Sunsail New Year Bargains..
An incredible selection of New Year holidays on various sailing craft are on offer in the Austral-Asian region. Grab a fantastic Sunsail bargain for your next sailing holiday. Vessels are booking fast so don't miss out! The world’s largest yacht charter operator have NOW stationed a diverse range of yachts throughout SE Asian waters, so they can offer great all year round sailing opportunities to both their cruising and racing clients. Some yachts are still available in January for the Royal Langkawi Regatta, February - Phang Nga Bay Regatta, May - Top of the Gulf Regatta, and June - Koh Samui Regatta 2010. Visit Sunsail Asia website www.sunsailasia.com and receive regular updates on Sunsail's new activities in the Asian region contact Tel: +66 (0)76 239057 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com

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CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Wishing everyone a Lucky New Year - Summary of the 2009 RSHYR - Calendar of events
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Clipper 09-10 heading for Singapore - Phuket International Boat Show (7-10 Jan) - Royal Langkawi International Regatta (8th - 15 Jan) - Singapore Straits Regatta (Jan 27 - 30) - KFC LANGKAWI INTERNASIONAL REGATTA PERDANA 2010 - West Pacific Hobie 16 Championships and Boracay Cup (19-22 Feb) - Time to get sorted for 2010 One-Design Platu Championship - 2010 Platu/25 World Championship (July 18-24) - 2010 ORC rules and Regulations now available - Vale Cornelius Goedhardt aka "Cocky" - ISAF Offshore Special Regulations for 2010-11 - Group 2 eliminated from ISAF Classification Code - Changes to Match and Team Racing Call Books - Where Next for Phoenicia? - Seahorse Sailor Of The Month - Andy Soriano - Singapore sailors excel at first ISAF World Cup event - Noppakao Poonpat undisputed Asian Optimist queen - IODA World Optimist Championship 2010 report - Monsoon Cup setting the bar high for television coverage
Up next - Phuket International Boat Show (7-10 Jan) - Royal Langkawi International Regatta (Jan 8-15) - Singapore Straits Regatta (25-30 Jan)
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Second stop on (ISAF) Sailing World Cup - Key West 2010 (Jan 18 to 22nd) - World Yacht Racing Forum Articles - US Sailing mourns the passing of Roy Disney - LOUIS VUITTON and WSTA announce regattas for 2010 - Quadriplegic to sail Atlantic - Mission Impossible or is it?
Follow the: Clipper Race - Key West 2010
4 . "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Liz Wardley dismasts SolOceans - Grant Wharington's Etihad Stadium features again

1. EDITORIAL

If you did not get outside on New Years Eve you would not of seen that this auspicious occasion was graced with a full moon. Having two cycles of the Chinese and Muslim lunar year fitting within the one calendar month happens every few years but two full moons in the same month especially on New Years eve is surely an exceptional circumstance. Not sure where I'm going with this but according to the sky gazers around here, they assure me that 2010 should be approached with complete optimism and full of confidence. So we wish all our subscribers, sponsors, advertisers and worthy supporters a Lucky New Year and thanks for putting up with us over the last 11 years.

As we were following the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race anyway, and could not help ourselves from keeping our readers up with the suspense throughout the race, we posted updates of the days proceedings on the AY website. If you missed out don't despair, as they have been compiled and posted along with the fantastic Rolex photos received each day, to make an easy reading Summary of the 2009 RSHYR. Enjoy!

We are blessed this month with an assortment of events that make January an exciting and attractive month to go boating in SE Asian waters. PIMEX, the Phuket International Boat Show (7-10 Jan) in its new time slot, kick starts the New Year at the Royal Phuket Marina Exhibition and Conference Center. As a result the Royal Langkawi International Regatta (Jan 8-15) clashes with the Boat show and may see fewer entries from Phuket enjoying what has turned into one of the best regatta's in the region. As the entire Singapore Straits Regatta (25-30 Jan) will be held in Batam, Indonesia the organisers must be left wondering what they have to do to convince marine authorities to hold local big boat sailing events in Singaporean waters.

The first event for Dinghy sailors and Olympic classes in the New Year is the Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored LANGKAWI INTERNASIONAL REGATTA PERDANA 2010 held from (27 - 31 Jan) at the Malaysia National Sailing Centre, Langkawi, Kedah. Some boats are still available for charter and the annual KFC Series is proving popular for International sailors and teams to sharpen their sailing skills and receive away from home coaching at economical rates.

For those making sailing plans to race further a field in February and beyond. It's official, the West Pacific Hobie 16 Championships is on (19-22 Feb), the Subic to Boracay Race starts on 20th Feb and the Boracay Cup will take place from the 22nd to 27th Feb. Also the Subic Bay Commodore's Cup will take place after the 2010 China Sea Race from Hong Kong finishes in Subic. Four days (April 6th - 10th) of inshore racing will be conducted by Subic Bay Yacht Club and Lighthouse Marina under the auspices of the Philippine Sailing Association. This event will also replace the President's Cup in the AYGP Championships. No wonder the Asian Sailing Calendar page is one of the most visited on the website.

All these topics and much more on the International yacht racing scene is either covered (Below) and regularly updated on the AsianYachting website.
Enjoy!
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 Clipper 09-10 heading for Singapore
03:01:10 Spirit of Australia was first across the start line to the delight of the home crowd as Race 5 of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race got underway. Hundreds of supporters lined the breakwater in Geraldton Western Australia, and cheered as the Australian team raced past with the other nine internationally sponsored yachts in hot pursuit. Conditions were perfect for the beginning of the next leg to Singapore with a strong southerly breeze blowing at 15-20 knots. Uniquely Singapore, one of ten entries competing in the race, is attempting to become the first team to win the race to their home port in this edition of the 35,000-mile challenge. The fleet is expected to arrive at Keppel Bay Marina in Singapore, with a spectacular and colourful welcome ceremony on the morning of Saturday 23 January. Follow the team's progress on the race viewer at: http://www.clipperroundtheworld.com

2.2 Phuket International Boat Show (7-10 Jan)
All the region’s major brokers and dealers have signed up for the annual Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) from 7-10 January to be held at the Royal Phuket Marina Exhibition and Conference Center. For the first time, the region’s premier marine and lifestyle exhibition will be held in January, the busiest period for visitors to Phuket. The population of the island swells with tourists and part-time holiday homeowners at this time. As a result, this year’s show is expected to welcome more visitors than in previous years - business and sales transactions are sure to be robust. On the lifestyle side, they have Gallery Kalyani with Burmese artifacts and Artmoshere home décor, Beachfront Properties and Niche cars will be displaying their state of the art Lamborghini sports car. PIMEX is also a great day out for the family with four first class restaurants overlooking the marina basin and luxury yachts. For further information please visit http://www.phuketboatshow.com

2.3 Royal Langkawi International Regatta (8th - 15 Jan)
The RLIR 2010 is organised by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club in Kuah, Langkawi. The event attracts the Racing class, IRC class, Sportsboats, Multihulls and Club Cruisers. Weather conditions in Langkawi are expected to be ideal for racing with lots of wind anticipated in January so the secretariat have announced that the round-the-islands race that was popularly introduced last year, is on again this year. Apart from the usual windward/leeward courses, new and challenging courses are also being designed for RLIR 2010. As if the warm, clear waters surrounding the legendary and duty-free islands of Langkawi is not enough for sailors to enjoy the organising team are going to great lengths to promise daily, fun-filled prize giving parties. More info and NOR at: http://www.langkawiregatta.com or call the Regatta Secretariat at +6-04-9664078 or fax +6-04-9665078 or Email: office@langkawiregatta.com

2.4 Singapore Straits Regatta (Jan 27 - 30)
Held in a late January time slot as the NE Monsoon winds are expected to have set in and produce excellent sailing conditions. The regatta is a SingaporeSailing event and this year Nongsa Point Marina Resort plays host by introducing a bold new racing format and the entire event will be held in Batam, Indonesia. Foreign yachts are required to complete documentation for ‘Green Book’ and Sailing Permit to sail in Indonesian (Riau) waters by latest 11th Jan. All yachts with complete outbound immigration and port clearance documentation can leave for Nongsa Point from any location in their own time. Also individual US$10 Visa Fees for up to 7 days stay are payable on arrival in Batam. Four days of racing is scheduled from (Jan 27 - 30) and three nights of entertainment at Nongsa Point will cap of a unique visit to Batam, which some sailors describe as the 'Center of the Universe'. More info, NOR and crewing positions can be found at http://www.straitsregatta.com Email: secretariat@straitsregatta.com or Changi Sailing Club at: enquiry@csc.org.sg Tel +65 6545 2876 Fax +65 6542 4235

2.5 COMPETITIVE PRICES FOR COMPETITIVE SAILS
Quantum Sails pride themselves on Quality - no matter what the season. Winter in the northern hemisphere is the perfect time to get ready as the best deals on Quantum Sails, are available. But you better be quick as this is one of those rare moments when you will actually get more than you paid for! Contact your nearest Quantum representative and get a truly good deal on the industry's highest quality and fastest sails by visiting: http://www.quantumsails.com

2.6 KFC LANGKAWI INTERNASIONAL REGATTA PERDANA 2010
The first event for the New Year of the Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored annual series will be held from 27th to 31st Jan 2010 at the Malaysia National Sailing Centre, Langkawi, Kedah. (Venue for IODA ASIAN 2009 and IODA WORLD 2010). Organisers expect racing for three Optimist Divisions A (born in 1995 to 1997), B (born in 1998 to 1999) and Div C (born in 2000 and after), Laser (Full rig), Laser Radial Boys and Girls, Laser 4.7 (Under 17) Boys and Girls Born after 1993, Int 420 (Under 21) Girls and boys / Int 470 (open), Wind Surfing Formula Board , RS-X, IMCO, Big Techno and Byte classes with a minimum of 4 entries in each category. Some boats are available for charter, accommodation bookings and how to find your way to Langkawi contact the Kedah Sailing Association by Phone: +604 9663099 Fax: +604 9661099 H/P: +6019- 2296316 E-mail: kedahsailing@yahoo.com.my

2.7 West Pacific Hobie 16 Championships and Boracay Cup (19-22 Feb)
Racing for the Open Class, Philippine National Championship, Masters (over 45), Grand Masters (over 55), Youth (under 21) and Ladies.(subject to entry levels) Boats are available for charter. Full days racing will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with up to 6 races each day. The grand finale will be the Awards Night celebrations on Monday night. Many of the competitors are expected to stay on afterwards to compete in the Boracay Cup. This event which was initially established for Keelboats and Ocean Multi-hulls will open its doors to the Beach Catamarans for the first time. The Hobie 16 and Tigers will race on long 15 to 20 mile offshore courses, which is totally different to the windward /leeward courses used for the WestPac Championships. Racing in the Boracay Cup takes place from Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 February. Further information contact - The Secretariat, West Pacific Championships Telephone: (63-2) 400 9326 Email: admin@mhyachting.com

2.8 Time to get sorted for 2010 One-Design Platu Championship
As the One-Design Platu Championship in Thailand is growing in numbers and stature a number of changes are being introduced this year. The opening round is the Thailand Platu OPEN Invitational Championship scheduled from the 11 to 14 March. This year they have increased the number of days racing from 2 to 3 for the OPEN and the NATIONALS and added a registration and practice course day to all the events .This will provide anyone traveling long distances with much more racing for their entry fee. As there is only a limited number of charter boats they urgently need to have confirmation from all those wanting to enter and which other rounds you propose to enter. The NOR’s and all other relevant information is published on the OMYC web site http://www.omycsailing.com Check the PLATU SECTION for all the info you need to race. Contact Kev Scott - Thailand Platu National Class Association coordinator at: Thai Mobile +66 878 25 00 11 or Email: kevscott@hotmail.com

2.9 2010 Platu/25 World Championship (July 18-24)
The Real Club de Regattas de Alicante are honored to be hosting the 2010 Platu/25 World Championship, from July 18 to 24. They would like to take this opportunity to invite teams to complete pre-registration which is just a couple of clicks away at: http://www.platu25worlds2010.com Access all the latest news and updates and don’t forget that all confirmed entries received before January 30 will enjoy an instant 25% bonus discount on the entry fee. The RCRA is also proud to announce that Halcon Viajes is now confirmed as the official travel agent for the event. Click Here to obtain all the info on accommodation in Alicante. Last but not least, please notice that the main contacts at the Alicante club will be: Elena Vázquez / PR: Cell +34666 524 970 Email: recrea@rcra.es Guillermo Beltrí /Sports Director: Cell +34670 380 763 Email: dirdep@rcra.es

2.10 2010 ORC rules and Regulations now available
The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) is pleased to announce the 2010 ORC Rules and Regulations are now available for download from the ORC website. These include the ORC International and ORC Club Rating Rules, the International Measurement System (IMS) Rules, the GP26, GP33, and GP42 Class Rules, and the ORC Championship Rules (the "Green Book"). Changes from the 2009 rules are noted in each document in pdf form by either sidebars or colored text, and all are posted at http://www.orc.org on the Rules and Regulations page.

2.11 Vale Cornelius Goedhardt aka "Cocky"
09:12:09 At about midnight local time, Cornelius Goedhardt aka "Cocky" passed away at Royal Darwin Hospital. Until very recently, and for 24 years, Cocky was the proprietor of The Yacht Shop in Darwin. A notoriously irascible character, Cocky was nevertheless loved by everyone and there will be many stories told around the world of visits to the Yacht Shop. Children have been brought up in fear, knowing to never touch the trays of stainless fasteners or something terrible may happen, although I think it was more often adults who put unwanted screws back into the wrong tray, not the kids. A few months back, Cocky had some tests and we all knew the news wasn't good. He had survived a couple of bouts with cancer of the throat years ago - resulting in his croaky whisper, but this time was going to be an ever bigger battle. He sold the business, and was still in the handover phase when he became quite sick. He contracted pneumonia, which prevented him from starting chemotherapy for the main problem, but it appears he succumbed to the pneumonia. A rough diamond known by many thousands of cruising sailors around the globe as well as our little local community. He will be sadly missed. Fair winds Cocky. RIP and a toast of rum will be drunk in your honour. Recidivist's epitaph posted on Sailing Anarchy forum at: http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=100392

2.12 ISAF Offshore Special Regulations for 2010-11
The ISAF Offshore Special Regulations ( http://www.sailing.org/specialregs ) are used by race organizers to provide uniform minimum equipment, accommodation and training standards for monohull and multihull yachts racing offshore. A number of changes made at the recent ISAF Annual Conference affect the new 2010-11 edition of the Special Regs. Unless otherwise specified the amendments are effective 1 January 2010. An amendment sheet containing all the changes can be viewed at http://www.sailing.org/specialregs/amendments It should be noted that national prescriptions may take priority over the ISAF text and sailors should check with their relevant authority. For a full report on the changes to the Offshore Special Regulations, the minutes of the meeting from the ISAF Annual Conference can be viewed at the ISAF Meetings microsite - http://www.sailing.org/meetings

2.13 Group 2 eliminated from ISAF Classification Code
The ISAF Sailor Classification Code is a service provided by ISAF, giving events and classes a cost-free, international system for classification of sailors. It is incorporated in ISAF Regulation 22. This change follows a lengthy consultation process with sailors, classes and events which use the Code.
The current code provided three groups:
Group 1 - Amateur competitor
Group 2 - Not a Group 1 competitor and has not been a Group 3 competitor in the Qualification Period (see regulation for definition).
Group 3 - Professional competitor
The revised code provides for just Group 1 (amateur) and 3 (professional), but with the Groups and the Qualification Period among the features that are redefined. Full report at: http://www.sailing.org/31115.php

2.14 Changes to Match and Team Racing Call Books
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has published the 2010 supplements to the current editions of The Call Book for Match Racing and The Call Book for Team Racing. The Call Books provide a clear definition, for both competitors and umpires, how certain incidents will be called in match or team racing events. Through written and illustrated examples, scenarios that occur in match or team racing events are presented along with the rules applicable to that situation and how and when they should be applied. -- Read on: http://www.sailing.org/news/31100.php

2.15 Where Next for Phoenicia?
With the passage to East Africa complete Captain Philip Beale and his crew are now replenishing supplies and planning the onwards course of the circumnavigation. The ship will depart Mayotte within the next few days headed for Beira, Mozambique. From Mozambique Phoenicia will sail to South African ports Richard's Bay, Port Elizabeth and Mossel Bay before attempting to negotiate one of the most notorious stretches of coast - the Cape of Good Hope - and sailing into Cape Town. Follow the progress of Phoenicia live on the ship's satellite tracker at: http://live.adventuretracking.com/phoenicia More about the Phoenicia Expedition at: http://www.phoenicia.org.uk/

2.16 Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
November winner - Andy Soriano (USA)
'A scholar and a gentleman' - Led Pritchard! 'With 3 Rolexes in 12 months, it's about time you had a new pair of shoes to match!?Thanks for a great season' - Mark Thomas; 'A driving force behind the owner-driver movement' - Kevin George; 'Andy has pursued one goal from the outset, to win with the people who he likes to go sailing with and to look after their interests as much as his own; a true gentleman in every sense of the word' - Mark Mills. Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at: http://sailor.seahorsemagazine.com/seahorse-sailor-of-the-month.html

2.17 Singapore sailors excel at first ISAF World Cup event
Singapore’s Koh Seng Leong dominated the Laser Radial Men fleet to win gold while Elizabeth Yin and Victoria Chan scored a seventh and eighth in the Laser Radial Women’s fleet. 15 sailors represented Singapore at the recent 2009 Sail Melbourne regatta which is the first event in the 2009-10 ISAF World Cup series. In the 470 men’s division, Roy Tay and Terence Koh ended the regatta in a credible fifth place as Olympic Gold medallists Malcolm Page and his partner Mat Belcher led the regatta from start to finish. The younger 470 Singaporean pair, Sean Lee and Joel Pang, managed a top-10 position in tenth place in their first ISAF Grade One event. The two pairs of 470 women sailors, Dawn Liu/Siobhan Tam and Jovina Choo/Sara Tan, finished in third and fourth positions respectively. Colin Cheng, racing in a highly competitive Laser Full Rig fleet, finished in 23rd place overall. 18-year-old Leonard Ong took a bronze in the RS:X men’s windsurfing class while Joshua Choo finished behind him in fourth and Shaun Pow in eighth overall. Over the next two weeks, the Singapore sailors will be in Adelaide, Australia competing in the Australian 420, Laser, Optimist National Championships (27 Dec 09 to 4 Jan 10) and Australian Youth Championship (6 to 10 Jan 10).

2.17 DK 46's still on Top of the Podium
28:12:09 Paul Buccholz's crew on his DK46 eXtasea are still celebrating line honours in the Melbourne to Launceston yacht race. eXtasea crossed the finish line first after covering the 198 nautical mile journey across Bass Strait in just over 27 hours. Skipper Buccholz said the breeze picked up in the afternoon which allowed them to get away from their nearest rivals. "It was frustrating at times. It was like sailing on a big calm pond," Buccholz said. "But we had no problems. We had a good run down here and the bunch of guys on board sailed the boat really well all the way. eXtasea took out the Melbourne-Launceston and Melbourne-Hobart races two years ago, which earned the boat the Rudder Cup from the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria. If your serious about forming a racing team and joining the racing class at major International regattas, there is a specially modified Mark Mills designed DK46, that has won nearly every major event in the Austral-Asian region on the market. So what are you waiting for? Serious Yachts for Serious Sailors can be found at http://www.dkyachts.com

2.18 Noppakao Poonpat undisputed Asian Optimist queen
21:12:09 Thai lass Noppakao Poonpat showed her prowess on the seas when she steered her way to the overall individual title of the IODA Asian Sailing Championship on Kuah Harbour in Langkawi. The runaway leader from the opening day, Noppakao laid claim to the title of undisputed queen of sailing. Noppakao, 14, who hails from Chonburi, also helped Thailand to the team title on Wednesday. The three-time world Optimist girls’ individual champion amassed 34 points (best 10 out of 12 races), fending off a strong challenge from Spain's Carlos Robles, who held on to his number two spot from Thursday with 45 points. Muhammad Farhan Hamid did the host country proud when he came in third (52 points).

2.19 IODA World Optimist Championship 2010 report
The smooth running of the Optimist Asians augurs well for next year’s IODA World Optimist Championship, also to be held at the same venue. Haji Lukman Haji Abu Bakar, deputy president of Malaysia Yachting Association, the Asian meet’s organiser, said there were some minor flaws that needed to be ironed out, ensuring next year’s World Championships will be free of hitches. “I am happy that everything was smooth sailing and I would like to thank the organising committee for that. We’ll be conducting a post-mortem to see where we went wrong, and rectify the mistakes to prevent them from recurring,” said Lukman, who also thanked MYA and the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) for their support. “The MYA technical team has shown its expertise and capability of handling a meet on such a scale and will be up for the challenge at the coming world championships [held from 27 December 2010 to 7 January 2011].” However, Lukman hoped the Tourism Ministry would rally to the MYA’s call for assistance while the Ministry of Youth and Sports could have provided stronger support. Read full report at: http://www.sailing.org/news/31137.php

2.20 Monsoon Cup setting the bar high for television coverage
Andy Green on the television coverage "From the inaugural Monsoon Cup in 2005, the goal of the organisers led by Peter Gilmour was to continually innovate the coverage of the sailing taking place. The first and most important was to have a Live TV show between 3pm and 5pm that was available for any broadcasters to take, with a 5 minute gun fired straight after the opening credits and the deciding race that finishes at 4.45, in time for a post race interview and prize-giving all completed for a 5pm finish with a World Champion and event winner crowned! This year's event had 18 cameras around the course - high, wide, on board, mast cam, bow cam and my special favourite, Helmet cam! I was able to get on board a boat before racing with a backpack transmitter microphone and camera built into a climbing helmet (and yes, I did look ridiculous). Not only was I able to commentate on the race from on board (keeping my voice down in light wind - whispering into the mic as if in a bunker behind on the 18th), but I was also able to give a helmsman's eye view from on board: looking back at the opposition, forward to the windshifts, current and marks." Goto the final rap up at: http://asianyachting.com/news/MonsoonCup2009.htm

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 Second stop on (ISAF) Sailing World Cup
US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR will bring together the world's top sailors for elite-level competition in all the classes selected for the Olympic and Paralympic Games from January 24-30, 2010, the second stop on the International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) Sailing World Cup 2009-2010 circuit. The Notice of Race is now available online, with registration open November 13. Women's Match Racers must register online prior to the December 1, 2009; the registration deadline for all other events is January 8, 2010. -- Full details: http://rmocr.ussailing.org/RMOCR_Home.htm

3.2 Key West 2010 (Jan 18 to 22nd)
Key West, Fla – Serious racing sailors from across the U.S. and around the world are heading to the southernmost island in the United States – for the beautiful, tropical 23rd edition of Key West 2010 from Jan 18 to 22nd. Presented by Nautica this prestigious international regatta has over 130 IRC, One Design and PHRF boats from more than 20 US states and 12 different countries currently represented. While the global recession continues to impact the overall fleet numbers for this and other travel regattas, the quality of the competition and the enthusiasm of the Key West participants is as strong as ever. All the pieces are in place – top tier competition, professional race management, reliable breeze, warm temperatures and a unique post-racing social scene. It’s all on for the 23rd edition of this mid-winter classic. More info click here...

3.3 World Yacht Racing Forum Articles
Over the last few weeks, since the highly successful World Yacht Racing Forum was held in Monaco, they have been busy writing up and posting any insights coming out from the forum. These articles are a combination of notes made during the presentations and other relevant news coverage from the assembled experts of the Yacht Racing world in 2009. Some of the articles cover an entire session and some have been broken down into smaller pieces. Some of the panel discussions are not covered but the rest can be viewed online by Clicking here...

3.4 US Sailing mourns the passing of Roy Disney
Roy Edward Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney passed away after a long battle with stomach cancer. In 2008, US SAILING, national governing body of the sport, awarded Disney its prestigious Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy for his outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the U.S. over many years. Disney was 79. Not only did Disney support various levels of the sport, he was also an accomplished sailor with many titles to his name. He set records in many offshore races, including the Transpac Race, the Chicago Mackinac Race, and the Newport-Bermuda Race. In 1999, Disney fulfilled a lifelong dream when he and the 12-member crew of his 74-foot Pyewacket won the biannual, 2,225-mile Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, setting a course record. Combining his passion for sailing and filmmaking, Disney was a powerful voice for sailing, as well as a promoter. His documentary movie 'Morning Light,' which he co-produced with his wife Leslie DeMeuse-Disney, put a new spotlight on the sport of sailing. Gary Jobson, president of US SAILING, had this to say about what Disney meant to the sport: 'Roy Disney was great for the sport of sailing. He set a high example for all of us, as a top competitor, visionary and philanthropist. Roy has inspired so many young people to follow their dream of life on the water. Our sport will miss him.'

3.5 LOUIS VUITTON and WSTA announce regattas for 2010
(December 17, 2009) - The World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) and Louis Vuitton today announced more Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas for 2010 and early 2011. Each Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta is a stand-alone regatta sailed in event-supplied 85- foot long AC Class yachts that require a crew of 17 top sailors to sail. The regatta concept is designed to transform a port venue, regardless of its previous sailing culture, into the capital of professional yacht racing for two weeks, along with all the associated activities and excitement, on and off the water. The schedule for the next events covers four distinctly different parts of the world:
Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland: March 9-21, 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena, Sardinia: May 22 - June 6, 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy Middle East: November 13-28, 2010
Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong: January 9-24, 2011
The venue in The Middle East is embargoed until January 15, 2010. Newly-elected WSTA board Chairman Paul Cayard commented: "The Louis Vuitton Trophy is gaining momentum following the great regattas held in Auckland and Nice in 2009 and I really believe 2010 is going to be an even better year for our teams, their crews and supporters." -- Read on: http://tinyurl.com/ygjbccb

3.6 Quadriplegic to sail Atlantic - Mission Impossible or is it?
It's 3,000 miles and takes 3 weeks to get across. But for one man who is sailing the Atlantic, those challenges are just the tip of the iceberg. Boat enthusiast Geoff Holt, 43 from Hampshire, UK sets sail from Lanzarote Thursday to the British Virgin Islands, despite not being able to move most of his arms, hands and legs. The quadriplegic will sail boat Impossible Dream, a 60ft specially-adapted catamaran for the mission, created for disabled people by paraplegic Mike Browne and kindly donated for the dream trip. Geoff says: "If we have problems, we will overcome them. I'll miss my family terribly, but achieving this will be the best present ever." He was just out of school aged 16 when Geoff began working as first mate on boats. By the age of 18, he had sailed the Atlantic three times. But months after his last journey across the waters, disaster struck. He dived into shallow waters and broke his neck. But that wasn't the end of it. More at: http://www.geoffholt.com

4. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Liz Wardley dismasts SolOceans
17:12:09 This morning at dawn, in a Force 7 wind with gusts and a stormy sea, Liz Wardley aboard the SolOceans One-design suffered two knock downs due to successive failures of the NKE autopilot. The SolOceans One-design has dismasted 158 miles west of Madeira and 619 miles south west of Lisbon (Portugal). Liz Wardley is not hurt and there is no damage to the SolOceans One-design. Liz Wardley quickly cleared the deck of the mast pieces to avoid damaging the hull or the deck. She set a jury rig and managed to sail for Lisbon without assistance. -- More including videos are at: http://www.soloceans.com

5.2 Grant Wharington's Etihad Stadium features again
One of the six supermaxis listed to start in the 628 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart race, Etihad Stadium, the former Skandia Wild Thing was dismasted in Bass Strait on her delivery run from Melbourne to Sydney. The wounded 98 foot supermaxi motored into Sydney Harbour and headed straight for Noakes Boatyard in North Sydney, where a replacement mast belonging to Alfa Romeo's Neville Crichton was air freighted from Europe and frantically fitted into the Supermaxi layout. On the first sail to the Boxing Day startline and with not enough time to tune the rig skipper Grant Wharington wisely retired the Jones 98 Etihad Stadium with further problems soon after starting. Wharington thanked crew members, mast-makers and riggers for a two-week around-the-clock effort to replace the broken mast.

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