Sail-World New Zealand: 2 January 2011

Sail-World New Zealand: 2 January 2011

Ragamuffin heads for Tasman Island - 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race © Rolex/Daniel Forster
Welcome to Sail-World.com's New Zealand newsletter for 2 January 2011

Firstly, a Happy New Year to all our advertisers, supporters and readers - hopefully we will all have a better and safer year, this year than last.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart has come and gone for another year. We trust you have enjoyed the special Sail-World newsletters providing the best coverage of this classic event. Without fail the race seems to turn up some controversy, and there was plenty in this, or rather, last year's event - from the media boat collision at the start, to the southerly buster and storm and ending with the protest hearing involving the two of the first boats home, including the line honours winner, Wild Oats XI.

In this edition of Sail-World we bring you some of the coverage of the final days of this intriguing event.

Tasman Island - 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race © Rolex/Daniel Forster

Despite not attracting the international supermaxis which were a feature of the 2009, the race certainly pulls the media attention in Australia, and it is great to be able to follow the race, near-live on Sky News. One emotional interview with Wild Oats skipper, Mark Richards on the dock, along with owner Bob Oatley was particularly memorable - and really got to the passion with which most follow and compete in sailing. It was so emotional (and late at night) that we forgot to push the 'record' button, and sadly it didn't get replayed.

In the sanitised world of sailing PR, that interview was a stand-out. If more of that quality were put to air instead of the usual yadda-yadda, which fools no-one, then our sport would have a much bigger fan base, a better following amongst sponsors, and be much the better for it.

Media frenzy around Mark Richards and Bob Oatley after the finish of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race © Rolex/Daniel Forster

That fact was bought home to us again on New Year, when we took a movie using an iPhone 4 of the firework display on Waitemata Harbour. It was fairly spectacular display, and we had a good vantage point. But that is not the issue. After putting the 10-minute High Definition clip up on YouTube (which took less than an hour, with a little editing for length required), the video has attracted 30,000 views in just over 24 hours!

The point here is that coverage of sailing is not just in the hands of media, but is there for every supporter at every sailing event. By just using simple devices, it is possible and very easy to report on events, boats and people - and there is really no excuse for there being no report from a sailing event. (Sorry we don't regard iPhones as expensive luxury items - they are available near free on most mobile phone plans - and are even cheaper when you realise that you are buying a still camera, movie camera, voice recorder, personal computer and mobile phone in the one device - which is very user friendly.)

"It's yours Gavin" - 33rd America's Cup - Reception at San Francisco City Hall - Mayor Gavin Newsom - Larry Ellison BMW Oracle Racing © Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

The announcement of the America's Cup Venue is covered extensively in this issue. We have featured an analysis of why San Francisco was able to retrieve the deal, which was virtually lost just two weeks ago. However they are still a high-risk option with a 12 month planning process to be worked through. We are told the Board of Supervisors vote of 11-0 in favour of the Northern Alternative which will form the basis of the new deal for the venue of the 34th America's Cup.

Sorry if some of our earlier reports on the venue issue seem rather muddled. The fact is that some San Francisco and US media were given copies of the official release over nine hours before the international media. That action has eroded a lot of the trust which has been built up over the past three years between the international sailing media and the now America's Cup organisers.

Barcelona World Race start GAES Centros Auditivos Team

New Zealanders are competing in their first World Championship of the new decade, with the Optimist Worlds underway in Langkawi, Malaysia. We have three excellent reports in this edition thanks to Robert Burns a supporter with the team. The 2011 Optimist Worlds, to be staged in Napier, will be the signature event for sailing in New Zealand, this year.

Also underway, but with no reports available are the P-class and Starling Nationals which we believe started yesterday. For those at the event, please re-start reading this editorial from paragraph six.

Lisa Chamberlain with the Rani Trophy for stand out female sailor in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Peter Campbell ©

Thanks for your help and input, we're here to help sailing, and help those who wish to help themselves. Many thanks to those who have contributed to this edition.

Good sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

America's Cup: What turned the tide in favour of San Francisco?
Richard Gladwell,
The decision to name San Francisco as the venue for the 34th America's Cup is a big turnaround from just over two weeks ago when the lead negotiator for the Defenders, Oracle racing's Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Barclay, described their team as being 'exasperated' with San Francisco's City Hall. San Francisco was accused of using a 'bait and switch' negotiating technique - where you negoti... [more]
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Rolex Sydney Hobart: Rani Trophy for outstanding seasmanship presented
Peter Campbell,
The prestigious Rani Trophy for outstanding seasmanship in the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has been awarded to 20-year-old Lisa Chamberlain, one of the three ‘youth crew' aboard the maxi yacht YuuZoo.... [more]
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Newsflash: America's Cup venue confirmed for San Francisco
Richard Gladwell,
In a statement just seven hours before the expiration the deadline set in the Protocol for the 31st America's Cup, it has been announced that San Francisco will be the Host Venue for the 34th America's Cup. The deal is understood to be within the boundaries set by the Board of Supervisors, so will not need confirmation by them. However that will have to be confirmed once the full agreement... [more]
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New Zealand Team report from Day 2 of Optimist Worlds in Malaysia
Robert Burn,
New Zealand Yachting Trust Optimist Team report form the Optimist World Championships being staged in Langkawi, Malaysia: Today's forecast was not so encouraging but the promised lack of wind didn't eventuate ...a nice breeze came up and steadily built from around 7-9 knots to 15 knots plus. The wind increased as the cloud cover came over and settled in to the best wind we have seen here so far.... [more]
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America's Cup 2013 - San Francisco wins hosting right - its official
Stephanie Martin,
The world-famous San Francisco Bay will be home to the 2013 America's Cup Finals and the Challenger Selection Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup, as well as an America's Cup World Series event in 2012. This will be the first time the America's Cup has been hosted in the United States since 1995.... [more]
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Velux 5 Oceans - Happy 2011 from race leader Brad Van Liew
Brad Van Liew,
2011! Wow, are you kidding?? That makes me really middle aged. Le Pingouin (LP) and I will have a chat as she has a lot to say about being middle aged. Boats live in dog years.? It is about seven years to one human year so she actually just broke through 60 years old.... [more]
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Rolex Sydney Hobart - Just rewards in Hobart
KPMS,
It was a bright and windy morning today when boat owners, crews, friends and family gathered on the lawn of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania in warm sunshine for the official prize-giving for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2010. The races' rich 66-year history provides for an impressive collection of race booty: intricately crafted silver trophies, hand-carved half models, and unique awards.... [more]
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America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand welcomes Venue Decision
Warren Douglas,
Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said the team was pleased to finally know where the 34th America's Cup will be held. 'We have always said we favoured San Francisco in 2013 and that's what we've got.... [more]
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Barcelona World Race early lead to Foncia
Barcelona World Race,
Breezes are very light round through this first night at sea, Desjoyeaux and Gabart making the best speed of the fleet at 5.2kts.... [more]
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America's Cup Hosting believed to be allocated to San Francisco
Richard Gladwell,
The Hosting Rights for the 34th America's Cup are believed to have been allocated to San Francisco, however a formal announcement is yet to be made by the negotiating team working on behalf of BMW Oracle Racing and the Golden Gate Yacht Club. A letter purportedly issued by the Golden Gate Yacht Club Commodore is believed to be premature.... [more]
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America's Cup venue decision expected today
Richard Gladwell,
A decision on the venue for the 34th America's Cup, or an update on the current situation regarding negotiations is expected today 31 December 2010. Reports appearing in US media, stating that San Francisco would be the chosen venue were dismissed as 'pure speculation' by those close to the negotiations.... [more]
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Velux 5 Oceans - A neck and neck drag race reports Derek Hatfield
Derek Hatfield,
Boat speeds have been in the high teens and it has been a neck and neck drag race. The wind has backed now by a permantent 45 degrees and within an hour the sun had come out. Such exteame weather changes are both humbling and awe inspiring.... [more]
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Massive Fireworks display welcomes the New Year on Waitemata
Richard Gladwell,
A massive fireworks display, sponsored by Kim Schmitz (Kim DotCom) was centrepiece of Auckland's celebrations to welcome the New Year, and new decade on the Waitemata harbour, last night, starting at the stroke of midnight. This year's display was much more spectacular than usual and was run from a barge in the Waitemata, with a second display launched from the top of the SkyTower... [more]
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IODA 2010 World Championships - Thai sailors on top after day 2
IODA,
This was going to be another tough day where consistency would be so very important. After five races, two sailors have begun to edge out in front – Jirawat Jadklay and Noppakao Poonpat both from Thailand.... [more]
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RYA Chairman Richard Langford receives OBE
RYA,
RYA - It was officially announced today, 31 January 2010, in the Queen's New Year's Honours List 2011 that RYA Chairman Richard Langford has received an OBE for his services to sailing and windsurfing.... [more]
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29er World Championship competitors arrive in Argentina
Jerelyn Biehl (amended by ISAF),
29er World Championships 2011 - The sailors have arrived in beautiful Mar del Plata, Argentina to contest the 2011 29er World Championship. Twelve nations are representing all continents with over 65 entries in what will be a highly competitive fleet.... [more]
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Barcelona World Race - 24,500 nautical miles lie in front of Mirabaud
MaxComm Communication,
Barcelona World Race - The big day is finally here! The fourteen yachts entered in the Barcelona World Race, the double-handed, non-stop, round-the-world race, cast off their lines this morning for the 1pm start. Grey skies and very light 5 knot winds could do nothing to dampen spirits.... [more]
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Juan Yacht Designs on designing winners for the Volvo Ocean Race
Andi Robertson,
Volvo Ocean Race - Argentinian designer Juan Kouyoumdjian has designed two Volvo Ocean Race winners, and is looking for another. Andi Robertson talks to the head of Juan Yacht Design.... [more]
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IODA 2010 World Championships - Thai sailors on top after day 2
IODA,
This was going to be another tough day where consistency would be so very important. After five races, two sailors have begun to edge out in front – Jirawat Jadklay and Noppakao Poonpat both from Thailand.... [more]
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420 Worlds day 1 - Spain and Germany lead
420 Class Association,
420 World Championship and Ladies World Championship Provisional results were posted by the organisers at around 22.30 UTC... [more]
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International 14 National Championship Day 1
Neil Patchett,
With the temperature set to hit 41 degrees in the city and catastrophic fire alerts out for some parts of the state, the scene was set for a boil over.... [more]
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New Zealand Team report from Day 1 of Optimist Worlds in Malaysia
Robert Burn,
New Zealand Yachting Trust Optimist Team report form the Optimist World Championships being staged in Langkawi, Malaysia: The Team have been working hard under Coach Andrew Wills to get themselves prepared on and off the water to sail hard and fast. Almost all have had some sickness and Taylor is still suffering from a re-occurring ear infection, hopefully it won't worry him too much when he gets... [more]
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Mirror Pre-Worlds – Screaming reaches, Black Flags and amazing Albany
Anthony Galante,
The Aussie Champs provided a full range of breeze from 3 to 25 knots providing something for everyone over the three day 11 race series which served as the pre-Worlds warm up for the 66 boats that entered the event. Sailed on the beautiful waters of Princess Royal Harbour in Albany, Western Australia, the 45th LandCorp Australian Championships provided breeze to suit all sailors.... [more]
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Rolex Sydney Hobart - All in for New Year's Eve
Lisa Ratcliff and Jim Gale,
Not since 2004 has a Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet finished beyond New Year's Eve and the 15 yachts still at sea look like they will keep that tradition going.... [more]
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Optimist World Sailing Championship - Mixed bag on day one
IODA,
Once afloat the competitors were met with a mixed bag of conditions. With the breeze continuing to ease, the first three races were completed and the fleet headed home to contemplate the days racing.... [more]
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New Zealand Team report from start of Optimist Worlds in Malaysia
Robert Burn,
New Zealand Yachting Trust Optimist Team report form the Optimist World Championships being staged in Langkawi, Malaysia: The Team have been working hard under Coach Andrew Wills to get themselves prepared on and off the water to sail hard and fast. Almost all have had some sickness and Taylor is still suffering from a re-occurring ear infection, hopefully it won't worry him too much when he gets... [more]
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P-class and Starling Nationals get underway in Napier in New Year
Richard Gladwell,
The National Championships for the P class and Starling get underway in Napier, tomorrow, New Year's Day. On New year's Day racing will be held for the Tanner Cup (the inter-provincial championship) for P-class. The first day of racing in the Starling Match Racing Championship will also be staged.... [more]
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Barcelona World Race - Under pressure from the start
Barcelona World Race,
Light winds and a relatively benign Mediterranean stretch to the Straits of Gibraltar are expected to add to the early stress, putting the duos under immediate pressure. The exit from and the return into the Mediterranean are just two of the key challenges of this unique race.... [more]
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Barcelona World Race - Temporary skipper for Hugo Boss
Barcelona World Race,
The team will announce today the name of the temporary substitute skipper who will partner Andy Meiklejohn on board Hugo Boss from the start... [more]
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Rolex Sydney Hobart Tasman Island rounding images by Daniel Forster
Sail-World.com and Daniel Forster,
Rolex Sydney Hobart 2010 start images from top Swiss born, US based photographer, Daniel Forster, as the van of the fleet rounded Tasman Island, at the entrance to Storm Bay, on their way to the finish of the race - 40nm distan... [more]
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Congratulations Secret Mens's Business 3.5 from Doyle Sails Australia
Guy Waddilove,
Doyle Sails Australia wishes to congratulate the owners and crew of Secret Men's Business on their win.... [more]
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Rolex Sydney Hobart – Secret Men's Business 3.5 Overall winner
Rob Kothe and the Sail-World Team,
South Australian Geoff Boettcher has sailed his Reichel Pugh Secret Mens Business 3.5 to victory, winning the Tattersall's Cup in his 22nd attempt.... [more]
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Barcelona World Race - Alex Thomson in doubt for race start
Barcelona World Race,
Alex Thomson's participation in his second Barcelona World Race was thrown into doubt this afternoon when it was revealed that the British skipper had undergone an emergency appendectomy this morning (Wednesday).... [more]
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Americas Cup - Vincenzo Onorato replies to Salvatore Sarno
ValenciaSailing.com,
Salvatore Sarno, owner of Team Shosholoza, the first ever America's Cup challenger to come from Africa, stated in a recent interview in the Italian newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale that the 34th America's Cup was very expensive and as a result Shosholoza wouldn't be taking part.... [more]
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2011 Australian Laser Championship starts today at George's River, NSW
Laura Baldwin,
The 2011 Australian Laser Championship start today at George's River Sailing Club. 189 entries from seven States will race on Botany Bay for the chance to win one of four National titles; 2011 Australian Laser Champion, 2011 Australian Laser Radial Champion, 2011 Australian Laser Radial Women's Champion and 2011 Australian Laser 4.7 Champion.... [more]
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Predictwind charts show sea breeze bringing Hobart leaders home
Richard Gladwell,
A series of four charts from PredictWind covering the area around Tasman Island and Hobart, show how a breeze change has helped the race leaders get though what had earlier looked to be light airs for the final stages of the offshore classic.... [more]
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