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SCUTTLEBUTT EUROPE #1577 - 1 AUGUST

Brought to you by Boats.com Europe ( http://www.boats.com ) and Yachtworld.com Europe ( http://www.yachtworld.com ) Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

CREPES WHAOU! OVERALL WINNER IN SAINT-MALO: At 18h49'14" (GMT), on Thursday 31st July 2008, Franck-Yves Escoffier, on board Crepes Whaou! crossed the finish line of the seventh Transat Quebec-Saint Malo off the city of Saint-Malo doing twenty knots. After 11 days 3 hours 19 minutes and 14 seconds of racing, at an average speed of 10.68 knots, the skipper from Saint-Malo and his three crewmen, Yves Le Blevec, Bertrand Chambert-Loir and Christophe Aillet were first to finish this 2855 mile (5287 km) transatlantic crossing from west to east, where they encountered a wide range of conditions from their way out of the Saint Lawrence and as they crossed the North Atlantic.

Setting sail on 20th July on board the most recent 50-foot trimaran, they have led the way from the start and have built up a comfortable lead of over 500 nautical miles over their nearest rivals. The yachtsman from Saint-Malo has repeated his success from 2004 with a crew, thus doing the double. Already triple winner of the Route du Rhum (1998, 2002 and 2006), twice winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre (2005 and 2007), as the deep sea fisherman passes under the ramparts in Saint-Malo, he is going to add another line to his list of achievements.

Franck-Yves Escoffier's crew is made up of two professional yachtsmen with some great successes already under their belt, aided and abetted by two skilful amateurs. Franck-Yves Escoffier, fisherman, boat-owner, 50 Yves Le Blevec, skipper, 42 Bertrand Chambert-Loir, head of development at Whaou! Christophe Aillet, managing director of Pain Concept

The Crepes Whaou! trimaran Class'50 Open 50-foot trimaran Launch: April 2005 Based in Saint-Malo Length: 15.24 m2 Beam: 14.55 m Clearance: 23.80 m Number of sails: 7 Mainsail surface: 105 m2 Gennaker surface: 140 m2 Laden weight: 4.2 tonnes Designer: Van Peteghem - Lauriot Prevost Constructor: CDK

http://www.quebecsaintmalo.com

CENSORSHIP AT QINGDAO Since the Olympic Village press center opened Friday, reporters have been unable to access scores of Web pages - among them those that discuss Tibetan issues, Taiwanese independence, the violent crackdown on the protests in Tiananmen Square and the Web sites of Amnesty International, the BBC's Chinese-language news, Radio Free Asia and several Hong Kong newspapers known for their freewheeling political discourse.

The restrictions, which closely resemble the blocks that China places on the Internet for its citizens, undermine sweeping claims by Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic Committee president, that China had agreed to provide full Web access for foreign news media during the Games. Mr. Rogge has long argued that one of the main benefits of awarding the Games to Beijing was that the event would make China more open.

"For the first time, foreign media will be able to report freely and publish their work freely in China. There will be no censorship on the Internet," Mr. Rogge told Agence France-Presse just two weeks ago.

But a high-ranking Olympic committee official said Wednesday that the panel was aware that China would continue to censor Web sites carrying content that the Chinese propaganda authorities deemed harmful to national security and social stability. The panel acquiesced to China's demands to maintain such controls, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not the designated public spokesman for the International Olympic Committee.

It was not immediately clear if China had provided special Internet links for overseas journalists working at the press center in the Olympic Village. But Chinese officials, speaking about the Internet restrictions on Wednesday, said they would not allow foreign journalists to visit Web sites that violated Chinese laws. -- New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/sports/olympics/31china.html?hp

* Editor: This just in... IOC purchases Brooklyn Bridge...

TECHNICAL OFFICER The RORC Rating Office measures and issues rating certificates to racing yachts, under a variety of rating rules, including the popular and expanding IRC Rule. The office also holds responsibility for class rules for such as the Volvo Open 70 and the Swan 45.

The Rating Office is seeking a full time Technical Officer to work alongside existing staff primarily in the processing of IRC rating certificates in addition to technical activities on other rating rules and classes managed by the Rating Office.

The successful applicant will have a technical background, significant practical knowledge of yachts and yacht racing and have an in depth knowledge of current popular computer software. Formal qualifications are less important than background and experience together with adaptability and the ability to work within a small dedicated team. The post requires the ability to work accurately, often under pressure, and to take the initiative when required.

A competitive salary will be offered.

Please apply by E-Mail to:

The Technical Director RORC Rating Office E-Mail: mikeurwin@rorcrating.com

A SPECTACULAR DAY IN THE PALMA BAY Palma de Majorca, Spain: The Palma bay delivered what it usually promises this time of the year, especially during the Med's top sailing event, the Copa del Rey AUDI-MAPFRE. The 4th day was raced under excellent wind conditions and a southern breeze that started at 12 knots and reached to 20 in the 3rd race of the GP42's and X-35's.

The TP52īs held their coastal race and the kiwi superstar helmsman, Dean Barker, had no problem driving the Spanish King's boat Bribon to victory. The New Zealander put the Spanish boat in front of the fleet, followed by Platoon that wanted but couldn't. The two yachts crossed the scoring gate in that order, followed by Desafio. Terry Hutchinson was not able to maintain third place until the end of the race and passed it to the Argentinean Matador that had a spectacular comeback after crossing the starting line early.

The GP42 class showed how close and tight it is in the first race, where the delta between the 1st and the 7th yacht was an incredible 22 seconds. AIRIS won, followed by Desafio and Roma GP42.2, in a 5-second photo-finish. The second race was once again an Italian affair and was won by Roma GP42.2, followed by Desafio and Near Miss. In the day's last race the arrival order was inversed and Desafio, helmed by Laureano Wizner, easily dominated, crossing the finish line 1 minute ahead of AIRIS and Near Miss.

There is nothing that can stop Aifos, the former TP52 yacht, in the IRC 1 class. With seven bullets in seven races, they couldn't do any better. Sir Peter Ogden's Spirit of Jethou and Philip Mecklenburg's Moana continue second and third overall, respectively. Is the IRC the future for the TP52 yachts?

Provisional top three:

TP 52 1. Platoon, Jochen Schuemann, 15 points 2. Bribon, Dean Barker, 16 3. Desafio, Terry Hutchinson, 22

GP 42 1. Near Miss, Bertrand Pace, 16 2. AIRIS, Sandro Montefusco, 19 3. Desafio, Laureano Wizner, 29

IRC 1 1. Aifos, Jaime Rodriguez Toubes, 7 2. Spirit of Jethou, Sir Peter Ogden, 16 3. Moana, Philippe Mecklenburg, 26

IRC 2 1. Ngoni, Tony Buckingham, 16 2. Give me five, Arya Yatchs Venezia, 22 3. Itaca IX, Manuel Gallego, 25

ORC 570 1. icaro, Carles Rodriguez, 20 2. Hempel-Power Plate, Gustavo Martinez Doreste, 27 3. Pasion x Castellon, Ernesto Vera, 34

ORC 670 1. Navantia, Jesus Pintos, 16 2. Vell Mari, Teo Matheu, 23 3. Cometal-Ferrobeton, Daniele Augusti, 32

X-35 (1 discard) 1. Cool Runnings, Thorkild Juncker, 19 2. Quantum Racing, Nic Bol, 26 3. Tixelio, 42

SWAN 45 (1 discard) 1. No Limits-Bolidt, RW BOL, 21 2. DSK-Comifin, Danilo Salsi, 24 3. Jeroboam Ca'Nova, Codecasa / Battistella, 30

http://www.copadelreyaudimapfre.com

THE GP42 CLASS GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT During the owners meeting of the GP42 class, held today at the Real Club Nautico de Palma de Mallorca, boat owners assessed the current state of the International Quebramar GP42 Cup Circuit and gave green light to the 2009 season.

For 2009 the GP42 Class will aim at maintaining the high technical standard that has been achieved, increasing its presence on the international sailing scene and establishing a racing calendar that will help boost the Class image on an international level.

The racing program for next year plans to visit Italy, France, Spain and Portugal possibly reducing the number of events while increasing racing days, in order to reinforce the presence of the Class in the countries the circuit visits and primarily to guarantee that all regattas provide the same technical level. The Class has already started negotiations with various yacht clubs and will probably make public its official calendar during its next meeting, to be held during the Trofeu Quebramar-Chrysler in Cascais.

The GP42 boat owners are satisfied with what has been achieved so far. The fact that the initial difficulties of the circuit have been solved, the good reception of the Quebramar GP42 Cup in the countries it has already visited and the appearance of new owners interested in joining the Class, guarantee a promising future.

Concerning a possible merger of the International GP42 Circuit with the MedCup Circuit, the Class has not made any official comment although it will continue studying this possibility. -- Carla Anselmi

http://www.gp42.it

DUTCH TAKE FIRST AND SECOND AT J/22 EUROPEANS The Dutch Heerema Sailing Team stood at the top of the podium July 4th, crowded by their countrymen as they accepted top honors for the 2008 J/22 European Championships in La Rochelle, France. Sailing with 100% Ullman Sails inventory, the Heerema team won the event convincingly, finishing with six bullets and enough of a point gap to miss the last race. In second place was Dutch team "Stripes," finishing with four first place finishes and two seconds. "Stripes" also competed with complete Ullman inventory.

Make an investment in your performance. Contact a local Ullman Sails loft and visit http://www.ullmansails.com

ANCIENT GREEK SHIP FISHED FROM SEA Gela, Italy: An ancient Greek trading ship that had lain on the seabed off the coast of Gela in southern Sicily for 2,500 years was brought to the surface for the first time on Monday. The ancient Greek vessel is 21 metres long and 6.5 metres wide, making it by far the biggest of its kind ever discovered. Four Greek vessels found off the coasts of Israel, Cyprus and France are at most 15 metres long.

The one in Gela is also of particular value for scholars who will be able to delve into Greek naval construction techniques thanks to the amazing find of still-intact hemp ropes used to 'sew' together the pine planks in its hull - a technique described in Homer's Iliad.

The campaign to bring the vessel to the surface began shortly after two scuba divers located it by chance in 1988.

Archaeologists believe the ship sank in a storm some 800 metres off the coast while transporting goods from the Greek colony in Gela back to Greece in around 500 BC.

The bow of the ship, along with an astounding array of drinking cups, oil lamps and woven baskets, were brought to the surface in 2003. On Monday coastguards and experts from the Caltanissetta culture department salvaged the rest of the vessel using a boat equipped with a crane able to lift loads of up to 200 tonnes.

Around 20 other support craft joined the operation, sounding their fog horns when the wreck finally emerged from the water.

The pieces of the ship will be kept immersed in tanks full of the protective chemical polyethylene glycol before being transported to Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, where experts at the Mary Rose Archaeological Services will conserve and reconstruct the vessel. The culture department says it eventually plans to build a sea museum in Gela with the ship as the key exhibit.

http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/english/news/2008-07-28_128240910.html

Video of the ship (sans audio..): http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1870570030145585078&q=archaeologist

A 590-MILE OBSTACLE RUN The second leg of La Solitaire du Figaro will set sail from Vigo to Cherbourg-Octeville Friday at 10 am. The 590-mile leg is long and full of complex points of passage, notably the point of Brittany and Cotentin with strong currents will come into play. Nicolas Troussel holds on to a lead, but a turning tide could set the clock back to zero.

The first part of the leg will consist in heading up Galicia's "Costa de la Muerte", past Cape Finisterre. The forecast is for light 8 to 10 knots Southwest breeze. The first 60 miles could be difficult, but once round the infamous headland, a depression is due to bring some 15 to 25 knots of westerly, southwesterly wind giving the fleet a free run to cross the Bay of Biscay. It is likely they will enjoy a fast spinnaker crossing, if they can latch onto the depression. "We are still going to have to position ourselves well to round the Brittany point because the playing field is going to be very open," explains Erwan Tabarly (Athema in 4th place).

The strong tides could really come into play at the various points of passage, the Raz de Sein, Ushant, the Raz Blanchard and so on. Each gives the 49 sailors a chance to make a comeback. "This is what the others are going to be saying to themselves to get motivated and attack me," muses the skipper of Financo. Whilst the game is open for the rookie leadership with just four minutes separating Francois Gabart (Espoir Region Bretagne) and Adrien Hardy (Agir recouvrement).

The obstacles become a steeple chase run with the Channel to negotiate, the Channel Islands to pass, then the Raz Blanchard at the Cotentin headland where it is possible to find 10 knots current and either accelerate or have the gates shut on the final approach to Cherbourg-Octeville.

The Figaro sailors are expected in Cherbourg-Octeville from Monday. -- Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

http://www.lasolitaire.com

* The latest action on Sailing-TV includes the 2008 Figaro: http://www.sailing-tv.tv

MISTRAL BY DUBARRY: SAILING-PROOF TROUSERS No environment presents as big a challenge to technical trousers as that of a sailing boat. So Dubarry designed Mistral trousers to survive seasons of sailing in style. They're built from quick-drying, SPF 40 UV-resistant fabric with articulated knees for easy movement. Hard-wearing areas are reinforced with tough, high-twist fabric and there are practical features like a flip-up multitool pouch so it doesn't dig into your leg on the rail, splashproof zipped pocket and tough button fly that won't let you down. The results look good, and last longer.

Dubarry's Mistral Trousers: Same Rules. New Collection.

http://www.dubarry.com

ORGANISERS EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO SKANDIA COWES WEEK 2008 Cowes, Isle of Wight: It has been held for the past 182 years, is known the world over as the greatest and certainly one of the most inclusive regattas in the yachting calendar, and it officially starts on Saturday 2 August. Skandia Cowes Week - the last year the event will bear this title as Skandia is relinquishing its title sponsorship after 14 years - is hosting high-profile sailors, high-octane racing and fierce rivalry on the water. With the inclusion of the Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week regatta, the iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week and the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, the event is attracting some of the best sailing talent in the world... and then there's the matter of over 970 yachts racing in 37 different classes with over 8,500 competitors taking to their start lines in boats ranging from 68ft down to 20.99ft!

The Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes at Skandia Cowes Week Expect some fierce rivalry as famous athletes join 30 of last year's class winners to race Laser SB3s. Television sports personality Kirsty Gallacher and former GB Olympic athletes Colin Jackson and Jonathan Edwards are competing in The Volkswagen Touareg King of Cowes @ Skandia Cowes Week regatta tomorrow, Friday 1 August. -- http://www.kingofcowes.com

The iShares Cup at Skandia Cowes Week Coinciding with the official start of the regatta on Saturday 2nd August, the UK leg of the iShares Cup runs until Monday 4th August with a list of 11 runners and riders racing Extreme 40s and it is a series that promises to deliver some fast and furious competition. Daily starts are scheduled for 1400 off the mainland shore near Lepe. Racing continues until 1700 and all boats are berthed in East Cowes. -- http://www.isharescup.com

The Ellen MacArthur Trust (EMT) The official charity for Skandia Cowes Week is gearing up for its third and final year of official association with the Event. It hopes to 'turn Cowes blue' again and is encouraging everyone to dye their hair, fly blue flags or just wear blue clothes. Scarlet Oyster, the yacht lent to The Trust by Gordon Appleby for use during its summer trips and sailing regattas, will again be crewed by children from The Trust. Gordon sadly lost his battle with cancer in February and The Trust's entry into Skandia Cowes Week is dedicated to his memory.

The EMT stand on Cowes Parade has rowing machines with the aim of visitors rowing two million metres over the course of the week and raising funds at the same time. Liz Earle Naturally Active Skincare, Skandia Cowes Week's official skincare sponsors, are continuing their support by supplying sunscreen available to purchase on lanyards, with sales proceeds going to the Charity. The official charity day is Monday 4th August and it culminates in the Ellen MacArthur Trust Ball. -- http://www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org

The Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week Eight IMOCA Open 60s on the Start Line for charity race Skandia Cowes Week welcomes back The Artemis Challenge. Organised under IMOCA rules, it features some of the biggest names on the IMOCA circuit. The Open 60 yachts will race against each other to compete for a generous 10,000 GBP prize fund that will be donated to the winning team's charity of choice, with the skipper taking home the Artemis Challenge Trophy. -- http://www.artemisoceanracing.com -- Peta Stuart-Hunt

http://www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk

THE BRITS ARE TWO-BOAT TRAINING Two of Britain's most famous solo skippers, Mike Golding and Dee Caffari, move into the next stage of their ground breaking technical alliance to develop the fastest Open 60 possible ahead of this year's gruelling solo round the world yacht race, the Vendee Globe 2008/09. Caffari and Golding, who between them have circumnavigated the global on eight different occasions, have developed an intensive testing programme to find a competitive advantage over the 30-strong Vendee Globe fleet and in particular the impressive French contingent.

The two skippers announced the technical alliance, the first of its kind between British Open 60 teams, in March 2007. The alliance led to the construction of two identical sister-ships in Aviva and ECOVER 3 and this summer Caffari and Golding will be testing the two boats against each other to maximise performance.

The Aviva Ocean Racing and Ecover teams are taking a leaf out of Formula 1's book and believe in the merits of testing against similar machines. One of the boats will be set as a control whilst the other makes changes to the sail trim, ballast and keel angle to determine the most effective set up. The ultimate aim is to find the optimum performance that will give the skippers an edge to challenge the French dominance of the Vendee Globe race, to date each of the five editions has been won by a French skipper.

The testing, taking place in Plymouth later this August, was postponed earlier this year due to several full penetration cracks in ECOVER 3's keel blade as well as other significant keel blade defects. As a result Golding replaced his keel in April and Caffari is planning a new keel to be fitted in the second week of August. Whilst the Aviva Ocean Racing team have not experienced any problems with the current keel, the team decided to fit the new keel as a precautionary measure ahead of the demanding round the world voyage.

The relationship between the skippers goes back nine years when Golding gave Caffari her first job in professional sailing. Now the technical alliance brings them together again, but on the 9th November they will be competing against each other and making the most of their technical preparations to compete against the rest of the Vendee Globe fleet.

http://www.mikegolding.com http://www.avivaoceanracing.com

THE LAST WORD Of all the thirty-six alternatives, running away is best. -- Chinese Proverb

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