Rolex Farr 40 Worlds, Christchurch, and more sailing news

by . on 28 Feb 2011 The southern hemisphere sailing story of the week was definitely the Rolex Farr 40 Worlds sailed out of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

We have very detailed coverage of the event on Sail-World, a mixture of words, images, video, probably our heaviest ever for a single regatta, with more interviews yet to be published in the coming days. We have included the four video reports from the series for your enjoyment too.

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We had images from five different photographers on the final day when the defending World Champions, on the Italian yacht Nerone crossed the line three boats behind the Australians on Transfusion.

The separation was enough to give Transfusion’s owner Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, the 2011 Rolex Farr 40 World Championship title, although there was anxious moments as you can see from the finishing line and in the Rolex media Centre where Giles Pearman from Key Partners was providing a running commentary.

We are happy to report that out on the water Italian born Australian photographer Andrea Francolini was barracking for Transfusion, so he is now definitely Dinky!
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A just arrived story... not in this newsletter but on the front page of Sail-World tells us that the Sportsboats, which have been for so long a big part of Meridien Marinas Airlie Beach Race Week will be at Hamilton Island this year too.

We have a couple of updates from the Christchurch Earthquake in this edition from a sailing perspective courtesy of our New Zealand Editor Richard Gladwell and also carry details of how those who are able, can donate money to the various funds which have been set up.

While insurance will cover some of the damage, the injury to people lives and incomes is far greater and often less tangible, as they just try and make do with the hand they have been dealt.

As we noted in the latest story on the Christchurch Earthquake we, at Sail-World, are more than happy to use our international network and resources to generate funds and whatever else is required to help sailors especially to get back on their feet. Contact details are in this edition of Sail-World, please don't hesitate to ask.

In Auckland, the AC45 stretched her legs again, after suffering a shredded wingsail following a low-speed capsize on the Hauraki Gulf a week ago today. It's a tremendous effort on the part of the Oracle Racing build team to have the wingsail repaired and operative in just five days, and the sailing with Artemis Racing continued on Saturday. At the Farr 40 World's James Spithill commented to us, talking about the first capsize 'well it had to happen to someone, just very glad it was not me. It won't be the last ' he said as he sauntered off to Goombay Smash. We have a report and images from Auckland in this edition.

We have another in our exclusive video series The Freo Files - from the America's Cup in Fremantle in 1987. (we've included some of the earlier ones in this newsletter so you can get up to speed) This is a longer one - the dramatic race between White Crusader (GBR) and KZ-7 (NZL) and the final media conference where Harold Cudmore gives his views on the British fortunes in the regatta. There's a second story on Erle Willams, who was a watch captain aboard a Whitbread winner, Flyer, at the age of just 22years old. Erle is one of the hard men of New Zealand sailing and here he tells PJ Montgomery how the New Zealanders went from not having a 12 metre, to being a finalist in the Louis Vuitton Cup in just 12 months.

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Thanks to our contributors for their help and input, we're here to help sailing, and help those who wish to help themselves. A special thanks to those who have contributed to this edition.

And once again our thoughts go out to the people of Christchurch.

Rob Kothe & the Sail-World Team

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