November 2003

 

Memories of the Jacques Vabre

The team of Karine Fauconnier and Damien Foxall sailed their Open 60 Tri Sergio Tacchini to a 3rd in the Multihull ORMA Class 2 in the recently completed Transat Jacques Vabre. Here are a few words of reflection from Damien on their sucessful first JV effort.


Photo credit: B.Stichelbaut

When you line up for the start of a race in what is the most extreme racing class in the world, against a list of who is who in the Multihull World, it has a slightly humbling effect, more so when the post start forecast is for 35-40 upwind through the Bay of Biscay. Despite this seemingly daunting task, we managed to maintain a surprisingly stead level of cool and sangfroid throughout the pre-start build up knowing that as a team we had done everything in our power to be ready for what was to come.

Technically, the boat was timely and meticulously prepared ... this was to prove critical as we were one of a short list not to suffer any breakages during the whole race.Training together, both during the 1600-mile qualifier and an intensive week of coaching in Port La Foret, had provided Karine and myself with the respectful confidence in our ability as a duo to sail the boat to its safe optimum potential.

Strategy and Meteorogical considerations had been covered in detail with our weather router Pierre Lasnier and On Shore Navigator (2003 Figaro winner) Armel Le Cleach.

Generally, the project as a whole, which had been successful throughout the season, had been tuned to peak prior to the start in Le Havre. We took the start believing that if we sailed the way we knew we would bring in a good result.... sail fast, clean, take no performance or strategical risks.

I am now sitting in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil , 3 days after having finished, trying to analyze what happened , somewhere along the line we got something very right . The obvious goal for the Sergio Tacchini project now is to continue to build on the base we have put down in 2003. The ORMA (Open Multihull Racing Association) circuit 2004 is going to be busy, 4 crewed Grand Prix events - in the UK (Torquay), France, Italy - and the classic Quebec-St Malo (a fully crewed race every 4 years).

However, whatever the next season holds, the memory of the Transat Jacques Vabre will remain of having had the special privilege of racing double handed truly amazing boats in a great fleet.

Damian Foxall

11/26/2003

 

Ghosts In The Machine


A great shot from the Crusing Yacht Club of Australia Rhodes Waterside Farr 40 Regatta. Photo courtesy of afrancolini.com

 

 

'Lumbo 30

Here's a shot of hull #2 of the brand new Columbia 30. Can't tell much other than it looks good so far. See Numbers game above for a design perspective on the boa. Go here to see more pics. Photo courtesy Columbia Yachts.

11/12/03

 

 

 

Sitting Pretty

The Brett Bakewell-White designed 98 foot Zana sails for the first time. According to Brett, "Smiles all around at this stage – boat and all crew still in one piece." We'll have some more shots later this week. Photo by Ivor Wilkins.

11/10/2003

 

 

"Say Hello to My Little Friend"

This is the new Backman 21, as presented by our newest advertiser, Backman Boats. A very modern, and certainly different looking little boat, the 21 incorporates the following:

Billed as "a mini transat for around the buoys", this little trailer sailor will require a crew of three. Made in Sweden by Malmsten Boats with the goal of high standards and quality, this should be a very interesting little rocket. For more info click on their new banner ad on the upper left, or go to www.backmanboats.com.

11/10/2003

 

Aloha, Brah!

This is a shot of the Hawaiian local Antrim 27, Intuition in the Lahaina Return Race from this past summer. They went on to win their class in 20-35 knot winds, eventually boat-for-boating the Santa Cruz 52 from which this photo was taken by Jesse Andrews.The 27 was reported at various times to be:

Either way, that is real sailing. Thanks to SA reader M Denzer for the love.

11/07/2003

 

K-Challenge Beats Oracle!

Enjoy that headline because you'll not see it when it really counts. John Cutler and team beat Gavin Brady and his boys 4-3 at the match racing portion of the China Coast Race Week. Down 0-3 Cutler did the improbable and won 4 straight to win it. Results should be here somewhere.

11/06/2003

 

 

 

The New Genesis?

 

These pictures from our friends at Outside Images (they have more), show a new experimental Quantum mainsail onboard a Farr 36 off Sydney. Interesting, and I'm sure far from finished, but why does it look like most of the fibers are going the wrong way? One thing for sure is that despite Quantum's newest ad in the glossies touting their tri-radial sails, they are poised to make the technology switch to string sails. they do have some of the best people in the sport, and one would be smart to bet that they'll get this very right. Right?

11/03/2003

 

 

 

Only The French......

The first solo crossing of the Pacific from Peru to Tahiti, 4,455 miles in 89 days and seven hours, was just completed - on a windsurfer! Raphaela Le Gouvello, arrived in Papeete Monday. She looked to be in decent shape, but I believe it helps to be crazy - you don't worry as much about something like spending 89 god damn days on a frigging windsurfer! Click for full story.

11/03/2003

 


Sydney 38 Cuckoos Nest, courtesy Andrea Francolini

"How Much Time?"

We've all been there, either steering, advising, or wondering: How much time (and distance) is there to the start line? We've also all seen those who just have a knack for when to turn, accelerate, slow, or otherwise put themselves, as Chingey would say, "Right Thurr" on the start line. And we've also seen those who have a very hard time getting it right.

We don't know if the Sydney 38 in the above picture is actually starting, but given the helmsman's look, they easily could be. The question for you today is, how do you judge when to turn and how far, from the line? Who reads the watch, what intervals are called out, who talks? Who doesn't? What techniques do you use to judge time and distance to get yourself (or your helmsman) to the line at the right time? Might be an interesting topic and if you have some input, post it in the forum. Thanks!

11/03/2003

 

Wrestling And Reality

There can't be a person with half a brain who pays any attention to the pathetic phoniness that is the staged nonsense of wresting. Not real wrestling, the bogus bad acting, steroid low brow kind. We really are a nation of morons that something that stupid even exists, let alone prospers. I blame it on years of white trash inbreeding in the South.

Regardless, in an ironic twist of reality, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment Inc) has agreed to accept an out of court settlement from the insurers of Lewmar over a quick-release shackle which opened, allowing a wrestler to fall to his death.

The settlement allows Lewmar to escape admitting liability. The full story can be found here.

11/13/03