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ROUND BRITAIN AND IRELAND RACE

Quite possibly the best ocean race on the planet.

Pedal to the Metal

Written by RORC Wednesday, 13 August 2014 16:22

Day Three: PM Update

At 1230 BST, Musandam-Oman Sail were 520 miles from the finish of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. To set a new outright World Record, the MOD 70 needs to cross the Royal Yacht Squadron Line by 12:59:14 on 14th August 2014.

Musandam-Oman Sail has been on the charge all morning and last night averaged over 25 knots, hitting a top speed of 35 knots. At that pace the World Record would be broken by over 3 hours.

During the third night of the race, a northwesterly breeze of about 19 knots is expected in the Celtic Sea, which should be enough to keep Musandam-Oman Sail on for the record and make landfall at The Lizard around midnight tonight. During the night, the wind is expected to go lighter and back to the west, which could make for a dramatic last few hours as Musandam-Oman Sail round the Isle of Wight, before crossing the finish line from the east.

Damian Foxall called the RORC Media Team by satellite phone earlier today while racing at full pelt against the clock, past his native Ireland on the MOD 70.

“We are just 15 miles from Blackrock, in sunshine on the West Coast of Ireland. I can see Galway and Connemara to leeward,” commented Damian. “The wind has just lined up beautifully and we haven’t really needed to gybe, so we are just going straight, corner to corner, towards the next mark, Tearaght Island. We have the inkling of an idea that it might be possible, in a dream world, to beat Banque Populaire’s record. We are pushing hard, towards near where I grew up; Bull Rock. With the wind going lighter and to the west, we will be dead down wind, which will mean a lot of gybes, but we will see how tomorrow goes; for now we are keeping alive the idea that we can break the course record.”

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s Volvo Ocean 65, Azzam, continues to lead the charge and has extended their lead on Team Campos, skippered by Iker Martinez, to over 30 miles. Ian Walker’s team has a bevy of outstanding drivers, whom Walker praised when he spoke to the RORC Media team by satellite phone.

“10 miles until we can bear away at St Kilda and the thrashing will subside,” commented Ian. “It was a tough night with up to 36 knots of wind and sustained periods of 30+. We have continued to push the boat as hard as we can – only once backing off as it felt like we were going to shake everything to pieces. I think it is paying good dividends having so many capable helmsmen, as we are going well. It is pretty intense on the body and mind. Most of the helmsmen’s hands are in tatters for a start!”

Brian Thompson, skipper of IMOCA 60 Artemis-Team Endeavour, contacted the RORC Media Team as they rounded Out Stack. At their current projected finish time, Artemis-Team Endeavour will break the IMOCA 60 record, set in 2010, by over 24 hours.

“We haven’t gone upwind since the start and, as we arrived at Muckle Flugga, the breeze switched around 180 degrees and we still haven’t!” explained Brian. “I have held the overall record three times, including onboard Banque Populaire, so to add the IMOCA record would be fantastic. It’s looking hopeful; four years ago it took Artemis two and a half days to get up to the top of the course, so we are already 12 hours ahead of their track. Apart from some bad sea-state plugging the tide at Great Yarmouth, we have been up to full pace. Right now, we are just taking it a leg at a time but we think we will be in Cowes for a Sunday Roast.”

The competitors’ blogs tell the story of the race through the words and pictures sent back by the fleet and one of the more humorous stories is told by Jankees Lampe’s whose Open 40, La Promesse, is leading IRC One and currently 150 miles from Muckle Flugga. Earlier today, the Dutch skipper blogged about the culinary delights on board and the special dietary demands of his fellow Two-Handed crew.

“Bart Boosman’s famous omelette (breakfast, lunch, brunch, dinner, whenever)

1. onions 2. onions 3. Red Leicester (cheddar) 4. eggs 5. pepper & salt 6. onions

BUBBLES AND OTHER THINGS

A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

THE 5, AGRICULTURE AND WATER

Driving on route 5 in California one sees the signs of conflict over water. It has been going on here for a long time. It is a battle the rest of the world will face in the coming years. As far as I can tell the issue in California remains unresolved. Even no action is an action; and there will be consequences.

An example of early planning is Valencia Spain where the water board dates from the 14th century and are tasked with the responsibility of regulating the water and it’s use in the region.

HOLLYWOODLAND

FIVE CHALLENGERS FOR THE AMERICA’S CUP

For me, the America’s Cup has become a parallel universe; so removed from sailing that it is really set apart. As I have stated before; I had been told the day that Hamilton Yacht club announced it’s intention to challenge and would be the challenger of record, that it was only a straw challenger and would not be there in the end. Seems someone knew what they were saying.

America’s Cup: Entries close but 2017 line-up remains mystery
1:04 AM Sat 9 Aug 2014

‘Golden Gate Yacht Club – Defender the the 35th America’s Cup’ © Richard Gladwell Click Here to view large photo

America’s Cup organisers issued an innocuous statement after the close of entries for the 35th America’s Cup.

A strong line-up of teams has submitted entries to race in the 35th America’s Cup ahead of the initial deadline of midnight on August 8th.

America’s Cup organizers are now working through the second stage of the entry process with each of these teams. This is expected to finish by August 20th.

Following the confirmation of entries there will be a press conference to introduce the teams and their skippers in London on September 9th.

Entries closed just before midnight on August 8th in San Francisco. The statement did not specify the number of entries received, and seemed to have been written ahead of the close of entries.

Only one team, Team New Zealand, have announced that they have lodged an entry.

Four other teams, Luna Rossa (Italy), Artemis Racing (SWE), Ben Ainslie Racing (GBR) and the Franck Cammas led Team France attended Competitor Meetings in Los Angeles and London.

Next step in the process is a vetting of the teams for compliance with the Protocol and also the Deed of Gift the 19th-century document which governs the conduct of the America’s Cup.

Given that Team New Zealand represents a Club that is a former America’s Cup Trustee, and are on their ninth America’s Cup in just under 30 years, the team are expected to have few problems in the vetting process.

Luna Rossa and Artemis Racing being previous Challengers are also expected to fly through.

Ben Ainslie Racing may face a more intensive level of investigation, given that they have announced that they will be challenging through a new yacht club Yacht Squadron Racing, described as a club affiliated to the Royal Yacht Squadron. The latter was the host club for the original race for the 100 Guinea Cup, won by the schooner America, and was renamed the America’s Cup.

New yachts club have a very chequered history in the recent America’s Cup, sometimes not meeting the requirements of the Deed of Gift. One of those requirements is that the Club must have held an annual regatta on the sea or arm of the sea. YSR organised the racing for the Panerai British Classic Week in July. Whether that event is sufficient for the Deed of Gift is yet to be determined.

Team France will sail under the burgee of the Yacht Club de France, founded in 1867 under the patronage of Emperor Napoleon III. It is one of the most-prestigious yacht clubs in France, and their 12metre yacht, France 3, sailed in the 1983 Louis Vuitton Cup.

No date has been set for the America’s Cup Match, neither has a Venue been named. The supporting regattas being the America’s Cup World Series are also yet to have their venues named along with dates.

The close of entries, and the announcement of accepted Challengers sets in place a train of events and decisions to be made under the terms of the negotiated Protocol.

Competitors have to meet to select a Regatta Director, on the basis of the preference of a simple majority. ACEA

Once the Accepted Challengers have been named, the organisers will need to determine whether a Qualifying Series is required – specified in the Protocol to be necessary if there are more than four Challengers. Under the Protocol, that series must be held in a different venue from the Match and will involve additional expense and logistical complication.

The Host City, Venue and Dates of the 35th America’s Cup must be named by December 31, 2014 but is expected in October 2014.

The Protocol does allow the Golden Gate Yacht Club to accept additional late entries at their discretion.

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz