A fighter jet on water06 Oct 2015T2 is designed to will ‘fly’ on foils the size of a wakeboard Photo: Land Rover BARTEST BOAT: The British America’s Cup challenger, Land Rover BAR, has launched its latest testing boat – T2 – at its home in Portsmouth.The new test boat will increase the momentum already developed with the initial launch of ‘T1’ last October. It’s the next stage in the relentless pursuit of technological excellence that will culminate in the design and build of the final race boat to challenge for the America’s Cup in 2017.Ben Ainslie, team principal and skipper, Land Rover BAR, said: “T2 is an extraordinary achievement; everyone on the design, engineering and shore teams have put everything they have got into this boat. Power is nothing without control, and there has been no compromise in the pursuit of both. All of the sailing team are grateful and privileged to get the opportunity to test fly this unique craft.”T2 is designed to drive forward a new era of British maritime design and technology. The boat uses the latest technology from both the aerospace and automotive industries to create the marine equivalent of a fighter jet.It will ‘fly’ on foils the size of a wakeboard, whilst lifting the weight of a fully occupied London taxi.Land Rover BAR said that T2 represents a significant step towards the team’s pursuit of power and speed, driving forward a new era of British maritime design and technology.The team will continue test sailing in the Solent throughout the winter. On the 17 and 18 October they will fly to Bermuda for the final Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event of the year.

via Boating Business – A fighter jet on water.

The Volvo Ocean Race has agreed a three-year partnership with the Yacht Racing Forum (full story below).

– Race signs three-year deal with Yacht Racing Forum

– ‘Relaxed’ Forum is great place to do business, says Knut

– Volvo Ocean 65s idea ‘born’ at Forum in 2011

ALICANTE, Spain, October 5, 2015 – The Volvo Ocean Race has agreed a three-year partnership with the Yacht Racing Forum.

“We are delighted to welcome the Volvo Ocean Race as a long-term partner,” said Bernard Schopfer, the event’s CEO.

“We have been working hard at developing a new structure for the Forum, with a new team of dedicated people, new partners, a beautiful venue and an exciting programme. We regard this support from the Volvo Ocean Race as a strong mark of confidence, which we are proud of.”

Knut Frostad, the outgoing CEO of the Volvo Ocean Race, has been an avid supporter of the Yacht Racing Forum since its debut in Monte Carlo in 2008.

He will once again be a speaker at this year’s conference, looking back at what he has achieved as Volvo Ocean Race CEO over nearly eight years at the helm.

“The Forum is an important event for the international yacht racing community,” he said.

“It takes place out of the context of a race. People are therefore relaxed and accessible; they are available to network and do business.

“For example, the idea of the Volvo Ocean 65s used during the Volvo Ocean Race was born during the Forum in 2011 in Estoril, Portugal. I am convinced that the Forum will carry on generating new ideas and positive developments for the sport.”

The Yacht Racing Forum this year will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 7-8.

The event will attract some 300 people in one place at one time to do business and meet future clients: yacht clubs, athletes, sponsors, event organisers, designers, technical suppliers and anyone involved or just interested in yacht racing.

“Geneva is an excellent venue for the Yacht Racing Forum, located at the heart of Europe,” said Karin Bäcklund, Commercial Director of the race.

“The new organisers of the Forum are determined to organise a great event, with a long-term vision, and we support this effort. There will be a strong Volvo Ocean Race delegation in Geneva this winter.”

via Perfect partners| Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015.

Italian media put Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad in the spotlight during an 80-minute long press conference at the Genoa Boat Show when they asked him to rate the chances of a boat from their country entering the next race (full story below).

Knut Frostad in person – ‘What’s the chance of an Italian boat next time?’

– About 50-50, responds Race chief

– Race attractions draw hundreds of fans

GENOA, Italy, October 2 – Italian media put Volvo Ocean Race CEO Knut Frostad in the spotlight during an 80-minute press conference at the Genoa Boat Show, when they asked him to rate the chances of a boat from their country entering the next race.

The sailing-mad country is a world leader in leisure boat manufacture and sales and Bergamo-based Persico Marine has recently been announced as the company who will make any new Volvo Ocean 65 one-design boats needed for the 13th edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-18.

“So what are the chances of us finally having an Italian boat in the next race?” Frostad was asked by the eager Italian press corps in Thursday evening’s conference.

Frostad, who leaves his position at the end of the year, but is meanwhile helping to spearhead the drive for new teams, responded: “It’s very early, but there are good signs and a lot of interest. I’d say the chances are about 50-50.”

But he was quick to add: “I can tell you one thing, though: the effort to get an Italian team in the race is a hundred percent. We would love to see an Italian boat in the Volvo Ocean Race.”

Alberto Bolzan, the Italian sailor who sailed on board Team Alvimedica in the last edition, was also on the five-strong Volvo Ocean Race panel answering the questions from the knowledgeable Italian press corps, which was bolstered by several members of the international sailing media attending the Genoa Boat Show.

“I have no doubt that we have the skilled sailors who could do well in the Race, but it is wrong to name names at this point,” said Bolzan.

Chris Nicholson, skipper of Team Vestas Wind, Team SCA navigator Libby Greenhalgh, and Marcello Persico, who heads Persico Marine, were also on the panel.

The Genoa Boat Show is one of the biggest and most impressive nautical exhibitions in the world and Frostad jumped at the opportunity to stage a series of pro-am races this week in the Italian city’s harbour, between Team SCA and Team Vestas Wind.

The popular Dome theatre and Volvo Ocean 65 cross-section display, two of the biggest hits at race villages around the world, were also taken to Genoa for the show which started on Wednesday (September 30) and concludes on Monday (October 5).

Hundreds of interested show attendees flocked to see the attractions.

The press conference was also attended by Anton Albertoni, President of I Saloni Nautici, which stages the Genoa Boat Show.

He jokingly asked Frostad if there was any chance of his team of organisers staying in Genoa permanently.

“None, I’m afraid,” smiled Frostad. “I think the city of Alicante (hosts of the Race HQ) would be very angry if we did that.”

via Knut put on the spot| Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015.

British crews set for Nacra Europeans challenge

Written by RYA | 24 September 2015

Three British crews in the hunt for European multihull silverware

British Sailing Team crews will be vying for European Championship honours when the Nacra 17 Europeans gets underway in Barcelona, Spain, on Monday (28 September).

Three British pairings are among the 43 teams set to contest the six-day Open event, which also features entries from Oceania and the Americas, at the Barcelona International Sailing Centre.

World number five duo Ben Saxton-Nicola Groves, silver medallists at the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, will be looking to push for the podium spots, with Lucy Macgregor-Dave Evans and Tom Phipps-Nicola Boniface also out to impress in the chase for Europeans silverware.

They’ll face a strong challenge for the European title from the likes of world number two-ranked Italians Vittario Bissaro-Silvia Sicouri and Spain’s home hopefuls Iker Martinez-Marina Lopez, with Australia’s Darren Bundock-Nina Curtis and New Zealand’s Gemma Jones-Jason Saunders set to provide tough competition from off-continent.

Racing gets underway on Monday 28 September, with 15 races scheduled ahead of the final ten-boat medal races on Saturday 3 October. The event is just the third ever European Championship for the new Olympic mixed multihull, which makes its Games debut at Rio 2016.

via British crews set for Nacra Europeans challenge | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Young gunning for World Cup glory in Qingdao

Written by RYA | 15 September 2015

Laser Radial star Young in World Cup action at the 2008 Olympic host city

Fresh from earning her Rio 2016 call-up, Alison Young headlines the British Sailing Team’s line-up at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao, which gets underway at the 2008 Olympic host city on Wednesday (16 September).

The world number two is one of just five British sailors in the entry list for this sole Asian round of the World Cup series, where Asian Olympic qualifying berths, invitations for October’s Abu Dhabi ISAF World Cup Final and a share of the US$150,000 prize fund are all up for grabs.

Bewdley’s Young will contest the 35-strong Laser Radial event, having already secured her place at next month’s World Cup Final through victory at the opening Series event in Melbourne last December.

Lymington sailor Hannah Snellgrove is also in action in the Laser Radial event, while rising talents Elliot Hanson and Lorenzo Chiavarini will look to make their mark among the 40-boat Laser fleet after strong results at the European and World Championships this summer.

RS:X windsurfer Tom Squires, silver medallist at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Weymouth and Portland, completes the British line-up at this fifth round of the World Cup series.

Racing gets underway on Wednesday 16 September, with the final medal races scheduled for Sunday 20 September.

via Young gunning for World Cup glory in Qingdao | Home | News | The British Sailing Team | RYA.

Colossal Ocean Explorer reaches build stage one

Published on September 16, 2015 by admin   ·   No Comments

Likened to a space ship for the seas, SeaOrbiter is a futuristic, self-sustaining, floating marine laboratory.  It has been designed to stay at sea permanently and will allow long-term observation to be carried out by up to 20 live aboard crew – both above and below sea level.

With a draft of 31 metres and an air draft of 27 metres, this is an enormous vessel which boasts no less than 12 decks – six below sea level and six above.  The upper half dozen decks contain all of the communications, the command bridge and a scientific wet lab.  Below decks it gets a bit more interesting with both pressurised and surface-atmosphere living quarters.  The pressurised quarters can be used by saturation divers to allow for longer times below the surface.

Deep sea closed environments are very similar to those of spacecraft and the study of the sea and space tend to go hand in hand.  It should therefore come as no surprise that SeaOrbiter has support from both NASA and the European Space Agency.  In fact the subsea pressurised areas of SeaOrbiter will also be used by astronauts as a space simulator as conditions are similar to those found in space.

SeaOrbiter will also house subsea exploration devices that will be able to dive to a depth of 1,000 metres and a diving drone capable of descending to 6,000 metres, which will allow mapping of the abyssal plain.

SeaOrbiter is the brainchild of internationally renowned French architect, Jacques Rougerie, who states that SeaOrbiter “is a synthesis of more than 30 years of innovative research in marine and subsea architecture.”

Rougerie seems to be a bit of a polymath as he studied at the Oceanographic Institute of Paris, the University of Vincennes for Urban Planning and the School of Arts and Crafts in the 1970s, before qualifying as a DPLG architect in 1972.  Once he graduated he began to develop a number of sea-orientated projects including a number of subsea habitats.

“The oceans”, continues Rougerie, “are a source of extraordinarily rich biodiversity, of a magnitude that we can’t even quite fathom yet.  We have to treat our oceans with care, as we could be in desperate need of them in the very near future.”

Among the habitats he has created are Galathée and Aquabulle that can be suspended in midwater at depths of up to 60 metres and act as mini scientific observatories or shelters for deep sea divers.  He also designed Hippocampe which was launched in 1981 and can accommodate two people on saturation dives of depths of up to 12 metres for as long as 15 days.  In addition to these habitats he also created Aquascope and Aquaspace, trimarans of variable buoyancy, which act as observation centres for marine biologists.

Rougerie is a bit of a hands-on designer and has lived in many of his subsea habitats, famously participating in the world record achievement of living in a pressurised capsule for 71 days under the sea.  He also has a number of iconic marine projects under his belt including Pavilion of the Sea in Kobe, Japan, Nausicaa National Sea Centre in Boulogne sur Mer, and Océanopolis in Brest.

A total of 35 million euros is needed for the construction of SeaOrbiter.  Of this, 70% has already been raised.  In addition, the Company turned to crowdfunding for 1% of the budget (325,000 euros), not simply to raise funds but to also raise public awareness of the project.  This six-figure sum would enable them to build “The Eye of SeaOrbiter”, the uppermost deck, which represents the keel-laying for the vessel.

They are hoping that the construction of the “Eye”, which was completed in May 2015, will show the scope of the design and ensure the remaining 30% needed for the SeaOrbiter project will be funded.

Jacques Rougerie with the SeaOrbiter “Eye”

Rougerie is inspired by the imaginary work of Jules Verne, and he has adopted his motto, “Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.”  If his past is anything to go by, you can be sure you’ll see SeaOrbiter in an ocean near you in the not too distant future.

via Colossal Ocean Explorer reaches build stage one | MarinaLive Gibraltar.

French veteran wins unique Rolex Fastnet Race

Published on September 16, 2015 by admin   ·   No Comments

Daniel Foster

A record-sized fleet of 356 boats set off on 16 August to compete in this year’s Rolex Fastnet Race – the 46th instalment of the event.  The biennial race, and its organisers, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, are both celebrating their 90th birthdays this year.

The Rolex Fastnet Race is deemed to be one of the toughest offshore yachting races as the winds in August tend to be strong to gale-force westerlies.  But this doesn’t put people off, as the popularity of the Race is such that 300 boats signed up within just 24 minutes of the entry list opening in January this year.

The Race follows a mammoth 603 nautical mile course starting at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.  The yachts then follow the southern coastline of England westward down the English Channel, before rounding Land’s End.  After crossing the Celtic Sea, the Race loops the Fastnet Rock off the southwest coast of Ireland before returning, via the Isles of Scilly, to cross the finishing line at Plymouth.

Route

The first Fastnet was raced 90 years ago in 1925 with only seven boats competing.  Of the seven starters, two boats retired and one made such slow progress that there was no one awake to record her time when she crossed the finish line.  Jolie Brise (now one of the most famous pilot cutters in the world) won that inaugural race in 6 days, 14hrs and 45mins.  Jolie Brise was built in 1913 and has won the Fastnet three times, the only boat to have done so in its 90 year history.

The stiff westerlies that tend to accompany the race are certainly nothing to scoff at.  In 2007, the weather was so bad that no less than 207 out of the 271 boats competing retired – that’s over 76% of the field.  This year, by contrast, the weather forecast was for light winds, and a high pressure over the Celtic Sea saw the wind drop altogether for most of the first two days leaving a lot of the fleet becalmed between the Lizard and the Scilly Isles.

Daniel Foster

The overall winner of the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race was veteran Géry Trentesaux sailing in 35ft Courrier Du Leon with his exceptional six-person crew.  The win was made all the more remarkable as at the beginning of the race she crossed the starting line too early and had to make her way back on a fast ebbing tide, losing 40 minutes before she’d even set off.

This is Trentesaux’s 13th time racing in the Fastnet, following his first attempt in 1977.  He said of his victory, “When I was young, the Fastnet was the biggest, most unique race in the world so racing it at 18 was fabulous.  Things have changed a lot over 40 years but this will be a very great memory, one of the very best of my sailing career.  It is incredible to win this mythic race.”

Trentesaux’s compatriots also did well this year with France claiming seven of the top ten spots under IRC this year.

Multihull line honours was claimed by the favourite – 131ft Swiss trimaran Spindrift 2.  The monohull race was a photo finish with the 100ft Maxi Comanche from the United States pipping fellow American yacht Rambler at the post by a mere four minutes.

Kurt Arrigo

Comanche’s skipper, Ken Read, said, “It was honestly one of the most bizarre races I’ve ever been in in my life – starts and stops and people being left behind for dead and then all of a sudden they are sailing around you.  It was phenomenal.”

The 47th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race will be held in August 2017, with the entry list opening in January.  Don’t forget to make a note in your diaries if you want to enter as it’s sure to be a sell out.

via French veteran wins unique Rolex Fastnet Race | MarinaLive Gibraltar.

The Volvo Ocean Race returns to centre stage less than three months after the spectacular finish of the 2014-15 edition when it brings its special brand of exciting racing, shows and public events to the Genoa Boat Show from September 30 to October 5 (full story below).

– Race to bring Cinema and Volvo Ocean 65 Cross Section to Genoa Boat Show

– Nicholson and Greenhalgh set to go head-to-head once more

– Race partners Persico spearhead Italian marine presence

MILAN, Italy, September 15, 2015 – The Volvo Ocean Race returns to centre stage less than three months after the spectacular finish of the 2014-15 edition, when it brings its special brand of exciting racing, shows and public events to the Genoa Boat Show from September 30 to October 5.

Team SCA and Team Vestas Wind will go head-to-head again on a series of Pro-Am races on Wednesday, September 30, Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2, while on the following Saturday, they will be starring in the traditional Genoa Boat Show fleet race.

The Genoa Boat Show will offer a rare chance out of race-time for the fans and visitors to see the ocean racers sail just metres from the city’s seafront and meet some of the sailors who have written the latest pages of the race’s 42-year history.

Team Vestas Wind will sail in Genoa under Chris Nicholson as skipper and Nicolai Sehested as Boat Captain. Returning with Team Vestas Wind sailors to sail the Vestas Wind is local Italian sailor Alberto Bolzan, and Volvo Ocean Race veteran, Phil Harmer.

Several members of the shore crew and guests, some of whom will commission the boat and sail from Alicante to Genoa the weekend prior to the Genoa Boat Show, will also accompany the team.

Having reached the end of his first Volvo Ocean Race in June, young Danish sailor Sehested has been busy participating in several high-level sailing competitions, motivating him to re-join his Volvo Ocean Race crew and sponsor, Vestas, for more exhilarating sailing in the team’s Volvo Ocean 65.

“The experience gained with Team Vestas Wind is unforgettable – a bittersweet tale of hard work and team effort with a positive conclusion,” said Sehested.

“I felt proud of what we all achieved, both onboard the blue boat and behind the scenes. I have grown as a professional sailor and as a person, and I’m delighted to be going back to Genoa with some world-class sailors and friends, representing Vestas and giving something back to our Italian fans.”

Libby Greenhalgh, British navigator of Team SCA, will help lead a team from the women’s crew against Nicholson, Sehested and the rest of the Team Vestas Wind line-up.

“It will be great to be back racing again and being part of the Genoa Boat Show – attending the busiest Boat Show in the Mediterranean is a fitting way to cap off the summer,” she said.

“Eight crew from the Team SCA squad will be in Genoa and we are all looking forward to whatever new opportunities come our way, while continuing to promote women both in the Volvo Ocean Race and in the wider sport of sailing.

“Locking horns with Team Vestas Wind again will be one of the highlights – as well as meeting some of the Italian Team SCA fans!” added Greenhalgh.

The Genoa Boat Show will also give the visitors the opportunity to visit the Cross Section, a full size, and completely equipped Volvo Ocean 65 half model.

They will get a real taste of what it’s like to be inside one of the world’s fastest and most powerful offshore boats. The Cross Section was one of the most popular attractions during the nine-month event, which finished on June 27, with nearly half a million people ‘jumping on board’.

The public will also be captivated by the shows in the Dome cinema, a huge structure that hosts a movie theatre showing high definition videos on the race and life at sea.

On the Saturday morning, fans will also have the opportunity to meet the sailors and the race organisers during a Q&A event at the Teatro del Mare, and on weekend days (October 3-4), the two boats will be open to the public for guided tours.

The Genoa Boat show will also showcase Italian excellence in the international sail racing and marine industry.

Leading the way in Genoa will be Alberto Bolzan, the only Italian sailor to take part in the 2014-15 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race as helmsman and tactician on Turkish/American flagged Team Alvimedica.

Persico Marine, the Bergamo-based shipyard that was part of the European consortium that built the first seven boats, will represent the Italian marine industry. Persico recently secured a contract for the production of any new, one-design Volvo Ocean 65s that will be commissioned to compete in the next edition of the race.

Also present in Genoa will be hydraulics specialist Cariboni, rope maker Gottifredi Maffioli and deck hardware producer Harken.

Volvo Ocean Race CEO, Knut Frostad, said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting some of our fans at this wonderful show. Italy has always been a massive supporter of the race and we’re delighted to be bringing a real taste of it to their waters.”

Save the date, come and meet the Volvo Ocean Race at the Genoa Boat Show from September 30 to October 5.

via Volvo Ocean Race rivals line up for new skirmishes in Genoa| Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015.

Marilyn and Alan retire from Marlow

24 Sep 2015

Marilyn and Alan spent 47 years and 46 years respectively at Marlow – photo: Marlow Ropes Ltd

RETIREMENT: September 18th saw the retirement of two long serving employees from of Marlow Ropes in Hailsham.

Marilyn and Alan Kitcher retired from Marlow after 47 years and 46 years respectively

Marilyn started at Green Brothers in 1968 (then part of the Hawkins and Tipson group, along with Marlow) and met Alan who started a year later.

In 1973 the couple married and were soon both transferred to work at Marlow.

Since that time they have both seen many changes but continued to be loyal, hard working and diligent members of the team, helping Marlow to maintain its world wide reputation for quality and service.

Marilyn and Alan (who are keen travellers) will be sorely missed by the whole team at Marlow.

via Boating Business – Marilyn and Alan retire from Marlow.

Ocean Safety set for Open Day28 Sep 2015The free Open Day will be held between 10am and 4pm on 17 October 2015OPEN DAY: Ocean Safety is holding an Open Day at its new 5,000ft² facility in Plymouth to show visitors how to operate and care for their safety gear.The free Open Day, which will be held between 10am and 4pm on 17 October 2015, is open to anyone who owns equipment including liferafts, lifejackets and man overboard recovery Jonbuoys.Equipment can be taken along to be inflated and fully serviced by Ocean Safety’s service technicians, as long as a booking is made in advance.Visitors can also talk to Ocean Safety’s qualified engineers about servicing EPIRBs and fire extinguishers, discuss and ask questions about a range of commonly carried equipment including flares, first aid equipment and other types of man overboard equipment and electronics.To guarantee your liferaft inspection time, it is advised to book in advance by calling 01752 341787 or emailing [email protected] Safety is located at Unit 6 Eastern Wood Road, Langage Business Park, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 5ET.

via Boating Business – Ocean Safety set for Open Day.