AsianYachting January
2006
News and Views
AY
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CONTENTS
1.
Editorial - Moves afoot to get more Asians
involved in the sport we love
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month" -
Simon
McKeon and Tim Daddo
plus some SE Asian candidates
3. Austral
- Asian News - Sing Straits
and Phang
Nga Bay Regatta's
in January
4. International News - Track
Clipper Race, Volvo
Ocean Race and
Capetown to Bahia progress
5.
World Speed Records - Bob
Oatley's Wild Oats XI takes out the Rolex
Sydney - Hobart treble
Goto Archived AY News & Views and Race Reports 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 98-99
1.
EDITORIAL
As the Asian region takes a break over the festive season there is plenty of action taking place during the southern hemisphere summer months to keep you occupied. Take a look online at the long running Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - Leg 4 Perth, WA to Singapore that started on Jan 1st as they approach Bali and a disturbed tropical weather system. See if any more drop out of the Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 2 Cape Town to Melbourne, Australia or join the more traditional long distance fleet racers on the Heineken Cape Town to Bahia race from Jan 4th. Neil Pryde's former Hi-Fidelity is entered and is one of the early handicap favorites (See International News and World Speed Records sections (below) for web links to further details, news updates and race tracking).
The
serious 2005-06
AY
Grand Prix Racing
Season resumes on Jan
18 to 22
with
the 12th Singapore Straits Regatta
as the racers move down the Malacca Straits and the not so serious cruising
and fun oriented 9th
QBE Insurance Phang Nga Bay Regatta
on
Jan 27th
to 31st back
up in Phuket
over Chinese New Year. Coming up in February starting
on Wed 15th Feb -
the Manila to Boracay Race
for
yachts returning to the Philippines or Hong Kong. Those remaining in South
East Asian waters from Feb
12th to 17th - the
Royal Langkawi
International Regatta is where the VO60 Ericsson
(Ex Assa Abloy) is expected to make her debut and first prize includes
a fully paid crew trip to Valencia, Spain will be on offer again. (See
Austral - Asian News Section
Below)
It
was great to see how the South East Asian yachting fraternity rallied
together in 2005 and the sheer tenacity to survive was eventually rewarded
at years end by the world's media - Sending out a good signal on how everyone
is recovering from the devastating Dec 04 Tsunami, all-a-while praising
regional yachting industry efforts to move onto greater heights in 2006.
Before this newfound publicity goes to our heads we really need to get
serious about developing all aspects of the sport we so love. Perhaps
taking a step backwards to see if any gaps appear in the present structure
which will need to be repaired before going forward again.
Although
the commercial regatta and private marina scene is very active in promoting
the region, there is a underlying vacuum at the grass roots level of sailing
and recreational boating that needs to be addressed first. A sign of industry
imbalance comes with a flourish of announcements to host multi-million
dollar International racing campaigns before the dismal SEA Games results
and poor individual performances have been analyzed. Presently the majority
of regatta entrants are foreign sailors, visiting yachts and expats working
in the region with only a hand full of local Asian sailors to be seen.
As
keelboats maybe selected for the 2012 Olympic Games the priority should
be on training up more local sailors and form state youth teams that can
improve their sailing skills by competing on keelboat races at selected
Asian events. They need to learn to sail at home first and enjoy the sport
before developing round the world aspirations with little or no ability.
A resurgence of interest in established National Sporting Organizations
may result if small keelboat racing is introduced and perhaps help bridge
the gap between wealthy commercial operators and poorly funded government
departments.
Don't worry! No need to reinvent the wheel, as the newest approved member
of the International
Sailing Schools Association -
Asian Yachting is already
working on ways to establish a decent pleasure craft training school in
Malaysia this year.
The
hunt is on for similarly minded people willing to get together and solve
funding issues when purchasing the expensive equipment needed for the
sport to succeed plus hiring International coaches and certifying local
Instructors to train our sailors, which no doubt will go a long way towards
producing a brighter future.
Have a prosperous and lucky New Year
Capt Marty
2. "Unluckiest sailors of the month"
The
latest attempt by Victorian sailors Simon McKeon and
Tim Daddo to break the world sailing speed record has
ended in spectacular fashion. Less than 30 metres into the 500-metre course,
a rare structural failure saw the main wing of their craft shatter, showering
hundreds of pieces across Sandy Point, near Wilsons Promontory. "Leading
up to it everything was just fantastic — we were very excited about
our prospects," Daddo said. "I remember thinking to myself that
if we can get to the end of the track, I think we're about to make world
history here — Just as I was finishing that sentence in my mind,
all of a sudden there was a big bang as the power came out of the rig
and there were pieces flying through the air left, right and centre."
McKeon and Daddo had been trying to reclaim their record from Irish-born sailor Finian Maynard. The Aussie pair from the Macquarie Speed Sailing team held the record for more than a decade with 46.52 knots, before Maynard broke it last year, and again in April with 48.7 knots.
Two
award contenders appeared in Asian waters on the third day of this years
King's Cup in Phuket. Dato Richard Curtis's Classic class
Eveline was badly damaged after a collision with Lady M
early in the race, while the smaller Yachtpro Platu 25 chartered
to Riku Ruokolahti's Finnish Team also sustained
some damage after being hit by Master Blaster as the winds gusted
to more than 20 knots. Luckily nobody was injured although the damage
sustained forced them both to retire from the event and face lengthy wrangles
with Insurance assessors on who will pay the expensive repair bills.
3.
Austral
- Asian News
3.1
- 12th Singapore Straits Regatta
The
organizing committee are looking forward to some awesome racing in Singapore
and Indonesia's blustery
Riau Islands during
the 2006 Singapore Straits Regatta.
Commencing on 18th January at Raffles Marina the racers will visit the
RSYC in Singapore before crossing the Straits to the Riau Yacht Club (Nongsa
Point Marina) Indonesia and then finishing up at the new Singapore Armed
Forces Yacht Club (SAFYC) at Changi on the 22nd Jan.
Bill
Bremner's Team F5/Foxy Lady are keen to place well in Singapore's major
regatta and will be joined in the racing class by the Hong Kong racers,
Neil Pryde on Hi Fi Team Pryde and Nick Burns on
Mandrake are expected to continue with the battle royal going
on at earlier events. http://asianyachting.com/news/SSR06.htm
3.2
Featured AY Brokerage Listing
One racing boat that can quickly be bought up to speed is the
Farr 40 OD we have presently listed on the AY
Yachts
for Sale pages. This yacht comes complete with Cat 1 safety
equipment, so she can compete on the long distance races like the HK -
China Sea, Hainan and Vietnam events. Considering
the US175k asking price is well below second hand US and European boats
(220-250k) she would suit any foreign or local teams wanting
entry into the top racing class at the right price. View
the extensive inventory at: http://asianyachting.com/boats/Farr40OD.htm
Advice on running a full
blown racing campaign during the AYGP
Season
can also be obtained from: info@asianyachting.com
3.3
Sunsail Asia expanding into Vietnam
Sunsail is by far the biggest
charter yacht company operating in Asia
and I'm lead to believe, now the world, after their recent Mooring's acquisitions.
They are very excited about launching Vietnam
as a new yacht charter destination for 2006. Leading the way in opening
up new Asian destinations, Sunsail
Asia gives you a chance
to discover one of the most intriguing and unspoiled countries in the
South China Sea… So do it soon! After a very successful 2005 season
they are also expanding both Flotilla and bareboat charter yacht fleets
in Koh Samui from Mid May to Mid September 2006. Check out the weekly
RYA Courses
or latch onto one of their great value MileCatcher
Voyages by Calling +66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940 Email:
sales@sunsailasia.com or visit
http://www.sunsailasia.com
3.4
- 9th QBE Insurance
Phang Nga Bay Regatta
If you would like to combine some spectacular scenery into your yacht
racing with lively parties over the Chinese New Year holiday period (Jan
27th to 31st) then make moves to enter the 9th QBE Insurance Phang Nga
Bay Regatta. This regatta takes in the spectacular Krabi - Phang Nga -
Phuket region over 4 days and organised by the Ao Chalong Yacht Club in
conjunction with QBE Insurance and ArtAsia Press The NOR and more info
is available at: www.bayregatta.com
or contact secretary Lies Sol by Tel: +66 1 539 6106 or E-mail: info@bayregatta.com
3.5
2005-06 AY
Grand Prix Championships
Continues into the New Year with defending 2004/05 Champion Neil Pryde
on his Farr 52 OD Hi Fi Team Pryde taking the battle to Nick
Burns/Fred Kinmonth Farr/Mills 50 Mandrake at the 2006 Singapore
Straits Regatta. Rumours have it that Ray Roberts maybe chartering Robert
Knight's DK46 Drumstick that he won the King's Cup with last month to
keep in striking distance of the leaders with only five more regatta's
to go. Follow your favorite teams progressive tally or rankings at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP05-06.htm
3.6
Warning to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to watch out
for when one of their Mum 30, Farr 36, 40, 52, 520 or Mills DK46 lines
up on your starting grid. With Ray Roberts recent King's Cup and Rolex
Challenge success plus seeing three DK46's match racing on the 61st Rolex
Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, it's no wonder more boat owners are knocking
on the doors of success and proudly standing high on the podium. One to
watch in Asian waters is the 52OD Hi
Fi Team Pryde
who have already notched up their first wins at the China Coast Regatta
and RMSIR. Serious Yachts
for Serious Sailors can
be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
3.7
Wow! Viva la Espanola
The winning team of the Prime
Minister's Challenge Trophy at this years Royal
Lankawi Int Regatta (12 to 17 Feb) will receive a special all expenses paid trip to Valencia, Spain to meet the
BMW Oracle racing team and tour the new BMW Oracle Base Camp. After last
years successful YO!
Trip, the committee is pleased to announce, they will be
continuing on with this special prize for the entire racing class crew
which is sponsored by BMW Malaysia Sdn Bhd an honoured Partner of RLIR
2006. They are all raring to go at the RLYC with the
VO60 Ericsson (Ex Assa Abloy) expected to make her debut in Asian
waters and vying for the great prizes. Press Releases and AY
Reports posted at: http://asianyachting.com/news/RLIR06.htm
3.8
ISAF 2005 - Year
in Pictures
Over the course of
2005, some of sailing’s oldest and most prestigious records were
broken, the Olympic Classes got back to work after a post Olympic layoff,
Alinghi ruled the roost in the Louis Vuitton Acts and the windsurfing
world saw the introduction of the RS:X. Take a visual tour of the 2005
sailing action from the ISAF Year in Pictures. -- http://www.sailing.org/default.asp?PID=16810#1
3.9
Learning the Racing Rules
made easy
While you have still got some spare time over the festive season and like
to brush up on the rules take a look at one of the newest interactive
sites discovered lately at: http://www.finckh.org/rspiel/indexe.htm
Also good for students before, during and after attending rules clinics
and seminars.
3.10
Quantum's FusionM
just keeps getting faster!
Ray Roberts successful Quantum Racing exploits in Asia and winning the
recent Rolex Challenge with the Australian Team are a sure sign that Quantum's
FusionM sails are gaining
a big foothold in the professional and grand-prix sailing circuits around
the world.
Sailors in Asia should take advantage of having one of the world's leading
edge sailmaking factories in their own backyard. The
knowledge gained at racing events is applied directly into the sails they
make. So now, more than ever, you can count on FusionM delivering great
boat-speed and reliability. Goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm
.jpg)
3.11
RS:X
Asian Windsurfing Tour
The Asian Windsurfing Tour (AWT) is pleased to announce that the Olympic
windsurfer - NeilPryde RS:X, will be making its debut on the AW Tour and
that 15 complete sets of equipment will be made available for hire at
events in Malaysia, Indonesia and Korea. The Tour travels around Asia
visiting the windy side of paradise and this season, in addition to the
"traditional" downwind slalom, a new type of windsurfing will
be on show, RS:X. This is the Olympic standard and competitors from all
over the world are invited to Asia to compete on equipment made available
by NeilPryde. At the end of the season a new Asian Champion will be crowned.
For more information turn to http://www.asianwindsurfingtour.com
3.12 Head for the Top of
the Gulf in sunny Thailand
Building onto the success of the inaugural Top
of the Gulf Regatta Ocean Marina's
very
active sailing Group in Pattaya, Thailand are eager to attract
serious racing yachts from May
4th to 7th Held two weeks before the Koh Samui Regatta
sailors can race in two top class regatta's in succession and in between
take full advantage of the great cruising grounds the Gulf of Thailand
has to offer. For more
info contact info@topofthegulfregatta.com
3.13
Looking at retiring in the tropical Asian
region?
Raimon
Land PLC, are not
only the main sponsors at the Top
of the Gulf Regatta, Evason
Phuket
Race Week 2005 and Thailand's prestigious Phuket
King's
Cup Regatta but this Bangkok-based property
company has an excellent track record of delivering quality residential
projects in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket which achieve high yield holiday
rentals through their professional asset management team. They
are also known for hosting the more lively and entertaining parties at
their sponsored events. More at: www.raimonland.com
4.
International News
4.1 Clipper
Round the World Yacht Race -
Leg 4 Perth, WA to Singapore
After spending Christmas and the New Year down under, the teams have set
off for a very different style of sailing. Heading north towards Bali,
they will race in open ocean trade winds for 1400 miles before entering
the Indonesian archipelago, then cross the equator for the second time
in the Java Sea and on up to finish in Singapore. Follow their progress
at: http://www.clipper-ventures.co.uk/2006
4.2
Volvo Ocean Race - Leg 2
Capetown to Melbourne, Aust.
It's crunch time for the Volvo Ocean Race as the seven crews set sail
into the Southern Ocean to face the toughest racing conditions on earth
in super-powerful 70ft boats that have so far proved worryingly fragile
in big seas. After a first leg from Vigo, in Spain, to Cape Town that
saw three boats suffer serious damage, two of which ended up traveling
to South Africa by plane and by ship. The race can ill afford another
catalogue of disasters in the early stages of this 6,100-mile second leg
to Melbourne. - More info or follow the fleet with Virtual Spectator at:
http://www.volvooceanrace.org
4.3
Jan 4th - Heineken
Capetown to Bahia race
A strong international fleet will be on the starting line for the first
Heineken Cape to Bahia race, which starts in Cape Town on Wed 4th Jan.
At close of entries 31 yachts will challenge for the trophy in this blue
water epic, which will be finishing in the coastal city of Salvador, capital
of the state of Bahia in Brazil. The race will be contested in the mono-hull
and multi-hull categories, with ten multi-hulls entered for the rally
fleet. A tightly contested battle is also expected for monohull handicap
honours and the coveted South Atlantic trophy with Hi-Fidelity,
Windsong and Gumption pegged in as early favourites.
For the first time in the history of the race, single-handed entries will
form part of the starting line-up. South Africa's Matthew Thomas has entered
the 6.5 metre Mini-Transat Running with Scissors is the smallest
yacht in the race. More details and tracking at: http://www.heinekencapetobahia.co.za
5. World Speed Records
5.1
It's official...
The World Sailing Speed Record Council has ratified the record of Mike
Sanderson and the nine crew on ABN Amro One for the greatest distance
sailed by a monohull in 24 hours -- Distance: 546.14 nm; Average Speed:
22.75 Knots. The previous record was held by another VO70 "Movistar",
sailed by Bouwe Bekking and a crew of nine -- Distance: 530.19 nm; Average
Speed: 22.09 kts.
5.2
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race
Record goes...
In winning this year's race, Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI skippered
by Mark Richards set a new race record of 1 day, 18 hours and 40 minutes,
beating by more than an hour the previous record set by the Volvo Ocean
60 Nokia in 1999. On the Boxing Day startline, little did Richards
realise that less than a week later, he would become the first skipper
since Rani's victory in the inaugural race of 1945. To win 'the treble'
- not just line honours, but the handicap victory and a new course record
to boot.
Many
experts believed Bob Oatley's brand new super-maxi would not get to Hobart
at all
Richards agreed "This was not an unreasonable assumption before the race. You don't just launch the world's most hi-tech and technically complex racing yacht only three weeks before an ocean race that takes you into some of the most treacherous seas in the world - and expect to get away with it, let alone win the race". Full reports, photos and links to audio and film clips can be accessed from: http://www.regattanews.com
5.3
Bruno Peyron's 3rd JULES
VERNE TROPHY
During a ceremony that took place at the Musée de la Marine in
Paris, Bruno Peyron and the crew of the giant catamaran Orange II were
awarded the Jules Verne Trophy, celebrating their incredible voyage around
the world, which last March set a new record time of 50 days, 16 hours,
20 minutes and 4 seconds. For the skipper of the giant Orange II, a pioneer
in multihull ocean racing and the first man to sail around the world in
less than 80 days, this will be the third time he has received this award.
Take a look at the Photo
Edition to view the magnificent sculptured glass trophy that
these sailors are prepared to go to such great lengths to get their hands
on it.
-----------------------------------------------------
Come
on girls, lets go shopping!
As the South East Asian
region is expected to turn into a world-class yachting tourism destination,
AY
is expanding the Shopping
Mall to include a Charter
Yacht page for the popular "Fly
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and Marina developments the region has on offer. Browse the full
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advertising
rates and find other things for-sale including the Fastest
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Gloves on the Planet in the AY
Shopping Arcade here...
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