Sunday 30 June 2013

Farrier F-22 trimaran production update, Hull #1 approaching completion

The Farrier F-22 production update.  More progress on the production F-22 trimaran has been posted on F-boat.com.  Read the update and see more photos at the link below.

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

Route des Princes update, Plymouth inshore races finished and teams now racing towards Bay of Morlaix on final offshore leg

From the following article on the Route des Princes website

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/827/no-sleep-until-the-final-finish-line.html

The winners of the Routes des Princes will be decided on a final offshore sprint to Morlaix. After victory in the inshore race series on Plymouth Sound - securing their perfect inshores record this afternoon - Sébastien Josse’s crew of Edmond de Rothschild go into Leg 4, Plymouth to Morlaix, needing only to win the bonus points available at the La Roche Gautier mark, 43 miles from the finish, to be sure of triumphing in the MOD70 class

With a two points margin in the Multi50’s Yves Blevec’s Actual needs to finish ahead of Arkéma - Aquitaine Region to be sure of overall victory, or even just to take the bonus points.

read more here

The tracker is active for the final leg here:

http://tracking.routedesprinces.fr/en/


Inshore Plymouth by routedesprincesTV

Saturday 29 June 2013

America's Cup update, New York Times article on the Artemis capsize and structural failure

From the following article on the New York Times website:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/28/sports/despite-fatal-training-accident-artemis-moves-forward.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2&

How do you race in the same bay where your crewmate died? How do you process the loss, and in some cases, the guilt? How do you take the risk necessary to win on the same type of high-speed catamaran when risk led to so much shock and pain so recently, on May 9?

read more here

Friday 28 June 2013

Route des Princes update, Programme for event in Plymouth

Programme for Plymouth Route des Princes event from the following article:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/775/something-for-everyone.html

Something for everyone

The arrival in Plymouth on Wednesday of the Route des Princes fleet of grand Prix multihulls which features top sailors from seven different nations racing around Europe marks the start of the Ocean City’s Festival of Sail.

The eight multihulls, four Multi50 trimarans, three 70 foot MOD70 trimarans and the show stopping 80 foot trimaran Prince de Bretagne, arrived from Dun Laoghaire, Dublin Bay during Wednesday afternoon and evening, and will start their final leg to Morlaix, France on Saturday evening. The course has taken the crews from Valencia in Spain to Lisbon, Portugal and Dun Laoghaire Ireland before arriving in Plymouth.

read more here

The 2013 Bol d'Or yacht race, video of the race highlights

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player

Route des Princes, video summarising the Dun Laoghaire to Plymouth leg of the race


De Dun Laoghaire à Plymouth by routedesprincesTV

America's Cup video, Team Oracle on the challenges of the AC72 catamaran


Wednesday 26 June 2013

Route des Princes update, Oman Air leads the MOD70's on the Dun Laoghaire to Plymouth leg

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Sabina Mollart Rogerson.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Route-des-Princes---Oman-Air-Musandam-breakaway/111234

In the 2013 Route des Princes, just as they did on the very first leg around Europe, Sidney Gavignet and the crew of the MOD70 Oman Air-Musandam have managed to steal a meaningful march on their opposition.

On Leg 1 in the Mediterranean they separated from the fleet and built a lead of more than 20 miles which served them well enough to win that opening leg into Lisbon.

When they passed Fastnet Rock in the lead of Leg 3, Dun Laoghaire to Plymouth, this afternoon at 1240hrs UTC (1340hrs local time Plymouth) Oman Air-Musandam already had more than 20 miles in hand over their two rivals Edmond de Rothschild and Virbac-Paprec 70.


read more here

Oman Air MOD70 photo Marcel Mochet

Monday 24 June 2013

Spindrift Racing pull out of Route des Princes

Spindrift Racing who were going to attempt to rejoin the Route des Princes event in Plymouth after their capsize in Dun Laoghaire have pulled out of the balance of the event citing inadequate time to rerig their MOD70.

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/06/route-des-princes-spindrift-bows-out/

Route des Princes update, Teams make preparations for next leg from Dun Laoghaire to Plymouth

With gale force winds ripping across Dun Laoghaire the remaining inshore racing has been cancelled.  The teams are now preparing for the next offshore leg between Dun Laoghaire to Plymouth.

From the following article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/620/tactical-race-to-plymouth.html

With no inshore racing possible in Dun Laoghaire Sunday for the Routes des Princes fleet due to very high winds on Dublin Bay, the focus for the multihull fleet returns to offshore racing as Leg 3, to Plymouth is set to start on Monday morning at 1100hrs local time (Dublin).

read more here

Meanwhile Spindrift Racing are preparing their damaged and now righted MOD70 for transit back to La Trinite.  If all goes well they should be back in action for the next offshore leg from Plymouth to Bay of Morlaix.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.589540594401119.1073741841.347512061937308&type=3

There is also an excellent article on Sail-World submitted by Sabina Mollart Rogerson.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Route-des-Princes---Focus-returns-to-offshore-racing/111148

Sunday 23 June 2013

Route des Princes update, Spindrift Racing MOD70 capsizes in first inshore race in Dun Laoghaire

The Spindrift Racing team have capsized in a gust during the first inshore race in Dun Laoghaire everyone escaped from under the boat ok but Jacques Guichard suffered a fractured pelvis in the accident and was airlifted to hospital.   The trimaran has been recovered and righted by crane and is now tied at the dock awaiting assessment, repair and a new mast.

From the following article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/606/official-spindrift-press-release-spindrift-capsizes-in-dun-lagohaire.html

Official Spindrift Press Release: Spindrift capsizes in Dun Lagohaire
 
Spindrift capsizes in Dun Lagohaire
 
The MOD70 Spindrift capsized on the first leg of the Route des Princes inshore races in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.
 
All crew are safe and sound, but Jacques Guichard, Yann's brother and a key member of the crew, was hurt in the accident. Both brothers were airlifted by helicopter to the hospital in Dublin, where Jacques was diagnosed with fractures to the pelvis.
 
Yann Guichard, the skipper of Spindrift explained the circumstances of the capsize: "We had 22 to 24 knots of wind on the start line with gusts of up to 30 knots at the lower end of the course. We were at the limit of weather conditions for our boats and it was not great for racing. All the MODs had one reef in the main and staysail. We started a bit below and behind the fleet and found ourselves slightly in a wind shadow. When our rivals had moved away we had a sudden gust literally flattened us.
 
read more here
 

Saturday 22 June 2013

Route des Princes update, Inshore racing in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Sabina Mollart Rogerson

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Route-des-Princes---Spindrift-gunning-for-supremacy-takeover/111100

In the Route des Princes, Saturday and Sunday on Dublin Bay off Dun Laoghaire’s National Yacht Club are expected to see some of the most spectacular inshore racing yet. The combination of strong winds and a relatively open water race course which will be easily viewed from the shore should provide the perfect combination when the six, short sharp round the buoys races are contested.

read more here 

America's Cup update, AC Uncut talk to Max Sirena of Luna Rossa Team


Friday 21 June 2013

2013 Record SNSM, good turnout by multihulls for event 21st - 25th of June in Saint Nazaire

The Record SNSM is somewhat of a multihull institution.  The record is held by BPV which completed the course several years ago with an average of 30 knots.  It's unlikely to be challenged this year by the current G-Class multihulls which are set up with more modest rigs for singlehanding.

read more at the Record SNSM website:

http://www.recordsnsm.com/



G-Class

Maxi Banque Populaire VII - Bertrand Pacé
Sodebo - Thomas Coville

Multi 50

Aquaera - Bertrand Quentin
Maître Jacques - Loïc Fequet
Nootka - Gilles Buekenhout
Rayon Vert - Alain Delhumeau

Multi 2000

Acapella-MTD - Charlie Capelle
Corsair Marine  
Pterodactyl - Xavier Callede
Restabern - Jean-Christophe Lair

Thursday 20 June 2013

The Bol d'Or, race report

From the following article on Sail-World submitted by Jean Philippe Jobé

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Bol-dOr-Mirabaud---500+-battle-on-Lake-Geneva/111012

The 75th anniversary of the legendary Bol d’Or Mirabaud, one if the biggest inland regattas in the world - which takes place every year on Lake Geneva, was a special one. There were some 500 boats from the fast Decision 35 to the weird and not so fast Puissance 4. With more than a 100 boats taking part, it was quite a showing of the most popular boat on the lake, the Archambault Surprise.

Weather was as predicted, SW filling from the start transitioning to a south wind coming from the Alps, which turned into a fast and freak storm with gusts close to 40 knots and heavy rain for 15 minutes. Some did get soaked but not the fastest boats that where already on the way back. Then it was the long wait in the night with no wind until some thermal breeze filled the spinnakers on the way south back to Geneva for those still in the race.


read more here

America's Cup update, Teams still working out details of updated AC34 protocol

From the following article on Sailing Scuttlebutt by the Editor:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2013/06/19/ac34-the-devil-is-in-the-details/#more

Here is a summary of the current situation with the America’s Cup:

* The event’s Protocol, dated Sept. 13, 2010, an agreement between Golden Gate Yacht Club and Club Nautico Di Roma in how the event will be run, is what each team has used to prepare for the event.
* Some teams have prepared better than others.
* The event organizer now deems the Protocol unsafe and seeks to change it.
* Some teams don’t agree with all the changes.
* Those teams may be forced to accept the changes.

The primary means to change the Protocol is for the majority of the teams to agree on the change. Some of the changes sought out by the event organizer – possibly changes that could minimize a competitive advantage – do not have a majority vote. This is a problem, as the event organizer included all the changes to their Coast Guard permit application.

read more here

Multi50 update, Maitre Jacques team deliver their Multi50 in preperation for the upcoming Record SNSM

Update from the Maitre Jacques FB page:

https://www.facebook.com/Trimaran.Maitre.Jacques?hc_location=timeline

Here is the rough bing translate:

For the record SNSM Loïc Féquet and Loïc Escoffier left Saint-Malo on Wednesday: Cape Saint Nazaire and the Record SNSM 2013. The weather conditions announced for this event should not, however, allow to get record chronos... Regardless, the challenge is that more interesting: how to do more with less! The Team master Jacques will also take advantage of each moment past seas to always work again and for the Transat Jacques Vabre.

Four days of the launch of the Record SNSM, the two Loïc Fequet and Escoffier, future duo "Master Jacques," from the Transat Jacques Vabre 2013 takes advantage the conveying of Saint-Malo in Saint-Nazaire to refine their preparation and validate the last work done aboard the Multi 50 red and white.

Speed, speed
To program these two days and two nights of drive: work on polar boat speed (graphical representation of the speed of the boat based on its look, the strength of the wind and the State of the sea, its sail combinations and their settings). These data are valuable benchmarks for the sailors in constant search for optimization of their speed.

Faster with less wind?
For the record, the two Loïc meet two of the crew of the Team master Jacques faithful: Pierre Hingant and Arnaud Le Gal; Franck-Yves Escoffier will complement this fine team of sailors.

On paper, the weather conditions expected on this Record SNSM 2013 should not allow the Team master Jacques to do better than in 2011 (more than 20 knots with peaks at 26.5 knots), Loïc and his team have worked for two years but their boat has won yet in potential and ease... Their performance will be to monitor closely.

The of this record SNSM 2013 will kick off Sunday at 17 h, the record to beat is that of Lionel Lemonchois in 2011 in 17 h 01'35 ".

Loïc Féquet, skipper master Jacques: "with a westerly breeze, will be hard to do better than two years ago (in 2011, the conditions were ideal: a steady Southwest breeze that allowed crews to navigate to the"reaching"outward and return, Editor's note)." It will leave in 15-20 knots from the West Sunday afternoon; It will ease then, but it will always be wind.
Our goal is still to work for the Transat Jacques Vabre. Keep a pace of more than 24 hours: we have succeeded on the ArMen Race (won by Maître Jacques last may, Editor's note) must be confirmed here. » Record to beat Multi 50 (course of 360 miles two AR between St Nazaire and Ste. Marine): Prince de Bretagne / Lionel Lemonchois - 17 h 01'35 "(2011)

Crew master Jacques on the Armen Race: Loïc Féquet, Loïc Escoffier, Pierre Hingant, Arnaud Le Gal and Franck-Yves Escoffier.
 
read more here

Route des Princes update, video and articles on the arrival of the multis in Dun Laoghaire (Dublin)


Clip arrivées à Dublin "1H de BONNE HEURE" by routedesprincesTV

Also an article on Sail-World submitted by Sabina Mollart Rogerson

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Route-des-Princes---Spindrift-and-Actual-lead-across-the-finish/111009

In the 2013 Route des Princes, out of the warming glow of a luminous Irish sunrise, it was Yann Guichard’s black and white hulled Spindrift which left their rivals fighting shadows as they led the MOD70 fleet across the finish line of Leg 2 early this Wednesday morning.

Crossing the line at 04h 37' 48' TU (05h 37’48' local time Dublin) Spindrift won the 990 miles stage which started from Lisbon on Sunday afternoon, adding 40 race points to the two bonus points that they landed at the Cascais scoring mark Sunday evening. Now the current 2012 MOD70 class champions top the Route des Princes leaderboard by six points from Sébastien Josse’s crew on Edmond de Rothschild. 


read more here

Also a press release from Spindrift Racing:

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/06/spindrift-first-to-ireland/

At sunrise, the MOD70 Spindrift won the second stage of the Route des Princes between Lisbon and Dublin-Dun Laoghaire. Spindrift crossed the line at 05:37hrs and 48 sec (local time), after 2 days, 15 hours, 37 minutes and 48 seconds of a race that was thrilling, challenging and as eventful as you could hope for, as they were constantly in contact with their opponents. Yann Guichard and his crew; Erwan Tabarly, Pascal Bidégorry, Jacques Guichard, Christophe Espagnon Xavier Revil, despite the fatigue, wore broad smiles in the fresh Irish morning. They achieved their goals in all respects because this victory propels them to the top of the overall standings ahead of the inshore races scheduled for Saturday and next Sunday in Dublin Bay.

read more here

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Route des Princes update, tight race among the MOD70's and Multi50's

It's hard to keep up with lead changes in the MOD70 class on news articles presently Spindrift Racing is leading with Oman Air slightly astern in second place.

From the following news article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/496/will-foxall-s-irish-eyes-be-smiling-in-dun-laoghaire-tomorrow.html

Will Foxall’s Irish Eyes be smiling in Dun Laoghaire tomorrow?

To Ireland’s 19th century emigrants who were heading for a new life across the Atlantic in America the Fastnet Rock became known as Ireland’s Teardrop. But for Ireland’s Damian Foxall this morning, passing the legendary rock was reason for Irish sailing’s most successful export to smile.
Not only did the iconic light mark Foxall’s return to ‘home’ waters, those that he cut his offshore racing teeth on some 20 years or more ago before he moved to France to further his solo and short handed ocean racing career, but Oman Air-Musandam  on which he is racing the Routes des Princes passed the Fastnet with a small, well earned lead on this second offshore stage which started from Lisbon on Sunday.

read more here

© M. Mochet/RDP

Tuesday 18 June 2013

36th Round Texel Race completed

From the following article on Sail-World submitted by Simon Keijzer:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Round-Texel---Line-honours-for-Peter-Vink-and-Jeroen-van-Leeuwen/110291

On Sunday morning, half past 10, all competitors in the 36th Round Texel Race heard the redeeming words: 'the 36th Round Texel will be raced today!' Following the postponement of 15 June, due to the strong winds, 194 of the initial 288 registered catamarans appeared at the start for the postponned version of the Biggest Cat race of the World.

After 2 hours and 35 minutes Peter Vink and Jeroen van Leeuwen crossed the finish line in front of Paal 17 first. Vink and Van Leeuwen took the lead at the lighthouse and did not look back. Sailing on their brand new and ultra-bright Nacra F20 Carbon the duo skimmed the water thanks to the specially prepared foils on the rudders and reached top speeds.


read more here

Another article is on the excellent catsailingnews blog here:

http://www.catsailingnews.com/2013/06/texel-round-2013-oscar-zeekant-charlie.html

Vestas Sailrocket 2, interview with Paul Larsen by Sail Racing Magazine

An article/interview with Paul Larsen on the practical aspects of sailing Sail Rocket 2 at high speed:

http://www.sailracingmagazine.com/editors-blog/sailrocket-pilot-paul-larsen-tells-us-what-its-like-to-sail-at-65-knots

America's Cup update, regatta director Iain Murray calls in the mediators

From the following article on the excellent Sail Racing Magazine's website:

Murray calls in the mediators as slow progress continues over safety changes.
 

America's Cup organisers are continuing to make slow progress in their efforts to implement the safety changes recommended by an expert panel following the fatal crash of the Artemis Racing AC72 six weeks ago.

In the days following the incident which claimed the life of Artemis strategist Andrew Simpson, regatta director Iain Murray convened an independent panel of experts to review all matters relating to the safety of sailing the AC45 and AC72 catamarans. On May 22 that committee issued a list of 37 recommended changes, but to date only two of them have made it through to become part of the Cup rules.

Read more here

Route des Princes update, Spindrift Racing in the lead on leg 2 Lisbon to Dun Laoghaire

From the following article on Sail-World submitted by Sabina Mollart Rogerson

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Route-des-Princes---Spindrift-Racing-continues-to-lead-Leg-2/110325

In the 2013 Route des Princes, racing with the whole MOD70 fleet in close contact for periods today, Yann Guichard and the crew of Spindrift continue to lead Leg 2 as they passed to the east of the centre of the depression and have been enjoying fast downwind sailing, slowed only by the confused, difficult seas.

Skipper Guichard reported that conditions on board Spindrift were like ‘being in a washing machine’. Their lead over Sidney Gavignet’s Oman Air-Musandam this afternoon was around four miles as they surged north at speeds of up to thirty knots.

'The speeds are impressive, but that's normal for these boats.' Reported Charles Caudrelier from Edmond de Rothshchild this morning, 'As soon as there's a little wind sailing downwind, these boats take off, but the problem is they're taking a pounding with these nasty seas, and as we are racing we are forced to push them hard..We're going along 28-30kts we are hitting the sea coming towards us and banging up and down on the waves. There are noises coming from everywhere on the boat. But we're making headway...'

read more here


Inmarsat Spindrift - 17/06/2013 by routedesprincesTV

and a press release from Spindrift Racing on Leg 2 Lisbon to Dun Laoghaire

http://www.spindrift-racing.com/2013/06/leg-2-day-2-mod70s-at-cape-finisterre/

Monday 17 June 2013

Route des Princes update, Lisbon to Dun Laoghaire

From the following article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/438/moving-targets.html

Jean-Pierre Dick and the crew of Virbac-Paprec 70 continue to lead Leg 2 of the Routes des Princes race as the leaders negotiate Cape Finisterre this morning on the 990 miles stage from Lisbon to Dún Laoghaire Dublin this morning.

Virbac-Paprec 70 was the closest to the cape on the NW corner of the Iberian peninsula, some 17 miles to its SW, having established their lead early yesterday evening after the breeze all but died away completely just to the west of Cascais. By the 0400hrs ranking during their first night at sea on the stage Jean-Pierre and his crew had increased that lead out to 25 miles racing when they held firm to their course and their opponents tacked offshore at the latitude of Porto. The offshore group have since come back at Virbac-Paprec 70 making consistent gains on a faster angle, but the leaders still had 8.28 miles in hand as they raced north at 24-28kts.

read more here

America's Cup update, Team Artemis's Iain Percy on the Artemis Team's decision to continue

Iain Percy of Artemis Team speaks to the AC Uncut team on the Artemis Team getting back onto the water.


Francis Joyon smashes record on New York to Lizard route

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Mer et Media

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Francis-Joyon-shatters-North-Atlantic-record-by-more-than-16-hours/110274

In his quest to beat the North Atlantic record, Francis Joyon on board IDEC, has smashed Thomas Coville’s 2008 record by 16 hours, 34 minutes and 30 seconds. Joyon completed his journey in a time of 5 days, 2 hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds.

Over the final stretch, Francis Joyon came very close to beating his own outright distance record over 24 hours (666.2 miles) and this enabled the Breton skipper to make important gains over the second half of the crossing, in spite of sailing some distance away from the Great Circle Route.


A video of Francis's arrival a Cape Lizard at the end of the record run.

Sunday 16 June 2013

America's Cup Discovered, Edition 94


America's Cup update, Interview with Paul Cayard Artemis CEO on the teams recovery from the AC72 accident

Francis Joyon approaches the end of his record attempt well ahead of reference time

A recent screenshot from Francis Joyon's tracker for the New York to Lizard record attempt.


The tracker is here:
http://www.trimaran-idec.com/multimedia_cartographie.asp

Route des Princes update, Multi50 class depart on Lisbon for Dublin leg MOD70's soon to follow

Tracker is here:

http://tracking.routedesprinces.fr/en/


Inmarsat Actual - 15/06/2013 by routedesprincesTV

Francis Joyon, on the cusp of setting new Trans Atlantic record New York to Lizard

From the following article on the IDEC website:

http://www.trimaran-idec.com/actualite_article.asp?id=236

and the rough bing translate below:

FRANCIS JOYON ABOUT TO EXPLODE THE NORTH ATLANTIC RECORD

Saturday, June 15, 2013

 With 650 miles covered the past 24 hours, Francis Joyon flirts with his own record of distance traveled in one day sailing and single-handed, 666 miles.This single statistic reveals the level of performance that carries out since his departure from New York last Wednesday the sailor of LoCmariaquer. On a southern road very far from ideal, great circle route, followed with happiness for 4 days in July 2008 by Thomas Coville, Francis Joyon took the huge challenge to navigate, not at speeds greater than 21 knots, average of the current record, but at over 25 knots. A bet that still holds today high hand the extraordinary Mr Joyon, who may consider an arrival at the Lizard tomorrow Sunday by mid-afternoon. In doing so, IDEC and Francis, with the unwavering support of Jean-Yves Bernot, will realize the unique and prodigious feat of holding all significant records in sailing and single-handed.
FRANCIS JOYON EN PASSE D'EXPLOSER LE RECORD DE L'ATLANTIQUE NORD© JEAN-MARIE LIOT / DPPI / IDEC

Fully to Lizard!
"The magic of these big multihulls, is that you can just ask them; 25, 30 or 35 knots..." The sentence sounds in the mouth of Francis Joyon as a relentless banality. It hides a little more than 4 days of a titanic battle in the heart of a depression very hollow, aboard a multihull like a runaway horse. It does not explain the crazy bet to go on record on a considerably extended route from the path reference to Thomas Coville. And she tells especially not the voltage, the permanent danger, risk-taking incurred to push for so long without interruption, a trimaran to the maximum of its possibilities. Yet, it is well to this award, Francis Joyon, late during more than half of the course, returned today to height of the trace of his virtual opponent, he will exceed mercilessly and leave later in its wake. "I wasn't quite in the terms of my record of 24 hours" continues Francis, because that night, I slept 3 hours! It is true that I live since the departure of New York in a rarely affect voltage."

A significant gain on the current record.

«Depression beyond me gently» continues Francis, refreshed by the incredible luxury of a NAP of 3 hours last night, where the speed of his trimaran IDEC has had to suffer the least. "The wind will refuse to approach the British Isles, i.e. turn from the back of the trimaran to the side. This will be worse for speed"said as apologizing Francis,"but this should enable us to finish tomorrow afternoon. " Remains to refine this prediction. Enriched computer projections of more recent data, see it pointing its bows under the Lizard tomorrow Sunday between 17 and 18 French time. The gain on the current record would be then between 12 and 13 hours! Point of major maneuvers in sight during the last 600 miles and a few to go. «Depression took just the right direction to spare me a new jibe.» Under mainsail and staysail, Francis must only send the Genoese as soon as the wind will turn on his left. Far from triumph while it addresses only the continental shelf and the signs before riders from the proximity of the coast are still very diffuse, Francis Joyon pushes its degree of vigilance, attention to wear of the boat, and more than ever in tune with the evolution of its big red on the Ridge trimaran waves.

Saturday 15 June 2013

Francis Joyon closes in on new Trans Atlantic solo multihull record

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Mer et Media

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Uncertainty-remains-in-Francis-Joyons-North-Atlantic-record-chase/109776

It was once more with a remarkably calm voice for a sailor at the helm of a 30-metre machine speeding along at between 25 and 30 knots that Francis Joyon confirmed his ETA at the finish, in other words that he is due to cross the legendary line marking the finish of the North Atlantic crossing off The Lizard at the southern tip of Cornwall on Sunday evening.

To beat the record set in July 2008 by Thomas Coville on the giant trimaran Sodebo, IDEC has to finish before 0400hrs UTC (0600hrs CET) on Monday morning. Without wishing to celebrate too soon, as with 1200 miles to go to the finish, there remains some uncertainty, Joyon seems more motivated than ever given the way the low-pressure area that he has been with since leaving New York, is moving, as it should enable him to succeed in this mammoth task. If he succeeds, he will become the record-holder of the only one of the four major solo sailing records missing from his current list of achievements.


read more here

Deed of gift winning trimaran USA17 moved from present location at Pier 80 San Francisco

The America's Cup deed of gift winning trimaran USA 17 (BOR 90) has been moved from it's location at Pier 80 in San Francisco.  Rumor has it that it will be relocated to the lagoon outside Oracle's Corporate facility.


The Bol d'Or, Lake Geneva classic's 2013 edition

Read all about it over on the SNG website:

http://www.boldormirabaud.com/en-ch/index.cfm?page=/boldor/home/regate

 This event has been toned down a bit from the days of the radical Formula 40's and the all conquering Le Black lake catamaran.  These days the fastest lake rockets are the one design D35 catamarans one of which currently holds the Blue Ribbon record.

Route des Princes update, Edmond de Rothschild leads inshore race series in Lisbon

From the following article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/350/three-winners-in-lisbon-but-edmond-de-rothschild-lead-inshore-series.html

Just as they did in Valencia Sebastien Josse's crew on Edmond de Rothschild proved the masters of the short, high intensity inshore race courses Friday on the more compact confines and tricky currents of Lisbon's Tagus river, emerging from the first three races of the Route des Princes Portugese stopover with a narrow lead of two points for inshore series here.

read more here

Friday 14 June 2013

Francis Joyon, Trans Atlantic record attempt nears halfway mark

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Mer et Media:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Francis-Joyon-to-reach-halfway-mark-to-The-Lizard-this-evening/109739

Francis Joyon, aboard his maxi-trimaran, IDEC, is on course to reach the halfway point of his journey between New York and The Lizard this evening. While at lunchtime today, based on the mathematics, he was some 100 miles off the pace set by the current record-holder, Thomas Coville, the skipper of IDEC said he was pleased with the first part of the crossing. He managed to get away from the coast of North America with all its traps and hurdles: fog, all sorts of obstacles, winds that were variable in strength and direction.

read more here

Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa have their first trial race on the America's Cup course in San Francisco Bay




Thursday 13 June 2013

America's Cup video, Oracle and ETNZ with their Code 0's and a foiling gybe


Route des Princes update, Multi50 Team Lalou/Arkema and MOD70 Oman-Air Musandam winners of first leg Valencia to Lisbon.

From the following article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/294/oman-air-musandam-and-arkema-aquitaine-win-to-lisbon.html

Sidney Gavignet and the international crew of Oman Air-Musandam  broke the finish line off Lisbon at 12:41:38 hrs local time (11:41:38hrs TU) to win the first leg of the inaugural Route des Princes multihull race around Europe from Valencia to Morlaix, France via stopovers in Lisbon, Dun Laoghaire Dublin and Plymouth.
Team Oman Air-Musandam arrivée à Lisbonne
© D. Le Roux/RDP

Since starting from Valencia, Spain on Sunday afternoon the crew of Oman Air-Musandam  have been the most consistent race leaders, only passed twice since the first and only turning mark at Benicarlo, 30 miles north of Valencia. Each time they were overtaken it proved only very temporary and, sticking with their strategies, they drew ahead again to win into Lisbon by 44 minutes and 52 seconds ahead of Yann Guichard’s crew on Spindrift.

Skippered by France’s Sidney Gavignet, Oman Air-Musandam, has the most international team in the race, composed of two crew from France, two from Oman, one from England and one from Ireland.

read more here

The overall rankings as they stand after the Valencia to Lisbon leg are here:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/overal-ranking.html

Golden Oldies trophy 2013 in Sete, South of France

Lots of recognizable classic racing and cruising multihulls in this fantastic video from the Golden Oldies association.  Thanks to HASYB for the link to this great video.


GOT2013 by goldenoldies

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Route des Princes update, Multi50 Actual and MOD70 Oman Sail lead their respective packs

From the following article on the Route des Princes website:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/202/rich-get-richer-before-gibraltar-shut-down.html

With twenty four hours elapsed it is Gavignet’s team which has prospered almost since they rounded the Benicarlo mark north of Valencia on Sunday evening, six hours after the start.

But for a minor blip, as they passed Cabo de Nao early this morning when Sébastien Josse and Edmond de Rothschild managed to squeeze ahead, sailing closer to the coast, the Oman Sail MOD70 team which has Briton Neal McDonald as navigator has managed to steadily increase their lead.

On the mid afternoon rankings, as the leaders passed some 43 miles SW of Cartagena, Oman Air – Musandam had managed to eke out a lead of nearly 29 miles ahead of Yann Guichard’s Spindrift, the MultiOne champions which has Pascal Bidégorry as navigator. In turn Spindrift were five miles up on Jean-Pierre Dick’s Virbac-Paprec 70.

read more here


Francis Joyon Trans Atlantic record attempt, ready to go

Francis Joyon is set to depart on his attempt to regain the record currently held by Thomas Coville on the Trans Atlantic New York to Lizard route.  Francis will need to maintain a higher than 20 knot average to retake the record.

The tracker for the attempt is here:

http://www.trimaran-idec.com/multimedia_cartographie.asp

From the following article:

http://www.trimaran-idec.com/actualite_article.asp?id=225

The rough Google translate is below:

Monday, June 10, 2013

Francis Joyon should depart tomorrow Tuesday 11 June in the early
hours of the day to the onslaught of the record for crossing the Atlantic in
a multihull and single-handed, aboard his maxi trimaran IDEC. It should
cross the historic departure of this mythical record line materialized by
Ambrose light in New York City between 2 hours and 8 French time. He must
then fight alone facing the Atlantic and up the Lizard to the Western tip of
Cornwall English during less than 5 days, 19 hours, 30 minutes and 40
seconds to inscribe his name on the shelves of the World Sailing Speed
Record Council and clear of the current holder, Thomas Coville. Francis
Joyon completed then a double feat, a title which he owned until 2008, and
especially to become the only man to hold the four world records the most
significant sailing and single-handed, World Tour, record the fastest speed
over 24 hours, Route de la Découverte and the North Atlantic record.

A window... correct!

"The weather window referred this night is... correct!" The expression is
Jean-Yves Bernot, the master of navigation at le grand large, attending
since always Francis Joyon in its greatest challenges sailing. In clear and
decoded, the conditions are conducive, certainly not ideal, but with enough
arguments to trigger an attempt. The two men watched from the France
development on the North American continent from depression of force and
trajectory that meet the requirements of a record become more difficult to
beat attempts. Francis Joyon has accumulated last weekend enough certainty
and conviction to board a plane destined for New York yesterday, and find
his large trimaran IDEC moored in the marina at Gateway in Brooklyn, New
York.

A possible start between 2 and 8 o'clock in the morning

Cleaning hulls, last refuelling, made as the accustomed alone and by itself,
and Joyon refine this evening by telephone the latest weather developments
with Jean-Yves Bernot, before evening the perilous trip to the starting line
and the former location of the legendary lighthouse of Ambrose at the
entrance of the Bay of New York, Lighthouse dismantled in 2008 following
numerous collisions, and now replaced by light buoys. A start officially
recorded between 2 and 8 o'clock in the morning French time would allow it
to benefit from the light of the end of American day to browse the delicate
miles ferry on the grand River New Yorkers. Depression in circulation on
Labrador should prevail in its winds sustained thirty knots, well oriented
to the South East is on an easily negotiable sea during at least the first
two thirds of the course. As is often the case in this record attempt, it is
the final approach phase on the British Isles, which contains the largest
batch of uncertainties. Wind is expected to pick this weekend and complicate
the task of the lone sailor. But the movement of this depression on a
sufficiently North Road should however allow IDEC to slide closer to the
direct route, and thus optimize its trajectory toward the entrance of the
English channel by accumulating the "effective" miles to Lizard.

Monday 10 June 2013

America's Cup video, 'Ron' Oracle's crane operator runs us through his job


Record attempt New York to Lizard (west to east record), Francis Joyon goes code amber

From the following article on the Daily Sail:

http://www.thedailysail.com/offshore/13/64669/0/francis-joyon-poised-to-leave-on-solo-w-e-transat-record

Author: James Boyd, Location: United States

Possible weather window for IDEC's solo New York-Lizard record attempt Sunday June 9th 2013,

Francis Joyon has gone to code amber for his attempt on the elusive singlehanded west to east record across the North Atlantic from New York to the Lizard.

The skipper of the maxi-trimaran IDEC has flown to the USA as there is a potential weather window opening making a start for the record possible within the next 48 hours.

read more here

Route des Princes update, first offshore leg Valencia to Lisbon underway

The first leg of the Route des Princes has started.  You can view the tracker here:

http://tracking.routedesprinces.fr/fr/

Sunday 9 June 2013

America's Cup videos, AC Discovered edition 93


Route des Princes update, inshore regatta video and news

The inshore regatta has been experiencing excellent conditions that have allowed the big trimarans to power round the inshore courses.

You can watch positional replays of the races at the following url.

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/inshore-regatta.html

A summing up of the inshore regatta for the MOD70's is here:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/150/edmond-de-rothschild-win-valencia-inshores.html

Edmond de Rothschild win Valencia inshores

Perfect winning hat trick for Edmond de Rothschild gives them top Valencia points

Three wins, including two inshore races in which they lead at every turning buoy, marks out an initial superiority for Sébastien Josse and his polished crew of Edmond de Rothschild who will leave Valencia on Sunday with the best of the inshore points in the bag when the Route de Princes fleet head off on offshore Leg 1, 800 miles to Lisbon, Portugal.

read more here


- Clip Routes des Princes Valence Inshore Jour 2 by routedesprincesTV


Solo Round Britain has started, Alan Rankin departs on his challenge

Alan Rankin has departed Ullapool on his challenge to circumnavigate Britain in a Farrier F-27 trimaran.

You can see more details on the Solo Round Britain challenge and a tracker showing Alan's progress on his website:

http://www.soloroundbritain.com/

Saturday 8 June 2013

Portsmouth Multihull Show, 15th to 16th June 2013

From the following article on Multihulls World

http://www.multihulls-world.com/us/011-1077-PORTSMOUTH-MULTIHULL-SHOW-2013.html

A COLLECTION OF WORLD RENOWNED NEW CATAMARAN & TRIMARAN BRANDS ON SHOW
15th - 16th June, Haslar Marina, Gosport,  Hampshire.


This year's Multihull Show is giving enthusiasts the opportunity to see some of the very latest designs from the world's leading brands, among which Broadblue, Corsair, Dragonfly, Fountaine Pajot, Gemini, Lagoon, Leopard Catamarans, Privilege and Nautitech.
All models will be in one location on the water at Haslar Marina, Gosport, Hampshire.

The show will be open from 10am to 5pm daily, and as well as viewings there will be opportunities to test sail selected boats by prior appointment.

Exhibitors include Ancasta International Boat Sales, MiCats, Multihull Solutions, Multihull World, Sail-a-Cat and Sunsail Yacht Sales.

For more information please visit the website www.portsmouthmultihullshow.com

... And do ask for the Multihulls World's flyer, we have a nice surprise waiting for you : the current issue of the magazine for free!

Route des Princes update, Spindrift Racing takes narrow lead in the inshore races

From the following article on the Route des Princes news page:

http://www.routedesprinces.fr/en/news-race/113/spindrift-have-slender-lead.html

After the first three inshore races for the MOD70 class on the Route des Princes off Valencia, Spindrift have the narrowest possible lead, only topping the first day’s ranking by virtue of a tie break with Edmond de Rothschild.

read more here

MOD70's racing in Valencia, photo Marcel Mochet

Sail Racing Magazine, June 2013 edition available

Download for ipad or as a pdf.  Download (free) at the following link

http://www.sailracingmagazine.com/2013-editions/june-2013-edition

America's Cup update, Artemis team confirm they are continuing with their Cup campaign

From the following article on http://www.americascup.com

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/8/teams/15739/artemis-racing-prepares-new-boat-for-competition-safety-revised-schedule-is-released

Artemis Racing has announced it is moving forward with its challenge for the America’s Cup. The team’s continued participation had been in doubt following a tragic capsize that led to the death of a crew member last month.

The Swedish challenger has confirmed it is now preparing its second AC72, which will undergo a rigorous testing regime. When the sailing team is satisfied that the boat is ready to race, it will join the Louis Vuitton Cup, America’s Cup Challenger Series.

“Artemis Racing’s decision to continue will inspire race fans,” said Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “I’m sure we’ll see massive support and goodwill for the Swedish team.

read more here

Thursday 6 June 2013

Weta Australia launch new website

Weta trimarans have launched their new Australian website

http://www.weta.com.au/

A great place to catch up on all the news and upcoming events for this rather splendid off the beach trimaran.

Motive Trimarans update, Motive 25 trimaran receives new rudders and centreboard

The very tasty all carbon Motive 25 trimaran is going through an ongoing program of refinement.  As they have test sailed the boat they are discovering what bits need beefing up and alteration. 

From the Motive Trimarans blog

http://motivetrimarans.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/new-rudders-arrive-racing-cat.html

New Rudders Arrive

Racing cat designer/builder Matt McDonald, was brought in to design and build new rudders capable of withstanding the high lateral loads we've been experiencing as we approach 25 knots. We can't wait to get back on the water!
 
 
Motive 25R builder, Ted Warren, checks the new wider gudgeon/pintle spacing, which takes advantage of the full height of the transom. The old transom gudgeon/pintles can be seen inboard of the new ones. The new system will use a single, full length rod pintle to further maximize strength.
 
Center Board Beefed Up

Likewise, the CB was redesigned to withstand higher loads by incorporating custom laid carbon tubing, which will create a triple web structure running the full length of of the CB.
 
 
 
The new Center Board in-build at Warren Light Craft.

Wednesday 5 June 2013

Auckland to Musket Cove race, Team Vodafone breaks its own record in Auckland to Fiji race

From the following article on the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club website:

http://www.rnzys.org.nz/NewsEvents/News/tabid/274/ctl/Details/mid/774/ItemID/1126/Default.aspx

5 June 2013: TeamVodafoneSailing has finished the Auckland to Musket Cove, Fiji Ocean Race in a new best time of 101 hours, 5 minutes and 5 seconds.

The trimaran, owned and skippered by Simon Hull, crossed the finish line in Fiji at 1905hrs today, after 1,150 nautical miles of sailing.

It set the previous record in the 2011 race, sailing hard to beat Emirates Team New Zealand's boat, Camper, into the finish line by less than 20 minutes.


 

Route des Princes starts on 5th of June, promo video


Teaser Route des Princes by routedesprincesTV

America's Cup update, Sail Racing Magazine interview with Grant Dalton of ETNZ

Sail Racing magazine have published an audio interview with Grant Dalton of Emirates Team New Zealand on the America's Cup.

http://www.sailracingmagazine.com/blog/episode-9-grant-dalton-emirates-team-new-zealand

America's cup update, Artemis Racing Team return to training in San Francisco

The Artemis Team have conducted their first training session since the tragic loss of Andrew Simpson in the teams AC72 accident.  Great to see them back on the water in their foiling AC45.


North West Multihull Association meeting, 4th June 2013

Bit of a late reminder, but NWMA is meeting this evening at Puget Sound Yacht club (2321 N. Northlake Way) at 7 PM.  the program tonight is a slideshow and discussion of Net Attachment details, featuring examples form the world of french multis, the latest Farrier approaches, and some local boats.

Bring your ideas and experience!

More details at the NWMA's website:

Monday 3 June 2013

Samui Regatta, update on race day 4

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by the Samui Regatta event media

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Close-racing-in-challenging-conditions-on-Day-4-of-2013-Samui-Regatta/110048

At the 2013 Samui Regatta, following a day off for some well-earned rest and relaxation, the sailors were back in action today with two races – a windward leeward and around-the-cans – starting in an eight knot building breeze off Chaweng Beach.

read more here

UK JP Morgan Round the Island race 2013, multihull category race results

Race results by multihull category for the recent UK Round the Island Race.

MOCRA multihulls

http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=rir13&style=std&ui=rir4&override=&section=results&page=results2013&classrequest=500&submit=

bridgedeck multihulls

http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=rir13&style=std&ui=rir4&override=&section=results&page=results2013&classrequest=510&submit=

Grand Prix multihulls

http://www.roundtheisland.org.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=rir13&style=std&ui=rir4&override=&section=results&page=results2013&classrequest=520&submit=

Also a couple of articles from Sail-World on the race. Not mentioned in the article's but of interest the absolute record for the Round Island course is still held by the MOD70 trimaran Foncia.

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Round-the-Island-Race-records-broken/110079

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/The-day-that-Round-the-Island-Race-records-tumbled/110084

2013 Palby Fyn Cup, video of the race

Some video is available of the 2013 Palby Fyn race on Livestream.  The most multi content seems to be in the video 'Palby 3' which gives us a good look over the Carbon 3 trimaran and some of the other multis in the event.


Sunday 2 June 2013

Red Bull Youth America's Cup update, the US team "The Force" on their training for the upcoming event

From the following article on Sailing Scuttlebutt:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2013/05/31/video-putting-in-the-time-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/

San Francisco, CA (May 29, 2013) – The American Youth Sailing Force (The Force) has been practicing hard on the AC45 and making significant fitness progress with the help of Oracle Team USA’s trainers. They know you can’t win without both of those elements working in sync.

The AC45’s demanding nature requires time on the water practicing in conditions like those that will be present during the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (RBYAC). Team Manager, Ian Andrewes notes, “The boats are pretty wild in all wind conditions but when the breeze is on, the boat becomes a different animal. You have to be on top of everything and the forgiveness factor is way down. One small mistake can ruin everything.”

read more here


Palby Fyn Cup 2013, SAP Extreme 40 team narrowly edge out Carbon 3 race team for line honors

The Palby Fyn Cup ended up a two horse race between the SAP Extreme 40 team and the Carbon 3 race team.  The SAP Extreme team won the event by about 10 minutes the Carbon 3 team took the handicap corrected time win.

full results are here:

http://www.bs-sejlerskolen.dk/fyncup/results/fyncup-2013-Løbsresultater.htm

2013 JP Morgan Round the Island Race, video highlights

Auckland to Musket Cove race update, Team Vodafone powering up in stronger conditions

From the following article on Sail-World submitted by Zoe Hawkins and Richard Gladwell:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Auckland-Fiji-Race:-Big-trimaran-finds-breeze-and-takes-second-reef/110076

The ORMA60 trimaran, TeamVodafonesailing has found the breeze in the Auckland Fiji Race. But the Ray Lodge designed and owned, Wild Card, leads fleet on handicap, on the second day of the classic race.

Emailing this afternoon from a location 210 nautical miles North-East of Cape Reinga, and nearly 300 nautical miles from the startline at Westhaven Marina in Auckland, TeamVodafone Sailing have reported breezes of up to 20 knots, and boat speeds of 23-26 knots. They set their first reef and trinquet at 1000hrs today, and have now added a second reef.

read more here

New Farrier F-33 trimaran design

Ian Farrier has posted some details on his F-33 design.  The first example is under construction in the Phillipines at Multihulls Direct.

http://www.f-boat.com/pages/trimarans/F-33-2013.html

Photo courtesy of Farrier Marine

photo courtesy Multihulls Direct

Saturday 1 June 2013

JP Morgan Round the Island Race

The JP Morgan Round the Island Race has been run with a new outright record set by Ben Ainslie who finished the race in 2 hours 52 minutes 15 seconds on an AC45 catamaran.  This new time improved Francis Joyon’s 2001 time by 16 minutes and takes the record time to less than three hours.

The JP Morgan Round the Island Race website is here

Thanks to "Blackburn" for the heads up on the video and results.


Palby Fyn Cup 2013 closely fought endgame between SAP Extreme 40 and Carbon 3 race team

This race incorporates a multihull division and racing this year is the very impressive Nigel Iren's designed Carbon3 trimaran.

In the closing stages it's turned into a two horse race between the SAP Extreme 40 team and Carbon 3 race team.  The very light conditions are suiting the Extreme 40 slightly better at this stage and they are leading.

The tracker is here:

http://germanmaster.traclive.dk/events/event_20130529_PalbyFynCu/index.php?raceid=b54dbba6-c96a-11e2-932d-10bf48d758ce