The Gap Gets Bigger

Thursday - May 15 2008 - 0815 PST - Artemis Transat 60's Update - Could this be a decisive moment in the race? Sébastien Josse's escape, revealed this morning by the first positions update, makes for the biggest gap seen within the leading pack since the start of The Artemis Transat, and it would certainly be very worrying for his rivals if there wasn't another ridge to cross tonight!

Confident with his southerly option yesterday, BT's skipper undoubtedly took an advantage - if only psychological - but remains very careful today. "Let's not celebrate yet, I pulled out of this one, but there's a second ridge to cross." The tactical battle remains as intense as ever, and the first skipper to catch some breeze behind the windless zone will have a massive advantage.

Yesterday evening saw Loick Peyron (Gitana Eighty) move into the lead, taking advantage of his "middle lane" position, after having been very discreet in the leading pack. What the night blackout prevented us from witnessing is the fact that, merely half an hour later, Sébastien Josse aboard BT had overtaken Gitana Eighty, and was engaging in a fierce duel with PRB, both boats being within sight of each other.

As Loick Peyron - a few miles further North - testified, perfectly describing the battlefield: "It's an oily sea, not even a wrinkle. We're not there quite yet"

Could there be anything more nerve-racking than a match race in virtually no wind? Probably not, and the inevitable "gamble factor" doesn't make it easier to accept. Having prepared his move, and obviously being in perfect harmony with his Farr-designed monohull, Sébastien managed to stay in motion, keeping some wind pressure in his sails.

And somehow, Vincent Riou wasn't able to keep up - the big gap revealed this morning by the first positions update called for an explanation, since PRB and her skipper are not exactly a slow combo. Reached this morning, Vincent told us: "I had some seaweed caught in the rudders, I stopped for 2 - 3 minutes to get rid of it, I lost just a few hundreds of yards, but that was enough to put me in another world. I was parked for an hour and a half, I saw Seb fly away, that was it.

But it's not the first ridge I cross, it won't be the last, and to be honest I was afraid I had lost even more miles." Back in motion with about 10 knots of wind from the South - South East, PRB is now getting ready for the second "wall" tonight.

"The fleet was not in the right spot yesterday", said Sébastien this morning during the videoconference, "except for Loick Peyron", who as we saw led momentarily last evening. The wind was notably weaker in the North, and Michel Desjoyeaux's Foncia (the highest in terms of latitude in the leading group), 5th, was 49 miles behind the leader at the 12:00 GMT position report, while Gitana Eighty managed to keep her second place.

Loick Peyron, still faster than 3rd placed Vincent Riou (right in BT's wake), is gradually working his way towards the South, probably anticipating a general park up. In fact, as we write, leader Sébastien Josse has already started to hit the wall and is slowing down, losing 17 miles to Gitana Eighty between 12:00 and 14:00 GMT... Is a second start on the menu?

To follow the racers with videos, photos and more onboard reports go to Artemis Transat 60's. Photo by Sea&Co

Joyan In Search Of More Records

Thursday - May 15 2008 - 0755 PST - Francis Joyon is back in business! A few months after his stunning record around the world in just over 57 days, the giant trimaran IDEC is in search of a new adventure. At the request of his partner and sponsor IDEC, Francis has committed to examine the challenges of the Mediterranean.

The record of the historic Mediterranean between Marseilles and Carthage (Tunisia) is now the property of maxi multihull and crew Bruno Peyron.

By the end of May, Francis Joyon and Christophe Houdet, together with a third teammate, will sail via Gibraltar to the port of Marseilles. Francis knows that the upcoming summer period is hardly conducive to establishing a strong Mistral, ideal for a record through the Mediterranean.

In June 2005, Thomas Coville set a record between Cadiz and San Salvador (Route solo version), Joyon wants nothing more than to confront the potential of its new to those of IDEC trimaran Sodebo on distance. An attempt that could start September.

XS racing will follow Joyan and IDEC on their quest for new records...stay tuned! Photo by JM Liot / DPPI / Idec. To see what IDEC is up to go the website (in French) at IDEC.

Andre Budzien Leads The Fleet

Wednesday - May 14 2008 - 0855 PST - Finn World Masters Championships Update - Defending Finn World Masters Champion Andre Budzien (GER) continued with his winning ways in Medemblik, with two more heat wins to put him into a clear lead with three more races to sail.

On Tuesday two races were sailed in winds from 12-16 knots, with free pumping on all the downwind legs. Starting two fleets of 116 boats each presents numerous problems for the race committee as well as the competitors, but despite several general recalls each day, PRO Erik Vliegenthart (NED) is happy with the way things are going and the start line behaviour of the Finn sailors.

In both of his heats Budzien lead for the majority of the race, executing great tactics, with good boat speed and was always among the first few to the windward mark. He extended downwind to secure each victory. Other heat wins went to Adrian Brunton (GBR), after banging in the generally unfavoured right hand corner on the final upwind, and Allen Burrell (GBR), to add to his heat win from Monday.

Overall, Budzien has a 10point lead from Mihail Kopanov (BUL) who placed 2 and 3 today, with Jan Willem Kok (NED) in third, also placing 3 and 2 today a further 5 points behind. After Wednesday's race, the discard will kick in, so that should change the results somewhat with many boats currently counting a high score.

There are just two more qualification races to be sailed - one on Wednesday and one on Thursday - before the final gold and silver heats on Friday. At the moment it looks as if there is no one who can stop Andre Budzien from taking his second consecutive Finn World Masters title.

For full results and more photos go to Finn Masters. Story by Robert Deaves. Photos by Suzanne van der Horst

SailRocket Team Gets Sponsor

Wednesday - May 14 2008 - 0840 PST - Vestas Technology R&D sponsors contender for world's fastest sailing boat.

The Vestas SailRocket Team behind this project will this year try to be the fastest sailing boat in the world being the first to go 50 knots (91.7 km/h). The unique design of the Vestas SailRocket gives maximal impact from the wind. The vessel uses around 2.2 times wind speed, so in order to go 50 knots it requires 23 knots of wind.

The Vestas SailRocket team and Vestas have a lot in common: "We both strive for getting the maximal power out of the wind. As the No. 1 in Modern Energy, Vestas is the leading company in wind generating technology, and the Vestas SailRocket Team will be fighting for a number one position," says Finn Strøm Madsen, President of Technology R&D.

A number of teams around the world are attempting to be the first to break through 50 knots. There is everything from simple kite-surfers up to huge 60' hydrofoiling trimarans.

The current record for the outright world speed sailing record is 49.09 knots, and so far the SailRocket has reached 44 knots. Now it is time to break boundaries and set new standards.

"It is probably the most amazing race you will see. It involves an incredible array of sailors and disciplines spread all over the world trail blazing the boundaries of what is possible with wind and water. The ultimate goal for us is to be the fastest whatever that speed need to be," Team Leader from Vestas SailRocket Team Paul Larsen says.

The Vestas SailRocket is designed by Malcolm Barnsley, Testing Specialist at Vestas Technology R&D, Isle of Wight, UK.

"Vestas SailRocket utilises a unique concept of geometric balance which means great power can be harnessed without reliance on weight. In this way, the tendency to capsize or lift off is removed - in fact, there is no stability limit only a strength limit," Malcom Barnsley explains.

The team behind the boat will use the coming months testing and improving the vessel. Team leader, Paul Larsen, expects that the final attempts for breaking the record will be initiated around October 2008.

The record attempt, which will take place over a distance of 500 metres, will take place at the Walvis Bay on the coast of Namibia in Africa – and will be ratified by the International Sailing Federation. At Walvis Bay a natural inlet provides a unique combination of strong wind and calm waters.

For further information, please contact: Finn Strøm Madsen, President of Vestas Technology R&D, telephone +45 9730 8008.

On www.vestassailrocket.com designer Malcolm Barnsley explains about the design of the boat and team leader Paul Larsen informs about the battle for 50 knots.

ISAF Sailor Classification Code Updated

Wednesday - May 14 2008 - 0825 PST - Many events, such as the Rolex Commodores' Cup, utilize the ISAF Sailor Classification Code.

The ISAF Sailor Classification Code has been updated to clarify the affect of paid-for advertising on a sailor's classification. The ISAF Sailor Classification Code is a service provided by ISAF, giving events and classes a cost-free, international system for classification of sailors. It is incorporated in ISAF Regulation 22.

The changes to the Code follow the ISAF Council's approval of Urgent Submission M05-08 at the 2008 ISAF Mid-Year Meeting in Qingdao, China. The update to the Classification Code amends the final paragraph of the General introduction to the Code as follows (updated text is underlined and in bold):

The display of advertising on a boat or equipment beyond Category A in the Advertising Code set out in Regulation 20, even if payment is received for it, does not influence the sailor's classification in this Code.

Nothing in the provisions of this Code shall permit a sailor to take any action which is contrary to the purpose and spirit of the Code or which is a subterfuge for circumventing the Code.

When a sailor is found by the Classification Authority to be in breach of this provision it may change his classification as appropriate and /or make a Report under RRS 69 of The Racing Rules of Sailing.

The updated version of the ISAF Sailor Classification Code is available to download from ISAF. The French, Italian and Spanish translations of the Code will be updated as soon as possible and be available from the same place.

The revision to the Code comes after concerns from the ISAF Classification Commission in two areas:

1. That the previous provision only referred to the 'display of advertising' and did not make it clear that the advertising may be paid for.

2. That there was a danger that the advertising provision would have been used as a subterfuge for circumventing the Code.

Story by ISAF. Photo by Daniel Forster/Rolex

Bribon Extend Lead At Audi MedCup

Wednesday - May 14 2008 - 0812 PST - Audi MedCup Update Day 2 - Race 3 - Bribon six points clear as Mean Machine score their first win. The right pays for Peter de Ridder and the Mean Machine team who score their first victory with the new boat. Bribon are consistent and extend their lead.

Bribon, City of Alicante Trophy champions move six points clear in the overall lead after Race 4 of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit. Mean Machine won their first race with their new boat after one of their trademark boat end starts. They gave up a few seconds to win the right side of the course and rounded the first mark in third place. Ray Davies called a good downwind on Mean Machine and then were well placed when the breeze clocked to the right, getting inside Matador.

Tau lie second still four points clear of a Platoon, Quantum with Mutua Madrilena one point further back. Bribon have been consistent. Seventh at the windward mark they seem to have good speed and Ross Macdonald has walked that fine line, staying just conservative enough to place well.

To follow the action go to Audi MedCup. Photo by Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP

Artemis Transat 40's Head South

Wednesday - May 14 2008 - 0755 PST - Artemis Transat 40's Update - The 11 Class40 yachts in The Artemis Transat have made a general trend to the south, mirroring the IMOCA Open 60 fleet, 260 miles further west into the North Atlantic. Race leader Giovanni Soldini started his port gybe south mid-afternoon yesterday and pulled out of this dive shortly before the position poll blackout was lifted at 0600GMT this morning.

Second place Appart' City tailed Soldini throughout the night, matching Telecom Italia's pre-dawn gybe as the wind moved slightly NNE. "He was a little bit more downwind so he catch me up a little bit in the night," said Soldini this morning of Yvan Noblet's shadow tactics just to the south of Telecom Italia. The French skipper maintains he is not intentionally hounding Soldini:

"I'm not really racing only Telecom Italia," he explained this morning. "My tactics are more driven by the weather forecast." Both of the leading pair agree that the forthcoming meteo forecast will be challenging. "I think the next 48 hours will be tricky," Soldini predicts, "as there is a system with very little wind ahead and the fleet behind will catch up, but this is part of the racing."

But for the moment, Noblet is just enjoying sailing Appart' City: "Everything is going really well on board," he reported via satellite phone earlier. "The weather is calm and I'm gliding along with the spinnaker up and as the pilot is handling the boat well, I can get plenty of rest." There is one dark cloud on Noblet's horizon: "I've just run out of fresh food, so it's time to start with the freeze dried variety."

At dawn, Soldini lead Appart' City by 15 miles and has manageded to squeeze a further mile ahead throughout the day. The most remarkable 24 hours in the fleet belong to Boris Herrmann on Beluga Racer. Yesterday evening the German skipper languished in 10th place, exhausted by a bout of flu, under canvassed and sleeping off a fever.

Overnight, Herrmann came back to life, climbing the position poll to 3rd, nine miles behind Appart' City and has averaged the highest 24 hour speed in the fleet at 9.3 knots: "I slept in the cockpit in the big breeze to be able to steer when I needed to and I steer a lot."

For Hermann, the future tactical options are simple: "I'll stick to the layline, straight to the ice gate. After that, I don't know yet. For now its just straight on."

There is no major winning advantage of being north or south in the fleet with most of the boats averaging between 7-8 knots over the past 24 hours, although the race backmarker, Benoit Parnaudeau, was making best speed nearest the low pressure system at midday, averaging 10 knots and trailing Soldini by 98 miles in 20 knots of breeze under spinnaker.

Having informed the race office that he had just taken his first shower of the race, Parnaudeau may have a psychological advantage. Although VMG is vital, the fleet's focus is the next 48 hours. "I had a really easy start to this race, very spoilt really," said Miranda Merron on 40 Degrees sailing in 11-15 knots north of Parnaudeau. "I'm trying to catch sleep whenever I can, driving whenever I can, then put the pilot on and it's doing a good job."

Currently streaking up the rankings from 9th to 5th place, just 9 miles behind Thierry Bouchard on Mistral Loisirs – Pole Santé ELIOR, Merron is preparing physically and mentally for the next few days; "I think it will be hard to get through the light area and it's a really important transition zone. Not sure how to tackle things in two days time yet, but I'm totally settled into race and loving it."

The race leader, Giovanni Soldini, has predicted that the fleet is likely to compress in the light patch and it is possible that the race may restart in mid-Atlantic...just as the position blackout comes into force at 1800GMT on Friday evening, heightening the tactical tension within the Class40s.

For more photos, videos and reports go to Artemis Transat 40's.

Foncia Forges Ahead

Wednesday - May 14 2008 - 0745 PST - Artemis Transat 60's Update - Last night's question now has its answer - Generali crossed behind Foncia at 4:00 this morning and dropped back into second place when Yan Elies gybed.

The two skippers probably came in sight of each other at that moment... Speeds have been consistent (11 to 12 knots) while the fleet progressed downwind, and the gap in latitude reaches 78 miles now, Generali being still North while BT and Brit Air are holding their South position.

Safran moved back into the game in terms of velocity, which seems to indicate that Marc Guillemot can cope with his pain. Now the question is where to cross the high pressure ridge - for the moment the northeasterlies are still blowing moderately, but tomorrow looks very very quiet.

For more photos, videos and onboard reports go to Artemis Transat 60's.

Alinghi Asks Court For May 2009 America's Cup

Tuesday - May 13 2008 - 1455 PST - From Alinghi - Justice Cahn of the New York Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the required 10-month preparation period stipulated by the Deed of Gift for the America's Cup holder to ready its defence for the Match begins from the service of the order he issued dated 12 May 2008. Despite this positive development, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), the defending yacht club, is obliged to seek further clarity from the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court.

Justice Cahn's 10-month ruling puts the Deed of Gift Match in March 2009. But, because the Deed of Gift prohibits racing in the Northern Hemisphere from 1 November until 30 April and expressly grants the Defender the right to nominate the venue, SNG has asked the Appellate Division to establish that the first possible race date is May 2009.

Lucien Masmejan, lead counsel for the SNG, explains: "The order issued by Justice Cahn on 12 May 2008 contains some positives for Alinghi, but the language is ambiguous as it fails to recognise that a Match cannot happen in the Northern Hemisphere in March as per the Deed of Gift. The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) specifically conditioned its challenge on a Northern Hemisphere match and SNG has always contemplated a Northern Hemisphere match either in Valencia or another location."

"Conscious that time is of essence, and to clarify this inconsistency SNG has been successful in consolidating its appeal on the date issue with its previously filed appeal contesting the validity of GGYC as Challenger of Record. All issues will be heard by the Appellate Division on 5 June 2008."

"Meanwhile, the Alinghi sailing team is training intensively and the designers and shore crew continue to prepare for the 33rd America's Cup. SNG will defend the Cup on the water and we look forward to returning to our true area of expertise: competitive racing."

Stay tuned for more...

Old Guys Rule At Finn World Masters

Tuesday - May 13 2008 - 0915 PST - They may be old, they may be grey and some may even be a bit wrinkly, but that doesn't stop the sailors currently sailing in the Finn World Masters in Medemblik from enjoying tough and competitive racing. Two challenging races were sailed on Monday, in very different conditions.

In the first the breeze hardly got over 5-6 knots, with lots of pressure differential across the course. In the afternoon, a 12-14 knot wind kicked in producing exciting downwind legs and providing a physical challenge rather than a mental one.

One sailor who got in right in both races was defending World Masters Champion, Andre Budzien (GER), who won both his heats. The 232 boat fleet has been split into yellow, blue, green and red fleets with each colour racing the others twice, before a gold/silver split on Friday.

In the other heat, race wins went to Jurgen Kraft (GER) and Allen Burrell (GBR). Burrell, a previous double bronze medalist at this event placed 55th in the morning race, but clearly enjoyed the afternoon breeze.

At the opening briefing, Chairman of the International Jury Chris Watts (GBR) commented, "Despite sailing a singlehanded boat, Finn sailors are the most friendly and fun bunch of sailors around and it's a real pleasure being here." On the water, the Jury had little to do, with a few yellow flags in the morning race and even less in the afternoon with the 'O' flag up for free pumping throughout.

Two more races are scheduled for today with a forecast of stronger winds coming through. To catch the action go to Finn World Masters.

Babes On Waves - Salma Hayek

Tuesday - May 13 2008 - 0855 PST - Selma Hayek Stars in the Christening of the New Puma - PUMA Ocean Racing unveiled their challenger for the 2008-09 Volvo Ocean Race in a waterfront christening at the Institute of Contemporary Art and Fan Pier, Boston.

The occasion had a touch of Hollywood about it. The ceremonial breaking of the champagne bottle across the bow of il mostro starred Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek, the boat's godmother.

"We were really trying to be intimidating with this design - a fearful racing machine," said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer of PUMA. "That's why it's called il mostro - the monster. We wanted the reaction to be 'No way, look at that thing!' and I think we accomplished that."

Il mostro was designed by the team of Botin Carkeek and built at Goetz Custom Boats in Bristol, Rhode Island, in conjunction with Customline Yachts.

Skipper Ken Read and the PUMA team's training base will be in Newport over the next four months. Off-shore training will begin in May with several shorter races planned for June including the Halfway Rock Race (6-7 June 6-7), NYYC Regatta (13-14 June) and Newport-Bermuda Race 2008 (20-22 June).

Giovanni In The Lead

Tuesday - May 13 2008 - 0830 PST - Artemis Transat 40's Update - Having slipped south of the Scilly Isles in thick fog during the early morning of Day 2, the Class40 fleet has picked-up speed and is fanning out north-south now they are clear of land.

Race leader, Giovanni Soldini (pictured above) opted to take Telecom Italia north on a starboard gybe overnight in 15 knots of NE breeze, gybed south back towards the main body of the fleet at around 0900GMT this morning, dived down towards second place Appart' City before gybing north again and the Italian now holds a 12 mile lead over the yellow yacht's French skipper, Yvan Noblet.

In the south, Boris Herrmann's Beluga Racer and Miranda Merron's 40 Degrees become increasingly isolated from the fleet overnight. Merron's deep southerly option was a response to sail problems: "Long slow night on 40 Degrees following a spinnaker 'issue', now resolved. Will catch up the miles," she reported earlier via email and soon slipped back onto starboard gybe this morning.

As Merron headed north, Boris Herrmann kept south, remaining in 10th position, one place behind 40 Degrees. Having lead the race during the first night and featured heavily in the front pack during the early stages, Herrmann's sudden drop in the rankings was a concern and a flu bug contracted shortly before the start has been taking its toll physically and emotionally:

"I've been sleeping a lot to get over it," he assured the race office this morning, "but I haven't felt confident enough to use the spinnaker or gennaker when I’m not on deck." Reduced sail, illness and a period during the night of just 2 knots of breeze have not helped morale on board:

"I feel very alone," admitted the 26 year-old, "and I've never felt that before." In the afternoon, Merron gybed back south to rejoin Hermann and maintains a 3 mile lead over the German Class40.

When Soldini gybed south this morning, Christophe Coatnoan with Groupe Partouche and Alex Bennett's Fujifilm stayed north, almost locked together, matching their gybes with the French skipper reporting a visual sighting of Bennett's green Class40 shortly after sunrise.

The British skipper was in an optimistic mood this morning, despite a difficult start to the race: "We have just crossed the continental shelf and are now powering our way out into the Atlantic at speed under Code 5 and full mainsail," he reports, averaging a healthy 9.9 knots over the past 24 hours. "Conditions on board are good and comfortable. I've been playing catch up with the fleet after I sailed into a light wind zone off the Lizard on the first night.

However, it's a long race and I feel we are nicely placed to start making our charge from here on." For now, Bennett in 6th is less than a mile north Coatnoan, leading the French yacht by under a mile with the pair matching their average speed at 10 knots.

Further close-contact racing was evident as the fleet split and opted for port or starboard gybe late yesterday with Yvan Noblet on Appart' City sailing close to 40 Degrees just as Merron headed south. Noblet also had visual contact with Halvard Mabire on Custo Pol as Appart' City overtook, climbing the leader board to second place, 12 miles behind Telecom Italia.

At the time, Mabire was dealing with an uninvited, feathered guest: "I've had a swift on board who has no clue about the weather and clearly didn't study the met forecast before leaving," the French skipper said this morning, doubting the bird's intelligence in setting off for Africa in an easterly breeze.

"It hung around the inside of the boat and did a shit on my computer keyboard before leaving. It was really very impolite and the bird should enrol in a course on manners." Currently in 4th position, 4 miles behind Thierry Bouchard and Mistral Loisirs - Pole Santé ELIOR, Mabire is sailing cautiously:

"I don’t know the boat well and I'm taking care with all the systems," he told the race office earlier, before asking for news of The Artemis Transat IMOCA Open 60 fleet: "As you ask me to write messages, it would be kind if you could give me news of the 60s in return," requested 52 year-old Mabire who misses the constant radio chat and interviews of his previous OSTAR, Figaro and Route du Rhum races.

"The race is a bit like a video game on the computer screens of those onshore," he wrote in an email last night. "I'm beginning to miss the proximity of human contact."

The north-south spread of the Class40 fleet is approximately 120 miles and while Fujifilm and Groupe Partouche at the northern extremity and 40 Degrees and Beluga Racer to the south seem content to race within a few miles of each other, the middle block of yachts are keeping a healthy distance between each other.

Simon Clarke took a long gybe north today before gybing south and has held onto 8th place since dropping behind Group Partouche early this morning and Prevoir Vie remains the backmarker, 79 miles behind Soldini in 11th place. This morning, the French yacht's skipper, Benoit Parnaudeau, recalled the first full day of racing:

"In the fog yesterday, it was a sunless day and I kept my eyes locked on the AIS radar to monitor the commercial shipping," he explained, praising the equipment that is now mandatory in Class40. "You can see the ship's name on the screen, its speed, heading and the unit sends and receives a radar echo. I can tell if a vessel is a cargo ship or a fishing boat, so the system is a good friend in all situations."

Parnaudeau has suffered sail damage and has finally made repairs to the overheating engine on board Prevoir Vie, but the 36 year-old is pragmatic about his position: "It's time to look at the weather and as I’m behind the fleet, I really need to see what's going to happen." Currently, Parnaudeau is 27 miles behind Boris Herrmann and Beluga Racer in 10th.

For more photos, videos and onboard reports go to Artemis Transat 40's.

Broken Ribs, Rough Conditions And A New Leader

Tuesday - May 13 2008 - 0810 PST - Artemis Transat 60's Update - Tough night for the IMOCA fleet, caught under spinnaker by gusts up to 30 knots. High speeds but also high risks - aboard Safran, Marc Guillemot crash gybed and might be suffering from a broken rib. Despite the pain, the Breton skipper stays in the race and says " I really want to go to Boston, but..." Meanwhile, up in front, the battle continues with Yann Elies (Generali) as new leader, and the first four boats within 17 miles.

Stricken but not down. If the whole fleet was hit yesterday night by tough conditions, Marc Guillemot took the most serious blow, as he explained over the phone when we were able to reach him this morning: "I was under spinnaker and the wind picked up, so I decided to reduce sails before it became too rough.

I did, and tried to get some rest inside, but suddenly the boat went faster and faster, and eventually crashed gybed. I was holding on to the grinder pedestal, I had the mast in the water, and it took me 25 minutes to clear everything up. When I cooled down a bit I realised that I felt a strong pain...

My rib might be broken, I don't know yet but anyway even if it is there's nothing to do about it. I'm heading south, but I'm not considering pulling out for the moment. I really want to go to Boston..."

One has to try and imagine the pressure put on by the close-combat racing conditions experienced by the skippers since the start - when strong breeze and severe gusts come into the pictures, the strain is massive for the nerves as well as for the gear, and the risk of a wipeout increases significantly.

Then it's matter of knowing when to reduce sails... Too early, your rivals will increase their lead. Too late, you might end up on the side, mentally listing all the gear you'll have to replace once safely docked - that's if you haven't hurt yourself in the process. When the going gets really tough, the balance between the accelerator and the brakes becomes vital...

And at that little game, Yann Elies (Generali) proved very good last night, moving into second place, making the most of his powerful Finot/Conq-designed Generali to eventually take the lead this afternoon. Happy with his performance, he nevertheless voiced some concerns regarding gear efforts...

For Sam Davies (Roxy), making the right move at the right moment was quite obvious, as she explained this morning: "Roxy did wipeout, but it was minor, as if to tell me it was time to take the kite down." Hearing the warning, the young British skipper complied:

"I've put the gennaker on. It's actually quite nice now, but still 22 knots of speed this morning, I'm being really careful, I make sure I'm clipped on when I manoeuvre. These boats are dangerous, everything happens so quickly. And I really hope Marco [Guillemot] is alright now. I've had a broken rib a few years ago, it's very painful"

Tactically speaking, Michel Desjoyeaux aboard Foncia has been coming back towards the pack since mid-morning after having escaped to the North, and crossed behind Yann Elies's Generali early this afternoon - is the Professor resting, whilst maintaining a favourable hunter-type position in Generali's wake?

As Roland Jourdain pointed out in his column for The Artemis Transat official website, there is a very important "Mich' Desj' psychological effect"... So yes, Yann might be worrying and wondering what Foncia's next move might be, but no doubt he's also enjoying his hard-earned first place while it lasts.

The game is more than ever a very tight one, Sébastien Josse (BT) and Vincent Riou (PRB) having just moved into second and third places, while Loick Peyron (Gitana Eighty) is about to engage in a match-race with Michel Desjoyeaux.

Jean-Luc Nélias's tactical analysis "The skippers have many moves to make, right up to the ice gate. The first was without doubt the passage of the ridge yesterday, the second will be crossing by the north the low pressure system today, the third without doubt a new high pressure ridge with very light winds, and the fourth...

We won't do all the work for them in case the skippers check this page... The detailed analysis of this complex weather situation that the skippers are facing requires intellectual concentration that they can only maintain if they get enough sleep. There is no point in sailing pedal to the metal, if you are going the wrong way.

Looking at the positions this morning, the first couple of moves have certainly created some losers in the middle of the IMOCA fleet. The second move is coming to an end, and the positioning for the third move is happening now."

Roland Jourdain's view... "Downwind when it remains manageable, you put the big kite up and you're a happy sailor, until the serious wind kicks in. Then it becomes very nice to see from land or on the pictures, but it's another story when you're onboard, hanging on to the tiller, mentally reviewing the various checklists. And in that type of situation, the possibility of a wipeout is always somewhere at the back of your head, haunting you."

Leaderboard - 14:00 GMT update: 1- Generali Distance to finish 2337 nm. 2- BT Distance to leader 11 nm. 3- PRB DTL 12 nm. 4- Foncia DTL 17 nm. 5- Gitana Eighty DTL 18 nm. 6- Brit Air DTL 41 nm. 7- Roxy DTL 85 nm. 8- Akena Verandas DTL 94 nm. 9- Safran DTL 126 nm. 10- Cervin EnR DTL 165 nm. 11- Spirit of Weymouth DTL 168 nm. 12- Aviva DTL 190 nm. 13- Pakea Bizkaia 2009 DTL 215 nm.

For more photos, videos and onboard reports go to Artemis Transat 60's. Photo by Marc Guillemot/ Safran

Tau Andalucia Wins By A Nose

Tuesday - May 13 2008 - 0745 PST - Light breezes only for the first race of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit but it is Tau Andalucia which breaks the finish line first by a nose.

Race 1 - First blood goes to Tau Andalucia in the Audi MedCup Circuit when they stole victory in Race 1 from under the noses of Vasco Vascotto and the crew of Mutua Madrilena.

Mutua Madrilena lead off the start line and lead at each mark until the final run. They separated away on the final run and let Tau come back at them just on the finish line.

A good result for Tau which is the current champion, the former Artemis, with skipper Jose Maria Torcida steering and Manuel Doreste calling tactics.

Interesting to see the 2007 champion doing well in these light winds, bearing in mind it was quick in the breeze last year.

Race 2 - Any thoughts that the first race win to Tau Ceramica Andalucia was a fluke were well and truly buried with a facsimile performance on the second race.

Tau Ceramica Andalucia started cleanly in both races, not quite as well in the second race but they favored the right and it paid off. They were never extreme in their tactics and sailed confidently.

Some of the new boats clearly have a little work to do, not least because they have been working in mainly stronger breezes and some will have had little time to mode their boats for these light conditions.

For full results and more photos go to Audi Med Cup. Photo by Andi Robertson – Audi Med Cup 08

Response By The GGYC

Monday - May 12 2008 - 1515 PST - From the GGYC -Today the New York State Supreme Court issued an order that the next America's Cup match should take place in March next year, ten months from now, and that the Defender should disclose the venue six months prior to that.

"We are pleased that the Court has advanced the process and required the Defender to confirm the venue," Golden Gate Yacht Club spokesman Tom Ehman said.

"We will now be considering the order to determine our next steps."

Stay Tuned for more...

Alinghi Wins!

Monday - May 12 2008 - 1455 PST - Justice Cahn rules in favour of Alinghi for a 2009 America's Cup Match.

Justice Cahn from the New York Supreme Court today ruled in favour of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) - represented by Alinghi, Defender of the America's Cup - ordering the Deed of Gift Match brought by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) to be raced in 2009.

Lucien Masmejan, lead counsel for the SNG, comments: "We are pleased that Justice Cahn has issued this order and recognised within his decision that it was the actions of the GGYC that brought the America's Cup to court and that depriving SNG of the 10-month notice period mandated by the Deed of Gift would be inequitable.

This 10-month notice period should commence when there is a final decision regarding the propriety of the GGYC challenge and fully taking into account the Northern Hemisphere window as indicated in the Deed of Gift. This means that the Match cannot take place before May 2009.

Several issues still remain unresolved. Among these, the GGYC certificate is critical, as it is unclear and contradictory. Since GGYC refuses to provide us with the information required in the Deed of Gift, we are forced to continue with the legal procedures that GGYC started by bringing the America's Cup to court.

Stay tuned...

500 Miles On A Beach Cat

Monday - May 12 2008 - 1155 PST - Tybee 500 Race - The first leg started on the water with a 12 knot Southwesterly breeze and spinnakers flying. Most teams remained on the inside until they were well up the bay with various exit strategies used to reach the Atlantic.

Once there, the ocean proved to be problematic for several teams with some boats flipping several times. Some small thunderstorms were also waiting to greet the fleet between Miami and Hollywood, and they sucked all the breeze out of the air.

The fleet got bunched up as a result, and all boats wound up finishing within 20 minutes of each other. Overall, it was a great start to the race. To follow the race with more photos go to Tybee 500.

Gitana 13 Breaks Another Record

Monday - May 12 2008 - 1125 PST - At 02h14'56'' UT this morning, Lionel Lemonchois and his seven crew crossed the finish line of the Yokohama - Dalian record. In so doing Gitana 13 and her men have established a new reference time by making the Chinese port in 3 days 20 hours 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Ellen MacArthur's reference time in 2006 (7 days 3 hours 8 minutes) has thus been improved upon by 3 days.

This 1,215 mile course has been highly varied in terms of the weather. Setting out from Yokohama on Thursday 8th May at 05h55'45'' UT, the maxi-catamaran in the colours of LCF Rothschild Group had a gentle start to the record, with the initial miles sailed at a fairly reduced pace in order to extract themselves from Tokyo Bay.

However, Lionel Lemonchois and his seven crew quickly hit more air, enabling them to lengthen their stride. Over the course of Friday night, during the passage of the Osumi straits at the SW tip of Japan, the sailors of Gitana Team experienced their usual allotted gale for this particular record.

Indeed the anemometer climbed as high as 57 knots, whilst the catamaran was on a reach. However, a few miles further down the track, during Gitana 13's slog along the coast of Southern Korean, it was a zone of high pressure that the eight sailors had to negotiate this time round.

"We experienced several radical changes in weather; we set off in calm conditions and sunshine, then very quickly after that we hit some air and then a gale for a 24 hour period. Gitana 13 was then sailing with just three reefs in the mainsail; the big swell producing quite a spectacle" confided Léopold Lucet.

On his arrival on shore, the skipper of Gitana 13 looked back at the last few miles of their journey in the Yellow Sea: "Our third and final night at sea was fairly complicated... We had to slalom our way between the fishing boats, the cargo ships and the drifting fishing nets, the whole thing coloured by virtually no visibility.

We weren't unhappy to get safely into port! Our course and this arrival in China has all been a really enjoyable change of scene! We're really very privileged to be able to come and sail in this part of the globe, as few boats have this opportunity. We're well aware of our good fortune aboard Gitana 13."

Gitana 13 will spend a few days in Dalian prior to taking to the high seas again, bound for Qingdao, a city which will play host to the sailing events in the Beijing Olympic Games this coming August.

For more photos and updates on Gitana 13 go to Gitana Team. Photo by Gitana S.A.

Damien Wins Match Racing Germany

Monday - May 12 2008 - 1055 PST - An estimated 40,000 people have come to see the sights and sounds of Langenargen this week as the town played host to second stage of the World Match Racing Tour. Match Race Germany ended today with Damien Iehl's French Match Racing Team taking 1st place in a best of three final against Jes Gram Hansen's Trifork Racing of Denmark.

In the deciding match of the semi final, both Richard and Iehl got penalities, and Iehl fought hard to hold the lead. The finish line could not come soon enough for Team Sinbad who won the race by one metre and qualified the team through to the finals. Iehl has fought hard the whole way through this regatta, after he came second in the repecharge, he only just made it through to the semifinals in fourth place.

With none of the original regatta favourites in the final, picking a winner would be difficult. The first race of the final started, but was quickly abandoned as the wind died away. Mumblings of no finals and just a count back (which would see Jes Gram Hansen take first place) were quickly put to rest when the wind came back a few hours later and the races got underway.

In match one of the final Trifork Racing got a penalty for being in the windward position and failing to keep clear. Iehl went on to cross the line first, and continued his winning streak in the next race taking the finals 2-0. "This is my first tour regatta and the level here is very high so I am very happy to win" Iehl told spectators, he continued by saying...

"I won the prestart in both races, and the flat shifty conditions made it difficult for Hansen to pass". Iehl's Team Sinbad now enter the leader board 3rd equal with Paolo Cian on 25 points. Ian Williams is currently at the top with 27 points, closely followed by Bjorn Hansen with 26 points.

In the petit-final the results went to one all after Ian Williams equalled the score by winning the second race against Mathieu Richard. However the wind died away and the race committee were unable to get the deciding race sailed.

To determine the winner, it went back to the quarterfinal round robin, and as Richard finished ahead of Williams, his French Match Racing Team took third place. "I would have preferred to sail the third match and beat Ian Williams, but of course I am happy with the outcome," commented Richard.

The prize giving was held in the sunshine on the lake edge in the midst of the thousands of spectators who have enjoyed the racing this week. "I'm satisfied if the sailors are satisfied," Rudi Magg said at the press conference held right before the prize giving. Gerard Bosse praised the sailors "they did a good job in difficult conditions and they never complained."

The lack of wind, and storm warnings were all but a memory as sailors and spectators celebrated a great regatta in a beautiful location. With the second stage of the tour now complete, sailors can look forward to Korea where the third stage will be held.

Match Race Germany Final Results:

1. Damien Iehl (FRA) Team Sinbad. 2. Jes Gram Hansen (DEN) Trifork Racing. 3. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team. 4. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar. 5. Markus Wieser (GER) Team Sea Dubai. 6. Sebastien Col (FRA) K Challenge/French Match Racing Team. 7. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team. 8. Peter Wibroe (DEN) Wibroe Sailing Team. 9. Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch Racing/Emirates Team New Zealand. 10. Staffan Lindberg (FIN) Alandia Sailing Team. 11. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza. 12. Eric Monnin (SUI) Team Search.ch.

For more results and photos go to WMRT. Photo by Image Richard Walch

Long Night For The Class40 Fleet

Monday - May 12 2008 - 1030 PST - During the first night at sea for the Class40 fleet, the 11 boats raced in a compressed pack: Boris Herrmann's Beluga Racer leading the field with Benoit Parnaudeau’s Prevoir Vie the backmarker with just a handful of miles separating the fleet as the light began to fade on Sunday evening.

Beluga Racer and Giovanni Soldini's Telecom Italia were fighting for first place around the The Artemis Transat Champagne Mumm race gate at the Lizard and by dawn, Soldini had taken the lead holding a slim two mile advantage over Thierry Bouchard and Mistral Loisirs – Pole Santé ELIOR as the fleet slipped south of the Scilly Isles with Christophe Coatnoan on Groupe Partouche and the Class40 Prevoir Vie of Benoit Parnaudeau keeping closest to the islands and trailing in 10th and 11th place over 30 miles from the Italian boat.

"Big fog - bit better now - earlier this morning it was worse," confirmed Soldini via satellite phone this morning. "Last night was not a sleeping night," he explained. "Boats too close and shipping, impossible to sleep."

Nonetheless, Soldini has won the prize awarded by Champagne Mumm for the best elapsed time between Race Gate 1, The Omega Gate at Eddystone Lighthouse, and Race Gate 2, the Champagne Mumm Gate at Lizard Point. Soldini wins his height in champagne for crossing the gate at 2157GMT last night, sailing Telecom Italia between Gate 1 and 2 in 5 hours 57 minutes and 17 seconds.

Trailing Soldini in second place by two miles this afternoon, Thierry Bouchard, skipper of Mistral Loisirs – Pole Santé ELIOR, looked back at the start of The Artemis Transat: "On board, everything is OK after the stress of the start," says 49 year-old Bouchard, a highly experienced yachtsmen in crewed racing, but a newcomer to solo sailing.

"Leaving my family and friends behind was a very moving moment," he admits, "and I'm not really used to single-handed racing." For Bouchard, the light airs racing may be demanding, but the personal benefits are huge: "I'm trying to find my own pace in the windless patches," he explained, "and this has also prevented me from suffering seasickness which usually happens at race starts in strong winds." While the current weather is a bonus, the French skipper knows that this soft ride will soon end: "I'm enjoying these calm conditions, but it won't last for long."

The first night at sea is always a tremendous drain on solo skippers, especially the smaller Class40 teams with limited funds and personnel: the pressure to prepare the boat on time and the emotional departure combine lethally with little sleep due to the close proximity of the fleet and the busy shipping lanes along the English South Coast.

Halvard Mabire, 52 year-old skipper of Custo Pol currently in in 3rd place six miles behind the leader, had a restless night: "It was a mixture," he reports, "and I was very preoccupied with all the shipping." Malbire passed extremely close to a large vessel, hearing and seeing nothing until the ship had passed and while it is likely that cargo vessels will constantly monitor their radars, the French skipper doubts that fishermen will be so vigilant in the fog.

"We're nowhere near Newfoundland, but it feels as though the place has come to find us!" continues Mabire. "At dawn I was sailing through fog that you could cut with a knife, but everything is OK. The wind is unstable, but at least it's blowing in the right direction."

Miranda Merron is trailing Mabire by two miles and described similar conditions on board 40 Degrees shortly after dawn today: "There was variable breeze during the night and it's very foggy this morning with 14 knots of NE breeze." There is, however, no chance to rest in these relatively light conditions. "It's radar on and I'm not hanging around below deck."

In 7th place, Simon Clarke sounded on peak form this morning, despite an exhausting pre-race period and tough first day at sea: "Ok night, was tired even before start and then a gruelling day of light airs," the 42 year-old Briton admits. "But a beautiful night, beautiful sky, fantastic visibility." Clarke's Class40, Clarke Offshore Racing was in a running battle with the two other British yacht's, Fujifilm and 40 Degrees:

"We were very, very close - close to Alex Bennett who must have had a sail problem as he was going round in circles! Passed Miranda then she passed me earlier this morning, then the fog came down and visibility reduced to 100 metres."

Unlike Halvard Mabire, who took a more southerly track westwards passed the Scilly Isles, Clarke's more northerly route kept Clarke Offshore Racing out of the heavy traffic." Not too much shipping," he confirms, "only picked up 4 or 5 on the radar, but no problems."

As the Class40 fleet leave Europe astern, the spread between the front four is just six miles. Can Soldini and Telecom Italia extend their lead as the weather builds or will the fleet remain compacted deep into the Atlantic?

Will the champion German dinghy sailor, Boris Herrmann on Beluga Racer, threaten the more experienced yachtsmen in the leading trio? Can Thierry Bouchard find his offshore rhythm and overhaul the leader? After 24 hours at sea, the Class40 race is proving to be tight.

To follow the 40's go to Follow the Artemis Transat 40's.