Ο Ιστιοπλοϊκός Όμιλος Προσωπικού ΔΕΗ (ΙΟΠ-ΔΕΗ) σήκωσε νέα ιστοσελίδα: www.iop-dei.gr

Επικοινωνία:
ΙΟΠ-ΔΕΗ
Ναυταθλητική Μαρίνα Δέλτα Φαλήρου,
Παραλία Καλλιθέας, Καλλιθέα, ΤΚ 176-74
Ε: iopdeh@hotmail.com
Τ: 210 4839817
F: 210 4839817

Θεαματική Ιστιοπλοΐα την Πρωτομαγιά στο Ναυτικό Όμιλο Βουλιαγμένης.

Η Πρωτομαγιά στον αμφιθεατρικό κόλπο της Βουλιαγμένης θα προσφέρει θέαμα σε όσους παρευρεθούν, για να παρακολουθήσουν τις μοναδικές Ιστιοπλοϊκές Μονομαχίες (Αγώνες Match Race) που θα πραγματοποιήσουν 12 επιλεγμένες ομάδες.
Η Ελληνική Κλάση Platu25 προετοιμάζεται εδώ και πολύ καιρό για αυτόν το μοναδικό τύπο αγώνων, έχοντας προσκαλέσει δύο διεθνείς κριτές από το εξωτερικό που θα παραδώσουν σεμινάρια για της ιστιοπλοϊκές μονομαχίες στους αθλητές που θα λάβουν μέρος καθώς και σε οποιονδήποτε συμμετέχοντα.
Οι δύο Χορηγοί του αγώνα Murphy & Nye και Wind με μεγάλη ικανοποίηση αγκάλιασαν τον Αγώνα Match Race, αποδεχόμενοι την αγάπη και την υποστήριξη τους για το άθλημα της ιστιοπλοΐας. Μια σημαντική καινοτομία επίσης θα εφαρμοστεί για πρώτη φορά στην Ελλάδα σε αγώνες αυτού του είδους. Θα υπάρχει η δυνατότητα παρακολούθησης όλων των ιστιοδρομιών μέσω του Internet σε πραγματικό χρόνο αλλά και σε replay με γραφική αναπαράσταση.
Το σύστημα αυτό εφαρμόζεται διεθνώς σε αγώνες του Παγκόσμιου Πρωταθλήματος Match Race και είναι μια προσφορά της εταιρίας πληροφορικής Allweb Solutions σε συνεργασία με τη εξειδικευμένη Δανέζική εταιρία Trac Trac.
Ο Ναυτικός Όμιλος Βουλιαγμένης, η Ελληνική Κλάση Platu25, η Murphy & Nye και η Wind σας περιμένουν για να ζήσετε από κοντά τις Ιστιοπλοϊκές Μονομαχίες.
Η ώρα εκκίνηση των αγώνων και για τις τρεις ημέρες (1-3 Μάιου) έχει προγραμματιστεί στις 11:00πμ.
Περισσότερες πληροφορίες για τους αγώνες στο www.platu25.gr

FARR 40s HEAD TO CAGLIARI FOR 2009 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Farr 40 Class Association is delighted to announce details of its 2009 European Championship, which will be held at the end of busy summer season from 27 July to 1 August in Cagliari.
Driving forces behind the Championship location are the Farr 40 Class Association, Luciano Randaccio, President of Sandalion Mare Club and Great Events Commission President of Associazione Industriali della Provincia di Cagliari, and, Vincenzo Onorato, three-time Class World Champion.
The Organising Authority for the racing will be the Farr 40 Class Association in conjunction with the Circolo Canottieri Ichnusa Cagliari. Whilst the Associazione Industriali Provincia della Provincia di Cagliari in conjunction with the Sandalion Mare Club will look after logistics, shore side events and publicity in Sardinia.
One of the prime movers behind the decision to hold the event in Cagliari is Luciano Randaccio, who is quick to acknowledge the various local bodies that will bring the regatta to fruition. “We are particularly indebted to the Associazione Industriali Provincia di Cagliari for its willingness to cooperate with the Sandalion Mare Club and the Circolo Canottieri Ichnusa in hosting and organizing this event, which will be known as “Regione Sardegna Campionato Europeo FARR 40”, says Randaccio, who continues, “we are sure that Cagliari with its climate, its conditions, its historical and natural beauty will be able to put on a great Championship and great welcome for all the crews and owners during their stay.”
This will be the first time that the Farr 40 Class has held an event in Cagliari, but the decision is a natural one according to European Class President, Wolfgang Schaefer, “Cagliari is a great place for holding races at a grand prix level. It is well known for its fantastic sailing conditions and excellent hospitality. We are very happy to be holding the 2009 Farr 40 Class European Championship there and thank everyone who has helped to make it happen.”
The Championship will offer Farr 40 owners the opportunity to get together one final time at the end of a busy European season, which will also see the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds competed for in Sardinia waters – albeit at the opposite end of the island. Current world champion, Vincenzo Onorato, will be one of many competing owners sampling the hospitality of Cagliari and is extremely happy that the city has been given the chance to host the Class, commenting, “I am happy to have been able to contribute to Cagliari’s successful bid to host this year’s European Championship. I love Cagliari and I think it’s one of the most beautiful racing areas in the world!”
Over the past weekend, the first event in the 2009 Farr 40 European Circuit took place in yet another legendary Sardinian regatta venue, Porto Rotundo. With racing abandoned on Sunday due to lack of wind, Saturday’s scores held and Alessandro Barnaba’s Fiamma (ITA) won the event on a tiebreaker from Massimo Mezzaroma’s Nerone (ITA). Vincenzo Onorato’s Mascalzone Latino (ITA) had been leading the fleet after two wins on Friday and despite another win on Saturday could only finish third. Helmut Jahn's Flash Gordon (USA) came fourth followed by Alberto Rossi's Enfant Terrible (ITA) in fifth. The second event of the European Circuit will be Rolex Capri Sailing Week where additional entrants include Class President Jim Richardson’s Barking Mad (USA) and William Douglass’ Goombay Smash (USA).
Racing for the Regione Sardegna Campionato Europeo FARR 40 takes place from 29 July to 1 August, with registration and measurement on 27 & 28 July. A press conference will be organised in due course and, in the meantime, full entry details of the event including the Notice of Race will soon be available on the Class and event websites:
www.farr40.org (Farr 40 Class Association)
www.farr40.net (European Class Association)
www.sardegnaeuropfarr40.it (Event)

Ericsson Boats Top The Volvo Ocean Race Podium in Boston

Ericsson Racing Team continued its dominance of the Volvo Ocean Race today when Torben Grael/BRA/Ericsson 4 and Magnus Olsson/SWE/Ericsson 3 finished first and second on leg six from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Boston, USA.
Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael (BRA) finish first on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston, crossing the finish line at 21:05:10 GMT 26/04/09
phot credit: Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race.
The two Ericsson teams shared the same top two positions on the previous leg from Qingdao in China to Rio, but in that case, Ericsson 3 came out on top.
Today, Ericsson 4 crossed the finish at 2105 GMT (1605 local) recording an elapsed time of 15 days, 10 hours 30 minutes and 54 seconds.
Skipper Torben Grael said: “It feels fantastic. I think we had a very good leg. We were always very close to the other boats.
Ericsson 3, skippered by Magnus Olsson (SWE) finish second on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
“I think it was very important when we gybed a few days ago. After that, there were not many options. We just managed to keep the front, which was not easy.
“Even here at the end, when it looked like it was OK, the wind was very light with sea breeze fighting the land breeze. It was a very hard job, but a very good result for us. It couldn’t be better. It’s one more step towards our objective. Normally, regattas in the United States give me luck. This is another one of them.”
British navigator Jules Salter added, “It was very hard work, probably the hardest, but we had a lot of luck to get this win. People talk about strategy and reading books, but I think it comes down to luck. We knew our sails and our crew work was good, but it was never certain until we were over the finish. I’ve had 30 minutes sleep in the past day. Really, the whole leg has been a bit like that.”
Telefonica Blue, skippered by Bouwe Bekking (NED) finish third on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston, crossing the finish line at 21:23:02 GMT 26/04/09
photo credit: Dave Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race
A fearsome battle played out in the closing stages of the leg to decide the points for second place, which culminated in Ericsson 3 taking second, finishing at 2117 GMT, just over five minutes ahead of Telefónica Blue (2123 GMT), after 4,900 nm and nearly 16 days of ocean racing. It was a particularly remarkable achievement for Ericsson 3, whose skipper Magnus Olsson was washed into the steering pedestal on day six, 16 April, and was nursing a bruised back.
“Of course we are really happy,” said the skipper when he stepped ashore. “My back is not too bad, the pain at the beginning was a lot, but my crew did all the work. Telefónica Blue was coming in from behind and we kept watch on them. We have all had our problems and Ericsson 4 didn’t have a watermaker, but we wouldn’t have beaten them, but maybe next time,” he added.
PUMA Ocean Racing arrive into their home port of Boston as they finish Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, crossing the line at 23:12:42 GMT (19:12:42 local), finishing the leg in 4th place.
photo credit: Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race
A relieved Bouwe Bekking said on finishing third: “We had a really good come back after two horrible days. Passing PUMA and nearly catching Ericsson 3 was great. It has been fantastic and it is really nice to be back here. We have had some shocking times, but we have come back to a real high”.
Scoring 3.5 points for second place at the scoring gate of Fernando de Noronha and eight points for a leg win, Ericsson 4 extends her overall lead to 77.5 points. Telefónica Blue moves up to second overall with 64.5 points, only half a point ahead of PUMA provided she finishes in her current position of fourth. Ericsson 3 has a total of 53 points, which is good enough for fourth place on the overall leaderboard.

Overall Leaderboard (Provisional)
1. Ericsson 4 (Torben Grael/BRA) 77.5 points (FINISHED)
2. Telefónica Blue (Bouwe Bekking/NED) 64.5 points (FINISHED)
3. PUMA (Ken Read/USA) 59.0 points (FINISHED)
4. Ericsson 3 (Magnus Olsson/SWE) 53.0 points (FINISHED)
5. Green Dragon (Ian Walker/GBR) 42.0 points (RACING)
6. Telefónica Black (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) 25.0 points (RACING)
7. Delta Lloyd (Roberto Bérmudez/ESP) 18.0 points (RACING)
8. Team Russia 10.5 points (DNS)

Tense Time For Telefónica Blue

photo credit: Gustav Morin/Ericsson 3/Volvo Ocean Race
Ericsson 3 with 25 degrees celsius in the air, the same in water, and 10-15 knots of wind, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
The bleeding should have stopped by now. Telefónica Blue should be in good breeze and her margin increased to a safer distance from the hounds that are on her tail. She should have been looking ahead to a clear win in Boston.
However, nothing has gone according to plan. The Weather Gods are not playing fairly and Ericsson 4 is continuing to close. She has the bit between her teeth with Ericsson 3 equally focussed, but four miles behind. The gap is now a worrying 22 miles and there is only 1273 nm of runway left for Telefónica Blue to the finish in Boston.
photo credit: Guy Salter/Ericsson 4/Volvo Ocean Race
Ericsson 4 at sunset, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
In a radio interview today, the skipper of Ericsson 4, overall race leader, Torben Grael, said, “Slowly but surely, we are eating into Telefónica Blue’s lead, and the race is now much more open. At the same time, we are having a good fight with Ericsson 3 and PUMA for second place. We are always within five to 10 miles of each other. We are all giving it our utmost to try to get that second spot. The position we have in the fleet obviously influences the mood on board, but it’s part of ocean sailing to concentrate at all times to do a good job and to have patience when things don’t go so well. “
Ahead, the weather is due to change. According to race meteorologist Jennifer Lilly, low pressure has been moving slowly over the east coat this week, leaving wet and cool conditions for the shore teams in Boston. This same low will move off the coast tomorrow and will pass over the fleet sometime on Friday giving gusty winds and squalls. If the fleet is near the Gulf Stream, it will cause rapidly building seas.
photo credit: Guo Chuan/Green Dragon Racing/Volvo Ocean Race
Green Dragon, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
According to Grael, this will mean a tack onto port, the first time since the fleet passed Cabo Frio at the start of the leg near Rio de Janeiro. “The poor boat has been on starboard tack the whole time! We will then have different wind, which will bring us some new opportunities.”
Speeds are high across the whole fleet, which routing software is predicting will finish in Boston on Sunday afternoon. Although the two Ericsson boats are still sailing a knot faster and recorded a 24-hour run of 419 against Telefónica Blue’s 410nm, the blue boat is still holding her own against the rest of the fleet.
“This race is hard. The boats are so similar in speed, between 5-10 miles of separation since Fernando de Noronha with two other boats, and that is very hard work,” concluded Grael.

Leg Six Day 12: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)
1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 1,273 nm
2. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +22nm
3. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +26nm
4. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +42 nm
5. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +65nm
6. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +70 nm
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +116 nm
8. Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

Sailing Caribbean Style

photo credit: Rick Deppe/PUMA Ocean Racing/Volvo Ocean Race
PUMA Ocean Racing, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston.
It’s hell for Telefónica Blue today as they see their triple-figure lead whittled down to a miserable 30nm, but it’s heaven for the chasing pack who are still romping along and enjoying the sailing, Caribbean style. But, the time will come when they too sail into the lighter conditions that Telefónica Blue is currently experiencing.
“We have been on the receiving end now for roughly 36 hours, losing mile after mile, which is part of the game. I don’t think it will stop for at least another 20 hours, as then, finally, the others will hit the wall as well,” explained the blue boat’s skipper, Bouwe Bekking.
Telefónica Blue is now on the same latitude as the Caribbean Island of St Martin, and ‘Caribbean sailing’ is what today is all about.
photo credit: Guo Chuan/Green Dragon Racing/Volvo Ocean Race
Green Dragon with the sunset lighting up the sea, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
“No more goggles, helmets and full foul weather gear, just Caribbean style shorts and t-shirts,” says Wouter Verbraak, Delta Lloyd’s navigator. “Add a barbeque on the back, a nice chilled bottle of white wine and some fresh yellow fin tuna and we could be cruising along just nicely,” he says.
The reality is that there no time to attend to the barbeque, no hands free to hold their plates and glasses of wine, and the heel of the boat would have things sliding through the cockpit in no time. “It would be a big mess,” says Wouter.
For Shannon Falcone on PUMA, the Caribbean Island of Antigua is his home and he chose this morning to celebrate the passing of the island by offering a drop of Rum to the five crew on deck at the time.
photo credit: Gustav Morin/Ericsson 3/Volvo Ocean Race
Ericsson 3 going strong, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
“Do some research into the long relationship between sailors and Rum, especially here in the Caribbean,” says PUMA’s MCM Rick Deppe, who added that the one mini-bar sized bottle shared among five probably amounted to about the same amount of alcohol as a teaspoon of cough medicine. “It sure does warm the throat though,” he added.
Onboard Telefónica Black, the crew has been taking advantage of the Caribbean conditions by drying out their clothes and having a proper body wash.
“What a relief after collecting many layers of sweat and salt,” says navigator Roger Nilson who has been tempted out of his navigation station and up on deck by the lack of spray. “We use the excess water outlet from the water maker as it functions as the perfect shower in the middle of the cockpit,” explained the newly clean navigator.
Still struggling at the back of the fleet is Green Dragon and skipper Ian Walker says that the current conditions sadly make for tactically very boring sailing. “You can only really play with some subtle angle changes or sail selection,” he says. The team desperately needs something to change in the weather to give them some opportunities. “I just hope we are close enough to capitalise on any mistakes made by those ahead,” Walker said.
photo credit: Sander Pluijm/Team Delta Lloyd/Volvo Ocean Race
Delta Lloyd going strong with 23 knots in 20 knots of breeze, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
Delta Lloyd claims the highest 24-hour run today, of 393 nm. She has also averaged the highest speed over the last three hours, swishing along at approximately 16.5 knots, while Telefónica Blue is only averaging 14.8. Thirty miles astern, Ericsson 4 has also slowed, while just four miles further back, Ericsson 3 and the rest of the fleet still has good breeze.
Bekking says the remainder of leg six could be relatively quick and he is hoping for a finish on Sunday during daylight, which would, of course, be an excellent way to start the Boston stopover.

Leg Six Day 11: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)
1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 1,683 nm
2. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +30 nm
3. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +34 nm
4. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +42 nm
5. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +61nm
6. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +62 nm
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +95 nm
8. Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

In search for pressure! Racing in the second day of the Semaine Olympique Française got back to schedule with extra races sailed in all classes.

Despite the rain, the Easterly wind reaching a maximum of 15 knots allowed racing to start on time. It wasn’t easy sailing with clouds creating uneven pressure in the racing area requiring the sailors to stay focused.

Δείτε τα αποτελέσματα ανά κατηγορία:

• 470 ανδρών
• 470 γυναικών
  
• Laser
  
• Laser Radial
  
• Star
• Finn
• RS:X ανδρών
• RS:X γυναικών
• 49er
• 2.4mR

official website: http://sof.ffvoile.net/

O ΑΤΤΙΚΟΣ ΝΑΥΤΙΚΟΣ ΟΜΙΛΟΣ ΙΣΤΙΟΠΛΟΐΑΣ ΑΝΟΙΚΤΗΣ ΘΑΛΑΣΣΗΣ σε συνεργασία με τον ΝΑΥΤΙΚΟ ΟΜΙΛΟ ΠΑΛΑΙΟΥ ΦΑΛΗΡΟΥ με την υποστήριξη των χορηγών του, διοργανώνει ιστιοπλοϊκό αγώνα Ανοιχτής Θαλάσσης το Σάββατο 25 Απριλίου 2009 στη μνήμη του Λάκη Κυριακίδη.
Ο Λάκης Κυριακίδης γεννήθηκε το 1942 στην Αθήνα. Ασχολήθηκε με την κωπηλασία από πολύ μικρή ηλικία αλλά αυτό που τον κέρδισε ήταν η ιστιοπλοΐα. Μία και μόνο αναγνωριστική βόλτα ήταν αρκετή για να στραφεί και να αφιερωθεί αποκλειστικά και μόνο στην ιστιοπλοΐα.
Ασχολήθηκε με το άθλημα της ιστιοπλοΐας από το 1953. Υπήρξε μέλος της Εθνικής Ομάδος επί εικοσαετία, σε σκάφη τύπου Flying Dutchman, 3 φορές Βαλκανιονίκης και έλαβε μέρος στις Ολυμπιάδες της Ρώμης (1960) και του Μεξικού (1968). Ήταν sailing master του σκάφους «ΙΒΑΝΟΗΣ» επί δεκαετία.
Διετέλεσε Ομοσπονδιακός Προπονητής της Εθνικής Ομάδος την περίοδο 1977 - 1982. Ήταν διευθυντής του τμήματος Ιστιοπλοΐας Ανοικτής Θαλάσσης του Ναυτικού Ομίλου Βουλιαγμένης από το 1979 μέχρι 1997, στην οποία και δίδασκε. Ήταν έγγαμος με την Νίτσα Κυριακίδη και πατέρας τριών παιδιών.
Σε όλη του την διδασκαλική ιστιοπλοϊκή του καριέρα πέρασαν από τα σκάφη του περισσότεροι από 6.000 μαθητές.
Προκήρυξη

Fast Miles To Boston The halfway point on leg six of the Volvo Ocean Race has been reached and long-term leader, Telefónica Blue is in the enviable position of being able to watch the battle unfold over 100 miles behind them.

“We have been keeping pace with the guys behind which gives us some comfort, although we are still pushing hard to maintain our position,” noted helmsman Simon Fisher.
Telefónica Blue is at the same latitude as the island of Trinidad, but 1000 nm to the east and 1100 nm from the Caribbean island of Antigua. Behind them, the closest racing is between Ericsson 3, now in third place, just holding off Ericsson 4 who is a mile behind, and PUMA who is three miles behind. Thirty-three miles back, Telefónica Black and Delta Lloyd are also engaged in combat with just eight miles separating the two, while Green Dragon is threatening, just two miles behind.
During the last three hours, the chasing pack has been averaging approximately a knot faster than Telefónica Blue has and it is PUMA who has covered the furthest distance since 1300 GMT yesterday, sailing 486 nm.
PUMA’s skipper, Kenny Read, describes the sailing as beautiful but wet, reaching in 18 – 20 knots of wind in the northeast trades, a band of wind about as predictable as any in the world. According to Kenny, it leads to a different style of sailing. “Not the ‘sail-changing world championships’ we have bad over the past week, this is more the ‘throw up all the rag you can and hold on’ style of sailing,” he says.
Ericsson 3 has made some gains on the fleet in the last 24 hours, moving up to second place. “We even gained on Ericsson 4, something almost unheard of,” explained navigator Aksel Magdahl. “We know what sails to use and have set the boat up nicely. We also have very strong helmsmen and trimmers, who can tweak a few tenths of a knot extra out of the boat,” he explained.

Scoring Gate Results Fernando de Noronha
1. Telefónica Blue 19:58:56 GMT 16.04.09 4 Points
2. Ericsson 4 22:55:36 GMT 16.04.09 3.5 Points
3. Delta Lloyd 23:28:32 GMT 16.04.09 3 Points
4. Puma 23:29:31 GMT 16.04.09 2.5 Points
5. Telefónica Black 23:42:20 GMT 16.04.09 2 Points
6. Ericsson 3 00:14:28 GMT 17.04.09 1.5 Points
7. Green Dragon 01:27:26 GMT 17.04.09 1 Point

Leg Six Day 9: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)
1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 2,449 nm
2. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +104 nm
3. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +105 nm
4. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +107 nm
5. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +140 nm
6. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +148 nm
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +150 nm
8. Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

ΚΑΛΟ ΠΑΣΧΑ ΣΕ ΟΛΟΥΣ ΝΑ ΠΕΡΑΣΕΤΕ ΚΑΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΝΑ ΠΡΟΣΕΧΟΥΜΕ ΣΤΟΥΣ ΔΡΟΜΟΥΣ ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΓΥΡΙΣΟΥΜΕ ΟΛΟΙ ... ΟΚ?

ΠΑΝΤΩΣ, ΑΝ ΘΕΛΕΤΕ ΝΑ ΕΧΕΤΕ ΤΟ ΚΕΦΑΛΙ ΣΑΣ ΗΣΥΧΟ ΜΗΝ ΠΑΡΕΤΕ ΤΟ ΑΥΤΟΚΙΝΗΤΟ ΣΑΣ, ΠΗΓΑΙΝΤΕ ΔΙΑΚΟΠΕΣ ΜΕ ΣΚΑΦΟΣ, ΚΑΙ ΦΘΗΝΟΤΕΡΑ ΚΑΙ ΑΣΦΑΛΕΣΤΕΡΑ!!!

Volvo Ocean Race Positions
Leg Six Day 5
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)
1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 3,948 nm
2. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +7
3. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +12
4. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +18
5. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +24
6. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +24
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +36
8. Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

Champagne Sailing? Definitely Not!

Today at 1300 GMT, Bouwe Bekking and his team on Telefónica Blue held the lead from Ericsson 4 by eight miles. Still sticking the offshore side of the course, Bekking was 270 nm from the Itabuna lighthouse on the Brazilian coast.
photo credit: Gabriele Olivo/Telefonica Blue/Volvo Ocean Race
Pepe Ribes repairing a small hole in the sheet, onboard Telefonica Blue, on leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race, from Rio de Janeiro to Boston
“We want to be on the right hand side of the course,” said Bekking in a radio interview this afternoon. “We are making some gains now,” he said. Bekking is expecting very mixed conditions in the light breeze over the next 48 hours, which he says will be very tricky. The fleet is currently hard on the wind.
Following faithfully in the wake of Telefónica Blue were Delta Lloyd, just slightly to the east, Telefónica Black directly in her sistership’s wake, and Green Dragon, the furthest west of this bunch. Fourteen miles east of this pack are the two Ericsson boats and their long-term friend, PUMA.
Now thoroughly into the south easterly trade winds, the fleet should be enjoying a fast transition to the scoring gate at Fernando de Noronha, 700 nm to the north, but instead, the trade winds are not living up to their reputation. In fact, champagne sailing this most certainly is not.
Wouter Verbraak, the Dutch navigator of Delta Lloyd in third place reports winds varying from seven to 18 knots with a wind direction from almost everywhere. To make this even more difficult, clouds have appeared. Some are windy, some are big, some are small, and some have no wind at all. This has meant the crews have had to change sails on a constant basis. Although Verbraak says that using their furling masthead code zero sail has made sail changing in the squalls more palatable. Verbraak’s strategy is to stay with the easterly route, as he believes there are less squalls and better wind further away from the shore.
For Fernando Echávarri’s Telefónica Black, the leader in the initial stages, hope has changed into temporary frustration. “What next?” questions their navigator Roger Nilson. “We are just looking for new chances to be the over-taker instead of the over-taken,” he said.
While the crews struggle under the influence of the clouds, the end of this edition of the Volvo Ocean Race is looming. Rick Deppe, MCM onboard PUMA say’s he is amazed at the way the race has changed his sense of time and distance.
“Capey (navigator Andrew Cape) and I were idly chatting this morning about the way we can just walk down the dock, throw some gear on the boat and set off on a 5000 mile leg with very little fuss. Of course, we want to do well in the race, and we must be sure that everything is taken care of in our own particular area, but pretty much, we take this leg on as though we were going out on an overnight trip. Most of all, you become patient… 750 miles to the gate, then another 300 to the finish. No biggy, we’ll get there.” Others are not counting off the miles and Ericsson 3’s skipper Magnus Olsson, doesn’t want the race to finish at all. This morning his crew mentioned that it is only approximately two months until the race arrives in Stockholm, the home city of Ericsson. Magnus instantly changed from the smiling skipper the crew are used to, and became very serious. “I know,” he said. “It feels tragic. I don’t want to think about it. Can’t we just continue and make another lap straight away,” he said.

Leg Six Day 4: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions (boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish) 1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 4232 nm
2. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +8
3. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +14
4. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +20
5. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +21
6. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +25
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +32
8. Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

One month left to prepare for the first regatta of the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit

Five regattas on the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit means that each single regatta this season is more important, leaving less opportunity for crews to learn, change and optimise on the race course. With just four weeks left to the first regatta of the season, the curtain raiser that is the City of Alicante Trophy, TP52 and GP42 is coming up fast on the horizon.
For teams who have to complete the preparation of their new boats, time will slip away quickly. The new Matador, having been built in Spain for Alberto Roemmers’ Argentinian team, will race this week at the Palma Vela regatta in Mallorca where three or four Audi MedCup TP52’s will compete as an important part of their build up to Alicante. So too John Cook’s Palma based Cristabella and both of the Russian boats Valars 3 (ex Mean Machine, Podolsky Kirill) and Synergy (ex USA 17) be competing at the big start of season regatta.
Time will be short for the two Cookson New Zealand built boats Artemis (Torbjorn Tornqvist, SWE) and Emirates Team New Zealand’s first TP52 which are due to come off the ship in Valencia during the first couple of days in May (Spanish holidays permitting!). Thereafter the following weekend in Valencia a number of boats are expected to train and practise race, before a final work up off Alicante.
2008 Audi MedCup Champion Quantum Racing has been training and tuning recently and has been optimised through the winter months too:
“We"ve developed the aero optimization and sail development and introduced changes to the deck detailing and layouts as well as modifications to the structures to further improve the boats dynamic behaviour.” Confirms Shaun Carkeek of designers Botin Carkeek.
Jose Cusi’s 2008 Audi MedCup runner up Bribon was also due to be in action at the weekend and this week, but not racing on her native Palma waters.
“We had not really planned it until we realised that we have a good opportunity with so many of the Bribon crew here to race at Palma Vela and a number are based here anyway and so it is a good opportunity.” Says Ignacio Triay, Bribon’s project manager.
Eleven TP52’s and six GP42’s seems likely to be the entry for the City of Alicante Trophy regatta, but both Triay, and the TP52’s class manager Rob Weiland confirm there is still a promising level of interest and activity from all around the world for possible charters for TP52’s for single and two or three Audi MedCup regattas this season.
“I think we might yet still see the same size of fleet at some regattas this season as we had last season which is quite encouraging. There is interest from several different countries which is very encouraging.” Comments Rob Weiland, TP52 Class Manager, who helps match potential charters to existing, available boats.
Racing at the City of Alicante Trophy starts with the Practise Race on Tuesday 12th May, thereafter racing for the TP52 Series points starts on Wednesday 13th May and the GP42 Series points racing starts on Thursday 14th after a Practise Race Wednesday.
The Audi MedCup Circuit is the world’s leading regatta circuit. In 2009 the GP42 fleet will share the limelight on the race course with the TP52s.
The Circuit is made up of five events that take place over five months in four countries over southern Europe.
City of Alicante Trophy, 12 – 17 May
City of Marseille Trophy, 9 – 14 June
Autonomous Region of Sardinia Trophy, 20 – 25 July
Portugal Trophy, 18 – 23 August
Region of Murcia Trophy, 14 - 19 September

Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)

1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 4554 nm
2. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +13
3. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +16
4. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +17
5. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +8
6. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +7
7. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +2
8. Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS

Telefónica Black Evacuates Injured Crewman

After leading the fleet out of the Guanabara Bay at the start of Volvo Ocean Race leg six in Rio yesterday, Fernando Echávarri’s bowman, Mike Pammenter from South Africa, had to be taken off the racing yacht by a support boat after injuring his ankle.
Although not broken, the injury to his ankle was serious enough to warrant the evacuation of Pammenter from the boat in order that his ankle would have time to heal fully ahead of the trans-Atlantic leg to Galway from Boston in May. Pammenter is very disappointed. “I feel sorry for the guys, I feel I have let them down,” he said.
The accident happened before the top mark as the fleet left Rio yesterday when, during a manoeuvre, Pammenter’s foot became entangled in the genoa sheet, which then flicked him into the mast.
Meanwhile, out on the race track, the fleet of seven has been trying to make the best of the very light airs, creeping within one mile of the shore. The breeze has stayed around three to four knots from the north and the keeping close to the shore offers the possibility of more land breeze. “The latest seven day forecast does not look promising,” noted Roger Nilson, the Swedish navigator onboard Telefónica Black.
Not even a hundred miles have been chalked up since the start yesterday and at 1300 GMT today, the boats were all still within 10 miles of each other. Boats speeds are a miserable three knots at best – for Telefónica Blue, which is in the lead and 0.5 for Delta Lloyd, which is bringing up the rear. Green Dragon is in second place just two miles behind the blue bloat. PUMA is still in third place with Ericsson 4 on her hip. A mile back is Ericsson 3.
The whole fleet, except Delta Lloyd has passed the headland of Cabo Frio. Delta Lloyd is just 0.7nm off the southern tip.
Leg Six Day 2: 1300 GMT Volvo Ocean Race Positions
(boat name/country/skipper/nationality/distance to finish)
1. Telefónica Blue ESP (Bouwe Bekking/NED) DTF 4806 nm
2. Green Dragon IRL/CHN (Ian Walker/GBR) +2
3. PUMA Racing Team USA (Ken Read/USA) +5
4. Ericsson 4 SWE (Torben Grael/BRA) +5
5. Ericsson 3 SWE (Magnus Olsson/SWE) +6
6. Telefónica Black ESP (Fernando Echávarri/ESP) +7
7. Delta Lloyd IRL (Roberto Bermúdez/ESP) +10
Team Russia RUS (Andreas Hanakamp/AUT) DNS
www.volvooceanrace.org

The wind filled in, the sails stretched out and the fleet waved goodbye to Rio. Once again the city has taken the event to its heart, with provisional figures showing that 84,000 people passed through the race village doors between March 20 and now.

In fact, so keen were the locals, they barely let the sailors go. Torben Grael, the home favourite, was mobbed everywhere he went on his final day. He was brought to a halt by a swarm of autograph hunters as he made his way to the dock this afternoon, and then photographed incessantly by press and public.
A couple of television teams and a smattering of reporters then formed a not-so-orderly queue and collected his thoughts. In all, there were 207 references to the race in 42 print publications in Brazil, and it's a fair shout that the majority focused on the man with five Olympic medals. By the time he finally got onboard, his name was being chanted by areas of the crowd. And when the race started a flotilla of spectators, counted in their hundreds, followed his every move. I
f they were a hindrance, Grael's waving and smiling did little to dissuade them. On the land, people crammed the shoreline to see what the fuss was about. Some went to greater extremes than others, not least the 50 or so people that climbed onto the steep face of Sugarloaf Mountain for a better view.
They would have been pleased to see Grael and Ericsson 4 sneak past Telefonica Black to claim the lead shortly after a lap of Guanabara Bay. Thereafter, the fleet disappeared from view, destined for Boston some 4,900 miles away.
It remains to be seen if Grael can claim his first offshore win since leg two, but if he doesn't it will not be for a lack of support.

Perfect Ending for Third ISAF World Cup Event

The Princesa Sofia Mapfre Trophy, 3rd event in the ISAF Sailing World Cup, concluded with intense racing in the Medal Race staging the best top ten sailors in each class. The double points, non discardable Medal races' scores have been determinant to decide the events winners and added some valuable points to the ISAF World Cup standings. The winner in each class is scoring 20 points, the second 19 points and so on until the 20th position who gives a single point.
Bianca Manchon has made the most of the Spanish event, winning six races in the women RS:X, including the Medal race. She adds 20 points to her impressive ISAF Sailing World Cup score now at 58 points. Manchon will be also awarded the "Absolute Winner" prize tonight by Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain. This traditional prize recognised the achievements of the winner with the best results across all classes.
The 40 Princesa Sofia Mapfre Trophy concludes with the prestigious prize giving ceremony in presence of the Spanish Royal family, regatta patron.
The event has been highly publicised this year with free TV footage available daily, and tracking system for the Medal race on 4 classes.
The sailors will head tonight for Hyeres in the south of France, stage of the fourth ISAF Sailing World Cup event.

Results Final top three:
2.4mR
1. Thierry Schmitter, NED, 13 points
2. Andre Rademaker, NED, 17
3. Helena Lucas, GBR, 25
470 Men
1. Nicolas Charbonnier / Baptiste Meyer, FRA, 29
2. Gideon Kliger / Udi Gal, ISR, 58
3. Anton Dahlberg / Sebastian Ostling, SWE, 64
470 Women
1. Sylvia Vogl / Carolina Flatscher, AUT, 41
2. Tara Pacheco / Berta Betanzos, ESP, 43
3. Ingrid Petitjean / Nadege Douroux, FRA, 43
Finn
1. Giles Scott, GBR, 26
2. Ed Wright, GBR, 29
3. Andrew Mills, GBR, 32
RS:X Men
1. Dorian van Rijsselberge, NED, 21
3. Ricardo Santos, BRA, 31
3. Nick Dempsey, GBR, 37
RS:X Women
1. Blanca Manchon, ESP, 12
2. Marina Alabau, ESP, 26
3. Flavia Tartaglini, ITA, 33
49er
1. Pietro Sibello-Gianfranco Sibello, ITA, 43
2. John Pink / Rick Peacock, GBR, 52
3. Dave Evans / Simon Hiscocks, GBR, 85
Laser
1. Nick Thompson, GBR, 58
2. Mike Bullot, NZL, 64
3. Tonci Stipanovic, CRO, 69
Laser Radial
1. Paige Railey, USA, 57
2. Susana Romero, ESP, 57
3. Veronika Fenclova, CZE, 60
Star
1. Robert Stanjek / Markus Koy, GER, 23
2. Emilios Papathanasiou / Apostolos Karnoutsos, GRE, 30
3. Diego Negri / Luca Devoti, ITA, 33

www.trofeoprincesasofia-mapfre.org

Perfect Conditions For Medal Race Selections
Μετά από τις ταλαιπωρίες της άπνοιας και της βροχής επιτέλους φύσηξε καλά και έγιναν και οι υπόλοιπες κούρσες του αγώνα.

Στα 470 οι Μάντης-Καγιαλής, αφού βρήκαν λίγο παραπάνω αέρα που από ότι φαίνεται τους αρέσει, κατάφεραν με πολύ καλές θέσεις να βρεθούν στη δεύτερη θέση της κατάταξης.
Συγχαρητήρια λοιπόν στα παιδιά και αναμένουμε με ενδιαφέρον την συνέχεια... (και ας τους απόκλεισαν από το Greek Challenge... έτερον εκάτερον)
Ένας πρώην φινίστας στον πρώτο του επίσημο αγώνα στα Star κατάφερε να βρεθεί στη πρώτη θέση. Ποιος άλλος; Ο Αιμίλιος Παπαθανασίου με πλήρωμα τον πρώην προπονητήτη του, Ακη Καρνούτσο, είναι στην πρώτη θέση της κατάταξης ενώ απομένει μια κούρσα ακόμα, περιμένουμε...
Στις λοιπές κατηγορίες είχαμε ελληνικές συμμετοχές αλλά δεν καταφεράμε να βρεθούμε μέσα στις πρώτες θέσεις.

Results:
2.4mR (FINAL) 1. Thierry Schmitter, NED (13pts)
2. Andre Rademaker, NED (17pts)
3. Helena Lucas, GBR (25pts)
49er (after 10 races)
1. Pietro Sibello-Gianfranco Sibello, ITA (35pts)
2. John Pink-Rick Peacock, GBR (46pts)
3. Dave Evans-Simon Hiscocks (67pts)
Finn (after 7 races)
1. Giles Scott, GBR (18pts)
3. Andrew Mills (26pts)
3. Ed Wright, GBR (27pts)
RS:X Men (after 8 races)
1. Dorian van Rijsselberge, NED (15pts)
2. Fabian Heidegger, ITA (24pts)
3. Ricardo Santos, BRA (27pts)
470 Men (after 8 races)
1. Nicolas Charbonnier-Baptiste Meyer, FRA (20pts)
2. Panagiotis Mantis-Pavloa Kagialis, GRE (47pts)
3. Gideon Kliger-Udi Gal, ISR (50pts)
470 Women (after 9 races)
1. Ingrid Petitjean-Nadege Douroux, FRA (23pts)
2. Sylvia Vogl-Carolina Flatscher, AUT (31pts)
3. Tara Pacheco-Berta Betanzos, ESP (38pts)
RS:X Women (after 8 races)
1. Blanca Manchon, ESP (10pts)
2. Marina Alabau, ESP (20pts)
3. Flavia Tartaglini, ITA (23pts)
Laser (after 8 races)
1. Nick Thompson, GBR (40pts)
2. Daniel Mihelic, CRO (52pts)
3. Mike Bullot, NZL (58pts)
Laser Radial (after 8 races)
1. Susana Romero, ESP (23pts)
2. Paige Railey, USA (17pts)
3. Veronika Fenclova, CZE (46pts)
Αναλύτικά τα αποτελέσματα μπορείτε να τα δείτε εδώ.

Δελτίο Τύπου
Πέμπτη, 9 Απριλίου 2009
Η Διοίκηση του GREEK CHALLENGE ανακοινώνει την απόφασή της περί αποκλεισμού των αθλητών Τσουλφά, Μάντη και Καγιαλή από το 33ο και 34ο America’s Cup. Η απόφαση για τον αποκλεισμό των αθλητών Μάντη και Καγιαλή είχε ληφθεί στη Νέα Ζηλανδία κατόπιν σύμφωνης γνώμης με τον αρχηγό της Ομάδας Θανάση Παχούμα λόγω της αδικαιολόγητης απουσίας τους από τη συγκέντρωση της ομάδας στις 26/02/2009, όταν κλήθηκαν να αντικαταστήσουν συναθλητή τους. Τα δύο αυτά μέλη επίσης δεν εκπλήρωσαν συμβατικές τους υποχρεώσεις για την τήρηση εμπιστευτικότητας και δυσφήμισαν την ομάδα μας, κυρίως μέσα από τον ισχυρισμό τους ότι δήθεν η διοίκηση του GREEK CHALLENGE δεν εκπληρώνει τις οικονομικές υποχρεώσεις της. Δηλώνουμε κατηγορηματικά ότι οι συγκεκριμένοι αθλητές όχι μόνον έλαβαν αυτά που προέβλεπε η σύμβασή τους, αλλά τους δόθηκε και έξτρα «πριμ» συμμετοχής. Κι αυτό ενώ συνέτρεχαν οι προϋποθέσεις σύμφωνα με τις οποίες θα έπρεπε να αποζημιώσουν την ομάδα μας λόγω παράβασης συμβατικών τους υποχρεώσεων. Όσον αφορά τον αθλητή Τσουλφά, η στάση του κατά τη διάρκεια της συνέντευξης τύπου την 5/03/2009 καταδεικνύει έλλειψη σεβασμού προς τους συναθλητές του και τους παρευρισκόμενους.
Οι κ.κ. Τσουλφάς και Μάντης προσκλήθηκαν στη Νέα Ζηλανδία ξέροντας ότι δεν θα αγωνιστούν λόγω της απειρίας τους σε τέτοιο τύπο σκαφών και η συμμετοχή τους είχε εκπαιδευτικό χαρακτήρα.
Και οι δύο τους προπονήθηκαν δύο φορές μόνον και πήραν μέρος σε έναν αγώνα με ευθύνη του skipper και C.E.O. της ομάδας. Τούτο μάλιστα ο μεν κ. Τσουλφάς ως Helmsman κανοντάς τον τον πρώτο Έλληνα που τιμόνεψε σκάφος America’s Cup σε αγώνα, ο δε κ. Μάντης ως 18ο άτομο.
Η ομάδα δεν ευθύνεται εάν αυτοί οι αθλητές δεν βρήκαν τη θέση τους μέσα σε αυτή, αντιθέτως η ομάδα τους έδωσε μία ευκαιρία, ξοδεύοντας περίπου 25 χιλιάδες Ευρώ για καθένα απ’ αυτούς τους αθλητές, προκειμένου να συλλέξουν εμπειρίες. Παρ’ όλα αυτά, και επειδή η καλή μας θέληση και πίστη μπορεί να εκληφθεί ως αδυναμία, έχει δοθεί εντολή στο νομικό τμήμα της εταιρείας να ληφθούν
όλα τα αναγκαία μέτρα για την προστασία της φήμης του GREEK CHALLENGE και όλων όσοι αποτελούν πραγματικά μέρος της προσπάθειας αυτής, προκειμένου να απομονωθούν φαινόμενα που επιχειρούν να πλήξουν τη συνοχή της ομάδας και να μας αποσπάσουν από το στόχο μας.
Ο σκοπός μας ήταν και είναι η συμμετοχή της Ελλάδας στο America’s Cup και δεν θα αφήσουμε καμία ατυχή συμπεριφορά να μας αποσπάσει τη προσοχή. Οι ερχόμενες εβδομάδες είναι πολύ σημαντικές και το GC θα σας ενημερώνει για τις εξελίξεις μέσω της ιστοσελίδας μας και δελτίων τύπου.

GREEK CHALLENGE
“Sail with your heart…win with your mind”

7 Απριλίου 2009

Όταν οι Πρωτομαγιάτικες Μονομαχίες συνάντησαν την Murphy & Nye
Με μεγάλη χαρά η Ελληνική κλάση Platu 25 μετονομάζει έναν από τους πιο σημαντικούς αγώνες της χρονιάς, τις θεαματικές Ιστιοπλοϊκές Μονομαχίες (Match Races), σε Murphy & Nye Platu 25 Match Race 2009, δίνοντας με αυτό τον τρόπο στην εταιρεία Murphy & Nye τον τίτλο του μεγάλου χορηγού της διοργάνωσης. Η νέα αυτή συνεργασία καλωσορίστηκε με ιδιαίτερη ικανοποίηση και από τις δύο πλευρές. Το ιστιοπλοϊκό αυτό γεγονός μέσω της πολύ σημαντικής χορηγίας προβάλλεται με τον καλύτερο δυνατό τρόπο αναδεικνύοντας ταυτόχρονα το κοινωνικό πρόσωπο της Murphy&Nye. Η διεθνώς καταξιωμένη μάρκα στο χώρο της ιστιοπλοΐας γνωρίζει ήδη αρκετά καλά το σκάφος Platu 25 καθώς εδώ και 5 χρόνια είναι αποκλειστικός χορηγός σε μία από τις πιο πετυχημένες ομάδες της κλάσης.
Τα Platu25 αποτελούν την μοναδική one design κλάση στην Ελλάδα που συνδυάζει την ιστιοπλοΐα τριγώνου και ανοιχτής θάλασσας και δίνει την ευκαιρία σε αθλητές όλων των επιπέδων και ηλικιών να συναγωνιστούν. Αποτελείται από 21 σκάφη, 150 μέλη συμπεριλαμβανομένων ολυμπιονικών, παγκόσμιων πρωταθλητών και καταξιωμένων διεθνώς ιστιοπλόων. Διοργανώνει καθ’όλη την διάρκεια της χρονιάς υψηλού επιπέδου αγώνες και έτσι κρατάει αμείωτο το ενδιαφέρον μελών και φιλάθλων.
Μετά από την ανάληψη της χορηγίας, όλοι οι συντελεστές εργάζονται για την διεξαγωγή της εκδήλωσης που θα πραγματοποιηθεί στον φυσικά διαμορφωμένο αμφιθεατρικό κόλπο της Βουλιαγμένης, σε συνεργασία με τον Ναυτικό Όμιλο Βουλιαγμένης από την 1-3 Μαΐου 2009. Μαζί με τους αγώνες πρόκειται να διοργανωθούν και σεμινάρια match race καθώς έχουν ήδη προσκαλεστεί διεθνείς κριτές που θα μεταδώσουν τις γνώσεις τους για τις ιδιαιτερότητες αυτού του είδους αγώνων. Το μοναδικό γεγονός αναμένεται να προσελκύσει πολλούς θεατές.
Για συνεχείς ενημερώσεις και νέα μπορείτε να επισκεφτείτε την ιστοσελίδα της κλάσης www.platu25.gr

Η Murphy & Nye είναι μια από τις παλιότερες και τις πιο καταξιωμένες μάρκες στο χώρο της ιστιοπλοΐας. Δημιουργήθηκε το 1933, όταν ο Jim Murphy και ο Harry Nye Jr ίδρυσαν τη Murphy & Nye Sailmakers στο Σικάγο. Μέσα σε λίγα χρόνια η εταιρεία είχε γίνει σήμα κατατεθέν στη διεθνή αγωνιστική ιστιοπλοΐα και έχει παραμείνει για πάνω από πενήντα χρόνια. Στις αρχές του 1950 από την Elston Avenue η Murphy & Nye έκανε το πρώτο της άνοιγμα στο χώρο της παγκόσμιας αγοράς ένδυσης
Χειροποίητα , με τις τεχνικές και τα υλικά που χρησιμοποιούνται στην ιστιοπλοΐα, αυτά τα πρώτα ρούχα ταίριαζαν απόλυτα σε έναν ιστιοπλόο. Έτσι καθιερώνεται σαν σαν ένα nautical sportwear brand με υψηλά standards και προδιαγραφές.

Σήμερα η Μ&Ν προσφέρει δυο ολοκληρωμένες συλλογές με total look χαρακτήρα.

M&N CREW: Αφοσιωμένη πάντα στην λειτουργικότητα της ένδυσης εντός του σκάφους και πλήρως εξοπλισμένη με υλικά, υφάσματα και τεχνογνωσία που κύριο σκοπό έχουν την αντοχή στις σκληρές συνθήκες και στις απαιτήσεις των αγώνων. Η εξειδικευμένη σειρά crew μεταφέρει την τελευταία λέξη της τεχνολογίας στον τομέα function & fashion ένδυσης για τον άνδρα και την γυναίκα.

Μ&Ν CASUAL : Βασική σειρά sailwear σχεδιασμένη καινοτόμα και νέα τεχνικά υλικά κρατώντας πάντα το sailing dna του brand όπου συμπληρώνεται με ρούχα που θα μπορούσαν να φορεθούν και εκτός σκάφους ανδρικά, γυναικεία και παιδικά παπούτσια και accessories.

Η αδιαπραγμάτευτη πάντα υψηλή ποιότητα, η τεχνογνωσία και η πρωτοπορία σε νέες ιδέες έχουν διατηρήσει την MURPHY & NYE στις πρώτες θέσεις των επωνύμων διαχρονικών προϊόντων της αγοράς

Αποκλειστικός Διανομέας για Ελλάδα, Κύπρο, Ρουμανία και Μολδαβία SIXTY HELLAS AE
Κεντρικά Γραφεία/ Administration: Ακομινάτου 50, 104 38 Αθήνα, 210 5231681

Αποκλειστικό κατάστημα Murphy & Nye : Αλωνίων 6 Κηφισιά, 210 8012060

Η Εθνική Αρχή (ΕΙΟ/ΕΑΘ) ανακοίνωσε τον κανονισμό αγώνων ανοιχτής θαλάσσης για το 2009.

Ο κανονισμός είναι αρκετά μικρότερος σε έκταση από αυτόν που ίσχυε τα προηγούμενα χρόνια και αναφέρεται σε όλους τους αγώνες που διοργανώνονται στην Ελλάδα, ανεξάρτητα από το σύστημα με το οποίο υπολογίζεται ο διορθωμένος χρόνος.

Δείτε το κείμενο του κανονισμού εδώ.

Three new, recently launched TP52's are firmly on schedule with their work-up to the first regatta of the 2009 Audi MedCup Circuit. Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis and Matador will race for first time in the City of Alicante Trophy (12-17 May) with their brand new TP52's.

The start of the season has always proven tough for crews getting to grips with new, relatively un-tried and tested boats. Often the advantage has lain with teams with proven TP52's that they know well from the previous season. But all three new boats have launched early and seem to be well up to speed with their build-up to the new Audi MedCup season.
In New Zealand, the Cookson Boats built duo Artemis (SWE), the Judel-Vrolijk design for 2007 MedCup Champion owner Torbjorn Tornqvist and Emirates Team New Zealand's Botin Carkeek design have been tuning and testing together on Waitemata Harbour last month before they go on a ship for Europe.
The third new boat is that of well known Argentine owner Alberto Roemmers. The new Matador was built by Argentine company King Marine near Valencia and was launched in mid March. Roemmers' previous Matador, also a Judel Vrolijk design, finished in third place on the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit.
Ignacio Triay, Audi MedCup Circuit Director, emphasises the importance of the three new designs: “There is a lot of expectation on those three new boats, especially the one from Emirates Team New Zealand, a team joining the Circuit for the first time with a very revolutionary design. In theory, we are talking about the three favourite teams this year, but I’m pretty sure those racing with 2007 and 2008 designs won’t make their life easy.”
New team, new boat Emirates Team New Zealand sailors have played leading roles on the MedCup Circuit since the first season. In 2006, the core team on Peter de Ridder's winning Mean Machine were from Emirates Team Zealand and indeed the second placed Warpath was steered by ETNZ's Louis Vuitton Cup winning skipper Dean Barker. This was not coincidental. It was part of the preparation strategy for Emirates Team New Zealand, strengthening the bonds and skills within the team sailing with, and against each other in a white hot fleet. Barker also steered José Cusi's Bribon, which is skippered by SM JuanCarlos, the King of Spain, to second place last season.
This is the first season that Emirates Team Zealand will race a TP52 in their own colours. They have taken all their learning from previous seasons and brought to bear a high level of their technological skills from their America's Cup programmes.
"The project involves the entire team: designers and engineers have been involved - Marcelino Botin, the team's principal designer, Giovanni Belgrano, principal composites engineer, Burns Fallow sails design, Martin McElwee, rig design." Highlights Emirates Team New Zealand's Grant Dalton. "The sailing team has been heavily involved in deck layout and the detail that can make all the difference when racing."
"It is always exciting to launch a new boat. A huge amount of man hours are required to tick all the boxes. I feel Marcelino desiged a great boat in Quantum last year and this boat is a clear evolution of that family. We have had a lot of input from ETNZ sailors and designers and now we look forward to seeing how she performs." Explains Emirates Team New Zealand's Ray Davies.
Over the back end of March the ETNZ TP52 and the new Artemis - the tenth TP52 built by Cookson, who built the 2007 champion Artemis - were working up together on the waters off Auckland. In previous years, initial sea trials have been limited to a few isolated days for New Zealand built boats but the new pair have enjoyed a period of sparring and tuning and should both be in the best possible shape when they go into the water in Europe.
Chris Hosking, boat captain on Artemis said: "We are very happy with the new boat. Cooksons have done a great job again and it is good to be back with what was a winning combination for us before, with Rolf Vrolijk and sails by North Sails NZ and a rig by Southern Spars." On the first contact of the boat with the water, Hosking added: "We had some good sailing out with the Team New Zealand guys. Their boat is a bit more radical and certainly it will be interesting to see how we both go."
The New Zealand built pair were shipped on 31st March and are due in Valencia very early May.
Meantime, Palma Vela, the multi class regatta which takes place over this Easter weekend off the Balearic capital, Palma, should see the new Matador ready to race in earnest. Skipper Guillermo Parada learned a great deal over the two years that the preceding Judel Vrolijk designed Matador was competing on the MedCup Circuit. Matador proved one of the most consistent performers over the second half of last season, going on to finish third. The new Matador has, again, been built in Spain by the Argentinian builders King Marine, who also built Bribon, and was launched in Mid March also. Sails are from North Sails Argentina on a rig by Southern Spars.
Alberto Roemmers says: "We hope this new boat will give us the opportunity to improve our results of last season. We know it's going to be another challenging, difficult year, with new teams joining the Circuit with great talents on board. But we really have good perspectives in terms of performance, and we look forward to be in there fighting for the top places. We know from experience it is a long season and that only by being consistent and by avoiding mistakes can you reach the top place on the podium."
Three new boats to race against a strong fleet for the first trophy of the TP52 Series at the Audi MedCup Circuit 2009. Only five weeks until their performance potential is put to the test.