Tara Oceans (Photo by George Bekris)
On May 19th 2013, the schooner Tara embarked on a new scientific adventure: The Oceans Polar Circle expedition. Tara will travel 25 000 ams around the Arctic Ocean via the Northeast and Northwest passages, returning to Lorient in December 2013.
The new challenge brings together biologists and oceanographers to focus on plankton biodiversity in the Arctic. Research will be conducted at the edge of the ice pacha where plankton is most abundant.
Lab on Tara (Photo by George Bekris)
Circumnavigating the Arctic Ocean, Tara Oceans Polar Circle will complete the main objective of the Tara Oceans Expedition (2009-2012): to collect plankton in all the oceans of the world. Indeed, the Arctic is the only ocean missing form our global study of plankton. Other issues will also be explored: the assessment of mercury levels in the atmosphere and in the sea,, and the concentration of plastic particles. Our aim is to obtain new measurements of these pollutants in the Arctic, and better assess their impact on the arctic ecosystem.
Extreme conditions
Tara will be sailing in an environment where natural conditions are difficult. Although the period of thaw lengthens every year, time is short before the ice closes in between the Northeast and Northwest passages, leaving little room for improvisation. Beyond the Arctic Circle, temperatures vary between -10 ° C and +5 ° C in summer. Daylight will constant in the Russian Arctic (midnight sun) and then gradually diminish to 12 hours per day in September.
The context
The Arctic region is subjected to the efforts of accelerated climate change more intensely than anywhere else, as evidenced by the rapid melting of the ice pack in summer. This unique and fragile environment is increasingly coveted for its minerals and other riches, and is a key area for understanding climate change on the planet.
Summary of the scientific mission
- Comparison of biological data on plankton and their physicochemical environment in the Arctic with the data collected in other oceans during the Tara Oceans expedition (2009-2012)
- Study of floating plastic, and mercury (dissolved and atmospheric) present in the Arctic.
- Study of the “coolr” of the ocean, its composition and surface pigment particles. – Specific study of spring phytoplankton blooms at the ice pack’s edge.
More information on Tara Oceans at : www.taraexpeditions.org
Tara Oceans Polar Route
The Oman Air MOD70. Skippered by Sidney Gavignet (FRA) with team mates Thomas LeBreton (FRA), Fahad Al Hasni (OMA), Neal McDonald (GBR),Damian Foxall (IRL), Mohsin Al Busaidi (OMA), Ahmed Al Hassani (OMA) and Giles Favennec (FRA) (Photo by by Jean-Marie Liot / Lloyd Images)
Oman Air-Musandam stepped up her speeds at the Grand Prix Guyader this week edging the team closer towards training targets in their preparations for the Route des Princes 2013 around Europe next month.
Oman Air-Musandam stepped up her speeds at the Grand Prix Guyader this week edging the team closer towards training targets in their preparations for the Route des Princes 2013 around Europe next month.
Over a challenging four day programme of coastal races and timed runs across Douarnenez Bay in Northern France, French skipper Sidney Gavignet and his Oman-backed MOD70 crew which includes four new faces, identified and achieved a range of training objectives ahead of the Ar men Race later this week and the round Europe event for the Multi One Design boats starting in Valencia in June.
Oman Air-Musandam was one of a fleet of high-speed multihulls racing at the annual regatta. Another MOD70 Virbac-Paprec campaigned by Jean-Pierre Dick and Armel Le Cleach’s Banque Populaire, the largest racing trimaran in the world, were also gunning for Maxi class honours along with Lionel Lemonchois’ Prince de Bretagne.
“We won the last coastal race by a long way and although it wasn’t enough to beat Virbac-Paprec overall which was a shame, it was all very positive mainly because it was a light wind race and as a team, we have had no light wind sailing so far in 2013,” Gavignet said.
“This was more about integrating the crew than getting results and our crew work improved a lot during the week. Overall it was very good, including the shore team who are working well so all in all I am very happy. The atmosphere in the team was really good – good focus and good concentration which makes me confident for the future. I think we will do a good job together.”
The Oman Air MOD70. Skippered by Sidney Gavignet (FRA) with team mates Thomas LeBreton (FRA), Fahad Al Hasni (OMA), Neal McDonald (GBR),Damian Foxall (IRL), Mohsin Al Busaidi (OMA), Ahmed Al Hassani (OMA) and Giles Favennec (FRA) (Photo by Jean-Marie Liot/Lloyd Images)
Oman Air-Musandam was racing with three Omani sailors among its elite crew including MOD70 regulars Fahad Al Hasni and Mohsin Al Busaidi and young F18 professional Ahmed Al Hassani who was new to the boat.
“Mohsin had to go up the mast on the last day to make a repair and had to stay 25m up for the entire race – he did really well! Ahmed also did really well and fitted in nicely. He had very good input on tactics during the debriefs which was unusual and really helpful. Racing F18s means he is more aware about tactics and he made some very good points.”
The crew loved the timed run competition, which Oman Air-Musandam won. “The timed runs were good fun – they were new to us but it was a case of sheet off and away, sprinting over two and a half miles to see how fast we could go,” said British offshore sailor, Neil McDonald, helmsman onboard.
“We recorded a speed of 28.13 knots which was the fastest time for the maxis all week and of course the fastest in the entire fleet.”
Ahmed, one of the growing band of new talent emerging through Oman Sail’s unique sailing programme, gave his first experience of racing MOD70s the thumbs up after gaining an idea of what lies ahead for Oman Air-Musandam this summer.
‘’These boats are so fast and being new to the MOD70 it took me a while to get used to the speed but I really enjoyed it. The guys on the team especially Neal McDonald and Damian Foxall and of course Fahad Al Hasni from Oman have plenty of experience and already I have learned a lot from them.
‘’The next race will be a real test for them because it is almost 400 miles offshore. I won’t be joining them for that because they can only have six crew but I think they will do very well.’’
On Wednesday, a reduced six-strong Oman Air-Musandam crew take the boat 100 miles down the Brittany coast to La Trinite-sur-Mer where they will start the 360 nms Ar men Race on Thursday in competition with 120 other boats.
Testing weather conditions including gales have been forecast for the trip, which might force organisers to delay the start by 24 hours. The race is likely to take around 30 hours offering another chance for the team to bank some vital miles before the serious business of the Route des Princes gets underway.
The Oman Air MOD70. Skippered by Sidney Gavignet (FRA) with team mates Thomas LeBreton (FRA), Fahad Al Hasni (OMA), Neal McDonald (GBR),Damian Foxall (IRL), Mohsin Al Busaidi (OMA), Ahmed Al Hassani (OMA) and Giles Favennec (FRA) (Photo by Jean-Marie Liot/Lloyd Images)
Oman Air-Musandam’s crew for the Ar men Race is Sidney Gavignet, Neal McDonald, Damian Foxall, Fahad Al Hasni , Mohsin Al Busaidi and Thomas Le Breton.
Musandam-Oman Air MOD70 2013 race calendar
9-11 May: AR Men Race, La Trinité
6-30 June: La Route des Princes (Valencia-Spain, Lisbon-Portugal, Dun Laoghaire-Ireland, Plymouth-UK, Roscoff-France)
8 August: Cowes Week Artemis Challenge
11-13 August: The Rolex Fastnet Race
3 November: Transat Jacques Vabre
Musandam-Oman Air MOD70 2013 race squad
Sidney Gavignet (FRA)
Thomas Le Breton (FRA)
Fahad Al Hasni (OMA)
Mohsin Al Busaidi (OMA)
Neal McDonald (GBR)
Damian Foxall (IRE)
Ahmed Al Hassani (OMA)
Gilles Favennec (FRA)
IDEC in New York Before Record Attempt in 2011 (Photo by George Bekris)
Francis Joyon is leaving. In a few days, he will address the prestigious North Atlantic record. Success would make him the first skipper to win the incredible “Grand Slam” of records. Joyon will be on stand-by in New York from May 15. Yesterday evening the skipper was in Paris for a great evening presentation at Pershing Hall in the presence of three of the four solo Atlantic record holders Florence Arthaud, Thomas Coville and Bruno Peyron, current record holder. His record will be challenged shortly by the skipper of the Maxi-trimaran IDEC.
Florence Arthaud ,Francis Joyon,Patrice Lafargue, Thomas Coville and Bruno Peyron© Aurimages / Groupe IDEC
Hold 21 knots average for less than 5 days, 19 hours and 29 minutes. Alone. On the demanding North Atlantic. That’s the challenge with the high bar set by Thomas Coville in July 2008. Francis Joyon will sail between the Statue of Liberty and the English Cornwall. To be precise between Ambrose Light in New York and that the Lizard in the south of England . In that in-between are heavy waves, winds and icebergs to content with while sailing at breakneck speeds.
Francis Joyon on IDEC in New Your prior to record attempt in 2011 ( Photo by George Bekris)
The Extreme Sailing Series 2013. Act2. Singapore. (Photo by Lloyd Images)
Oman Sail’s The Wave, Muscat is finding it tough in the very light conditions in Singapore, but remains upbeat with an eye on the overall season results. The mixed European and Omani crew received special support today from Oman’s Consul General in Singapore, a dignitary that was heavily involved in a joint project called the Jewel of Muscat, a hand-stitched traditional dhow.
Oman Sail’s The Wave, Muscat is finding it tough in the very light conditions in Singapore, but remains upbeat with an eye on the overall season results. The mixed European and Omani crew received special support today from Oman’s Consul General in Singapore, a dignitary that was heavily involved in a joint project called the Jewel of Muscat, a hand-stitched traditional dhow.
The Extreme Sailing Series 2013. Act2. Singapore. The Wave Muscat skippered by Leigh McMillan with crewmates: Pete Greenhalgh (GBR), Hashim Al Rashdi (OMA),Ed Smyth (NZL) and Musab Al Hadi (OMA) in action during day 3 of racing. (Photo by Lloyd Images)
The focus remained firmly fixed on the overall series title for the crew of The Wave, Muscat despite another testing day in light shifty breezes in Act 2 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Singapore.
After three days of racing in Marina Bay, Oman Sail’s Extreme 40 team is lying in third place overall but a place on the podium in any of the seven races completed eluded them for the first time in two seasons.
Once again it was Alinghi, helmed by Morgan Larsen who dominated the third day extending their lead to 27 points.
“We have a long term view,” said 2012 season champion Leigh McMillan, skipper of The Wave, Muscat, who has his eyes firmly on the overall series. “We hope to be in the top three by the close of racing on Sunday and if not, we know we can still bounce back from the situation and be in contention. It is a long season and there are six more events to go.
“It is fair to say that we have struggled with the conditions in Singapore, the Lake sailing experience of some of the guys in the fleet is really paying off this week. Most of the Extreme Sailing venues are difficult but Singapore takes it to another level,” he said.
The Extreme Sailing Series 2013. Act2. Singapore. The Wave Muscat skippered by Leigh McMillan with crewmates: Pete Greenhalgh (GBR), Hashim Al Rashdi (OMA),Ed Smyth (NZL) and Musab Al Hadi (OMA) in action during day 3 of racing. (Photo by Lloyd Images)
The progress of the Omani team is being closely watched; both at home in Oman where the racing is broadcast live on Oman’s Sport Channel, and in Singapore where the team received support from Oman’s Consul General in Singapore Mr Zakariya bin Hamed Al Sadi.
Mr Zakariya was involved in the Jewel of Muscat, a remarkable joint project between Oman and Singapore that saw the recreation of a 9th century hand stitched dhow (70,000 stitches!).
It sailed the Silk Route from Oman to Singapore to be gifted to the government of Singapore by the Sultan of Oman in celebration of the historic friendship between Oman and the Indian Ocean nations, and Singapore in particular.
“I am delighted to see the Omani team The Wave, Muscat taking part in such a big international event at this fantastic venue in Singapore,” said Mr Zakariya.
“The team carries a message introducing Oman and its capital Muscat to the world at large. I met the crew back in 2011 and today I am proud to see more Omanis racing and am also proud of what the team has achieved in the series especially winning the title last year!
“Having two Omanis as part of the team is evidence of the skills and expertise our sailors have had to develop to win selection in such a competitive event. It is also evidence of the success of our national project Oman Sail in its vision and objectives in developing the young Omanis in this sport.”
Zakariya’s visit gave Hashim al Rashdi and Musab al Hadi a boost; they are on a steep learning curve and after another tough day hopes remain high as the The Wave, Muscat goes into the final day tomorrow.
“We had a big issue with the start line so hopefully tomorrow we can get that right and we will need to stay out of trouble because we had too many penalties,” said Hashim. “We had very light winds today again which made it difficult for everyone. We are sailing well as a team but things are not going our way but we have one more day, we are going to learn from some mistakes and try to avoid any in the finals.”
Final racing is scheduled from 1500-1830 (SGT) and the finale from Singapore will be broadcast live on Oman TV’s Sport Channel from 1700-1830 (SGT) (1300-1430 Muscat time).
Muscat , The Wave in Singapore (Photo by Lloyd Images)
Athos (Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borlenghi)
“Main-mast staysail up. Do not unfurl. Raise your hands if you hear me.” Captain Tony Brookes calmly called his instructions into a hand-held from one of his dual on-deck navigation stations near the aft quarter of Athos, the 62 meter Hoek-designed Holland Jachtbouw that he commands. His crew with headsets faithfully obeyed, shooting their hands in the air before quickly jumping into action. So went the day that started with pouring rain and segued into one of the windiest here yet, taking the wind gauge to 28 knots and Athos to speeds as high as 15.8.
The owner and his rep Gary Veenman from Holland alternated at the helm, giving each other much-needed breaks from the giant wheel that played tug of war with them. Three trimmers scooted among the 40-some-odd crew, working the joy sticks on their remote control “God boxes” that controlled the hydraulic operations of winches for hoisting and dropping sails as well as sheeting them in and letting them out. For someone who normally sails 40-footers, it surely would have been something strange and wonderful to behold, but for those who regularly sail in this rarified world of superyachts it was just another approach to racing one of the most magnificent sailing yachts on the oceans today.
Athos’s closest competitor today in the Mademoiselles class at the annual St. Barths Bucket was the 55 metre twin-masted Adela, the steel hulled Dykstra designed Pendennis build that represents a historically significant salvage and rebuild of the 1903 original. Adela had won this 10-boat class yesterday, the first day of racing, and won again today, crossing the finish line first, after the traditional pursuit start had the smallest and slowest boats starting first and the larger and faster boats starting at specific time intervals afterward to try and catch up. Athos, which had finished seventh yesterday, was quite pleased with a second-place finish after being fifth in the pursuit-start lineup. That moved them to fifth overall behind Zefira, Salperton, and Lady B.
“No one caught us from behind and we passed two others, so we must be doing something right,” said Athos’s Brookes. “It was a hard-work race today. Windy and wet, and everyone’s uncomfortable but they still have to concentrate on the job they are doing. We had some problems (with the spinnaker hoist) but we dealt with them. It was more like the North Sea instead of the Caribbean there for a while.”
Adela (Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borlenghi)
Aboard Adela, Kim “Shags” Morten conceded that the Adela team can sail well in any direction and in any conditions because they have the choice of sails to make the right calls in any given situation. “Our biggest competition is Athos; we think it comes down to the crew performance,” said Morten, adding that he has competed in every Bucket to date, the last three on Adela. “We now have top-of-the-line sails, a carbon fiber mast and a team that has sailed together in the last three superyacht regattas.”
In Grand Dames class, Georgia rose to the top of the scoreboard after taking today’s race. Blue Too, which was leading going into today, retired after a crew was injured and fell to seventh with a finish score today of 13.
Cape Arrow in the 2013 St. Barths Bucket (Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borllenghi)
In the Gazelle class, Visione maintained its first position overall with a fifth-place finish today. However, they are tied on point score (6) with both P2 and Cape Arrow, with Unfurled only one point behind.
Hanuman claimed another bullet, its third, in the J Boat class today. When asked what was different about today, tactician Kevin Burnham joked, “Nothing, we won the race!” But in all honesty, the win didn’t come easy. “The biggest challenge in pushing that type of machine around the race course (in today’s conditions) is that stuff gets shocked-waved,” said Burnham. “We blew up a kite — it just exploded into a million pieces.”
The crews on all 36 Bucket boats are glad to be back on terra firma for tonight’s pirate-themed “Bucket Bash.” The party should do its part to prepare them for tomorrow’s Wrong-Way Around (the island) Course.
Results as of Saturday
PRELIMINARY PURSUIT as of 30 March, 2013 – UPDATED MARCH 31 0800
Race 2: Not So Wiggley Course
Saturday 30-Mar-13 PRELIMINARY
Start Sequence: B
Results: Race 2 Results: Cumulative
GRAND DAMES (Long Course 27.2 nm)
Race 2 FINISH TIME Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Points TIME Delta Points Points Points Points Rank
GEORGIA 1 2:36:58 PM 0:00:00 GEORGIA 3 1 4 1
PARSIFAL III* 2 2:39:25 PM 0:02:27 PARSIFAL III 4 2 6 2
AXIA 3 2:46:15 PM 0:09:17 PANTHALASSA 2 8 10 3
ZENJI 4 2:48:42 PM 0:11:44 AXIA 7 3 10 4
ANDROMEDA LA DEA 5 2:51:48 PM 0:14:50 ZENJI 8 4 12 5
PANTHALASSA* ** 8 2:54:09 PM 0:17:11 SALUTE 6 7 13 6
SALUTE 7 3:13:48 PM 0:36:50 BLUE TOO 1 13 14 7
LUNA 8 3:15:05 PM 0:38:07 ANDROMEDA LA DEA 9 5 14 8
ROSEHEARTY 9 3:15:51 PM 0:38:53 SILENCIO 5 13 18 9
MALTESE FALCON 10 3:22:00 PM 0:45:02 LUNA 10 8 18 10
BLUE TOO 13 DNF N/A MALTESE FALCON 11 10 21 11
SILENCIO 13 DNF N/A ROSEHEARTY 13 9 22 12
MADEMOISELLES (Long Course 27.2 nm)
Race 2 FINISH TIME Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Points TIME Delta Points Points Points Points Rank
ADELA 1 2:46:45 PM 0:00:00 ADELA 1 1 2 1
ATHOS 2 2:51:57 PM 0:05:12 ZEFIRA 4 3 7 2
ZEFIRA 3 2:54:32 PM 0:07:47 SALPERTON 2 6 8 3
KOO 4 2:56:12 PM 0:09:27 LADY B 3 5 8 4
LADY B 5 2:57:36 PM 0:10:51 ATHOS 7 2 9 5
SALPERTON 6 3:04:39 PM 0:17:54 KOO 10 4 14 6
WILD HORSES 7 3:08:22 PM 0:21:37 SARAFIN’ 6 8 14 7
SARAFIN’ 8 3:08:40 PM 0:21:55 PRANA 5 10 15 8
SYMMETRY 9 3:11:55 PM 0:25:10 WILD HORSES 8 7 15 9
PRANA 10 3:21:03 PM 0:34:18 SYMMETRY 9 9 18 10
GAZELLES (Long Course 27.2 nm)
Race 2 FINISH TIME Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Points TIME Delta Points Points Points Points Rank
UNFURLED 1 3:03:21 PM 0:00:00 VISIONE 1 5 6 1
REBECCA 2 3:05:24 PM 0:02:03 P2 2 4 6 2
CAPE ARROW 3 3:06:24 PM 0:03:03 CAPE ARROW 3 3 6 3
P2 4 3:07:13 PM 0:03:52 UNFURLED 6 1 7 4
VISIONE 5 3:10:12 PM 0:06:51 REBECCA 8 2 10 5
INDIO 6 3:11:44 PM 0:08:23 INDIO 4 6 10 6
LEOPARD3 7 3:16:27 PM 0:13:06 CHRISCO 5 8 13 7
CHRISCO 8 3:16:42 PM 0:13:21 LEOPARD3 7 7 14 8
BAIURDO VI 10 DNS N/A BAIURDO VI 9 10 19 9
* 5 MINUTE PENALTY FOR OVER THE LINE EARLY
** PANTHALASSA TOOK A 20% SCORING PENALTY IN ACCORDANCE WITH SI 18.2
Race 1: Around the Island
Friday 29-Mar-13
Start Sequence: C
Results: Race 1
GRAND DAMES (Short Course 17.0 nm)
Race 1 FINISH TIME
Points TIME Delta
BLUE TOO 1 2:06:51 PM 0:00:00
PANTHALASSA 2 2:17:46 PM 0:10:55
GEORGIA 3 2:18:20 PM 0:11:29
PARSIFAL III 4 2:22:08 PM 0:15:17
SILENCIO 5 2:22:25 PM 0:15:34
SALUTE 6 2:24:35 PM 0:17:44
AXIA 7 2:24:48 PM 0:17:57
ZENJI 8 2:31:45 PM 0:24:54
ANDROMEDA LA DEA 9 2:33:55 PM 0:27:04
LUNA 10 2:38:20 PM 0:31:29
MALTESE FALCON 11 2:42:43 PM 0:35:52
ROSEHEARTY 13 DNS N/A
MADEMOISELLES
(Medium Course 20.8 nm)
Race 1 FINISH TIME
Points TIME Delta
ADELA 1 2:15:18 PM 0:00:00
SALPERTON 2 2:18:07 PM 0:02:49
LADY B 3 2:23:35 PM 0:08:17
ZEFIRA 4 2:27:51 PM 0:12:33
PRANA 5 2:28:10 PM 0:12:52
SARAFIN’ 6 2:29:28 PM 0:14:10
ATHOS 7 2:31:01 PM 0:15:43
WILD HORSES 8 2:33:05 PM 0:17:47
SYMMETRY 9 2:35:40 PM 0:20:22
KOO 10 2:37:35 PM 0:22:17
GAZELLES
(Medium Course 20.8 nm)
Race 1 FINISH TIME
Points TIME Delta
VISIONE 1 2:29:51 PM 0:00:00
P2 2 2:31:55 PM 0:02:04
CAPE ARROW 3 2:32:04 PM 0:02:13
INDIO 4 2:34:02 PM 0:04:11
CHRISCO 5 2:34:29 PM 0:04:38
UNFURLED 6 2:36:47 PM 0:06:56
LEOPARD3 7 2:37:43 PM 0:07:52
REBECCA 8 2:39:32 PM 0:09:41
BAIURDO VI 9 2:41:04 PM 0:11:13
FOLLOW THE J CLASS ON THE WATER: tractrac.com
J Class – PROVISIONAL as of Saturday 30 March
Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Race 4 Total
Points Points Points Points Points Rank
HANUMAN 1 1 1 3 1
LIONHEART 2 2 4 8 2
VELSHEDA 5 3 2 10 3
RANGER 4 5 3 12 4
RAINBOW 3 4 6 13 5
Saturday 30-Mar-13
Results: Race 3 Course Type: CR
Wind Range: Heavy
Start Time: 11:00:00 AM Approx Dist: 29.4 nm
FINISH ELAPSED CORRECTED
Rating TIME TIME TIME Rank
HANUMAN 1.017 2:01:44 PM 3:01:44 3:04:49 1
VELSHEDA 1.013 2:05:22 PM 3:05:22 3:07:47 2
RANGER 1.018 2:04:59 PM 3:04:59 3:08:19 3
LIONHEART 1.021 2:09:03 PM 3:09:03 3:13:01 4
RAINBOW 1.018 8:00:00 PM 9:00:00 DNF 6
Friday 29-Mar-13
Results: Race 2
Course Type: CR
FINISH ELAPSED CORRECTED
Rating TIME TIME TIME
HANUMAN 1.018 1:31:04 PM 2:31:04 2:33:47
LIONHEART 1.020 1:31:48 PM 2:31:48 2:34:50
VELSHEDA 1.014 1:32:50 PM 2:32:50 2:34:58
RAINBOW 1.020 1:34:24 PM 2:34:24 2:37:29
RANGER 1.015 1:35:14 PM 2:35:14 2:37:34
Thursday 28-Mar-13
Results: Race 1
Course Type: WL
Wind Range: Light
Start Time: 12:10:00 PM Approx Dist: 12NM
FINISH ELAPSED CORRECTED
Rating TIME TIME TIME
HANUMAN 1.028 2:21:59 PM 2:11:59 2:15:41
LIONHEART 1.029 2:24:42 PM 2:14:42 2:18:36
RAINBOW 1.034 2:28:09 PM 2:18:09 2:22:51
RANGER 1.012 2:31:38 PM 2:21:38 2:23:20
VELSHEDA 1.018 2:31:39 PM 2:21:39 2:24:12y
Rebecca in 2013 St. Barths Bucket Day 3( Photo by Carlo Borlenghi / Studio Borlenghi )
St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 (Photo © 2012 by Tim Wright / www.photoaction.com)
The 2013 St Barths Bucket Regatta action starts on March 28. This annual yachting spectacular will feature the latest in superyacht designs along with true classics. Thirty-five yachts are ready to join the festivities and racing.
Racing begins on Thursday March 28 when five J Class yachts head for the starting line. This will be the first gathering of five or more J’s since 1937!
Three more races are planned, with all yachts racing in four separate classes -Les Mademoiselles des Mers, Les Grandes Dames des Mers, Les Gazelles des Mers, and the J Class.
The largest yacht is the 88m Perini Navi built schooner Maltese Falcon. Eleven of the current entries are 50 meters or larger. Among new boats to the St Barths Bucket is the 31m Dubois Naval Architects designed Sarafin and the 31m Newport Bucket winner Indio.
Newport Bucket Regatta Overall wWnner Indio (Photo by George Bekris)
The around the island courses create spectacular opportunities to view these breathtaking vessels under sail. The racing format has been modified somewhat, with the start times set so that the classes should finish together. This change is designed to make the racing both more competitive and safer.
Now in their 27th year, the Bucket regattas attract the crème de la crème of yacht builders from every sailing nation, with several builders boasting multiple entries. The “Big Five” sailing yacht builders (Perini Navi, Royal Huisman, Holland Jachtbouw, Alloy Yachts and Vitters) have for many years supported the Bucket Regattas, playing a meaningful role in growing the Bucket and helping maintain the non-commercial atmosphere, another significant hallmark of Bucket races.
Parsifal III (Photo by George Bekris / www.georgebekris. com)
One of Executive Director Tim Laughridge’s goals is to ensure that the renowned Spirit of the Bucket is retained while providing participants with great class racing. He’ll be helming Parsifal III and racing to win, but reminds everyone that the overriding theme is to sail safe and win the party!
The four class winners of the 2013 St Barths Bucket will each receive a Ship’s Bell Clock from Chelsea Clock.
St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 rounding the island. (Photo © 2012 by Tim Wright / www.photoaction.com)
| J Class | ||||
| Yachts (5) | LOA(m) | Type | Builder | Designer |
| Hanuman | 42m | sloop | Royal Huisman | Dykstra Naval Architects |
| Lionheart | 43m | sloop | Bloemsma/Claasen Jachtbouw | Hoek Design |
| Rainbow | 40m | sloop | Holland Jachtbouw | Dykstra Naval Architects |
| Ranger | 41m | sloop | Danish Yacht | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Velsheda | 40m | sloop | Camper & Nicholson | Nicholson |
| les Gazelles des Mers | ||||
| Yachts (9) | LOA(m) | Type | Builder | Designer |
| Baiurdo VI | 35m | sloop | Abeking & Rasmussen | Gilles Vaton |
| Cape Arrow | 30m | sloop | Southern Wind | Farr – Nauta |
| Chrisco | 31m | sloop | CNB | Luca Brenta |
| Indio | 30m | sloop | Wally Yachts | Frers Naval Architecture |
| Leopard3 | 30m | sloop | McConaghy | Farr Yacht Design |
| P2 | 38m | sloop | Perini Navi | Philippe Briand |
| Rebecca | 43m | ketch | Pendennis | Frers Naval Architecture |
| Unfurled | 34m | sloop | Royal Huisman | Frers Naval Architecture |
| Visione | 45m | sloop | Baltic Yachts | Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design |
| les Mademoiselles des Mers | ||||
| Yachts (10) | LOA(m) | Type | Builder | Designer |
| Adela | 55m | schooner | Pendennis | Dykstra Naval Architects |
| Athos | 62m | schooner | Holland Jachtbouw | Hoek Design |
| Koo (non spin) | 43m | sloop | Vitters Shipyard | Dubois Naval Architects |
| Lady B | 45m | sloop | Vitters Shipyard | Dubois Naval Architects |
| Prana | 52m | sloop | Alloy Yachts | Dubois Naval Architects |
| Salperton IV | 45m | sloop | Fitzroy Yachts | Dubois Naval Architects |
| Sarafin’ | 31m | sloop | Oyster/RMK Marine | Dubois Naval Architects |
| Symmetry | 29m | sloop | Yachting Developments | Frers Naval Architecture |
| Wild Horses | 24m | sloop | Brooklin Boat Yard | Joel White |
| Zefira | 50m | sloop | Fitzroy Yachts | Dubois Naval Architects |
| les Grandes Dames des Mers | ||||
| Yachts (12) | LOA(m) | Type | Builder | Designer |
| Andromeda La Dea | 48m | ketch | Perini Navi | Perini Navi |
| Axia | 38m | ketch | Palmer Johnson | Sparkman & Stephens |
| Blue Too | 34m | ketch | Alloy Yachts | Ron Holland Design |
| Georgia | 48m | sloop | Alloy Yachts | Studio Scanu Sri Butch |
| Luna | 52m | sloop | Perini Navi | Perini Navi |
| Maltese Falcon | 88m | schooner | Perini Istanbul | Dykstra Naval Architects |
| Panthalassa | 56m | ketch | Perini Navi | Ron Holland Design |
| Parsifal III | 54m | ketch | Perini Navi | Ron Holland Design |
| Rosehearty | 56m | ketch | Perini Navi | Ron Holland Design |
| Salute | 56m | sloop | Perini Navi | Ron Holland Design |
| Silencio | 50m | ketch | Perini Navi | Perini Navi |
| Zenji | 56m | ketch | Perini Navi | Ron Holland Des |
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St. Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 (Photo © 2012 by Tim Wright / www.photoaction.com)
PRADA Luna Rossa (Photo by ACEA 2013/ Gilles Martin-Raget)
Austrians Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher, double Olympic Gold medalists in the Tornado catamaran, have entered the upcoming America’s Cup World Series Naples, scheduled Apr. 16-21.
The duo will sail under the banner HS Racing and race under the US flag in partnership with ORACLE TEAM USA.
HS Racing is one of nine crews entered in the regatta, which will also feature America’s Cup World Series leader ORACLE TEAM USA, second-placed Luna Rossa Piranha, third-placed Artemis Racing White, J.P. Morgan BAR, Energy Team, Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa Swordfish and China Team.
Roman Hagara (Photo © Red Bull Content Pool)
“It is a dream come true for us,” said Hagara, 46, whose aim, along with tactician Steinacher and their crew is a top placing at the final event of the 2012-13 AC World Series season.
HS Racing’s crew also includes trimmer Herve Cunningham of France, bowman Graeme Spence of Australia and floater David Swete of New Zealand.
“We trained on the AC45 back in February in San Francisco and felt very good from the start,” said Steinacher, 44. “The boat is extremely difficult to handle at strong winds and it develops unbelievable forces, but we are happy to take on the challenge.”
Hagara and Steinacher were Gold medalists at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics. They are also the sports directors for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, scheduled Sept. 1-4 in San Francisco.
“It’s great to have Roman and Hans-Peter involved,” said ORACLE TEAM USA CEO Russell Coutts. “They aim to be serious competitors and this is a great platform to launch their America’s Cup aspirations.”
Emirates Team New Zealand© ACEA 2013/ Photo Gilles Martin-Raget
Familiar names are lining up for the final AC World Series event, with sailors such as Dean Barker of Emirates Team New Zealand, Francesco Bruni and Chris Draper of Luna Rossa, Yann Guichard of Energy Team and Tom Slingsby of ORACLE TEAM USA scheduled to compete. Sweden’s Artemis Racing will be helmed by 23-year-old Charlie Ekberg, Sweden’s top 49er sailor and skipper of Artemis Racing/Swedish Youth Challenge for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. The Naples event will also feature the return of Mitch Booth to the helm of China Team, while Ben Ainslie will skipper his J.P. Morgan BAR team.
Team Korea, previously an America’s Cup World Series participant and Louis Vuitton Cup entrant, has withdrawn from further competition in the 34th America’s Cup. In a letter to the Golden Gate Yacht Club, the team indicated it has plans to enter the 35th America’s Cup.
Last year’s AC World Series Naples drew crowds estimated at 500,000, who were there in part to catch the debut of Luna Rossa Challenge 2013. Draper led his Luna Rossa Piranha crew to a thrilling win in the final fleet race. The victory kicked off celebrations among the tens of thousands of Italian America’s Cup fans lining the Naples waterfront to catch a glimpse of their heroes.
The conditions were as varied as any venue on the AC World Series. The fleet race finale was held in light wind and turned into a drifter at the finish. That occurred just two days after big wind and waves saw the AC45s powered up and leaping from the wave tops.
- Naples (ITA) - 34th America's Cup - America's Cup World Series Naples 2012 - Final day (Photo © ACEA 2013/ Photo Gilles Martin-Raget)
Nikki Curwen sails the Artemis Offshore Academy Mini 6.50 on the Solent (Photo © Artemis Offshore Academy)
On Saturday 16th March, Artemis Offshore Academy Mini sailor Nikki Curwen finished her first solo race of her career, the Solo Roma-Solo Race in 7th overall, out of a fleet of 15, and also finished 5th in the Series boat rankings. It was a solid start to the Mini season for Nikki, as she pursues her place in the super competitive Mini Transat later this year. Crossing the finish line of the 120 mile race at around 1300 GMT, the only British and only female competitor in the race, Nikki was pleased with her performance and with her first experience racing on the Class Mini circuit: “It was a great race with varying conditions ranging from 0-28kts throughout, so it was really testing and I learned a lot. It is very different atmosphere when racing compared to training. I was very happy with my speed on the other boats and I am looking forward to the next race in April.”
Read Nikki’s Solo Roma-Solo Race report here.
“To finish top half of the fleet in her first race on the Mini Circuit was a great result for Nikki,” commented Academy Performance Director John Thorn. “As always with the Artemis Offshore Academy’s initial races in the year, the Solo Roma-Solo Race was above all a learning experience. This race was also the first race in the Italian Mini 6.50 Championships and the second in the 2013 Class Mini calendar, and was a great opportunity for Nikki to measure herself against experienced Mini sailors. Nikki’s result was a promising start to her season and one that should help her gain confidence going into her next race.”
Setting off from Fiumicino, Rome on Friday 15th March, the original 190-mile Solo Roma-Solo Race course was shortened due to bad weather and instead ran 120 miles around the local island of Palmarola and back again. The 15 competing Mini sailors started the race downwind at 1200 GMT in around 7 knots of breeze: “Downwind starts are always interesting and it certainly took me back to my dinghy days,” Nikki recalled. “Two or three boats, me included, managed to hoist on the gun and stormed ahead.”
Read Lizzy Foreman’s start line report here.
After propelling her to way to the front of the fleet, Nikki remained within the top five leading boats for the majority of the race, until on the final approach to the finish line, she made one final decision that didn’t quite pay off: “I tacked away from Jeffery McFarlane at the latter stage of the race and he went on to win. In hindsight, he definitely made the better decision but I didn’t think there would be much wind inshore and stayed offshore. My decision resulted in me sitting in a patch of no wind for two hours just sat looking my own reflection, ten miles from the finish line. It was quite painful watching everyone else sail by, but these things happen and I’ll learn from my mistakes.
“It was a great first race, but it was a challenging race demanding the use of all three spinnakers and despite a few minor errors, I enjoyed every minute of it! My strategy for this first race was to just get around the course safely and I managed this and I am happy with my result overall.”
With her first race under her belt and 120 miles in the bank, Nikki now continues with her objective to qualify for the 4020 mile Mini Transat 6.50 starting on 13th October. In order to qualify, Nikki needs to accumulate 1000 race miles (can be double-handed and solo) as well as completing a 1000-mile solo qualifying passage, which she hopes to do at the end of this week – sailing 1300nm from Rome to Genova, Italy. On arriving in Genova, Nikki will be ready for her second scheduled race of her season, the 540-mile double-handed Gran Premio d’Italia starting on the 13th April. Nikki will race with Academy graduate, Ollie Bond, an experienced Mini Transat 6.50 competitor who finished 10th overall in 2009.
For more on the Artemis Offshore Academy Mini 6.50 race programme, click here.
The Solo Roma-Solo Race overall results:
Skipper/Nationality/Boat name/Boat no./Boat type
1. Jeffery McFarlane/FRA/Jeffery McFarlane/716/Proto
2. Andrea Frassinetti/ITA/Moitouseul/721/Nacira
3. Andrea Pendibene/ITA/Marina Militare/520/Ginto
4. Ludovic Méchin/FRA/Paris Texas/5/Proto
5. Piero Platone/ITA/Big Jim/622/Pogo 2
6. Andrea Iacopini/ITA/Umpa Lumpa/682/Pogo 2
7. Nikki Curwen/GBR/Artemis/438/Pogo 2
8. Andrea Farina/ITA/MaVie Phyto Garda/Proto
9. Luca Sabui/ITA/Keylog/538/Pogo 2
10. Davide Lusso/ITA/Monster/600/Zero
11. Tanguy Le Turquais/FRA/Terreal Reve d’Enfance/599/Pogo 2
12. Federico Cuciuc/ITA/Your Sail/556/D1
13. Emanuele Grassi/ITA/Eureka/269/Pogo 1
14. Florian Mausy/FRA/Foksaglisee/633/Pogo 2
RTR Martino Verlato/ITA/Cimbra/798/Proto
The Solo Roma-Solo Race Series results:
Skipper/Nationality/Boat name/Boat no./Boat type
1. Andrea Frassinetti/ITA/Moitouseul/721/Nacira
2. Andrea Pendibene/ITA/Marina Militare/520/Ginto
3. Piero Platone/ITA/Big Jim/622/Pogo 2
4. Andrea Iacopini/ITA/Umpa Lumpa/682/Pogo 2
5. Nikki Curwen/GBR/Artemis/438/Pogo 2
6. Luca Sabui/ITA/Keylog/538/Pogo 2
7. Davide Lusso/ITA/Monster/600/Zero
8. Tanguy Le Turquais/FRA/Terreal Reve d’Enfance/599/Pogo 2
9. Federico Cuciuc/ITA/Your Sail/556/D1
10. Emanuele Grassi/ITA/Eureka/269/Pogo 1
11. Florian Mausy/FRA/Foksaglisee/633/Pogo 2
The Solo Roma-Solo Race Proto results:
Skipper/Nationality/Boat name/Boat no./Boat type
1. Jeffery McFarlane/FRA/Jeffery McFarlane/716/Proto
2. Ludovic Méchin/FRA/Paris Texas/5/Proto
3. Andrea Farina/ITA/MaVie Phyto Garda/Proto
RTR Martino Verlato/ITA/Cimbra/798/Proto
Artemis Offshore Academy
The Artemis Offshore Academy provides a structured UK training programme of excellence for British short-handed sailors, to bring talented sailors up through the ranks with the ultimate goal being to put a British sailor in a strong position to win the Vendée Globe in 2016 or 2020 and beyond. Launched in 2010 the Artemis Offshore Academy offers an annual fully funded Scholarship to the most promising member of the Development Squad to compete on the highly competitive Figaro circuit, including the famous Solitaire du Figaro. In addition, support is also granted to a UK sailor to compete in the Mini Transat.
The Artemis Offshore Academy Mini 6.50 on the Solent. Credit © SailSpy.com
