27 Feb 2010                                 If you have trouble reading this email CLICK HERE         To respond to this email CLICK HERE

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New race announced and can Groupama 3 beat Orange 2's time?

Welcome to this week's edition of our Sail-World.com Europe newsletter.

Franck Cammas and his Groupama 3 team are still ahead of the Orange 2 reference time for the Jules Verne Trophy. Already they have set a new record time during this attempt.

Also this week the Normandy Challenge Race was announced and Mascalzone Latino Audi Team signed on for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Series in Auckland, New Zealand.

The RC 44 class has been sailing in Dubai and Cape Town has been named as the first stopover port of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. The RORC Caribbean 600 is underway and it could be a long race for some competitors as the wind continues to drop. One Class40 has retired, but two are racing on. Line honours winners, both multihull and monohull, have been declared.

Oh and make sure you look at the RORC Caribbean 600 pictures from Carlo Borlenghi.

Happy reading.

Sail-World.com Team

RORC Caribbean 600 - Class40s racing against the clock Oliver Dewar, The two remaining Class40s in the RORC Caribbean 600 finally found some breeze late on Thursday. As the two Class40s met just north of Marie-Galante island, both teams opted to head towards the south-eastern tip of Guadeloupe, followed by the First 40.7 Coyote, and picked up speed to seven knots.... [more] Share this story

RC44 Al Maktoum Sailing Trophy - Team Aqua back on top RC44 Class Association, Chris Bake and his Team Aqua dominated the first day of the fleet regatta with two victories and two second places. The team from the UAE sits seven points ahead of Torbjorn Tornqvist's Artemis and Igor Lah's Ceeref after four races. The conditions were absolutely fantastic today for the first day of the fleet regatta, with 15-18 knots breeze and very warm sunshine.... [more] Share this story

ISAF Sailing World Cup, Kieler Woche, Germany: Online entry opens Karoline Menneking / ISAF, Online entry is now open for the 2010 edition of Kieler Woche, the annual German festival of sailing and sixth and penultimate stop of the 2009-2010 ISAF Sailing World Cup.... [more] Share this story

Star Western Hemisphere Championship 2010 - Nassau is at the ready Thierry S. Huguenin / ISAF, After a year of intense planning and preparation, the Nassau Yacht Club is in the final stages of readying itself to once again welcome the International Star Class.... [more] Share this story

Louis Vuitton series expected to be scene-setter for America's Cup Richard Gladwell and Louis Vuitton, Details of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy were announced in a media conference this morning at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The regatta will be the first for the America's Cup teams since the 33rd Match was won by BMW Oracle Racing in Valencia, two weeks ago, and as such will take on a new urgency as positioning for the 34th America's Cup begins. Already some hiring of key people is... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 ahead of reference time Groupama-Cammas, At 52° S and 172° E, Groupama 3 is positioned at a point which is practically antipodal to the finish point off Ushant! Still behind a depression circulating at 60° S, Groupama 3 is making headway in a slightly irregular breeze, both in terms of strength and direction, though the sea is undulating in an increasingly harmonious manner.... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600 - Beau Geste takes monohull line honours RORC, Beau Geste has taken monohull line honours finishing the RORC Caribbean 600 on the 25th February 00 01 13 in an elapsed time of 2 Days 11 Hours 21 Minutes 13 Seconds. Helmsman Gavin Brady was very impressed with the race course.... [more] Share this story

Gladwell's Line: How long will the America's Cup 'Love-In' last? Richard Gladwell, The lyrics of Scott McKenzie's '60's hit seem strangely poignant, now that the America's Cup has been won by a San Franciscan club. Will the 34th America's Cup be the 'Flower-Power' Cup? Is it possible to align the Defender's commitment to a 'Love-In'/wide consultation with all parties - and at the same time observing the basic tenets of the Deed of Gift of the America's Cup?... [more] Share this story

Normandy Challenge Race announced Kate Jennings - Expression, Sirius Evénements is launching the first edition of the Normandy Challenge Race. The year 2010 will see the creation in Normandy of an ambitious new offshore racing event, setting out from and returning to the French town of Caen.... [more] Share this story

Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 - Cape Town selected as first port of call Volvo Ocean Race, Cape Town's selection as the first port for the 2011-12 race is a result of a lot of hard work on the part of the stopover organisers in meeting the criteria laid down by the port bidding process introduced for this edition of the race.... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600 sunset and sunrise pictures from Carlo Borlenghi Carlo Borlenghi images/Sail-World.com, Master photographer Carlo Borlenghi presents this gallery of images of sunset and sunrise in from the RORC Caribbean 600.... [more] Share this story

RC 44s in Dubai: Ambitious Sea Dubai turn their fortunes around Sea Dubai Sailing Team, Sea Dubai scooped the top match-racing prize today for the first time in their third season of racing in the class. The win was made particularly sweet by being the season opener, on home ground and so convincing after taking top place in seven out of their eight matches. Last season the team had mixed fortunes where they performed some stunning racing and amazing tactics but... [more] Share this story

Copa de España - An appointment for the best Spanish Platu 25 crews Sabrina Bonaiti, Organized by the Marbella Yacht Club for the second year, the 'Copa de España Platu 25' is the most important regatta in the Spanish Calendar and it's an appointment that cannot be renounced for all these crews striving for the National and the World Championship in Alicante.... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 carried along by the swell Groupama-Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 record attempt. There is not a lot at the entrance to the Pacific Ocean, though there is a swell... A fine W'ly swell which is enabling Groupama 3 to continue to lengthen her stride, pushed by a twenty-five knot SW'ly wind. The climate is still mild and (at last) there is a seascape to contemplate as the clouds have given way to a starry sky.... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600 - Region Gaudeloupe take line honors Louay Habib, Claude Thelier and John Burnie's ORMA 60 trimaran, Region Guadeloupe, finish RORC Caribbean 600 on Wednesday 24th February 18:49 03 in the elapsed time of 2 Days 5 Hours 59 Min 03 Seconds.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Finn Drummond's view from the Tender Finn Drummond, Sail-World was out on the water each race day, off Valencia, along with young Finn Drummond, an outstanding sailor in his won right, whose father, Mike, was Design Director for BMW Oracle Racing. Not many people get to see their mum's/dad's designed boat competing in an America's Cup. Here's Finn Drummond's first hand perspective on the racing... [more] Share this story

Gladwell's Line: Reflections on Valencia 2010 Richard Gladwell, Sail-World's America's Cup Editor, Richard Gladwell, reflects on the week in Valencia and what can be taken out of the 33rd America's Cup: Probably the first point is that Alinghi 5 is not as slow as her results would tend to indicate. In Race 1 she was caught out badly by a sudden change of windstrength just after the start, and with a bigger head sail on... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600 halfway point for the Class40s Oliver Dewar, RORC Caribbean 600 - the three Class40s in the RORC Caribbean 600 gybed north-west towards the island of Saba with the Irish duo Michael Boyd and Niall Dowling racing with Miranda Merron and John Patrick Cunningham on 40 Degrees leaving Saba to starboard at 11:00 GMT.... [more] Share this story

RC 44 Al Maktoum Sailing Trophy - A job well done for Team Sea Dubai Bernard Schopfer, RC 44 Al Maktoum Sailing Trophy - Markus Wieser and his team from the United Arab Emirates win the match race title of the Al Maktoum Sailing Trophy RC 44, ahead of No Way Back (DEN) and Artemis (SWE).... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: The latest video from BMW Oracle Racing BMW Oracle Racing, The latest video from BMW Oracle Racing of their Race Day and Victory Tour coverage:... [more] Share this story

Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland - Mascalzone Latino Audi Team signs on Louis Vuitton Trophy WSTA, Mascalzone Latino Audi Team, the recently-annointed Italian Challenger of Record for the 34th America's Cup, joins seven other Cup contenders in Auckland next month to race on New Zealand's Waitemata Harbor for the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Latest Alinghi videos AlinghiTV, The latest video from AlinghiTV of their race day coverage... [more] Share this story

Glowfast Cruising Series – Just as bright, half the price Brita Fowler, Glowfast has long been known for its Luminous Draft Stripes Now they have announced the release of their Cruising Series, and they are half the price!... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Scene around Valencia - the Cup Team bases Richard Gladwell, Given that Valencia was a late call as a venue for the 33rd America's Cup, the City did a good job of creating some atmosphere, while building on the 32nd America's Cup infrastructure.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Scene around Valencia - the old town Richard Gladwell, One fine morning, we took a few shots on the daily walk from the hotel room to the Media Centre - these of the old town, opposite the team bases which surround the inner harbour, or Darcena, as it is known.... [more] Share this story

First record for Groupama 3 during the Jules Verne Trophy Groupama-Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy. It was at 2322 UTC on Tuesday 23rd February that Groupama 3 crossed the longitude of Tasmania, to the South of Australia, which marks the exit from the Indian Ocean and the entry to the Pacific Ocean.... [more] Share this story

Clipper 09-10: Team Finland arrives in Qingdao, China, with pride Clipper Ventures, Team Finland skipper has clearly demonstrated that he is a chip off the old block. When dealing with a serious challenge and the aftermath of it, there are two ways one can handle things. Hang you head low, feel sorry for yourself and arrive in port with your battle scars showing or, as was the case with Team Finland this morning, you arrive proud, confident and handsome.... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600: Glimcher catapults to the front Louay Habib, Marc Glimcher's J 122, Catapult and his crew are all from East Coast of the United States and compete in many regattas; often in a fleet of J 122s. Marc and his crew are having a great race and currently lead the RORC Caribbean 600 overall on handicap. At 1300 local time they were rounding St.Maarten to head south on the long beat to Guadeloupe.... [more] Share this story

St.Maarten Heineken Regatta's Sea Clean Regatta program Heather Tackling, After 30 years of 'Serious Fun' the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta still holds great aspiration towards the future, both short- and long-term. Introduced in last year's event, the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta again commits to the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta program as it strives to achieve Bronze level certification... [more] Share this story

RC 44 Al Maktoum Sailing Trophy - Team Dubai is the clear leader MaxComm Communication, RC 44 Al Maktoum Sailing Trophy. Only two flights could be completed today due to the lack of wind. Two teams conclude the day undefeated: Markus Wieser's Team Sea Dubai - who hasn't lost a single match in this event - and Paul Cayard's Katusha, who recovers well after a bad day yesterday.... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 into the Pacific Ocean Groupama - Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 is nearly into the Pacific Ocean with a lead over the reference time of Orange 2. Groupama 3 is on the point of collecting her first trophy of this Jules Verne! Indeed this round the world sprint has also provided the crew with the opportunity to beat three other records recognised by the WSSRC (World Sailing Speed Record Council).... [more] Share this story

NZ Marine Cup attracts classic mega-yacht Shenandoah Donald Holder, The beautiful, classic three-masted schooner SY Shenandoah is confirmed as an entrant in the superyacht event, New Zealand Marine Cup: Kiwi Kawau Challenge, scheduled for Thursday 4 March. Built in 1902 with a traditional timber superstructure, the 54m (177 ft) steel-hulled mega-yacht has a strong link to New Zealand and the local marine industry, says Captain Gavin Reid.... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600 - And they're off! Louay Habib, RORC Caribbean 600 - Clear blue skies and crystal clear oceans typify the Caribbean and the competitors in the RORC Caribbean 600 were treated to some superb champagne sailing conditions, as they started the only offshore race in these waters.... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Quickly and well done by Groupama 3 Groupama - Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 has achieved the best reference time between Cape Agulhas and Cape Leeuwin, which spans around 4,000 miles. Groupama 3 is still sailing in a steady NW'ly wind of twenty-five knots, which has been propelling her along on a particularly straight trajectory 45° S for the past four days.... [more] Share this story

BMW Oracle Racing conclude California leg of Victory Tour + Video Jane Eagleson, The America's Cup trophy will return to San Francisco and the BMW Oracle Racing team's patron club, the Golden Gate Yacht Club, as the team wraps up the California leg of its America's Cup Victory Tour presented by Oracle and BMW EfficientDynamics. The tour ended on a high note in San Diego on Sunday in a day that started with a public ceremony hosted by Mayor Jerry Sanders on board the aircraf... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: San Diego makes strong bid to host 24th Match Peter Rusch BMW Oracle Racing, BMW Oracle Racing's Blogmeister, Peter Rusch reports on the America's Cup tour of San Diego: 'A great reception for the team this afternoon on the USS Midway, with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders putting in his bid to be host city for the 34th edition.... [more] Share this story

Cape Town first Stopover Port for Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, The racetrack for the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race, due to start from Alicante in Spain in the autumn of 2011, is now set and the first port of call will be Cape Town, South Africa, making its eighth appearance as host to this premier ocean race.... [more] Share this story

RC 44 Al Maktoum Trophy - Team Sea Dubai on fire Bernard Schopfer, Markus Wieser and his Team Sea Dubai were on fire today, with five bullets in as many races. The local team leads Artemis (four wins and also undefeated) and four teams on a tie in third. Competing for the first time in the RC 44 Class, Terry Hutchinson (Artemis) and Adam Minoprio (BMW Oracle Racing) didn't need much time to get into the groove.... [more] Share this story

RORC Caribbean 600 - Class40 yachts to compete for Concise Trophy Oliver Dewar, RORC Caribbean 600. Within the fleet there also three Class40 yachts which will provide the close racing that has become a hallmark of the class and will be competing for the inaugural Concise Trophy.... [more] Share this story

2010 Extreme Sailing Series Europe adds Trapani, Sicily OC Events, Trapani, on the west coast of Sicily (Italy), will be one of the new venues for the 2010 Extreme Sailing Series Europe. The event will take place in the very heart of the port of Trapani, right in front of the public and VIPs and just metres from the shops, bars and restaurants of the town.... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 sets new sectional reference time Groupama - Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - On crossing the line marking the longitude of Cape Leeuwin (115° 08' E) at 04h 17' 47' UTC this Monday 22nd February, Groupama 3 has obtained the best time over the section of course between Cape Agulhas, which marks the entry into the Indian Ocean, and the SW promontory of Australia: 6 days 22 hours 34 minutes.... [more] Share this story

The America's Cup in America Kimball Livingston, Blue Planet Times, Ellison learned to sail on San Francisco Bay in a Lido 14 (Like the one shown here). That's enough to settle a man's mind, but our deep-pockets software guy also sees what others see: the bay as a natural amphitheater; the backgrounds that are a cameraman's dream... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 on track Groupama 3 - Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 is almost back inside the Jules Verne Trophy reference time as she approaches the longitude of Cape Leeuwin. 124 miles separate the two boats on this 21st day at sea. Under large gennaker, staysail and full mainsail, Groupama 3 is still making headway at an average of nearly thirty knots.... [more] Share this story

18ft Skiffs Giltinan Championship Race 7 - Champions decided Frank Quealey - Australian 18 Footers League, 18ft Skiffs Giltinan Championship Race 7 - Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Tom Clout are the 2010 Giltinan champions. Today began with three boats in a head-to-head battle for the championship. Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, Project Racing and Gotta Love It 7.... [more] Share this story

9th Hobie Cat 16 World Championships entries now open David Brookes, Entries are now being taken for the 19th Hobie Cat 16 World Championships in Weihai, China.... [more] Share this story

The America's Cup arrives to San Francisco Jane Eagleson, On the first stop of the BMW ORACLE Racing Americas' Cup Victory Tour presented by ORACLE and BMW EfficientDynamics, the America's Cup trophy was available for public viewing at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda on Saturday morning. The Mayor welcomed the Cup and team back to the United States and specifically to San Francisco, where he says he'd like to see the Cup stay... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 reducing the deficit Groupama-Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 is still powering across the Indian Ocean at an average of over thirty knots. Though the rain has passed and the sun is back, the dress code for the men on watch on the deck of Groupama 3 hasn't changed: foulies and drysuits are proving essential in the very steady thirty knots or so of NW'ly wind.... [more] Share this story

Clipper 09-10 - Spirit of Australia claims first victory Zoe Williamson, Following four second place podiums in the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, Spirit of Australia has managed to secure an elusive first place by winning Race 6 from Singapore to Qingdao. At the end of what has been arguably the toughest and closest legs of the 35,000-mile global competition, which is contested by crews from all walks of life, Spirit of Australia crossed the finish line at... [more] Share this story

Azzurra prepares for Auckland Azzurra Team, The Italian sailing team Azzurra, skippered by Francesco Bruni and with Tommaso Chieffi calling tactics, today finished a training session in Valencia in preparation for the Louis Vuitton Trophy... [more] Share this story

Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 is shooting across the Indian Ocean Groupama-Cammas, Jules Verne Trophy - Groupama 3 record attempt. Time is ticking by! After amassing a deficit of over 430 miles following 18 days at sea at 1400 UTC on Thursday, the time spent in the Indian Ocean was beginning to drag for Franck Cammas and his nine crew. Having succeeded in getting ahead of the front circulating around the Roaring Forties, Groupama 3 has finally clawed back some miles.... [more] Share this story