The Spanish and International fleet will gather in Barcelona in the last weekend of June to pass the first main preliminary test before the Alicante World Championship 2010. The Club Náutico of Barcelona is one of the oldest sailing clubs in Spain.

A quick look at its trophy section brings a deep feeling of classic yachting and high level competition. World and Olympic Champions, Counts, Kings, Princes, and many top-level, world-class sailors have raced under its colors.
This is the magnificent venue that the Platu 25 Class of Spain has chosen to kick off one of the most competitive seasons of its short history.
The Spanish Platu Class has designed a summer calendar that intends to be irresistibly attractive for the international teams on their way to Alicante. Our aim is to bring in as many boats as possible to create a sort of Mediterranean Circuit (first, Barcelona, then Valencia –Reina Trophy- and finally, Alicante) that will be easily accounted as one of the most competitive and tied racing series of the world in 2010.
If you want to measure your skills against the best one design fleet in the World, you can’t miss our Platu 25 races this summer.
Transfers from Barcelona to Valencia and again to Alicante will be offered to the international contenders coming to all the three events.
Click here to see the brochure of the Spanish Championship
Click here to download the Notice of Race
Click here to download the Entry Form

470 ΑΝΔΡΩΝ: Στο Rolex Miami OCR εχτές έγιναν άλλες δυο κούρσες που άλλαξαν τα αποτελέσματα ρίχνοντας τους Μάντη - Καγιαλή από τη δεύτερη θέση στην έκτη, στην πρώτη ήρθαν 18οι και στη δεύτερη 8οι. Οι Καμπουρίδης - Ωρολογάς παρέμειναν στην 14η θέση με μια 15η και μια 12η θέση.

470 Men (34 boats) Pos / Skipper - Crew / Country / 8 races / Total Points
1. Dahlberg, Anton Östling, Sebastian SWE (7 4 2 8 11 [19] 4 4) 40.00
2. Asher, Nic Willis, Elliot GBR (8 9 14 1 4 1 [16] 5) 42.00
3. Kliger, Gideon Sela, Eran ISR (2 6 4 6 12 [13] 2 13) 45.00
4. McNay, Stuart Biehl, Graham USA ([16] 7 12 14 1 3 9 1) 47.00
5. Schmid, Matthias Reichstaedter, Florian AUT (4 8 13 [22] 2 12 6 3) 48.00
6. Mantis, Panagiotis Kagialis, Pavlos GRE ([35/OCS] 14 1 3 3 6 18 8) 53.00
7. Belcher, Mathew Page, Malcolm AUS 3 ([19] 10 18 5 2 1 17) 56.00
8. Coster, Sven Coster, Kalle NED (13 1 7 9 8 10 12 [23]) 60.00
9. Leboucher, Pierre Garos, Vincent FRA (1 3 [21] 16 17 7 8 11) 63.00
10. Bouvet, Sofian Mion, Jeremie FRA (12 16 19 [24] 7 5 5 7) 71.00
11. Patience, Luke Bithell, Stuart GBR (9 2 6 [25] 14 18 10 16) 75.00
12. Barreiros, Onan SARMIENTO, Aaron ESP (5 18 9 5 6 24 [35/BFD] 15) 82.0
13. Anderson-Mitterling, Michael Hughes, David USA (6 12 17 4 [21] 21 14 10) 84.00
14. Kambaeridis, Panagiotis OROLOGAS, GERASIMOS GRE (18 5 8 [35/BFD] 15 11 15 12) 84.00
15. Charbonnier, Nicolas MEYER DIEU, Baptiste FRA (11 11 20 2 13 14 [35/BFD] 20) 91.00
Notes:
(1) Scoring System is ISAF Low Point 2009-2012
(2) Finishes in [brackets] denote throwouts

49er:
Οι Δήμου - Πατενιώτης μετά και τα χθεσινά αποτελέσματα βρίσκονται στην 20η θέση. με 202 βαθμούς. Στις τρεις κούρσες που έγιναν εχτές ενώ ξεκίνησαν πολύ καλά με μια 4η θέση οι επόμενες δυο κούρσες ήταν απογοητευτικές μια 26η και η τελευταία της ημέρας 37/OCS.
Στην πρώτη θέση στα 49er είναι οι Γάλλοι Manu - Christidis (εμένα Έλληνας μου κάνει αυτός...) με 65 βαθμούς.
Full results for all classes at http://rmocr.ussailing.org/Results.htm

Τα κίνητρα για να αγωνιστεί κανείς στη σημαντικότερη σειρά αγώνων match race έχουν γίνει μεγαλύτερα και σημαντικότερα από πέρυσι κατά $250,000.

Οι 9 πρώτες ομάδες του World Match Racing Tour 2010 θα μοιραστούν το παραπάνω ποσό και ο μεγάλος νικητής θα λάβει και $50,000 μπόνους.
Ο πρόεδρος των αγώνων Patrick Lim ανακοίνωσε τα νέα στο World Yacht Racing Forum τον Δεκέμβριο στο Μονακό. Η σειρά αγώνων World Match Racing Tour ήδη ήταν ένα από τα πλέον υψηλού επιπέδου με υψηλά χρηματικά έπαθλα ιστιοπλοϊκά γεγονότα και τώρα γίνετε ακόμα πιο "ενδιαφέρουσα" περίπτωση για πολλούς γνωστούς και καλούς ιστιοπλόους.

WMRT Promo 2009 from WMRT on Vimeo.

Η κατάταξη του 2009:
1. Adam Minoprio (NZL) ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing, 138 Points
2. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team, 97
3. Ben Ainslie, (GBR) Team Origin, 95
4. Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR, 93
5. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team Racing, 89
6. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar, 83
7. Sebastien Col, (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 55
8. Damien Iehl (FRA) French Match Racing Team, 48
Το πρόγραμμα αγώνων για το 2010
1. April 6 - 11 Marseille International Match Race Marseille, France
2. May 19 - 24 Match Race Germany Langenargen, Germany
3. June 8 - 13 Korea Match Cup Gyeonggi, Korea
4. June 22 - 27 Portugal Match Cup Troia, Portugal
5. July 5 - 11 Match Cup Sweden Marstrand, Sweden
6. August 31 ? September 5 St Moritz Match Race St Moritz, Switzerland
7. September 8 - 12 Danish Open, Bornholm, Denmark
8. October 4 - 10 Argo Group Gold Cup Hamilton, Bermuda
9. November 30 ? December 5 Monsoon Cup K. Terengganu, Malaysia
source: www.worldmatchracingtour.com

3η μέρα αγώνων στο Μαΐάμι και τα πληρώματα μας πάνε από το καλό στο καλύτερο.
Την καλύτερη επίδοση εχτές είχαν οι Μάντης - Καγιαλής (GRE 1) που με σταθερά καλά πλασαρίσματα ([35/OCS], 14, 1, 3, 3, 6) ανέβηκαν στην δεύτερη θέση της γενικής κατάταξης με 27 βαθμούς, μόνο 4 βαθμούς πίσω από τους πρώτους Asher - Willis (GBR 828).

Το δεύτερο ελληνικό πλήρωμα στα 470 οι Καμπουρίδης - Ωρολογάς (GRE 165) βρίσκεται στην 14η θέση της γενικής και πολύ κοντά στην πρώτη δεκάδα με 57 βαθμούς (18, 5, 8, [35/BFD], 15, 11).
Τέλος στα 49er οι Δήμου - Πατενιώτης (GRE 1016) βρίσκονται στην 18η θέση με 124 βαθμούς (21, 20, 18, 11, 5, 20, 16, [22], 13).
Top three by class:
49er, 36 boats) - 9 races
1. Manu Dyen/Stephane Christidis, FRA, 35
2. Nico LM Delle Karth/Nikolaus Leopold Resch, AUT, 46
3. Will Phillips/ Sam Phillips, AUS, 50
Laser Radial, 57 boats - 5 races
1. Paige Railey, USA, 9
2. Alison Young, GBR, 23
3. Cecilia Carranza Saroli, ARG, 25
Laser, 104 boats-6 races
1. Bruno Fontes, BRA, 15
2. Nick Thompson, GBR, 22
3. Andreas Geritzer, AUT, 22
Elliott 6m, 24 boats
1. Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 3
2T. Sally Barkow, Nashotah, Wis.,USA, 2
2T. Anna Tunnicliffe, Plantation, Fl., USA, 2
4T. Claire Leroy, FRA, 1
4T. Nicky Souter, AUS, 1
Finn, 37 boats - 5 races
1. Edward Wright, GBR, 8
2. Giles Scott, GBR, 9
3. Zach Railey, Clearwater, Fl., USA, 13
470 Men, 34 boats - 6 races
1. Nic Asher/Elliot Willis, GBR, 23
2. Panagiotis Mantis/Pavlos Kagialis, GRE, 27
3. Gideon Kliger/Eran Sela, ISR, 31
470 Women, 26 boats - 6 races
1. Amanda Clark/Sarah Chin, USA, 13
2. Camille Lecointre/Mathilde Geron, FRA, 14
3. Ingrid Petitjean/Nadege Douroux, FRA, 20
Star, 26 boats - 6 races
1. Andy Horton/James Lyne, USA, 11
2. Eivind Melleby/Petter Morland Pederson, NOR, 16
3. Andrew Macdonald/Austin Sperry, USA, 28
RS:X Men, 37 boats - 4 races
1. Dorian Rijsselberghe, NED, 11
2. Ivan Pastor, ESP, 16
3. Kevin Stittle, CAN, 24
RS:X Women, 25 boats - 4 races
1. Marina Alabau, ESP, 10
2. Charline Picon, FRA, 12
3. Laura Linares, ITA, 13
2.4mR, 28 boats - 5 races
1. John Ruf, Pewaukee, Wis.,USA, 8
2. Thierry Schmitter, NED, 9
3. Paul Tingley, CAN, 13
Sonar, 9 boats - 5 races
1. Aleksander Wang-Hansen/Per Eugen Kristiansen/Marie Solberg, NOR, 6
2. Bruno Jourdren/Eric Flageul/Nicolas Vimont-Vicary, FRA, 8
3. John Robertson/Hannah Stodel/Steve Thomas, GBR, 10
SKUD-18, 7 boats- 5 races
1. Scott Whitman/Julia Dorsett, USA, 4
2. Alexandra Rickham/Niki Birrell, GBR, 10
3. John McRoberts/Brenda Hopkin, CAN, 10
Full results for all classes at http://rmocr.ussailing.org/Results.htm

Ξεκίνησε στο Μαϊάμι ο αγώνας Rolex Miami OCR, ο δεύτερος από τους 7 αγώνες που προσμετράει στο παγκόσμιο κύπελλο της ISAF.

Οι Ελληνικές συμμετοχές είναι στην κατηγορία 470 ανδρών οι Μάντης - Καγιαλής και οι Καμπουρίδης - Ωρολογάς και στην κατηγορία 49er οι Δήμου - Πατενιώτης.
Στα 49er έχουν γίνει 6 κούρσες ως τώρα και οι Δήμου - Πατενιώτης βρίσκονται στην 16η θέση ανάμεσα σε 36 συμμετοχές από 16 χώρες.
Στο 470 έχουν γίνει μόνο τρεις κούρσες και η κατάταξη των πληρωμάτων μας είναι η εξής 7η θέση για τους Μάντη - Καγιαλή και 10η θέση για τους Καμπουρίδη - Ωρολογά ανάμεσα σε 34 συμμετοχές από 15 χώρες.
αποτελέσματα 470 - αποτελέσμτα 49er
Για περισσότερα: http://rmocr.ussailing.org/

Διαβάσαμε σήμερα στο blog: valencia sailing μια πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα είδηση.

Μπορεί να έχει γίνει τσίρκο στο αγωνιστικό κομμάτι η υπόθεση με το επόμενο America's Cup, αλλά όσον αφορά τις εξελίξεις στα σκάφη και την τεχνολογία αναντίρρητα έχει γίνει φοβερή πρόοδος.
Η τελευταία εξέλιξη αφορά την ομάδα της BMW Oracle. Η εταιρία Catch the Wind με δελτίο τύπου ανακοίνωσε ότι προμηθεύει την BMW Oracle με ένα σύστημα με αισθητήρες laser που μπορεί να μετρήσει τον αέρα 1.000 μέτρα μπροστά από το σκάφος, πλέον δεν θα έχουμε ένδειξη αέρα μόνο στο σημείο που βρισκόμαστε, αλλά και εκεί που πρόκειται να βρεθούμε.
Ο CEO της εταιρίας δίνει συνέντευξη στον Pierre Orphanidis του valenciasailing και εξηγεί πολλές πτυχές της ενδιαφέρουσας υπόθεσης. Διαβάστε την.

International marketing and event team already in place to support.

The Société Nautique du Genève (SNG), trustee of the America’s Cup, has delegated the responsibility for organising the media and event activities for the 33rd America’s Cup to Consorcio Valencia 2007.
The 33rd America’s Cup promises to be a regatta unlike everything which has been seen so far. The two fastest boats in history will fight for the America’s Cup over race courses that are up to six times bigger than the ones used in the 32nd America’s Cup.
For this reason, the TV coverage of the racing will be key. For the first time in history, the races will be broadcast live and free of charge through www.americascup.com to reach the biggest, widest possible audience, including all the fans who will not be able to be in Valencia to witness live this historic competition.
The on-shore action will be concentrated at the Veles e Vents, the landmark building central to Port America’s Cup. A giant screen will be installed for fans and spectators to follow the races live as well as enjoying a host of complementary activities around the Port area. The International media centre with capacity for 150 journalists will be in close proximity to the Veles e Vents.
Jorge Gisbert, General Director of Consorcio Valencia 2007: «We are very grateful to have the event back at Port America’s Cup, in the short term we have available we will do our utmost to set the stage for an unforgettable event here in Valencia.»
To organise this event in a short time Gisbert has surrounded himself with an international team involved in the execution of the 32nd America’s Cup. This team led by Michel Hodara (SUI, 48) consists of seasoned professionals in the field of television, media, public entertainment and hospitality.

source: Matthew Sheahan's Blog
Want to know what BMW Oracle’s wing masted trimaran looks like at 25+ knots?
As we tracked BMW Oracle's trimaran during her second day of crew training in Valencia the coastline sunk beneath the horizon with alarming speed. In just 6-8 knots of true breeze she was sitting pretty at 25+ knots of boat speed. I'll say that again, just in case you think it's a typo!
Six to 8 knots of true breeze, 25+ knots of boat speed.
Now sporting an even taller solid wing mast following the addition of another panel at the tip, her mast is now just slightly short of 70m tall.
I'll say that in imperial units, just in case you can't visualize it - 230ft tall. That's greater than the full wingspan of a Being 747-400 which measures in at a weedy 64.67 m (212 ft 2in).
So here's what she looked like on a run that hit and sustained 29 knots at times!

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... Rank: wait... Traffic: wait... Price: wait... C: wait...

by Lynn Fitzpatrick

Iain Percy and Andrew "Bart" Simpson (GBR) were crowned 2010 Star World Champions today.
The reigning Olympic Gold Medalists continue to add treasures to war chests. Percy's sterling collection of championship titles includes the 2002 Star World Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal in the Finn in 2000.
photo credit: Marcelo Rhenius / Regattapix-ICRJ
the champions
Their last Star regatta was Sail for the Gold in Weymouth, where they won the Gold. They did not compete in the 2009 Star World Championship nor did they compete in the Taca Royal Thames and South American Championship earlier this season. They had two practice sessions leading up to this regatta. Percy commented at the pre-regatta press conference, "Sometimes short, sharp training sessions can work in your favor." This victory places Percy in the rarified company of Torben Grael, Mark Reynolds, Bill Buchan, Jr.; Lowell North, and Agostino Straulino as a Star skipper who has won an Olympic Gold Medal and multiple Star World Championship titles.
photo credit: Marcelo Rhenius / Regattapix-ICRJ
Percy & Simpson
Top Junior
Tomas Hornos and Luis Hornos (USA) - the top Junior skipper at the 2010 Star World Championship is Tomos Hornos. Tomas sailed with his father, Luis, the District 1 Secretary. Tomas is the 2007 Snipe World Champion. The father and son combination finished 44th overall.
photo credit: Marcelo Rhenius / Regattapix-ICRJ
Marazzi and De Maria
Top Master
Peter Ficker and Urbirtran Oliviera (BRA) - The 1976 Olympic Silver Medalist in the Flying Dutchman teamed up with the 2005 Brazilian Star National Champion crew for this regatta and topped the group of eight Masters teams in the 2010 Star World Championship. Theyfinished 38th overall.
Top Grand Master
Gastao Brun and Gustavo Kunze (BRA) - The 2010 Star World Champion Regatta Chair, and his family have been working around the clock helping to make the regatta perfect. Brun is the 2008 South American Champion and the 1990 North American Champion, and a lengthy list of other victories.
photo credit: Marcelo Rhenius / Regattapix-ICRJ
T. Grael & Ferreira
Brun won the warm-up regatta and had two races in the top ten, including on Wednesday, the day that half of the top ten teams to cross the finish line were Brazilian. Gustavo Kunze sailed Optimists and Lasers and started crewing with Brun in 2007. They finished 16th overall, ahead of all of the Junior, Master and Grand Master teams.
Top ten final results:
1. Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson, GBR, 20 points
2. Flavio Marazzi / Enrico De Maria, SUI, 29
3. Torben Grael / Marcelo Ferreira, BRA, 39
4. Lars Grael / Ronald Seifert, BRA, 44
5. Alan Adler / Guilherme de Almeida, BRA, 44
6. Diego Negri / Fernando Colaninno, ITA, 52
7. Fredrik Loof / Johan Tillander, SWE, 52
8. Eivind Melleby / Petter Pedersen, NOR, 54
9. Robert Scheidt / Bruno Prada, BRA, 64
10. Johannes Babendererde / Timo Jacobs, GER, 66
...
32. Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE) - 150
www.starworlds2010.com

British sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson are within striking distance of winning the Star World Championship, currently taking place outside Guanabara Bay.

The reigning Olympic champions finished in fourth place in the Rio de Janeiro Regatta and only didn’t win the title today because Swiss sailors Flavio Marazzi and Enrico De Maria managed to finish in 6th place, after rounding the second last buoy in ninth position. As a result, the decision has been postponed to the final regatta this Thursday..
Iain Percy reluctantly admitted his advantage. "We are in a very comfortable position, with only 9 points lost. Our tactic in the final race will depend on the wind and some other factors. We will study the conditions before deciding," he commented. "If we decide on a match race against the Swiss, we will be very confident. I have experience in the America's Cup and other boat to boat regattas."
Marazzi and De Maria guarantee that they will be sailing for gold on Thursday. "We are going to sail the best regatta we can. It's not entirely up to us, but we have to believe in it," said Marazzi, who with his fellow team member De Maria currently leads the Star World Championship ranking, with 17 lost points.
Today's race was once again 10.5 nautical miles long (approx. 19.4 km), with three legs of head wind and two legs of tail wind. Winds ranged between 8 to 10 knots, in an easterly and southeasterly direction. The Brazilians sailors also had a great race, with five teams finishing in the top ten.
Lars Grael and Ronald Seifert finished the race in second place, behind winners Rick Merriman and Phil Trinter, from the USA. "For a team that started in 35th place, a second place finish in the second last race is a great result. We have been improving every day," noted the sailor, who is seventh in the overall ranking. "It's very satisfying to be among the first ten teams. The Brazilians have proven that the level of Star sailing in Brazil is very high."
Wednesday was another sunny and hot day in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures of 36 degrees Celsius. Just as in the previous races, the race course was set up between Pai e Mãe Island, near Niteroi, and Leme Point, in Rio de Janeiro.

Race 5
1- Rick Merriman / Phil Trinter (USA) - 1
2- Lars Grael / Ronald Seifert (BRA) - 2
3- Torben Grael / Marcelo Ferreira (BRA) - 3
4- Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson (GBR) - 4
5- Robert Scheidt / Bruno Prada (BRA) - 5
6- Flavio Marazzi / Enrico De Maria (SWI) - 6
7- Juan Kouyoumdjian / Alejandro Colla (ARG) - 7
8- Gastão Brun / Gustavo Kunze (BRA) - 8
9- Alan Adler / Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) - 9
10- Marin Lovrovic / Sinisa Mikulicic (CRO) - 10
45- Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE) - 45

Results after five races with one discard
1- Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson (GBR) - 9 (2+11+2+1+4)
2- Flavio Marazzi / Enrico De Maria (SWI) - 17 (30+1+6+4+6)
3- Alan Adler / Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) - 31 (6+5+11+13+9)
4- Johannes Babendererde /Timo Jacobs (GER) - 32 (1+8+39+8+15)
5- Robert Scheidt / Bruno Prada (BRA) - 32 (3+19+50+5+5)
6- Torben Grael / Marcelo Ferreira (BRA) - 36 (5+25+21+7+3)
7- Lars Grael / Ronald Seifert (BRA) - 39 (35+15+12+10+2)
8- Eivind Melleby / Petter Pedersen (NOR) - 39 (9+10+4+16+16)
9- Juan Kouyoumdjian / Alejandro Colla (ARG) - 41 (4+30+8+22+7)
10- Diego Negri / Fernando Colaninno (ITA) - 42 (23+18+5+6+13)
13- Gastão Brun / Gustavo Kunze (BRA) - 51 (21+7+15+48+8)
18- André Mirsky / Marcelo Jordão (BRA) - 64 (33+6+22+3+35)
31- Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE) - 102 (16+30+11+45)
full results

Το Groupama Insurance Group επιβεβαίωσε σήμερα ότι θα συμμετάσχει στις επόμενες δυο εκδόσεις του Volvo Ocean Race, με επικεφαλής ως συνήθως τον Γάλλο Franck Cammas.
Η ανακοίνωση έγινε καθώς ο Cammas είναι στο Le Château και προετοιμάζεται να ξεκινήσει την προσπάθεια του να κατακτήσει το ρεκόρ στον αγώνα Jules Verne Trophy με το 32 μέτρων τριμαράν του.

Η ομάδα έχει ήδη επιλέξει και σχεδιαστή για το νέο σκάφος της Groupama και δεν είναι άλλος από τον Αργεντινό σχεδιαστή Juan Kouyoumdjian, που τα σκάφη που σχεδίασε κέρδισαν τις δυο τελευταίες διοργανώσεις (ERICSSON 4, ABN AMPRO ONE).

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες πατήστε εδώ.
http://www.cammas-groupama.com/en/

British team wins Gol Airlines Regatta and moves closer to sealing the Star World Championship title in Rio de Janeiro.

Competition leaders, British sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson, won the Gol Airlines Regatta this Tuesday and got another step closer to the title of the Star World Championship. The fifth and second final race will take place this Wednesday in a course outside of Guanabara bay.
photo credit: Marcelo Rhenius / Regattapix-ICRJ
The reigning Olympic champions have only 16 lost points and dominated the entire race (10.5 nautical miles/approx.19.4km).
The winds increased significantly during the race, starting out at 6 knots and reaching gusts of 12 knots in an easterly and northeasterly direction by the end of the race, benefitting the Brazilian sailors who performed much better than in the two previous races. André Mirsky and Marcelo Jordão finished in third place, two positions ahead of Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada. Torben Grael and Marcelo Ferreira grabbed seventh place, Lars Grael and Ronald Seifert came in 10th and Alan Adler and Guilherme de Almeida finished the race in 13th position.
All athletes seem to agree that Percy and Simpson have pretty much locked in the World Championship title, although the discard of the worst race results doesn’t begin until the fifth regatta. The biggest threats to the British team are Swiss sailors Flavio Marazzi and Enrico De Maria, currently in 4th place overall with 41 lost points, but discarding their worst race so far (30th place) could make a huge difference.
photo credit: Hector Echebaster/ZDL-ICRJ
"As much as I would like to be sure of the title, we still have two races to go," said a straight-faced Percy, donning a pair of Brazilian flip-flops. "We don’t have to fight to win anymore. We just need to remain among the first ten to achieve our goal."
Alan Adler regretted his boat’s lack of speed. "On a few occasions we got quite close to the British team, but we weren’t able to keep up, especially on the starboard tacks," explained the runner up in the World Championship.
photo credit: Marcelo Rhenius / Regattapix-ICRJ
Tuesday was a very hot and sunny day in Rio de Janeiro, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius. The race course was set up again between Pai e Mãe Island, near Niteroi and Leme Point, in Rio de Janeiro. In today’s race the fleet only needed one start, unlike the previous three races. Wednesday’s forecast calls for more hot weather and stronger winds.

Race 4
1- Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson (GBR) - 1
2- Rick Merriman / Phil Trinter (USA) - 2
3- André Mirsky / Marcelo Jordão (BRA) - 3
4- Flavio Marazzi / Enrico De Maria (SWI) - 4
5- Robert Scheidt / Bruno Prada (BRA) - 5
6- Diego Negri / Fernando Colaninno (ITA) - 6
7- Torben Grael / Marcelo Ferreira (BRA) - 7
8 - Johannes Babendererde /Timo Jacobs (GER) - 8
9- Max Treacy / Anthony Shanks (IRL) - 9
10- Lars Grael / Ronaldo Seifert (BRA) - 10
11- Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE) - 11
Results - after four races
1- Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson (GBR) - 16 (2+11+2+1)
2- Alan Adler / Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) - 35 (6+5+11+13)
3- Eivind Melleby / Petter Pedersen (NOR) - 39 (9+10+4+16)
4- Flavio Marazzi / Enrico De Maria (SWI) - 41 (30+1+6+4)
5- Diego Negri / Fernando Colaninno (ITA) - 52 (23+18+5+6)
6- Ross MacDonald (EUA) / André Lekszycki (BRA) - 52 (10+13+14+15)
7- Fredrik Loof / John Tillander (SWE) - 54 (8+9+18+19)
8- Johannes Babendererde /Timo Jacobs (GER) - 56 (1+8+39+8)
9- Torben Grael / Marcelo Ferreira (BRA) - 58 (5+25+21+7)
10- André Mirsky / Marcelo Jordão (BRA) - 64 (33+6+22+3)
13- Lars Grael / Ronald Seifert (BRA) - 72 (35+15+12+10)
15- Robert Scheidt / Bruno Prada (BRA) - 77 (3+19+50+5)
20- Gastão Brun / Gustavo Kunze (BRA) - 91 (21+7+15+48)
26- Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE) - 106 (16+49+30+11)
full results here.

For the past three days I have been working on the World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) and the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas that will be held over the next 12 months.

I represent the Artemis Racing Team and last November, during the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Nice, I was elected Chairman of this association of team owners.
Friday WSTA had meetings in Paris with representatives of all the member teams to focus on marketing and commercial issues. We also held a competitors meeting to talk about the organization of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland which will be held in March. Then on Saturday morning we had a WSTA board meeting.
Saturday afternoon, a group of us including Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, flew to Dubai where we arrived at 0100 this morning.
Then today at 1000, we participated in a press conference today to announce Dubai as the Middle East venue selected to host the Louis Vuitton Trophy this coming November.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman DIMC and Chairman & Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, hosted the press conference and confirmed his support for the Louis Vuitton Trophy and his enthusiasm to host sailing's elite racing teams.
The Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas use four 85-foot America's Cup Class yachts in a Match Racing format. Ten Teams - sailed by world champions, America's Cup winners, Olympic medalists and round-the-world sailors - will compete in Dubai this November.
The countries represented by these teams are: Sweden, France, Italy, New Zealand, Great Brittan, Russia and Germany.
The event will be held at Mina Seyahi, the home of Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) next to the Palm Jumeirah, while Emirates Airline - a leading sponsor - will be flying in many of teams and their support staff, as well as race officials and spectators from around the globe.
Dubai is a great venue for sailing with excellent wind and moderate temperatures in November. The hospitality here is 'gold star'.
I am sure it will be a fantastic event. Tonight, I am flying back to the United States. I fly a great deal but this has been a record four days.
Not quite sure what time it is.
I will be back in Dubai mid-February for the next RC 44 regatta.
source: Cayard Sailing Website

Results following Race 2 of the 2010 Star World Championship in Rio de Janeiro
1. Johannes Babendererde /Timo Jacobs (GER) - 1, 8 - 9
2. Alan Adler / Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) - 6,5 -11
3. Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson (ENG) - 2, 11 - 13
4. Andrew Campbell / Brad Nichol (USA) - 12, 3 - 15
5. Fredrik Loof / John Tillander (SUE) - 8,9 - 17
6. Eivind Melleby / Peter Pedersen (NOR) - 9, 10 - 19
7. Robert Scheidt / Bruno Prada (BRA) - 3, 19 - 22
8. Ross MacDonald / André Lekszycki (CAN) - 10, 13 - 23
9. Alexander Schlonski / Frithjof Kleen (GER) - 24, 2 -26
10. Robert Stanjek / Philipp Stanjek (GER) - 14, 12 - 26
...
32. Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE) -16, 49 - 65

Full results here.

Results - Race 1
1. Babendererde, Johannes /Jacobs, Timo (GER)
2. Percy, Iain/ Simpson, Andrew (GBR)
3. Scheidt, Robert/ Prada, Bruno Geral (BRA)
4. Kouyoumdjian, Juan/ Colla, Alejandro Geral (ARG)
5. Grael, Torben/Ferreira, Marcelo (BRA)
6. Adler, Alan /Almeida, Guilherme Geral (BRA )
7. Lima, Gustavo /Nankin, Charles Senior (POR)
8. Loof, Fredrik /Tillander, Johan Geral (SWE)
9. Melleby, Eivind /Morland Pedersen, Petterl (NOR)
10. Macdonald, Ross /Lekszycki, Andre (CAN)
...
16. Papathanasiou, Aimilios / Papastefanou Pachos, (GRE)

For Official Results Click Here

Past Star World Champions at the 2010 Star World Championship in Rio de Janeiro

Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada - 2007 Cascais
Xavier Rohart - 2005 Buenos Aires and 2003 Cadiz
Freddy Loof - 2004 - Gaeta and 2001 - Medemblik
Iain Percy - 2002 - Los Angeles
Marcelo Ferreira - 1997 - Marblehead and 1990 - Cleveland
Ross Macdonald - 1994 - San Diego
Torben Grael - 1990 - Cleveleand
Alan Adler - 1989 - Porto Cervo
Ed Adams - 1987 - Chicago - (Coaching USA)
Vince Brun - 1986 - Capri (Attending Ceremonies)

Brun and Kunze Win Practice Race
Gastao Brun and Gustavo Kunze (BRA) won the Practice Race of the 2010 Star World Championship. More importantly, they won the Taca Darke de Mattos, the longest running sailing regatta in South America.
Brun/ Kunze had an early lead in light and shifty conditions. Julio Labandeira and Valentin Thompson (ARG) passed them as the shrinking fleet headed back from Copacabana. Labandeira/Thompason lost the lead under the lee of Sugarloaf. Branislav Erac and Ozren Tosic (SBR) were neck and neck with Labanderia/Thompson as they played the final shifts through the mooring field in front of Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club. The new Serbian crew finished third.
The last boat to cross the line, Gerardo Della Torre and Guillermo Latour (ARG) win a very special trophy – a gilded gold shoe with a well-worn heel. Sailing legends have won this cherished trophy in this very traditional race.

http://www.starworlds2010.com/

Ο νικητής του VORG 2008-2009, Powerof7, έλαβε από τον Marijn Harinck, UnitedGames CEO, το νέο και μοναδικό Volvo C30.
Είναι το μόνο Volvo C30 που είναι εξοπλισμένο με τα λογότυπα του Volvo Ocean Race και το αυθεντικό μπλε χρώμα του Volvo Ocean Race.

source: volvooceanracegame.org

source: cruisingworld.com

By Gary Jobson
Now that the Volvo Ocean Race is over, I sat down with Puma Racing Team crewmember Jerry Kirby to discuss what lessons cruising sailors could take away from the extreme environment of that race.
At 53, Kirby is a Volvo Ocean Race and America's Cup veteran who's usually on the leading edge of the next new thing at the very pinnacle of competitive sailboat racing.
photo credit: Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race
Jobson: What things really worked well on il mostro, the Puma team boat, that you'd recommend for a cruising boat?
Kirby: Every boat that I've ever been on offshore seems to have the generator running constantly. We always seem to be forever losing power and caught in a constant cycle of trying to keep the batteries up. While I can't go into specifics for competitive reasons, I can say that the battery-charging system that electrical and electronics experts Evan Evans and Sean Healy put together for us worked really well. We had these special batteries that essentially recharge very quickly. They were light and compact, and we charged them with two big alternators. The system was very efficient and allowed us to charge our batteries in 20 minutes and only required us to run the engine a couple of times a day. This was a unique system for us, but I think offshore cruisers could benefit from this technology once it trickles down.
Jobson: What sail materials proved to be most reliable over the long haul?
photo credit: Rick Tomlinson/Volvo Ocean Race
Kirby: We didn't experience as much laminate and glue failure as most of the other boats in the fleet, and that might be because most of our sails were red. Ultraviolet radiation is a big problem with Dacron and laminated sails, and it may be that the red in our sails acted as a UV filter even if our sails may have actually been a bit hotter in the sun. And there might be something to that, since our sails weathered better that any other sails in the fleet.
Jobson: So should cruising sailors ask their sailmaker to put red tint in their sails?
Kirby: I think they should.
Read the rest of this interesting interview here.

The 81 teams entered in the Star World Championship Race will have a first class training opportunity this Friday. The teams will compete in the 66th Darke de Mattos Regatta, the oldest Star sailing race of the country.
This special promotional course will start in front of the Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro and takes the boats out to Copacabana beach and back to the club in Urca, covering a distance of 11 nautical miles (approx. 19.3 km).

Of the 65 Darke de Mattos Regattas held so far, no fewer than 11 have been won by helmsman John King, one of the most experienced Star sailors in Brazil. Entered in this World Championship with crew member Norman MacPherson, he will be going for his 12th win. Torben Grael, owner of five Olympic medals and eight Star World Championship podium finishes, is a four-time winner of the most traditional Rio de Janeiro regatta. The winner conquers the Darke de Mattos Cup. Mattos wasn’t a sailor, but an aviator. He died near one of the ICRJ ramps in a water plane crash. Commodore Jorge de Mattos named the regatta after his brother, in honor of his memory.

The first official race of the Star World Championship will take place this Saturday at 1 p.m., in Guanabara Bay, the same location as where the last race of the world championship will take place on January 22. The race is approximately 8.5 to 10 miles in length (15.7-18.5 km) and takes approximately 2,5 hours. The other four regattas will be sailed outside the bay, in open sea, close to Rasa Island, across from Copacabana beach.

Measuring of the boats and athlete registration started this Tuesday morning at the Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro, kicking off the competition’s calendar of events. The first Star World Championship took place in 1923 in the United States Since then, there has only been one year, in 1968, when the competition didn’t take place.

The first boat to be measured was that of Lars Grael and Ronald Seifert, serving as the model for all other measurers, who accompanied the work led by Brazilian Gunther Muller.

The Star World Championship 2010 is sponsoring by Banco do Brasil, Transpetro, Governo Federal, Gol Linhas Aéreas, Santa Constanza, Wollner and Secretaria Estadual de Turismo, Esporte e Lazer do Rio de Janeiro. The event is organized by Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro, International Star Class Yacht Racing Association (ISCYRA), Confederação Brasileira de Vela e Motor (CBVM) and Federação de Vela do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FEVERJ).

Other informations on the oficial website: www.starworlds2010.com

Τα νέα σκάφη (Alinghi 5 & BOR90) απαιτούν και νέα προσέγγιση στην συλλογή μετεωρολογικών δεδομένων.

Στο προηγούμενο AC ο στίβος ήταν 9 τετραγωνικά μίλια, με τα τελευταία δεδομένα ο στίβος στο φετινό αγώνα θα είναι 450 τετραγωνικά μίλια, οπότε η συλλογή πληροφοριών έπρεπε να εξελιχθεί.
Γι' αυτό η Ελβετική ομάδα προκειμένου να έχει ακριβή στοιχεία για την ένταση και διεύθυνση του ανέμου προσέλαβε αυτούς τους δυο πιλότους με τα αεροπλανο-σκάφη τους για να συγκεντρώνουν μετεωρολογικά στοιχεία και να ενημερώνουν άμεσα την ομάδα ακόμα και για τις μικρότερες αλλαγές.
πηγή: valenciasailing

Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez of Spain have won49er World Championship ('02, '04, '10) adding to their Olympic Gold medal from Athens in 2004 and Silver medal from Beijing in 2008.

In true championship fashion, Martinez/Fernandez also won today's medal race, held in 8-10 knots.
Two-time defending champions Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen from Australia made a strong push by winning both the morning races moving them into 2nd which they held through the final results.
Pietro and Gianfranco Sibello of Italy won the bronze.
The 25 boat gold fleet sailed two races in 16-23 knots which increased to 20-25 for the silver fleet's two races amidst tropical showers.
The medal race sailors anticipated the heavy breeze, but unexpectedly the wind dropped to a manageable 10 knots.
Top five final results: 49er
1. Iker Martinez de Lizarduy / Xabier Fernandez, ESP, 57
2. Nathan Outteridge / Iain Jensen, AUS, 84
3. Pietro Sibello / Gianfranco Sibello, ITA, 96
4. Dyen Emmanuel / Stephane Christidis, FRA, 102
5. Dylan Fletcher / Alain Sign, GBR, 106
www.49erworlds.org
photos credits to "FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com"

On the 29er course, French sailors Kevin Fisher and Glenn Gouron consolidated and won the Worlds by 28 points. Pepe Bettini and Fernando Gwozdz, the perpetual bridesmaid, sailed to 2nd overall with a 10-3-2 final day. Danish sailors Oscar Haumann and Taus Holtug who lead the majority of the event, tied for 3rd with Lorezo Franceschini and Riccardo Camin of Italy, losing and having to settle for 4th overall.
However, Haumann and Holtug won the Highest Placing Youth Team award. Top placing women's team was Ida Marie Baad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen of Denmark who also won this trophy in 2009.
Top five final results: 29er
1. Kevin Fisher / Glenn Gouron, FRA, 56 points
2. Pepe Bettin / Fernando Gwozdz, ARG, 84
3. Lorenzo Franceschini / Riccardo Camin, ITA, 99
4. Oscar Haumann / Taus Holtug, DEN, 99
5. Maxwell Fraser / David Liebenberg, USA, 100
www.29erworlds.org
photos credits to "FRIED ELLIOTT / friedbits.com"

The Star World Championship, which will be held for the fourth time in Brazil, brings together a record number of 81 teams, representing 20 countries.

All events will take place at the Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro. The number of participants exceeds even the most optimistic expectations of the organizers, who had hoped for approximately 60 registrations.
The World Championship will be held from January 12-23, at a race course outside of Guanabara Bay. As expected, Brazil will have the greatest number of participants, with 24 boats entered to compete, including top teams such as Torben Grael/Marcelo Ferreira, Robert Scheidt/Bruno Prada, Lars Grael/Ronald Seifert and Alan Adler/Guilherme de Almeida.
The second largest team registered in the race is Italy, with 12 boats, followed by Argentina, with 8 teams, and the USA and Germany, each with 6 boats.
The World Championship will be technically very strong with participants such as British sailors Iain Percy/Andrew Simpson, the Olympic champions in Beijing; US duo George Szabo/Rick Peters, 2009 world champions in Sweden; Swiss participants Flavio Marazzi/Enrico de Maria, currently the top ranked sailors in the world; and world champions Xavier Rohart/Pierre Ponsot (France) and Fredrik Loof/Johan Tillander (Sweden).
The following countries will be represented in the tournament: Brazil (24), Italy (12), Argentina (8), Germany (6), USA (6), Portugal (3), Switzerland (3), England (3), Canada (2), Chile (2), Sweden (2), Croatia (2), Georgia (1), Spain (1), Serbia (1), France (1), Norway (1), Greece (1), Ireland (1) and Austria (1).
www.starworlds2010.com

Ό,τι και να πιστεύουμε για τις δικαστικές διαμάχες και για το ποιος ευθύνεται, ποιος κωλυσιεργεί και ποιος έχει αφαιρέσει το ενδιαφέρον του κόσμου από το America's Cup, ένα είναι σίγουρο όπως λέει και ο Larry Ellison:
"...it's unbelievable ... you look at it and you can't believe it!!!"

Δελτίο Τύπου

Με την ευκαιρία της 4ης επετείου δημιουργίας μας γιορτάζουμε ένα πολύ πετυχημένο 2009 και ανακοινώνουμε τη δημιουργία 2 βάσεων στην Ελλάδα με στόχο τη περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη της ομάδας μας και προετοιμασίας μας για το 34ο ΑC.
2.3 εκατομμύρια Ευρώ θα επενδυθούν για την δημιουργία υποδομής σε δύο λιμάνια στην Ελλάδα για να υποδεχτούν τη GREEK CHALLENGE και άλλες ομάδες AC. Η ομάδα μας έχει ήδη υποβάλλει τα αιτήσεις και σχέδια στις Λιμενικές Αρχές και περιμένει την θετική τους απάντηση ως το τέλος Ιανουαρίου του 2010.
Η GREEK CHALLENGE δημιουργήθηκε σε ένα κύκλο φίλων και συνεργατών και δεσμεύτηκε ότι με τη πρώτη ευκαιρία θα συμμετείχε στο κορυφαίο τρόπαιο της αγωνιστικής ιστιοπλοΐας. Το 2009 η GREEK CHALLENGE συμμετείχε στο LVPS, εξουσιοδοτήθηκε από την Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση να φέρει ιστιοπλοϊκούς αγώνες στην Ελλάδα, δημιούργησε συνεργασίες με καθιερωμένα ιδρύματα και έχει θεωρηθεί ως ομάδα με δύναμη και επιμονή αφιερωμένη στο να φέρει την Ελλάδα στο ΑC.
Η συμμετοχή μας στο Lοuis Vuitton Pacific Series αγκαλιάστηκε παγκοσμίως ως ένα πετυχημένο πρώτο βήμα για την αναμενόμενη συμμετοχή μας (τη πρώτη για την Ελλάδα) στο Αmerica’s Cup. Ακολούθως οι ιστιοπλόοι μας συμμετείχαν σε μια σειρά αγώνων match racing στην Ελλάδα καθόλη την περσινή χρονιά. Η θεωρητική και τεχνική γνώση που έχει ρίξει άπλετα στο άθλημα η ομάδα μας, είναι εμφανής και το επίπεδο ανταγωνισμού έχει ανέβει πλέον κατά πολύ.
2009 αθλητικά γεγονότα Training Camp – Βαλένθια 10 – 18 Ιανουαρίου
Louis Vuitton Pacific Series – Όκλαντ, Νέα Ζηλανδία 19 Ιανουαρίου –16 Φεβρουαρίου
Greek Government / Ministry of Tourism Εξουσιοδότηση στην GC να φέρουν το LVT στην Ελλάδα – Αθήνα, 27 Απριλίου
ACHoF τελετή ένταξης –Νέα Υόρκη, 30 Απριλίου
LV / WSTA – Παρίσι, Mασσαλία , Nίκαια, Ιούνιος – Αύγουστος
ACHoF – Bristol RI, Γενεύη, Νιούπορτ, Ιούνιος - Σεπτέμβριος
World Yacht Racing Forum – Μονακό, 8-10 Δεκεμβρίου

Θα θέλαμε να ευχαριστήσουμε όλους τους υποστηρικτές μας, φίλους και κάθε μέλος της ομάδας μας (πρώην και νυν) για τη συνεισφορά τους και για την απίθανη χρονιά που πέρασε και που θα μείνει στην ιστορία του Ελληνικού Ιστιοπλοϊκού αγωνιστικού γίγνεσθαι. Το 2010 θα είναι γεμάτο προκλήσεις και ευκαιρίες για όσους μοιράζονται το ίδιο όνειρο και είναι διατεθειμένοι να συμμετέχουν στο πιο ευρηματικό πρότζεκτ που έχει συναντήσει ο ελληνικός αθλητισμός έως τώρα.
Σας ευχόμαστε υγεία, χαρά και ευτυχία και προσμένουμε ένα συναρπαστικό 33ο ΑC με μία νέα αρχή για το 34ο. H GREEK CHALLENGE στα πλαίσια που μπορεί, θα προσπαθήσει για ότι καλύτερο για να φέρει το άθλημα της ιστιοπλοΐας στο σπίτι της Ελληνικής Διασποράς και να συνεχίσει την επί 5000 χρόνια παράδοση της ναυσιπλοΐας και θαλάσσιας ιστορίας.
Greek Challenge Sail with your heart, win with your mind
____________________________________________________________________
More Info:
Greek Challenge: www.greekchallenge.com