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CONTENTS

1. EDITORIAL - Celebrating 12 years on the job...
2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS - 1st Pattaya Int Multihull Festival – 15th Asian Sailing Championships Feb 16-25 - Singapore win Optimist Team & Kimberly Lim is World Champion - Etchells Worlds 2012: Main game wide open - All-Woman Crew For Sailing Arabia - NOR London 2012 Olympic Sailing released - Survey makes Phuket Best Asian sailing destination - Top lineup in Muscat Extreme Sailing Series - 12th Philippine Hobie Challenge - Platu One Design Championship - Event organisers Don't reinvent the wheel
Up next in Asia - 15th Bay Regatta - Neptune Regatta - Subic Bay to Boracay Race & Boracay Cup - Horsburgh Challenge - Rolex China Sea Race - Commodore's Cup
3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Luna Rossa launches in Auckland - Soto 40 European Championship - TP52 Class 2012 Racing Circuit
Follow the: Volvo Ocean Race - Global Ocean Race - Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
4. World Speed records - Cadiz To San Salvador Record Attempt - Banque Populaire V crushed Jules Verne Trophy - Impressive but not a record
5. "Unluckiest sailor of the month" - Teenage sailor Laura Dekker vows never to return home

1. EDITORIAL

Celebrating 12 years on the job...
Being the 144 monthly edition of the AY News & Views, we are now entering the 13th year of online publication. I remember when we started most people did not even know what an email address was, let alone have access to the internet. My, My how things have rapidly changed, especially over the last few years. Having free wireless access 24/7 is no longer a privilege but a necessity these days. Check out McDonalds, the Airport and local Hotspots to mention a few, where most the clients are keying away on all different kinds of handheld devices available today. Someone told me recently that 90% of all the online content was created in the last three years. Wow! That is almost unbelievable!

To celebrate this auspicious occasion we have commissioned an audit on the AY Website and over the next few months will be implementing the recommendations. Incorporating social media links and completely upgrading the homepage is high priority. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our subscribers, advertisers and regatta organisers for their support and ongoing relationship to get us through another 12 years. Any feedback, suggestions or constructive criticism can be sent to info@asianyachting.com

As the 15th Bay Regatta (Feb 1-5) billed as "The party that sails around" gets underway, we are still in Batam, Indonesia getting ready for the Mount Gay Rum Neptune Regatta (Feb 5-11) the "World's only sailing regatta and motor yacht rally that races to the equator".

Latter in the month the Horsburgh Challenge (Feb 17-19th) kicks off from the SAF Yacht Club in Singapore. All these events center around having fun while competing on a regatta. Something that maybe lacking at other more serious racing events. Never the less they show the diversity of Asian events and bring something new and exciting to the calendar.

The AYGP Championship pointscoring events, now moves over to the Philippines for the 200 mile offshore run from Subic Bay to Boracay Race (Feb 24-26) and the windy Boracay Cup (Feb 28 - March 3rd) comprising four days of Windward / leeward and long distance races around nearby islands. Entries are also open for the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club - Rolex China Sea Race starting on April 4th and straight after the Commodore's Cup (April 10-14th) in Subic Bay, Philippines. Full details on all these events and more can be found on the Asian Sailing Calendar. Keep up with the 2011-12 AYGP Pointscore by searching through the Overall Skippers - Yachts - Regatta Results

On the International scene - After exiting the tricky Malacca Strait, the Volvo Ocean Race continues Leg 3 from Abu Dhabi to Sanya, China - Leg 3 of the Global Ocean Race from Wellington, NZ to Punta del Este, Uruguay is underway and the Clipper RTW Race sets sail from Singapore on Sat 4th Feb, bound for Qingdao, China. For your convenience all these events along with major yachting video channels can be accessed from the AY Homepage and the latest news from these organisations and much much more can be found below.
Wishing you blue sky, fair winds where ever you are sailing.
Capt Marty Rijkuris

2. AUSTRAL - ASIAN NEWS

2.1 1st Pattaya Int Multihull Festival
Catamaran Week will be an attractive regatta in ASIA for beach cats. The growing interest in Hi Speed catamarans in Asia means the regatta will provide an opportunity to feature the various designs of Formula 18 and Formula 16 Catamarans that are available to keen cat sailors. The first-ever international yacht-racing event, featuring sleek, super-fast new catamarans, will be held in the waters off the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, South Pattaya, from Friday 03 until Friday 10, February, 2012. 60 entries have already been confirmed, comprising some 120 participants, from eight countries, including Australia, United Kingdom and the Netherlands, as well as a large contingent of Thai-based sailors. More than 350 yacht-racing enthusiasts will gather on the South Pattaya sea-front , for the week-long spectacle, seen for the first-time on the Pattaya-Jomtien sea-scape. According to the principal organizer, Pattaya-based catamaran builder, John Higham, this inaugural event is to be held annually and , says John, “will become Asia’s largest multihull regatta by next year”. The aim, apart from promoting this visually-exciting form of yacht racing, will also create a high profile of Pattaya, as a prime venue for water-based activities and marine sports for the City-by-the-sea. More at: http://www.thaicatregatta.org

2.2 15th Asian Sailing Championships Feb 16-25
Teams from 24 nations in Asia will gather in Langkawi, Malaysia ready to do battle for the 14 classes in Asian Championship titles. Organized by the Malaysia Yachting Association and Asian Sailing Federation, the Asian Sailing Championships will match hot favorites alongside relative newcomers to the class. To be eligible to compete, all sailors must be members of their National Federation. The 9th KFC Langkawi International Regatta Perdana 2012, which is scheduled during 08 February to 12 February 2012, will be an initial indicator of form and includes representatives from more than 13 nations. More than 240 sailors have confirmed their entry for this event. The MYA in association with 470 International is also organising a pre-Championship Racing Clinic led by world class coach Nick Drougas GRE), from 10 - 15 February 2012. Full story at: http://www.sailing.org/37767.php

2.3 Singapore win Optimist Team & Kimberly Lim is World Champion
Singapore's Optimist sailors defeated Peru's team 2-1 to become Optimist Team Racing Champions in Napier, New Zealand. Then Kimberly Lim, from Singapore, went on to win the Optimist World Championship after racing was abandoned on the final day. After 11 races Lim finished four points ahead of Bart Lambriex (NED) and a seven points ahead of Peru's Javier Arribas. Lim's victory gives her a double victory in Napier after Singapore won the Optimist Team Racing Championship after defeating Peru in the final earlier on in the week. The first fleet started the race at 12:08, but all races were abandoned at 13:08. The wind was too light for the strong current and sailors were not able to make progress around the course. At 13:50 the Race Committee decided to start race 12 again, but at 14:27 the very hard call was made to abandon all races for the day ending the Optimist Worlds and handing Lim the title.
The provisional leader board (for the individual racing) after 11 races shows:
1 Kimberly Lim (SIN) 70 points,
2 Bart Lambriex (NED) 74 points,
3 Javier Arribas (PER) 77 points,
4 Ryan Lo (SIN) 78 points,
5 Francisco Ducasse (CHI) 87 points,
6 Ahmad Syukri Abdul Aziz (MAS) 90 points,
7 Wade Waddell (USA) 96 points,
8 Gabriel Elstrodt (BRA) 109 points,
9 Rodrigo Luz (BRA) 112 points,
10 Leonard Takahashi-Fry (NZL) 114 points.

2.4 Etchells Worlds 2012: Main game wide open
It’s the main game for the Etchells class in 2012; the Etchells World Championship, to be held offshore of Sydney from the 16th to 25th February. At the close of entries 73 skippers have registered to participate in the championship hosted by Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron as part of its Sesquicentenary celebrations. And the game is wide open with defending world champion, Bill Hardesty, confirming last week that he will not be in Sydney to defend his title. This is good news for Australia’s Noel Drennan who finished second to Hardesty in last year’s World Championship. But with Hardesty out of the picture Drennan believes the door is open to a relatively large number of competitors. “In San Diego there was probably four or maybe five that were, if you lined all the boats up, sailing at a regatta winning pace. The Worlds in Sydney will see that number somewhere between 10 and 15 boats. You won’t always be the fastest, but through a range of conditions it is going to be a pretty broad spectrum of people.” Of those broad spectrum, Drennan, again cautiously, has identified a few that he will be keeping a close eye on when it comes time to line up on the race course. “There are the obvious ones like John Bertrand and Vince (Brun). There are a multitude of other guys we will also be looking at - Tom King, David Clark, Cameron Miles, Damian King who has a fantastic record in previous Worlds, Jud Smith, Ante Razmilovic – they are all well accomplished in Etchells Worlds and its sounds like quite a few of them are doing a fair bit of work sailing-wise in Sydney.” Event website http://www.etchellsworlds2012.org/worlds/

2.5 All new DK 47 is the talk of the town
If your serious about forming a racing team and joining the top racing class at major regattas in the region, the all new carbon fibre DK 47 is the boat to do it. DK Yachts 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

2.6 All-Woman Crew For Sailing Arabia
Photo by Mark Lloyd
World record-breaking British sailor Dee Caffari is set to skipper an all-woman crew which makes its debut in an international regatta organised by Oman Sail next month. The second edition of Sailing Arabia - The Tour (SATT) joins together the nations of the Gulf and international crews in two weeks of racing around the Arabian Coast, and amongst the line up is the Oman Sail all-woman entry, Al Thuraya Bank Muscat, led by Dee. Providing a regional, and winter, alternative to Le Tour de France ? la Voile, racing will take place across two classes - the FARR 30 and the M34, and will include five offshore legs, each finished with inshore racing. The Al Thuraya Bank Muscat crew includes the first recruits of Oman Sail's Women's Programme, an initiative launched in October 2011, which boasts Dee Caffari and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson as ambassadors. The four Omani women selected to join the crew are Intisar Al Tobi, Raya Al Habsi, Tahira Al Yahyai and Khulood Al Kindi. These exceptional women have been selected from 30 participants of Oman Sail's Women Sailing Program, a unique program that aims to create a safe, informative and culturally appropriate environment for the women and contribute to their development in the sport of sailing. More at: http://www.omansail.com

2.7 NOR London 2012 Olympic Sailing released
The London 2012 Olympic Games Sailing Competition will take place at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy and Portland Marina, located in Dorset on the South Coast of England and will feature 380 athletes competing across 10 events. Racing is scheduled to take place from 29 July to 11 August and the Notice of Race includes details on the rules, regulations, entry and qualification guidelines, format, scoring, schedule, venue and courses. Athletes, coaches, trainers and other team officials shall comply with the Olympic Charter, as well as with the ISAF rules, in order to be eligible for participation in the London 2012 Olympic Sailing competition, and shall be entered by a National Olympic Committee (NOC).
With the emphasis on broadcasting the sailing competition, among the items
listed in the Notice of Race is titled 'Media rights, cameras and electronic equipment'. The requirements in this section state:
1. The Athlete Media Guide will set out athlete media obligations for the event.
2. By participating in the event, athletes automatically grant to the Organising Authority and its sponsors the right in perpetuity to make, use and show, from time to time at their discretion, any motion pictures and live, taped or filmed television, audio and other reproductions of the athlete during the period of the competition without compensation.
3. Boats may be required to carry cameras, sound equipment or positioning equipment, as supplied by the Organising Authority.
4. Athletes shall pass through the mixed zone (ie, media interview area) on return to shore after racing.
5. All medallists shall be required to attend a media conference after the medal race. Top-ranked athletes in preliminary stages may also be required to attend a media conference at the end of the day's racing.
6. Athletes may also be asked to be available for interviews outside the formal mixed zone and media conferences, on either training or competition days.
Click here to view the Notice of Race. http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/London2012OlympicSailingCompetitionNoticeofRace-%5B11774%5D.pdf

2.8 QUANTUM iQ delivers top results
It was a fabulous week at Quantum Key West Race Week. Congratulations to the 14 Quantum-equipped boats with podium finishes including first place winners Groovederci (Farr 30), Carbonado (High Performance), Barking Mad (Farr 40) and Quantum Racing (52 Class). Kudos also to the Quantum teams earning Boat of the Day awards: Rush (J/109), Groovederci (Farr 40) and Quantum Racing (TP52).. For proven performance and repeatable shapes, think smart. Think iQ Technology from Quantum. Some sail makers save their best stuff for only the big boat programs. Not Quantum. Their iQ Technology is evident on every sail from the smallest dinghy one design classes right through to the TP52 and beyond. No matter what your boat size or sailing venue, find your speed at: http://www.quantumsails.com

2.9 Survey places Phuket as Best sailing destination in Asia
Phuket was voted as top in Thailand, while Thailand as a nation was voted the favorite sailing venue and best regatta location in Asia, according to a survey of international sailors from around the world conducted at the 2011 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. The survey was undertaken by the Top of the Gulf Regatta in co-operation with the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. The aim was to find out the sailing trends in the region, to provide useful information in helping to attract more sailors to the region, and to improve facilities and services in the region. The survey found that of the sailors who came to the 25th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, 53% were resident in Asia while 47% lived outside of Asia. More than 27% of the respondents were found to have been sailing in Thailand for more than 10 years, while 53% were relative newcomers, sailing in Thailand for only one to three years. The survey found that Thailand is a popular sailing destination for international sailors, with many returning many times to enjoy the cruising grounds and sailing events Thailand has to offer. There are five major regattas in Thailand that local and international sailors are aware of and have participated in, including the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, Top of the Gulf Regatta, Phuket Raceweek, Samui Regatta and the Bay Regatta, centered around Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. More at: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/phuketsports/2012/article12049.html

2.10 Top lineup in Muscat kicks off Extreme Sailing Series
With the sixth edition of the Extreme Sailing Series™ kicking off in just a few weeks in Muscat, Oman, (28th Feb - 2nd March) a top quality team lineup from all over the globe with an extraordinary set of CVs including skippers Ian Williams (GBR), Roman Hagara (AUT), Pierre Pennec (FRA), Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) and Morgan Larson (USA) and a host of strong commercial brands, will set out on their quest to win the Extreme Sailing Series. Eight pro teams, meeting the objective of organisers OC ThirdPole for 2012, will be on the starting grid in Muscat on 28 February. An impressive high level fleet that will face additional strong competition event by event from several wildcard entries during the year, including Artemis Racing, and local ‘home’ teams, meaning the grid will be full with 8 to 10 boats at all the Acts. Seven of the teams on the start line in Muscat are returning teams - Alinghi, Oman Air, The Wave Muscat, Red Bull Sailing Team, Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, ZouLou and GAC Pindar have competed in one or more seasons already. The Swiss team of Alinghi return again for a third season (winners in 2008) after finishing in 5th place overall last year, but this time there will be a new man at the helm. Ernesto Bertarelli will be both skipper and helmsman in his first full season of Extreme 40 competition. More at: http://www.extremesailingseries.com/

2.11 12th Philippine Hobie Challenge
Now on its 12th year, the Challenge takes sailors to the beautiful islands of Palawan. Beginning in Coron, the fleet will sail to Malcapuya island, Sangat island and Ariaya island. Then comes the dangerous passage through the Linapacan straight which is the mouth to the South China Sea. We expect strong winds and big waves to buffet the fleet and test the sailors' mettle in the open sea. Then its through to Darocotan island and the eventual finish in the world famous El Nido Resort. The Challenge is organized by the Philippine Inter-island Sailing Foundation or PHINSAF, which is a non-profit organization composed of local sailors who want to promote the sport of sailing and establish the Philippines firmly in the Asian Sailing Calendar. The Preliminary Notice of Race for the Challenge with basic route map for the Challenge Rally is available from http://www.hobiechallenge.ph/12/ They hope you can join them and take on the challenge.

2.12 North Sails arrive with strength in Asian waters
North Sails Asia is the regional division of North Sails including the countries of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. North Sails has become the world leader in sailmaking through an ongoing commitment to making sails that are faster, lighter and longer lasting than any other sails in the world. Whether you race or cruise, North Sails is committed to designing and building sails that are just right for you! When performance matters, the choice is clear. North Sails builds more cruising sails and racing sails than any other sailmaker in the world. All North sails are manufactured to the highest standards using the latest technology and premium fabrics from North Cloth and other quality suppliers. Whether you race or cruise, North Sails has the widest variety of products in the world to meet the needs of Sunday afternoon cruising sailors and America's Cup teams alike. Our team of designers, sales and sail care personnel have one common goal: to build a sail that is right for you. Email: info@asia.northsails.com or check out their website at: http://www.northsails.com/

2.13 Platu One Design Championship
Welcome to 2012 and this year's championship continues to attract top class crews from all over the world as the racing is again expected to be close and exciting. There will be 4 events as usual with one drop score. They also offer 4 days of racing each time so that crews traveling from afar get real value for money. In particular the OPEN in March is followed 4 days later by match racing at the nearby Royal Varuna Yacht Club making it all the more attractive. Popularity is apparent and they only have 2 charter boats left for the Top of The Gulf in May. Act now, call your crew and make a decision. So...get your diaries out and contact Kev Scott Mobile +66 878 25 00 11 Now to register an entry or charter a boat. Deposit is needed to confirm bookings. Full details of dates and NOR's etc are on the web site http://www.yachtsinthailand.com

2.14 Event organisers Don't reinvent the wheel
Whether running a national championship, or just the annual yacht club regatta, you have your work cut out for you. If you don't want to reinvent the wheel, there's a checklist and lots of expert information available - from sponsorship to charter boat insurance to finding judges and safety protocols, and much more. The highly successful Buzzard's Bay Regatta, one of the largest events in the U.S. with over 450 boats, is run by expert volunteers. Do you have an Emergency Cancellation Plan? BBR does! How about job descriptions for each of the key regatta committee people? Honed over many years, BBR organizers share their tools and documents here: http://organizations.ussailing.org/Resources/BBR.htm
US Sailing resources:
Event Management: http://tinyurl.com/Event-Mgmt-2012
Race Management: http://tinyurl.com/Race-Mgmt-2012

3. INTERNATIONAL NEWS

3.1 Luna Rossa launches in Auckland
(January 16, 2012) - The Italian America's Cup team Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 launched and sailed its AC45 for the first time in Auckland on Monday. Max Sirena, the skipper of the team, introduced Chris Draper (previously with Team Korea), Francesco Bruni (a Luna Rossa stalwart), Matteo Plazzi (with Luna Rossa for three campaigns as well as with BMW ORACLE Racing for the last Cup on the giant trimaran) and Paul Campbell-James who has been with the team during its winning season on the Extreme Sailing Series. Luna Rossa has a long, proud history in the modern era of the America's Cup, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup in its first challenge in 2000, and reaching the semi finals in 2003 and the finals in 2007. Sirena says the team's AC72 is already under construction in Italy and when completed, it will be shipped to New Zealand to be assembled. -- SF Chronicle, full story: http://blog.sfgate.com/americascup/2012/01/16/luna-rossa-launches-in-auckland/

3.2 Soto 40 European Championship
The activity continues in the Soto 40 European Association, this time featuring the new European circuit for the class. The competition will consist of five events that will crown an overall European champion and the winner of the Owner Driver Trophy. The first event of the Soto 40 European Championship will be Trofeo Conde de Godo organized by Real Club Nautico de Barcelona from May 24th to 27th. The second meeting of the Soto 40 European Championship will be framed in the prestigious Sardinia Cup Offshore nations teams World Championship organized by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, from June 11th to 16th , where Soto 40 boats will compete together with the TP52/IRC 52 class. In July comes the great event of the Mediterranean, the Copa del Rey Audi Mapfre. This year, in order to avoid clashing with the London Olympics, the Royal event will be held from July 18th to 21st in the Bay of Palma, a date with all the usual attractions of the Palma regatta. In mid-August, the Soto 40 fleet will move to Sotogrande to celebrate the fourth round of the Soto 40 European Championship, during the Sotogrande Cup, held from August the 10th to 13th, coinciding with the prestigious Polo tournament. The Finals of the Soto 40 European Championship will be in Valencia, more specifically in the Port America's Cup from September 19th to 22nd in which every race will score double points. The event should decide the Soto 40 European Champion and Soto 40 European Owner Driver Champion. Check it out at: http://www.soto40.org

3.3 TP52 Class Announces 2012 Racing Circuit
Following a series of meetings held during Quantum Key West Race Week, members of the TP52 class are pleased to announce its plans for grand prix racing in 2012 and beyond. Rob Weiland, TP52 Class Manager, says the class is forming a management group owned and controlled by members that will be responsible for event management, event marketing, sponsor and media coordination as well as recruiting new teams to join 52 racing. “There is strong support and enthusiasm for this structure, not only among owners, but also potential sponsors who have been part of the discussions. TP52 racing will continue in 2012 and beyond at the same high-caliber level as in previous years,” says Weiland. “With class ownership and control, we expect to establish a strong, stable racing program that will continue to expand and excel.” This year, the class will be racing in a circuit with consistent race management including on-the-water umpiring. The circuit winner will be the best-performing boat in five qualifying events. The regatta schedule will include:
- Palma Vela, Palma, April 18 – 22 (tune up event)
- Trofeo Conde de Godo, Barcelona, May 23 - 27
- Sardinia Cup, Porto Cervo, June 11 - 17
- Royal Cup, Palma, July 10 - 14
- Copa del Rey, Palma, July 16-21 (does not count toward trophy)
- France Cup or One Ton Cup, TBD in France, September 18 – 22
- Valencia Cup, Valencia, October 9-13
Weiland says IRC 52 and Soto 40 teams are invited to join in the racing. “We’d like to increase the participation, which not only makes for more exciting competition, but will also provide a chance to race for the Sardinia Cup, a team event with two-boat teams consisting of a 52 and a Soto 40.

4. WORLD SPEED RECORDS

4.1 Cadiz To San Salvador Record Attempt
The first ambitious challenge at a speed record in the North Atlantic by Giovanni Soldini and Maserati was announced in Milan. As from early February a crew of eight led by Soldini will be engaged in seeking to become the new record holder between Cadiz (Spain) and San Salvador (Bahamas) 3884 miles run on board Maserati, which has been completely overhauled. Maserati is a 70-foot racing yacht optimized for extreme speed. (Editor's note: Maserati is the ex-Ericsson 3 from the 2008-2009 Volvo Ocean Race). In addition to skipper Soldini, Maserati will be crewed by 7 capable yachtsmen with a past track record in open ocean-going regattas and in competitions such as the America's Cup. German Boris Herrmann (navigator), American Brad Van Liew (watch leader) and Spaniard David Vera (watch leader) will make up a team completed by four Italians: Gabriele Olivo (trimmer), Guido Broggi (boat captain), Gerardo Siciliano (second bowman), and Corrado Rossignoli (first bowman). The record is monitored by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, the international body that gives official status to the fastest sailing times along the historical routes once plied by clippers. In the past the record was set only by maxi trimaran's. Maserati will attempt to be the first to establish the record for the monohull category. Two additional North Atlantic records that Soldini and crew will attempt to break in 2012 aboard Maserati include Miami-New York and New York-Lizard Point (UK). Those keen to have live coverage of the yachting ventures of Maserati go to: http://www.maserati.soldini.it

4.2 Banque Populaire V crushed Jules Verne Trophy
(January 7, 2012) - Three and a half years after being launched in August 2008 and after her second attempt, the 131-foot maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V has entered records' history by taking the Jules Verne Trophy at the end of a circumnavigation of 45 days 13 hours 42 minutes 53 seconds around the globe. Loïck Peyron
and thirteen crew members, including eight rookies on Banque Populaire have crushed the Jules Verne Trophy - awarded for fastest non-stop circumnavigation with an average speed of 26.51 knots sailing a total distance 29,002 miles. Banque Populaire have taken 2 days 18 hours 1 minute 59 seconds off the record previously head by Groupama 3 (Franck Cammas). On the morning of November 22nd, the Team Banque Populaire triggered the countdown by crossing the starting line to attack the reference time With remarkable conditions south through the Atlantic Ocean, she made her entry into the Indian Ocean less than twelve days after kicking-off, reaching a lead of 2,364 miles of advance, what would be the largest delta on the entire race. Her final lead over Groupama 3 would be 1,649.30 nm. Brit Brian Thompson was the lone non-French member of the crew. Here are some comments from the helmsman/trimmer: Who's who on the crew?
Q: What were the high points of the voyage?
A: Seeing an iceberg as big as half of the Isle of Wight, seeing a new comet on Christmas Day and sailing with a fantastic team!
Q: .and the lows?
A: Losing two days due to weather delays both in the Pacific and North Atlantic and missing Christmas and New Year ashore with family and friends.
Congratulations Loick and all the crew we are so proud of you! More Here...

4.3 Impressive but not a record
Philipsburg, St. Maarten (January 21, 2012) - Laura Dekker set a steady foot aboard a dock in St. Maarten on Saturday, ending a year long voyage aboard a sailboat named "Guppy" that apparently made her the youngest person ever to sail alone around the globe, though her trip was interrupted at several points. Dozens of people jumped and cheered as Decker waved, wept and then walked across the dock accompanied by her mother, father, sister and grandparents, who had greeted her at sea earlier. Dekker arrived in St. Maarten after struggling against high seas and heavy winds on a final leg from Cape Town, South Africa, Dekker claims she is the youngest sailor to complete a round-the-world voyage, but Guinness World Records and the World Sailing Speed Record Council did not verify the claim, saying they no longer recognize records for youngest sailors to discourage dangerous attempts. -- USA Today, full story: http://tinyurl.com/USA-Today-012212

5. "Unluckiest sailor of the month"

5.1 Teenage sailor Laura Dekker vows never to return home
A teenage Dutch sailor just one day away from becoming the youngest ever person to sail around the world single-handed has vowed never to return to her native country because she faces being taken into care. Laura Dekker, 16, has torn down the Dutch tricolor on her yacht Guppy in protest at the social workers who have repeatedly tried to stop her solo voyage to circumvent the globe. In her last blog posting as she crosses the Atlantic headed for her finish line on the Dutch Caribbean island of Saint Maarten on Saturday, Miss Dekker complains of her "intimidating, frightening and traumatic" treatment. "From the moment my plans became public, youth care and other government organisations tried to stop me. They asked the judge to take me away from my father and to lock me up in a secure clinic! By doing this they tried to stop me from sailing," she wrote. "Over a period of 11 months, I was constantly afraid that youth care would lock me up." The Dutch authorities, who tried to put Miss Dekker into care two years ago over her solo-sailing adventures, have claimed that the teenager is not doing enough school work while piloting her 38 foot yacht through heavy Atlantic seas. "Now, after sailing around the world, with difficult port approaches, storms, dangerous reefs, and the full responsibility of keeping myself and Guppy safe, I feel that the nightmares the Dutch government organisations put me through, were totally unfair," Miss Dekker wrote. "I hear now that the Dutch government organisations have started causing problems again. I am seriously thinking about not returning to the Netherlands." The teenager, who also has New Zealand citizenship after being born in its territorial waters during a sailing voyage, said that the attitude of the Dutch authorities had stopped her completing her record-breaking trip in Holland. "I am sorry if I disappoint my Dutch fans. What a party it would have been if Hoek van Holland had been my port of arrival. Who knows, it might still happen one day.” By Bruno Waterfield – Telegraph - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/sailing/9025435/Teenage-Dutch-sailor-Laura-Dekker-vows-never-to-return-home.html

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