Cupdate

The America’s Cup Defender has announced that the entry period for the AC34 will begin on November 1 and run through March 31, 2011. This announcement comes on the heels of the meeting of Interested Parties in the 34th America's Cup, which took place in Paris last Friday, where 24 possible takers gathered to learn more about the next Cup. While the initial fee is a modest $25,000 payment made to America’s Cup Properties, Inc., entrants can expect much bigger entry bills down the road. It will be interesting to see how serious these 24 prospective syndicates really are.

Meanwhile, work continues on the AC45 builds at NZ Core Builders facility in Warkworth, New Zealand.

And from France comes the word that legendary offshore ocean sailors-cum-rivals Loick and Bruno Peyron are joining forces for a challenge that will involve the best French multi-hull sailors. Collectively, the brothers Peyron have won many serious offshore trophies and established impressive fastest-passage records. Keep your eye on this endeavor as it moves forward.

Skipper Zbigniew ’Gutek’ Gutkowski shows off an injury to his head which was caused by the blades on his wind generator whilst on the first of five Ocean Sprints in the Velux 5 Oceans race 2010. © Velux 5 Oceans

Meanwhile, in the Velux 5 Oceans Race, skippers are dealing with a nasty low-pressure system that is testing boats and men alike. Van Liew, the race leader, has already suffered two knock-downs, and reports seas too rough for autopilot driving.

But the big news is from 'Skipper Zbigniew ’Gutek’ Gutkowski aboard Operon Racing. Gutek was attempting to clear seaweed off of his rudders when he cracked his head into the spinning blades of his wind generator, badly lacerating his head. 'I don’t know how bad my wounds are, but I know that I was bleeding badly,' Gutek reported. 'At once I put on a head dressing to stop the bleeding. I couldn’t even estimate the size of my wound because my eyes were flooded with blood and couldn’t look at the mirror. I was really scared that I might not make it and lose consciousness because of the blood lost.' Based on his onboard reports, it appears that the dogfight between Gutek and Van Liew is over, at least for Leg one.

And in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, the 2007 course record set by George David’s Rambler remains safe, at least for another year.

May the four winds blow you safely home,