cost around EU300 million, it has room for 24 guests, with a crew of 70. It is 13,000 tonnes, and can achieve a top speed of 33 knots. Its cruising speed is 22 knots. Apart from the luxury fittings and indoor and outdoor pools, it has a military-grade missile defense system with armor plating surrounding the bridge and Abramovich's master suite, as well as bullet-proof windows to keep the oligarch safe. At 170 metres, it will be longer than Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's 530-ft. Dubai, currently ranked as the biggest yacht in the world.

3.7 ICOMIA Congress elected
The International Council of Marine Industry Associations, the recreational marine industry’s international trade association, held its annual Congress last month together with it sister association, the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers, IFBSO. The Congress was held in Lisbon at the Tivoli Oriente Hotel and was hosted by APICAN, the Portuguese Marine Industry Association, which was celebrating its 20th Anniversary. A total of 75 delegates from both associations attended. During the Congress the following ICOMIA committees met: Boat Shows, Environment, Executive, External Affairs, Statistics, Superyacht Division, Technical and Trade and Regulatory Affairs. Mr Ron Stone who was one of the founders of the internationally recognised ICOMIA Marinas Committee and its Chairman from 1997 to 2008 was elected an ICOMIA Honorary Member in recognition of his very significant contribution to the industry over many years. Mr Thom Dammrich (President, NMMA) was re-elected as President of ICOMIA. Mr Peter Methven (BMF) and Mr Fritz Conyn (HISWA) were elected as Vice Presidents. A new member, Mr Yavuz Sipahi (DENTUR-Turkey) was elected to the Executive Committee and the following remain as Executive Committee members: Mr Erlend Prytz (Norboat), Mr Ian Cook (MIA NZ), Mr Romano Piculjan (Croatia BIA). All ICOMIA activities can be found at: http://www.icomia.com/default.asp

3.8 Look Mum no crew needed here
Harbor Wing has now completed the initial design for the production level prototype of their open ocean Trimaran vessel, the HWT X-3. It will incorporate technology proven by rigorous testing of our HWT X-1 prototype. This vessel will integrate our highly developed unmanned guidance and control systems, sophisticated long range communications and powerful radar and telemetry capabilities with the robust tri-hull design.” Maturing development of our patent pending WingSail design will include advanced features such as a “wing on wing” design which will allow for more finite control by allowing for independent articulation of the top and bottom sections of the WingSail. Dimensions & more at: http://www.harborwingtech.com/HWT-X-3-Production-Design.htm
HWT X-1 Demonstrator Vessel Specifications:
Length (hull) = 30' 0" overall
Beam (hulls) = 14' 0" overall
Mast height = 40' 0"
Draft = 2' 0"
Displacement (design) = 4,000 lbs.
Payload = 2,000 lbs.
Stowage capacity = 40 cu. ft.
Max. airfoil surface = 318 sq. ft. full area rig

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 Girls set New around Britain & Ireland record
22 June 09: Dee Caffari, the British yachtswoman who made history by becoming the first woman to sail solo, non stop around the world, both ways, set a new record for sailing around Britain and Ireland. Caffari and her all female crew, including fellow British yachtswoman and Vendée Globe race rival Samantha Davies, completed the course in 6 days, 11 hours, 30 minutes and 53 seconds - 17 hours and 16 minutes ahead of the previous record set in May 2004 onboard Solune. "The outright speed record was always our goal and I am ecstatic that we accomplished our aim. In sport, as in many areas of life, choosing the right team is vital to success and over the last six days, Aviva has had a strong, focused team aboard pushing her every inch of the course. We have all given it 110% and clear communication has played a key part in this achievement. It has very much been a team effort and having the other three girls with me has been a blast." Joining Caffari and Davies on board Aviva for the record were fellow Brits, offshore sailor Miranda Merron and boat captain Alex Sizer. In the process of breaking the outright record, Caffari and her crew also set a record time for an all female crew. The previous record had stood at 10 days and 16 hours and was set by Samantha Davies and her crew onboard Roxy in June 2007.

4.2 Kito De Pavant Sets New Mediterranean Single-Handed Monohull Record
The World Sailing Speed Record Council announced the ratification of a new Singlehanded Monohull Mediterranean crossing record (Marseilles, France to Carthage, Tunisia). It was a very close call right to the very end but on June 2-4, Kito de Pavant (FRA) sailed the Open 60 'Group Bel' for an elapsed time of 45 hours 20 minutes and 29 seconds (average speed of 10.1 knots). The previous record by Michel Kleinjans (BEL) on "Roaring Forty" in March 2008 (01:21:24:00) now becomes the 40ft category record. -- http://www.sailspeedrecords.com/

5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Telefonica Blue/Bouwe Bekking hit the rocks
Drama at the start in Marstrand as Telefónica Blue/Bouwe Bekking became wedged on a rock and suspended racing at 1231GMT while leading the fleet at the start of leg nine to Stockholm. Ask your worst enemy what is the worst thing you could wish someone and this is what would happen. We hit a rock doing 15kn and is hard aground in one-metre swells. The reaction was very quick; Jono Swain got the guys to furl the Code 0 while Pepe Ribes was checking the boat inside. In these circumstances you have to be quick, no time for thinking, just reacting but the boat’s keel is firmly wedged within the rocks whilst the rest of the fleet is sailing away. All the crew are unhurt. Checking the boat down below to see the damage and quickly found out that the daggerboard had broken through the case and water was coming in. Both emergency pumps were running full throttle and the guys were bailing with everyone that they could find. A human chain was quickly formed to maximize the amount of water bailed in the smallest amount of time. Swearing and sweating was the common factor between all of us. She was eventually freed using a pilot boat pulling the bow and the coastguard boat with a line attached to the halyard from the top of the rig. Video of the grounding at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suC8RGPYrU8 Some experts say that Telefonica Blue could well have won the event had it not been for their bad luck and gear failure at strategic moments in the race.

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