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Torben Grael Announces Extreme 40 Team Brasil
In just one week the Extreme 40s will be heading into the final battle of the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series in the spectacular city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - the same city that will not only be hosting the FIFA World Cup Final in 2014 but the 2016 Olympic Games. Team Brasil will be representing the home nation as a wildcard entry, with renowned sailor and Brazil's most successful Olympian Torben Grael, leading the team as skipper.
Torben, who boasts an incredible five Olympic medals including two golds, is a fitting leader for a team that is a tribute to Brazil's Olympic medallists and future stars. He will be joined by his son Marco, the next generation of Graels going for glory at the Olympics as he campaigns his 49er dinghy for Rio 2016. Torben's brother Lars Grael, himself a holder of two Olympic medals, will be coaching Team Rio and acting as reserve crew.
The Grael clan will be joined by sailors of equally impressive stature. Portuguese sailor Diogo Cayolla can list the Olympics, America's Cup and a host of national titles on his CV, as well as previous Extreme 40 experience; whilst Brazilian Alex Welter brings his catamaran expertise into the mix including an Olympic gold medal in the Tornado class. The final crew member Andre Mirsky brings experience in the Olympic star class and thousands of offshore miles to the fray.
For the eight established Extreme 40 teams, the stakes are high with four teams capable of lifting the 2012 Extreme Sailing Series overall trophy - two Omani, one French and one Austrian. None of them want to go home empty handed and with 15 points up for grabs in the final Act, the podium is wide open.
The action begins on the 6th December in open water in front of Copacabana beach before moving into stadium mode for the final three days. Fans in Brazil can watch all the action live as it happens on site or on national broadcaster SporTV-Globosat who will be broadcasting the final races of the 2012 Series live to homes across Brazil from 1500 local time. International fans can watch the racing live on the official event website from the 1500 (GMT-2) on the 7th, 8th and 9th December.
Extreme Sailing Series 2012 Overall Series Results going into Act 8, Brazil
Position / Team / Points
1. The Wave, Muscat, 61.5 points
2. Oman Air, 53
3. Groupe Edmond de Rothschild, 51
4. Red Bull Sailing Team, 48.5
5. GAC Pindar, 39.5
6. SAP Extreme Sailing Team, 33
7. Alinghi, 28
8. ZouLou, 23.5
www.extremesailingseries.com
Milestones Passed In Volvo Ocean 65 Build
A couple of significant milestones have been passed in the build process for the Volvo Ocean 65 at boatyards in Italy and France. At Persico in Italy, lamination of the outer skin of the first hull being produced has now begun, while at Multiplast in France the first carbon layer for the first deck has been completed.
"We have about 20 guys working on this," said Mark Sommerville, operations manager for the work going on at Persico. "The final layer of the outer skin went down on Wednesday and we also have a team Thermoforming the foam core."
The mould has been produced with an infusion system so that the laminate is less porous, takes in less air and is more stable over a long period of time. The steel structure that supports and strengthens the mould has also been calculated and tested to remain solid throughout the curing process. The 12.5mm thick mould, for which around 1,400 kilos of resin have been used, is cut longitudinally to facilitate the unplugging and includes removable flanges at the top sides that create the structure where the deck will be joined to the hull and the special recess for the keel ram.
"It will take eight weeks to produce a hull, fitted with the bulkheads provided by Decision SA that will make the structure stiffer and ready to be shipped to Green Marine," said Marcello Persico managing director of Persico's marine division.
"For the time being we have only built one mould but we would be able to make a second one, using the existing model, should the Volvo Ocean Race need to increase production as more teams order a boat. Also, we are committed for two editions of the race and that makes it vital to be able to use the mould on a long term span."
Meanwhile at Multiplast in Vannes, France the Volvo Ocean 65 deck's first carbon layer has just been finished. The first deck should be completed by mid-February and delivered to Green Marine to be assembled.
The first boat off the production line is expected during late June 2013. After that the plan is to have each new boat sailing within three to four days of leaving the boatyard.
www.volvooceanrace.org
German Frers - A Passion For Design
This coffee table biography provides an insight into the lives, designs and passions of one of the most prolific design families - all named German Frers. It is a book to delight all owners of Frers designed yachts, those that have crewed on them, and all students of yacht design.
It charts a family design heritage spanning 3 generations that has been responsible for the launching of more than 10,000 boats from dinghies to day keelboats, distinctive cruisers to successful racers, powerboats and superyachts.
Early chapters chart six generations of family history: How one ship owned by a Frers ancestor, was escorting a pirated Portuguese frigate back across the Atlantic in 1820, took formal possession of what are now known as the Falklands, an act that remains is central to Argentine claims over the Malvinas Islands today; the influence that revolutionary Che Guevara, a first cousin, had on the current generation, and German Frers apprenticeship with the best designers - his Father, and the New York masters Olin and Rod Stephens.
During the 50's and 60's when the design skills of German Frers Snr. were at their zenith, good yacht design was very much down to intuition and experience. This book shows how those traditional skills continue to hold true, but are now mixed with the very precise demands of structural analysis, aerodynamics, computer wizardry and hi-tech engineering.
'A Passion for Design' also highlights the rise of Frers Snr.' first son German in the world of IOR and Maxi yacht racing during the 70's and '80's, his involvement in three America's Cup campaigns and his pioneering work in developing performance oriented cruisers and superyachts. Now, German (Mani) Frers Jnr. the third generation, is adding to this reputation, having worked with his Father on some of the most prestigious projects from Dr Jim Clark's 155ft Hyperion and Prada boss Patrizio Bertelli's 105ft Ulisse, to a variety of successful Open class racers and on his own account, Sweden's Victory America's Cup challenger.
"Flipping Book" excerpt:
issuu.com/pplmedia/
Written by Barry Pickthall
Format: 302 x 234mm. 207 pages
Illustrations: 194 colour pictures + 83 Drawings
Price: £35.00 Sterling + P&P ISBN: 09531044 0 0
Order 4 copies for your crew and get a 5th copy free
Order from: South Atlantic Publishing.
www.southatlanticpublishing.com
'Leagues' Combine for a Great Day at the 18s
Photo by Frank Quealey. Click on image to enlarge.
From the time James J. Giltinan introduced the football code of Rugby League to Australia in 1908, the summer sport of many Rugby League players was to sail in 18 Footers on Sydney Harbour
The association between the two sports was such that in 1935 when Australia's 18 Footer sailors formed their own club they named it the NSW 18 Footers League and held their meetings in the Rugby League's headquarters in the city.
The sailing club's first secretary was also the same James J. Giltinan.
Mr. Giltinan's drive was such that the major trophies in both sports carried his name - 'Giltinan Shield' in Rugby League and 'Giltinan Trophy' in 18ft Skiff Racing.
Since the sailing League's origin in 1935, it has become the world's leading 18ft Skiff Racing organization and boasts the honour of having some of the world's greatest sailors and designers pass through its racing ranks.
With the links already established between the two sporting organizations, it is not surprising that they also share two corporate sponsors, which allows each to retain its position of excellence in their respective sports.
De'Longhi Australia and Kenwood 'Create More' are major sponsors to both sports and have linked the two 'Leagues' even closer with their co-sponsored skiffs - De'Longhi-Rabbitohs and Rabbitohs-Kenwood - in the Australian 18 Footers League fleet.
Following a morning tea in the sailing clubhouse with their families, several players and coach Michael Maguire went for a sail on Sydney Harbour in the two Rabbitohs skiffs.
The day was an outstanding success and showed how sporting organizations can work together with their corporate sponsors to provide mutual benefits and to show how much their support is really appreciated. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
www.18footers.com.au
Nautic Stand Up Paddle Paris Crossing
As the Nautic Paris Boat Show (8 to 16 December) gets underway at Porte de Versailles, an extraordinary line-up of champions will be competing on the Seine in the Nautic SUP Paris Crossing, from the Bibliotheque Nationale de France to the Quai de Javel. The 200 available places were snapped up immediately and there is a growing waiting list.
At 8 am on Sunday, 9 December, 200 competitors will be on the starting line.
With competitors from 15 countries, from Slovenia to New Caledonia, 32 women, 10 juniors, 64 professional racers (including the Naish team, one of the race's partners) and many amateur enthusiasts, the Stand Up Paddle Paris Crossing has become a key event in this new sport, in which anyone can take part.
Among the competitors are Eric Terrien, winner of this event for the last two years; Antoine Albeau, 20 times world windsurfing champion; Caroline Angibaud and Mathieu Babarit, world waveski champions; Julien Bontemps, twice windsurfing world champion and Olympic silver medalist; and skipper Sydney Gavignet from the world of sailing. The Naish team features Faustine Merret, Olympic gold medalist in Athens, and Casper Steinfath, the young Dane who finished third in the final of the SUP World Series in Hawaii.
The second leg consists of a race against the clock in the Spot/MACIF pool on Sunday afternoon, 9 December, in the Nautic Surf Village, Hall 1, Porte de Versailles.
For the complete list of official riders of the Nautic SUP Paris Crossing, click on
www.salonnautiqueparis.com
Happy 49th Birthday to Bernard Stamm
Photo by Bernard Stamm / Cheminees Poujoulat. Click on image to enlarge.
"Just a note to thank you with all my heart for the many messages that I received for my birthday. It's really heartwarming to know that so many people follow me and support me.
To today, it is a beautiful sunny day. The wind comes gradually in stages. Sometimes it rises to twenty knots, trying to make me believe that he established a large and falls to ten knots. This is how it is to be patient, so I took the opportunity to open small gifts that were in my food bag. Small gifts are really good for morale... Is life not great? In addition the nights of the full moon are beautiful. Yesterday, I saw a small whale rise 50 m in front of the boat. I was not going that fast, I have had time to see and to be on my guard so not to hit it."
Of course, what he really wanted for his birthday was more wind. Maybe Neptune will be kind and send him some.
As you can see from the ranking below the leaderboard is shifting. We will know tomorrow how much has been gained and lost overnight.
The top 5 ranking 5 hours (16h UTC)
1. Armel Le Cleac'h, Banque Populaire
2. Jean Pierre Dick, Virbac Paprec 3, 119.0 nm to leader
3. Francois Gabart, MACIF, 160.8
4. Alex Thomson, Hugo Boss, 166.4
5. Bernard Stamm, Cheminees Poujoulat, 249.1
www.vendeeglobe.org
Rick Tomlinson Calendar
The 25th edition of the highly acclaimed Rick Tomlinson Calendar is now available featuring 12 spectacular images from recent assignments around the world.
This years pictures includes action from Key West Race Week, the Americas Cup World Series, and the Olympics, plus other action and art from the international racing circuit.
Company overprinted calendars are also available.
Price £16.99 plus p&. see
www.rick-tomlinson.com
or call +44 (0)1983 248512
Industry News
US Sailing and Rolex Watch U.S.A. today announced that the iconic watch brand will extend its support of sailing's national governing body through the renewal of its long-standing sponsorship. While continuing its position as the organization's official timepiece and title sponsor of US Sailing's Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards, Rolex will elevate its support of US Sailing by becoming a patron of its Afterguard and Medalist programs.
The Afterguard is US Sailing's highest level donor program, with a mission of leadership, integrity and advancement for the sport of sailing in the United States. Afterguard donations fund restricted projects of mutual interest between donor and the organization as well as unrestricted gifts to support operations. The Medalist Program supports the Olympic Sailing Program whose mission is providing a path to Olympic and Paralympic pre-eminence for the sailors of the United States.
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Although there has been a small but steady recovery the Irish Marine Federation (IMF) says in its latest bulletin to members, a reliable barometer of boating actiivty, the Irish boating trade is still a long way from getting back to anything that resembles a normal level of business.
'Our major dealers are relying on business generated from overseas clients, however, there has been some business done with Irish clients. Whilst consumer confidence remains low this trend will continue, says industry spokesman Steve Conlon.
The IMF's original estimate of quarter four of 2013 as marking the beginning of a consumer recovery now seems to be slipping further back.
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Two-time Olympic medalist Charlie McKee (Coronado, Calif.) has been appointed High Performance Director of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program. His responsibilities will include managing all on-the-water elements of the U.S. Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider, including the coaching program, technical development and youth development with a goal of enabling U.S. sailors to reach the highest level of competition for the next Olympic and Paralympic quadrenniums. He will report to Josh Adams, Managing Director of U.S. Olympic Sailing.
A medalist in the World Youth Championships (Laser Class), McKee brought home two Olympic Games medals (bronze 470, 1988 and bronze 49er, 2000), and was the coach of the U.S. Olympic windsurfing team for the 1992 Olympic Games in which USA brought home a silver medal.
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The 11th International Sailing Summit (ISS) to be held as part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, Sail Melbourne is only three days away and final tickets are still remaining for the most important marine business event of the year.
Supported by the State Government of Victoria, the ISS will be held at Sandringham Yacht Club on Monday December 3, 2012 and will see sport and industry join forces to explore continued growth in sailing following Australia's Olympic success in London.
Don't miss your chance to see international keynote speaker and former Executive Director of Sail America, Jonathan Banks, Boating Industry Association of Australia (BIAA) President, Darren Vaux, High Performance Director of the Australian Sailing Team, Peter Conde and America's Cup sailing legend John Bertrand. These industry experts will share innovation and ideas for growing both participation in sailing and the industry's contribution to the global economy.
www.internationalsailingsummit.com
Featured Brokerage
2007 Corby 33. EUR 70,000. Located In Dun Laoghaire, Ireland.
Successful and manageable IRC race boat, with a full specification for inshore and offshore challenges. PRICED TO SELL this boat has been dry sailed, professionally maintained and comes with a great selection of sails. Ready to go this is a great opportunity to run a racing campaign with a winning start.
Brokerage through MGM Boats:
www.yachtworld.com/mgmboats/
Complete listing details and seller contact information at
uk.yachtworld.com
The Last Word
Try to realize it's all within yourself no one else can make you change, and to see you're only very small and life flows on within you and without you. -- George Harrison, gone 11 years now on November 29.
The George Harrison Official YouTube launched November 29 with the Concert For George 24 Hour Streaming Event
A free 24-hour stream of the Concert For George documentary film marks the concert's 10th Anniversary, when Olivia Harrison and Eric Clapton gathered with George's closest friends at London's Royal Albert Hall to celebrate his life.
Editor's note: Includes members of Monty Python performing my favorite Holiday / family / children's tune. The Lumberjack Song. Add a big splash of booze to your eggnog and have a listen.
See
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcL-CnceKQU&feature=youtu.be
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