Up a river in the Top End chasing big fish. - photo © John Curnow
Dear Recipient Name
Did I come up with that headline because I wanted to be hauling in a huge Barra? Was it that I wanted to get all greasy, somewhat frustrated, and ultimately solve a noise somewhere in the head of the car's engine? Both sound pretty good options really, and I could certainly do with the fun, enjoyment and sense of satisfaction each would derive.
However, neither were really what I was on about for these miscellaneous ramblings. No. It would be far more about things going on in the zenith type categories of our sport. We talked about it last week in Not the same ring, and thus it has come to pass. Wendy Tuck is the first female skipper to win any round-the-world race. Nice one! Must be an incredible job, with all that you have to do as the big chief, then also balance new crew (or part thereof) at each leg break. Yes. Certainly very impressive...
The next thing that caught my eye was the returning heroes into the AST for Worlds at Aarhus. For how long they will be there we do not know, but it is good for them to be back to both shake it all up, and also deliver a wealth of knowledge too. Yet they are not entirely going back to the 'norm' as it were. Tom Slingsby has gone up to the Finn, so being underweight it will be a significant challenge. Iain Jensen is going to be the for'ard hand to Will Phillips in the 49er, and Nathan Outteridge joins sister Haylee in the Nacra 17. As Waterhouse and Darmanin are also in that class, it will really be competitive. Equally, Phillips and Jensen will have the in form Gilmour and Turner to hunt down.
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Heading back offshore now, and the next 'Volvo' is to have two classes, the exiting VO65s and also the next line of IMOCA 60s. The latter, as fully crewed vessels, will be something else! Now Volvo moved away from ownership, effectively to provide excellent reputation management distance, but will remain a significant sponsor. It is now unclear just how that significance will be accounted for, as it seems naming rights is up for grabs.
Going back to Whitbread is not worth anyone's while, as only the Poms like to drink their version of beer. So trying to have something that says global, without having to use the whole RTW thing, which is cumbersome at best, remains a good test for the new team of Brisius, Salén, and Litborn. If you have an idea, send it in, and we'll run it up the jackstaff for you.
At least with the name Clipper it all ties back to the elegance of the era when those super quick girls ran tea and illicit substances at the best possible speeds to their super-eager markets. Yes, mercantile adventures have always ruled the day, and still shape the geo-political environment even now. The ships may have got slower, but so, so much bigger, are worth some countries' entire GDP to build, in the case of LNG carriers are lined with silver so they are inert, and pay for themselves after four runs with their super-precious cargo! Everything that is different remains the same, huh?!
Watching Team INEOS' Wellbourn-penned Quant 28 in action with AC75 style foils was another take it all in moment during the week. To be honest I always thought the early graphic representations of the boats that will contest AC36 looked a little like something that Syndrome from 'The Incredibles' would have created. The pictures of this first workhorse only added to that feeling. It's a short video, and everyone loves doing two to one over opposition, but when you go whistling past at like 10:1, well it certainly makes for good viewing. The four teams will have a hoot with these boats!
Lastly, but no means leastly, to one of the big boatbuilders in the world. We gather that we are all going to have to wait that little bit longer for news in relation to Bavaria moving forward. So just make sure you have a thermos of tea and some sandwiches on hand. They are trying to move forward, but like a lot of things, it takes time. Perhaps it will be another month or so...
The good news is that it appears Elfriede Herrmann, widow of Bavaria's founder, Winfried, is heading up a consortium of industry types, with her cash. It seems it was his dying wishes (three years ago) that she look after the company he and Josef Meltl founded in 1978. The are no official sources to confirm this, but it would seem to be known about amongst inner circles.
Interim MD and insolvency expert, Tobias Brinkmann, has also commented that, "The investor process for the sale of Bavaria Yachtbau, started in May, is at an advanced stage. We are negotiating with several interested bidders and want to reach a conclusion as soon as possible in August." So says Bavaria in a statement.
We are also informed that Bavaria delivered the vast bulk of the 200 boats they took orders for at Boot Düsseldorf earlier in the year, to ensure customer and dealer trust remained. There is still a sizeable forward order book to account for, as well, once the team gets cracking again. If it all comes to pass it will be the classic Kerry Packer, Alan Bond, Channel Nine scenario.
Right oh - here today there are some gems for you to review. We have information on the Sydney to Gold Coast run, noting especially Andrea Francolini's pics and Dale Lorimer's video, great North Sails intel (on the TPs amongst other things), 5.5metres, the Clipper, WMRT, the Volvo, Sydney International Boat Show, CG32s, J/Boats, the Chicago Mackinac, Golden Globe, and certainly there is much, much more.
Remember, if your class or association is generating material, make sure we help you spread your word, and you can do that by emailing us. Should you have been forwarded this email by a friend, and want to get your very own copy in your inbox moving forward, then simply follow the instructions on our newsletter page, where you can also register for different editions.
Finally, keep a weather eye on Sail-World. We are here to bring you the whole story from all over the world...
John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS
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