Sail-World New Zealand: 24 December 2009

Guadeloupe provides perfect Weta sailing conditions - 2009 Zoo Regatta  Simax-Communication ©

Welcome to Sail-World.Com's New Zealand newsletter for 24 December 2009

Firstly a Happy Christmas to all our readers and advertisers. Thanks for all your support over the year, we have plenty of action coming up over the next few days as the Rolex Sydney Hobart race gets underway.

First up have a safe Christmas, and if you are on the water make sure you are using PredictWind to keep up with the weather that is headed your way - so you know if you venture further afield, or stay close to an all weather anchorage. Check out the new PredictWind.com competition by clicking the banner on this newsletter.

Staying with safety, please take the time to run the Coastguard Boating Education Services online kayak test it could save your, or a family member's life. Certainly for younger family members it will help tune up their smallboat and safety sense. It will take just 10 minutes to learn some lessons that will last for a lifetime.

Alinghi 5 sailing off Ras al-Khaimah, now the origin of her sails are being questioned.  Alinghi Team

In this edition we have the latest information available on the issues surrounding the 33rd America's Cup including when the event will be held and the format - as a result of talking to several of the key players over the past two days. Sorry we can't name or quote our sources, however they are extremely well placed, and this information is as accurate as can be under the circumstances.

At this sage, due to the uncertainty surrounding the regatta we cannot confirm our coverage - except that we will be position Sail-World to provide the very best coverage that we can.

Yesterday the constructed in country issue was raised by the US Challenger, in respect of the state of origin of the sails used by the Swiss Defender. At first glance, we believe the legal scales may be tipped the way of the Swiss on this matter, if indeed it goes to an International Jury or the New York Supreme Court.

Alfa Romeo - NZ's favorite for the Rolex Sydney Hobart and protected by Nanoshield  John Curnow

We welcome several new advertisers to Sail-World over this week including the Nanoshield protective products, which help keep immaculate yachts like the supermaxi Alfa Romeo, looking immaculate. Nanoshield can be found at www.nanoshield.biz and have just launched a new undewater product.

Kiwiprops, another great New Zealand developed product/technology has also signed up with Sail-World, promoting their unique range of feathering propellors, suitable for racing and cruising yachts alike. Check out their website at www.kiwiprops.co.nz

In this issue we feature the latest Weta regatta, staged in the Caribbean. Again it is great to see the success that this unique Kiwi design has enjoyed and its take-up around the world.

Don't forget to catch the two stories from a couple of Whitbread legends, Simon Gundry and Godfrey Cray about their (and their sons) exploits in the 3000nm ARC race across the Atlantic, aboard Southern Spar's Steve Wilson's 53ft Eliott design.

Rapparee Crew at Finish. From Left; Jordan Wilson, Steve Wilson, Conrad Gundry, Dominic Gundry, Simon Gundry, Godfrey Cray, Sam Cray. - ARC Trans Atlantic Race  Godfrey Cray

Several of the stories appearing in this edition have been submitted via our online submission facility. You can submit your event/regatta/class/boat news by Clicking Here - all copy will be published, please include a photo or three with a side over 1280px wide. There's a new big icon on the home page of www.sail-world.com to make it even easier for you. You will now be automatically informed when your submission has been posted and which regions it has been posted to - a great way to get exposure for your club, class, event, program or campaign.

The Wetas amongst the beach party - 2009 Zoo Regatta, Guadeloupe  Simax-Communication ©

Many thanks for your help and input, we're here to help sailing, and help those who wish to help themselves.

Good sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

nzeditor@sail-world.com

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Stay up with the latest sailing news, as it happens, on our website www.sail-world.com/nz

On-line Kayaking Safety tuition at Coastguard Boating Education Coastguard Boating Education ., Coastguard Boating Education now have available the first of a new series of online, interactive education modules.Small craft, inclusive of Kayak and powered water craft currently represent the fastest growing sector of the market with their users over represented in the drowning statistics.... [more] Onsend this story

Classic small boat display at the Great Manly Art Show 28th December Gus Gager, For the first time in 25 years, at the Great Manly Art Show, on Manly Beach at Whangaparaoa, the art show will feature paintings, the local pipe band performing plus the display of small boats.... [more] Onsend this story

America's Cup: SNG respond on Construction in Country issue Richard Gladwell, The Defender of the America's Cup, Société Nautique de Genève (SUI) have responded to the Constructed in Country issue raised by the Challenger, Golden Gate Yacht Club via an Open Letter issued yesterday. That letter queried whether the Defender was using sails that were built on Switzerland, or if they were built in USA... [more] Onsend this story

RYA Team GBR keen to defend their Rolex Commodores' Cup title Ellie Williamson and Sail-World.com, RYA Team GBR, in a quest to defend their Rolex Commodores' Cup title, have signed Mike Hart and Chris Simon to the 'assault' team. RYA Racing Manager John Derbyshire comments: 'We're delighted to have Mike and Chris on board with us.'... [more] Onsend this story

No Sleeps to the Sydney Hobart race? Rob Kothe & the Sail-World Team, Its early morning on Christmas Eve ‘down under' in Sydney Australia and as dawn breaks the latest news is that Grant Wharington's Etihad Stadium actually has her new four spreader mast standing vertical.... [more] Onsend this story

Gladwell's Line: Positive progress on 33rd America's Cup negotiations Richard Gladwell, Despite the apparent silence since last Thursday's meeting in Valencia, discussions are believed to be proceeding positively with the Spanish authorities over arrangements on the 33rd America's Cup. At this stage the Match is still as the New York Supreme Court ordered - for a best of three Match starting on the 8 February 2010.... [more] Onsend this story

PredictWind Long Range Forecast for Sydney to Hobart Nathan May, PredictWind is forecasting Southerly winds for the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. With stronger winds of 18Knts at start time decreasing to around 10Knts as the race progresses. The images displayed are using PredictWind's High Resolution GRIB files displayed using Expedition Software.... [more] Onsend this story

The Fifth Annual Zoo Regatta features Weta Trimaran Chris Kitchen, Last month the fifth annual Zoo regatta kicked off in the Caribbean. This year the venue was the beautiful Creole Beach spa and Hotel in Gosier, Guadeloupe. Other significant changes this year included Zoo regatta introducing the Weta 4.4 trimaran, these boats were generously provided Weta Caribbean. Short triangle courses were set close to the breakwater of Creole beach to allow spectator...... [more] Onsend this story

Boys on Tour 2: It's All About the Sons Godfrey Cray, Old Bulls and young guns take out line honors in the Trans Atlantic Rally for Cruising yachts. The 1999 Greg Elliot designed 53 footer owned and skippered by Steve Wilson crossed the line in St Lucia early on December 6th to take line honors and a divisional handicap win in the 158 entry fleet.... [more] Onsend this story

New ISAF Rules become effective 1 January 2010 ISAF Media, From 1 January 2010, the new edition of the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations 2010-11 comes into effect along with amendments to The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2009-2012 and the 2010 Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Code.... [more] Onsend this story

Boys on Tour 1: 3000nm of Tradewinds sailing across the Atlantic Simon Gundry, Whitbread veteran, and New Zealand sailing legend, Simon Gundry reports from St Lucia on the ARC Race across the Atlantic: 'The New Zealand yacht Rapparee took part in the 2009 ARC race from Gran Canaria Island to St Lucia, some 3000 miles glorious downwind sailing in warm tropical headwinds. She is owned by Southern Spars, Steve Wilson, who brought with him two former Whitbread Round the World r... [more] Onsend this story

Boaties praised for taking proper preparations ahead of bar drama Don Scandrett, A dramatic incident at the entrance to the Manukau Harbour Bar yesterday afternoon could have cost lives had it not been for the boaties themselves being properly prepared and ready for such an incident says Coastguard.... [more] Onsend this story

RORC announce change to class bands for the 2010 Rolex Commodores' Cup J2 Communications, The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) today announced a change to the class rating bands for the 2010 Rolex Commodores' Cup which runs from the 15 to 21st August. The lower limit of Class 1 has been lowered by 10 points from 1.120 to 1.110. The rating bands for classes 2 and 3 remain unchanged.... [more] Onsend this story

Liz Wardley arrives in Portugal SolOceans, Liz Wardley moored her SolOceans One-design (16 metres - 52.5 feet) alongside the pontoons of the Marina de Cascais, Lisbon (Portugal) after the premature end of the Around-the-world Reference Tour of the SolOceans - OceanoScientific® Campaign 2009-2010.... [more] Onsend this story

Australia strikes first blow in 2009-2010 ISAF Sailing World Cup Dave Knapman - ISAF, Australian sailors won five gold medals as the host nation led the way at Sail Melbourne, first event of the 2009-2010 ISAF Sailing World Cup series.... [more] Onsend this story

America's Cup: Challenger initiates Construction Origin issue Richard Gladwell, The much expected Constructed in Country discussion has kicked off in the ongoing saga of the 33rd America's Cup. The issue harks back to the 19th century Deed of Gift which requires that the vessel be 'constructed in the country to which the Challenging Club belongs'. It has not really been determined if the same rule applies to the Defending club, and it is believed that the Defender has... [more] Onsend this story

Boat show hopes for biggest marine event since America's Cup Marine NZ, In New Zealand, the marine industry is hoping for its biggest event since the America's Cup, with the culmination of the Louis Vuitton Trophy Series and the Auckland International Boat Show in 2010.... [more] Onsend this story

Thailand Platu OD Championship 2010... all the news Ferret News, For Thailand and Asia region Platu sailors – and any OD enthusiasts, come to that, or maybe ALL sailors who like close racing and a good fight on the water – it's time to to get sorted for 2010 so here are all the details you need to make decisions .... [more] Onsend this story

Liz Wardley's account and analysis of the SolOceans dismasting SolOceans/Liz Wardley, Liz Wardley is aboard the SolOceans One-design under jury rig and 160 nautical miles from Cascais Harbour (Lisbon - Portugal). She will be there in around 30 hours sailing at 5,5 knots on average with surfs at 8 knots.... [more] Onsend this story

Ben Ainslie back in the Finn Ben Ainslie blogspot, From Ben Ainslie's latest blog: This was the first time I'd even stepped back into a Finn since the Olympics and it has proved to be a really worthwhile week just sailing the boat again and being around the rest of the guys in the squad.... [more] Onsend this story

Roy E. Disney and the Newport-Ensenada Race Rich Roberts, Roy E. Disney led several notable lives---creative artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist---but the one where his loss will be felt most personally by his peers is that of a world class sailor and selfless promoter of the sport.... [more] Onsend this story

America's Cup: Update on Valencia - 22 December 2009 Richard Gladwell, Despite many phone calls over the past two days, Sail-World has been unable to determine that anything other than a minimal Deed of Gift America's Cup Match will be held. That means that a Match complying with the minimum requirements of the Deed of Gift (a best of three series, over the prescribed courses) starting, as ordered by the New York Supreme Court will be sailed starting on 8 February 20... [more] Onsend this story

Etihad Stadium Supermaxi saga continues, mast wont touchdown until 9pm Etihad Stadium Supermaxi Events, Delays on the Qantas flight leaving Singapore carrying the replacement mast. It was originally due to touch down at 2pm, but that has been bumped out to around 9pm tonight, meaning it won't arrive by truck to Sydney City Marine until after 10pm at the earliest.... [more] Onsend this story

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