January 2005
| Jules Verne Tangerine Dream The big maxi cat Orange is off to to blistering start of 646 miles covered in the first day of their assault on the 26,000 mile Jules Verne around the world record. Will luck be with them this time after a series of previous mishaps? Here is their latest report, just translated from French to English courtesy of our fine frog friend, Jocelyn Blériot: Morning
PR N°4 / 7:30 GMT Cape Verde Islands ahead… Orange II’s Atlantic descent is indeed quite atypical… Rather than finding settled NE tradewinds, blowing at 20 knots, Bruno Peyron’s maxi-cat must deal with weak northerlies, generated by a capricious high pressure cell in the north west. After having slowed down yesterday below the Canary Islands, skipper and crew are now back in the 20 knots + range, under big gennaker and full mainsail. On a south-western heading since the end of the night, Bruno’s goal is now to get closer to the high, in order to catch a shift to the north-east, before gybing, in roughly six hours, towards Cape Verde Islands. The objective is to make good speed towards that mark by sliding downwind, and to reach the archipelago located 270 nm off Dakar, Senegal, by the end of the evening. Bruno Peyron: “Like we anticipated, yesterday has been difficult. We had to cross a tricky zone of the high, and at the same time deal with the Canary Islands passage. We encountered light winds, and even sailed at 4 – 5 knots for a few hours. We had no other choice but gaining in the South, and thus privileging VMG. Afterwards, speed came back little by little. Now, we have rather unstable winds, between 12 and 17 knots, and we’re sailing with all the canvas up – full main and big gennaker, for 1230 sq. m. of total surface. It’s quite a sight under the full moon!” Key
figures (5:00 AM data) 1/28/05 |
Hallelujah!
Finally, a preacher we can all agree on! 1/27/05 |
| The Kids Are Alright A friend of mine from way back in the day gave me a heads up on these two kids who were ripping it up in 470's. if you don't know who Mikee Anderson-Mitterling & Dave Hughes are, you most certainly will. Here is their report from the Miami OCR. - Ed Report from Miami - Day #2
First race. Led at the first mark, second mark and third. Battled with the Coster brothers from the Netherlands again. Allowed the Costers to gybe early and lost the lead and the race win by one boat length. Good lessons, but we're going fast. Second race. Tough start. Worked the shifts well up the beat for what was seeming like a top 3 at the weather mark, but our side collapsed. We watched the righties come in with pressure as our sails inverted back and forth with no wind. We rounded deep, but battled back to a 7th place finish. The planned 3rd race was cancelled do to lack of wind. Tomorrow we head out an hour earlier per RC's instructions in order the get three races in. We now stand in 3rd, 1st US men's. Here's a picture from race #1 today! -Mikee & Dave 1/27/05 |
| Thanks, Dubya This from inside a sailmaking organization. No, we don't know which one. - Ed. For all you George Bush Lovers out there who voted him in for a second term (me not being one of them) I thank you for creating a shortage of Carbon Fiber. Currently, between government defense contracts, Airbus and Boeing needs, us little guys are getting the shaft.........for all you foreigners, shaft means getting screwed or the short end of the stick!! In talking to one of the carbon manufactures last week, he said that they just got a rated Government PO that called for enough Carbon to build 50,000 carbon Tent poles. These rated POs take priority over any other PO and currently any order that is placed today by somebody like me will not get filled by 2006! All sails currently in the order system that have been sold as a Carbon/Twaron sail will come with Carbon. Until I know more about availability I will not speculate on the future but it is going to be a rough ride and I would anticipate most sails having a minimal amount of Carbon and in some cases none at all. 1/27/05 |
Flamer
A shooting Star? Photo by Chris Wynia and courtesy of Dan Bradley. The Flame Artist is Andrew Macrae of Ontario Yachts 1/26/05 |
Vendee Out Nick Maloney's Vendee Globe is over after his keel failed and ultimately fell off the boat. Maloney is stabilizing the boat and awaiting rescue. What a bummer. Jeez, two high profile boats with Skandia sponsorship losing their keels...... 1/26/05 |
23 for Thee?
The Dibley 23, unlike some other sportboat projects, is a reality. The mold work is underway at Watershed Sailboats in Colorado with a target price of $41,000 with sails and strings, ready to splash. Looks very cool. 1/24/05 |
| Vanishing, Girl Her once comfortable lead reduced to mere hours, Ellen MacArthur fights on in light air with the outlook looking fairly desperate. Let's hope some breeze comes her way. Get caught up on her story. 1/24/05 |
Die-ode
Finding the pointy end of PHRF Class 3 at Key West a bit tough, the Diode 36 still looks plenty good to us in this shot, which is courtesy of Sean Trew. Interesting story lines and some very close scores are found in almost all the classes. We'll have some good on board stories asap. 1/21/05 |
Melgi
Melges
24's mixing it up at Key
West. Say, aren't those North Kevlar panel sails? What, no
3DL here either? Jeez, so much for world domination. 1/20/05 |
The Price is Right Well now it is. We ran a a story a few days ago in which the price of a new DK 46 was quoted at $1.3 mil, Aussie dollars. Not so, claims DK Yachts: The boat does not cost 1.3 mil Aussie. They cost US $425,000 ex factory. Which today is AUD $560,000 again ex factory. Add in local taxes and freight, sails and electronics you should be on the water for around AUD $750,000 NOT 1.3 million.
An incorrect price statement could really effect our sales. Thanks for your help
Kindest Regards
Mark
D'Emilio 1/20/05
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32 Skidoo
Here's the new Melges 32 steaming right along at Key West. They are second in their class after two races. Results. This impressive photo courtesy Sean Trew. 1/19/05 |
| Anne Got Her Gun
The happy beneficiary of the contract is Anne Caseneuve, who sailed her 50' trimaran to the 2nd place in the last Route du Rhum.She won the Saguenay - St Pierre - Vendée Transat the following year, establishing a new 24 hours record for the 50' class, with 417 miles sailed (avg 17.3 knots). The boat is a carbon fibre speed machine, (well) made of bits and pieces (for instance, the floats were initially built for Primagaz, 60' winner of the 94 and 98 Route du Rhum)Anne's partner, Christophe Houdet, is also Francis Joyon's faithful wingman, which explains how things went.The 50' is currently in Guadeloupe, just like IDEC. First outing under her new colours : the 2005 Transat (organised by the RWYC of Plymouth). Anne hopes to catch line honours. - Jocelyn Blériot - Course Au Large 1/19/05 |
| Hawaiian
Style Wot you t’ink, short tacking Kalaupapa light, surfing down the Molokai channel in 4 -8 foot seas with 20 kts balmy trade winds, legendary Hawaii sailing is back with the 2nd annual Waikiki Offshore Series. All offshore boat owners and crews are invited to spend July 31 to August 6 Sailing the Waikiki Offshore Series. In addition to some of the best sailing in the world the Aloha Spirit is everywhere. You know da kine. Pack up the family and make it a vacation to remember! Check out their banner ad on the upper left column, this page. 1/18/05 |
Funny Page
Some of you already think SA is a funny page, but we are going to feature a couple of new cartoons here on SA, one of which is from cartoonist Jerry King, whose work is featured above. Enjoy. 1/17/05 |
Watered Down
The sad Skandia saga continues, but here is at least something funny we heard: On night of 29th unidentified person in full Skandia kit (socks,short and jacket) is slumped on the road outside the Customs House (well known post race watering hole). Concerned passerby says "mate you can't sleep on the road, where are you staying? And the reply was "Oh, on the boat!" 1/14/05 |
| Hot Off The Press Wharo Sues Grant Wharington today released a brief statement with relation to the capsizing of his super-maxi "Skandia", during the 2003 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. "The super-maxi yacht "Skandia", previous line honours winner of the 2003 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, was forced to abandon the 2004 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race when the hydraulic system designed to control its canting keel failed. Extensive damage was caused to the yacht as a direct result of the failure. The keel subsequently detached from the yacht completely, and the yacht was towed to safe harbour. Today, proceedings were issued out of the Supreme Court of Victoria against the designer and manufacturer of the hydraulic system, seeking unspecified damages arising out of the failure. It is the intention of the plaintiff to seek a speedy resolution to this litigation. We would like to take this opportunity to stress that we have 110% confidence in our Chief Designer, Don Jones - in what he has done with "Skandia" and what he continues to do with our latest VO 70 project. This action should send a strong message to all that Don is in no way implicated in any of this, and he should continue to enjoy his well earned reputation as one of the most innovative and safest yacht designers of our time. As the matter is now the subject of legal process, no further comment can be made at this stage." Got a comment? 1/12/05 |
SA & You We've always maintained that SA is really about you guys, and frankly we think that is more true than ever. One thing that tends to separate us from the herd is that we have always been about presenting your voices, your perspectives. Yes of course we're going to continue getting and giving you information that you just can't and won't get elsewhere, but we'd really like to get more information from you that we can feature on the front page. When you have local knowledge from your area, an interesting regatta story, an editorial comment, a great picture, whatever, send it to us. Oh and there will be SA swag in it for you. We'd
love to feature you guys in addition to our other regular features.
We think it helps define SA and the community that has built it.
You. 1/13/04 |
Golden?
After forging ahead, then suffering gear failures, Mike Golding and Ecover is back near the leader Vincent Riou (PRB) in the Vendee Globe. Photo© B.Stichelbaut/DPPI 1/12/05 |
| The Rich Get Richer. . . But you knew that, right? Just in case you didn't, here's the latest proof: Philippe Kahn has agreed to sell his company, LightSurf Technologies Inc, to VeriSign Inc. for $270 million in stock. Add that to the $250 mil he made in 1998 when he sold StarFish Software to Motorola Inc. and well we guess its safe to say that there is likely another maxi on the horizon for 'ol Philippe, no? Read the whole story, if you must. 1/12/05 |
English Education A seminar taking place at B&G's Romsey headquarters in the UK on Tuesday January 18th 2005 has been designed to help you get the most out of your instruments. At just £25 including lunch and a B&G goodie bag. You can learn about the latest race navigation tools and gain an insight into how modern technology can help to win races. Improve your understanding of performance measurement and instrumentation and get a competitive edge ready for the new season! Interested parties should contact the B&G race team (Racing@BandG.com) for more details 1/12/05 |
| Comment Anarchically Speaking With the announcement of Laurie Fullerton deciding not to write for us, (See Dear John below), there has been much commentary about it, both in emails to me and in the forum. I thought this one seemed to sum it up nicely. - Ed. Scot - Sorry to see that Laurie Fullerton has backed out of her agreement with SA, but I doubt this will surprise anyone. The popularity and relevance of SA in the sailing community is indisputable now, but it seems that the irreverence that has made SA popular is also what undermines it in the "mainstream" sailing press. My opinion is that you aren't mainstream, will never be mainstream, and shouldn't aspire to publish mainstream journalists. I love SA for its candor (right or wrong), the behind-the-scenes views, the hush-hush banter and rumor mills. I love the opinions and the forums. Why care about publishing "legitimate" stories? Keep the good stuff coming, and when someone you respect comes through with a decent piece, print it. Your friend in Anarchy, Jesse Falsone 1/11/05 |
All That, Then This The (mostly) new super maxi Nicorette survived brutal conditions to outlast her rivals as the 90' took line honors in the '04 Hobart. Then yesterday, while entertaining clients in about 10 knots of breeze, the rig broke at the gooseneck, apparently with no warning at all. Jeez, that's enough to make one take up smoking. 1/11/05 |
| Pushin'
In NASCAR, pushin' is a bad thing. Here a J/Boat is doing a version of that, only with the words .."a lot of water" added.. Location: N 47 30.700 W 122 24.300 Saturday January 8th 2005. This great photo by Sean Trew. 1/10/05 |
| No Pork
In fact, it's Veal. As in Rohan Veal, who is dominating the Moth Worlds in Australia with four bullets in four races. Can't get much better than that. Photo by Sport The Library. 1/7/05 |
Night Stalker
This semi-eerie shot from Rick Tomlinson onboard the big cat Cheyenne, sailing from Plymouth to Antwerp. Cool. 1/6/05 |
Juxtaposition
Talk about compare and contrast: The J-Boat Velsheda and the super, super maxi Mari Cha IV side by side. Baby, you've come a long way! 1/5/05 |
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Pay To Play
Honestly, we don't get why anybody in their right mind would pay £26,500 to race around the world, but there are apparently 17 people on 12 boats doing exactly that. Wild. Photo of Leg 2 winner (by a mere 35 minutes) Spirit of Sark by onEdition Photography. 1/4/05 |
North Says No to 3DL! In this North J/44 class genoa proposal, they recommend a panel sail instead of their 3DL, stating that "design is more important than construction." Really? This, from North? And just as amazingly, also said that "A panel Kevlar sail will simply last longer." Really! We thought 3DL was the end all to panel racing sails, especially for big boats? What's even funnier is that after telling the potential customer how great the panel sail will be, the picture of a J/44 genoa they show is - you guessed it - a 3DL! Hahaha, that is great. Do they not see the contradiction? The irony? The stupidity? Plus they certainly did a fine job kicking their "3DL look alike" competition around in this one as well. We thought this was a pretty embarrassing proposal. Read it and tell us what you think. 1/4/05 |