AsianYachting - March
2007
News and Views
Sunsail
Asia opening up new destinations...
Get ready for a flood of activity at Sunsail
Asia. They have 4 new monohulls
arriving in Feb and will closely be followed by some new Leopard catamarans.
Check out the MileCatcher
deliveries from Phuket to Vietnam and Koh Samui in April, May. Vietnam,
reopens in May and will have an increase in fleet size including catamarans.
Koh Samui will also re-open in May as a Bareboat only base and will have
a larger fleet. The popular SO35's are available for the Top
of the Gulf Regatta and a special Regatta Package is available.
For many years now they have lead the way in opening up new Asian destinations
and are proud to give you a chance to discover some of the most intriguing
and unspoiled countries in the South East Asian region. Check out their
weekly RYA
Courses or latch onto one of the great value Flotilla
holidays by Calling +66 76 239057 Fax: +66 76 238940 Email:
sales@sunsailasia.com or visit
http://www.sunsailasia.com
Distribution: Emailed to over 2700 recipients on all points of the compass. Known to be read by sailors as far north as Iceland to the extremes of the Southern Ocean. Also found hidden away (For future consumption) on computers operated by some of Europe's business elite to visiting royalty at posh oriental Clubs in the far east.
AsianYachting.com is now a major yachting news provider in Asia which averages over 3000 views per day.
CONTENTS
1.
EDITORIAL - AY
Sailing School opening 17th
-18th March at PD World Marina
2.
TEAM NEWS - Monthly rap-up on
what SE Asian racing teams are up to
3.
AUSTRAL
- ASIAN NEWS - Chinese
Dragon takes to the water - Melbourne
Osaka Race starts March 25th
Up next - Standard
Insurance Manila
to Boracay Race
and 15th
President's
Cup Regatta
in March
4. INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Cayard,
Coutts and Lagos announce World Sailing League
Up next - VELUX
5 OCEANS Leg 2 nearly finished - Get
ready for the final AC showdown
5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS - KiteSail
and Windsurfer Records
galore...
6.
"Unluckiest sailors of the month"
- Maud
Fontenoy dismasted - Napoli
scavengers to surrender loot...
Goto Archived AY News & Views and Race Reports 2006-07 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 2002-03 2001-02 2000-01 98-99
1.
EDITORIAL
After the RLIR 07 Quantum Racing and Jelik where delivered across the South China Sea to join other Hong Kong and Philippine racing yachts to contest this months Manila to Boracay Race and President's Cup to be held in conjunction and for the first time in Boracay. Both events are organised by the Manila Yacht Club, that felt by moving the event around to other exotic Philippine locations it would attract more foreign participants, sponsors and highlight some of the great sailing destinations they have to offer. In 2003 the Boracay Race had winds over 40 knots which saw some yachts surfing down the east of Mindoro at 17 knots and crews enjoying the swinging beach parties afterwards. AY will be there and if everything goes smoothly we will be sending the usual blow by blow Race Reports for all to enjoy.
Meanwhile
back in Pt Dickson, Malaysia our AY
Sailing School is opening
on the 17th -18th March at PD World Marina
with a Discover Keelboat Sailing
program on our signature Miri
Magic 8 racing yacht. No experience is necessary and participants
will receive a brief taste of sailing and get a hands on approach to sailing
on a racing yacht. Students wanting to further their sailing experience
can go onto the 2-Day Introduction to Sailing
course (March 31st - 1st April) that combines Classroom Theory Instruction
with Practical Sailing Sessions. Being a team sport, participants are
expected to be involved with running the yacht and will have a short introduction
to the sport, including basic boat handling techniques and a healthy dose
of essential background knowledge thrown in. The future aim will be forming
racing teams that can compete successfully at regional regattas and match
racing events. Interested persons are asked to contact Hasslan on H/P
+6 016 2564532 AY
Headquarters: +6 06 6477701
or Email: info@asianyachting.com
Goto http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/classes.htm
to browse the courses and dates on offer and a reminder that the complete
AY
Syllabus can be accessed
from http://asianyachting.com/AYmasters/aymenu.htm
Happy sailing
Capt Marty
2.
TEAM NEWS
2.1 AY
Grand
Prix Skipper
and Yacht Championships
After winning the RLIR
07 Ray Roberts and Quantum Racing enters this seasons
rankings. There is now four skippers and yachts tied on three points and
only one regatta win away from the leader, Neil
Pryde's Hi Fi on six points. There are
three regattas left on our own home grown annual AY
Grand Prix Skipper and Yacht
Championships and
as Ray intends on keeping Quantum Racing here in Asia and compete
on these events everything is still open for the taking. The Fred
Kinmonth and Nick Burns owned Mandrake on five points is closest
to the leader. Third place in Langkawi for Rolf Heemskerk's Farr 40 YO!2
gives them one point to be the eighth skipper and yacht to score points
this season. Racing now swings over to the Philippines and further scoring
opportunities is dependant upon which events the owners choose to do before
coming together again at the season ending Koh
Samui Regatta. Check out how your favourite racing team is
going at: http://asianyachting.com/news/AYGP06-07.htm
2.2
Which boat will Frank Pong be racing?
Rumors have it that
Admiral Frank will be racing the 115ft Maiden Hong Kong that
recently featured on CNN's Mainsail program on the Boracay Race. Also
the controversial Juan Kouyoumdjian designed TP52 Mui Mui maybe
making its debut at the President's Cup. It all depends on the state of
preparation of the yachts in Hong Kong. Running a fleet of maxi yachts
around on selected regional events is no easy task. One local expert stated
that he will be racing the yacht closest to the gate in the driveway.
What an envious position to be in.
2.3
Foreign racing teams and Ring In skippers
Complete racing teams will be flying in from Hong Kong, Singapore, China,
Japan and as far away as Australia. A few boats will be beefing up their
competitive edge by employing a few ‘ring in's’ from Australia
and the U.S.A. Judes Echauz's Centennial will have Jamie Wilmot
(Capt Sparrow) on the helm and Ray Ordoveza's Karakoa usually
has a combination of Steve Benjamin and the yachts designer Alan Andrews
onboard. In the Cruiser Racer Class Jun Avecilla's Selma Star,
Doni Altura's Vivaldi and Allan Burrell's Rags will
be resuming where they left of last year. All in all, it seems that this
year's Manila Boracay Race and President's Cup will be the most competitive
on record.
3
. AUSTRAL
- ASIAN NEWS
3.1
Yo! clinches Maktoum Sailing Trophy 07
The 2007 Maktoum Sailing Trophy Championship closed with a predictable
emergence of the winners. The Emirates Airlines, Marine Pool and Le Meridien
Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina sponsored event spread over five
days with two races per day delivered amazing results. Toby O’Connell
in his lucky shirt and Team on Yo! clinched the trophy in the
first division with 8 straight first of the series. An ecstatic Toby said,
“it was a brilliant race today and we are happy that the pressure
is over. Light winds helped us a great deal and we look forward to participating
again next year. This has been the best ever regatta organised ever since
I settled in and participated in the UAE. The race and organising committee
have done a great job”. Yo! has dominated the series from
the beginning to end. Full results and event photos http://www.dimc-uae.com/sailing/mst/index.html
3.2
Aussie's battle it out at F18 Worlds
Longtime Olympic Tornado competitors Darren Bundock/ Glenn Ashby (AUS)
and Mitch Booth/ Pim Nieuwenhuis (NED) finished another chapter last week
at the F18 Worlds in Australia, with Bundock/Ashby ending on top by a
single point after fifteen races. The last race was a thriller, where
the champs successfully executed the "sail them off the course and
force them to use their drop" tactic to Booth/ Nieuwenhuis. For photos
and results: http://www.2007f18worlds.com/
3.3
Miri Malaysia Solo Challenge
In an effort to propel Malaysia's cruising destinations onto the International
sailing stage, Miri based Troy Yaw has launched a round-the-world solo
sailing voyage using his heavily modified champion yacht – Ulumulu.
Capt Ariffin or better known as Fin to
his friends, is a Seremban-born sailor through and through, who has played
a leading role on the Ulumulu Racing Team,
since its inception back in 2003, has been identified as the person who
will sail the refitted boat, solo, non stop around the globe from Miri
to Miri on this arduous journey.
Read
more on Fin's own personal take on how he
rose up the racing crew circles in Asian waters and more. Or
check out the re-building progress on the new Team Ulumulu
website at http://www.teamulumulu.com/
3.4
Chinese Dragon takes to the water
Friday 16th Feb: CHN 95, the first America's Cup Class boat built in China,
went into the water for the very first time. Launching a new boat is a
milestone in any America's Cup campaign, but for a smaller squad like
China Team, it is a real achievement, as sailor Sebastian Destremeau explains.
"To start with it's the first time that a Chinese America's Cup boat
has touched the water. So it's a special moment, for the whole country
and for the team it's a massive relief for the building team who have
been working for six months flat out," Destremeau says. "For
the designers, now is when the stress starts as well because we have to
do some structural testing and they're going to be listening for cracks
and stuff like that but obviously, it's a very big moment for the whole
team and as a sailor, we can't wait." CHN 95 stands out among the
new America's Cup boats for it's 'boxiness' The boat is all straight lines
and sharp corners...a design decision that Destremeau says the team is
hoping will give it an advantage. Full story and launch the video at:
http://www.americascup.com/en/americascup/news_official/detail.php?idIndex=&idContent=13649
3.5
Looking for a tropical retirement home in
SE Asia?
Few
real estate companies in Asia enjoy the success of public-listed Bangkok-based
luxury property developer Raimon
Land. The company
has positioned itself as the developer of choice for buyers and investors
who seek the best in lifestyle developments that posses a
excellent track record of delivering quality residential projects.
From Bangkok to
Pattaya and Phuket the company has projects in all the
most sought-after areas
which proudly achieve high yield holiday rentals through their professional
management team. One aspect
that distinguishes Raimon Land
from its competitors is the company’s clear commitment to lifestyle
events and have made
a strong commitment to the yachting scene in Thailand by sponsoring
the Top
of the Gulf Regatta, Evason
Phuket
Race Week and the prestigious Phuket
King's
Cup Regatta More
at: www.raimonland.com
or goto AY
Real-Estate page...
3.6
Melbourne Osaka Race starts March 25th
Is a 5,500 nautical mile (approx 10,200 km) epic journey without stop-over's
that runs from Australia every four years, pitting two sailors and boat
against the power of the ocean all the way to Japan. There are now 23
confirmed starters for the 6th Melbourne Osaka double handed yacht race
which starts on March 25 off Station Pier on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne,
Victoria. They will be traveling backward through the seasons with autumn
in Melbourne, summer at the equator, and spring in Osaka. The objectives
of the race are to promote a challenging long-distance, short-handed racing
event and encourage the development of suitable seaworthy yachts that
strengthen the ties between Melbourne and Osaka as sister cities and ports.
For all info on the race: www.osakacup.com
3.7
Boaters sex life is the most satisfying
When it comes to setting the right mood for an evening of romance, would-be
lovers go to all sorts of lengths to woo their mate. But a recent survey
found that if you're looking for love, the best preparation might be heading
out on your boat. According to a survey conducted by Discover Boating
and Russell Research, boaters expressed a greater level of satisfaction
with their sex life than non-boaters. While making waves in the bedroom
may be reason enough for many to chart their course, the survey found
boaters enjoy plenty of other lifestyle benefits over their land-based
counterparts. The survey polled more than 1,000 boaters and non-boaters
and compared their viewpoints on several quality of life aspects. Specific
to intimacy, participants were asked if they agreed with the statement
'I am satisfied with the quality of my sex life.' Two-thirds of boaters
(67 percent) agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, while only
58 percent of non-boaters held the same opinion. Of boaters who agreed
with the statement, nearly a quarter (24 percent) strongly agreed with
the statement. Boaters also expressed greater satisfaction with their
marriage. Seventy- five percent of boaters agreed or strongly agreed with
the statement 'My spouse and I are happy with the state of our marriage,'
compared to 70 percent of non-boaters. Full details at: http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/index.cfm?nid=30581
3.8
Byte Worlds in Thailand
The Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya are hosting the Byte World Championships
2007 from April 2 to April 9. Ian Bruce, the father of the Laser®,
a builder of ten different ISAF International Classes and himself a two-time
Olympic sailor designed the Byte with the thousands of kids coming out
of the Optimist programs in mind, with very few options for their follow-on
boat. The boat is not designed for gender or age but rather for weight.
A target range of 45 to 65 kilos was chosen. (100 to 145 lbs) Charter
boats are available. The Byte is sailed by sailors of both sexes. More
information on the Byte can be found at the website http://www.byteclass.org/
and information on the 2007 World’s at http://www.bytechamps.org/
3.9
Boat Tech Asia in Singapore 23-26 April
Following the resounding success of Boat Tech China 2006 in Guangzhou,
Suntec Integrated Media is proud to present Boat Tech Asia, the second
high quality forum for the international boat building industry interested
in exploring business opportunities in Asia. With presentations by and
networking opportunities with key industry leaders, see just how this
2-day conference can boost your boat building business! As a registered
delegate you will have the opportunity to visit the boat building facilities
of Grand Banks in Singapore and dk Yachts in Malaysia during the special
site visit tours on April 25th. Boat Tech Asia will provide you with expert
speakers who have thoroughly dealt with problematic issues arising in
Asia and know how to answer your related questions. To browse the complete
program and register goto: http://www.boattechasia.com/BTA07_program.htm
3.10 Top of the Gulf Regatta beckons
The third Top
of the Gulf Regatta (May 4th -7th), sponsored by Raimon Land
and Ocean Marina, has already become a major event on the Asian yachting
calendar. A total of more than 200 craft is expected on the water for
this huge event. Participants will include children sailing the International
Optimist Dinghies right up to ocean going racing yachts and large multi's.
Also on offer for sports boat enthusiasts is the prestigious
Coronation
Cup, held annually on identical Platu 25 keelboats to commemorate
the Coronation of His Majesty the King of Thailand. Boats are available
for charter and as this event has one of the best locations, with good
winds, just minutes to seaward of the marina - It should not be missed.
Charter yachts are available by contacting: phil@gulfchartersthailand.com
or gary@bluewavewatersports.com
More info at: http://www.topofthegulfregatta.com
or E-mail: info@topofthegulfregatta.com
for more news on other Ocean Marina sailing events.
3.11
New yacht transporter built in China
Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT), the world's only float-on/float-off yacht
transport service, has launched its newest ship, which will provide yacht
owners with faster and more frequent delivery of their luxury power and
sailing yachts across the Atlantic Ocean. The 685.7-foot (209 meters)
Yacht Express, built at the Yantai Raffles Shipyard in China, has an official
delivery date of May, 2007. It will be the largest vessel of its kind
in the world, purpose-built with a semi-submersible dock bay that allows
yachts of any size to be safely floated on and off as cargo. Yacht Express
will join four other dedicated yacht carriers, all semi-submersible, in
the existing liner service of DYT. Since its maiden voyage in 1987, DYT
has transported over 8,000 motor and sailing yachts to various destinations
around the globe, offering owners and charterers safe and easy access
to many of the world’s premier cruising grounds. For more information,
visit http://www.yacht-transport.com
3.12
DIBS 2007 gains international support
The 2007 Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) is expected to be the most
international edition ever, with a record-breaking number of overseas
companies set to attend this year's event. Among the exhibitors attending
the show for the first time ever are the British Marine Federation (BMF),
Mauritius Marine, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA)
of America and UBI France — four of the world's leading global boat
groups. DWTC has confirmed that around 150 boats will be displayed at
DIBS 2007, which runs from March 13-17 at the Dubai International Marine
Club in Mina Seyahi, resulting in a 19 per cent increase over the previous
year's edition. More than 472 companies from 38 countries attended DIBS
2006, which attracted 22,418 trade visitors. http://www.boatshowdubai.com/Default_en_gb.aspx
3.13
Quantum Fusion
M just keeps getting better!
Quantum Sail Design Group designs, engineers and manufactures
sails for racers and cruisers who demand the highest levels of quality
and performance. They are leaders in the sail making industry by offering
top quality products supported by a high level of personalized customer
service, recognized expertise, professionalism and a passion for developing
the sport of sailing. Quantum sails are available at more than 55 lofts
located throughout the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Europe, South Africa,
South America, Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
So now, more than ever, you can count on Fusion M delivering great boat-speed
and reliability. Goto: http://asianyachting.com/news/QuantumSails.htm
3.14
Revolutionary Surfboard design
(Queensland, Australia) A Gold Coast plumber has invented a radical surfboard
steering system that promises to revolutionise the sport in the same way
as yachting's winged keel. Former Palm Beach surf shop owner Don Smith
said the V-shaped system replaced the dangerous fins on surfboards, making
them safer, more stable and faster. He said he had already knocked back
$1 million for the idea, which he hoped to adapt for use on boats and
other watercraft. An international patent has just been secured and the
Shredda Advanced Steering System will soon be on the world market for
less than $100. Full details at: http://www.shredda.com/about_us.htm
4. INTERNATIONAL NEWS
4.1
Get ready for the final AC showdown
Victory Challenge returned to Port America’s Cup a couple of weeks
ago, the three other America’s Cup teams away from Valencia at winter
training camps have packed up and returning home to begin their final
preparations for racing in April. Emirates Team New Zealand, BMW ORACLE
Racing and Alinghi all finished their sailing last week and are returning
to Valencia over the coming days. The Kiwis squeezed their race boats
into an Antonov transport plane in Auckland for a 56-hour trip to Spain.
Also on the tarmac in Auckland was another Antonov containing USA 98 from
BMW ORACLE Racing. The Kiwis plan to begin sailing on March 5th in Valencia,
while the American team should be ready to go a few days earlier, with
USA 87 already in Port America’s Cup. Meanwhile, the defender packed
up in Dubai, with the sailing team having been given a short holiday before
training resumes in Valencia in mid-March. The final showdown begins with
the Louis Vuitton Act 13, a fleet-racing event running from April 3 to
7. The challengers' series for the Louis Vuitton Cup begins on April 16,
with the best-of-nine cup match between the successful challenger and
Swiss defender Alinghi starting on June 23. Which will end with a new
winner hoisting the oldest sporting trophy in the world in triumph early
in July. Follow all the action at: http://www.americascup.com
4.2
Calendar girls are big in Texas
In an attempt to raise funds, the University of Texas Sailing team has
made available a calendar called the Women of the University of Texas
Sailing. As if year round sailing on Lake Travis, the amazing town of
Austin, and a great academic institution weren't enough, UT team now stakes
their claim at having the prettiest women's sailing team in the country.
To view the calendar: http://www.cafepress.com/texassailing.87537597
4.3 Warning to all offshore racers.
DK Yachts are warning all offshore racers to sit up and
take notice when one of their World Champion Mumm 30, Farr 40 or Mills
DK46 lines up on the starting grid. The Executive Chairman Khalilur Rahman
Ebrahim and Managing Director Mohd Ali Hanafiah recently took the time
out to sail from Pt Dickson to Langkawi on Ray Roberts Quantum Racing,
the most successful DK46 they have built so far. A few secrets and some
lengthy discussions on the new DK47 that is going into production soon
were revealed. Serious Yachts
for Serious Sailors can
be found at http://www.dkyachts.com
4.4
Cayard, Coutts and Lagos announce World Sailing League
Sailing legends Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard have teamed up with internationally
renowned Portuguese sports promoter, João Lagos, to create a new
annual global sports series. The World Sailing League (WSL) will be held
at premier sailing locations around the world with the series winner receiving
a cheque for $2 million. Twelve teams, representing nations, will compete
in identical, state-of-the-art 70ft catamarans. It is anticipated that
there will be venues in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Middle
East, Asia, North America and South America. Cayard and Coutts are both
committed to skipper teams in the league. Russell Coutts outlined why
João Lagos is the ideal partner for WSL: ´´We have
been planning this for a long time and were looking for an organisation
that would share our vision for the World Sailing League. In João
Lagos we have an entrepreneurial figure with the foresight to see the
potential of these events, coupled the expertise and credibility to bring
the concept to life." The World Sailing League will use a fleet racing
format although a number of other innovative concepts such as time trials
and slalom racing will be tested using the prototype yacht. It will also
have a customised support ship to transport the boats and equipment to
each venue. The new boats have been designed by a team including Marc
Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prévost and are at the forefront of technology.
The 14 one-design yachts will start being built in 2008, ready for the
launch of the series during 2009. Full details at: http://www.wsl2009.com/
4.5
THE LAST FRAME
Keith Beken of Cowes has died aged 92. The pioneer of 20th Century marine
photography, he joined his father Frank's shop in Cowes during the 1930s.
After his father died in the 1970s he established Beken of Cowes with
his son Kenneth. He retired in the 1990s. http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070109134707ymnews.html
4.6 Transat 6,50 Charente-Maritime / Bahia 2007 now has 84 entries
Thirty years after the Mini-Transat was created, the 16th edition of the
Transat 6,50 Charente-Maritime / Bahia 2007, will leave from La Rochelle
on the 16th of September. It really is a victim of its own success. A
sure sign of this is the subscription list already counts 141 skippers.
The invitation to tender deposed by the Classe Mini for 2003 and 2005
edition specified that 72 skippers would cross the start line. Facing
the fussy situation in which the Classe Mini Board of Directors found
itself – “perfectly aware of the often legitimate questions
and doubts of the skippers who are in the waiting lists but also of other
members”, the Grand Pavois association decided to increase to 84
the outgoing skippers numbers. There will 12 more boats to go compared
to 2005! More info at: http://www.classemini.com
4.7
Is this the future in race coverage?
For each day at Acura Key West 2007, an entire fleet of boats was saddled
with GPS units, with the data than being converted to a video replay of
the race. This service was provided by Kattack, and for a limited time,
the video replays can be watched on their website's viewer without having
to download the Kattack Race Player. Each replay is sped up, keeping them
under five minutes of viewing time, and has the boat names attached to
help tell who is who. For those desiring the full media experience, the
Kattack Race Player is still available as a free beta download. Using
the Race Player, viewers can analyze individual boat performance, zoom
in or out, speed up or slow down, observe wind shifts, and catch every
tactical nuance of the race along with polars and speed strip charts for
each boat. Heck, this may someday replace reliving race moments in the
bar with our hands. -- http://www.kattack.com
5. WORLD SPEED RECORDS
5.1
Records galore...
Two new speed records have confirmed. On October 20, 2006, Sjouke Brendenkamp
(RSA) set the outright Women's KiteSail World Record, recording 37.24
knots on a custom Excellerator board with an 8.0 Naish Raven kite. The
previous record was 35.20 kts by Aurelia Herpin (FRA) in Oct 2005. Also,
Zara Davies (GBR) set a new Women's Nautical Mile World Record of 34.74
knots on October 31, 2006, using a Thommen 44 custom board with a 6.5m
Gaastra Vapour sail. The previous record was 33.69 kts, set by Valerie
Ghibaudo (FRA) in Oct 2005. All current and previous records occurred
at Walvis Bay, Nambia. --
Kitesail Nautical Mile Rob MUNRO. GBR 30th October 2006 35.65 knots at Walvis Bay, Namibia. Board was a "Cape Doctor Custom" with a 10m Naish Raven kite. Previous record was 35.44 kts by Dirk HANEL, GER at Walvis Bay, Namibia in Oct 2005
New World Nautical Mile Record 41.14 knots by Bjorn Dunkerbeck on 31st October 2006 at Walvis Bay, Namibia. Board was a"Proof Custom" with a 6.3m North Warp sail. Previous record was 39.97kts, Finian Maynard BVI, Oct 2005, Walvis Bay, Namibia. John Reed, Secretary to the WSSR Council
6.
"Unluckiest sailors of the month"
6.1
Maud Fontenoy dismasted
Saturday 10 February - L'Oreal Paris, Maud Fontenoy's boat on which she
was attempting a solo circumnavigation the "wrong way round",
broke her mast about 900 miles off the Australian coast. In a state of
shock and feeling extremely disappointed, she was waiting for dawn to
break to take stock of the damage. "I was doing 7 knots in the most
normal of seas with a 20 to 25 knot wind. The mast suddenly fell down
and broke in half. It fell right next to me but I had time enough to jump
into the cockpit and get into a safe place. Half the mast is in the water
and constantly knocks against the hull. Thankfully, L'Oreal Paris's hull
is made of aluminum and is highly resistant." Maud Fontenoy got in
touch with Jean Luc Van den Heed, the boat's former owner and skipper,
to examine among other things the possibility of putting up some jury
rigging. "I have the life raft ready with water cans and come food.
My thermal suit is also on hand." After 119 days at sea, she was
only 10 days away from Reunion Island and her finish line. http://www.maudfontenoy.com
6.2
SNAP GOES $750,000
Chris Dickson's America's Cup syndicate found a costly weakness in a race
rig on 8th Feb when a mast top broke during training in the Hauraki Gulf.
USA71, one of BMW Oracle Racing's 2003 generation yachts, damaged the
top of its 34m mast while training in 15 knots of breeze. No one on board
was hurt and the damaged rig remained intact as the yacht was towed back
to the team's base at the Viaduct. A mast and rigging cost around $750,000.
USA71 was racing downwind during an in-house training session when the
top of the rig collapsed. Dickson said "it unfortunate but they had
been pushing the boats hard. That's why we are here. We would rather learn
the lesson now than during the Louis Vuitton Cup when this sort of mishap
could cost us a race. This was a race rig so we are disappointed, as the
piece that broke should not have broken, but we are pleased we discovered
this weak link now during our race training." -- New Zealand Herald,
full story:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=106&objectid=10423123&ref=rss
6.3 Napoli scavengers to surrender loot...
The 62,000-tonne MSC Napoli, which was holed in storms on 18 January,
was deliberately run aground following 'serious structural failure'. Hundreds
of scavengers descended on the beach at Branscombe after 50 of the ship's
containers washed ashore. Two specialist crane barges sailed from the
Netherlands to help salvage the cargo of beached container ship MSC Napoli.
They will start lifting the remaining 2,394 containers off the ship, grounded
off Sidmouth, east Devon, on Saturday 27 Jan. A spokesman for the Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it could take up to five months to remove
the ship's remaining containers. Senior coastguard Derek Smith said the
Receiver of Wreck was now requiring salvage to be surrendered on the spot.
He said: 'We do not want people to break containers open - they will make
a mess and they will not be allowed to take anything away from the beach.
If they fail to comply with the instructions of the receiver they could
be arrested by the police.' The ship's managers said 103 of its containers
were lost from the vessel during the storms, although 70 had now been
accounted for. The remaining 33 were being hunted with specialist sonar
equipment. Complete MCA report found at: http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-newsroom/incident.htm
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Come
on girls! - Let's 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
in, have fun, fly out" sailors. Plus a Real-Estate
page to promote the ever increasing residential
Condominium, Resorts
and Marina developments the region has on offer. Browse the full
AY
advertising
rates and find other things for-sale including the Fastest
Sailing
Gloves on the Planet in the AY
Shopping Arcade here...
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Need
some fast and effective advertising?
Want to get a last minute promotion out quickly in Asia or market your
products to a diverse marine oriented audience, around
the globe? NO Problems!
Join some of our regular advertisers DK
Yachts, Quantum
Sails, Raimon
Land and Sunsail
just to mention a few, who have successfully negotiated and wisely
chose to use AY
marketing tools and advertising space to get their message out. For
obligation free quotes E-mail info@asianyachting.com
or browse the
full AY
advertising
rates at: http://AsianYachting.com/Mall/Advertising.htm
AsianYachting
Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Co.
No. 627106-T)
A 308 PD Perdana Condo Resort, Jln Pantai, 71050, Pt Dickson, Malaysia
Tel: 6 06 6477701 Email: info@asianyachting.com
Welcome to the Wonderful World of Yachting at http://AsianYachting.com