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Scooting South, Fast—Sailing News from the U.S. and Beyond

Sunset and Code 0 - Global Ocean Race 2011-12  Phesheya Racing

If you're racing in the Global Ocean Race, the name of your game is to get south and fast. Not only is it the path to success, but it's also the pathway past a big high-pressure system that's stalking the southwest region of the course, potentially blocking some teams from arriving in Cape Town on pace. For race leaders Campagne de France and BSL, this might work out just fine, but likely less so for other boats struggling to avoid the softening air. 'We're charging down through the Atlantic underwater,' said Ross Field from the Class 40, BSL. 'Seriously, we are launched on a boat that just parts the ocean, never nosedives, just pushes mountains of water down the deck into your face. Our eyes are blood red from the salt, our lips are split from the sun and salt, but I'm loving it. It's like being on an out-of-control rollercoaster, BUT I have to say that after 24 hours of being right on the edge of tipping the boat out, it's nice when the wind drops.' Get the full report, inside.

Also offshore related but in much smaller boats, check out the coverage of the 2011 Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50 (formerly the Mini Transat), where 70+ singlehanded sailors are racing from Madere to Brazil aboard 21-foot offshore speed machines known as Classe Mini's. American interests are being well represented in the Prototype fleet by Emma Creighton, who is trying to become the second American woman to finish this grueling solo challenge. Get the full pulse on what's unfolding in the Atlantic, in this issue.

Southern Spars 27m long, 5m wide TPT plotting table.  Southern Spars

Tech geeks, be sure to check out Josh Impey's piece on Southern Spars new Thin Ply Technology (TPT) plotter, which recently came online in Southern's Auckland-based Custom Spars facility. For readers who are just switching on to TPT, the technology is similar to North Sail's (Southern's parent company) 3Di sailmaking process, but applied to rigid structures such as mast sections.

The result is a carbon-fiber product that Southern says is lighter, stiffer and stronger than previous-generation technology. 'The use of TPT has revolutionized the world of laminate composites by providing a more efficient and precise manufacturing process with no limitation to angle, area and thickness,' said Wayne Smith, Southern Spars' technology manager. 'Our aim is to plot in TPT for all carbon products going into the future.' According to a different source who shall remain nameless, one such carbon product could eventually be a hull or deck (or both). Check out Impey's piece for a look at today's cutting-edge technology.

Yankee-001 - A Very Busy Weekend On SF Bay  Erik Simonson/ pressure-drop.us - copyright

Also for the more technically inclined, IRC has announced some rules changes, which come into effect on January 1, 2012.

For dinghy sailors, Rob Kothe and the Sail-World.com team have put together an in-depth conversation with former World Champion 49er skipper Nathan Outteridge to get his thoughts on what it takes to win in this hyper-competitive class. We will be covering the action at Perth 2011 in December as the U.S.Sailing Teams Olympic sailing campaign kicks off in earnest.

And for anyone who loves great photography of beautiful boats under sail, be sure to check out Erik Simonson's photo gallery of what he terms 'A Busy Weekend on San Francisco Bay'. Enjoy.

May the four winds blow you safely home,

David Schmidt, Sail-World USA Editor

Pan American Games day 2 - US holds lead in three classes Dana Paxton, Pan American Games are currently underway in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Racing in light-wind conditions, Team USA enjoyed a successful second day at the regatta. Through four races, the U.S. holds or shares the lead in three classes — Lightning, Snipe and Sunfish.... [more] Share this story

Dean Barker: 'We're about winning the America's Cup' Michelle Slade, Emirates Team NZ's skipper, Dean Barker talks with Michelle Slade on the America's Cup World Series and how Emirates Team NZ is positioned going into the 34th America's Cup. Barker covers where the world's most successful professional sailing team is with its preparations and has a few broadsides for the Defender.... [more] Share this story

Puma's Volvo 70 - 'il mostro' - for sale! Marine Business-World.com, PUMA's il mostro is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. The auction started on September 30 and concluding on October 30, we will accept bids for one of the fastest VOR boats in the world. Puma's il mostro is the perfect platform for a racing owner wishing to compete in offshore racing both under handicap and as a course record breaker. Auction ends October 30th 2011... [more] Share this story

BAADS Herb Meyer Regatta on McCovey Cove Erik Simonson, 17 brightly colored, distinctive boats flooded the 'Friendly Confines' of McCovey Cove over the weekend for the third annual Herb Meyer Regatta named for the longtime B.A.A.D.S. Commodore and leader from Marin County. Herb was injured near 20 years ago and the resulting injury left him a quadriplegic, but he refused to give up his love for sailing... [more] Share this story

La Charente-Maritime / Bahia Transat 6.50 - Protos in Cape Verde Charente-Maritime/Bahia Transat 6.50, The Charente-Maritime / Bahia Transat 6.50 fleet was propelled last night by changeant thunderstorms. The stars of the race are now neck and neck. On the fifth day of the second leg, David Raison (747 - TeamWork Evolution) is back into the lead for prototypes, Gwénolé Gahinet (455 - Asso-Watever gwenolegahinet.com) is still the first series boat.... [more] Share this story

Global Ocean Race - Getting south in a big hurry Oliver Dewar, Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR) - There is a very real sense of urgency in the double-handed GOR fleet as the high-pressure system north-east of the Falklands continues to sprawl across the western side of the South Atlantic and threatens to slam the door on the majority of the Class40s.... [more] Share this story

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - The next pounding Heather Ewing, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - After the Southern Ocean showed the Clipper Race fleet just how harsh and unyielding it can be during the previous few days, today's skippers' reports are filled with superlatives for the adventurous crew members who continue to battle against one of Mother Nature's toughest environments.... [more] Share this story

2012 Changes to IRC Rules RORC Rating Office, The following Rule changes come into effect on 1st January 2012 (1st June 2012 for South certification year): • Rule 9.6 is amended to clarify the position when a rating protest has been lodged. • Rule 10.6 is amended to give the Rating Authority greater flexibility.... [more] Share this story

New TPT plotter in operation for Southern Spars Josh Impey, A brand-new thin ply technology (TPT) plotter is now operational at Southern Spars' Auckland-based Custom Projects facility, adding another component in the company's drive for higher performing, lighter and stiffer spars.... [more] Share this story

Global Ocean Race fleet has a new focus Oliver Dewar, Six of the Global Ocean Race Class40s are now down into the South Atlantic with a new focus: a high pressure system forming off South America that threatens to block the route to Cape Town... [more] Share this story

Clipper Round the World Race - Strong winds but enjoying the ride Heather Ewing, Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - This time yesterday the fleet was battening down the hatches in preparation for a pummelling from Mother Nature. When the weather front eventually hit, although powerful, the winds were not as strong as expected and the ten teams racing through the Southern Ocean towards Geraldton, Western Australia, appear to have been rather enjoying the ride.... [more] Share this story

A busy weekend on San Francisco Bay pressure-drop.us, October 15th, midway through the 10th month of the year and San Francisco Bay could not have been more active. With 11 regattas on the YRA Schedule including several major events, the last major gasp of the summer, provided great racing and nice cruising for all who could pull themselves away from college football.... [more] Share this story

A Class North American Championships final day Warren Green, A Class North American Championships - After blustery attempts the RC fiannly gave in to the weather and called the races. The new and now a four time Champion is Ben Hall.... [more] Share this story

Womens Match Racing Olympic Qualifying Regatta Notice of Race ISAF, The Notice of Race for the 2012 Women's Match Racing International Country Olympic Qualifying Regatta has been released. Just 12 places are available for the Women's Match Racing at London 2012 so competition for places is fierce.... [more] Share this story

Campbell Cup day 2 - As the going gets rough Dark Star pulls it out Rich Roberts, Campbell Cup - Just when it seemed the door was closing, Jeff Janov squeezed Dark Star through the crack in winds to 18 knots Sunday to claim another Farr 40 victory in the city that calls itself the Aquatic Capital of America. Following a dominating win in the Farr 40 North American Championship five months earlier, this time it was the third annual Campbell Cup, but it couldn't have been closer... [more] Share this story

U.S. Match Racing Championship - Perry takes fourth title Jake Fish, The four-day US Sailing National Championship was hosted by the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, Calif. Perry advanced to the finals after edging skipper Chris Nesbitt. He met Taylor Canfield in the Final.... [more] Share this story

Perth 2011: Conquering the Wind and the Waves - the 49er Challenge Rob Kothe and the Sail-World.com Team, Nine months before the 2012 London Olympic regatta in Weymouth, Nathan Outteridge and childhood friend Iain ‘Goobs' Jensen (AUS) are considered the 49er favourites. The duo has won all four regattas they have contested at the 2012 Olympic site in Weymouth.... [more] Share this story

In too deep - Behind the Race to Mackinac tragedy Dawn Reiss, At 333 miles, the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac is the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world. Before the 2011 race, the event had never seen a racing-related death in its 103 years. Experienced sailors Mark Morley, 51. and Suzanne Bickel, 40, both of Saginaw, Michigan, were among the 3,500 competitors. Chicago journalist Dawn Reiss researched this detailed article for six weeks... [more] Share this story

Barking Mad takes European title and Enfant Terrible wins Circuit Jill Campbell, Barking Mad (USA) has been crowned UNO Farr 40 European Champion 2011. It was only the last downwind leg of the final race that Richardson knew victory was within his grasp. Transfusion (AUS), owned by Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, took an early lead in the first race of the day and went on to cross the finish line ahead of Nico Poons' Charisma (MON). Enfant Terrible took third place which left them on... [more] Share this story

Global Ocean Race fleet discomfort Oliver Dewar, The Global Ocean Race's third week of Leg 1 has taken the fleet from Mallorca to Cape Town and began with the fleet leaders, Campagne de France and BSL slowing upon entrance to the Doldrums with the offshore elastic band between the boats now beginning to expand and contract.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup Uncovered: Episode 12 - A look at the man behind Artemis ACM, Skipper James Spithill gives AC commentator and USA Olympic hopeful Genny Tulloch something to talk about with a race on board ORACLE Racing. Then we head to Lake Geneva in Switzerland to uncover the man behind Artemis Racing. But not before we hit the gym with Emirates Team New Zealand's Winston Macfarlane, who gives us the lowdown on how he became part of a team who carry the weight of a nation'... [more] Share this story

America's Cup Uncovered: Episode 11 - after the World Series, Plymouth ACM, The America's Cup World Series is moving on from Plymouth, we canvas spectators on the viewing experience and preview San Diego, the third stop on the World Series. Also featuring GB Olympic coach Jim Saltonstall and China Team's search for sailing talent.... [more] Share this story

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