Zooors Interactive Yachting Society

John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST). Posted by Michael
The John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) has made its 100th award and has now awarded over £160,000 in total to deserving individuals or community sailing projects. The 100th award was made to the 2007 420 Youth champion Peter Irwin from Scotland who will use the money to help fund his expenses to compete with his crew David Kohler in the 420 World Championship this Summer in Athens, Greece. Out of the £160,000 awarded so far £60,000 has gone to individuals and £100,000 has been awarded to community projects such as club junior sailing programs. This money alone has helped to purchase over 80 dinghies or boards for youth and junior sailing and given thousands of kids access to the sport of sailing. John's former sailing partner and JMST Trustee Ian Walker added, "It is a tribute to the fantastic support we get from John's friends, sailors and the marine industry in general. We always aim to have fun raising the money and it has all been raised within our sailing community. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and remembered John in a positive way" After a very successful Tiger Trophy, Marine Industry Regatta, Tartan Trophy and Glyn Charles Pursuit Race in 2008 the next big events are: The Bugle Annual Charity Cricket Tournament in aid of the JMST on Sunday 27 July at Hamble Playing Fields, Spitfire Way, Hamble, Hampshire; and the North Sails Golf Day in aid of the JMST on Friday 24 October at Cams Hall Golf Club, Fareham, Hampshire. For further information about the trust, visit www.jmst.org.uk .
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U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship. Posted by Michael
Dozens of sailors from all around the United States and Canada gathered over the last few days for the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship in Rye, New York. Participants included sailors who are quadriplegic, paraplegic, and amputees, as well as people with disabilities related to cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, polio and ALS. A few of the participants of this event will be going on to compete in the Paralympic Games in Qingdao China in September, alongside the US Olympic sailing team. The last day of racing at the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship was a tense one for Paralympic Team members Rick Doerr (Clifton, N.J.), Tim Angle (Marblehead, MA), and Bill Donohue (Brick, N.J.) in the Sonar class. In the lead position since the start of the regatta, they had some tough competition from fellow US Disabled Sailing Team members Paul Callahan (Newport, RI), Roger Cleworth (Lithia, FL), and Mike Hersey (Hyannis, MA) who really gave them a run for their money on AlphaGraphics. But in the end, it was Doerr and his team who emerged victorious after coming out ahead in a close tie-breaker. An exhausted but elated Rick Doerr said “We pushed all week long and fought hard right to the end. We knew we had to win the last race to win the Championship... It feels great to know that we are the top U.S. team.” The Ideal 18 fleet was filled with some very talented athletes as well. In another tight competition, it again all came down to the final day to determine the new champion in New York. Sarah Everhart Skeels (Tiverton, RI), who was sailing with her new crew Jim Donahue (Danvers, MA), was in first place overall going into the final day, but even her two first-place finishes in the last day of racing were not enough to stay ahead of the Canadian team of McRoberts and Stacey, who finished just two points ahead of her to secure the win. In the 2.4mR class, Canadian Bruce Millar of Richmond, BC, Canada took home the top honors. Millar held a very comfortable lead throughout the U.S. Disabled Sailing Championship, and secured his win a full 13 points ahead of fellow Canadian Paul Tingley of Halifax. “These athletes defy the public image of disabled people living in a deep depression and waiting for their next disability check”, says Hugh Elliott, who was chief judge for the event and is himself a former Paralympic contender. “They have overcome enormous challenges, and they are better people for it.”
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Giraglia Rolex Cup: Provisional Results. Posted by Michael
Alfa Romeo dominated the final heat of the inshore series in the Giraglia Rolex Cup today, but it wasn't good enough to win the series. In IRC Group A, a 5th place was good enough for Paolo Scerni's Swan 42 Kora 4 to secure overall victory comfortably from the 40-footer Fissa. The wind was a long time coming to the Gulf of St Tropez. The fleet of 167 boats waited until almost 3 o'clock before the race committee was satisfied there was sufficient wind, at which they point they sent the fleet on a short course which took line honours winner Alfa Romeo just an hour and a quarter. In addition to line honours - which is to be expected for a boat as sleek and well-sailed as Alfa - Neville Crichton was pleased to win today's race by more than five minutes on handicap from Farr 52 Nikimar, especially as the wind increased slightly as the race progressed. "We thought we'd sailed well yesterday," said the New Zealand skipper, "and we ended up 31st." So in a similar scenario today he somehow managed to secure the win, even if he still only finished 4th overall in class. In the other big boat division, ORC Group A, it was the biggest boats which also enjoyed the best result on handicap today. Wally 65 Edimetra VI won the race, lifting her to 3rd overall, just behind 70-foot Maxi, Atalanta II. However, the cruiser/racer Comet 51 Andromeda managed to hold off the race yachts to cling on to overall victory in the division. Owner Massimo Guardigli said: "We are very happy to have achieved this result with a cruising boat that we take on holiday with the children. We have proved that it is possible to get good results with this boat. Of course, the credit goes to the crew, and to Cristiana Monina helmed the last two races. She integrated very well into the team." Jean Claude Bertrand maintained his winning streak with A-35 Tchin-Tchin, taking today's race by more than three minutes on corrected time and dominating IRC Group B with a fistful of first places. Jean-Louis Boue's Rakam came third today, lifting the First 36.7 to 2nd overall ahead of A-109 Galanga. In ORC Group B, Federico Massari's Grand Soleil 341 Mariel won the race today, but Manida's 2nd place was good enough for co-owners Alberto Patrone and Francesco Damonte to retain their lead and win the division overall. There was high drama in the GP42 fleet. It was a day when owner of leading Swiss boat Franck Noel might have regretted naming his boat Near Miss, after she ran aground during the first race of the day. Meanwhile Sandro Montefusco's Airis was getting stronger and stronger, and two wins in the final two heats put her equal on points with Desafio. On tie-break Airis sneaked victory in this, the second leg of the Quebramar GP42 Cup. By the end of a dramatic day, the top four boats had completely reversed their order, a mark of a new class that promises some thrilling competition in the coming years. Owner of Airis Robert Monti commented: "The key to victory was to stay focused for the entire event, and for that reason we started 4th going into the last day but finished 1st." Competitors will gather tonight at La Citadelle on the hill overlooking St Tropez for the prize giving and gala dinner. Prizes are to be awarded to the best-placed yachts from the past three days of inshore racing. Tomorrow a fleet of more than 200 yachts will start the 56th Giraglia Race, a 243-mile marathon starting from St Tropez via the Giraglia Rock at the northern tip of Corsica to the finish in the Italian port of Genoa. Provisional Results - Overall after completion of inshore series IMS Class 0-2 (top three) 1. Andromeda - Antonio Ronconi - Comet 51S - 17 points 2. Atalanta II - Carlo Puri Negri - Farr 70 - 20 points 3. Edimetra VI - Ernesto Gismondi - Wally 65 - 21 points IRC Class 0-2 (top three) 1. Kora 4 - Paolo Scerni - Swan 42 - 15 points 2. Fissa - Ettore Yachting - A 40 RC - 23 points 3. Nikimar - Christophe Picard - Farr 52 - 26 points IMS Class 3-4 (top three) 1. Manida - Alberto Patrone/Francesco Damonte - Proto - 7 points 2. Calima - Javier Pujol - Prototipo - 9 points 3. Almogaver - Antoine Illies - X-332 -11 points IRC Class 3-4 (top three) 1. Tchin-Tchin - Jean Claude Bertrand - A-35 - 3 points 2. Rakam - Jean-Louis Boue - First 36.7 - 13 points 3. Galanga - Philippe de Saignes - A-109 - 13 points Final Results from 9 races - GP42 Quebramar Cup GP42 class (top three) 1. Airis, Roberto Monti - 28 points 2. Desafio, Gonçalo Esteves - 28 points 3. Canarias Puerto Calero, Jose Calero - 29 points
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Archipelago Raid 2008. Posted by peter
Extreme sailing orienteering in the Scandinavian archipelagos 22 teams from 10 nations will compete in this year’s edition of the Archipelago Raid, starting in the heart of Stockholm on Friday 13 June. For six days and five nights the teams will challenge the forces of man and nature in the beautiful but difficult landscape of the Stockholm, Aland and Finnish archipelago in small and very fast Formula 18 catamarans. The teams come from the UK, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Australia and the independent island of Aland. Half of the teams have never competed in the Archipelago Raid before but are experienced sailors, endurance racers or very familiar with the archipelago. Three teams have already reached the podium in previous editions: Englishman William Sunnucks on X-Leisure won the Raid in 2004, the French Hobie Cat pro Eric Proust, on Team Kalix, has already reached the podium three times, all but the top step, and the Swedish match racer and America’s Cup sailor Martin Strandberg, Team Thule, took an impressive third place last year on his first Archipelago Raid. Among the 22 teams there is one all female team: Karin Almquist, 26, and Karin Berg, 22, belonging to the Swedish national team in 470. The team, GB Glace, is sponsored by Unilever Nordic, also the main partner of the race. There is one more female competitor in this tough endurance race, the world reknown solo sailor Ellen MacArthur, teaming up with Australian Greg Homann on BT: "I was up in Stockholm for a couple of days last week and the weather was just fantastic. We had great winds, clear blue skies and I was reminded that the Archipelago really is one of the most beautiful places in the world to sail. I am looking forward to getting out there again and to starting the Archipelago Raid, although I know from past experience in 2003 that we’re going to be exhausted by the end of it!…”, said MacArthur. Tomorrow, Tuesday 10 June, all the teams and boats need to be present at Djurgarden, in the city of Stockholm, for the last preparations before the big challenge starts Friday 13 June at 11 am CET.
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Giraglia Rolex Cup. Posted by peter
It was champagne sailing for day 2 of the Giraglia Rolex Cup, with beautiful sunshine and up to 13 knots of wind in the Gulf of St Tropez. But the thing that really determines a sailor's mood, regardless of the blue skies or azure seas, is the scoreboard. Today the sailors with the sunniest dispositions came from the smaller boats, because the best wind didn't arrive until later in the afternoon when the 167-boat fleet was already more than half way through its meandering 30.7 mile race around the Gulf. That late-coming wind propelled the smaller boats back to the finish line in good time, and there was nothing the larger boats could do about it. Neville Crichton could only manage 34th on corrected time in IRC Group A. Winner of the big boat division was one of the smallest, the 40-foot Fissa, which now lies 2nd overall on the IRC Group A leaderboard. It was a similar story in ORC Group A where a French IMX-40, Laurent Lavaysse's Magic Simca won the race. There were three IMX-40s in the top four. Sandro Montefusco's Airis had the best set of scores from day 2 of the GP42 Quebramar Cup, the Italian team racking up scores of 2,1,3.
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Ondeck Sailing, 2008. Posted by peter
Sailing as an activity, relaxation or used as a business tool is highly satisfying. There are also brilliant sailing events which make it equally invigorating & can be something that the absolute members of the family are capable to go and observe as one. One of the largest weeks of the sailing schedule is the Cowes Regatta Week; this yachting event takes place year on year and has been in action since 1826 which makes it the longest running sailing event on the planet. With more than eight hundred ships & 7,000 rivals contributing, being viewed by more than fifty thousand spectators every day Cowes week has gained the reputation as 1 of the most important yachting corporate hospitality & social event of the total year. The eight thousand five-hundred contenders vary from Olympic & European class expert sailors to elder sailors. Even if you’re not contributing yourself, viewing the sailing, taking pleasure in the get-togethers & live music, and to experience the unique atmosphere, makes it a one of a type corporate yachting event. With Ondeck Sailing, 2008 begins the introduction of their brand new Regatta Division. Developing on their good position in the yachting and sailing charter marketplace, this has seen Ondeck run more than a few large events for businesses, they have at present joined up with Britannia Sailing Events the principal organisers of industry events in the UK. Find the best Cowes Week corporate event packages online at http://www.ondeck.co.uk The course of the sailing event itself will differ each day as aspects such as the weather state of affairs, tidal forces and speed of each rank of powerboat is taken into care. A characteristic Skandia Cowes Regatta has over thirty-five starts a day for participates of cruiser racers, one designs and keelboats; adding up to over six thundered powerboats. In this moment the Solent which is an extensively busy business shipping waterway, is jam-packed with sailing yachts of all divisions and is particularly rich in colour as a result of the boats spinnakers. As pointed out previously as well as the yachting events the week consists of a huge number of onshore activities that include live comedy and cocktail parties. From private or commercial residential parties & nominally private yacht associations and boats, there are large marquees put-up in the marinas serving canapés & wine.
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Middle East’s boating industry. Posted by peter
SMEM, the premier sales and networking platform in the Middle East, is the gateway to buyers in the UAE, Bahrain, East Africa, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The Middle East’s boating industry is enjoying unprecedented growth. Creating the gateway is Dubai and the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) each March, the largest exhibition in the Middle East for the leisure marine industry. The Middle East region has over 150,000 yachts in total, with local factories accounting for approximately 15 per cent of world production, reports say. Local distributor Emirates Yachting has seen a 500 per cent growth in the past two years. The Middle East has never been more focused on its one-stop maritime trade hub ambition – or more alive with an abundance of business opportunities. Top players from the world’s boating and shipping communities are using forums including Seatrade Middle East Maritime (SMEM), this year between 14 & 16 December, to access supplier markets for products and services into and out of the region. Positioned in the heart of one of the world’s richest regions, the emirate of Dubai hosts the largest concentration of local and international businesses in the Middle East. Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) is located in the seat of the business district, surrounded by business, hotels and restaurants. SMEM is set for further expansion in 2008, reflecting the strong growth forecast for the size of the fleet managed or controlled in the region. 'We will monitor the expansion of the fleet, in each of the principal industry segments, when planning the 2008 program,' explains Christopher Hayman, Managing Director of the organizer, Seatrade. 'This will capitalise on the momentum built up in the general shipping, cruise and SuperYacht conference sessions this year.' More than 300 executives from 40 countries attended SMEM’s conference, addressed by over 60 leading international maritime experts. 'SMEM has evolved into one of the world’s fastest-growing maritime events and now ranks among the industry’s Top 10 largest. SMEM is the leading international forum in the region and, as the Middle East’s maritime industry develops, the event is set to evolve in tandem,' says Hayman. This bullish forecast for the event came at the close of SMEM 2006, which was the biggest yet, notching up record attendance. Approaching 6,000 trade participants attended from 63 countries, 45% of whom came from outside the region. 'SMEM 2008, which will run from 14-16 December, will be even bigger, following this year’s overall participation increase of some 30%,' explained Hayman. General shipping: Dubai Maritime City, the purpose-built new development for the city’s maritime cluster that is rapidly taking shape on reclaimed land at the heart of the waterfront, exhibited with a giant scale model on display for the first time ever. SMEM visitors were also offered an opportunity to visit the site itself, to see how construction is progressing. DP World, now the third largest ports operator in the world, with 51 terminals in 24 countries, was also a very active SMEM participant. Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem opened the exhibition and toured the floor, while group officials made several presentations in the conference. These outlined not only expansion projects overseas – as far afield as Vietnam, India, Turkey and Peru – but also progress closer to home where cargo volumes at Abu Dhabi Terminals have risen 20% and productivity 45% since DP World took over management. Information on one of the most significant developments yet on the Gulf’s general maritime scene was announced during SMEM – the impending official formation of the UAE Shipowners Association. President elect Sharafuddin Sharaf outlined the aims and structure of the new body at the Seatrade Dubai International Maritime Awards gala presentation dinner, on Monday 4 December, where over 800 guests crowded into the banqueting hall of the Grand Hyatt Hotel to applaud companies rewarded for best practices in their respective sectors. Cruise: 'SMEM 2006 was extremely good for our business as we could announce the homeporting of European cruise majors Costa and Aida and also meet top international cruise operators,' said Awadh Al Ketbi, Acting Manager, Dubai Cruise Terminal, DTCM. 'We are also considering expanding the cruise conference by a day to reflect developments within the region and sound-out international industry needs.' Aris Zarpanely, Executive Vice President Strategic Development of the USA’s Silversea Cruises said: 'The conference provided a better understanding of the rather obscure regional cruise market and Dubai’s leadership position. The masterplan developed will encourage others in the region to follow this forward-thinking emirate.' Zarpanely called for the region to establish its own cruise industry association – Cruise Arabia - with Dubai taking the lead. Costa Croceire, Europe’s leading cruise operator, the first cruise major to homeport ships from Dubai in this region, said it is expediting the evolution of the Arabian Gulf as a winter cruise destination. 'The show enabled us to meet the right agents and speak to people from around the region to influence their governments to further promote the cruise industry,' said Giovanni Onorato, Costa’s President. SuperYacht: SMEM’s SuperYacht conference signalled massive growth in the Middle East’s profile, with huge expansion in marina infrastructure. Erwin Bamps, Executive Manager, Gulf Craft Inc said: 'SMEM was timely as we required a platform to share our concerns and thrash out a blueprint for the burgeoning SuperYacht industry. We were able to discuss fleet profile, demand growth for newbuildings, the charter market and SuperYacht financing. Exhibition: SMEM 2006 spanned 3,500 square metres to accommodate 235 exhibitors from 35 countries. Companies from Bangladesh, France, Germany, Libya, South Korea and Holland were among newcomers to the show. Western Marine Shipyard Ltd, from Bangladesh, said its participation had been extremely worthwhile. Mohamed Sakhawat Hossain, Managing Director said: 'We were in two minds earlier about coming to SMEM but after our successful visit here we are also looking at participating in Sea Asia, to be held in Singapore next year. We developed excellent leads which we are confident will convert into new contracts.' France Telecom, the mobile satellite communications provider, was on the look-out for partners and contracts from big vessel operators. 'Many of our target audiences were present here at SMEM,' commented Udo Grether, Sales Support Manager. A six-strong South Korean contingent also reported contacts with new business partners: 'We are confident that, by SMEM 2008, we will have established strong ties with the multi-billion dollar industry in this region,' said Chae Kwan Sun, Business Supporting Manager. In the show’s closing hours, the Saudi Arabian Lubricating Oil Company closed a deal with Middle East Shipping Management Company to supply four million litres of lubricating oil. 'We met Middle East Shipping for the first time at SMEM,' said Walid A Bin Swaid, Regional Manager, Saudi Arabian Lubricating. More at www.seatrade-middleeast.com
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Burger Boat: 43 meter custom new build. Posted by melina
Burger Boat Company is pleased to announce that it has been commissioned to build a new 43 meter (140') custom motor yacht. This vessel has been designed over the past 18 months by Burger's team in conjunction with an experienced yachting family who currently own their third Burger built boat. This project also accomplishes Burger’s planned objective to start construction of one new yacht in mid 2008, with completion expected by mid 2010. During the second half of 2008, Burger has the availability and intends to commit to the construction of one additional new custom yacht which, depending on size, is expected to be delivered in late 2010 or early 2011. Since October 2007, Burger has launched two vessels and currently has four custom yachts under construction, two of which will be completed by the end of the third quarter 2008. Burger Boat Company builds custom motor yachts, in aluminum and/or steel, up to 60 meter (200') and, since 1863, has been recognized worldwide for design, quality construction and seaworthiness. Burger is the foundation of the American yachting experience and the oldest and most respected custom yacht builder in America.
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Discount Sailing - Sail More For Less. Posted by melina
Discountsailing aim is offer you the best value for money products saving you pounds from the High Street Retailer. With our wealth of knowledge about all marine products we will give our customers the best experience, service and prices. Discountsailings sole route to market is via our easy to use and secure website, which allows us to interact with our customers 24 hours a day and to fulfil our aims of serving our customers efficiently, safely and securely. We hold thousands of different items of stock in our Warehouse. If you can't find what you are looking for, call us, we probably have it. How To Purchase Goods We have made buying from discountsailing.com as simple as possible. Once registered your shopping basket will store items you have placed within it until you are ready to place the order. Each item for sale will has an Add To Basket button. When you press this button you are taken to your shopping basket page where the item will be automatically added to your basket. You can input how many of each item you would like, decide to continue shopping, remove an item from the basket or check out and place your secure order. It is at this time you would be asked for your credit card and delivery details. Accepted Payment Paying online is simple, we accept Mastercard, Visa and Switch debit cards. For more details see above. If you place an order using Pay By Phone you will need to call us on +44 (0)8456 123177 to arrange payment. Please have you credit or debit card details ready. Is my transaction secure? Every on-line transaction made within DiscountSailing.com is transmitted across the Internet using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption. This industry standard method ensures that information sent from your browser is scrambled whilst in transit and decoded when it arrives on our server. You are far safer using your credit card within DiscountSailing.com than you are in a restaurant in your local high street. We take the issue of security very seriously and have taken every step possible to protect you. Our servers sit behind a state of the art hardware firewall. Our server is located within a heavily secured data center. What if I have problems ordering? Common reasons for problems when pressing the order button are; i) You are using an old browser that doesn't support SSL encryption. ii) You are browsing from behind a corporate firewall that will not allow secure connections. Speak to the system administrator at your office. They will either rectify the problem or you will have to order from another location. To check, point your browser to https://www.microsoft.com/if you cannot connect to the Microsoft secure server it is likely that one of the above faults apply. If you are able to connect to Microsoft please call our hotline number and report the fault to us. We will assist you if we can. 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This simply guarantees that the funds are available on your card and that payment will be made to us. This authorisation remains valid for ten days. When the goods are dispatched, we will debit funds from your account overnight directly into our own. If certain items in your order are out of stock or unobtainable we will only partially debit your card order. We are also able to cancel or refund individual items of your order should this become necessary. What risks are involved in buying online? All personal data, including your card number is transmitted over secure connections, meaning that no-one can 'eavesdrop' and capture your details. Stock Levels Our products are offered subject to availability. If for any reason we cannot supply you with any part of your order we will contact you via email or phone to advise you. We may need to cancel or refund the item from your order, in which case the funds will be paid directly back into your account. Prices are subject to change without notice. Returns Policy We guarantee all of our products to be free of defects for 14 days. If you receive a defective product, please email us at to arrange an exchange or refund. We aim to replace any defective items with replacements. If this is not possible we shall refund you immediately. Exchanged items will only be sent after we have received the defective item back from you in its original packaging at your own cost. Please consult our contact details for the return address.
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PUMA Unveils New Racing Boat. Posted by melina
Five months before the start of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, PUMA Ocean Racing had its new racing boat christened “il Mostro” by Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek in a waterfront ceremony at the Institute of Contemporary Art/ Boston on Monday, May 12th. The evening included the ceremonial breaking of a bottle of champagne across the Volvo Open 70’s bow by Hayek, the boat’s ‘godmother’ and short speeches by Chairman and CEO of PUMA, Jochen Zeitz, Chief Marketing Officer Antonio Bertone and PUMA Ocean Racing Skipper Ken Read. “This is a special day for PUMA as a brand and PUMA Ocean Racing as a team,” said Zeitz. “As part of our strategy for expansion into new categories, we are looking forward to the launch of our PUMA Sailing performance and lifestyle collections in 2008 and supporting our PUMA Ocean Racing team as they prepare to race il Mostro in the Volvo Ocean Race later this year. Il Mostro was designed by the team of Botin & Carkeek and built at Goetz Custom Boats in Bristol, Rhode Island in conjunction with Customline Yachts, before being launched at the Newport Shipyard in Newport, RI, in late April. PUMA Ocean Racing’s training base will be in Newport throughout the next four months, as the team prepares for the 10-month, 37,000 mile race around the globe. The new boat design is one of the new cutting-edge, second-generation Volvo Open 70s that are the world’s fastest monohulls. Its graphic details include a unique PUMA twist. “We were really trying to be intimidating with this design – a fearful racing machine,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer. “That’s why it’s called il Mostro – the monster. We wanted the reaction to be ‘No way, look at that thing!’ and I think we accomplished that.” “The boat’s look is a testament to PUMA’s creativity as a brand, as well as its support for PUMA Ocean Racing to build the best Volvo Open 70 that it can,” says Ken Read, PUMA Ocean Racing Skippe. “It was a lot of hard work from many people to get this boat into the water in such a short time and we couldn’t be more proud to be sailing il Mostrolater this year in the Volvo Ocean Race.” The Institute of Contemporary Art provided a fitting backdrop to the events with its visually-stunning design that both embraces and complements Boston Harbor. The museum lobby was transformed into a showroom for PUMA Sailing’s performance and lifestyle collection of apparel, footwear and accessories. The ICA’s waterfront Putnam Investment Plaza was used as the setting for the evening festivities and a PUMA Sailing fashion photoshoot by world-renowned photographer Todd Cole earlier in the day. “The Institute of Contemporary Art was the perfect setting for this celebration, given its blend of style and modernity and proximity to Boston Harbor,” said Bertone. “PUMA can’t wait for what the Volvo Ocean Race will bring to Boston, the excitement our team will create and the success of our new sailing category at retail.” PUMA Ocean Racing will begin off-shore training with il Mostro in May with several shorter races planned for June including the Halfway Rock Race (June 6-7), NYYC Regatta (June 13-14) and Newport-Bermuda Race 2008 (June 20-22). PUMA announced their entrance into the sailing category in May 2007, when they officially entered into the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 with the PUMA Ocean Racing Team. The around the world race will be making the only US stop in Boston, Massachusetts, the home of PUMA’s US headquarters. The sportlifestyle brand will carry a full line of performance and lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories beginning May 2008, available at sailing specialty stores and select PUMA Concept Stores. For more information about the race, team and the PUMA Sailing collections, please visit www.pumaoceanracing.com
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Giraglia Rolex Cup 2008. Posted by mariners
For 2008, famed Swiss watchmaker Rolex continues its role as principal sponsor of the prestigious Giraglia Cup, an important Mediterranean distance race. Beginning in St. Tropez, France, the competitors move through the picturesque Îles d'Hyères and across the sea, finally past the famous Giraglia Rock off of northern Corsica, and on to Genoa, Italy where the regatta finally ends, having covered a total of 243 nautical miles. The Giraglia Cup was conceived in 1952, the first race taking place in July of 1953 with 22 yachts participating. Rolex, known for its intimate association with many of the most prestigious yachting events through the world, has been principal sponsor of the Giraglia Cup since 1997.
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Global sailing mission. Posted by mariners
Austin sailor Ben Edelstein sailed through the Galveston jetties this morning, completing a circumnavigation of the world, and a dream, he started in 2000. The former real estate agent has sailed more than 50,000 miles on his 42-foot Gypsy Soul. During his odyssey, he dined with princes, stole princesses' hearts, weathered dangerous storms and survived a shark bite. "It's been like going to a university to get a degree in World Experience," Edelstein, 46, said after he sailed past Galveston and returned to the Clear Lake marina where his journey started seven years ago. Three buddies, Wayne March and Kai Geschke of Austin and Paul Duport of Houston, joined Edelstein on the final leg from Key West to Clear Lake. They cruised through the channel in a strong wind, dodging freighters. Then they donned black pirate eye patches and playfully wielded machetes, waving at onlookers on shore. Friends and Edelstein's mother, Kaete Edelstein of San Antonio, greeted the intrepid sailor with champagne and hugs as his journey ended. For much of the trip, Edelstein sailed alone. His daughter, friends and people he met at ports around the world sometimes joined him aboard the Gypsy Soul for portions of the trip. Edelstein's mission began with a sail through the Caribbean, a crossing of the Panama Canal to the Pacific and a long solo journey to the south seas islands. From there he sailed to Australia, Indonesia, around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa and on to South America. He was in the Caribbean this spring but wanted to get home before hurricane season kicked in. Although Edelstein knew his trip would require several years, it lengthened as he took his time visiting villagers and trekking through some interiors of the countries on his route. For now, the Gypsy Soul will remain at the marina and Edelstein will return to his mother's home in San Antonio. He plans to resume a real estate career put on hold for seven years of adventurous cruising. Congratulations, Ben. Welcome home.
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SD Hosts Sailing Championships. Posted by mariners
South Dakota is getting a chance to host one of sailing's most prestigious events. For the next four days, some of the top sailors in the country will be competing in the 2008 Hobie 20 North American Championships at Lewis and Clark Lake, in Yankton. Yankton has been home to Hobie Fleet 291 since 1977, but despite the group's longevity, this is the first time that they've played host to this event. Racing began this morning at Lewis And Clark Lake with a total of 33 teams from 13 states. And every last one of them is eyeing the title of Hobie 20 National Champion. David Rice says, "While there's sailing that takes place all across the country, this is the one event where it all comes together. It's the ability for all the sailors of this boat to get together once a year to see who the best of the best is." Event chairman David Rice was instrumental in bringing the event to South Dakota. And he's confident that the Hobies will return in the future. "The response from the people who are here has been very positive. And its the positive feedback that goes back to our national headquarters. And with that positive feedback, its likely that one could be organized here again," Rice said. Teams have come from near and far to participate in this year's National Championships. And coming up tonight at ten, we'll introduce to a pair of sailors who racked up the most miles to get here.
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2008 ABYA Safety Hand Book. Posted by sophie
The Anchor Bay Yachting Association (ABYA) has updated and re-released its Marine Safety and Clean Boating Book. The booklet contains updated safety statutes, administrative laws and local ordinances for St. Clair, Macomb and Wayne counties that have been adopted to ensure safer boating operations. The book also contains clean boating practices designed to help keep the waterways clean. To create this book, ABYA worked with St. Clair, Macomb and Wayne county marine divisions for safety statues, and the Clinton River Watershed Council for clean boating practices. ABYA printed 7,000 copies of the books and donated them to all three marine sheriff divisions to give to boaters on the water, in classrooms and at boat shows. Copies were also given to the Clinton River Watershed Council to be distributed through their many clean water programs hosted throughout the year. The book is also available on the ABYA Web site to view and/or print, just log onto www.abya.org. The book can be found in the links section by selecting 2008 ABYA Safety Hand Book. The Anchor Bay Yachting Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1967. Its primary goals are to educate boaters and encourage clean and safe boating on the lakes, to form liaisons with government units to influence regulation, and to promote camaraderie and fellowship within its 28 member clubs. The organization currently represents more than 4,000 members. Monthly meetings include discussions about problems relating to boaters, updates on pending legislation and guest speakers. For more information about the ABYA, visit the Web site.
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Geelong Yacht Club aids Country Yacht Club. Posted by sophie
Following the disastrous fire on February 27th. which destroyed close to $160,000 worth of boats and equipment belonging to the 46 year old Bendigo Yacht Club, the woes of the water deprived club seem to multiply. The Club hasn't been able to sail effectively on Lake Eppalock since 2006. Destroyed in the blaze were three rescue craft, nine training boats, a tractor, 12 boats belonging to members, a ride on mower and all of the club's racing marker buoys. Then, out of this sheer disaster, a 'fairy godmother' arose, (looking very much like the Commodore of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club) who took immediate action when told of the Bendigo Club's plight. After quick discussions with his committee, a rapid stock take was conducted and it was decided to donate approximately $20,000 worth of boats and equipment to the Bendigo Yacht Club. So far, a number of International Cadet yachts have 'land sailed' to Bendigo and just last Saturday, the Commodore of the Bendigo Club, accompanied by other members of his club were very happily taking possession of the last of the donations, the RIB, or 'Rubber Duck', that the Geelong club had affectionately name 'Donald'. Completing the craft and clamped firmly on the stern was a comparatively new 40 HP outboard motor. This made the gift an immediately functional piece of much needed equipment. Mr. Gillies said, 'First to get the five training craft, which immediately filled a void, and now to get a rescue boat as well is generosity to the extreme.'
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Sunsail with Yachting Australia. Posted by sophie
Sunsail Yacht Charters, based on Hamilton Island, has recently become recognised as a dual-branded Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Yachting Australia Training Centre. Yachting Australia and the RYA have collaborated to provide a new yacht training program, with the scheme administered by Yachting Australia and delivered to RYA standards. This means that the sailing qualifications gained are internationally recognised, opening up a whole raft of worldwide work and leisure opportunities. Sunsail Yacht Charters in the Whitsundays has been offering RYA recognised sailing qualifications for four years through its Sailing School and is currently the third busiest RYA training centre in Australia. The new Yacht Training Program, which is being rolled out over three years from January 1, 2008, will take sail training to new levels of professionalism. 'The new program offers international recognition of sailing qualifications, a wider range of supporting resources and courses, a quality management system run to international standards and localised administration,' said Sunsail’s marketing manager Kim Lehmann. 'Sunsail has been successfully delivering sailing tuition for many years but this new alliance between Yachting Australia and the RYA is taking sail training in Australia to a whole new, exciting level. Under the new training program, the employment possibilities in the yachting sector worldwide are endless.'
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