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FOLLOW THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Sun, 18 Nov 2007
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| Follow the latest developments of the first two-handed, non-stop round-the-world Barcelona World Race. Live video conferences each day at 14h00 gmt, 2D and 3D race viewers, latest emails and pictures from the boats - don't miss out on the action ! www.barcelonaworldrace.org |
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A BIG OPENING WEEKEND
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Sun, 4 Nov 2007
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| It was a busy weekend for all concerned at the Barcelona World Race Village. For the teams, the countdown is on for the race start on Sunday 11th. With less than a week to go, every moment is valuable in terms of finishing the check-list and final preparation. For the public, this opening weekend represented the first chance to see the entire fleet alongside the quay at the Moll de la Fusta. Security estimates put the crowd over the weekend at just over 90 000 people who came to check out the sailors, the boats and to soak up the atmosphere dockside... |
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OPENING WEEKEND BRINGS THE CROWDS
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Sat, 3 Nov 2007
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| Saturday marked the first weekend the Barcelona World Race Village has been open, and with all nine teams dockside on the Moll de la Fusta, the crowds came out to marvel at the fleet of high-tech, carbon-fibre racing machines. This was also opening day for the Barcelona Boat Show, adding another reason to come down to the Port. The weather couldn't be better for a stroll along the pontoon. And with sunny skies and warm temperatures forecast into next week, Sunday promises to bring more crowds. If you're in the neighbourhood, make sure you come and have a look... |
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INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW OF BARCELONA OPENS TODAY
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Sat, 3 Nov 2007
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| The International Boat Show of Barcelona opens its doors today. Over 2100 boats of all types and models will be exhibited at five pavillions in the Gran Via Exhibition Centre, and at two docks in Port Vell, hosting an on-water show that is located in close proximity to the Barcelona World Race Village. Sailing enthusiasts and the general public have the chance to enjoy two of the most important events in the sailing calendar side by side. The Boat Show runs from 3rd-11th November; the last day of the boat show coincides with the eagerly-awaited start of Barcelona World Race - a 25,000 nautical mile offshore adventure about to leave the city. The fleet of nine IMOCA Open 60's are moored in Port Vell's Moll de la Fusta. |
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ESTRELLA DAMM SAILING FOR "AFRICA VIVA"
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Fri, 2 Nov 2007
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| Barcelona World Race team Estrella Damm crew members Guillermo Altadill and Johnathon Mckee today presented the charity organisation Africa Viva with a cheque for 15,000 euros, won by the Spanish team at the UK Artemis regatta held in August this year. Representative of the Foundation Vicky Fumadó, warmly thanked the team for such a generous gesture and for supporting the need to promote equality in developing countries. Africa Viva is a charity organisation working towards the research and development of health resources in several African countries such as Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Mozambique. The skippers also presented the Marketing Director of Estrella Damm Jaume Alemany with the glass trophy they had been awarded. General Director of the Barcelona World Race, Andor Serra thanked the team for their support and participation in this new offshore, non-stop round the world challenge, and for sailing for such a worthwhile initiative.
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TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE: FOCUS ON "CLEAN" ENERGIES
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Fri, 2 Nov 2007
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| The Transat Jacques Vabre has its sights set on sustainable development, its participants also. In the IMOCA class, one of the current challenges is to try to enter the next Vendee Globe with a clean boat . And it's a matter of environmental awareness, but also of performance: saving the weight of fuel is a noticeable gain! For many entrants, the Transat Jacques Vabre will be an opportunity to test new "clean" systems… www.jacques-vabre.com |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE VILLAGE OFFICIALLY OPEN
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Thu, 1 Nov 2007
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| The Mayor of Barcelona, Jordi Hereu declared that the city held great pride in seeing the race being named after Barcelona. “It is a huge satisfaction for us,” he said at the official opening of the Barcelona World Race village, “and is going to have a big impact on the people of the city, who will want to follow closely what is happening out on the water.” The Mayor believes that this great celebration of world offshore racing has had a great beginning. “This is an important moment and I am convinced that there will be a lot more to come in the next few months.” Hereu is fully convinced of the value of such events, that is “an international projection of the city.” On the question of the race itself the Mayor of Barcelona was impressed by the extreme difficultly of the challenge at hand, and emphasised in particular the great difficulty of living on board for such a long stretch of time. “It will be very interesting to observe just how the skippers get on in these circumstances throughout the race,” he commented. |
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HUGO BOSS COMPLETES BARCELONA QUALIFYING SAIL
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Thu, 1 Nov 2007
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| At 12:20 (local time) today, British solo sailor Alex Thomson and his co-skipper Andrew Cape, sailed into Moll de la Fusta, Barcelona, completing their 2,100 mile qualifier for the Barcelona World Race. With ten days to go until the start of the race on 11 November, Hugo Boss was the final boat to arrive in the race village. It has taken a little over seven days for Thomson and Cape to complete their delivery from Gosport, UK, and they will now make final preparations for the 25,000 nautical mile race around-the-world.
www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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RACE VILLAGE OFFICIALLY OPEN
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Thu, 1 Nov 2007
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| The race village is officially open, and all nine teams are now in Barcelona. Hugo Boss arrived early this morning and will be at Moll de la Fusta this afternoon. |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE VILLAGE TO OPEN ON THURSDAY
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Wed, 31 Oct 2007
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| The Barcelona World Race Village, located in the Barcelona Port Vell, at the Moll de la Fusta, will have its official opening on Thursday, November 1st...At 11:00 hours, there will be a ceremony to mark the occasion, including the Mayor of Barcelona, Sr. Jordi Hereu and the President of the IMOCA class, Mr. Luc Talbourdet, among other honoured guests and dignitaries...This will also mark the opening of the 'Navegant per la Ciencia (Sailing through Science)' exhibition, an educational experience open to the public that explains the cutting-edge technology used on the boats, the incredible challenge of sailing across some of the most perilous parts of the planet and the strategy required to come up with a winning race plan. Hugo Boss due to arrive in the dark The ninth and final boat in the Barcelona World Race fleet is due to arrive overnight Wednesday night. Hugo Boss, with skipper Alex Thomson and co-skipper Andrew Cape should pull up alongside the docks alongside the Race Village just in time to make the official opening ceremony...good timing guys! |
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HUGO BOSS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
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Mon, 29 Oct 2007
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| Good news came from Hugo Boss on Monday,as the only boat not yet in Barcelona reached the Straits of Gibraltar at 1100 GMT. Alex Thompson and Andrew Cape sailing the brand new IMOCA Open 60 from Portsmouth to join the rest of the fleet of the Barcelona World Race are due to arrive on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. |
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ECOVER OPEN 60 TAKES 2ND IN TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE PROLOGUE RACE
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Sat, 27 Oct 2007
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| Racing for the first time since its launch, the new ECOVER secured second place in the first prologue race to the Transat Jacques Vabre. At 1000 BST this morning the monohull fleet (18 Open 60's and 36 Open 40's) left the Paul Vatine Bassin and headed out to a course in Seine Bay. Conditions were moderate with 8- 10 knots of breeze from the south-west and an overcast sky. www.mikegolding.com |
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GREETINGS FROM HUGO BOSS
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Fri, 26 Oct 2007
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| "We're approximately 200 miles north-east of {cape} Finisterre, we have about 15 knots of wind, we're doing 16 knots and we're on our way to Barcelona finally!" Alex Thomson, onboard Hugo Boss |
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PINDAR OPEN 60 DISMASTED AND FORCED TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE RACE
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Fri, 26 Oct 2007
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Pindar, the Open 60 built and owned by print and electronic media company Pindar, last night dismasted off the coast of Le Havre, France. Skippered by Brian Thompson, the Open 60 racing yacht was en route to Le Havre, prior to the start of the transatlantic race, the Transat Jacques Vabre, in which she was due to compete in eight days time. The mast fell backwards and then to windward onto the boat and the crew, however there were no injuries and the crew are all safe and well. The mast, rigging and sails were cut free from the hull, which suffered minimal damage, to allow the crew to motor safely into Le Havre. www.pindar.com/teampindar |
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GOLDING & DUBOIS QUALIFIED
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Thu, 25 Oct 2007
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| Bringing the new ECOVER 3 into Le Havre last night Mike Golding and Bruno Dubois successfully completed their obligatory 1000 miles passage which qualifies them to compete in the Transat Jacques Vabre. "It was good and it was fast." Confirmed Golding this morning in La Havre's Paul Vatine Basin where the fleet is assembling prior to the prologue racing this weekend. www.mikegolding.com |
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HUGO BOSS ON HER WAY…
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Thu, 25 Oct 2007
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| Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape, abord the Finot-designed IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss, left Gosport (UK) yesterday at 5:30 to take on the English Channel before swallowing the bay of Biscay and making a "left turn" at Gibraltar to eventually reach Barcelona. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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A ROYAL GODMOTHER FOR MUTUA MADRILEÑA
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Thu, 25 Oct 2007
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HRH Cristina of Spain has been named ‘Godmother’ to the Spanish entry “Mutua Madrileña” in the Barcelona World Race, the only all Spanish team taking part in the regatta which kicks off on November 11th on a round the world non-stop course. Almost 500 people attended the boat’s official launch in Barcelona’s port, where the race is due to start from next month. The Royal Princess was joined at the event by José María Ramírez Pomatta, Spanish company Mutua Madrileña’s President; Pere Alcober, Sports delegate for Barcelona council, Jordi Valls, Director of the Port of Barcelona and Enrique Puig, President of Barcelona’s Royal Yacht Club, the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.
www.infosailing.net/mutua-mad |
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VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT IN BARCELONA
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Thu, 25 Oct 2007
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| For the first time since leaving the yard, Veolia Environnement was honored to carry some of her builders! Indeed, the bulk of the Kaïros team was on board, for two days of delivery towards Barcelona. Taking turns on deck, they inspected every detail of the boat ... The mast, sails, hull, the keel, the appendages, mechanical parts, electronics, hydraulics, nothing was left unseen! 18 days to the start... It is time to think to relax before the race ... It is time for Roland and Jean-Luc to return to their families and enjoy the last few days before this long challenge around the world! They will return on October 27. Meanwhile, the Kaïros team members remain in Barcelona, where the meticulous inspection of Veolia Environnement continues on the docks. |
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MUTUA MADRILEÑA TO BE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
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Wed, 24 Oct 2007
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At 1pm this Thursday at Barcelona’s World Trade Centre the Spanish team “Mutua Madrileña” will be launching their entry into the two-man non-stop around the world Barcelona World Race. The Spanish entry “Mutua Madrileña” is an IMOCA Open 60 boat, which will be notching up five figure mileages during the course of the 25,000-mile race. The two skippers onboard will be Spaniards Javier “Bubi” Sansó and Francisco “Pachi” Rivero
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PRB IN BARCELONA
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Tue, 23 Oct 2007
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| Having left Cannes Sunday early afternoon, PRB has arrived in Barcelona after a rather rough delivery trip of about 20 hours. 35 knots of Mistral greeted the monohulls right after the passage of the Hyères islands. These 250 miles represented the last sailing Vincent Riou and Seb Josse sailed together before the start of the Barcelona World Race. Vincent is rather satisfied to have encountered strong conditions, since this allowed him to check that PRB was completely ready for the challenge. Part of the shore team (Eric Carret & Antoine Le Bras) already is on site in Spain, and the rest of the crew will get there around this weekend. Vincent Riou, with his proverbial calm, explained: “We’re working on small details, nothing major”. Skipper and co-skipper already left Barcelona to spend a few days break with their loved ones, and shall return to the Catalan capital next week. prb.fr/voile_index.php |
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JÉRÉMIE BEYOU ON THE WEATHER AND TACTICAL FRONT
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Mon, 22 Oct 2007
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| Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore) finalizes his preparation of the upcoming round-the-world race by working on various weather and tactical scenarios. Jérémie Beyou: " Sidney and myself met Pierre Lasnier with whom I have worked for several years. We have examined the course, and the general weather systems over time. We are considering various tactical solutions on the basis of statistics and routes chosen during previous record. With Jean-Yves Bernot, we concentrated on the study of weather and data analysis. The approaches are different but yield the same tactical and strategic assumptions. Finistere Course au Large provided us with a Vendee Globe road book of several hundred pages. With Jean-Yves (Bernot), we have studied it in two parts. We have also retained the reference weather websites. For each portion, 10 to 15 sites can be accessed every day. For the moment I check their relevance and organise the most interesting of these sites into the onboard computer" |
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GUILLERMO ALTADILL & JONATHAN MCKEE COMPLETE THEIR MEDICAL TRAINING
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Mon, 22 Oct 2007
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During the Barcelona World Race, Estrella Damm skippers Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee will be at sea for around 14 week in some of the world's most hostile oceans, isolated from the comforts of normal living. Racing in extreme conditions can lead to dangerous situations and the possibility of a mishap to the boat or to one of the sailors always looms on the horizon. Conscious that they are putting their bodies in the path of these extreme conditions, the two sailors completed a course in medicine and first aid, led by Fernando Muñoz, a doctor with experience of two ocean navigations, including two Whitbread Race (now known as the Volvo Ocean Race).
Held in the School of Infirmary at the University of Girona, the course focused on basic medical skills that the two sailors may need at sea, such as how to perform a suture with staples and with a sewing needle and thread, how to give intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections and how to resuscitate using cardiac massage and attended breathing, as well as the use of a cardiac defibulator.
Guillermo Altadill found the course invaluable. "The course has been very concrete and practical, giving us skills that we may need while at sea. We are thinking about taking a cardiac defibulator on board, something that I have never had on board in my previous sailing experiences. Fernando Muñoz is one of the most qualified people to lead a course combining great medical knowledge with the added experience of several ocean navigations, so he knows firsthand what skills we may need on the trip. The practices, using very real dummies, equipped with alarms and simulation of blood, have been very instructive. Hopefully we won’t have to put into practice what we learned today, but if we do face an emergency we have the skills to try and fix the problem.”
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PAPREC-VIRBAC IN BARCELONA
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Mon, 22 Oct 2007
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| Jean Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall are in Barceloan. The boat is now moored alongside the quay for three weeks, before the start of the Barcelona World Race on November 11. It will have taken about 9 days for Paprec-Virbac to complete the the journey from Lorient to Barcelone. The delivery went well, and Jean Pierre Damian worked on their coordination on deck for the race. They even did solo watches, despite the presence on board of two other team members. At land you could feel the pleasure the guys were taking at sea. Thursday was devoted to a major cleanup. After each long period of navigation the vessel is completely rinsed with fresh water, then dried. Contortionist skills are required to squeeze in each compartment. A bucket, a sponge, swimsuit and the famous headlight equipment are de rigueur. At the end of the day is the pride of having a nice clean boat. Of course, the nice Barcelona sun helps a lot too! |
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DELTA DORE IN "CATALAN" MODE
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Fri, 19 Oct 2007
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Gilles Chiorri, Project Manager for the Delta Dore team, updates us on the arrival of the French Open 60 in the Catalan capital, and talks about the challenges lying ahead."We arrived in Barcelona on Wednesday morning, after a delivery trip which went really well. We sailed with a small crew including co-skipper Sidney Gavignet, and this journey also allowed us to validate a few details. Now, we're alongside our rivals, it's not an isolated preparation anymore, we're in the final sprint, three weeks away from the start of a round the world race. The whole team takes good measure of the challenge which awaits. Technically, we have to optimise the preparation, even if the boat's configuration has not changed since the Fastnet, during which she showed a good speed potential and proved reliable."
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THE FLEET IS PROGRESSIVELY GATHERING IN BARCELONA
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Thu, 18 Oct 2007
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As additional Open 60’s begin to arrive in Barcelona, Estrella Damm Sailing Team Manager, Charles Darbyshire explains that there is a pulse of excitement in the air. Charlie gives us his take on what’s happening on the ground and about the boat’s weekend plans.“In the last few days Veolia, Delta Dore and Paprec have all arrived in Barcelona. Their presence has caused much excitement amoung the Estrella Damm shore team and for some of us, it's the first time that we have had a chance to see our near sister-ships close up. Delta Dore, and Paprec are both from the same designer as Estrella Damm and have similar hull forms, although are quite different on deck."
www.barcelonaworldrace.org |
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GROUPE BEL FIRST IMOCA OPEN 60 IN LE HAVRE
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Thu, 18 Oct 2007
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Seb and Kito are ready for Brazil. Groupe Bel is the first of the Open 60 entries to the arrive th the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007 start , at the Paul Vatine basin in Le Havre, yesterday afternoon. Having left Port Camargue 9 days ago, skipper Kito de Pavant and teammate Sebastien Col have undergone an ideal 2.000 miles passage and topped up their good news tank !
www.groupebel-voile.com |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE BRINGS TOGETHER THE SPANISH TEAMS AT THE MOLL DE LA FUSTA
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Tue, 16 Oct 2007
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Less than a month before the start of the Barcelona World Race, Andor Serra, General Director of the event, Jordi Valls, president of the Port of Barcelona, one of the event patrons, and the sailors Servanne Escoffier and Albert Bargués (Educación sin Fronteras) and Pachi Rivero and Javier Sansó (Mutua Madrileña) appeared at a press conference at the Port of Barcelona. This conference showed clearly that the organisation is completely prepared to face this big challenge. www.barcelonaworldrace.org |
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PINDAR QUALIFIED FOR THE TJV
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Tue, 16 Oct 2007
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| Brian Thompson and Will Oxley, co-skippers of new state-of-the-art Open 60 Pindar last night completed their 1000 mile qualifying sail for the Transat Jacques Vabre race. The team is now making last minute preparations before delivering the boat to Le Havre, for the start of the double-handed transatlantic yacht race, which begins on Saturday 3rd November. www.pindar.com/teampindar |
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GREAT AMERICAN III KEEL FITTED & MAST STEPPED
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Fri, 12 Oct 2007
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| Another major milestone for Rich Wilson’s Great American III (GA III). A 10-month refit project on the Open 60 is complete. The GAIII was launched at Maine Yacht Center in Portland Maine last week, putting Skipper Rich Wilson a step closer in his quest to be the only American to race the 2008 Vendee Globe. www.vendeeglobe.org |
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VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT LAUNCHES CANYOUSEA.COM
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Fri, 12 Oct 2007
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| Cornerstone of the partnership between Veolia Environnement and Roland Jourdain, Canyousea.com is an interactive website whose aim is to federate sailing enthusiasts and friends of the environment, while raising awareness regarding the planet's need for protection. Because the sailor and his sponsor share the same vision, and wish to share their values with a global audience. www.canyousea.com |
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AWARD DOUBLE FOR GOLDING
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Thu, 11 Oct 2007
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| Mike Golding has this week received two awards for his rescue of fellow yachtsman Alex Thomson during last year´s Velux 5 Oceans round the world race. On Tuesday he received the Emile Robin Award from the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, for ´outstanding professional skill, resourcefulness, determination and stamina that ensured the rescue of a fellow yachtsman in challenging conditions. The Emile Robin Award is given to the master of a British vessel who has incurred the greatest peril in rescuing survivors at sea. On Wednesday Mike was awarded The Marine Society Thomas Gray Memorial Trust Silver Medal, in recognition of the assistance given to Alex Thomson during the Velux 5 Oceans race, sacrificing his own chances of winning the race to help a fellow yachtsman. www.mikegolding.com |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC IN DELIVERY MODE
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Thu, 11 Oct 2007
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| Jean-Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall have left Brittany early this Wednesday morning, to deliver Paprec-Virbac to Barcelona. The Barcelona World Race will leave the Catalan capital on the 11th of November. The departure of the boat has been a huge satisfaction for the whole team. Indeed, no less than twelve days ago the boat was still in the yard, waiting for her new keel! Paprec-Virbac is expected to reach Barcelona in about eight days. www.jpdick.com |
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DELTA DORE ON HER WAY TO CATALUNYA
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Thu, 11 Oct 2007
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| Monday morning, Open 60 monohull DELTA DORE has left her base in Lorient to head towards Barcelona, start port of the Barcelona World Race. Delta Dore's sailing has shared the tasks, getting ready for the round the world race and taking care of the delivery of the boat. One month from the start, skipper Jeremie Beyou even says he is rather relaxed and satisfied with the work carried out. Delta Dore has therefore left Lorient for Barcelona with, on board, Sidney Gavignet (co-skipper), Gilles Chiorri (Project manager) and Morgan Riou (Technical team). During the delivery passage which should last a week, they will fine-tune the last adjustments and the electric installment calibration. www.voile.deltadore.com |
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THE VENDÉE GLOBE 2008/09 : ALREADY ONE FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS
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Wed, 10 Oct 2007
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| Philippe de Villiers, race organiser, officially presented the 2008/09 Vendée Globe in Paris today, Wednesday 10th October 2007. Twenty years after its first edition, when this race was first created around an idea, which was both simple and crazy: sail single-handed non-stop around the world via the three capes without any external assistance. The countdown for the 2008/2009 edition has now begun and the event is going to be historic. www.vendeeglobe.org |
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HUGO BOSS : THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
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Tue, 9 Oct 2007
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Update from Alex: "I can't believe it's already 3 weeks since we officially launched the new HUGO BOSS in Hamburg, after the fantastic launch party we spent 5 days with our colleagues at Hugo Boss in northern Germany introducing them and their guests to the thrill of sailing on this amazing yacht, with 5 sailing trips around Hamburg, Kiel and Sylt. Capey and I then sailed her back to Gosport, with a German TV cameraman on board, where she's undergoing the final stages of race preparation before we set off for Barcelona on the 20th October."
www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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18 IMOCA OPEN 60S TO TAKE PART IN THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Thu, 4 Oct 2007
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| With 60 boats and 120 sailors entered in the 2007 edition, the Transat Jacques Vabre has reached a new record. The IMOCA Open 60 class represents 30% of the fleet, with 18 units due to cross the starting line! Title-holder of the 2005 edition (conquered with Loïck Peyron), Jean-Pierre Dick will not be defending his crown as he'll be taking the start of the Barcelona World Race on November 11.
www.jacques-vabre.com/ |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC 2 BACK IN THE WATER
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Thu, 4 Oct 2007
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| Tuesday morning, Paprec-Virbac 2 was put back into the water with her new keel fin. The team has taken advantage of this snag and have done a complete check-up of the boat. Paprec-Virbac 2 is now ready for the big event, the Barcelona World Race, which start will be on November 11th. |
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GROUPE BEL CHRISTENED WITH MILK
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Thu, 4 Oct 2007
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| Saturday, September 29th was a day of celebration on the pontoons in Port Camargue. IMOCA Open 60 Groupe Bel was christened by Antoine Fievet - ambassador for the founding family and administrators of the company - who took some liberty with tradition. The Laughing Cow painted on the red hull was not bathed in champagne bubbles, but in a litre of milk! www.groupebel-voile.com |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC'S NEW KEEL ARRIVES IN LORIENT
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Fri, 28 Sep 2007
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The new keel for Paprec-Virbac left New-Zealand on Sunday morning and arrived in Lorient last Thursday evening. The 1.2 ton parcel travelled via Amsterdam and Nantes. It is now in the hands of the technical team. Reminder: a keel is composed by a fin and a bulb. For the Paprec-Virbac monohull, only the fin was changed. What is left to do now is to put together the bulb and the new fin, then do the coating and the painting. Besides, this event coincides with the reassembly of the yacht : sliders, trims tabs and many parts had been removed for a general check. htpp://www.jpdick.com |
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BRIAN THOMPSON AND WILL OXLEY TO CO-SKIPPER PINDAR IN TJV
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Fri, 28 Sep 2007
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Leading British print and electronic media company Pindar, today announced that Brian Thompson will skipper the brand new Open 60 Pindar in the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre (TJV) transatlantic race. Thompson, who joins the Pindar Ocean Racing team as full time skipper, will be joined by Australian sailor Will Oxley as his co-skipper for the race which begins on 3rd November from Le Havre, France. www.pindar.com/teampindar |
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PRB ENROUTE TO THE MEDITERRANEAN
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Tue, 25 Sep 2007
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| PRB is leaving Benodet tonight for a 1,300 milles one-off passage to Cannes in the Mediterranean. This will bring skipper Vincent Riou and his boat closer to the Barcelona World Race, starting November 11th. Before sailing to Barcelona, the Vendée Globe winner will introduce his boat to the Mediterranean public as well as to clients and suppliers of the Open 60's sponsor PRB. www.prb.fr |
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SAM DAVIES AND ROXY QUALIFY FOR TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Fri, 21 Sep 2007
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| Sam Davies, skipper of 60-foot IMOCA Open 60 Roxy, has just completed the 1,000 miles passage qualifying her for the Transat Jacques Vabre, leaving Le Havre on November 3rd, 2007. Sam has asked experienced sailor and long-time friend Jeanne Grégoire (Team Banque Populaire) to compete by her side in the prestigious transatlantic race that will lead the fleet to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Last spring, the two women raced together with an all female crew on Roxy and beat the WSSRC “Round Britain and Ireland, all islands, non stop, women” record. www.samdavies.com |
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ARMEL LE CLEAC’H ENROUTE TO TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Fri, 21 Sep 2007
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Armel Le Cleac’h and Nicolas Troussel have just completed their qualification passage for the Transat Jacques Vabre. Having left Concarneau on Monday night, they came back around 5:00 am this morning in the Breton port, after a mandatory 1,000 miles journey that led them to Cape Finisterre before heading up north to round the Fastnet Rock. This fast qualifier enabled the Breton duo to fully gauge the potential of their 60-foot monohull. www.voile.britair.com/ |
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KITO DE PAVANT AND GROUPE BEL ARRIVE SAFELY IN PORT CAMARGUE
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Thu, 20 Sep 2007
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| Built and launched in Tuscany, the Groupe Bel IMOCA Open 60 monohull has reached her home port in Port Camargue on Thursday night, at 11:00 pm. Kito de Pavant and his three crewmates – including Sébastien Col, his accomplice for the Transat Jacques Vabre, left at dawn on Wednesday on a 300 miles maiden sail between Italy and France, facing wide-ranging wind and sea conditions. www.beltchiizztour.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM QUALIFY FOR THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Thu, 20 Sep 2007
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| After leaving Barcelona on 14th September, Guillermo and Jonathan onboard Estrella Damm have now completed the second part of their qualification for the Barcelona World Race. From co-skipper Jonathan Mckee: "It is fantastic to have completed the 2,800 qualification miles for the Barcelona World Race. We saw an amazing variety of conditions, from 0 to 45 knots; upwind, downwind and reaching. We used every sail on the boat except the storm jib, and tried every possible maneouver at least once. Gullermo and I have now sailed 4,000 miles together, and we are learning to work together efficiently. We have a lot of respect for each other and are starting to gel as a team. We look forward to the coming weeks of preparation, and expect to be ready to set off around the planet on November 11." www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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YANNICK BESTAVEN ANNOUNCES ENTRY IN VENDÉE GLOBE 2008 ONBOARD IMOCA 60 CERVIN ENR
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Thu, 20 Sep 2007
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| Today, Thursday, September 20th, Group Cervin Enr, a renewable energy expert, and skipper Yannick Bestaven officially announced their entry in the next solo, non-stop round the world race, Vendée Globe 2008, on board a revisited legendary boat, former Open 60 of famous “Robinson” Yves Parlier. www.yannickbestaven.com |
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VELUX GROUP RE-SIGNS AS TITLE SPONSOR OF VELUX 5 OCEANS IN 2010
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Wed, 19 Sep 2007
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Clipper Ventures PLC (UK) today announced that the VELUX Group (Denmark) has re-signed as title sponsor of the next VELUX 5 OCEANS race, due to take place in 2010-11. VELUX began their relationship with the solo round the world yacht race in September 2005 as title sponsor of the last edition, which started and finished in Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) between October 2006 and May 2007. Considered ‘The Ultimate Solo Challenge’, the VELUX 5 OCEANS celebrated its 25th Anniversary this year and is the most established and longest single-handed yacht race in the world. www.velux5oceans.com |
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WORLD CHAMPION BOXERS CHRISTEN ALEX THOMSONS NEW HUGO BOSS OPEN 60
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Wed, 19 Sep 2007
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Hugo Boss-sponsored Ukranian boxers, the Klitschko brothers, last night officially christened solo sailor Alex Thomson’s brand new state-of-the-art Open 60 yacht at a spectacular event held in Hamburg, Germany. The new HUGO BOSS replaces the boat that Alex lost in the Southern Ocean during last years Velux 5 Oceans Race, when he was rescued by fellow competitor Mike Golding OBE. Attended by 1000 guests, champagne was sprayed onto the bow of the boat prior to an amazing light and pyrotechnics show, during which the 60 foot yacht appeared out of the mist on the banks of the River Elbe, suspended from a 30 metre high crane. Alex will now spend a final few weeks training with his co-skipper Andrew Cape in the Solent, from his Gosport, Portsmouth base, before delivering Hugo Boss to Barcelona prior to the race start. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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GOLDING'S ECOVER RECEIVES ROYAL APPROVAL
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Mon, 17 Sep 2007
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| The newly built Open 60 ECOVER to be skippered by Mike Golding, Britain's foremost solo ocean racing yachtsman was officially named today by HRH The Princess Royal. ECOVER was christened in the traditional manner, by breaking a bottle of Champagne on the bow this morning at the Southampton Boat Show. Designed by the British-based architects Owen Clarke, the new ECOVER was built to exacting standards in Wellington, New Zealand by Hakes Marine. The boat is a development of the Owen Clarke predecessor (also named ECOVER) with which Golding scored eight podium places from ten starts in major offshore races within the IMOCA Circuit. www.mikegolding.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM IN QUALIFYING MODE
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Mon, 17 Sep 2007
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Estrella Damm is currently piling up miles in order to complete her Barcelona World Race compulsory qualifying passage. Co-skipper Jonathan McKee reports… "We finished the last projects and loaded the boat on the afternoon of Friday, Sept.14. After commissioning the new pilot rams, we hoisted the main inside Barcelona harbor and set off. The forecast looked good for our intended course of around the Balaeric Islands, to the coast of Algeria and return to Barcelona. This would provide half of the 1,200 miles we need to complete our qualification for the Barcelona World Race. Reality did not disappoint. As we rounded the breakwater we were greeted with 30 knots broad reach, perfect conditions for fast sailing! With a helicopter filming, we initially set the Solent and reefed main, then changed to the A5, a fraction furling genneker. The waves were big but we were flying, 18 to 23 knots of boatspeed, with waves rolling over the boat and spray flying everywhere. But the boat was doing great and we had no problems."
www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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NO REST FOR THE BRIT AIR DUO
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Mon, 17 Sep 2007
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| Arriving in Lorient on Saturday after having raced the intense "Tour de Bretgane" together (Figaro Class), Armel Le Cléac'h and his longtime friend Nicolas Troussel got back together yesterday, this time aboard the Brit Air IMOCA Open 60', in order to complete their Transat Jacques Vabre qualifying passage. www.voile.britair.com/ |
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JEAN LE CAM'S VM MATÉRIAUX READY FOR THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Fri, 14 Sep 2007
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| Jean Le Cam just re-launched is VM Matériaux Open 60 in Port la Forêt, putting an end to 6 long weeks spent at the yard. Ths skipper and his machine have spent most of the summer indoors for the sake of optimization. In the perspective of the 2008 Vendée Globe, VM Matériaux undergoes a major update and testing program. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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FIRST RACE FOR SPIRIT OF CANADA - TRANSAT B2B
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Mon, 10 Sep 2007
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Derek Hatfield and Spirit of Canada will compete in its first race; the IMOCA sanctioned Transat B2B. The Transat B2B is a transatlantic race from Salvador de Bahia, Brazil to Port la Foret, France. It is a singlehanded race, without stops and assistance, and is a qualifier for the Vendee Globe 2008-2009. The B2B coincides with the completion of the Open 60 double handed Transat Jacques Vabre which finishes in Brazil mid November. It is expected that as many as 15 Open 60's will be entering this first edition of the Transat B2B and will be using the race as their Vendse Globe 2008 qualifier. The start of the B2B will be between the 25th and 30th November 2007 and the first competitors are expected to cross the finish line in Port la Foret, France 16 days later. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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DEREK HATFIELD'S SPIRIT OF CANADA SAILS!
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Fri, 7 Sep 2007
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| On Friday afternoon, August 31st, Spirit of Canada went sailing for the first time. It was a nerve wracking few moments as the Spirit of Canada team raised the sails and the Owen-Clarke designed Open 60 started sailing. All systems performed perfectly and the boats performance is astonishing. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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GROUPE BEL HITS THE WATER
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Fri, 7 Sep 2007
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| The second VPLP - Verdier designed IMOCA Open 60' was launched yesterday in Italy. A happy Kito de Pavant, skipper of the lightweight and streamlined racer, said: "It's a great moment we've all been waiting for. In terms of conception, I'm sure we're on the right track. It seems Groupe Bel is lighter than many of her rivals. Even if the remaining job list is an Everest in itself, we've just taken a decisive step. We'll soon be heading back to Port Camargue, our homeport, before setting out to Le Havre double-handed, with Sébastien (Col). A 2000-mile"cruise" which shall be a good warm-up for Goupe Bel's first race." www.beltchiizztour.com
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SAFRAN QUALIFIED FOR THE TJV
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Thu, 6 Sep 2007
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| Following her christening last weekend, the all-new Safran Open 60 took to sea in order to complete her qualifier for the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre. Marc Guillemot and his co-skipper Charles Caudrelier exited the Channel and crossed the bay of Biscay to round a mark off Gijon in Spain, before heading back the the boat's homeport of La Trinité in Brittany. www.safransixty.com |
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MARC GUILLEMOT'S NEW 60 SAFRAN CHRISTENED
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Mon, 3 Sep 2007
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| Safran, Marc Guillemot's new VPLP-Verdier designed Open 60', was christened on Saturday September the 1st in the Paul Vatine basin of Le Havre. The boat will take part in the Transat Jacques Vabre, Guillemot having teamed-up with the talented Figaro racer Charles Caudrelier, and will be among the boats to look out for in the 2008 Vendée Globe. www.safransixty.com |
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CAFFARI & KING QUALIFIED FOR THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Mon, 3 Sep 2007
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| Today two British sailors, Dee Caffari and her co-skipper Nigel King, finished their qualifying sail for the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre (TJV) race onboard the Open 60 racing yacht Aviva. Caffari and King successfully completed the 1000-mile qualifying sail, from La Rochelle to Gosport, at 01:45 on 2nd September 2007. Caffari has recruited King for the two-handed transatlantic race based on his extensive offshore racing experience. www.avivaoceanracing.com |
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GROUPE BEL STEPS INTO THE LIGHT
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Mon, 3 Sep 2007
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| The Open 60 monohull “Groupe Bel”, designed by Guillaume Verdier and the Van Peteghem - Lauriot Prévost design office, has left the Tuscan yard of Indiana Yachting. Set to be skippered by Kito de Pavant, the most recent of the IMOCA 60 fleet is today being taken by lorry to Rosignano (South of Livorno) where it will be launched midweek. The crew will also be proceeding with the self-righting test to prove that the skipper is capable of righting the boat without outside assistance, in the event of capsize. The following week, Groupe Bel will go for its first sail trials off the Italian coast, prior to returning to Port Camargue, its port of registry. In Le Havre on 3rd November, Kito de Pavant and Sébastien Col will take the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre bound for Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. www.beltchiizztour.com |
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IMOCA CIRCUIT: CURRENT RANKINGS...
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Mon, 3 Sep 2007
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Between the Barcelona World Race and the Transat Jacques Vabre, it will be not less than 25 IMOCA boats, of which 17 are new, who will be competing for a place on the podium of those 2 IMOCA championship official events. On the 3rd of November, 16 skippers and their co-skippers will be departing from Le Havre in France towards Brazil for the 8th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre, while 9 other boats (18 skippers and co-skippers) will be testing themselves in the new non-stop round the world race leaving from Barcelona on November 11th, the Barcelona World Race. The current situation of the championship, after the Rolex Fastnet race, shows a close fight for the podium places between Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) -after his great win in the Velux 5 oceans race- followed by a very determined Jean le Cam (VM Matériaux) onboard his well tested Lombard design. On third place, Dominique Wavre (Temenos) is the best representative of the new breed of boats having been launched recently. This top three will see the level of competition increase in the following weeks as skippers like Alex Thomson, Mike Golding or French solo legend Michel Desjoyeaux are just launching their new boats this summer. www.imoca.org |
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GROUPE BEL OPEN 60 TO BE LAUNCHED IN SEPTEMBER
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Tue, 21 Aug 2007
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| A cosmopolitan team of nearly 30 people from Italy, France, New Zealand, Poland and Argentina is currently building the new Groupe Bel IMOCA Open 60 in Tuscany. Designed by Van Peteghem - Lauriot Prévost and Guillaume Verdier, Kito de Pavant's new racer will be launched in early September in Rosignano, south of Livorno (Italy). The countdown has begun, and on November the 3rd, the skipper will take the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre with successful match racer Sébastien Col. www.beltchiizztour.com/ |
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GREAT AMERICAN III KEEL FITTED & MAST STEPPED
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Tue, 21 Aug 2007
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Another major milestone for Rich Wilson’s Great American III (GA III). A 10-month refit project on the Open 60 is complete. The GAIII was launched at Maine Yacht Center in Portland Maine last week, putting Skipper Rich Wilson a step closer in his quest to be the only American to race the 2008 Vendée Globe.
www.jacques-vabre.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM STARTS BARCELONA WORLD RACE QUALIFIER
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Fri, 17 Aug 2007
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Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee left Cowes, UK for Barcelona today and will sail the 2800 mandatory miles en route to qualify for the two-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race that starts on 11th November, 2007. The electrical problem that forced the Estrella Damm crew to retire from the Rolex Fastnet Race earlier this week has been fixed and a few last details onboard thoroughly checked. At 1034 BST hours, Guillermo Altadill's Estrella Damm left her Venture Quays dock in Cowes and the duo hoisted their colourful sails to head out into the British Channel. www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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PRB WINS BARCELONA WORLD RACE PROLOGUE
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Wed, 15 Aug 2007
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| The 2007 Rolex Fastnet Race that also doubled up as the official prologue to the non-stop, two-handed Barcelona World Race, proved to be a tough proposition for the duos onboard their IMOCA 60-foot monohulls. It was the French pairing of Vincent Riou (winner of the solo 2004 Vendée Globe) and Seb Josse (skipper of ABN AMRO2) who dominated the 608-mile race to bring PRB across the line first in a time of 2 days, 2 hours, 17 minutes and 44 seconds, compounding their position as race favourites for the two-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race that starts on 11th November. A total of 15 IMOCA 60s started the race – eight of them are entered to compete in the Barcelona World Race - but in these tough conditions not all finished, including the Spanish entries of Estrella Damm and Educacion sin Fronteras plus Roland Jourdain’s Veolia Environnement. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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ARTEMIS OCEAN RACING RETIRES FROM THE ROLEX FASTNET RACE
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Wed, 15 Aug 2007
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Artemis Ocean Racing (AOR), were left no choice than to retire from the Rolex Fastnet Race after their only mainsail onboard ripped in gale force winds. At 01:00 on Tuesday morning, after 14 hours of racing, the team of Jonny Malbon, Graham ‘Gringo’ Tourell and the media representative onboard, Ian Cowie, were putting a third reef in the main after the wind picked up to over 40 knots when the tear occurred. At the time the boat was placed very strongly in the leading pack and was looking very competitive against some of the new generation of IMOCA Open 60 boats. The crew are now returning to Southampton and are expected to arrive at 12:00 today, all of the crew are unharmed and in good spirits. www.artemisoceanracing.com |
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EDUCACION SIN FRONTERAS TURN BACK
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Tue, 14 Aug 2007
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Servanne Escoffier and Albert Bargues,onboard Educacion sin Fronteras, the Spanish IMOCA Open 60 entry for the Barcelona World Race, are now heading back to Plymouth as the heavy conditions take their toll. The crew and boat are fine but a broken winch and problems with reefing lines compounded the decision to turn back as conditions continue to deteriorate in the Celtic Sea.
www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT STOPS AT PLYMOUTH
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Tue, 14 Aug 2007
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After the first hours of the Rolex Fastnet Race and with rough conditions expected in the Irish Sea (low pressure and 40 knots of wind). Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nelias decided to drop out. They were keen to avoid any damage to Veolia Environnement which was only recently put into the water.
www.canyousea.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM RETIRES FROM ROLEX FASTNET RACE
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Mon, 13 Aug 2007
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| Three and a half hours after the start, Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee have officially announced their retirement from the Rolex Fastnet Race. As they were close racing near the front of the fleet, a fault in the electronics controlling the keel motors was detected, effectively easing the keel from its canted position. Both men re-started the keel control system without success. With some uncertainty as to the cause of the problem, the duo decided that given the strong weather forecast ahead, there was no other choice than to retire from the Rolex Fastnet Race. They will now focus on solving the problem ashore and prepare for the 2800 nautical miles qualification sail for the Barcelona World Race which they hope to begin on Wednesday afternoon. www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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TO THE FRONT!
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Mon, 13 Aug 2007
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| The IMOCA Open 60 fleet taking part in the RORC’s Rolex Fastnet Race, used as the official prologue for the Barcelona World Race, set off this morning at 11:00 in front of the Royal Yacht Squadron. With 18 knots of southwesterly wind and under the sun, the powerful monohulls have tackled the Solent waters under reduced sails, expecting the wind to increase gradually during this first day at sea. First to cross the starting line, Alex Thomson and Andrew Cape’s Hugo Boss displayed an impressive speed potential, and led the fleet out of the Solent. Strong weather is on the menu for the crews, who are bracing themselves. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE : 9 ENTRIES AND A MYTHICAL PROLOGUE
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Thu, 9 Aug 2007
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| The 2007 edition of the RORC’s Rolex Fastnet Race will also be used as the official prologue to the two-handed Barcelona World Race. The Barcelona World Race duos will be racing in the same two-up format for the 608-mile race that starts this Sunday, 12th August. The Barcelona World Race now counts nine official entries, following the announcement of the all-Spanish crew of Mutua Madrileña and the Franco-Catalan duet aboard Educacion Sin Fronteras who have joined this highly competitive fleet. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM OPEN 60 WINS THE ARTEMIS CHALLENGE
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Wed, 8 Aug 2007
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Spanish skipper Guillermo Altadill and American co-skipper Jonathan McKee have won the first edition of the Artemis Challenge. This was the first race and first win for the crew of the Barcelona World Race onboard their brand new Farr design. Leading a few good lengths ahead of the all-female crew onboard Roxy in 2nd, Estrella Damm crossed the finish line off the Royal Yacht Squadron and won the £10,000 prize for Barcelona based charity Africa Viva that manages development programmes in Burkina Faso. www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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PINDAR OPEN 60 DISMASTS WHILST LEADING ARTEMIS CHALLENGE
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Wed, 8 Aug 2007
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| Pindar, the brand new Open 60, who was leading in her debut race today, the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, dismasted whilst sailing around the Isle of Wight. The wing mast snapped less than two metres from the deck at 11.30 this morning. All of the crew are safe. Reaching along the southern side of the Island, Pindar was leading the fleet when the incident occurred. The cause of the breakage is not yet known. The dismasting of the cutting edge Open 60 will force Pindar to pull out of the historic Rolex Fastnet Race this Sunday. www.artemisonline.co.uk/ |
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PINDAR OPEN 60 JOINS THE ARTEMIS CHALLENGE AT SKANDIA COWES WEEK
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Tue, 7 Aug 2007
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Artemis Investment Management Limited is pleased to announce that the brand new Pindar Open 60 will race in the upcoming Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week, skippered by ISAF World Sailor of the Year, Mike Sanderson. Delivered by ship to Europe for the Rolex Fastnet Race, Pindar arrived in the UK a week early and is therefore able to make a last minute entry into the Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week. The race on Wednesday August 8th will see seven Open 60 offshore racing yachts battle each other in a high speed sprint around the Isle of Wight . The seven Open 60's racing are Artemis Ocean Racing, Estrella Damm, Roxy, Pindar, Spirit of Weymouth, Mirabaud, Akena Verandas. www.artemisonline.co.uk/ |
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NEW KEEL FOR PAPREC-VIRBAC OPEN 60 AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
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Mon, 6 Aug 2007
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Jean-Pierre Dick's team have confirmed that the efforts made to find a quick solution to the defective keel are already paying off: "Good news: the production of the new keel is ahead of schedule. It will be moulded this Tuesday (August 7th) in Thames, SE of Auckland, a few days before the planned date. The steel part will then be machined. Then it will be transported to the SOM yard in Tauranga, where composite works will be carried out, and finally it will board a plane and is due to arrive in Lorient on 25th September. Only the fin keel will be sent, since we're keeping the bulb."
www.jpdick.com |
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NEW ECOVER 3 HEADING BACK TO EUROPE
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Sun, 5 Aug 2007
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| At the end of a tough week in Auckland for Mike Golding and the entire team of boatbuilders, riggers, designer Merf Owen, and the MGYR team Matt Cowpe, Martin Carter and co, the result has been achieved. Since arriving in Auckland on Tuesday (31st July), the team have been flat out working on the boat getting her ready to be shipped back to the UK, including rigging the boat and completing the compulsory inversion test. The new Ecover 3 will be loaded on to the ship on Sunday to head back to Europe. www.mikegolding.com |
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BARGUES AND ESCOFFIER TEAM UP FOR BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Fri, 3 Aug 2007
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Catalan ocean sailor, Albert Bargués, is now realising his dream of once again racing around the world, but this time non-stop and double-handed. Bargués will team up with French sailor Servane Escoffier onboard the ex-Kingfisher IMOCA Open 60, now re-named ‘Educacion sin Fronteras’ (Education without Frontiers). ‘Educacion sin Fronteras’, has been acquired by FNO and is currently being prepared in Cowes, UK, in order to be ready to compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race (starting 12th August) the official prologue for all teams racing in the Barcelona World Race. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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SPANIARDS SANSO AND RIVERO ANNOUNCE ENTRY IN BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Fri, 3 Aug 2007
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| Spaniards Javier Sansó, (38, Palma de Mallorca) and Pachi Rivero (43, Santander) have confirmed their entry in the Barcelona World Race, and currently in the middle of their 2800-mile qualifying sail for the race. The boat, an IMOCA Open 60 (Ex-Ecover) was designed by Owen Clarke Design and launched in June 2003. Javier Sansó and Pachi Rivero will announce their sponsor and boat name in the next two weeks. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT OPEN 60 RE-LAUNCHED
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Thu, 2 Aug 2007
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| After five months in the boatyard, Roland Jourdain's IMOCA Open 60, Veolia Environnement, has been re-launched today in her Concarneau homeport and will be shortly be fitted with her new mast. The 2004-generation monohull needed a refit in order to remain competitive against the new boats on the circuit, and an almost brand new boat has entered the water today. The key work that was carried out during this optimisation process focussed on weight saving. The hull was sanded until the bare carbon was revealed, and the boat's overall balance has been modified. Veolia Environnement now boasts a new mast and new appendages, and in order to obtain more power, the sail area has been increase. www.canyousea.com |
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TELEVISION PRESENTERS SET TO RACE IN THE ARTEMIS CHALLENGE
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Wed, 1 Aug 2007
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Artemis Investment Management is pleased to announce that two of Britain’s leading television presenters from the world of sports and children’s television will be taking to the water in next week’s inaugural Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week. The sprint around the Isle of Wight on August 8th will see Sky Sports’ Georgie Thompson and the classic children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball join Lady Gabriella Windsor and Will Greenwood onboard the fleet of six Open 60s. The competition will culminate in a valuable donation of £10,000 from Artemis to the charity of choice of the winning boat. www.artemisonline.co.uk |
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ECOVER 3 ARRIVES IN AUCKLAND
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Tue, 31 Jul 2007
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Mike Golding's new Owen Clarke designed Open 60 yacht ECOVER 3 has completed her first gruelling trip, 681kms from Wellington to Auckland by road arriving at the famous Viaduct Basin in the early hours of this (Tuesday) morning. The brand new Open 60, which took the best part of six months to build, will be in the water for the first time ever either later today, or first thing tomorrow morning. The ECOVER team need to complete rigging the boat and a crucial 180 degree self-righting inversion test before ECOVER 3 goes on the ship Sunday. www.mikegolding.com |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC NOT IN LINE-UP FOR ROLEX FASTNET
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Mon, 30 Jul 2007
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After completing his trip halfway around-the-world, Paprec-Virbac launched in February 2007, was taken into the team's shed for a complete check-up. During this examination process, the technical team noticed some cracks on the keel. Jean-Pierre Dick and his team are of course concerned about the safety issues surrounding this, and do not want to take any chances for the upcoming round-the-world race, the Barcelona World Race (start date 11 November 2007). This has resulted in the decision to build a new keel fin in New Zealand. Paprec-Virbac will therefore not be able to take part in the Rolex Fastnet race in August, and the monohull will be re-launched in early October. www.jpdick.com |
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THREE NEW FINOT-CONQ IMOCA OPEN 60’S FOR THE VENDÉE GLOBE 2008
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Wed, 25 Jul 2007
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| Built by Multiplast for Armel Le Cleac'h and launched in Vannes on Wednesday 18th July 2007, the new BRITAIR is the third next-generation Finot-Conq Open 60 to hit the water this year. Having designed Alex Thomson’s new Hugo Boss and Yann Elies’ Generali, BritAir will be their 17th IMOCA Open 60 designed for the Vendee Globe. Those 17 Open 60’s have totalled 25 Vendee Globe entries over the years, with 20 of them finishing the race, and a finot-conq designed boat has won 4 out of the 5 editions of the Vendee Globe. www.finot.com |
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HRH THE PRINCESS ROYAL TO OFFICIALLY NAME NEW ECOVER OPEN 60 AT SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW
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Wed, 18 Jul 2007
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| British round the world sailor Mike Golding's latest Open 60 Ecover will be officially named by HRH The Princess Royal at the Southampton Boat Show on Monday 17th September. The new Owen Clarke designed Open 60 has been under construction at Hakes Marine (Wellington, New Zealand) for the last nine months and will return to the UK via cargo ship in early September. The Princess Royal will officially name the boat and become Godmother to the new Open 60. After the naming ceremony, ECOVER will undergo sea trials as she is prepared for her first competitive outing in the Transat Jacques Vabre Race. www.mikegolding.com |
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NEW BRIT AIR OPEN 60 LAUNCHED
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Wed, 18 Jul 2007
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Mid-October 2006, the build of the Brit Air IMOCA Open 60 monohull started at the Multiplast shipyard in Vannes, France. At 8h00 GMT today (10h00 local time), after 9 months of intensive work carried out by the designers Finot-Conq, the Multiplast build team and the Brit Air Sailing Team, including skipper Armel Le Cléac'h, the prototype has been launched. "The launch of Brit Air is a major milestone in my young life - I'm only 30. I fully realize how lucky I am to be able to do what I enjoy most, which is singlehanded racing. www.voile.britair.com/ |
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SAILING DEBUT FOR THOMSON’S NEW HUGO BOSS OPEN 60
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Wed, 18 Jul 2007
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Solo sailor Alex Thomson has had his first sail this week on his brand new state-of-the-art Open 60. Faster and more powerful than her predecessor, the innovative new HUGO BOSS looks like no other on the Open 60 circuit. She was designed by Finot-Conq over an 18-month period to be a top competitor in the Barcelona World Race 2007 and the Vendée Globe 2008. Project managed by Jason Carrington and built by Neville Hutton in the UK, she is guaranteed to turn heads when she competes in Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race this Summer. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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FLOWER POWER OF ESTRELLA DAMM IN THE SOLENT
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Mon, 16 Jul 2007
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Guillermo Altadill, skipper of the Estrella Damm Open 60, has enjoyed some smooth sailing in the Solent last week. After the launch of Estrella Damm at the end of June, the IMOCA 180° test has been conducted and the new rig fit. Over the past few days, Guillermo and his team have gotten acquainted with their new racing machine and tried all the systems onboard under all points of sail.
www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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LE CAM ET MORVAN SET OFF ON TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE QUALIFIER
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Mon, 16 Jul 2007
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Jean Le Cam and Gildas Morvan will set off tomorrow afternoon from Port la Forêt onboard VM Matériaux on their qualification for the Transat Jacques Vabre. The two sailors who have mutual respect for eachother had not sailed together before Calais Round Britain, but are feeling positive after their recent victory in the Open 60 class of the "Défi Douarnenez Record Penn Ar Bed". www.jeanlecam.fr |
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FLOWER POWER OF ESTRELLA DAMM IN THE SOLENT
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Mon, 16 Jul 2007
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Guillermo Altadill, skipper of the Estrella Damm Open 60, has enjoyed some smooth sailing in the Solent last week. After the launch of Estrella Damm at the end of June, the IMOCA 180° test has been conducted and the new rig fit. Over the past few days, Guillermo and his team have gotten acquainted with their new racing machine and tried all the systems onboard under all points of sail. "It's good to have the boat in the water and floating. We go sailing everyday and make new work lists everyday! The boat is fun, she is very similar to the Volvo 70s. We test everything in real conditions to improve the systems." Commented Catalan skipper Guillermo Altadill.
www.estrelladammsailingteam.com |
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GOLDING TO RACE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE WITH DUBOIS
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Sun, 15 Jul 2007
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| Mike Golding has chosen ECOVER's longstanding sail programme co-ordinator Bruno Dubois of North Sails France to sail with him in the new boat's first major race, the Transat Jacques Vabre. While Belgian-Canadian Dubois has not raced the famous biennial 4300-mile Transatlantic race from Le Havre to Salvador, Brazil, which starts November 3rd, he has a long and accomplished CV in offshore and inshore racing, and has made the sails for the last two winners of the race. He sailed with Mike on the 1000 Miles of Calais and the Calais Round Britain Race. www.mikegolding.com |
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VM MATÉRIAUX OPEN 60 AT THE DOUARNENEZ "SPEED FEST"
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Wed, 11 Jul 2007
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| Jean Le Cam and the VM Matériaux Team will take part in the "Défi Douarnenez Record Penn Ar Bed" from 13-15 July. Over three days, the Open 60 mononhull will sail amongst a massive fleet of kitesurfers and windsurfers, and will also meet up with ORMA 60 trimarans, GClass multihulls, and 60ft prototypes. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE: 55 BOATS ENTERED, 21 ON WAITING LIST
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Tue, 10 Jul 2007
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| As of July 1st, the official deadline for entries in the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre, 37 boats are officially registered and 18 are in the finalising process. The race starts from Le Havre on 3rd and 4th November, and to welcome the massive fleet, the Paul Vatine Basin will be fitted with three additional pontoons. www.jacques-vabre.com |
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JONATHAN MCKEE ANNOUNCED AS CO-SKIPPER FOR ESTRELLA DAMM IMOCA OPEN 60
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Fri, 6 Jul 2007
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| Top American sailor, Jonathan McKee, today has been confirmed as co-skipper to Spanish skipper, Guillermo Altadill, for the IMOCA 60 Estrella Damm campaign. The duo will be gunning for a podium finish in this winter's double-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race starting 11th November. The two sailors have never raced together before but their combined experience is set to make them a competitive force. Both seemingly easy going on the outside, this apparent affability masks their intense competitive nature. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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SAM DAVIES SETS NEW RECORD ONBOARD HER ROXY OPEN 60
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Thu, 5 Jul 2007
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| The World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC) have just confirmed that Sam Davies and the crew of her new Open 60 Roxy have set a new record for an all-female crew sailing around the British Isles. This took place over 3-14 June during the Calais Round Britain Race. www.samdavies.com |
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IMOCA OPEN 60S TO COMPETE IN THE ARTEMIS CHALLENGE AT SKANDIA COWES WEEK
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Thu, 5 Jul 2007
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| Cowes Combined Clubs, organisers of the world’s longest-running and largest annual sailing regatta (August 3-11 2007) is pleased to announce that Artemis Investment Management, one of the UK’s leading investment companies, is staging the inaugural Artemis Challenge at Skandia Cowes Week. The Artemis Challenge comprises the IMOCA Open 60 fleet competing for a generous prize fund of £10,000 that will be donated to the winning team’s charity of choice. www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk |
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JEAN LE CAM TEAMS UP WITH GILDAS MORVAN
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Thu, 5 Jul 2007
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| VM Matériaux skipper, Jean Le Cam, will race in the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre with Figaro Class master Gildas Morvan as co-skipper. Yann Régniau, the sailmaker who initially had been chosen for this transatlantic race, will nownot be able to sail with Le Cam due to professional reasons. The choice of Gildas Morvan, who raced aboard VM Matériaux in the recent Calais Round Britain Race was a logical one for the Breton skipper. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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NEW PINDAR IMOCA OPEN 60 HITS THE WATER
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Tue, 3 Jul 2007
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| Pindar this week launched its brand new Open 60 in Auckland, New Zealand. A radical new design, which incorporates many cutting edge features including a rotating wing mast and hydraulically adjustable outriggers. Having teamed up with ISAF World Sailor of the Year and Volvo Ocean Race winner, Mike Sanderson, and innovative designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian, Pindar’s new Open 60 is being likened to the latest generation Volvo 70s, proven to be some of the fastest monohulls on the planet. www.pindar.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM ANNOUNCE FIRST SPANISH ENTRY IN BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Mon, 2 Jul 2007
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Estrella Damm, Spain's most important brewer, has announced today that it will sponsor the first Spanish entry in the Barcelona World Race 2007, and they have chosen the Catalan Guillermo Altadill, one of the most respected and experienced professional sailors in the world, to skipper Estrella Damm's boat over three months across the planet's most hostile and challenging oceans.
www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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BERNARD STAMM : CHANGE OF PLAN
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Mon, 2 Jul 2007
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| In order optimize the new Cheminée Poujoulat with the 2008 Vendée Globe in mind, Bernard Stamm's technical team have decided important work needs to be carried out on the Open 60. The new schedule means that Bernard will not be able to participate in a round the world race in 2007, and the skipper has chosen to enter the Transat Jacques Vabre instead. www.bernardstamm.com |
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FONCIA WINS IMOCA OPEN 60 CLASS OF SNSM RECORD
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Wed, 27 Jun 2007
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| Michel Desjoyeaux won the SNSM record today in Saint Malo for the IMOCA class. The Foncia sailing team also broke Mike Golding's record on Ecover by 5h and 35 min. So "Mich' Desj'" adds another win to his already impressive CV, including already winning the Vendée Globe, the Route du Rhum and The Transat. Desjoyeaux commented: "Winning Foncia's first race is great, regarding the record, I think it can be broken again easily". www.recordsnsm.com |
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PRB READY FOR SNSM RECORD
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Tue, 26 Jun 2007
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The SNSM record between Saint Nazaire and Saint Malo will start 48 hours late. According to Vendée Globe winner Vincent Riou, the 20-to-25 knots north-west wind should enable the fleet to break Mike Golding’s record on Ecover. The British sailor had completed the route in 32h, 48min, and 35s. www.prb.fr |
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BRIAN THOMPSON SWITCHES ROLE AS CO-SKIPPER TO COACH FOR BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Tue, 26 Jun 2007
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| Following the recent birth of his second child, for personal family reasons British sailor Brian Thompson has made the difficult decision to step down as co-skipper to Guillermo Altadill in the Barcelona World Race. Brian will remain with the team as coach to pass on his IMOCA 60 experience to Guillermo and a new co-skipper who will be selected in the coming weeks, in time for the Rolex Fastnet Race starting 12th August. In addition to Brian retaining an integral part of the team, British sailor Neal McDonald is joining the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team as Performance Technical Manager from now until the start of the Barcelona World Race. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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DELTA DOREON START LINE OF SNSM RECORD
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Fri, 22 Jun 2007
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| Jérémie Beyou and his crew will line up at the start of the SNSM record on Sunday 24th. June. This fleet race will go round Brittany racing from Saint Nazaire to Saint Malo. Following his second place in the Calais Round Britain Race, Jérémie is eager to validate the performances of his mono-hull Delta Dore and to cross the finish line first. www.jeremie-beyou.com |
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NEW OPEN 60 BUILD FOR ARTEMIS OCEAN RACING
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Thu, 21 Jun 2007
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| Artemis Ocean Racing (AOR), the sailing team sponsored by leading UK investment company Artemis, today released information regarding the ongoing construction of their new Open 60. The task of designing and carrying out the new boat build rests with Simon Rogers, owner and founder of Rogers Yacht Design Ltd. Jonny Malbon, the skipper of Artemis Ocean Racing, has been involved since the very beginning of the design process. The new Open 60 will be built by Neville Hutton Boat Builders of Lymington, who have recently completed the new Hugo Boss Open 60. The new Artemis Ocean Racing yacht will be launched in December of this year. www.artemisoceanracing.com |
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JEAN-PIERRE DICK QUALIFIES FOR VENDÉE GLOBE
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Tue, 19 Jun 2007
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| Jean-Pierre Dick arrived in Lorient, France on Saturday onboard his new IMOCA Open 60 Paprec-Virbac, after sailing 12,000 miles from Auckland, New Zealand. JP left Auckland on 22nd April and after his half-world tour he arrived back to his home port, completing three of his objectives: 'test-driving' his brand new Open 60 and completing his qualification for the Barcelona World Race and the Vendée Globe. www.jpdick.com |
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VICTORY FOR PRB IN CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN RACE
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Wed, 13 Jun 2007
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| Vincent Riou and his crew on board PRB crossed the finish line of the 1815-mile Calais Round Britain Race in 1st place after 9 days 7 hours 7 minutes and 36 seconds, taking approx 2.5 days longer than the record set in the 2005 edition. This was due to sailing in fog and light winds for the majority of the race. However, last night in ideal conditions, PRB set a new record for the Dover-Calais record last night, setting a new time of 1hr 08 mins 57 secs at an average speed of 7.35 kts. 2nd Delta Dore (Jérémie Beyou), 3rd Jean Le Cam (VM Materiaux). www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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PRB DOMINATES CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN FLEET
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Fri, 8 Jun 2007
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| After taking pole position from Jean Le Cam (VM Materiaux) on Tuesday, Vincent Riou's PRB is still leading the Calais Round Britain fleet. Riou has increased their lead over VM Materiaux to 12nm as they round the West coast of Scotland, with around 800 miles to go at the 11h50 position report today (8th June). www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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SPIRIT OF CANADA ROLLOVER TEST JUNE 19TH
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Fri, 8 Jun 2007
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| Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges announces today that the 180 degree rollover test for Canada’s first Open 60 race boat; Spirit of Canada; will take place at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club city side parking lot at the foot of Parliament Street in Toronto Harbour on the 19th of June, 2007 at approx 9:00 a.m. Spirit of Canada is a 60 foot single-handed high performance sailboat built to be raced by Derek Hatfield in the demanding non-stop Vendée Globe around the world race in 2008. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC EN ROUTE TO THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Tue, 5 Jun 2007
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Paprec-Virbac, Jean-Pierre Dick and Damian Foxall have just finished their qualifying sail for the Barcelona World Race, between Panama and Halifax. They arrived in the Canadian harbour during the night. All the trio needs to do now is compete in the Rolex Fastnet Race in August to officially qualify for the two-handed round the world race that will leave Barcelona (Spain) on 11 November 2007. The skipper, JP Dick, from Nice will quickly get back to the sea to return to his base in Lorient. By doing so, he will complete his single-handed qualification run for the Vendée Globe. www.jpdick.com |
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VM MATERIAUX FIRST TO CROSS START LINE OF CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN RACE
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Sun, 3 Jun 2007
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| At 1430hrs local time, 11 IMOCA Open 60's crossed the start line of the 3rd edition of the Calais Round Britain Race. Under gennaker, Jean Le Cam (VM Materiaux) was first to cross the line into the thick fog enveloping the Channel, with PRB following in 2nd. Vincent Riou (PRB) was first to the Boulogne mark, followed by Swiss sailor Dominique Wavre (Temenos) and Jeremie Beyou (Delta Dore). A meteorological brain-teaser is in store as the IMOCA fleet attempt to exit the English Channel in a clockwise rotation of the British Isles. www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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STAMM AND HUMPHREYS ENTER BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Fri, 1 Jun 2007
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| Today, Swiss sailor Bernard Stamm, skipper of Cheminées Poujoulat, has announced his participation in the Barcelona World Race. Stamm who recently became the overall winner of the Velux 5 Oceans Race, has confirmed his co-skipper as British sailor Conrad Humpreys. This brings the total number of entries to eight so far for the Barcelona World Race that starts on 11th November this year. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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PINDAR'S BRAND NEW OPEN 60 IN FINAL STAGES OF BUILD
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Fri, 1 Jun 2007
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Pindar’s brand new cutting edge IMOCA Open 60 is nearing completion. The boat, which will be one of the first of a new breed of Open 60s, will be capable of breaking boundaries, setting new records and winning races. Leading British print and electronic media company Pindar has teamed up with ISAF World Sailor of the Year, Mike Sanderson, and cutting edge designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian, to build it’s first ever new build racing yacht. Construction began on the innovative Open 60 at TP Cookson’s boatyard in New Zealand eight months ago. She will be shipped to the UK with the intention of competing in the Rolex Fastnet Race, before taking part in various other training events in the build up to the Transat Jacques Vabre this November. www.pindar.com |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC DUO SET OFF ON BARCELONA WORLD RACE QUALIFIER
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Thu, 31 May 2007
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Paprec-Virbac Open 60 skipper, Jean-Pierre Dick and his co-skipper Damian Foxall are currently in the middle of their 2200-mile qualifier for the Barcelona World Race. The duo set sail from Panama on Saturday 26th May, and expect to arrive in Halifax, Canada on 4th/5th June. Jean-Pierre Dick will then head off alone onboard Paprec-Virbac towards Lorient, France, to complete his 2500-mile qualification for the 2008 Vendée Globe. Paprec-Virbac should reach France around the 20th June after a voyage of more than 11,200 miles (20,742 km), the equivalent a half-world tour!
www.jpdick.com |
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CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN: ELEVEN IN PORT
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Thu, 31 May 2007
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| The eleven Imoca Open 60 monohulls are safely moored in the port of Calais ready for the start of the Calais Round Britain Race at 1430 local time on Sunday 3rd June. The crews are now completing their final preparations in their last few days before the start of this technical 1,850 mile course. www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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SPIRIT OF CANADA RE-LAUNCH DELAYED DUE TO STRIKE
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Mon, 28 May 2007
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| The previously scheduled re-launch for May 29th at 10:00 a.m. has been delayed due to a legal strike of Local 793 International Union of Operating Engineers. It is hope that the strike by the crane operators will be resolved quickly in order that Spirit of Canada can be re-launched as soon as possible. ww.spiritofcanada.net |
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OPEN 60 FOR THE ALL-FEMALE CREW FOR THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE ARRIVES IN BARCELONA
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Fri, 25 May 2007
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| Today, the Open 60 for the all-female Spanish crew to compete in the two-handed Barcelona World Race starting on 11th November will arrive at the Royal Club of Barcelona from Southampton. The final skipper for the race will be chosen from a pre-selected crew of four including Ana Corbellà, Pilar Pasanau and Laia Tutzó from Catalonia, and Pilar Casares from La Coruna who will race alongside French co-skipper Servanne Escoffier. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN RACE: 11 CREWS ON START LINE
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Fri, 25 May 2007
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| The third edition of the Calais Round Britain Race will set off on 3rd June for a 1,850 mile sprint across the English Channel, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic, the North Sea and finally into Pas de Calais. Eleven 60 foot monohulls will take the start, including four new prototypes : Delta Dore (Jérémie Beyou), PRB (Vincent Riou), Temenos (Dominique Wavre),and Generali (Yann Elies). Doing battle against these new designs is Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux), Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat), Dee Caffari (Aviva), Samantha Davies (Roxy), Arnaud Boissière (Akena Vérandas), Alexandre Toulorge (Maisonneuve) and Jonny Malbon (Artemis). www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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68 BOATS ALREADY SIGNED UP FOR 2007 TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Fri, 25 May 2007
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| The 3rd and 4th November this year will see the two starts of the eighth edition of the doublehanded Transat Jacques Vabre from Le Havre 4,634 miles across the equator to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. With just over one month to go to the close of the entry list a record number of entries look set to take part with 68 boats already signed up. www.jacques-vabre.com |
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SPIRIT OF CANADA READY FOR RE-LAUNCH
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Thu, 24 May 2007
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| After a long winter of construction and appearances, the new Open 60 Spirit of Canada is ready for re-launch on Tuesday May 29th in Toronto Harbour. The all carbon high tech Open 60 has been fitted with the canting keel and hydraulics and now sports the fluorescent orange keel and rudders as required by the IMOCA safety rules. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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NEW HUGO BOSS OPEN 60 BUILD UPDATE
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Tue, 22 May 2007
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| Alex Thomson's new IMOCA Open 60 HUGO BOSS is progressing nicely in Lymington led by the highly experienced Jason Carrington, built by Lymington (UK) based boat builder Neville Hutton. There have been some delays with both the mast (being made in New Zealand) and the keel (being made in France) which means that she will not now hit the water until late June. Harry McGougan, Operations Director: "We have a great team around us and the boat is looking good. We are so proud of the design and finishing of the new boat that we can't wait to launch it, hopefully in mid July." www.alexthomsonracing.com/ |
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JEAN-PIERRE DICK ARRIVES IN PANAMA ONBOARD THE NEW PAPREC-VIRBAC
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Mon, 21 May 2007
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En-route back to France onboard his newly built Open 60 Paprec-Virbac, Jean-Pierre arrived in Panama on Sunday to sail from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. Jean-Pierre Dick: «We sailed safely to Panama, and we are now moored in front of the Balboa Yacht Club, just before 'Las Americas' bridge, one of the bridges that crosses the Panama Canal. Unfortunately we experienced very light winds so this first part of our journey from New Zealand was very slow : 6500 miles sailing at an average speed of 9.7 knots! Damian Foxall, my co-skipper for the Barcelona World Race, will arrive tonight and tomorrow we will start sorting out the customs paperwork to cross the canal. We hope to set off in the next week." www.jpdick.com |
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ARTEMIS OCEAN RACING QUALIFIES FOR THE TRANSAT JACQUES VABRE
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Fri, 18 May 2007
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Artemis Ocean Racing skipper, Jonny Malbon, and his co-skipper Graham Tourell arrived back at Ocean Village in Southampton (UK) in the early hours of Saturday morning after completing their first double-handed transatlantic voyage together. The crossing took just 13 days and 7 hours and the young pair covered 4,372 miles at an average speed of 14 knots. The voyage serves as the British duo’s official qualifier for the Transat Jacques Vabre race starting from Le Havre, France, in November. www.artemisoceanracing.com |
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TOP NAMES SIGNED UP FOR THE 2008 VENDÉE GLOBE
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Fri, 11 May 2007
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There is already a great line-up of yachting stars as far as the list of people already signed up for the Vendee Globe 2008 is concerned! 19 top class skippers are already officially declared for the single-handed non-stop voyage around the world, including title holder Vincent Riou, Michel Desjoyeaux the 2001 winner, Jean Le Cam, who came in second in 2005, Roland Jourdain, Bernard Stamm, Jean-Pierre Dick, and Mike Golding. There are 11 new projects, including the Figaro young guns, Yann Elies, Jeremie Beyou, Kito de Pavant, Armel Le Cleac'h and Arnaud Boissieres. Representing the UK is Samantha Davies, Dee Caffari, and Jonny Malbon. For Canada, Derek Hatfield. The United States will be represented by Rich Wilson.
www.vendeeglobe.org |
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ROLAND JOURDAIN & JEAN-LUC NÉLIAS TEAM UP
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Fri, 11 May 2007
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| Roland Jourdain has announced Jean-Luc Nélias as his co-skipper onboard his IMOCA open 60 Veolia Environnement for the Barcelona World Race, the doublehanded, non-stop around the world race, starting from Barcelona on 11th November. Their first race together will be in August for the Rolex Fastnet Race, the prologue for the Barcelona World Race. |
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SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON RETURNS TO THE UK
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Fri, 11 May 2007
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| After finishing the Velux 5 Oceans in 4th place, sailing legend Sir Robin Knox -Johnston will be escorted back from the Needles onboard Saga Insurance, by the Clipper Round the World Racing fleet and a Royal Navy escort., via Cowes, Isle of Wight, to Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth tomorrow (Saturday 12th May). www.scuttlebutteurope.com |
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NEW GENERALI OPEN 60 CHRISTENED
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Fri, 11 May 2007
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| Yann Eliès' new IMOCA Open 60 was officially christened this morning in La Trinite-sur-Mer. Built by Multiplast in nearby Vannes, the new Finot-Conq designed Generali Open 60 Generali is the product of more than eight months labour and 18,000 manhours by the yard. www.yannelies.com |
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UNAI BASURKO FINISHES 3RD OVERALL IN VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Sat, 5 May 2007
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| Basque solo sailing skipper Unai Basurko has crossed the finish line of the third and final leg of the Velux 5 Oceans race. After 158 days, 18 hours and 25 minutes at sea, Unai’s result marks an extraordinary achievement. The result guarantees third place overall in the race. www.velux5oceans.com |
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SAILING LEGEND SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON'S FINISHES THE VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Fri, 4 May 2007
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| Bilbao witnessed an historic moment in sport today as hundreds of people from the Basque capital welcomed back Sir Robin Knox-Johnston as the pioneer of solo sailing completed the Velux 5 Oceans round the world yacht race. Nearly 40 years after Knox-Johnston became the first person to sail non-stop around the world in the 1968-69 'Sunday Times Golden Globe', the 68 year old made history again as he completed a second solo circumnavigation of the planet, making Sir Robin the oldest person to have completed the Velux 5 Oceans race. www.velux5oceans.com |
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KOJIRO SHIRAISHI, FIRST JAPANESE OPEN 60 SKIPPER TO COMPLETE VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Wed, 2 May 2007
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| Japanese Kojiro Shiraishi, skipper of SPIRIT OF YUKOH, finished the last leg of the Velux 5 Oceans, just 43 minutes after winner Bernard Stamm, making him the first Japanese skipper to complete the Velux 5 Oceans onboard an IMOCA Open 60. By finishing and taking second place in the last leg, Kojiro Shiraishi confirms his second place overall in the Velux 5 Oceans race. d 42 minutes at sea, Kojiro’s podium position is a great achievement. www.velux5oceans.com |
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BERNARD STAMM WINS HIS SECOND VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Wed, 2 May 2007
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| Cheminees Poujoulat skipper Bernard Stamm, has crossed the finish line of the Velux 5 Oceans in Bilbao, Spain to complete the third and final leg of the race from Norfolk (USA) in 11 days, 23 hours and 53 minutes. It marked the end of a race that Stamm has dominated from day one. After 103 days, 22 hours and 10 minutes at sea, he won every leg of the race and finished with a monumental lead of more than 14 days on the overall ranking over second place Kojiro Shiraishi. www.velux5oceans.com |
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1ST VICTORY FOR THE NEW PRB OPEN 60
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Tue, 1 May 2007
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| The IMOCA Open 60 monohull race, the Grand Prix Petit Navire, is not a major event in the 2007 yachting calendar, but winning is always a good feeling and, in taking the victory, Vincent Riou - on the new PRB - will have, no doubt, been able to put painful memories of his Route du Rhum dismasting completely behind him. It was a fierce battle to the finish and Jean Le Cam's Open 60 VM Materiaux, which had been 14 miles behind Riou, at the 2000 Monday positions, crossed the finishing line - 14 hours later - just 8 minutes behind PRB! Dominique Wavre arrived less than half an hour later. www.prb.fr/voile_index.php |
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ROLAND JOURDAIN ANNOUNCES ENTRY IN THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Thu, 26 Apr 2007
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| Today in Paris, two days from his 43rd birthday French skipper Roland Jourdain officially confirmed his participation in the non-stop Barcelona World Race, onboard his Open 60 which has been renamed Veolia after signing a new title sponsorship deal with Veolia Environnement. Jourdain (also known with some affection as Bilou) brings the total number of high quality entries to seven, and is the 13th skipper to add his name to the roll call alongside many of the world’s leading solo and crewed professional sailors. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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VM MATÉRIAUX OPEN 60 RELAUNCHED TODAY
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Wed, 25 Apr 2007
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| After more than three months of intense work for both the research department and the yard, modifying and optimising their Open 60, Jean Le Cam and his team relaunched VM Matériaux today. At the end of the month, VM Matériaux will be taking part in the Grand Prix Petit Navire de Douarnenez, a good opportunity for Jean and his team to test modifications made. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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THE NEW MONOHULL OPEN 60 SAFRAN TAKING SHAPE
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Fri, 20 Apr 2007
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The boat builders working on the new SAFRAN Open are entering the final stages, with the launch of the boat scheduled before the Summer. The deck, the ballast system and the keel box are now laid, but the most difficult parts to be fitted are still to come for the team working in the Larros yard in South-West France where the boat is being built. www.safransixty.com |
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FINAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR DELTA DORE BEFORE START OF IMOCA SEASON
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Fri, 20 Apr 2007
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With Delta Dore Open 60 now out of winter refit, skipper Jérémie Beyou and his team have started a month of intensive sailing days in varied weather conditions. They are proving to be very rewarding, allowing the team to test and push the improvements made to the Open 60 during the refit. In early May, the Delta Dore will be sailed to Saint Malo to continue her training programme and carry out corporate hospitality sailing days. Then the team will sail to Calais for the start of the Calais Round Britain Race, not racing in the Grand Prix Petit Navire in Douarnenez on the 27th of April as initially scheduled. www.jeremie-beyou.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: FLOODED FOREPEAK UNDER CONTROL ON SAGA INSURANCE
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Fri, 20 Apr 2007
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In fourth place, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and SAGA Insurance are trailing third place Unai Basurko and Pakea by 12 miles this morning. Although the race leader, Bernard Stamm is 100 miles ahead on Open 60 Cheminées Poujoulat, the North Atlantic tournament between Knox-Johnston and Basurko has intensified despite a flooded sail locker on the British boat; a problem that has now been stabilised: "The source of water into the sail locker of SAGA Insurance remains a mystery," Knox-Johnston wrote earlier. "I spent most of yesterday searching for it and pumping out gallons with the little Jabsco pump donated by Aladdin's Cave, which has worked manfully." www.velux5oceans.com |
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GENERALI OPEN 60 LAUNCHED
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Fri, 20 Apr 2007
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After twelve months, the build of new IMOCA Open 60 monohull Generali that Yann Elies will sail in the next Vendée Globe, is complete and has just been launched at the Multiplast yard in Vannes. While the yacht is the 8th monohull to be built by the yard, this is the first prototype with a canting keel and a 4.5m draught. Generali will make her racing debut at the Calais Round Britain Race in early June 2007. www.yannelies.com |
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CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN RACE: WHICH DIRECTION?...
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Thu, 19 Apr 2007
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| The third edition of the Calais Round Britain Race promises to be decidedly animated on a number of levels: the announced line-up, the diversity of the architects represented, the confrontation between the proven names on the IMOCA circuit and the new prototypes setting off on their first offshore race. The originality of this third edition is also based on the decision about which direction to go around the British Isles; a decision that will be made by the organisation just a few days before the start. This is a first in the history of IMOCA monohulls and one that is permitted because the start and finish both take place in the port of Calais! www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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THE TRANSAT CONFIRMED FOR 2008
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Thu, 19 Apr 2007
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| OC Events have officially announced today that there will be a 2008 edition of The Transat, formerly the OSTAR, the first ever single-handed ocean race that began in 1960. This will be the 13th edition of the race and although the sport of sailing has come a long way since 1960, the oceanic challenge remains the same. The Notice of Race will be published in May, defining the invited classes, exact course, dates and conditions. www.thetransat.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS LEG 3 START SET FOR WEDNESDAY
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Tue, 17 Apr 2007
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| Having reviewed all the latest weather models, and following regular consultation with the skippers and their teams, Race Director David Adams today set a new start date and time for the final leg of the Velux 5 Oceans. Leg three to Bilbao (Basque Country) is now scheduled to commence at 10:00 AM local time (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday April 18. www.velux5oceans.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: START OF LEG 3 POSTPONED
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Fri, 13 Apr 2007
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| It seems Friday the 13th is unlucky for the Velux 5 Oceans yacht race, as Race Director David Adams today announced that the start of leg three (on Sunday, April 15th) has been postponed as a result of the severe weather expected to hit Norfolk, Virginia (USA), over the weekend. www.velux5oceans.com |
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KNOX-JOHNSTON FINISHES LEG 2 IN THE VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Mon, 2 Apr 2007
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, onboard his IMOCA Open 60 SAGA INSURANCE, has crossed the finish line of leg 2 after 75 days, 18 hours and 43 minutes at sea and 16,049 miles of racing. The British sailing hero has completed a mammoth leg of ocean racing, celebrating his 68th birthday and proving his skills as an offshore sailor amidst a fleet of young skippers. With only a fast paced Atlantic sprint left to the finish of the Velux 5 Oceans in Bilbao, the sailing legend looks set to complete an historic circumnavigation. www.velux5oceans.com |
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ROXY OPEN 60 RE-LAUNCHED
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Sat, 31 Mar 2007
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| The route to the Vendee Globe has begun, and Sam Davies is now skipper of the Open 60 ROXY. A big step up from the Figaro, but the dream to race around the world solo, non-stop is becoming reality and Sam is working hard to learn how to harness the power of her new machine. On Saturday 31st March, after 3 months of hard work, Roxy slipped gracefully into the water at the Submarine Base in Lorient! www.samdavies.com |
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6TH TEAM ENTERS BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Fri, 30 Mar 2007
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| The sixth team to officially enter the Barcelona World Race has been announced. The latest entry will be skippered by Spanish sailor Guillermo Altadill who will race alongside British sailor Brian Thompson, their combined talent and experience will make them a formidable duo out on the 25,000 mile race course. They will be racing the new Farr Design IMOCA Open 60 currently under construction in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK www.barcelonaworldrace.com/en/?s=5958 |
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NEW GROUPE BEL OPEN 60 TO BE LAUNCHED IN JULY IN TUSCANY
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Thu, 29 Mar 2007
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| With the Vendee Globe 2008-2009 getting closer every day, the IMOCA class competitors are currently fighting tooth and nail to get their projects up and running. Groupe Bel and Kito de Pavant have entered this competition with serious ambitions. For the skipper, it is time to find the right people and to build the team. Boat design has been trusted to the firm Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prevost and the architect Guillaume Verdier with the Italian shipyard Indiana Yachting to build the racing machine. The first race for new Groupe Bel will be the Transat Jacques Vabre in November. |
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SAFRAN OPEN 60 KEEL BEAM HANDED OVER TO SKIPPER MARC GUILLEMOT
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Thu, 29 Mar 2007
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SAFRAN Group company Aircelle officially handed over the keel beam for the SAFRAN Open 60 class monohull racing boat to skipper Mark Guillemot. Aircelle was responsible for curing and machining of the keel beam on this brand-new boat, and also assists the Larros shipyard in work on composite materials. The christening of the new SAFRAN boat is already scheduled for June 30, 2007, in Le Havre. www.safransixty.com |
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BASURKO FINISHES THIRD IN THE VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Sat, 24 Mar 2007
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| On March 23rd at 1920 local time Unai Basurko onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Pakea, crossed the finish line in Norfolk, Virginia, USA to take third place in leg 2 of the Velux 5 Oceans. After 68 days, 18 hours, and 20 minutes at sea covering 15,554.57 miles, the podium finish represents an improved performance for the skipper who finished 5th in leg one. www.velux5oceans.com |
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ARTEMIS ANNOUNCE NEW TEAM MEMBER
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Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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| Artemis Ocean Racing, have announced Graham Tourell, as the latest edition to the team. Graham, know as Gringo has worked for Mike Golding as Project Manager on Ecover for many years, his technical knowledge and experience is second to none. The Artemis team are currently in the Caribbean where they are preparing to compete in Antigua Race week. Jonny and Gringo then plan to sail double handed back to the UK, compete in the Calais Round Britain Race, the Fastnet Race and then prepare for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007. www.artemisoceanracing.com/ |
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CAFFARI AND GOLDING FORM AN ALLIANCE
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Wed, 21 Mar 2007
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| Dee Caffari and Mike Golding, two British entries in the 2008 Vendée Globe, have announced they are forming a technical alliance to share key technical data on the development of their new IMOCA Open 60 yachts. Caffari, the new recruit to the Open 60 class, is aiming to become the first woman to sail around the world in both directions in the Aviva Ocean Racing campaign (Golding was the first man to accomplish the task). www.mikegolding.com/ |
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PRB IS RELAUNCHED
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Mon, 19 Mar 2007
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| The IMOCA Open 60 PRB has been relaunched in Port-La-Floret with a new mast. Vincent Riou the winner the Vendée Globe 2004/05 broke PRB's mast during the first few days of the Route du Rhum 2006. Vincent expects to be sailing again in the next few weeks and is looking forward to a busy season finishing with the Barcelona World Race later this year. www.prb.fr/voile_index.php |
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SHIRAISHI ARRIVES SECOND IN THE VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Thu, 15 Mar 2007
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| Kojiro Shiraishi, onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Spirit of Yukoh, crossed the finish line of leg 2 in the Velux 5 Oceans at 08:47 local time (12:47 UTC) on today (Thursday 15th May). After 60 days, 6 hours and 47 minutes at sea and 15,113 miles of racing the skipper from Japan arrived in Norfolk (Virginia, USA). It marks the end of a tough and frustrating second leg in the VELUX 5 OCEANS which saw him plagued by problematic weather patterns and bad luck ever since he left Fremantle (Western Australia) on January 14th. www.velux5oceans.com |
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DELTA DORE ANNOUNCE CO-SKIPPER
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Fri, 9 Mar 2007
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| French team Delta Dore, skippered by Jerémie Beyou, have confirmed Sidney Gavignet as co-skipper for the Barcelona World Race. Gavignet was a crew member onboard ABN AMRO ONE the winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005/06 and has an impressive CV, although Beyou and Gavignet have never sailed together they have been opponents and have a mutual respect for each other. Beyou sees one of the key’s to his success in his choice of co-skipper, the duo will spend the next year preparing. Their first training session will take place as soon as the IMOCA Open 60 Delta Dore is back in the water in mid march. www.voile.deltadore.com |
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ESTRELLA DAMM SPONSORS BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Thu, 8 Mar 2007
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| Today (8th March) in Barcelona Fundació per la Navegació Oceànica (FNO), announced a major partnership with Estrella Damm for the Barcelona World Race. Invited media were present for the signing of the sponsorship agreement which was led by the President of the FNO and Barcelona Sports Concillor, Pere Alcober, and on behalf of the Damm Group, Enric Crous, Director General. The ceremony took place in the former headquarters of the Estrella Damm brewery in Barcelona that is now converted into a museum. www.barcelonaworldrace.com/en/?s=5858 |
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STAMM ARRIVES IN NORFOLK, USA AND WINS LEG TWO
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Sun, 4 Mar 2007
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| Bernard Stamm skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 CHEMINEES POUJOULAT, crossed the finish line of leg two in VELUX 5 OCEANS at 22:59:25 local time (3:59:45 UTC) on Saturday 3rd March. After 48 days, 22 hours and 59 minutes, 45 seconds and 15,725 miles of racing, Stamm arrived in Norfolk (Virginia, USA). With a lead of over 3000 miles over second position Kojiro Shiraishi. Stamm commented, "I am very happy to win and I am very happy to be able to do what I planned to do with the weather. The final leg will set off on April 15th to Bilbao. www.velux5oceans.com |
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IMOCA FLEET TO RACE ROUND BRITAIN
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Thu, 1 Mar 2007
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| With only three months to the start of the 3rd edition of the Calais Round Britain Race a fleet of IMOCA Open 60's have either confirmed their participation or have expressed an interest, the line up is expected to exceed 12 crews. Starting on June 3rd 2007 the 1850 mile sprint around the British Isles is an important race for the crews competing in the Transat Jacques Vabre and the Barcelona World Race both starting in November 2007. www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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MARC GUILLEMOT AND CHARLES CAUDRELIER TEAM UP
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Tue, 27 Feb 2007
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| With his new IMOCA Open 60 SAFRAN due to be launched in May 2007, Marc Guillemot has chosen his co-skipper for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007. Guillemot will be joined by Charles Caudrelier the winner of the Le Figaro-Afflelou solo in 2004. In addition to regular training runs out of Port-la-floret and open sea trials off La Trinite, the duo will participate in the Calais Round Britain Race, the Record SNSM (Saint Nazaire - Saint-Malo) in June, and in the Rolex Fastnet Race in July. www.safransixty.com/ |
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SKIPPERS KICK-OFF IN BRITTANY
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Tue, 27 Feb 2007
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| Today in Brittany a group of skippers are participating in a two-day event called 'Kick Off', organised by OC Events, to help in their preparation for racing double-handed. Two of the biggest IMOCA events in the 2007 will be raced in the two-up format - the non-stop round the world Barcelona World Race and the transatlantic Transat Jacques Vabre. The skippers taking part including Sébastien Josse, Jérémie Beyou, Brian Thompson, Jean Le Cam and Yann Elies will be looking to improve their two-handed skills set in their quest for podium success. |
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JEAN LE CAM ANNOUNCES CO-SKIPPER FOR 2007
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Mon, 26 Feb 2007
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| Just a few weeks away from the launch of his new IMOCA Open 60 "VM Matériaux", Jean Le Cam is fine-tuning his plans for 2007. He has chosen Yann Régniau, 39 a sail designer with North Sails, to join him as his co-skipper in the Transat Jacques Vabre 2007 from Le Havre to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. Le Cam said that he had chosen Régniau because “he is competent and they get on well”. The two men got to know each other on the trimaran Bonduelle. Régniau has described Le Cam as "a bible" and said that he thinks he is the best in France. The team are hoping to put the boat in the water mid-April and will be taking part in the Calais-Round Britain Race starting on June 3rd. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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ELIÈS AND AUDIGANE TEAM UP
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Fri, 23 Feb 2007
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| Yann Eliès and Sébastien Audigane will team up to participate in the 8th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre (TJV) onboard the newly built IMOCA Open 60 'Generali'. The TJV will depart Le Harve on November 3rd 2007 finishing in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. For Eliès the long term goal is the Vendée Globe 2008 and the Transat Jaques Vabre is seen as an important part of the build up to this, for Audigane his sights are set on the Vendée Globe 2012. www.yannelies.com/ |
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KNOX-JOHNSTON PITT STOP IN ARGENTINA
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Mon, 19 Feb 2007
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Electronic problems will force Sir Robin to pull into Ushuaia, the southernmost port in Argentina. Although disappointed that the 3rd rounding in Sir Robin's career is fraught with problems, this pit stop will allow a number of repairs to be carried out. Most importantly the satellite systems that provide vital weather information. Spares are being flown out with a member of the SAGA Insurance shore team, once the OPEN 60 systems are working again Sir Robin will be trying to regain his 3rd position. www.velux5oceans.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS ROUND CAPE HORN
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Mon, 19 Feb 2007
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All the competitors in the VELUX 5 OCEANS have now rounded Cape Horn. In 3rd position overall Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on board his OPEN 60 SAGA Insurance was a few miles ahead of Unai Basurko and 50 miles ahead of Graham Dalton. Stamm still leads and is currently 400 miles east of Salvador Bahia with a 2000 mile lead over 2nd position Spirit of Yukoh. www.velux5oceans.com |
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FIRST SAIL FOR THE NEW OPEN 60 PAPREC-VIRBAC
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Fri, 16 Feb 2007
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| In an emotional moment that was shared with the whole team, Jean-Pierre Dick helmed his newly launched OPEN 60 Paprec-Virbac for the first time in a light breeze. The boat was launched in New Zealand earlier this month and Dick said "he was satisfied with the first miles sailed, he liked the power of the boat and felt it was the beginning of a new adventure ". www.jpdick.com |
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MIKE GOLDING RECEIVES OBE
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Tue, 13 Feb 2007
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| Mike Golding received his OBE from Her Majesty the Queen at an Investiture Ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Mike was awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for services to the sport of sailing. Mike has raced some 250,000 miles around the world. He has had five circumnavigations and currently holds 4 world records, as well as being the IMOCA and FICO World Champion, the former for the second year in succession. www.mikegolding.com |
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ARTEMIS OCEAN RACING TEAM ANNOUNCE 2007 SCHEDULE
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Wed, 7 Feb 2007
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Artemis OPEN 60 announce their plans and schedule for 2007. The team, skippered by Jonny Malbon has an extensive programme planned, culminating in the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre race in November 2007. This will include Antigua Race Week, the Calais Round Britain Race, Round the Island Race, Cowes – Dinard – St. Malo Race, Cowes Week and the Fastnet Race, finishing with the Transat Jacques Vabre in November 2007. www.artemisoceanracing.com/ |
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EXPANDING IMOCA 60 CLASS APPOINTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Tue, 6 Feb 2007
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| As the IMOCA 60 Class continues its unprecedented growth, with up to 30 competitive professional campaigns expected by 2008, the skipper run International Class Association has taken a key step to successfully manage its future. Gregoire Metz has been appointed Executive Director for IMOCA, and will take up this position full time from April 2nd. www.imoca.org/uk/ |
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PAPREC-VIRBAC LAUNCH INNOVATIVE IMOCA OPEN 60
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Fri, 2 Feb 2007
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| Jean-Pierre Dick’s new 60-foot monohull, Paprec-Virbac, has just been launched at Tauranga in New Zealand. Once again the Paprec-Virbac design team has been particularly innovative. The most important item is the addition of a trim tab under the hull to the rear of the boat. Find out what the IMOCA skipper had to say about the design. www.barcelonaworldrace.com/en/?s=5425 |
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SOCCER STAR ZINEDINE ZIDANE VISTS YANN ELIES OPEN 60
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Wed, 24 Jan 2007
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| French soccer star Zinedine Zidane paid a visit to Yann Elies and his new IMOCA Open 60 at the Multiplast yard in Vannes Southern Brittany. The build that commenced in May 2006 is one of two Groupe Finot designed Open 60's being built by Multiplast. At a press function the hull was presented and Zidane who is also sponsored by the same Insurance company as Elies 'Generali' was announced as the boats godfather. www.multiplast-yachts.com/ |
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MACARTHUR AND THOMSON AT THE DUSSELDORF BOAT SHOW
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Wed, 24 Jan 2007
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Two of the UK’s most well-known offshore solo sailors, Ellen MacArthur and Hugo Boss skipper, Alex Thomson, attended the Dusseldorf Boat Show to speak to the public and media about the Barcelona World Race. They were joined by Volvo Ocean Race navigator Andrew Cape who will be co-skipper to Alex Thomson and America’s Cup Team Shosholoza crew, and German national, Tim Kröger. www.barcelonaworldrace.com/en/?s=5379 |
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9TH SKIPPER CONFIRMED FOR BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Wed, 17 Jan 2007
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Jean-Pierre Dick, skipper of Paprec Virbac, has selected experienced Irish sailor Damian Foxall as his co-skipper for the Barcelona World Race. Damian, a professional sailor, with over 25 years of ocean and dinghy racing experience already lists five round the world races on his impressive CV and 18 trans-atlantics, adding up to over 280,000 miles of sailing. Damian Foxall is the ninth skipper to be named for the new double-handed Barcelona World Race that starts on 11th November 2007 with five top IMOCA 60 campaigns confirmed so far and more expected over the next couple of months. www.barcelonaworldrace.com/en/?s=5329 |
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SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON RESTARTS THE VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Wed, 17 Jan 2007
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Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is back in the race after a 48 hours penalty he had to take to fix his autopilots. Having completed autopilot repairs and modifications to his weather software, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston onboard the IMOCA Open 60 Saga Insurance left Fremantle last night (Tuesday 16th) and restarted racing in Leg 2 of the VELUX 5 OCEANS after the mandatory 48 hour in-port penalty period. www.velux5oceans.com |
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SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON FORCED BACK TO FREEMANTLE
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Tue, 16 Jan 2007
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, who was forced to turn back to Fremantle, Western Australia will restart Leg two of the VELUX 5 OCEANS at 2300 GMT on Tuesday night (16th Jan). Having successfully repaired his autopilots, Sir Robin must remain in port for a mandatory 48 hours, as stipulated by the race rules, and will be able to re-start the leg from the point at which he officially suspended racing www.velux5oceans.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: START OF LEG 2
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Mon, 15 Jan 2007
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| At 15:00 on Sunday January 14 (06:00 GMT), the start gun for the second leg of the Velux 5 Oceans fired and marked the beginning of the 14,200 miles leg to Norfolk, Virginia (USA). Bernard Stamm was the first to reach the first turning mark onboard his monohull IMOCA Open 60. Unfortunately, less than 24 hours after the start, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) had to turn his Open 60 Saga Insurance back to Fremantle. During the night both the autopilot systems on Saga Insurance failed and refused to re-start. www.velux5oceans.com |
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BRIAN THOMPSON LEAVES ARTEMIS OCEAN RACING
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Thu, 11 Jan 2007
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| Following a very successful first year in Ocean Racing including sponsoring an Open 60, breaking the Round Britain and Ireland record and competing in the Route Du Rhum, Artemis and Brian Thompson would like to announce that Brian will be leaving the team. Jonny Malbon, 32, will replace Brian Thompson who skippered Artemis Ocean Racing in 2006. Malbon has been Boat Captain since Artemis commenced their IMOCA Open 60 campaign and has over the last year proved his racing pedigree, skippering the boat to break the Round Britain and Ireland race record. www.artemisoceanracing.com |
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DEE CAFFARI LAUNCHES AVIVA OCEAN RACING CAMPAIGN
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Thu, 11 Jan 2007
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| Aviva, the international savings, investments and insurance group, is to sponsor the world record-breaking yachtswoman Dee Caffari as she attempts to become the first woman to sail solo, non-stop around the world in both directions. Her next campaign will see her move into the highly competitive world of Open 60 racing. Caffari's campaign will include a series of IMOCA Open 60 races throughout 2007/8 in preparation for her entry into the 2008/9 Vendée Globe. In the first phase of the campaign she will use a training boat, ‘Aviva', formerly known as 'Hellomoto'. The preparation of a new purpose built race boat for the 2008 Vendée Globe entry will also start immediately. Caffari and her team have selected the highly experienced Merfyn Owen of Owen Clarke Designs to design the new boat. www.avivaoceanracing.com |
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REDRESS FOR SOUTHERN OCEAN RESCUE
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Mon, 8 Jan 2007
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| Kojiro Shiraish compensated for responding to stricken HUGO BOSS. The International Jury of the VELUX 5 OCEANS yacht race today confirmed that Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi, sailing onboard his IMOCA Open 60 SPIRIT OF YUKOH, was awarded a reduction on the elapsed time for the leg of 7.5 hours. Kojiro Shiraishi’s overall elapsed time for the first is officially 45 days, 18 hours and 30 minutes. This now puts Kojiro Shiraishi 67 hours and 12 minutes behind race leader and defending champion Bernard Stamm. www.velux5oceans.com |
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A NEW MAST FOR PRB
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Wed, 3 Jan 2007
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| After dismasting in the Route du Rhum, Vincent Riou's PRB had to have a new mast fitted. The new mast should be ready by 8th March, just in time for the relaunch of the monohull IMOCA Open 60, a few days later. Vincent's race program for 2007 imcludes the Défi Petit Navire, Calais Round Britain Race, Record SNSM (between St Nazaire and St Malo) and the Fastnet race which he will race double-handed with Sébastien Josse, a training event for the Barcelona World Race - the new double-handed round the world race! www.prb.fr |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: UNAI BASURKO ARRIVES IN FREMANTLE
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Tue, 2 Jan 2007
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| Unai Basurko, the young Basque skipper, has crossed the finish line of the Velux 5 Oceans in Fremantle in fifth position, at 03:22 local time (18:22 GMT). Basurko completed the first leg of the Velux 5 Oceans onboard Pakea, the newest IMOCA Open 60 in the fleet that was launched 12 months ago in Sydney, after 72 days, 7 hours and 22 minutes. www.velux5oceans.com |
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MIKE GOLDING AWARDED AN OBE
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Tue, 2 Jan 2007
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| British yachtsman Mike Golding has been awarded an OBE for his contribution to the sport of sailing. Golding, 46, who lives in Hampshire, is regarded as one of the world’s best offshore racing sailors. Commenting on his OBE, Golding said: "I am delighted to have been awarded such an honour." www.mikegolding.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON THIRD IN FREMANTLE
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Thu, 28 Dec 2006
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| British solo sailing legend Sir Robin has crossed the finish line of the Velux 5 Oceans in Fremantle, Western Australia, at 20:57.15 local time (11:57.15 GMT). Knox-Johnston completed the first leg of the Velux 5 Oceans onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Saga Insurance after 67 days, 0 hours, 57 minutes and 15 seconds. www.velux5oceans.com |
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SILL ET VEOLIA TO UNDERGO WINTER REFIT
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Tue, 19 Dec 2006
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| On Thursday 21st December, the IMOCA Open 60 Sill et Veolia will enter the shed in Concarneau for several months to undergo a refit. The boat will be thoroughly checked and several improvements will be made on the winning monohull of the Route du Rhum 2006. "It will be a long refit that will take about four months," explains Albert Bargués, director of Roland Jourdain's team, "and the re-launch is planned for the end of April/beginning of May 2007" www.jourdain-sill.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: KOJIRO SHIRAISHI SECOND IN FREMANTLE
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Thu, 7 Dec 2006
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| Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi has crossed the finish line of the Velux 5 Oceans in Fremantle (Western Australia) at 22h00’27’’ local time (13h00m27s GMT) onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Spirit of Yukoh. Kojiro Shiraishi completed the first leg of the Velux 5 Oceans after 46 days, 2 hours, 00 minutes, 27 seconds. www.velux5oceans.com |
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JÉRÉMIE BEYOU SIGNS UP FOR BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Wed, 6 Dec 2006
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| DELTA DORE skipper, Jérémie Beyou, announced at the Paris Boat Show that he will participate in the double-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race. His announcement brings the latest tally to five IMOCA Open 60 boats, with more expected to confirm their entry over the coming months. Jérémie is the eighth skipper to be added to the roll-call. With 11 months before the start of the race, Jérémie is taking some time to consider who should be his co-skipper, as well as considering the possibility of an association with a co-partner: “I have some names in head but I’m not entirely sure yet. He needs to be a solo sailor as onboard we will be two solo sailors working in relay at the helm and at the navigation station. I allow myself a certain amount of time, as well as DELTA DORE, in order to make the right choice.” www.voile.deltadore.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: BERNARD STAMM TAKES VICTORY HONOURS IN FREMANTLE
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Mon, 4 Dec 2006
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| Bernard Stamm, onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Cheminées Poujoulat, crossed the finish line of leg 1 in the Velux 5 Oceans at 19:18 local time (10:18 UTC). After 43 days and 12,000 miles of racing, the defending champion arrived in Fremantle (Western Australia) to the cheers of friends, family and sailing fans. Stamm’s victory establishes a commanding lead at the head of the Velux 5 Oceans and reflects a flawless display by the Swiss hero since the boats left Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) on October 22. www.velux5oceans.com |
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GOLDING TO RETIRE FROM VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Mon, 4 Dec 2006
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| Following the rescue of Alex Thomson and subsequent mast damage sustained to the IMOCA Open 60 Ecover, British skipper Mike Golding has today confirmed in Cape Town that he will retire from competing further in the Velux 5 Oceans Race. This decision follows Golding's dramatic rescue of fellow competitor Alex Thomson and the subsequent dismasting of Ecover in the Southern Ocean, 1000 miles off the southern tip of Africa. Since the incident, Golding's team have worked tirelessly to find various solutions that would allow the yacht to continue racing. Mike commented, "The decision to retire has been a very difficult one and one that has been taken in consultation with my sponsor, Ecover. Clearly the timings and costs are a major factor, but from a competitive and safety standpoint there are additional factors that have finally led us to make this choice." www.mikegolding.com |
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NEW NAME FOR JEAN-PIERRE DICK'S NEW BOAT
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Mon, 4 Dec 2006
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| After a podium finish in the Route du Rhum, Jean-Pierre Dick now moves on to the next chapter in his project: the launch of his new boat next February. JP Dick will have a new boat, with new colors, and a new name, as his new monohull IMOCA Open 60 is re-named "Paprec-Virbac". As part of his 2007 programme, the French skipper will be at the start of the Barcelona World Race (two-up, non-stop round the world). www.jpdick.com |
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GOLDING AND THOMSON REACH CAPE TOWN
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Mon, 4 Dec 2006
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| One week after their dramatic ordeal in the Southern Ocean, British solo skippers, Alex Thomson and Mike Golding, have finally arrived into Cape Town, South Africa. Ecover docked around 1900hrs GMT on 1st December with two very exhausted, very relieved sailors onboard. Nine days have now passed since Thomson, 32, suffered severe keel failure whilst in a close third place in the Velux 5 Oceans. Forced to make the crushing decision to abandon his beloved Hugo Boss, he took to a life raft and was rescued heroically by fellow sailor Mike Golding, who subsequently suffered a broken mast. It is time for Golding make a decision about Ecover's future in the Velux 5 Oceans, whilst Thomson must come to terms with all that has happened and start to rebuild his life. Alex will now be progressing on his new build and focussing on his next project, the Barcelona World Race. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: START OF LEG 2 ON JANUARY 14TH
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Sat, 2 Dec 2006
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| Clipper Ventures PLC, organisers of the around the world yacht race the VELUX 5 OCEANS, today announced that the start of Leg 2 is now set for Sunday January 14, a change from the original schedule of January 7. The one week postponement has been introduced by organisers as a safety precaution for the skippers, following a gruelling first leg from Bilbao (Basque Country, Spain) to Fremantle (Western Australia). www.velux5oceans.com |
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TEMENOS II FORCED TO STOP IN SPAIN
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Sat, 2 Dec 2006
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| Due to severe weather conditions in the Bay of Biscay, Dominique Wavre and Michèle Paret were forced to make a diversion on their delivery back from Guadeloupe to La Rochelle, and are planning to make a pit-stop in the Spanish harbour Sanxenxo. Dominique was reluctant not to take any risks onboard his new monohull IMOCA Open 60 Temenos II. Dominique said: “We are now mid-distance between the Azores and Cape Finisterre and hope to arrive in Spain on Sunday 3rd December. We will continue the delivery about 8 days later.” www.dominiquewavre.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: ECOVER SUFFERS BROKEN MAST
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Fri, 24 Nov 2006
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| At 1150h GMT this morning ECOVER, skippered by Mike Golding, broke part of her mast while in the Southern Ocean, some 1000 miles from Cape Town, South Africa. Only six hours earlier Mike Golding had completed the daring rescue of his fellow competitor in the Velux 5 Oceans solo round the world race, Alex Thomson. Golding confirmed that the mast had broken in two places, the first just above the main spreaders and the second about 1.5 metres from the top of the mast and that he and Thomson were securing the loose parts of the rig. The mainsail is intact and all the sails are still on board the boat other than the genoa. Golding and Thomson are currently working to getting back under sail with a staysail and a reefed mainsail so that they can begin heading to Cape Town, some 1000 miles away. www.mikegolding.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: ALEX THOMSON ABANDONS SHIP
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Fri, 24 Nov 2006
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| Between the hours of 04.45 and 06.30 GMT this morning a dramatic rescue operation took place in the treacherous icy waters of the Southern Ocean. Devastated solo sailor Alex Thomson (GBR) abandoned his yacht HUGO BOSS, after it suffered severe structural failure to the keel, and dramatically transferred via life raft to Mike Golding’s IMOCA Open 60 ECOVER. Thomson and Golding (GBR) both highly experienced yachtsmen and fellow competitors in the VELUX 5 Oceans race, carried out the rescue operation with the utmost caution. It took four attempts to get Thomson safely onboard ECOVER and the transfer took one hour and 45 minutes. www.velux5oceans.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: MIKE GOLDING TURNS BACK TO RESCUE ALEX THOMSON
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Thu, 23 Nov 2006
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| Following a keel failure on Alex Thomson’s HUGO BOSS deep in the Southern Ocean this morning, Briton Mike Golding has immediately responded to the requests for assistance from his nearest rival in the Velux 5 Oceans race around the world, and has now turned ECOVER round to head upwind in order to help his compatriot and fellow competitor. Based on HUGO BOSS ’s last position, some 80 miles due west of ECOVER, Golding will have to sail upwind in 30 knots of wind and big seas to rendezvous with Alex. Plans to rescue Alex from HUGO BOSS are being formulated. Any mid ocean transfer in such big seas and high winds will not be easy. www.mikegolding.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS : DISASTER FOR ALEX THOMSON
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Thu, 23 Nov 2006
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| British solo skipper Alex Thomson is in trouble in the Southern Ocean, during leg one of the Velux 5 Oceans. At approximately 03.30 GMT this morning, his IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss was sailing at 18 knots, in 30 knots of wind, when the keel suffered extreme structural failure and the boat capsized. The race office has alerted fourth placed competitor Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) aboard Spirit of Yukoh, in case Thomson should require rescuing. Thomson is unhurt and is now working with his team to bring the keel under control. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: ARRIVAL AND BASSE TERRE RECORD FOR PHILIPPE FISTON
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Tue, 21 Nov 2006
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| Philippe Fiston is the last skipper in the Open 60 class to cross the Route du Rhum finish line onboard his monohull IMOCA Open 60 Adriana Karembeu Paris. After much local expectation, It took Fiston 22 days 7 hours 26 minutes and 43 seconds to arrive at his native island, avering 6.62 knots. Nevertheless, the guadeloupe skipper broke the Basse Terre Record, being the fastest IMOCA Open 60 to cover the 24 miles separating the Basse Terre buoy and the finish line in 3 hours 8 minutes and 29 seconds. www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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HUGO BOSS MOVES FROM FOURTH TO SECOND IN VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Sat, 18 Nov 2006
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| British solo skipper Alex Thomson has climbed from fourth to second place aboard his yacht Hugo Boss. He passed Kojiro Shiraishi on Spirit of Yukoh (JPN) yesterday afternoon and Mike Golding’s Ecover (GBR) late last night. The race to Fremantle (AUS) is hotting up, with Thomson leading Golding by approximately 76 nautical miles as they head into the remote freezing wastes of the Southern Ocean. Bernard Stamm (SUI) continues to lead the race. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: JEAN-BAPTISTE DEJEANTY 9TH
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Fri, 17 Nov 2006
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| Jean Baptiste Dejeanty, skipper of Maisonneuve Basse-Normandie, crossed the finish line last night at 0h 41m 29s. He thereby takes the 9th position of the IMOCA Open 60 ranking after racing for 18 days 11 hours 39 minutes and 29s, averaging 7.98 knots. There is one IMOCA 60 still to finish. Philippe Fiston, onboard Adriana Karembeu Paris, is not expected in Guadeloupe before Saturday or Sunday. www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: MARC GUILLEMOT 7TH
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Wed, 15 Nov 2006
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| Marc Guillemot, skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Safran (ex-Kingfisher/ex-Skandia) crossed the Route du Rhum finish line in 7th position at 5h59'26 GMT, in a time of 16 days 17 hours 57 minutes and 26 seconds, averaging 8.81 knots. Guillemot arrived 4 days 5 hours and 58 minutes later than Roland Jourdain, winner of the IMOCA class. www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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TEMENOS II 5TH, ARTEMIS 6TH
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Sun, 12 Nov 2006
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| Swiss skipper Dominique Wavre crossed the Route du Rhum finish line in fifth place at 21.22.03 GMT (11.11.06) in a time of 13 days, 9 hours, 20 mins and 3 secs averaging 11.02 knots. Next came British skipper, Brian Thompson, Artemis, at 05:34:20 GMT (12.11.06) taking 13 days, 17 hours, 32 mins and 20 secs averaging 10.75 knots. There are now just three IMOCA 60s still to finish. www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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VIRBAC-PAPREC 3RD, BRIT AIR 4TH
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Sat, 11 Nov 2006
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| Virbac-Paprec skipper Jean Pierre Dick completed the podium in the IMOCA 60 class by crossing the Route du Rhum finish line in Guadeloupe at 08:29:58 GMT (11.11.06) completing the 3,500+ course in 12 days, 20 hours, 27 mins, 58 secs and at an average speed of 11.48 knots. Not far behind, came Armel Le Cléac'h on IMOCA 60 Brit Air, finishing at 15:59:17 GMT in 13 days, 3 hours, 57 mins and 17 secs. Swiss skipper, Dominique Wavre racing his new IMOCA 60 Temenos II is lying in fifth place and expected to finish shortly. www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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ROLAND JOURDAIN CLAIMS IMOCA 60 ROUTE DU RHUM VICTORY
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Sat, 11 Nov 2006
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| Roland Jourdain, skipper of IMOCA 60 Sill et Veolia, claimed victory in the IMOCA class crossing the Route du Rhum finish lline at 00:00:58 GMT (11.11.06) in a time of 12 days, 11 hours, 58 mins and 58 secs at an average speed of 11.81 knots. Jourdain's lead in the class was whittled away in the closing stages of the race and it was a 'duel' to the line with his rival and friend Jean Le Cam, skipper of IMOCA 60 VM Materiaux. Jourdain managed to hold him away but only just - only 27 minutes and 55 secs separated them at the finish in Guadeloupe after racing over 3,500 miles. www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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MIKE GOLDING TAKES OVER 2ND POSITION IN VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Fri, 10 Nov 2006
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| Mike Golding, skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Ecover, overtook Japanese skipper Kojiro Shiraishi (Spirit of Yukoh) last night and is now second place in the Velux 5 Oceans, solo round the world race on its way to the first stopover port in Fremantle, Australia. This afternoon, Mike was 360 miles behind race leader Bernard Stamm, who is 7,155 miles from the finish in Fremantle. www.mikegolding.com |
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TIM TROY WITHDRAWS FROM VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Thu, 9 Nov 2006
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| Amercian Tim Troy, who was fighting to make the start line of the Velux 5 oceans race, officially withdrew his entry today. For two years Troy has been working hard towards taking part in the classic round the world single-handed yacht race. Plagued by problems and setbacks from the beginning, Tim had hoped to fulfill his life long ambition to compete onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Margaret (ex-Petit Navire), but today confirmed this was not to be. www.velux5oceans.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: ROLAND JOURDAIN BREAKS AND REPAIRS BOOM
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Wed, 8 Nov 2006
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| Roland Jourdain (aka Bilou), skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Sill et Veolia, revealed this morning that he broke his boom while passing the Azores last Thursday. Such damage would normally require a pitstop in the closest harbour or even force the skipper to abandon the race. "I never thought for one second of abandonning," Bilou explained this afternoon, "But I did have had a hard time repairing it!" Bilou managed to make a temporary repair by fixing together the two broken bits of the boom, and estimates he lost 20 to 30 miles during the 12 hours he spent repairing last Thursday. With less than two days to go to the finish, the skipper of Sill et Veolia is still in the lead of the IMOCA class, with a 100 mile lead over 2nd place Jean Le Cam (VM Materiaux). www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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PRB TO UNDERGO REFIT
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Tue, 7 Nov 2006
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Ever since his monohull IMOCA Open 60 PRB dismasted on Monday 30th October in the Route du Rhum, Vincent Riou has had only one thought in his mind: find out why his mast broke in three pieces in mild weather conditions. A first examination of the debris showed there were no rigging failures, research will now be carried on in the design office. A new mast will be build in the same construction yard as the previous one, CDK in Port La Forêt, France. The boat will enter the shed next Thursday to undergo a refit, with the relaunched planned before 15th March 2007. www.prb.fr |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: SILL ET VEOLIA REGAINS LEADS
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Tue, 7 Nov 2006
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| On Sunday, Sill et Veolia skipper Roland Jourdain regained the lead in the IMOCA Open 60 class, and remains in pole position with 1000 miles to go to the finish in Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe. Jourdain took a southerly opton after passing the Azores and this seems to have given him an advantage, as he increases his lead over Jean Le Cam (VM Matérieaux) in 2nd and Jean-Pierre Dick in 3rd. www.jourdain-sill.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: BILOU TAKES LEAD FROM JP DICK
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Wed, 1 Nov 2006
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| Roland Jourdain, skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Sill et Veolia, is the new leader of the IMOCA class, currently 350 miles north-west of Cape Finisterre, and averaging 16 knots on a heading towards the Azores. The previous raceleader, Jean-Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec) was the first to gybe yesterday, creating an opportunity for Roland Jourdain to close in as he continued his westerly route. Bilou has not only become the new race leader but also increased the gap on his competitors. www.jourdain-sill.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: PRB DISMASTS
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Mon, 30 Oct 2006
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| At 1800h this evening, Vincent Riou, skipper of IMOCA Open 60 PRB contacted his team to let them know his mast had broken in to three pieces, 20 miles off the coast of the Scilly Islands. At the time of the dismasting, PRB was sailing along under mainsail and solent, in 15-20 knots of wind and moderate conditions. Riou explains: "I was just trimming the sails, and the mast broke in three pieces." Riou will soon start his engine and head towards Brittany while the PRB technical team organise to meet him with a tow boat. www.prb.fr |
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ROUTE DU RHUM: BEYOU RETIRES FROM RACE
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Mon, 30 Oct 2006
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On Sunday night, Jérémie Beyou, skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Delta Dore, decided to retire from the race, with total support of his partner Delta Dore, to be close to his wife Anna, who was taken to hospital in emergency. Anna prematurely gave birth to a still born child on Monday. Jérémie and Anna Beyou would like to thank everyone for their support and friendship. www.jeremie-beyou.com |
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ROUTE DU RHUM START
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Sun, 29 Oct 2006
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| At 1302h french time, 12 IMOCA Open 60's crossed the start line of the 2006 Route du Rhum and headed towards the Cape Frehel mark, the only point o pass before tracing their route across the ocean to Pointe à Pitre. Soon after the start Jean Pierre Dick (Virbac-Paprec), Vincent Riou (PRB), Roland Jourdain (Sill and Veolia), and Jeremie Beyou (Delta Dore) were closing in on Jean Le Cam (VM Materiaux). www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: BASURKO AND KNOX-JOHNSTON BACK IN RACE
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Sat, 28 Oct 2006
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| At 1115h yesterday morning (local time), Unai Basurko (ESP) skipper of IMOCA Open 60 Pakea, crossed the race start line of the Velux 5 Oceans race in Bilbao for the second time in a week after replacing his Solent headsail and repairing his staysail. Sir Robin Knox Johnston also took his place back on the race track at 1425h today onboard the IMOCA Open 60 Saga Insurance. Sir Robin: “I can’t wait to get back into the race. We took our time with the repairs because it was of paramount importance to make sure that we got it right and we have now so it’s time to start racing again." www.velux5oceans.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: HUGO BOSS BACK ON TRACK
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Wed, 25 Oct 2006
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| Alex Thomson is now back at sea and racing again after experiencing gear failure on his IMOCA Open 60 just 27 hours into the VELUX 5 Oceans Race. His yacht HUGO BOSS got knocked flat and one of his sails was completely shredded, forcing Thomson to turn back to shore and suspend racing on Monday. “The new sail has arrived and now I am ready to go,” said Thomson earlier today. Thomson rejoined the race off Gijon, north-west Spain, at 18.22 today and is now eager to close in on the leaders. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: SIR ROBIN RETURNS TO SHORE
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Tue, 24 Oct 2006
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston reported this morning that he has suffered damage to his IMOCA Open 60 ‘Saga Insurance’ overnight whilst sailing in over 60 knots. Sir Robin is currently sailing towards La Coruña, Northern Spain to carry out urgent repairs to his mast track and communications systems. He is expected to arrive within 1 to 2 days where he will be met by his shore team. www.velux5oceans.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: ECOVER MAKES PITSTOP
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Tue, 24 Oct 2006
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Ecover skipper Mike Golding, is being forced to make a pit stop in La Coruna, Spain. Mike made this tough decision yesterday evening when he suffered damage to three of the mainsail batten boxes which retain the forward end of the mainsail battens and connect them to the mainsail track which runs up the mast. Early this morning he was making fair progress sailing under Solent jib only in 17 to 18 knots of wind and is expected to arrive at the port sometime mid-afternoon today. www.mikegolding.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS: THOMSON HEADS TO SHORE
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Mon, 23 Oct 2006
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This afternoon, just 27 hours into the VELUX 5 Oceans race, Alex Thomson was brought to a halt when he experienced gear failure on Hugo Boss. He has been forced to turn his boat round and head back to port, in order to carry out the repairs. "I am obviously disappointed,” says Thomson, “but I have no other option than to suspend racing in order to carry out the necessary repair and continue in the Velux 5 Oceans. I am just glad this happened early on in the race before I was too far offshore.” www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS : LEG 1 START
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Sun, 22 Oct 2006
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| The first leg of the Velux 5 Oceans race started today from Bilbao, Spain. Six international skippers crossed the startline in the Bay of Biscay at 13h00 local time led by Briton Alex Thomson (Hugo Boss). Crossing the line in 2nd and 3rd place were Mike Golding (Ecover) and Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat). By the turning mark, the fleet had split into two packs. Thomson, Golding and Stamm created a three minute lead over second pack, with local hero Unai Basurko (ESP) heading up the chasing pack, with Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN) and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) hot on his heels. Unable to make the start today, Tim Troy (USA) is frantically making last minute adjustments to his boat and expect to set off later this week. The first boats are expected to finish the 12,000 mile leg to Fremantle, Western Australia at the beginning of December. www.velux5oceans.com |
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BILOU CHOOSES JEAN-LUC NÉLIAS AS WEATHER ROUTER FOR RHUM
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Sat, 21 Oct 2006
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| Roland Jourdain (nickname Bilou), skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Sill et Veolia, has chosen the experienced navigator, fine strategist and long-time friend, Jean-Luc Nélias, to be his weather router in this year's edition of the Route du Rhum, starting this Sunday 29th October in Saint-Malo. This will be Jean-Luc's third Route du Rhum as a router, but the first time he has worked with Bilou. www.jourdain-sill.com |
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JEAN-PIERRE DICK ENTERS BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Fri, 20 Oct 2006
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| Jean-Pierre Dick, skipper of Virbac-Paprec IMOCA Open 60, has announced he will be at the start of the Barcelona World Race on 11th November 2007 onboard his new Virbac-Paprec IMOCA Open 60. While Jean-Pierre is preparing for his upcoming transatlantic race, Route du Rhum, his new Farr designed IMOCA Open 60 is currently being built in New Zealand to be completed in time for his participation in the Barcelona World Race and the Vendée Globe 2008. www.jpdick.com |
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JEAN LE CAM AND VM MATÉRIAUX ARRIVE IN SAINT-MALO
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Fri, 20 Oct 2006
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| Ten days before the start of the eighth edition of the Route du Rhum, Jean Le Cam's IMOCA Open 60 VM Matériaux is now docked in Saint-Malo after a succesful delivery trip on Wednesday. Le Cam will line up against 11 other IMOCA Open 60 on Sunday 29th October at 13h. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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VINCENT RIOU AND PRB IN SAINT-MALO
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Thu, 19 Oct 2006
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| Vincent Riou was one of the first skippers entering the monohull basin in Saint-Malo onboard his new IMOCA Open 60 PRB. Vincent Riou: "Although the delivery was perfect, the arrival wasn't , as we touched an submerged chain when we were docking the boat. PRB will have to undergo a quick refit on Friday in order to repair the damage. During the delivery, we had all sorts of different weather conditions. We left Port La Forêt with an average of 18 knots and finished beating in 30 knots of breeze." www.prb.fr |
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BRITS PREPARING FOR BATTLE IN VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Thu, 19 Oct 2006
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| The three British competitors in the Velux 5 Oceans, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Alex Thomson and Mike Golding are gearing up for battle in the Velux 5 Oceans race. All sighted as great yachtsmen in their own different ways; each will be fighting for their podium position in what is known as the ultimate solo challenge. The three British skippers will line up amongst the other five international skippers for the start of the Velux 5 Oceans at 13h00 (local time) Sunday 22nd October, in Bilbao, Spain. www.velux5oceans.com |
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GOLDING HAPPY WITH INPORT RACE PERFORMANCE
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Tue, 17 Oct 2006
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| After the tensions of the Velux 5 Oceans Inport race on Saturday, ECOVER skipper Mike Golding is in an objective upbeat mood, looking forward to the final few days in Bilbao, before the start gun: "Whatever our perspective is on the outcome of the race, we just got a bad start but the boat really does feel good. It did everything we wanted of it smoothly and well. Changing the keel has made the difference I am sure, and I feel we have the speed we had prior to the Vendée Globe back again." With doubts in the air dockside that all eight of the competitors will make the start line on time on Sunday, with Graham Dalton struggling against the clock and Tim Troy having boat measurement issues, Mike admits: "At the moment I am a little nervous about the size of the fleet, because there are some having difficulties. I don't know how it will pan out but we need all the competitors on the start line. Each of them have their own story and are vital elements to the race.” www.mikegolding.com |
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TEAM OCEAN AT START OF NEXT VENDÉE GLOBE?
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Tue, 17 Oct 2006
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| With a fleet of six boats from a 6.50 mini to a 60-foot trimaran, Team Ocean led by the Franco-Swiss sailor Yvan Bourgnon is working on a project to build a 60-foot monohull with the aim of taking part in the next Vendee Globe. www.team-ocean.com |
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FIRST ROUTE DU RHUM FOR JÉRÉMIE BEYOU
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Mon, 16 Oct 2006
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| After 10 years of competing in the Figaro Bénéteau circuit, the overall winner of last years Solitaire du Figaro Jérémie Beyou is now the youngest participant on the IMOCA Open 60 circuit. His new IMOCA Open 60 Delta Dore was blessed yesterday by Father Jaouen and then christened by the two most senior employees of the company, in front of more than 700 spectators. Jérémie Beyou and DELTA DORE will be on the start line of the Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale in less than two weeks time, on 29th October in Saint-Malo. www.jeremie-beyou.com |
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VELUX 5 OCEANS IN-PORT RACE
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Sun, 15 Oct 2006
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| At 1000hrs local time on Saturday 14th October, seven of the eight yachts entered in the Velux 5 Oceans race left the pontoons in the Puerto Deportivo marina in Getxo, Bilbao, for a fully-crewed race in the Bay of Biscay: an event that produced top quality sailing, dramatic tactical turmoil with an unexpected finale. As Alex Thomson was leading the fleet at the end of the race onboard his IMOCA Open 60 Hugo Boss, he sailed past the committee boat on the wrong side, failing to finish the race. Mike Golding (Ecover) was the first boat to cross the finish line, followed by defending champion Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat), local hero Unai Basurko (Pakea) and finally Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (SAGA Insurance) and Kojrio Shiraishi (Spirit of Yukoh) closing the action on a dramatic day’s sailing. www.velux5oceans.com |
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FIRST MONOHULL RACE FOR MARC GUILLEMOT
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Thu, 12 Oct 2006
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| After sailing on multihulls for over 10 years, Marc Guillemot will be at the start of the Route du Rhum - La Banque Postale on 29th October, onboard the monohull IMOCA Open 60 SAFRAN (ex-Kingfisher). With less than 17 days to go, the Breton skipper is spending most of his time on the water training solo. Marc will leave his home-base at La Trinité on 17th/18th October, depending on weather conditions, in order to reach Saint-Malo before 20th October, as required by the Notice Of Race. www.safransixty.com |
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NEW WARDROBE FOR ECOVER
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Wed, 11 Oct 2006
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| With less than two weeks before the start of the Velux 5 Oceans, all the skippers have been going through their obligatory survival training. A relaxed Mike Golding was reported to be in good spirits as he went through the survival suit and liferaft drills in the marina in Gexto. Mike and his team led by Graham Tourell, worked hard to ensure all of the final preparations to ECOVER were pretty much complete before the boat was delivered to Bilbao. ECOVER has a number of new sails for this race, complementing the new ones that were added earlier in the summer. ECOVER has also returned to a fabricated keel rather than the forged keel which was the replacement after ECOVER broke her keel at the end of the Vendée Globe race. www.mikegolding.com |
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‘SPIRIT OF SOUTH AFRICA’ CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
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Fri, 6 Oct 2006
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| South African sailors John Martin and Greg Davis have teamed up to launch their new IMOCA Open 60 campaign the ‘Spirit of South Africa’, with the intention of competing in the Barcelona World Race next November 2007. Both experienced in the sailing world, these two sailors come to this new two-handed non-stop round the world race with over 450,000 sea miles between them. Martin also understands the perils of ocean racing having survived a dramatic Southern Ocean rescue. If successful, they have the potential to become the first South Africans to ever race non-stop around the world. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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NEW PRB CHRISTENED THIS MORNING
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Fri, 6 Oct 2006
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| The new PRB was christened this morning in Les Sables d’Olonne by Jacques Laurent, the CEO of PRB. The event took place in front of around 70 people involved in the project including sponsors, employees, journalists, and boat builders. PRB Skipper Vincent Riou drew the first conclusions from the training he just completed in Port la Foret, and Sébastien Josse, who will be Vincent's co-skipper on the Barcelona World Race gave his first impressions after the delivery he did onboard the boat. www.prb.fr |
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GOLDING LAUNCHES NEW INTERACTIVE WEBSITE
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Fri, 6 Oct 2006
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| Mike Golding has today launched his new look website www.mikegolding.com. The new website, designed by OC Vision, now features new interactive elements that will deliver a true insiders view of all of Mike's activities both during races and while ashore. www.mikegolding.com |
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NEW WEBSITE FOR MARC GUILLEMOT
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Wed, 4 Oct 2006
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| Marc Guillemot has just launched his new website - check out http://www.safransixty.com for all information about his IMOCA Open 60 SAFRAN, the skipper Marc Guillemot, the construction of their new IMOCA Open 60, and details of his future racing programme. www.safransixty.com |
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JEAN-PIERRE DICK QUALIFIES & PREPARES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM START
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Tue, 3 Oct 2006
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| After leaving Lorient on Saturday morning on a heading to the Spanish coast, Jean-Pierre Dick returned yesterday having qualified for the Route du Rhum – La Banque Postale. With 25-30 knots of wind and breaking waves, the weather conditions JP experienced during his qualifier have given him a taster of what the fleet may face at the end of the month. With 26 days before the start, everything is working perfectly onboard the IMOCA Open 60 Virbac-Paprec. Before going to Saint-Malo, JP Dick is going on a training course in Port La Forêt as part of his race preparations for the start of the “Rhum” on 29th October. www.jpdick.com |
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SEVEN IMOCA OPEN 60’S IN BILBAO READY FOR VELUX 5 OCEANS START
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Mon, 2 Oct 2006
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| All seven of the IMOCA Open 60 yachts taking part in the VELUX 5 OCEANS are now moored in the Puerto Deportivo, Gexto, ahead of the start of the original single-handed around the world race on Sunday 22nd October. In accordance with the official Notice of Race, all participating skippers and boats had to arrive in Bilbao by 1st October. www.velux5oceans.com |
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BERNARD STAMM DEFENDS TITLE
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Mon, 2 Oct 2006
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| In less than three weeks time, the IMOCA Open 60 Cheminées Poujoulat will be at the start of the Velux 5 Oceans, round the world race with stops, where Bernard Stamm will be defending his title. In 2002, the Swiss skipper won the race, previously called the 'Around Alone'. Cheminées Poujoulat left La Rochelle on Friday night, heading to Bilbao for the start on the 22nd October. www.bernard-stamm.com |
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DOMINIQUE WAVRE QUALIFIES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM
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Thu, 28 Sep 2006
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| After leaving La Rochelle last Friday, Dominique Wavre has qualified for the Route Du Rhum after completing 1000 miles solo onboard his new IMOCA Open 60 Temenos II. After heading up to Ouessant, the skipper then sailed down South in direction of Spain before turning around and heading back to La Rochelle, crossing the Bay of Biscay. www.dominiquewavre.com |
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PRB QUALIFIES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM
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Thu, 28 Sep 2006
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| On Tuesday night at around 11pm local time, Vincent Riou, winner of the last Vendée Globe, completed his 1000-mile solo qualifying passage for the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale. Riou set off from Bénodet on Friday evening, and sailed his IMOCA Open 60 PRB out towards the south-west coast of Ireland, returning via Cape Finisterre. www.prb.fr |
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ALEX THOMSON AND ANDREW CAPE TEAM UP FOR BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Wed, 27 Sep 2006
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| Hugo Boss skipper Alex Thomson has today announced his co-skipper for the two-handed Barcelona World Race as Australian sailing veteran Andrew Cape. Cape (aka ‘Capey’), aged 44 from Lymington, is one of Australia’s most talented and experienced sailors and navigators. He has sailed three Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Races, most recently aboard movistar and then Ericsson in the 2005-2006 race, and competed as navigator with winning America’s Cup team Alinghi. The combination of Thomson and Cape highlights one of the aims of the Barcelona World Race which is to unite the world of solo sailing with the professional fully crewed world. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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JÉRÉMIE BEYOU QUALIFIES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM
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Wed, 27 Sep 2006
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| Jérémie Beyou has completed his 1500-mile solo qualificiation onboard his new IMOCA Open 60 Delta Dore. Beyou left Cherbourg a week ago on a course that took him past the Scilly Islands, the southwest of Ireland, Cape Finisterre, the Bay of Biscay and then back to Saint Malo where he arrived last Wednesday evening. www.jeremie-beyou.com |
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ALEX THOMSON LEAVES UK FOR START OF VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Tue, 26 Sep 2006
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On Wednesday 27th September, British solo sailor Alex Thomson will leave Haslar Marina, Gosport (UK) onboard his Open 60 Hugo Boss, to set sail for Bilbao for the start of the Velux 5 Oceans race on 22nd October. Aged 32, Alex Thomson is the youngest skipper competing in the race. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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YANNICK BESTAVEN'S OPEN 60 IN LA ROCHELLE
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Mon, 25 Sep 2006
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Yannick Bestaven's Open 60, the ex-Aquitaine Innovations, arrived at the port of La Rochelle two weeks ago. In mid-October, the monohull will enter the Naval Force 3 boatyard to undergo a refit, with adaptations to the IMOCA ratings in order to be optimised and ready to compete in the 2007 season. In the meantime, Yannick Bestaven is looking for a sponsor to support him on the Barcelona World Race, starting on 11 November 2007, and the Vendée Globe 2008. www.yannickbestaven.com |
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NEW 'BRIT AIR' OPEN 60 FOR ARMEL LE CLÉAC’H
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Fri, 22 Sep 2006
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| The 2003 Solitaire du Figaro winner Armel Le Cléac’h and his sponsor Brit Air are teaming up with Multiplast to build a new Open 60 monohull for the 2008 Vendée Globe. The new boat, designed by the Finot Group, will start to take shape at the Multiplast yard in Vannes (southern Brittany, France) in early October 2006, with the launch planned for next June. Coming from the Figaro One-Design class, in which boats are easy to handle, Armel wanted a simple ocean-racer. Jean-Marie Finot: 'Brit Air benefits from our past experiences. She will be a powerful and stable boat. She’s a bit in the same spirit as Geodis, winner of the 3rd Vendée Globe, yet has been designed taking into account the parameters of modern boat technology, including moveable appendages...'. In the meantime, Armel has announced he will doing the Route du Rhum on the ex-VMI Open 60, starting from St.Malo on October 29th. www.voile.britair.com |
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SATISFYING SAILING TRIALS FOR SILL ET VÉOLIA AFTER REFIT
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Wed, 20 Sep 2006
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| After her summer refit, the Open 60 Sill et Véolia was out on the water this week for her first sailing trials. On Monday, skipper Roland Jourdain and his team hoisted the new sails for a close inspection with their sailmaker onboard. On Tuesday, the team spent a couple of hours sailing off Concarneau, France doing full checks of the boats electronics. Roland Jourdain will now be spending a lot of time training onboard his Open 60, before the start of the Route du Rhum on 29th October. www.jourdain-sill.com |
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KITO DE PAVANT ANNOUNCES NEW VENDÉE PROGRAMME
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Tue, 19 Sep 2006
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| Kito de Pavant and sponsor The Bel Group have entered a new phase in the forthcoming construction of a new IMOCA Open 60. The skipper and his sponsor have chosen the Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prévost design team in conjunction with Guillaume Verdier, for the design of this new boat, due to be launched next summer. The choice of yard has not yet been decided. Their objective is the 2008/09 solo, non-stop round the world Vendée Globe race. www.kitodepavant.com |
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DOMINIQUE WAVRE CONFIRMS PARTICIPATION IN THE BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Mon, 18 Sep 2006
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| Swiss skipper, Dominique Wavre has today (18.9.06) officially confirmed his participation in the Barcelona World Race with over one year to go before the start on 11th November 2007. Wavre was immediately attracted to the double-handed, non-stop round the world concept when the race was initially launched in October 2005 but he has waited until his new IMOCA Open 60 Temenos II underwent its first boat testing in Europe before making any formal announcement. Wavre has also announced his co-skipper as Michèle Paret, the first female sailor confirmed for the race. Wavre and Paret, from France, have sailed together for over a decade after competing in their first two-handed transatlantic in 1996. "Most of the the double-handed races I have done was with Michèle by my side," said Wavre. "There is a lot of complicity between us and I know in advance that things will work out perfectly between us onboard, both from a human and technical point of view." www.dominiquewavre.com |
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JEAN LE CAM QUALIFIES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM
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Mon, 18 Sep 2006
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| Jean Le Cam finished his solo Route du Rhum race qualification last Friday (15.9.07). Le Cam and his monohull the IMOCA Open 60 VM Matériaux had "a nice sail" as described by the skipper, leaving from the French port of Sables d'Olonne (home of the Vendée Globe) and heading out to the Irish sea, via the Scilly Isles before returning past Groix. The Route du Rhum race starts 29th October from Saint-Malo to Guadeloupe. www.jeanlecam.fr |
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GOLDING READY FOR SIXTH ROUND THE WORLD RACE
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Fri, 15 Sep 2006
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| With 38 days to the start of the Velux 5 Oceans, Mike Golding skipper of ECOVER is happy with their preparations for the 30,000 mile solo round the world race. While Golding prepares for his sixth race around the world, he is also busy finalising the designs for his new Open 60. The build is due to start at Hakes Marine in Wellington, New Zealand in October. “We will be using this race to trial a few things and take a step towards the direction we are going with the new boat. The good thing about a race with stops, is that we can always change things again, if they are not working out as planned!” he commented. Golding will be at the Southampton Boat Show today in his role as Ambassador to The Green Blue. After finishing his commitments there, Mike and his shore crew will take ECOVER to La Rochelle for Le Grand Pavois (20th/21st September) before continuing down to Bilbao. www.mikegolding.com |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE PUBLISH NOTICE OF RACE
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Thu, 14 Sep 2006
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| Today, the organisers of the Barcelona World Race, OC Events and the FNO, have published the first edition of the official Notice of Race for the new double-handed, non-stop Barcelona World Race that starts 11th November 2007. Significantly, the Notice of Race provides the means for skippers to officially enter the race. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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PINDAR TEAMS UP WITH SANDERSON AND KOUYOUMDJIAN FOR NEW OPEN 60
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Thu, 14 Sep 2006
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| Pindar, the leading British print and electronic media company, is teaming up with Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike Sanderson and cutting edge designer Juan Kouyoumdjian to build a new Open 60, one of the first of a new breed of Open 60’s. Juan Kouyoumdjian, otherwise known as ‘Juan K’, designed the ABN AMRO Volvo 70 which Sanderson skippered to victory in the recent Volvo Ocean Race. The new Pindar Open 60 will be built at TP Cookson’s yard in New Zealand, and is due to leave the shed during Summer 2007, just in time for the Fastnet Race. www.pindar.com |
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CALAIS ROUND BRITAIN RACE START - 3RD JUNE 2007
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Tue, 12 Sep 2006
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| The 3rd edition of the Calais Round Britain Race 2007 will be setting off for another crewed circumnavigation around the British Isles on 3rd June 2007. IMOCA and event organisers Royale Production have already had a dozen skippers expressing their desire to compete in this race, among them are the race's first two winners, Vincent Riou (PRB) in 2003 and Roland Jourdain (Sill et Veolia) in 2005. Other expected participants are Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux), Brian Thompson (Artemis Ocean Racing), Bernard Stamm (Cheminées Poujoulat) and Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore). www.calaisroundbritainrace.com |
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FIRST SAIL FOR THE NEW DELTA DORE
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Tue, 12 Sep 2006
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| Last week, the new Delta Dore Open 60 touched the water for the first time. After the successful inversion test and the stepping of the mast, Team Delta Dore took the new boat out for two days test sailing off Cherbourg. The team will be spending the next four days doing thorough checks of the new DELTA DORE before Jeremie Beyou steps onboard on 15th September for his 1500 mile solo qualifier for the Route du Rhum, as required by the race organisation. www.voile.deltadore.com |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE TEAM CONTINUES TO GROW
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Tue, 12 Sep 2006
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| OC Events and the FNO, organisers of the new Barcelona World Race, have made two further key appointments to help drive forward the continued recruitment of top-level entries from around the world and provide support to sailors planning participation in this double-handed, non-stop round the world race starting 11th November 2007. Christine Salén (formerly Christine Guillou, skipper of EF Education female crew 1997/98 Whitbread Round the World Race) has been appointed to support skippers with their fundraising and boat acquisition. French PR agency, Welcome on Board, will now manage media relations in France, with Caroline Muller working full time on the event, supporting Christine on the work to assist French entries to the start line. www.barcelonaworldrace.com |
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BERNARD STAMM ANNOUNCES GAME PLAN
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Fri, 8 Sep 2006
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| After the relaunch on 22nd August, Bernard Stamm's Open 60 Cheminées Poujoulat is heading to La Rochelle, where she will stay during September before leaving for Bilbao on the 1st October, ready for the start of the Velux 5 Oceans Race on 22nd October. When the new Open 60 build, currently being built, is finished in spring 2007, Bernard Stamm will participate in a few of the races in the IMOCA Open 60 Circuit before taking part in the new double handed around the world race, the Barcelona World Race, in November 2007. Bernard has also announced he will be at the start of the 2008 Vendée Globe. www.bernard-stamm.com/ |
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SILL ET VEOLIA OUT OF REFIT
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Thu, 7 Sep 2006
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| After seven weeks in the shed, the Open 60 Sill et Veolia will be put back in the water again on 12th September, in Concarneau, France. Skipper Roland Jourdain has closely followed every step of the refit, to have a complete understanding of the systems that have been updated onboard and their function. The first sail is planned for the 18th September, just over one month before the start of the Route du Rhum-La Banque Postale 2006, on the 29th October. www.jourdain-sill.com |
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NEW PRB AFLOAT
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Thu, 7 Sep 2006
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| After a nine month build at CDK Composites yard in France, Vincent Riou's new Farr designed IMOCA Open 60 PRB was launched yesterday. It was a busy day for the PRB team as they launched the boat, successfully undertook the 180° inversion test and stepped the mast. The PRB crew then delivered the new boat to Bénodet and from there it will undergo its first sailing test on Friday. 2004/05 Vendée Globe winning skipper, Vincent Riou, will race the new PRB for the first time in the solo transatlantic Route du Rhum race starting on the 29th October from St Malo to Guadeloupe. www.prb.fr |
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TEMENOS II IN LA ROCHELLE
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Tue, 5 Sep 2006
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| The port of La Rochelle is now home to one of the latest generation Open 60 boats, Dominique Wavre's Temenos II. Constructed in New Zealand, the 60ft monohull arrived in Zeebrugge onboard the container ship Esmeralda. The Temenos II crew made up of the skipper, rigger and sailmaker sailed the boat from Zeebrugge to La Rochelle on its first European navigation. The next important step for Wavre is to complete the 1000 mile solo qualification for the Route du Rhum race starting 29th October. www.dominiquewavre.com |
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DELTA DORE TOUCHES THE WATER
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Tue, 5 Sep 2006
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| Almost nine months since the start of the construction of the new Open 60 Delta Dore, skipper Jérémie Beyou had the satisfaction of seeing his new boat touch the water for the first time on Monday, 4th September. Now the first safety tests begin and then Beyou will begin his Route du Rhum qualification ahead of the race start on 29th October from St Malo. www.voile.deltadore.com |
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CONRAD HUMPHREYS GAME PLAN
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Tue, 5 Sep 2006
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| Conrad Humphreys plans his return to the IMOCA Open 60 circuit with a new boat for the 2007-2009 IMOCA World Championships. He hopes to return to Open 60 competition by next year by competing in the two-handed Barcelona World Race (winter 07/08), The Transat in 2008 before the next solo, non-stop Vendée Globe. Humphreys objectives are to secure a new title sponsor over the coming months and start the boat build in spring 2007. www.conradhumphreysracing.com |
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GOLDING ANNOUNCES NEW BUILD AND VENDEE 08 PARTICIPATION
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Tue, 5 Sep 2006
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| Current IMOCA and FICO world champion Mike Golding announced the build of a new Open 60 for the 2008/09 Vendée Globe. Owen Clarke Design will design the new ECOVER II working with Team New Zealand (America's Cup) designer Clay Oliver. The build will take place at Hakes Marine in Wellington, New Zealand starting October this year with the launch in July 2007. "We will be looking at new engineering, new dynamics, alternative keels and rudders - the whole thing is a complete new boat starting from first principles," said Merfyn Owen from Owen Clarke Design. www.mikegolding.com |
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ECOVER CONTINUES SPONSORSHIP
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Tue, 5 Sep 2006
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| Mike Golding's title sponsor, Ecover, the world's largest producer of ecological detergents and cleaning products, announces the continuation of their sponsorship through to the end of 2009. Ecover have supported Golding for the last five years including the last Vendée Globe 2004/05, and this commercial partnership looks set to be one of the longest and most enduring in the sport of sailing. www.mikegolding.com |
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SIXTH ROUND THE WORLD RACE FOR GOLDING
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Thu, 31 Aug 2006
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| ECOVER skipper Mike Golding will be starting his sixth race around the world when he crosses the start line of the Velux 5 Oceans in Bilbao on 22nd October 2006. Having raced more than a quarter of a million miles in some of the world’s most inhospitable oceans, Golding is looking forward to this new circumnavigation: “I haven’t done a round the world race with the luxury of stops since 1998 – so even though the legs are long, it is not as long as I have been used to of late. My tactic is to approach the first two legs rather like the Vendee Globe – it is not very different to that in terms of routing but it will probably be different on the water, as you may feel obliged to press harder than you would in a non-stop race,” Mike commented. www.mikegolding.com |
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BRIAN THOMPSON QUALIFIES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM
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Tue, 29 Aug 2006
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| At 0300hrs this morning, Brian Thompson entered the docks at Leith, in Edinburgh, Scotland onboard Artemis Ocean Racing, after successfully completing his solo qualifying passage for the Route du Rhum. The 1500 mile qualifier took Brian from Southampton via the west coast of Ireland and the Shetland Islands, before heading south to Leith, the home of Artemis Ocean Racing. Thompson will be the only British competitor in his class in the Route de Rhum, which starts on 29th October from St.Malo and finishes in Guadeloupe. Brian's qualifying route also served as a delivery trip, for the official Scottish launch of 'Artemis Ocean Racing' which will take place at the Ocean Terminal, Leith on Friday 1st September. www.artemisoceanracing.com |
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SAGA INSURANCE SIGN UP SIR ROBIN KNOX-JOHNSTON
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Thu, 24 Aug 2006
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| 'Saga Insurance' announced today that they are sponsoring Sir Robin Knox-Johnston for his Velux 5 Oceans race, starting from Bilbao, Spain on 22nd October. At 67, Sir Robin is the oldest, and the most experienced, competitor in the race. Saga Insurance is part of the Saga Group, which is the UK's leading provider of products and services specifically designed for people aged 50 and over. Sir Robin said: “It’s great to have the backing of a brand like Saga Insurance, whose experience of the over 50s means that they know we lead exciting and dynamic lives. I am looking forward to taking on this challenge, demonstrating once again that age and experience can win out. www.velux5oceans.com |
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THOMSON ANNOUNCES NEW BUILD FOR BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Thu, 24 Aug 2006
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| Alex Thomson has announced plans to build a new Groupe Finot design Open 60 to be launched in spring 2007, in time for the Barcelona World Race 2007. Led by highly experienced boat builder Neville Hutton and project managed by Jason Carrington, the brand new state-of-the-art Open 60 will be built in Lymington, UK, and will replace Thomson's current boat after the Velux 5 Oceans race. www.at-racing.co.uk |
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CANADA'S FIRST OPEN 60 ‘SPIRIT OF CANADA’ PREPARES FOR LAUNCH
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Wed, 23 Aug 2006
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| Spirit of Canada, the first Open 60 ever to be built in Canada, will leave the build shed and be put in the water on Saturday 9th September in Cobourg, Ontario. "I am extremely impressed with the results. The boat is perfect in every way and I am proud of the build team and what they have accomplished over the past 17 months," says Derek Hatfield, Skipper. This also marks the beginning of Hatfield’s campaign to race in the Vendee Globe 2008 as the first Canadian Open 60 to compete in this race. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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END OF SUMMER REFIT FOR CHEMINÉES POUJOULAT
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Tue, 22 Aug 2006
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| Bernard Stamm's Open 60 Cheminées Poujoulat was re-launched today at 12pm, putting an end to her summer refit that started on 27th July. The technical team have carried out the required checks thoroughly, to minimise the risk of breakages or damage, ready for the start of the Velux 5 Oceans on 22nd October this year. Cheminées Poujoulat will leave Caen early next week for Saint-Malo, then La Rochelle, where Bernard will be doing some corporate sailing with his partners. www.bernard-stamm.com |
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TWO NEW FARR DESIGNED OPEN 60'S IN FINAL STAGES OF BUILD
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Mon, 21 Aug 2006
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| The two new Farr Open 60 designs for Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore) and Vincent Riou (PRB) are in the final stages of construction and fit-out, with the launch of these two boats expected to be in the next few weeks. Jean-Pierre Dick has also commissioned Farr Yacht Design to build his new Open 60, which is anticipated to be in the water by January 2007. The debut race for Jérémie Beyou and Vincent Riou's new Farr Open 60's will be the Route de Rhum, starting on 29th October 2006. While Jean-Pierre Dick is waiting for his new Open 60, he will also compete in this race, sailing his 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre winning Farr Open 60 Virbac-Paprec. www.farrdesign.com |
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LINE HONOURS FOR ARTEMIS AT FINISH OF ROUND BRITAIN & IRELAND RACE
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Mon, 14 Aug 2006
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| This evening at 2229hrs BST Artemis Open 60 crossed the finish line to take a Line Honours victory in the the Royal Ocean Racing Club's SevenStar Round Britain and Ireland Race, completing the demanding 1760mile course in a time of 7 days 4 hours 29 minutes and 44 seconds. Skipper Jonny Malbon and crew will have to wait to see if the 'double' is possible, with an IRC handicap victory not out of the question, Kingspan-Chieftain, Formidable 3 and Solune all possible contenders if they have a fast finish to their race. The strong downwind conditions experienced by these leading 4 boats in the North Sea may well prevent other yachts in the race taking an overall handicap win. www.artemisoceanracing.com/ |
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ARTEMIS LEAD AT START OF ROUND BRITAIN & IRELAND RACE
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Mon, 7 Aug 2006
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| At 1800BST this evening, Artemis Open 60 was the first boat to cross the start of the 1760 mile ‘Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland race’. For this race, Artemis is being skippered by boat captain Jonny Malbon who is joined by Nick Black (Nobi), Mark Thomas, Will Oxley, and Jonathan McKee. There are 28 entries this year, of which Artemis is the only Open 60 with two other 60 foot boats taking part: the Volvo 60 ‘Cutting Edge on Venom’ and French entry ‘Solune’ Nacira 60. www.artemisoceanracing.com/ |
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BESTAVEN AND PARLIER TO REVIVE LEGENDARY 60
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Mon, 7 Aug 2006
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| French skipper, Yannick Bestaven, former Solitaire Afflelou Le Figaro competitor, has purchased the famous Open 60 Aquitaine Innovations, and hopes to secure a sponsor so he can compete in the two-handed Barcelona World Race and the solo 2008 Vendée Globe. Bestaven is being supported by Yves Parlier, previous owner of the Aquitaine Innovations who is helping with the planned refit. Parlier's 2000/01 Vendée Globe race became legendary after breaking the mast of Aquitaine Innovations, he retreated to Stewart Island (south New Zealand) and without assistance went on to rebuild the carbon mast and then sail the remainder of the course to a hero's welcome. In 2002 the boat was sold to Patrick de Radigues but now this duo hope to return the 60-footer to its former competitiveness. www.yannickbestaven.com |
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NEW TEMENOS COMPLETES SAILING TRIALS AND IMOCA TESTS
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Wed, 2 Aug 2006
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| The new Owen Clarke Designed Temenos is on her way back from New Zealand after successfully completing her sailing trials and IMOCA 90 and 180 tests. Dominique Wavre's new Open 60 will arrive in Zeebrugge in three weeks time onboard a cargo ship. She will be off-loaded and rigged again before being sailed to her home base in La Rochelle. Onboard for the delivery will be Dominique's support team, sail-makers, and lead designer Merfyn Owen. www.dominiquewavre.com |
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CHEMINÉES POUJOULAT IN FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION
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Mon, 31 Jul 2006
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| With less than three months to the Velux 5 Oceans start (October 21st), Bernard Stamm and his team have entered the last stage in the preparation of Cheminées Poujoulat. The Open 60 was taken out of the water at the weekend and is now back at the V1D2 boat yard in Caen, where over the next three weeks, Cheminées Poujoulat will be stripped and have everything on the boat thoroughy checked. www.bernardstamm.com |
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SIR ROBIN COMPLETES 5 OCEANS QUALIFYING PASSAGE
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Mon, 24 Jul 2006
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston arrived back in Gosport, Portsmouth, on Saturday 22 July having completed his first solo passage in over 15 years. Sailing aboard his new Open 60 yacht, Grey Power, Sir Robin sailed over 2,000 nautical miles alone from Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada) to Falmouth (UK), crossing the North Atlantic Ocean in just 14 days. This now qualifies Sir Robin for the Velux 5 Oceans race starting in October 2006. www.velux5oceans.com |
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SIR ROBIN CLOSE TO COMPLETING 5 OCEANS QUALIFIER
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Thu, 20 Jul 2006
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is 120 miles from the Lizard (UK) and close to completing his necessary qualifying passage for the forthcoming Velux 5 Oceans solo race starting in October. Sir Robin, aged 67, was the first person to circumnavigate the globe solo, non-stop in 1968-69 in 313 days onboard Suhaili, is now skippering the Open 60 Grey Power, formerly Giovanni Soldini's Fila. He left Nova Scotia on July 6th and is expected to arrive in Gosport tomorrow. www.velux5oceans.com |
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DEREK HATFIELD FOR 2008 VENDÉE GLOBE
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Thu, 20 Jul 2006
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| Canadian skipper, Derek Hatfield, skipper of the new Open 60 Spirit of Canada has announced today his intention to compete in the solo, non-stop round the world Vendée Globe race in 2008 giving up his quest to compete in the Velux 5 Oceans race starting later this year. Hatfield has confirmed that the team's desire to build a fast, competitive boat but circumstances beyond their control have slowed construction which has meant the team have run out of time to be on the start line of the 5 Oceans in October. In the future, Hatfield's programme may include the Barcelona World Race, the Transat Jacques Vabre, Quebec-St Malo and The Transat. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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HUGO BOSS RE-LAUNCHED WITH NEW MAST
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Thu, 20 Jul 2006
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| Today, HUGO BOSS came out of the shed in Hamble and was re-launched. Over the past couple of months, Alex and the AT Racing team have been working hard repairing all the damage caused by the dismasting, making the necessary modifications for the new mast, and trying where possible to lighten HUGO BOSS ready for the first of Alex’s three round the world races - VELUX 5 OCEANS, starting on 22nd October. The new mast arrived last week from Southern Spars in New Zealand and is very different from the last one. Alex Thomson explains, "the new mast is not a wing mast, it is a conventional 3 spreader mast that is nearly 2m taller than the last one! All the work that goes into refitting and maintaining these boats is about one thing - making them go faster. So we decided that a conventional mast was the way to go, as its nearly 100kgs lighter than the last one.” www.at-racing.co.uk/ |
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BRIAN THOMPSON ANNOUNCES NEW SPONSOR ARTEMIS
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Fri, 7 Jul 2006
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| Brian Thompson, one of the UK's most accomplished ocean racers, has signed a two year sponsorship deal with Artemis, one of the UK's leading investment companies. Thompson will compete onboard the Open 60 'Artemis Ocean Racing of Leith' (ex-Pindar) in several events in 2006/07 including the Round Britain and Ireland race in August, the Route du Rhum in October and a number of speed record attempts. www.brianthompsonsailing.com |
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FIRST SAIL FOR THE NEW TEMENOS
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Wed, 5 Jul 2006
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| Last week in Tauranga, New-Zealand, the new Open 60 TEMENOS set sail for the first time in light conditions, in front of Mount Maunganui. Skipper Dominique Wavre and his team are now making the most of their last two weeks with the boat, to finish work onboard and carry out more tests on the water, before Temenos is shipped to France on the 19th July. www.dominiquewavre.com |
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PRB ANNOUNCE PARTICIPATION IN BARCELONA WORLD RACE
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Wed, 28 Jun 2006
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| Vincent Riou, winner of the 2004/05 Vendée Globe, has announced his participation in the first edition of the Barcelona World Race starting on 11th November 2007. Riou has named Sébastien Josse as his co-skipper in this two-up, non-stop round the world race. www.prb.fr |
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THE NEW PRB TAKES SHAPE
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Thu, 22 Jun 2006
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| Today, the CDK boatyard in Port La Forêt saw the assembly of the two main parts of the new PRB hull. In the presence of skipper Vincent Riou and his team, the deck was suspended mid-air and lowered on to the hull. The mast is due to be fitted by early August with the launch planned for the end of August. www.prb.fr |
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ECOVER WINS SNSM RACE SETTING NEW RECORD
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Mon, 19 Jun 2006
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| Mike Golding and the crew onboard ECOVER have won the 284-mile St Nazaire-St Malo race in a time of 1 day 8hrs 48min 35 sec, breaking the race record by 2hrs 10mins and 9 seconds. (The previous record was 1 day 10hrs 58 min 44 sec held by Jean-Pierre Dick on Virbac-Paprec). Sill et Veolia crossed the line in 2nd, followed by Cheminées Poujoulat in 3rd, Roxy 4th and Safran 5th. www.recordsnsm.com |
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SAFRAN LEADS OPEN 60’S AT START OF SNSM RACE
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Sun, 18 Jun 2006
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| Marc Guillemot’s Safran was the first Open to cross the line in Saint Nazaire for the start of the SNSM Race (Saint Nazaire – Saint Malo), with Ecover following close behind in 2nd."I am not sure whether any records will be broken today but looking at the conditions it is kind of achievable," commented Golding. Also competing is Sill, Roxy, and Cheminées Poujoulat. www.recordsnsm.com |
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THE NEW TEMENOS TOUCHES THE WATER
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Wed, 14 Jun 2006
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| Last October in Tauranga, New Zealand, the construction of the new Owen Clarke Design 'Temenos' began. Today after eight months and 22,000 working hours, the new generation Open 60 Temenos left the shed and entered the water for the first time. www.dominiquewavre.com |
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CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW SAFRAN OPEN 60 BEGINS
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Tue, 13 Jun 2006
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| The new SAFRAN Open 60 designed by VPLP and Guillaume Verdier, is now under construction in the Larros shipyard in Arcachon (Southwest France) and should be launched early 2007. Skipper Marc Guillemot will be entering a series of IMOCA crewed and solo races, in particular the Vendée Globe race in 2008-09. In the meantime, SAFRAN and Marc Guillemot will be training, and racing in the 2006 Route du Rhum on the leased ex-Skandia/Kingfisher Open 60. www.marcguillemot.com |
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SIR ROBIN HEADS OFF TO NEW YORK FOR QUALIFIER
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Mon, 12 Jun 2006
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set off today onboard his Open 60 Grey Power, heading for New York where he will start his qualifying passage for the Velux 5 Oceans. Sir Robin has a crew of three onboard for the transatlantic crossing to New York. After a short stopover at North Cove Marina, Manhattan, he will then sail solo on his return crossing to Plymouth. www.robinknox-johnston.co.uk |
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PRB BUILD UPDATE: BREAKING THE MOULD...
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Sat, 10 Jun 2006
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| The team which has been working hard on the constuction of the new PRB for the past six months, is now seeing the project enter its final phase - the assembling of the boat. Today the future hull of PRB will leave the oven to be transferred to a bigger shed equipped with moving cranes. Here the hull will be released from the mould and the deck will be fitted in the next two weeks, with the launch of the new PRB planned for mid-August. www.prb.fr |
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PINDAR COMPETING IN NEWPORT-BERMUDA RACE
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Thu, 8 Jun 2006
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| Pindar Open 60 will be competing in the centenary edition of the Newport-Bermuda race as a joint entry with one of the UK’s leading investment companies, Artemis. Brian Thompson will skipper the Pindar-Artemis crew comprising of Pindar boat captain Nick Black, British yachtswoman Miranda Merron and Chairman of the Pindar Group, Andrew Pindar. More details about Brian’s new sailing campaign with Artemis will be revealed at an official launch in London on July 7th. www.pindar.com |
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STAMM TO TAKE OVER VIRBAC OPEN 60 FOR VENDEE GLOBE
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Wed, 7 Jun 2006
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| Bernard Stamm announced today that he will competing in the next Vendée Globe in 2008 onboard Jean-Pierre Dick’s Open 60 Virbac. While waiting for the completion of the new Virbac Open 60 build, Jean-Pierre Dick will continue to race onboard the current Virbac for the Route du Rhum this November, and Stamm will compete in the Velux 5 Oceans onboard his Open 60 Cheminées Poujoulat. www.bernardstamm.com |
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ECOVER WINS OPEN 60 CLASS OF ROUND THE ISLAND RACE
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Sat, 3 Jun 2006
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| Mike Golding skippered ECOVER to victory in the Open 60 class of the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island race in a time of 9 hours 34 minutes and 18 seconds. Golding used the race to test his newly refitted ECOVER, “As far as the Race was concerned I am really pleased with the boat but it was too light to see the benefits of any of the major changes that we made while in refit.” www.mikegolding.com |
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11 OPEN 60 ENTRIES IN ROUTE DU RHUM 2006
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Fri, 2 Jun 2006
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| With one month to go before the entry deadline, there are 87 boats already signed up to take part in the 8th edition of the Route du Rhum 2006. Out of the 59 monohulls taking part, 11 of these are Open 60 monohulls, including Jean Le Cam (VM Matériaux), Armel Le Cléac’h (Brit Air), Marc Thiercelin (Pro Form), Roland Jourdain (Sill & Véolia), Marc Guillemot (Safran), Jérémie Beyou (Delta Dore), Anne Liardet (Roxy) and Dominique Wavre (Temenos). www.routedurhum-labanquepostale.com |
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MARC GUILLEMOT QUALIFIES FOR ROUTE DU RHUM
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Mon, 15 May 2006
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| The former 60ft trimaran skipper, Marc Guillemot, and his Open 60 Safran (ex-Kingfisher and more recently Skandia) have completed the 1000 mile qualifying passage for this year's Route du Rhum, which starts from St.Malo in 29th October. Guillemot left from La Trinité-sur-Mer on 2nd May and returned back to his home port 3 days and 21 hours later. www.marcguillemot.com |
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HUGO BOSS SIGN UP FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS
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Wed, 10 May 2006
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Hugo Boss announced today its renewed sponsorship of British solo skipper Alex Thomson in a 4 year multi-million pound deal which follows his pledge to compete in '3 in 3' : three round the world races in three years (Velux 5 Oceans 2006, Barcelona World Race 2007 and the Vendée Globe 2008). Thomson is currently working with the team of designers at Finot-Conq & Associates, on his brand new state-of-the-art Open 60 which will be built in New Zealand. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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BRITISH SAILING LEGEND TO COMPETE IN VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Sun, 7 May 2006
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| Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to ever sail single-handed, non-stop around the world, is to make a dramatic return to the planet's fiercest oceans. The iconic sailing hero and much admired pioneer in solo sailing, today announced that he will be competing in the upcoming Velux 5 Oceans. Sir Robin, 67, who was recently voted Britain's most successful solo yachtsman by The Sunday Times, last raced around the world in 1994 when with Sir Peter Blake he broke the round the world sailing record and won the Jules Verne Trophy. www.robinknox-johnston.co.uk |
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ECOVER RETURNS & GOLDING ANNOUNCES 2006 PROGRAMME
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Wed, 3 May 2006
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| Today, Mike Golding’s Open 60 ECOVER has returned home to Ocean Village in Southampton, after a four-month refit. The shoreteam stripped ECOVER to a bare hull and have literally re-built her over the past few months. The keel was fitted last week, and the rig was put back in a few days ago. Now ready for an intensive sailing and racing programme, ECOVER will go through another refit in September before setting off for her skipper’s sixth round the world race, the Velux 5 Oceans. www.mikegolding.com |
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SHIRAISHI FLYING FLAG FOR JAPAN IN VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Tue, 2 May 2006
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| Record breaking Japanese sailing hero Kojiro Shiraishi today confirmed his entry in the Velux 5 Oceans. Koji will race on the ex-Temenos, the same boat that finished 4th in the Vendée Globe 2004 and 7th in the TJV 2003. This will be Koji's third solo circumnavigation and the second time Koji he has entered the race, having finished fourth in the 2002/03 edition in Class 2 on board his 40ft Spirit of Yukoh. www.velux5oceans.com/da/34638 |
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PINDAR WINS GUADELOUPE TO ANTIGUA RACE
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Thu, 27 Apr 2006
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'Pindar AlphaGraphics' Open 60 made an impressive Caribbean debut today, claiming both line honours and overall 1st place in the prestigious Guadeloupe to Antigua race. The annual precursor to Antigua Sailing Week, the race saw a dozen boats cross the start line of Des Haies to sail the 44 miles across the Caribbean Sea to English Harbour. Sailing in moderate south easterly winds averaging 14 knots, Pindar took 2 hours, 51 mins to complete the race. www.pindar.com |
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CHILE SAILOR ENTERS VELUX 5 OCEANS
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Wed, 19 Apr 2006
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| This week, Felipe Cubillos has signed up to race in the Velux 5 Oceans race in a quest to become the first Chilean sailor ever to circumnavigate the world single-handed. Felipe, who adds a South American flavour to the internationally diverse field of the Velux 5 Oceans, is surely set to become a national hero as he undertakes this unique adventure and takes on the Ultimate Solo Challenge. www.velux5oceans.com/da/33883 |
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‘DYNAMIC-DIABETIC’ ENTERS VELUX 5 OCEANS RACE
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Wed, 12 Apr 2006
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| Gildas Lauch, a 49 year old diabetic from Brittany, is seeking sponsorship for his Open 60 ‘Dynamic-Diabetic’ to realize his dream of sailing around the world in the Velux 5 Oceans Yacht race. ‘Dynamic-Diabetic’ is the same yawl that finished 2nd place in the 1992/3 Vendee Globe, skippered by Jean-Luc van den Heede and 5th in the 1996/7 Vendee Globe (Catherine Chabaud). www.thedailysail.com |
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YANN ELIES ANNOUNCES NEW BUILD FOR VENDEE CAMPAIGN
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Tue, 11 Apr 2006
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| Generali Assurances skipper, Yann Elies, has announced plans of a new Open 60 build and his Vendée Globe 2008 campaign. The new Open 60 will be designed by Jean-Marie Finot and Pascal Conq and built at the Multiplast yard in Vannes, headed by Gilles Ollier and Yann Perfornis. www.yannelies.com |
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NEW BUILD FOR JEAN-PIERRE DICK AND VIRBAC PAPREC
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Thu, 6 Apr 2006
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| Jean Pierre-Dick is set to take on Vendee Globe 2008/09 with a brand new Open 60, thanks to his sponsor Virbac Paprec who will be will funding the new build and supporting Dick for the next four years. In the meantime on his current Open 60, Dick is planning to complete in the the Route du Rhum 2006... www.jpdick.com |
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MACARTHUR TO HEAD-UP TWO BOAT IMOCA 60 CAMPAIGN
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Fri, 3 Mar 2006
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After the conclusion of the Asian Record Circuit onboard the trimaran B&Q, Ellen MacArthur, the fastest solo sailor around the planet, will be heading-up a two boat IMOCA Open 60 campaign for 2007-9 for the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team, to include some of the world's best sailors to be selected over the coming months, aiming for victory in the IMOCA World Championship circuit 2007-9. www.teamellen.com |
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BOUYER LEROUX JOINS VINCENT RIOU AND PRB
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Wed, 1 Mar 2006
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| French company Bouyer Leroux has joined up with Vincent Riou's PRB Open 60 campaign. This is not the first time they have been a partner of the PRB Open 60 campaign, in 2000 they were also involved. Vincent Riou is very happy to be working with Bouyer Leroux again, and also happy to have just found out he has just won the title of world vice-champion FICO! www.prb.fr |
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IMOCA CALENDAR CONFIRMED & KEY CHANGES TO RULES
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Tue, 28 Feb 2006
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| At the IMOCA General meeting, the official IMOCA calendar up until 2009 was confirmed and key decisions were made with regards to the technical rules for boats, these include: a tidying up of the measurement principles and protocol; the tightening of stability rules; limitations on material and systems to keep the IMOCA class budget sensitive; and new guidance on membership criteria. www.imoca.org |
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HUGO BOSS SOON TO ARRIVE IN USHUAIA
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Tue, 28 Feb 2006
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After dismasting 1900nm from Cape Horn last week, Alex Thomson and the crew onboard Hugo Boss are now sailing with a jury rig and due to arrive in Ushuaia, the world's most southerly city, in a few days. "This has been a valuable learning experience for me and I look forward to turning it into a positive: we're going to put a new mast on the boat and make her faster than before!" www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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THE NEW PRB BUILD BEGINS
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Fri, 24 Feb 2006
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| Marsaudon Composites Industries have now finished the mould for the new PRB Open 60. The hull construction will start in few days when Hubert Desjoyeaux Industries have finished the deck mould. PRB skipper, Vincent Riou, is keeping a careful and watchful eye on his boat's construction whilst continuing to train on the Figaro Delta Dore with Jérémie Beyou training for the AG2R starting 9th April. www.prb.fr |
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TEAM OCEAN/BROSSARD OPEN 60 CAMPAIGN
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Wed, 22 Feb 2006
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| Over the next three months, Team Ocean/Brossard are currently looking for a 1 million euro sponsorship deal, for an Open 60 build to take place this autumn, with the aim of taking part in the Barcelona World Race in November 2007. The skipper and architect is still to be decided. www.team-ocean.com |
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HUGO BOSS DISMASTED
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Wed, 22 Feb 2006
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| On Sunday night (19.2.06) Alex Thomson called his shore crew to inform them that Hugo Boss had just dismasted with himself and 4 crew members onboard. At the time of the dismasting, they were sailing on a broad reach in 25 knots of wind with one reef and the solent, at the end of the second week of a Southern Ocean crossing from Melbourne to Uruguay. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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AMERICAN TIM TROY SECURES OPEN 60 CAMPAIGN
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Fri, 17 Feb 2006
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| American Tim Troy today announced his entry in the Velux 5 Oceans singlehanded round the world yacht race with his new boat, a French designed Open 60. "Having secured a top class boat to enter the race, I believe I now have a fantastic platform for a title sponsor to join my campaign - with or without commercial sponsorship." www.sailamericaone.org |
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SPIRIT OF CANADA OPEN 60 CAMPAIGN
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Tue, 14 Feb 2006
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| Raytheon Canada have announced its sponsorship of skipper Derek Hatfield and his Spirit of Canada Open 60 as he prepares for the 2006/2007 Velux 5 Oceans solo race around the world. The hull and deck moulds of the new Open, designed by Owen Clarke Design, are nearing completion and the actual construction of the boat will commence shortly. www.spiritofcanada.net |
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ALEX THOMSON: 3 RACES IN 3 YEARS
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Tue, 7 Feb 2006
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| Alex Thomson, skipper of Hugo Boss open 60, has confirmed that he will be competing in three round the world races in the next three years: the 2006 VELUX 5 Oceans, the 2007 Barcelona World Race - two-handed non-stop round the world, and the 2008 Vendee Globe Around the world, single-handed, non-stop without assistance. www.alexthomsonracing.com |
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CHINA CUP 2006 POSTPONED
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Thu, 12 Jan 2006
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| Extreme Sailing Ltd announced today that The China Cup 2006 has been postponed pending further discussions with the IMOCA Executive. This announcement follows the insufficient number of entries received by the closing date for entries. www.chinacup2006.com |
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GOLDING CROWNED FICO WORLD CHAMPION
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Fri, 6 Jan 2006
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| Mike Golding was today officially crowned as FICO World Champion at the Schroders London Boat Show. Golding was presented his World title by FICO President, John Lewis. “I am delighted to have won the FICO World Championship. The talented list of sailors who have won this title in the past is such that it is a great honour for me to now be counted alongside them.” commented Golding. www.mikegolding.com |
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JEREMIE BEYOU TAKES ON THE OPEN 60 CLASS
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Mon, 5 Dec 2005
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Following his victories in the Figaro class last year, Jérémie Beyou skipper of Delta Dore has announced his Open 60 campaign for 2006-2008, with a possible entry in the Barcelona World Race in 2007. Construction of the new boat, designed by Farr Yacht Design, has just started at JMV Industries in Cherbourg. www.jeremie-beyou.com |
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BARCELONA WORLD RACE LAUNCH
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Wed, 26 Oct 2005
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| On 26th October OC Events launched the Barcelona World Race, a first in the sport of offshore sailing - two crew, non-stop around the world race for monohulls. The Barcelona World Race is officially part of the IMOCA circuit, and the first edition of the Barcelona World Race will start on Sunday, 11th November 2007 from Barcelona. www.barcelonaworldrace.com/uk |
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