Sunday 31 March 2013

Small Trimarans blog entry on restoration of Cross 26 trimaran

From the following article on the excellent smalltrimarans.com blog.

http://smalltrimarans.com/blog/?p=9605

Sailor Brandon Walters is presently restoring a Cross 26 trimaran in California. He sent the following pics, along with some more photos of the boat from 1885 (he got these pics from the fellow who owned the boat at that time).
The boat’s name is POCO LOCO. Brandon said he is currently trying to figure out how to properly rig the new aluminum mast that he bought for it. So if anyone can offer him a helpful tip or two when it comes to stay lengths (or that sort of thing) then please post comments below.
Brandon plans on sharing more pics of the boat after he gets it back into the water so we can see it newly refinished. Thanks for sharing this with us my friend!

read more here




AC Discovered, edition 83. AC45 World Series

This edition of AC Discovered (83) focusses on the AC45 catamaran and the America's Cup World Series.

America's Cup update, ride aboard Oracle Team USA's AC72 to be auctioned

From the following article on Sail-World by Richard Gladwell:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-AC72-ride-aboard-Oracle-Team-USA-to-be-auctioned/107904

Two America's Cup and winners of multiple World Championships, now Paralympians, have joined forces to in a campaign to win a Gold medal in the 2016 Paralympics.

David Barnes a winner of three consecutive 470 World Championships in 1982-1984, and considered very unlucky not to have won the NZ Olympic selection trials in 1984, will team up with former OK world champion, keelboat world champion, Rick Dodson. Between them, they have competed in nine Americas Cup Regattas, winning two.

Rick, along with brother Tom, spearheaded the development of North Sails New Zealand loft turning it into a major force in work playing a very significant role in all New Zealand's America's Cup campaigns over the past 25 years.  Rick Dodson and David Barnes have been diagnosed as suffering from multiple sclerosis – a debilitating degenerative disease that ravages the central nervous system. They have both suffered from the disease for the past 13 years.

To raise finance for their campaign in the three man Sonar class, two of the adversaries in the 2013 America's Cup Regatta, Sir Russell Coutts and Grant Dalton will speak at a dinner in Auckland to be hosted by Sir Michael Fay.

Part of the dinner will be an auction, the centrepiece of which is expected to be the auctioning of a ride aboard Oracle Team USA's AC72 in San Francisco.

read more here 

Saturday 30 March 2013

Tasmanian Three Peaks Race, Peccadillo sets new record for Beauty Point to Lady Barron leg

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Peter Campbell

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Three-Peaks-Race---Catamaran-slashes-first-leg-record/107922

In the 25th Tasmanian Three Peaks Race, the Melbourne catamaran Peccadillo tonight smashed the record for the first sailing leg, sailing the 90 nautical miles across eastern Bass Strait from Beauty Point on the Tamar River to Lady Barron on Flinders Island in a remarkable 6 hours and 19 minutes.

The Atlantic 46, skippered by Charles Meredith, berthed at Lady Barron just after 8.50pm, recording the quickest first sailing leg in the history of this challenging combination of ocean sailing and endurance running around Tasmania’s coast.

Her time cut 1 hour and 19 minutes off the Beauty Point to Lady Barron sailing leg set in the 1997 race by the fast trimaran Island Paint Company, better known as Twisted Sister.

Peccadillo averaged just under 13 knots in boatspeed, at times surfing at 15 to 18 knots before slowing down to negotiate the shifting shallows that surround the entrance to the fishing port of Lady Barron.

While this is the sixth Three Peaks Race for Peccadillo’s skipper Charles Meredith, it is the first for the running team of Phil Sicklinger from Sydney and Daniel Trevena from Melbourne.

They quickly jumped ashore as the yacht came alongside Lady Barron wharf, setting off in darkness on the 65 nautical endurance run across to the western side of Flinders Island, ahead of them a tough climb to the granite peak of Mount Strzelecki and back to Lady Barron.

Peccadillo comfortably won the duel to Lady Barron from the Hobart-based catamaran Euphoria Furniture, better known as Storm Bay and skippered by Steven Laird as they ran downwind before a 20 to 25 knot westerly wind.

The Hobart catamaran was expected to finish within an hour of Peccadillo with her more experienced runners striving to make up the overall time deficit and take Euphoria Furniture to an earlier start on the second sailing leg, 145 nautical miles from Lady Barron to Coles Bay on the Tasmanian East Coast.


read more here


Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race- Light but fun

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Peter Hackett:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Brisbane-to-Gladstone-Yacht-Race---Light-but-Fun!/107920

In the Allyacht Spars Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race, the multihulls enjoyed a spectacular day on Moreton Bay with a spectator fleet in all forms of dress enjoying the view.

The predictable soft winds delayed the start until 11.30 am and as the wind direction settled, the blue book was thrown to the wind as more barges than on a dutch canal converged on the one or two boats that were on the right side of the line facing in the right direction. Individual recalls and some nearly angry words helped the fleet get away in the five knot northeasterly. 


read more here

Trimaran Spirit at the Start, Photo Peter Hackett

MOD70 update, Virbac Paprec Team first sailing session.

John Pierre Dick and the Virbac Paprec MOD70 team have taken the new craft out on it's first sailing session. 


27 mars 2013 - Premières navigations à bord de... by Virbac-Paprec_SailingTeam

Friday 29 March 2013

Multi50 Maitre Jacques relaunched in Saint Malo for upcoming season

Launching of Master Jacques trimaran Thursday in St Malo
 
An update from the Maitre Jacques Multi50 team with the relaunch of their updated Multi50 trimaran at Saint Malo. 

https://www.facebook.com/#!/multi50

and the rough Google translate:

After four months of work, the 50-foot trimaran Master Jacques was released this morning shed CCI Saint-Malo, where he made such a nose of her bows ... The big red and white bird hit the water in the middle of the afternoon on Thursday. He is ready for his third season in the colors of Master Jacques: objective podiums!

As every year since he took over the Master Jacques Multi 50 (ex Crêpes Whaou 2 Franck-Yves Escoffier) ​​in 2010, Loïc Féquet organizes a project to optimize its trimaran. This winter, the bulk of the work was, on the one hand, laying bare hulls to complete the installation of a new design and, secondly, the creation of new bows ...
 
Bridges the Master Jacques are now sharper on the front. Its inverted bows will crack the best waves ... Designed by the architectural firm VPLP, these new "nose" were made by Lawrence Gourmelon (Strat & Gite in St Malo). Ultimately, it is the whole silhouette of this platform of 2005, which has a new look, more elegant!
Lighter, more reliable, means of communication ... The rest of the work was to lighten the boat (interior fittings, rigging hardware), add the electronics on board, install a satellite antenna for the transmission of video race and a wind turbine and a second autopilot. A revision of the steering system was also performed.Finally, the new set of sails is 3Di (a very stable material) and the mainsail will be lighter, despite its more than 2 m2 of former ...

Performance gains and safety are expected ... The Multi 50 Master Jacques is ready for the season, for the Transat Jacques Vabre and even for the Route du Rhum 2014!
Program particularly rich

The goal now for Loic and his team, to navigate up and, indeed, the 2013 racing calendar is particularly intense: two pre-season tests, a new European race with the Route des Princes, the Cowes- Dinard and Trophies Multi50 this summer and the Transat Jacques Vabre double, which revives a journey to Brazil, via the equator, a first for the crew Maître Jacques ...

Loïc Féquet skipper, Master Jacques, "I would firstly like to thank all the volunteers and the sailing team who came to help the weekend to complete the project so that everything is ready now for the launching.

This season, the main objective is of course the Transat Jacques Vabre. We finished second in 2011, it is necessary that we stay on the podium. It does not work optimization for nothing! This project has also been designed as for the Route du Rhum ...

For the Transat Jacques Vabre, the duo remains the same, we start with the known therefore on potential growth possible. We will navigate as possible with Loïc this year, race and race off, depending on our respective schedules. The technical and human side, we put all the chances on our side to fight with the boats and the latest professional skippers.

Trophies for events and pre-season, again, the crew remains the same, always with a big motivation and commitment of the entire team. We know that we can win, especially in certain weather.




Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull Yacht Race

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Peter Hackett

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Brisbane-to-Gladstone-Yacht-Race---The-more-hulls-the-merrier/107886

The Allyacht Spars Brisbane to Gladstone Multihull Yacht Race for 2013 is heading off at 11.20 am from Shorncliffe this year. We are again sharing this end of the bay, and for the first time in years also sharing the startline with our monohull brothers who leave at 11.00 am. With any normal Easter weather pattern I would be looking forward to passing the guys on the first start, but this year the wind pattern is a bit tricky to plot such an attack.

With a light southwester at start time, we will all be bobbing around searching for good kite angles and waiting in trepidation for the fresh, but hopefully not too brief, 20 knot southerly storm change coming from the south. As with many Gladstones, the first night will dictate the order for the rest of the race, and the winning crew will be on the boat that can stay upright and in the breeze for as long as possible before it goes east and drops back to nothing on Saturday night. The next 24 hours of a slowly building northerly will then determine who gets the gold, but any boat that gets to Lady Elliot Island for a hard turn to port is going to have a very happy crew for the 75 mile (screacher please Hughie) reach from there to the entrance to Gladstone Harbour. I bag that watch on the tiller!

The fleet of nine multihulls reflects the drop in numbers in the monohull fleet to 26, these races are an exercise in logistics and the dollars needed are continuing to reduce the fleets. It is no secret that both organising clubs are looking seriously at how to bring back the big fleets that I remember from my first Gladstone in the 80's.


read more here

tracker should be here

Trimaran 'Spirit' a modified Formula 40 is competing in it's first Brisbane to Gladstone Race, Photo Peter Hackett 

Tasmanian Three Peaks Race, race gets underway today

The Tasmanian Three Peaks Race is somewhat of an institution and is now up to it's 25th edition.  The race gets underway today (Good Friday).  There will be a tracker active once the race starts, race website is located at http://www.threepeaks.org.au/index2.html

The following news article by Rochelle Galloway

http://threepeaks.org.au/news/?cat=1

The countdown is on until the start of the 25th H&R Block Three Peaks Race.
Starting on Friday, March 29, 12 teams will battle the elements to be crowned the winner of the 2013 race.

Teams will begin their journey from Beauty Point Wharf at 2pm where crews will make their way across the seas to Flinders Island.  Crews will then hit the ground running with a run up Mount Strzelecki before rejoining sailors for the trip to Coles Bay.

It is expected that the first race fleet will arrive at Coles Bay around noon on Sunday, March 31, for the run over Mount Freycinet.  Teams will then make their way to Hobart, docking at Kings Pier at Sullivans Cove, for the final run up Mount Wellington.  The last team is expected to finish at Kings Wharf on Tuesday.  To celebrate the start of the race, the public is invited to join in the excitement on Friday at Beauty Point Wharf from 10am.  People will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of Tamar Valley produce and entertainment before the yachts sail out in the afternoon.

Teams participating in the event include:
- Cables Plus Tas – MS Tas
- New Howrah Pharmacy
- Peccadillo
- Haphazard
- AdvantEdge
- St.LukesHealth
- Tilt
- Centre Euro Wines
- Magic Miles
- Euphoria Furniture
- Whistler
- Whistler World

It is also worth noting the fund-raising efforts of some of the teams with Cables Plus Tas – MS Tas raising money for MS Tasmania, Centre Euro Wines raising awareness and funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and Hobart-based team Whistler donating $1500 to bushfire affected Dunalley.

For more information about the event, visit www.threepeaks.org.au or contact media manager Rochelle on 0404020410.

You can also follow the event on facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/AustralianThreePeaksRace

Catamaran Peccadillo competing in the Three Peaks Race

Thursday 28 March 2013

MOD70 update, 2013 program announced

From the following press release by Multi One Design:

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/864/mod70-2013-season-and-2014-2016-horizon.html

27.03.13

The inaugural MOD70 racing season was deemed a great success proving the potential of the one-design MOD70 Class and the full value of this innovative concept in the sailing world through the boat performance, reliability, the tight races and exciting events. Over 850,000 visitors followed the competition in the race village of the "Krys Ocean Race" and "MOD70 European Tour". Since the launch of the first MOD70, Race for Water, in March 2011, the circuit has generated an estimated 24 million Euro international media return.

2013 Competition Season
In the absence of a title sponsor for 2013, MOD and teams have opted on competing in events that include different classes.

The MOD70 fleet programme includes a European Tour in the "Route des Princes" next June and most likely the "Transat Jacques Vabre" race between le Havre (France) and Itajai (Brazil) with scheduled start on the 3rd of November.

read more here



 

Wednesday 27 March 2013

America's Cup update, AC uncut video interview with Nathan Outteridge of Team Artemis

Genny Tulloch of AC Uncut speaks to Nathan Outteridge of Team Artemis about their current development work on AC45 and AC72 catamarans.

L'Hydroptere.ch relaunched by HYDROS team for new season of record attempts on Lake Geneva

L'Hydroptere.ch was originally conceived as a testbed boat for the new L'Hydroptere Maxi.  These days it is owned and sailed by the HYDROS team and has just been launched for a new season of record attempts on Lake Geneva.

http://www.facebook.com/hydros.ch

rough bing translation below:

The arrival of spring marks the beginning of season for the flying boat, launched Thursday last in Morges. "Everything went well", says Daniel Schmäh, skipper the hydrofoil .ch. "we put the boat in the water crane and have directly lying it. The boat was well prepared and the perfect weather, the launch was fast and efficient! "After a day devoted to the installation of la baume, of the electronics and sails, the crew was able to navigate this weekend:"We had between 10 and 15 knots of wind, interesting conditions for the first navigation", says Guillaume Coyon, flight and boat captain of the hydrofoil .ch."small worries of hydraulic adjustments that we noticed during these two first navigations could be resolved.We therefore sailed again today. We could not yet make any actual measures to evaluate the changes made during the winter construction, the wind was still a little weak

original link here

Tuesday 26 March 2013

America's Cup update, One week of sailing left in New Zealand for ETNZ on their second AC72 catamaran

From the following Sail-World article by Richard Gladwell

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-One-week-of-sailing-left-in-New-Zealand/107824

After 19 days of sailing their second AC72, Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker says the designers and boat builders had delivered all the sailing crew had hoped.

'In some ways,' he says, 'they delivered more than we expected.'

'We learned a lot from our 30 days with the first boat and the second boat seems to be tracking in the right direction.'

Barker said: 'We are mindful of the good sailing going on in San Francisco. Oracle’s back in the water and looking formidable so we have a lot of work ahead to make sure we are competitive right through the Louis Vuitton challenger series.'

Little more than a week’s sailing in Auckland remains before the team packs up the base and heads for San Francisco. With a long list of items on the 'to-do' list, the pressure is on.

read more here

America's Cup Update, Where next for the America's Cup World Series

From the following article on americascup.com by Stephen Barclay, CEO of the America's Cup Event Authority

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/14030/where-next-for-the-americas-cup-world-series

In the old days, you needed a boat to go and watch an America’s Cup race. Now you can walk up to the edge of the race course. Of the slew of innovations brought in for this America’s Cup, bringing the racing in from the ocean has to be most popular.

Last week a number of our race management team left for Naples, Italy, for the ninth and final America’s Cup World Series (AC World Series) event before the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup. This gave me pause to think: has the AC World Series been worth it?

Let’s first look back to why the AC World Series was established:
1. Proof of Concept: stadium racing and a live television broadcast that captures the audience;
2. More visibility for team and event sponsors; and
3. Create an annual competition to build anticipation and excitement for the once-every-four-yearly Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup.

Regarding objective 1, the answer is a resounding “yes”, it has been worth it. The AC World Series has created memorable images of the crowds lining the shore and cheering like the fans at a football match. If you ask any of the sailors if they get a buzz when they hear the roar of the crowd, you will get a very vocal “yes”.

read more here


Nixe proa completed and launched

Alexander has completed and launched his new Nixe Proa.  It's been an interesting project to see under construction built using the tortured or stressform ply method.   

read more about the project here on proafile:

http://proafile.com/forums/viewthread/123/



Sunday 24 March 2013

America's Cup update, new videos from Luna Rossa, ETNZ and AC Uncut with Oracle Team USA


ETNZ video "flying the wing again" http://youtu.be/BXSmPLvV76o

Oracle Team USA video AC Uncut http://youtu.be/gH3fW4_9bbo

America's Cup update, Artemis Team launch foiling AC45 testbed

From the following Sail-World article:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup----playing-catch-up-Artemis-Racing-launches-foiling-AC45/107764

America's Cup 2013. Playing catch up after missing the boat in recent months, Artemis Racing now reports - A big step forward as we launched our foiling AC45 onto San Francisco Bay. This is the first step in our foiling training for our second AC72. The modifications from our one design AC45 to our now foiling AC45 took about a month to complete.

Adam May, our foiling expert at Artemis Racing was the project manager for this conversion. 'We set up a little commando group of guys to get the 45 foiling. Things were kept simple to get foiling as quickly as possible, taking input from the ongoing work on boat two, what we've seen in use by other teams, and a healthy dose of ‘just do it’ attitude. Our structural test day progressed quickly into controlled foiling flight, with the boat behaving really well and Nathan getting to grips with it in no time at all.'

read more here

Artemis Racing launches foiling AC45 onto San Francisco Bay - Artemis Racing

Another video from Matakana Raid

Thanks to crew.org.nz for the link to this video uploaded by TYPBCmultihullers



 

Team Vodafone ORMA60 dismasts during Auckland Regatta

When starting a race at the Auckland Regatta Team Vodafone Sailing's ORMA60 dropped it's wingmast rig.  Nobody injured and the rig has been recovered and they are looking at the best way to repair it, looks like it was a forestay fitting failure this time.

Thanks to crew.org.nz for the link.






Multi50 update, Team Lalou launch their new Multi50 trimaran

Team Lalou have successfully launched their new Multi50 trimaran.  Lots of good ideas on board and I like the shelters around the external helms should make them a good place to be in rough weather.  Looking forward to seeing this boat compete in the year ahead.  Congratulations to the team and thanks for taking us along on the ride watching the boat under construction.


Photo thanks to Laurent Belhade
 

Saturday 23 March 2013

MOD70 news, Oman Sail team abandon Round Ireland record attempt due to poor weather

From the following afloat.ie article

http://afloat.ie/sail/offshore/item/21235-round-ireland-speed-sailing-record-attempt-abandoned

This morning's Round Ireland record bid has been abandoned and Damian Foxall and the crew of the MOD70 who sheltered off the Welsh coast in freezing conditions last night are returning to Lorient, France directly this morning. The disappointing news came from Skipper Sidney Gavignet in an email to World Speed sailing commissioner Chris Moore who was standing by to officiallly start the record challenge at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire this morning.

Dear Chris,
                  We will not attempt the record this time, we are aiming back to Lorient. Conditions are "almost" ok, but we prefer to play the safe decision. Hopefully we will come back later in the year, in better conditions.
All our team thanks you a lot for all your efforts, we regret we won't see you but it will happen later.

Best regards
Sidney Gavignet

read more here

Friday 22 March 2013

Francis Joyon, new record for the Cadiz - San Salvador Route ratified by the WSSRC

Francis Joyon's new record for the Cadiz - San Salvador Discovery Route officially ratified by the WSSRC

The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record.
Record: Singlehanded Cadiz to San Salvador
Yacht: "IDEC" 98ft Trimaran
Name: Francis Joyon. FRA
Dates:. 6th to the 15th February 2013
Start time: 12;50;25 UTC on 06/02/13
Finish time: 04;57;30 UTC on 15/02/13
Elapsed time: 8days 16 hours 7 minutes and 5 seconds
Distance: 3884M
Average speed: 18.66 kts
Comments: Previous Record: "IDEC". Francis Joyon FRA. Nov 04. 11d 3h 17m 20s
John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council

Gitana team update, MOD70 Edmond de Rothschild and 77' Maxi trimaran Gitana XI

From the following article on the Gitana Team website:
 
 
The winter break is well and truly over and the pontoons of the Keroman submarine base, home to Gitana Team, are a hive of activity. A week on from the launch of the 70’ trimaran Edmond de Rothschild, Sébastien Josse and his crew were able to make the most of the perfect conditions to go for their first sea trials of the year: a few tacks offshore of Lorient to fire up the machine before the long weeks of training that lie ahead. These sea trials were also an opportunity for the 2013 version of the crew to get together. Indeed, though some of the crew did a lot of sailing together last season, Gitana Team is also welcoming some new faces aboard the trimarans fitted out by Baron Benjamin de Rothschild.

Despite being on the cusp of spring, it was a chilly atmosphere aboard Edmond de Rothschild yesterday for the first sea trials of the year: “Since the launch, the shore crew, joined by a group of sailors, has been finalising preparation of the boat on the dock. On the boat’s exit from the yard, there were still a few elements to be adjusted before heading out to sea. These operations can’t be done in the shed, as they require the trimaran to have her mast stepped. Such tasks include bending on the sails, rig tensioning and setting up the electronics and hydraulics. On Tuesday, everything was in place to enable us to cast off for a few hours. It was a bit chilly for our first sea trial but the wind conditions were really perfect in terms of wind, with 15-20 knots of breeze set to ease. We got the chance to see the boat’s entire range and we’ll be able to step things up a gear from the end of next week. We crossed tacks with Oman Sail offshore of Groix, whilst Virbac Paprec, which has joined the fleet this season, is now tied up just a few metres away from us,” said a delighted Sébastien Josse, satisfied that the sporting season has begun.
 
read more here

MOD70 Update, Musandam Oman on approach to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland in preperation for record attempt

From the following article on The National Yacht Club website:
 
 
MOD70 Musandam Oman Sail sets sails to attempt Round Ireland Record this Friday 21st March

Following their visit to Dun Laoghaire for the MOD70 European Tour last September, Musandam – Oman Sail, skippered by Sidney Gavignet is back with a crew of five (Irishman Damian Foxall, Neal McDonald, Jean Francois Cuzon and Fahad Al Hasni), this time in a bid to break the 20 year old Round Ireland record established by Lakota in 1993.
 
read more and tracker here
 
 

Thursday 21 March 2013

Prince de Bretagne Maxi, new aerial video

Recently posted video shows the new Prince de Bretagne Maxi with Lionel Lemanchois soloing the boat.  The team has moved to the excellent Lorient Submarine Base facility where they can berth the boat outside and have full team and workshop facilities onsite. 

http://youtu.be/R5eE4BtFD7E

 

MOD70 update, Jean Pierre Dick and the Virbac Paprec team launch thier new MOD70

Jean Pierre Dick's, Virbac Paprec MOD70 launched.

From the Multionedesign.com website:

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/863/virbac-paprec-70-launched.html

20.03.13

"A new page is turned and a new challenge begins". It is with these words and looking towards the new MOD70 being lifted by the crane that Jean-Pierre Dick referred to the launch of VIRBAC-PAPREC 70. A few weeks after finishing the Vendée Globe, the skipper from Nice will now continue in its wake on three hulls. This season will be a learning one with a team as pleasant as they are talented.

Multi50 update, Multi50 Maitre Jacques nearly ready for relaunch

From the following article on the Maitre Jacques Multi50 blog:
 
 
and the rough google translate:
 
First coats of paint yesterday on the hulls of  Multi50 Master Jacques. After weeks of sanding, red and white trimaran takes its colors ..

This precision work was done masterfully by Laurent Gourmelon (Strat & Gite St Malo), while the long and careful preparation (sanding, sanding and sanding again) were by Julien Deniel, trainer of Team Master Jacques. Loïc coordinated everything, Julien and helped to implement the masking.

There are still the slip to go on deck. The antifouling will be completed on Thursday. Sunday, the whole Team Master Jacques (Loïc Féquet, Loïc Escoffier, Benedict Champanhac Pierre Hingant, Arnaud Le Gall and of course Deniel Julien) was given an appointment in Saint Malo, in the shed to retrieve the threads trampoling . And next Monday: installation of new interior colors Master Jacques!

The launch is scheduled Thursday 27 or Friday, March 28, weather permitting.
 
read the original article (in French) here
 
 

Wednesday 20 March 2013

Francis Joyon to attempt the Grand Slam of ocean racing records

A new press release from the IDEC media team, Francis Joyon to attempt the Grand Slam of records to hold the round the world, 24 hour record, Discovery Route and Transatlantic New York to Cape Lizard record.  The original article in French is linked below

http://www.trimaran-idec.com/actualite_article.asp?ID=219

and the rough English google translate below:

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Already holds records solo round the world, the 24-hour clock and the Route Discovery, Francis Joyon will tackle this spring in the North Atlantic. If the bat, it would be the only sailor in the world to have achieved the Grand Slam record.

© JEAN MARIE LIOT / DPPI / IDEC
Aboard his maxi trimaran IDEC now available with foils - so even faster - Francis Joyon already has a track record monstrous succeeded around the world in only 57 days. Always alone, he traveled 668 miles last summer water (1237 km) in one day, hauling the record of 24 hours at the stunning average speed of 27.83 knots. Finally, recently, he broke his own record for the Discovery Route (Cadiz-San Salvador), in lowering more than a day with a time of 8 days, 16 hours, 7 minutes and 5 seconds. What is missing, then, Francis Joyon and his trimaran of 29 meters? The clock on the North Atlantic only. In the world of hunters records, whether crewed or solo records form the four Grand Slam absolute, the most prestigious being the order around the world, the Atlantic, and 24 hours Discovery Route. Francis Joyon has the opportunity this year to become the only sailor in the world to hold together these four legendary lap. Neither Ellen MacArthur nor Thomas Coville - its two biggest competitors in these exercises - have not seen this possibility one day before their bows. unheard But this quest only become a reality if the driver IDEC can beat this famous record between New York and the Lizard. A challenge very impressive when you consider that the current chrono - held by Thomas Coville aboard Sodebo - is 5 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds. Nearly 21 knots average on the direct route of 2980 nautical miles long ... so not counting additional distances to swallow to keep trains circulating depressions in the top of the charts and on which to ride at full speed for hope a favorable outcome. A legendary record Francis Joyon walk in the footsteps of marine legend Charlie Barr, who had opened the year in 1905 aboard the famous schooner Atlantic (12 days, with 50 crew!) Eric Tabarly that, 80 years later, was down to 10 days aboard the trimaran Paul Ricard. Then it will be the crews Marc Pajot (Elf Aquitaine), Patrick Morvan (Jet Services 2), Loïc Caradec (Royale 2) Philippe Poupon (Fleury Michon VIII), Serge Madec (Jet Services V) Steve Fossett (Playstation) Bruno Peyron (Orange II) and closer to home Franck Cammas (Groupama 3) and Pascal Bidégorry (Banque Populaire V), which will each time, crew, save a few hours, a few days on this course legendary. Alone, Bruno Peyron (Explorer in 1987 and 1992), Florence Arthaud (Peter I), Laurent Bourgnon (Primagaz, 7 days in 1994) have been there too ... and already Francis Joyon, who beat the record for the first time in 2005 aboard the first trimaran IDEC (6 days and 4 hours) before Thomas Coville, three years later, not fall below 6 days. This course alone on the road of the great transatlantic liners, is a myth steeped in history, imaging marine legends. Those of Nantucket and the Grand Banks of Newfoundland around, storms and mysterious mists. The big red trimaran quietly waiting his time and a favorable weather window. It is possible from early May. As Joyon said: "There is no limit to dreams." Records of the North Atlantic Solitaire 1987: Bruno Peyron, catamaran Explorer, 11 days, 11 hours, 46 minutes and 36 seconds 1990: Florence Arthaud, Pierre trimaran 1 in 9 days, 21 hours and 42 minutes 1992: Bruno Peyron, catamaran Explorer, 9 days, 19 hours and 22 minutes 1994: Laurent Bourgnon, trimaran Primagaz in 7 days, 2 hours, 34 minutes and 42 seconds 2005: Francis Joyon, IDEC 1 in 6 days, 4 hours, 1 minute and 37 seconds 2008: Thomas Coville, Sodebo trimaran in 5 days, 19 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds 
 
 

America's Cup update, Team Oracle release new video

Team Oracle USA have released a new video of their AC72 foiling it looks like they are starting to achieve stable foiling in their AC72 catamaran.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

MOD70 team Oman Sail to attempt to set new Round Ireland record

The MOD70 team Oman Sail are gearing up for an attempt at the Round Island Speed Record this week

From the following afloat.ie article

http://afloat.ie/sail/offshore/item/21176-foxall-onboard-french-trimaran-for-round-ireland-record-bid

#roundirelandrecord – A 60-foot French international trimaran with Ireland's top offshore sailor Damian Foxall and an international crew on board is to attempt to break the Round Ireland speed record this week.
French sailor Sidney Gavignet will skipper Oman Sail, a MOD 70 that was last in Irish waters for the MOD70 European tour last September. As well as Foxall, Neal McDonald, Jean Francois Cuzon and Fahad Al Hasni are listed as crew.
The bid is sponsored by the Tourism ministry of Oman.

World Speed Sailing Record Commissioner Chris Moore, who is also the vice-commodore of Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) will officiate this latest attempt, possibly on March 20th but subject to weather. The plan, according to Moore, is to start and finish at the Kish lighthouse at the entrance to Dublin Bay using DBSC's new starting vessel Freebird.

read more here


F-22 Trimaran production progress update

The F-22 production trimaran is moving closer to reality with the recent update showing the beams mounted to the float and some additional float and hatch detail.  It's all looking slick and well executed as you would expect of an F-boat

read the whole production log here:

http://www.f-boat.com/pages/News4/FM-Factory2013.html

Multi50 update, Team Lalou to launch new Multi50 trimaran on Saturday

Team Lalou have completed their new Multi50 trimaran and it is to be launched on Saturday.

rough translation from the Team Lalou FB page by Bing

Saturday... Release day!
There are six days, six small days before the launching of the Team Lalou Multi trimaran.
Saturday, March 23 to 14 h will be held in Port block upgrading water of the new trimaran of Lalou. After more than 15 months of construction and 24 months of preparation, the team will be very happy to see you at his side for this event.



Sunday 17 March 2013

America's Cup update, Glenn Ashby of ETNZ on his job of wing trimmer

From the following Sail-World article:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Confessions-of-a-Wingman/107542

Glenn Ashby describes his job as wing trimmer on Emirates Team NZ's AC72 as a bit like driving a truck.

The multiple A-Cat world champion, Olympic Silver medalist, and former Tornado cat world champion, is talking a really big truck with a 32-speed gearbox as it traveling up and down a series of hills and turns.
The driver, he says, must always think ahead, two or three moves ahead. And that’s what he does on board the AC72.

Glenn’s changing gears (adjusting the wing trim) almost constantly. Either driving a truck and trimming the wingsheet, or with the hydraulics, so there’s never a time when he’s not thinking, looking for the breeze ahead and changes in wind patterns – thinking about the next gear change to achieve best performance.

The wing is set up differently for different modes – upwind a low fast mode or high, slower mode for instance. Racing downwind, the wing set up has a huge influence on the boat’s performance and must be used accurately with the front sails, making for dozens of small adjustments throughout the leg.

read more here

Red Bull Youth America's Cup update, Training begins for The American Youth Sailing Force

From the following Sail-World article:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Youth-Americas-Cup-2013---Training-begins-for-the-Force/107524

Youth America's Cup 2013. The American Youth Sailing Force (The Force) greeted twelve international youth teams vying for four spots in September's main regatta in last month’s trials. With the competitors now selected, The Force gets down to work training on the AC45 this Friday. They know what’s needed to win the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

During the international trials, The Force’s yacht management and local skills made them instant experts while forging friendships with many of the would-be competitors. Team member, Mikey Radziejowski is excited about The Force meeting the international sailors, 'It was awesome getting to spend some time around our future competition. Whether they made into the Red Bull Youth America's Cup or not, it was great to get to know fellow youth sailors who were all here with the same goals.'

The Force’s detailed knowledge of the high-performance AC45 catamarans made them the go-to guys on the compound. 'Being in charge of the two Oracle Team USA AC45s and already being selected, instantly made us experts in front of all the international teams, and we had a lot of questions being asked about rigging and sailing the boats, even though we had only three days of sailing beforehand. The other really cool thing is, we ended up bonding with some of the other teams, and becoming good friends with some,' Mikey explained.


read more here

Video from 2013 Matakana Raid, NZ

Thanks to crew.org.nz for the following link

A video by Zane Bloomfield of the 2013 Matakana Raid has been uploaded to Youtube.  Looks like fun!

America's Cup update, Artemis Team upgrading AC72 catamaran

The Artemis Team after lining up against Team Oracle have a better picture of what needs work on their AC72 catamaran for them to be competitive.  The latest update shows some of the work which is underway.

Thursday 14 March 2013

Red Bull Youth America's Cup update, Objective Australia team qualify for RBYAC event

From the following Sail-World article:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Youth-Americas-Cup---Objective-Australia-set-to-kick-off-campaign/107473

Objective Youth America’s Cup Campaign Launch to be held on Saturday 23 March at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Australia

Objective Australia, the Australian team competing for the inaugural Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, will have its official campaign launch at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) Newport on Saturday 23 March at 5:30pm. Objective Australia is the first Australian team compete for America’s Cup success in over a decade and will be competing against seven other nations in September 2013.

The Objective Australia team is comprised of the cream of 19-25 year old Australian sailors, many of whom are campaigning towards the 2016 Olympics and other major sailing championships. The nine member Team features RPAYC members Jason Waterhouse (NSW) and Josh McKnight (NSW), along with Tom Burton (NSW), Jordan Reece (NSW), Oliver Tweddell (VIC), Luke Parkinson (WA), Keiran Searle (NSW), James Wierzbowski (VIC) and Ted Hackney (NSW).


read more here

America's Cup update, Jimmy Spithill of Team Oracle interview

An excellent two part Sail-World interview with Jimmy Spithill of Team Oracle:

Part 1

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-update-with-Oracle-helm-James-Spithill-(part-1)/107367


The 2013 America's Cup is now just six months and the pressure is mounting on all the teams...
Oracle skipper and helm, James (Jimmy) Spithill is a straight talking Australian. In 2010, aboard BMW Oracle Racing, Spithill became the youngest ever winner of the America's Cup. Sail-world interviewed him at length last week. Some of his observations were predictable and diplomatic but others less so and there is obviously some needle between Oracle USA and the Team New Zealand already.


read more here

Part 2

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup---Oracles-James-Spithill-tells-it-like-it-is!!-(Pt-2)/107433

The 2013 America´s Cup is now just six months and the pressure is mounting on all the teams...
Oracle skipper and helm, James (Jimmy) Spithill is a straight talking Australian. Sail-world interviewed the 2010 America´s Cup winning skipper last week. In Part I of this interview Spithill detailed the progress of the Oracle USA team and made some blunt comments about Emirates Team New Zealand. There is more of the same in Part II.

read more here

MOD70 update, Orion Team launch their MOD70 in Lorient

Cam Lewis and his Orion Team have just relaunched and rerigged their MOD70 (the former Veolia team boat) in Lorient, Brittany.

From the following article on the Multi One Design website

http://www.multionedesign.com/en/news/861/orion-racing-launched-in-lorient.html

The MOD70 nr.02 was re-launched today in Lorient with its new colors: Orion Racing.
 
  After 5 days of sailing tests in the bay of Lorient, the MOD70 nr.02 will be shipped to Puerto Vallarta on the Western coast of Mexico where its training camp will be set up for the next 3 months.  In July, Orion Racing will move to San Francisco its operational base for the summer.

Photo courtesy of Multi One Design

Team Vodafone, Auckland to Tauranga Race chasing record time

From the following article on crew.org.nz

http://www.crew.org.nz/team-vodafone-targets-record-in-the-international-paints-auckland-to-tauranga-yacht-race/

It’s all go for this premier annual event! Bouncing back from last year’s Rena cancellation, this year is shaping up to be a beauty. TYPBC has topped up their wind account and are looking for a quick race. With the support of RNZYS, the race kicks off at 1000 March 28th from the Squadron start line outside Westhaven.

Team Vodafone has confirmed their entry in an attempt to finally break a record that has so far proved elusive. Vodafone skipper Simon Hull comments “The International Paints Auckland to Tauranga race can be tricky and challenging. When the weather cooperates, it is a fantastic ride and that is what we are hoping for. Fingers crossed, we will have a crack at setting a new record. Time will tell.”

Upon arrival in Tauranga every boat will be greeted with the traditional welcome bucket and escorted to their berth. There is plenty of room for everyone. The TYPBC clubhouse will be open with hot showers and refreshments.

read more here

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Sean Langman's new Sydney to Hobart multihull record ratified by the WSSRC

The Sydney to Hobart outright and multihull record have been smashed by Sean Langman on the ORMA 60 Team Australia (formerly Banque Populaire IV)

From the following Sail-World article

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/New-world-record-establishment-announced-by-WSSR/107439

The World Speed Sailing Record Council has now announced the establishment of a new World Record.

Record: Sydney to Hobart
Yacht: 'Team Australia' ORMA 60
Name: Sean Langman AUS and 2 crew.
Dates:. 21st to the 23rd February 2013.
Start time: 23;58;57 UTC on 21/02/13
Finish time: 05;51;20 UTC on 23/02/13
Elapsed time: 1 day 5 hours 52 minutes and 23 seconds
Distance: 630NM
Average speed: 22kts


read more here

The Sodebo team transport the trimaran Geronimo to the Multiplast yard

The Sodebo team have transported the trimaran Geronimo from its storage facility to the Multiplast Yard where it will be refitted to compete in the Route du Rhum 2014.

Tuesday 12 March 2013

America's Cup Update, ETNZ a different kind of prestart

Emirates Team New Zealand Tactician Ray Davies talks about the very different prestart required for the AC72 catamaran.

America's Cup Update, video of ETNZ and Luna Rossa AC72's in practice race

A new video shot from the shore at Takapuna Beach in New Zealand shows the ETNZ and Luna Rossa AC72 catamarans in a practice race speeding round the buoys.  It looks like ETNZ's development of boat 2 is paying off with them being clearly faster than Luna Rossa at this point. 


There is also this video from Onenews in New Zealand which includes some video of the boats racing from close range on the water quite spectacular to see these AC72's go.






Marlay Point Overnight Race 2013, results

Only two entries in the multihull division this year.  It was another drifter this year and MYCV sailor Shaun Fishley came out on top in his Corsair 31 'Frassld' with trusty crew Geoff and Lisa.  The other boat competing was the Jeff Schionning designed 'Spud Gun'.

Here is a write up from Shaun about the race:

We had a good start with a steady Easterly breeze so a 12 nm beat across lake Wellington saw us into McLennan Straights at about 22.20 in 2nd place behind the Thompson 8, the wind had dropped out now and a J 24 sailed straight past us while we drifted with the current, bouncing of the banks on both sides at 0.4 Knts. About half way through we found having the jib back winded and the main right out was the best setting and our speed begun to climb to a blistering 1.7 Knts and we left the J 24 in our wake a mile or so before Hollands Landing. About 03.00 we got the kite up as we sailed into Lake Victoria and the 0-2Knt winds clocked right around the dial. As the dawn broke we got a steady breeze until the sun rose then the wind died again. Now we could see a couple of monos then Spud Gun then heaps of monos behind them. We battled on praying for a shortened race, our hopes built when a committee boat came out around us and then anchored near Point Turner. The Magic 25 had got past us but didnt get a blast as they passed so back to dispair. Then another committee boat arrived and a mad flurry for flags, as we passed Point Turner at 10.56 a hooter and it was over. 15 hours to do 30 odd nm on a warm March night!!! Thanks to a great crew of Geoff, Lisa and Lisa we made the most of a long night.  Big Andy on Spud Gun did come 2nd this time. not bad at all.
 
and a link to the results in .pdf format:
 
http://lakewellingtonyachtclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/MPONR-2013-Div-M.pdf

Monday 11 March 2013

Route du Rhum 2014 update, G class multihull field begins to take shape

From the following le Figaro article

http://nautisme.lefigaro.fr/courses-nautiques/a-la-une-0/2013-03-09-16-27-39/multicoques---la-guerre-des-geants-est-relancee-9479.php

At the: multihulls: the war of the Giants is restarted

and the rough google translation of the article

Franck Cammas was the first to embark on a giant trimaran in the Route du Rhum 2010. His Groupama 3, Jules Verne Trophy winner, was reconfigured for single-handed sailing with a mast lower. Successful bet since he won the race hands down. For the next Route du Rhum, no less than four giant trimarans should cut the starting line. Geronimo, 34 meters, is the former trimaran Olivier de Kersauson. He left the port of Brest on March 1st to enter Multiplast yard in Vannes. Program: Installation of foils, a new rudder under the central hull and a new mast. "This boat was ahead of its time and can still make beautiful performance," says Hervé Devaux, which calculates the structures of these giants of the sea. Against Geronimo, the former Groupama 3, which should be renamed Banque Populaire VI, has earned for the victory of his high 31.50 meters. "The difference, took Hervé Devaux is Armel Le Cléac'h has little experience in multihull while Thomas Coville has proven itself."

Crédits photo : Yvan Zedda, Groupama3

In old veteran of solo sailing on giant trimaran, we will also have to reckon with Francis Joyon who just improved the record the Discovery Route, between Spain and the Bahamas, 8 days, 16 hours and 7 minutes. He beat his own record as more than a day! With his boat 29.70 meters Idec, he finished behind Cammas in the previous Route du Rhum. "Even though his boat, built in 2006, began to be old, this is the one that has the most chance of winning," said Hervé Devaux. In turn, Lemonchois just put its new water boat Prince de Bretagne. He is a former ORMA trimaran of 18 meters which was extended to 24 meters. Already twice winner of the Route du Rhum, the skipper Norman believes in his chances for the 2014 edition.

Sunday 10 March 2013

Information sessions for upcoming Round the Island Race/UK

The Island Sailing Club are holding some informational sessions for competitors in the upcoming Round the Island Race in the UK
 
From the following BYM news article
 
 
The J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race management team at the Island Sailing Club is holding three more free-to-attend and informative Forums this Spring, with the first one on Saturday 23rd March at Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club at Port Solent, Hampshire. The Forum starts at 4.30pm.
This first event will be followed by two more Forums:
 
Saturday 6th April 1630 Parkstone Yacht Club, Poole
Saturday 20th April 1630 Island Sailing Club, Cowes
 
read more here

AC Discovered Edition 80, NBC Commentators review ACWS San Francisco

This edition of AC Discovered looks at the America's Cup World Series event in San Francisco.