Discover Sailing - Prices Slashed!!!
Experience the wonderful world of Sailing. Prices for DISCOVER SAILING sessions have been slashed to RM50 per person for 2 hour sailing trips from PD World Marina in Port Dickson. This would suit a small family or agile group of friends that would like to share in a sailing experience onboard our 25ft racing keel boat over the weekend or during the school holidays. Although no previous experience is necessary, participants are expected to be involved with running the yacht and agile enough to move from side to side during the maneuvers. If you are looking for a more hands on approach to sailing on a racing yacht then the 2-Day Introduction to Sailing course is recommended. The aim is to provide a brief taste of sailing for novices. By the end of a Two-day Course, participants will have had a short introduction to the sport, including basic boat handling techniques and a healthy dose of essential background knowledge thrown in. Check out the courses and dates available at: http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm

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CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Port Dickson like living in the eye of the cyclone...
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - Raja Muda 2010 - Extra free beer!! & Strongbow Cider - King's Cup 2010 - Live action on Sail.TV - Cocachin promotes Asian Games - Phoenicia completes 20,000 mile voyage! - The World's only Equator Regatta is born - Platu Championship - Close Battle to the End - World Match Racing Tour goes down to the wire - How about racing round a volcano? - 9th Punta Fuego Regatta (6 - 7 Nov) - Asian Sports boat championship - Largest yacht ever built - Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing yacht built by Persico
Up next in Asia 16th Asian Games - Raja Muda 2010 - Monsoon Cup - Phuket King's Cup
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Dubai closes the Louis Vuitton Trophy - Velux 5 Oceans - Across the Equator - Spithill crowned RC 44 world champion - Around the world by solar power - Wingsail Moth hits the water
Follow the: 2010 Route Du Rhum - Louis Vuitton Trophy - World Match Racing Tour - AC 34 - RC 44 Series
4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - Ludertiz Speed Challenge Namibia - World Speed Record now 55.65 knots - The first lady over 50 knots !!!
5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" - Christophe Bullens race against time to make Velux start - Sailor crashes boat for 13th time - Crunch time at Voiles Saint-Tropez - Tony Bullimore in the news again - 7 crew winched to safety

1. EDITORIAL

Despite numerous typhoons swirling around to the north, volcano Merapi erupting in the east, earthquakes and tsunami washing ashore to the south plus flash floods and landslides in the west, we have our heads down and still managing to pump out the yachting news from Port Dickson, Malaysia. Right in the center of it, perhaps that's why nothing much ever happens here, just like being in the eye of the cyclone. As the NE monsoon seems to have arrived early, spare a thought for all the wind blown, tired and wet delivery skippers and crew presently making their way to Pt Klang, Malaysia and Phuket, Thailand for the next two major big boat events on the 2010/11 Calendar. Come high or low water, over 50 boats will be lining up for the annual Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta and over 100 are expected at the Phuket King's Cup in early December. Both these events are included in the 2010-11 AYGP Championship and the top five racing class boats will score points towards the Evolution Sails AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year Awards.

Before the big boats get underway, the dinghy classes and match racing in J80 will be taking place at the 16th Asian Games held from November 12-27, at the Guangdong Ocean Sports Training Centre (GOSTC) in Shanwei, China. From all reports, we have been assured that daily updates and photos will be posted on the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) and the official Asian Games websites. Although China is expected to dominate the games, the Malaysian sailing team is aiming for five medals in the dinghy classes and after the recent Malaysian Match Racing Championship hope the team have garnered enough experience to finish on the podium. This region also bore the brunt of Typhoon Megi when it came ashore and the conditions for the games are expected to be windy with a 2-3 meter ocean swell rolling in. This will be a welcome change from the usual light conditions and present new and unique challenges to all the competing sailors. Bring it on!!!

Although most the big International events like the Extreme 40 Sailing Series, RC 44 Championship, Audi MedCup and the World Match Racing Tour - Monsoon Cup are finishing up for the year, there is no shortage of press releases to announce new builds, changes of skippers and how the events are being remodeled to come back even bigger and better next year. Together with plans for AC 34 introducing two new wingsail catamaran designs and International racing circuits over the next couple of years, these are exciting times for the big hitters of the sport to play and for the not so big to Enjoy! La

While we are on the topic of famous sailing events, newcomers to the sport should be aware (See video) that 84 boats started yesterday in St Malo on the 2010 Route Du Rhum... The largest solo yacht race in the world, across the Atlantic Ocean from France to Guadeloupe. This long running race is still one of the most cherished sporting events amongst the Europeans and is considered one of the best personal achievements in a solo sailors career. We could not resist joining the most exciting race of the year and entered Capt Marty in the Virtual Regatta challenge. Having selected a giant red maxi trimaran with blue sails, we allocated some time, over the next week or so to play the game, choosing sails, changing course and way points etc. After a slow start and not being able to log on for 18 hours, watch us make a comeback from behind (56,259th). Anyone playing can join the Asian Tigers team, and if we reach Pointe à Pitre in the top 10 places could win some of the many great prizes on offer.

The final act of the Louis Vuitton Trophy match racing series will be held in Dubai where hopefully they will put the dinosaur lead mines to bed for good. There will be Live Streaming on AYTV when racing is underway and numerous replays are available on Sail TV long after the racing is over! All these topics and much much more on the Asian and International scene are covered (Below) and regularly updated on the AsianYachting website.
Enjoy!
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 Raja Muda 2010 - Extra free beer!! & Strongbow Cider
Thanks to GAB's continuing generous support of the regatta, the RMSIR organising committee are lucky enough, to be able to be serve Strongbow Cider at the "free" Tiger beer counter at each of the regatta dinners (except Langkawi), but hurry.... there is limited stock at each venue, so first come, first served. With the new Pangkor venue accessed by road from the mainland they will have more space, less waves (!), and extra Tiger & Strongbow on draft to quench the crews' thirst... and, If you complete all entry, safety, crew list forms ONLINE before Monday Nov 15th they will give you an extra book of drink vouchers when you check in. It just does not get much better than this. The event consists of three overnight passage races, some 240 miles in total, plus two days of harbour racing in Penang and Langkawi. With regatta dinners almost every night, a trishaw race and lots of opportunities to socialise, onshore activities can be just as demanding as the sailing. Changes to the Schedule of Events and Notice of Race have been posted on the regatta website http://www.rmsir.com/

2.2 King's Cup 2010 - Live action on Sail.TV
The 2010 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta will have unprecedented coverage on television, telecommunications and online media thanks to a deal with Sail.TV. The United Kingdom based sports production and broadcasting company will cover the pinnacle of the Asian Sailing Calendar as the action happens, allowing enthusiasts all over the world to follow the action race-by-race. Sail TV is the first and most comprehensive TV centric website dedicated to the sport of sailing. Sail.TV has been broadcasting since January 2006 and has televised countless sailing events, interviews, boat features and regattas. Duncan Worthington, Media and Communications Director is excited about Sail.TV’s coverage of this year’s event. 'I have long thought that the annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta is a major yachting event that deserves widespread global coverage incorporating the latest technologies with more traditional broadcast media. For those unable to see the racing first hand the coverage provided by Sail.TV’s expert team will not only extend the regatta’s audience, it will also add a new dimension of enjoyment. I am delighted to be able to welcome Sail.TV aboard,” he said. The Phuket King's Cup Regatta which runs from December 4th - 11th 2010 is now in its 24th year and is celebrated both for its great sailing competition and lively onshore social gatherings. More information at: http://www.kingscup.com

2.3 Cocachin promotes Asian Games
The Cocachin, a replica wooden boat which traveled along the ancient maritime Silk Road to promote the Guangzhou Asian Games in Asia, was donated to the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee on October 26. During Games-time, participants and spectators of the November 12 - 27 Games are able to have access to the replica boat as Capt Wu will dock Cocachin in the waters nearby the Asian Games town. From all reports we have been assured that daily updates and photos will be posted on the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) and the official Asian Games websites. For direct access to the Sailing Site and Photo Gallery click on them. Teams preparing for the match racing, the basic Information on the J80 and how racing will be conducted can be found at: http://www.gz2010.cn/10/1029/11/6K5KQIA50078002Q.html

2.4 Enjoy the Christmas holidays with Sunsail
Sunsail's South-East Asia bases are easily accessed by direct flights from all major Asian cities. The main base in Phuket is conveniently located at the new Ao Po Marina, just a few miles away from Paradise Island and some of the most stunning beaches you can find. With 3 other great areas including Langkawi, Koh Chang and Koh Samui, plus all your berthing, insurance and maintenance taken care of by a team of Sunsail professionals, you can enjoy access to year-round, worry-free cruising. Check out the NEW Sunsail 44i is a high-performance cruising yacht built for comfort, designed especially for the great sailing in Asia! Visit Sunsail Asia www.sunsailasia.com and pick up a copy of the 2011 Yacht Charter brochure and receive regular updates on Sunsail's activities in the Asian region contact Tel: +66 (0)76 239057 Email: sales@sunsailasia.com

2.5 Phoenicia completes 20,000 mile voyage!
Phoenicia Expedition arrived back in Syria on 23rd October to a fantastic welcome from everyone in Arwad and Tartous. Homecoming celebrations took place throughout the day and well into the evening on Saturday 23rd October. A convoy of 50 boats came out to greet Phoenicia and sail into Arwad harbour where the homecoming ceremony took place. Phoenicia then sailed to Tartous for a fantastic gala dinner, hosted by Osman Shipping LLC at the Shahin Tower Hotel for 200 people. They thanked all who made the homecoming such a huge celebration. Expedition Leader Philip Beale and the 10 international crew members began in Syria in August 2008. Phoenicia then sailed through the Suez Canal before reaching the Republic of Yemen at the foot of the Red Sea in January 2009. Phase two began in August 2009 when she was launched once more to continue around the Horn of Africa, down the east coast, passing through the challenging Cape of Good Hope and back up the west coast en route to the Straits of Gibraltar. -- More on the Phoenicia voyage at: http://www.phoenicia.org.uk

2.6 The World's only Equator Regatta is born...
Organisers of the Neptune Regatta are excited about becoming the World's only regatta and motor yacht rally centered around a race to the equator. They have just got back from a great recce during which they checked and re checked real positions verses chart coordinates in the gate areas. Spent a night on "Neptune Island' just south of Pulau Buaya (Crocodile Island) which is nearest the equator, and some time with the local fishermen at a village on a nearby island. A new jetty is planned for Neptune Island for easy access of equipment and people. Jerry Rollin (Principle Race Officer) John Ferguson, GM of the Royal Selangor Yacht Club (Race Officer) and Alex “Ferret” Voss (Safety Officer) have been appointed to conduct this inaugural race which is supported by the Indonesian Navy and Nongsa Point Marina. Visit the website for full details: http://www.neptune-regatta.com

2.7 Platu Championship - Close Battle to the End
Ferret News
October 28th 2010: This years Quantum One Design Platu Championship of Thailand has been won by Rolf Heemskerk, of Holland, beating Scott Duncanson, of Australia, by one point after 4 rounds. These two skippers have been sharing the Platu honours in very close battles continuously for the last 3 years but in very light conditions. Rolf won the Thai Nationals last week to take the crown away from Scott, who has held it for the last two years. Almost every regatta these two have competed in has been won by very close margins and in more than one instance, had to resort to count back to separate them. But this is Rolf Heemskerk's year and he should enjoy his success and look forward to next years Platu Championship which promises to have even more International flavour and an ever increasing level of competitor. The success of this Championship relies on there being many charter boats available, and all prepared to a standard capable of winning. This allows crews to travel from all over the world knowing they can compete on equal terms with the local sailors. For all information on the Platu Championship check out http://www.OMYCsailing.com Platu section.and charter boat enquiries contact Kev Scott email kevscott@hotmail.com or Thailand cell phone +66 878 25 00 11

2.8 Quantum Sails on top of the world
Quantum Racing completes an unmatched record of two TP52 world titles in three years, and a second, only losing out last year on count back to Matador, and added the perfect final flourish in their final race with the Botin Carkeek designed boat in which they won the Audi MedCup title in 2008 and finished runners-up in 2009 and this season. Some sail makers save their best stuff for only the big boat programs. Not Quantum. Their iQ Technology informs the development of every sail from the smallest one design classes right on through to the TP52 and beyond. Quantum¹s proprietary process integrates the most technically advanced design, lamination, shaping and manufacturing methods in the industry resulting in sail shapes that are fast, efficient, infinitely repeatable, and the power behind four world championships this year: TP52, J/80, J24 and J/22. Right now, for a limited time, receive special pricing on all inshore One Design sails. Visit http://www.quantumsails.com/Classes/classes.aspx for more information. No matter what your boat size or sailing venue, find your speed at: http://www.quantumsails.com

2.9 World Match Racing Tour goes down to the wire
The top eight teams in the series’ standings have received invites from the WMRT to compete at the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia which will be staged between November 30 and December 5. It has been an epic battle to reach the prestigious season ending finale, spanning seven months, eight global events, 42 sailing teams, a further 100 teams from qualifying events and more than 550 world class sailors. There’s little time for Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin to reflect on his heroics in the Argo Group Gold Cup as the attention of the world’s top sailors turns to the jewel in the crown of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) and where the ISAF Match Racing World Champion will be decided. The Brit's may have the momentum going into the decider, but will have to overcome their nearest rivals, current Tour leader Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team and defending champion Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing before they can waltz of with the title. Richard holds a 15 point advantage over Minoprio who takes a mere 2 point lead over Ainslie to Malaysia. With the Monsoon Cup offering 1.5 times more points than a standard WMRT event, the championship is still wide open and the script could not have been written better for what is set to be an exhilarating climax to the year in Terengganu. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team and Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar are fourth and fifth in the series and still in with a mathematical chance of winning but will need results of their opponents at the Monsoon Cup to go their way. More at: http://wmrt.com

2.10 How about racing round a volcano?
Now on its 11th year, the Balai Isabel Round the Volcano Regatta will see intrepid Philippine sailors circumnavigating the world's smallest active volcano, navigating through labyrinth of fish pens, and managing Taal Lake's tempestuous waters on 20 - 21 Nov. The second day will see the fleet negotiating various windward-leeward courses off of Taal Lake Yacht Club and Balai Isabel. Open to various classes of dinghies and Hobies, this classic Amihan (North Easterly) season regatta is truly a weekend adventure not to be missed. Contact peter@sailing.org.ph for further details or take a look at http://www.philhobie.org/

2.11 9th Punta Fuego Regatta (6 - 7 Nov)
The regatta is open to all Keelboats (racing IRC and PY), beach catamarans and dinghies of any description, plus Ocean Multihulls. The Competitor's Briefing will be at 1000 on Saturday morning at the Barracuda Bar followed very quickly by the start of the Fortune Island Race. As usual there will be an full interesting social program starting with Welcome Cocktails at the new Barracuda Bar on Friday evening, right beside the Marina in the ground floor of the Marina Office building. The Regatta takes place after the Puerto Galera All Souls Regatta and boats are welcome to stay in the Marina free of berthing fees between the events. Please book your space with Ipoy Bentir, the Marina Manager to avoid disappointment. Marina Office:– Mobile 0917 511 1616 or e mail rvbentir@yahoo.com NOR, Entry Form, Results and photographs will be posted at: http://www.clubpuntafuego.com.ph/yacht-club.htm

2.12 Sailmaking... Evolved
Evolution Sails are a Global Sailmaking Group. They have a new way of doing things and new technology to share in an industry that could use a few new ideas. From durable cruising sails to regatta winning EM Membrane racing sails, they have found innovative ways to improve their product through advances in manufacturing, engineering and design. Whether your plans include cruising the Med or crossing the Atlantic, Sydney/Hobart or winning IRC Nationals, Bucket or Sportsboat competition, Dinghy sailing or One Design racing, or just a weekday twilight race with your friends, you must consider Evolution for your next sails. Check them out at: http://www.evolutionsails.com/

2.13 Asian Sports boat championship
It's time for the third Asian Sports boat championship. The race is being held by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club from the 15th to the 19th of November. All boats that carry a valid SMS or SBR certificate are welcome. Read more on http://www.rhkyc.org.hk

2.14 Largest yacht ever built
Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen no longer owns one of the world's 10 largest yachts thanks to the just-launched Serene (above) from Fincantieri. At just under 440 ft. Serene is the largest yacht ever built in Italy, and enters the list of the world's largest yachts at No. 9, according to Camper & Nicholsons – just behind the floating brothel Savarona. That knocks Allen's famed 414-ft. Octopus out of the top 10 altogether (No. 1 of course is still, by a mere 18 inches, Roman Abramovich's Eclipse). The billionaire buyer of Serene is unknown. Designed by Espen Oeino, the Serene, which took four years to complete, has seven decks, a tender hangar and two helipads. The high-tech megayacht features a large seawater swimming pool and a submarine with a diving depth of up to 100 metres. The 4,500 square meter interior boasts super-luxe accommodations and entertaining spaces designed by Pascale Reymond of London's Reymond Langton Design.

2.15 Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing yacht built by Persico
October 13: The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) which is behind the emirate’s entry for the next Volvo Ocean Race has appointed Persico S.p.A. to build its Volvo 70 racing yacht for Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. Persico of Bergamo, Italy were the winners of a competitive tender exercise involving local and international suppliers from the UAE, Europe and the Far East. Building of the boat has already started at Persico’s manufacturing facility in Northern Italy. The company is working with Farr Yacht Design who are responsible for the final design of the 70 foot racing yacht. Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing expects to take delivery in June 2011. HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, ADTA, which lead-manages the Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing team said: ‘This is becoming a truly international project. We are intent in tapping on the best minds and resources the yachting industry can offer to press forward our Volvo Ocean Race ambitions.’ Operations Manager, Mark Somerville, has been involved with the manufacture of five Volvo Ocean Race yachts and 10 America’s Cup entries will oversee the build which will take approximately 45,000 man hours. They are making Volvo Ocean Race history on three levels - as the event’s first destination partner, the only Middle East organisation to enter the race, and the first Middle East host port.

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 Dubai closes the Louis Vuitton Trophy
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates Airline, the top international sailing teams in the world will face-off in Dubai in November to contest the Louis Vuitton Trophy. Racing is scheduled to start on November 14th on the waters of the Arabian Gulf, off the spectacular Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC), and will continue through November 27th when the final Louis Vuitton Trophy champion will be crowned. The Dubai event marks the last of the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas, as the teams begin to shift their focus to the 34th America’s Cup and its series of multihull regattas. “The Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai is going to be very special for us,” confirmed Yves Carcelle, the Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. “We have had a long association – over 25 years – with the America’s Cup. This chapter of the story is coming to an end but we are very proud and happy that the Louis Vuitton Trophy has been able to provide a competitive outlet over the past two years for so many of the teams.” There will be full coverage of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai on the event website: http://www.louisvuittontrophy.com

3.2 Velux 5 Oceans - Across the Equator
With 3278 nm to the finish of the first leg, Brad Van Liew (USA) is holding a 153 nm lead over Zbigniew Gutkowski since the October 17th start from La Rochelle, France to Cape Town, South Africa (7500 nm). This edition in Eco 60s covers 30,000 miles and features five ocean sprints over nine months. After setting off on October 17 from La Rochelle to Cape Town, the race will then take in Wellington in New Zealand, Salvador in Brazil and Charleston in the U.S. before returning back across the Atlantic to France. Race viewer here: http://raceviewer.velux5oceans.com/app/index.html?sprint=1

Race website: http://www.velux5oceans.com
Brad Van Liew (USA): http://www.oceanracing.org
Derek Hatfield (CAN): http://spiritofcanada.net

3.3 Spithill crowned RC 44 world champion
October 13th: Terry Hutchinson (Artemis) wins silver and Russell Coutts (BMW ORACLE Racing) bronze. The first three medals of the inaugural RC 44 World Championship for the Islas Canarias Puerto Calero Cup were awarded today in recognition of the match racing portion of the regatta. Jimmy Spithill and the 17 crew won the gold, Terry Hutchinson and Artemis the silver and Russell Coutts and BMW ORACLE Racing the bronze. Spithill, a winner in 2005 of the ISAF World Match Racing Championship, defeated Hutchinson 2-0 to claim the championship that concluded today. Racing resumed with the commencement of fleet racing segment. All 13 boats will line up with amateur helmsmen in a series scheduled through with a maximum of four races per day. The annual championship will see its conclusion on December 7-12 during the Oracle RC 44 Cup Miami. The fleet is also rumored to participate in Key West Race Week (Jan. 17-21, 2011) and in a California event in February/March 2011. -- http://www.rc44.com

3.4 DK Technology still on Top of the Podium
If your serious about forming a racing team and joining the racing class at major regattas in the region, there is a specially modified Mark Mills designed DK46's, that has won nearly every major event in the Austral-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 computerized 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 autoclave 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

3.5 Around the world by solar power
27th Sept: After many months of planning and construction, a very large solar solar-powered yacht called Planet Solar set out from Monaco on a 31,000 mile trip around the globe. Its goal is to be the first to circumnavigate the globe in a 'solar' boat, i.e. one powered by a silent, pollution-free electrical engine, driven exclusively by solar energy. It is estimated it will maintain an average speed of 7.5 knots per hour. At that speed it should take about 160 days to travel around the planet. The multihull will be home to four sailors during the round-the-world attempt, and can accommodate up to forty people during the promotional trips planned at each port of call. At the age of 37, founder Raphaël Domjan conceived the PlanetSolar concept, and he has done everything possible since to turn his dream into reality. PlanetSolar, is a multlihull vessel topped by a large array of photovoltaic solar panels, gives it a capacity of 93.5 kilowatts of electricity, constructed by Knierim Yacht Club, in Kiel, Germany, cost about $13 million to construct and was funded by Rivendell Holding AG, a Swiss company renewable energy investment company. The biggest solar run ship in the world was built in 14 months, the boat has impressive dimensions and is yet both silent and clean. Its goal of circumnavigating the world at an average speed of 7.5 knots is no mean feat for a solar-powered craft. Stopovers will take place at the following cities: Miami, Cancun, San Francisco, Sydney, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. More on this expedition and tracking can be found at: http://www.planetsolar.org/index.en.php

3.6 Wingsail Moth hits the water
12th Oct: Images of first sail of Bora Gulari (USA) with his new wing moth in Toronto (CAN) today The Wing built at Object 2 Skiff Works in Toronto for Bora Gulari (USA), 2009 Moth World Champion. The wing have been designed by Magnus Clark (CAN) and Steve Killing (CAN). Magnus was crew for Fred Eaton’s C Class winner of 2010 C Class world Championship. Rossi Milev (CAN) and Rob Paterson (CAN) from Object2 Skiff Works built the wing in ONE week with Bora Gulari (USA) and George Peet (USA). Photo credit: ThMartinez/Sea&Co and a link to his website: http://www.thmartinez.com

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 Ludertiz Speed Challenge Namibia - World Speed Record now 55.65 knots
29 Oct 2010: The wind blew up to 45 knots today and the organisers decided to build a retaining wall after the finish of the run to keep the water in at low tide. This paid huge dividends and many records were smashed ! The organizers decided to create a wall of sand at the end of the run to retain the water level to the minimum depth of 18cm as required by the WSSRC. Sebastien Cattelan had attempted to do this two weeks ago on a day of extremely strong winds, however had faced stiff opposition from some kiteboarders who forced him to re-open the channel and as a result the water level dropped to below the required 18cm and the speed attempts had to be abandoned. Today there was no such opposition. Fabrice the time keeper has checked these speeds, but not the WSSRC yet. He asked that we state: Demands of speed records under sail, are subject to the official ratification by ISAF/WSSRC. Sebastien Cattelan is the new record holder of France and Europe with 55.49 (1st to 55 knots). He held the outright for an hour before US kiteboarder Rob Douglas improved upon it, reaching 55.65 knots. Take a look at these magnificent men on their flying machines on the AsianYachting - Capt Marty YouTube Channel Don't blink or you will miss it!

The first lady over 50 knots !!!
Charlotte Consorti did 48.5 on the display, followed 30 minutes later by Sophie Routboul with 48.64 speed. Sophie could only do two runs as she has a broken hand. Charlotte went back out later and did 50.43.

3rd Alex Caizergues with 54.93 (France)
4th Sebatien Salerno with 54.28 (France)
5th Sylvain Hoceini with 52.90 (France)

New South African record set by Basil Cambanis with 50.75 knots.
New Namibian record set by Stefan Metzger with 48.57 knots.
New Solvinian record set by Jernej Privsek with 46.60 knots.
Taro Niehaus had 50.59, he beat the SA record few days ago with 50.60 knots.

5. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"

5.1 Christophe Bullens race against time to make Velux start
14th Oct: The VELUX 5 OCEANS has not even started and already Belgian ocean racer Christophe has been on an incredible voyage. After a nail-biting ten days, Christophe Bullens confirmed he expects to be on the start line of the after securing a new boat for the race. Just five days before the start of the 30,000-mile solo round the world race, Christophe has bought the Eco 60 Artech from French yachtsman Jean-Baptiste Dejeanty. The 49-year-old Belgian completed a 2,500-mile qualification passage in his original Eco 60 Five Oceans of Smiles in September. But his campaign was thrown into jeopardy early when his original yacht was cruelly dismasted and holed 15 miles off the coast of France en route to La Rochelle. Since then, Christophe and his small shore team worked round the clock to find another Eco 60 to sail but with just days to go until the race start, Christophe and his team have secured funding to buy Artech, confirming his place on the start line. The yacht was renamed and rebranded Five Oceans of Smiles in support of the Smiles charity which supports children who are HIV positive, based at the Saint-Pieter hospital in Brussels, “It's been a real roller coaster since the dismasting,” Christophe said. “We never stopped believing that we could be in this race and we fought to be on the start line until the end. There was no way we were going to abandon the children – we are doing this race for them.” Race director David Adams added: “Christophe’s tenacity in the face of adversity is an illustration of what makes solo sailors so special. Many people would have thrown in the towel following the dismasting, but not Christophe. He has worked tirelessly to find a solution to making the start line and he has a fantastic Eco 60 to take on The Ultimate Solo Challenge.” Christophe started with the rest of the fleet and sailed a qualification passage to complete his final preparations before returning to restart a few days behind the leaders. Follow the race progress at: http://www.velux5oceans.com/

5.2 Sailor crashes boat for 13th time
A hapless sailor named 'Captain Calamity' has destroyed his Hobie catamaran after flipping it for the 13th time while attempting to ride Britain's biggest wave. Glenn Crawley, 55, has repeatedly flipped his catamaran 'Mischief' and cost the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) £30,000 in a string of rescues. The retired electrician and engineer began sailing the boat in 2003 and was forced to dial 999 three times in the first year alone. Since then RNLI crews have been called out on a further nine occasions after Mr Crawley's catamaran turned over, at a cost of at least £2,500 per rescue. Officials have pleaded with him to give up sailing, with local coastguards calling him 'Captain Calamity'. Mr Crawley's seafaring antics now look over after he crashed his boat for the 13th time in seven years. The 18ft boat has been left in pieces after he attempted to ride Britain's biggest wave, known as the Cribbar, at Fistral Beach in Newquay. Mr Crawley tried to sail along the wave, dubbed 'The Widow Maker', but his vessel was hit by a giant wall of water and flipped over. Despite admitting that Mischief is gone, Mr Crawley warned he could soon be back at sea, he still insists he is a ''man of the water'' and says his ''extreme sailing'' is pushing the boundaries of maritime adventure. Mr Crawley said: ''People race cars or climb mountains but no one gets on their case. Read all about it Here...

5.3 Crunch time at Voiles Saint-Tropez
Another day at the Voiles Saint-Tropez that required patience from competitors and the race committee alike... During the racing on Day 3 Marjatta was involved in a collision with Harlekin. Fortunately no one got hurt! The Daily Sail editor was horrified with the reporting and went on to say "Is that all the reporter has to say about an incident that reminded me of the infamous Nioulargue incident, from the photos at least? An incident I witnessed first hand from the lee rail of Kentra. "No one got hurt"! Come on, that's not good enough." Which provoked James Davies to comment "Sadly in this day and age I suspect that is all the information the reporter could get hold of as both crews will have been told not to comment to avoid prejudicing any litigation which results from the incident!"

5.4 Tony Bullimore in the news again - 7 crew winched to safety
28 Oct 2010: The 28 year-old cat Spirit of Antigua, which was on a delivery trip to La Coruna in Spain from Bullimore's home in Bristol, went belly up in moderate winds around 140 miles off the French coast. The Maritime Coastguard Agency received a distress signal from the boat at 19.30 BST last night and due to the boat's position in French waters handed the rescue mission to CROSS Etel who scrambled a helicopter to lift the crew, which did not include Bullimore, to safety. Skipper Ben Jones was in charge, as part of a training exercise ahead of a trip to Antartica next year. Bullimore, who achieved notoriety when he had to be rescued in the Southern Ocean in 1996 having survived for several days in his upturned boat, bought the inaugural Jules Verne Trophy winner in 2001 from Tracy Edwards, who unsuccessfully campaigned it as Royal & SunAlliance on another Jules Verne attempt. He changed its name to Team Legato when he signed up for The Race in 2001 then successfully competed in Tracy Edwards' Oryx Quest as Team Daedelus in 2005. An operation is now underway to recover and salvage the boat.

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