Around The World Of Sailing

Paradise Found

The 33rd International Rolex Regatta was every sailor's best dream. The three-day event, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club from Friday, March 24, through Sunday, March 26, saw hundreds of sailors aboard 92 boats plying the shockingly blue waters of the Caribbean under color-matched skies, with winds cooperating perfectly. Though shorts and flip-flops may have been the sailing gear of choice and beach parties the evening priorities, the casual look and feel did nothing to lull the fiercest competitors, who came to win class honors and Rolex Submariner timepieces -- one up for grabs in each of eight classes for boats ranging from 24 to 80 feet.

>From the first day, Martin Jacobson's (Greenwich, Conn.) Swan 44 Crescendo led the Spinnaker Racing Cruising class, with 1984 Australian Olympian Jamie Wilmot (Sydney) steering. "It was just paradise," said Jacobson after the first day's racing on which his team aced three windward-leeward races in 12-16 knot breezes. The next day's races, held in even brisker breezes, gave the team a 4-1 to add to its score line along with some vivid memories of the dramatic coastline on the harbour race from the east end of the island, along its south side, to Charlotte Amalie. After a finish and restart just inside the harbor--in the shadows of large cruise ships and visiting super yachts--a reverse-direction race brought the fleet back home to the St. Thomas Yacht Club. On the last day, a distance race among the islands in Pillsbury Sound, handed a fifth victory to Crescendo, which became the only entrant among 22 registered from the U.S. mainland to claim a class crown.

"It was a great experience," added Jacobson, a newcomer to the International Rolex Regatta. "I loved how close everything was.the boats at the yacht club, the parties on the beach, the crews staying within walking distance.it made it very easy to come and enjoy myself."

Danilo Salsi of Milan, Italy, also led right out of the gate. He steered his Swan 45 Dsk Comifin to victory in Spinnaker Racing Class 1 and, like Jacobson, won all but one of his six races. Though Salsi hadn't expected it, his CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association) rating served him well, leaving the class's larger boats such as Donnybrook (a Santa Cruz 70 owned by Jim Muldoon of Washington, D.C.) and Equation (an Andrews 68 owned by Bill Alcott of St. Clair Shores, Mich.) in his wake. Two other Swans, a 48 footer named Privateer (owned by Ron O'Hanley of Ipswich, Mass.) and a 45 footer named Devocean (owned by Steve Devoe of Stamford, Conn.) took second and third, respectively, in the class.

"We are overseas here until June 2006, training for the Newport to Bermuda Race and the Rolex Sydney Hobart", said Salsi, who won Rolex Capri Sailing Week in 2005, more recently finished second at Acura Key West Race Week and plans to next compete in the BVI Spring Regatta and Rolex Antigua Sailing Week. "The configuration courses are not so important to us. We like the distance races; it is what we need for our training."

Before the third day's distance race was scored, Gilberto Rivera of San Juan, Puerto Rico, sailing his J/24 Urayo, had sewn up the series for the CSA 24 Spinnaker Class. "We sailed the last race anyway, because we wanted to enjoy the day; we tried to not be aggressive, since other boats were sailing for second place," said Rivera. Urayo's fifth-place finish in that race, held in comparatively light breezes, was well balanced with a second-place finish and half a dozen first-place finishes posted over the previous two days. "The strong winds and waves of the first two days separated the more experienced sailors from the less experienced," he added.

Rivera finished second at last year's regatta, losing out to six-time Rolex winner Fraito Lugo (Ponce, Puerto Rico), who chose this year to sail in the IC-24 Class and finished fourth there. It was Rivera's first time to win a Rolex watch, which he gave to his father in thanks for his "sponsorship" of Rivera's sailing program over the years.

Another Puerto Rican winner was Enrique Figueroa, a multiple world and national catamaran champion who has represented his country in the Olympics four times. He defended his title aboard the Hobie 16 Suzuki Red Bull in the Beach Cats Class and has won this Rolex regatta "more times than I can remember."

While Puerto Rico was represented by 22 boats, the U.S. Virgin Islands had the largest contingent with 30 entries.

One of those, St. Croix's Robert Armstrong, sailing the J/100 Expensive Habit, took the Spinnaker Racing Class 2 by storm. With the help of 2004 J/24 World Champion Jens Hookansen, who grew up in St. Croix but now resides in Middletown, R.I., Armstrong posted all first-place finishes except one in his six-race lineup. A fellow St. Croix sailor, Tony Sanpere, likewise steered his Soverel 27 Cayennita to victory in Non-Spinnaker Racing Class 2 to defend his title there.

The balance of the fleet came from the British Virgin Islands (7), Antigua (2), St. Martin (2), Canada (1), Belgium (3), Ireland (2), Italy and the UK (1 each).

Two of the BVI entrants captured crowns in their classes: Christopher Lloyd (Road Town, Tortola) with his Beneteau 44 Three Harkoms, in Non-Spinnaker Racing Class 1 with all four first-place finishes, and Robby Hirst (Road Town, Tortola), who leapt from third to first on the scoreboard on the last day, driving his IC-24 Sea Hawk to finish positions of 1-2-2 in three final races.

The IC-24 Class, with a fleet indigenous to the area and growing rapidly in popularity, completed a 10-race series, participating in the harbour races to and from Charlotte Amalie but returning to round-the-buoys racing on the final day while the rest of the fleet sailed in Pillsbury Sound. "I'm somewhat speechless," said Hirst, who was the British Virgin Island's Olympic representative in 1996 and won the IC-24 class here last year as well. "I had no idea we'd pull it out like that." The day prior, St. Thomas sailor Chris Rosenberg aboard Bambooshay seemed to have wrapped up the series, with four straight victories in his scoreline. The final day's light breezes, however, became his downfall. "Sometimes if you have a lot to lose, you get defensive and end up losing it," said Hirst. "We had nothing to lose: we decided to just get out there and race, be consistent and stay in the top five all day."

Ironically, Hirst already wears a Rolex timepiece that Rosenberg insisted on passing on to him when Hirst helped him sail a Melges 24 to victory in a prior International Rolex Regatta. "I think the one from this year will be claimed by my wife," said Hirst, with a half-joking laugh.

Rolex also is the title sponsor for the Rolex Antigua Sailing Week, due for its 39th running from Sunday, April 30, through Saturday, May 6, 2006.

Full results (posted live each night by Interactive Creations), hometown rosters and nightly reports and photos can be found at www.rolexcupregatta.com,. Video coverage is available for viewing at www.t2p.tv or by clicking on the related icon on the regatta web site.

Place, Yacht Name, Type, Owner's Name, Origin, Results, Total Points

CSA 24 Spinnaker (CSA - 8 Boats)
1. Urayo, J24, Gilberto Rivera, San Juan, Puerto Rico - 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 5; 13
2. KQ-LO, J24, Carlos Sierra, San Juan, P.R., USA - 3, 3, 3, 4, 1, 3, 3, 1; 21
3. Saudades Cemex Pr, J24, Leopoldo Loria, San Juan, P.R., USA - 4, 6, 2, 3, 3, 2, 2, 3; 25

IC 24 One Design (One Design - 19 Boats)
1. Sea Hawk, IC24, Robby Hirst, Road Town, Tortola, BVI - 0, 16, 1, 5, 3, 2, 8, 4, 1, 2, 2; 44
2. Bambooshay, IC24, Christian F. Rosenberg, St.Thomas, USVI, USA - 0, 5, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 12, 11, 7, 14; 56
3. Stinger, IC24, John Holmberg, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 0, 3, 7, 4, 7, 4, 4, 5, 9, 3, 11; 57

Spinnaker Racing 1 (CSA - 7 Boats)
1. Dsk Comifin, Swan 45, Danilo Salsi, Milan, ITA - 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 1; 7
2. Privateer, Swan 48, Cr 48, Ron O'Hanley, Ipswich, MA, USA - 4, 3, 3, 1, 2, 7; 20
3. Devocean, Swan 45, Steve Devoe, Stamford, CT, USA - 3, 2, 2, 7, 6, 2; 22

Spinnaker Racing 2 (CSA - 15 Boats)
1. Expensive Habit, J100 33, Robert Armstrong, Gallows Bay, St. Croix, USVI, USA - 1, 1, 1, 5, 1, 1; 10
2. Lost Horizon II, Olson 30, James Dobbs, Antigua - 2, 2, 4, 3, 3, 7; 21
3. Broken Drum, J29 29, Jack Bishop, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI, USA - 3, 3, 7, 11, 2, 5; 31

Non-Spinnaker Racing 1 (CSA - 12 Boats)
1. Three Harkoms, Beneteau 44, Christopher Lloyd, Road Town, Tortola, BVI - 1, 1, 1, 1; 4
2. Wildflower, Sabre 402 40, Ron Noonan, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 2, 3, 2, 3; 10
3. Affinity, Swan 48, Jack Desmond, Concord, MA, USA - 4, 4, 3, 2; 13

Non-Spinnaker Racing 2 (CSA - 6 Boats)
1. Cayennita, Soverel 27, Tony Sanpere, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI, USA - 1, 1, 2, 1; 5
2. ATN, J27 27, Marcus Compton, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 3, 2, 3, 3; 11
3. Poco A Poco - Preferred Health, Pearson Flyer 30, Agustin A. Rodrigues, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA - 8/DSQ, 3, 1, 2; 14

Spinnaker Racing Cruising (CSA - 15 Boats)
1. Crescendo, Swan 44, Martin Jacobson, Greenwich, CT, USA - 1, 1, 1, 4, 1, 1; 9
2. Lazy Dog, Beneteau 40.7, 40, Sergio Sagramoso, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA - 4, 3, 3, 2, 2, 5; 19
3. Pipedream, Sirena 38, Peter Haycraft, Road Town, Tortola, BVI - 3, 2, 5, 1, 3, 6; 20

Beach Cats (Portsmouth - 10 Boats)
1. Suzuki / Red Bull, Hobie Cat 16, Enrique Figueroa, San Juan, P.R., USA - 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2; 8
2. Heineken, Hobie Cat 16, Francisco Figeroa, San Juan, P.R., USA - 3, 6, 2, 2, 2, 4; 19
3. Exodus, Hobie Cat 16, Keki Figueroa, San Juan, P.R., USA - 2, 1, 7, 3, 4, 6; 23

Volvo Ocean Race Due to Set Sail from Brazil

March 31, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – The Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 is ready to set sail on Sunday when the next stage of the race gets underway. Leg five will see the competitors sail 5000 nautical miles through the Atlantic Ocean to Baltimore, Maryland.

Leg five promises to be a hard fought battle as the skippers and navigators face some difficult decisions due to the complicated currents and often fickle winds of the Western Atlantic.

The teams are likely to approach the leg in three sections; Rio to the scoring gate at Fernando de Noronha where they can pick up some vital bonus points, the scoring gate to the entrance of the Chesapeake Bay, and finally the last 100 plus miles up the Chesapeake to Baltimore where the leg points await.

Throughout the leg there will be some tough decisions to be made, as Assistant Race Meteorologist Jennifer Lilly explains: “Once passed Cabo Frio each team will have to choose whether they want to continue north along the coast, risking fickle winds to gain the advantage of less current and daily thermal winds off the land, or whether they want to head farther offshore risking stronger counter currents to have a more stable breeze.”

There will be no respite even into the last 100 miles of the leg. “The last section of this leg will be quite different from anything along the course so far. Past Virginia Beach and Norfolk the fleet will enter Chesapeake Bay, a narrow shallow opening, with tricky winds and an obstacle course of crab pots, fish traps, commercial shipping, naval warships and recreational traffic,” explained Lilly.

In previous races the leg has been won or lost in the final approach to Baltimore as race veteran and Ericsson skipper John Kostecki (USA) explains: “The Chesapeake provides a lot of challenges - there are large shoals, lobster pots, current and possible variable winds due to land on both sides. The three or four times that I have sailed up there I have struggled with the challenges of the Chesapeake.”

Pirates of the Caribbean skipper Paul Cayard also remembers some testing times in the Chesapeake: “We will have to see what happens as we approach the U.S in terms of fronts and then anything could happen into the Chesapeake. Based on experience, there will be a lot of re-shuffling and we could see boats parked up. It should be very exciting for the spectators as it really could come down to the wire.”

After a victorious in-port race in Rio, ABN AMRO ONE has pulled out a sixteen point lead over their sister-ship ABN AMRO TWO at the half-way stage in the race. Skipper Mike Sanderson hopes the next leg will go their way too: “I am expecting the next leg to be good for us. The boat was designed for moderate airs reaching and therefore this should be a good leg for us. Hopefully we can start to see a little edge over the fleet.”

With just eight points separating second place from fifth, there will be an intense battle for the podium places.

The Spanish entry movistar is just half a point behind third-placed Pirates of the Caribbean. Bouwe Bekking and his team have had a tough time but believe that their troubles are now behind them as Bekking explains: “I am confident that we have the right sails and a good team. We are aiming for a podium position and with second to sixth place very close, we are looking forward to the competition.

“A lot on this leg comes down to technique and concentration. The physically strongest crew will come out on top and I think that is one of the strong points we have for this leg. Our prime goal is to beat Pirates and ABN AMRO TWO. Of course winning is the first goal but we have to look to the overall and if we do that we are in good shape.”

Due to the hot conditions that the teams will experience, hygiene will also be an important factor on this leg as Kostecki explains: “This leg can be very hot and sticky and at times unbearable. When I sailed this leg eight years ago many of the crew had skin problems and I got infections in my legs. You have to be very careful with hygiene and make sure you stay healthy.”

The leg gets underway at 13:10 (local) on Sunday 2 April. Live audio commentary will be broadcast at www.volvooceanrace.org. Tune in to Guy Swindells English commentary with guest Rob Mundle. Spanish speaking listeners will hear the events unfold through the voice of Amanda Blackley and guest Maria Bertrand.

The boats are expected to arrive into Baltimore between the 17-19 April.

Current Leaderboard
1st ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 52.5 pts
2nd ABN AMRO TWO, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 36.5 pts
3rd Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 31.5 pts
4th Movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED) 31.0 pts
5th Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 28.5 pts
6th Ericsson Racing Team, John Kostecki (USA) 23.5 pts

Crew Lists - Leg 5
ABN AMRO ONE
Mike Sanderson (NZ) – Skipper
Stan Honey (USA) – Navigator
Brad Jackson (NZ)
Mark Christensen (NZ)
Tony Mutter (NZ)
Sidney Gavignet (FRA)
David Endean (NZ)
Jan Dekker (RSA)
Robert Greenhalgh (GBR)
Justin Slattery (IRL)

ABN AMRO TWO
Sebastien Josse (FRA) – Skipper
Simon Fisher (GBR) – Navigator
Andrew Lewis (USA)
George Peet (USA)
Lucas Brun (BRA)
Hans Horrevoets (NED)
Luke Molloy (AUS)
Yves Leblevec (FRA)
Scott Beavis (NZ)
Simeon Tienpont (NED)

Brasil 1
Torben Grael (BRA) – Skipper
Marcel van Triest (NED) – Navigator
André Fonseca (BRA)
Andy Meiklejohn (NZ)
Henrique Pellicano (BRA)
João Signorini (BRA)
Horacio Carabelli (BRA)
Roberto Bermudez (ESP)
Stuart Wilson (NZ)
Marcelo Ferreira (BRA)

Ericsson Racing Team
John Kostecki (USA) – Skipper
Steve Hayles (GBR) – Navigator
Neal McDonald (GBR)
Damien Foxall (IRL)
David Rolfe (NZ)
Guillermo Altadill (ESP)
Magnus Woxen (SWE)
Richard Mason (NZ)
Ross Halcrow (NZ)
Timothy Powell (GBR)

movistar
Bouwe Bekking (NED) – Skipper
Andrew Cape (AUS) – Navigator
Chris Nicholson (AUS)
Jonathan Swain (USA)
Mike Joubert (RSA)
Mike Howard (USA)
Pepe Ribes (ESP)
Peter Doriean (AUS)
Stu Bannatyne (NZ)
Fernando Echavarri (ESP)

Pirates of the Caribbean
Paul Cayard (USA) – Skipper
Jules Salter (GBR) – Navigator
Craig Satterthwaite (NZ)
Jerry Kirby (USA)
Erle Williams (NZ)
Anthony Merrington (AUS)
Justin Clougher (AUS)
Justin Ferris (NZ)
Ian Budgen (GBR)
Dirk de Ridder (NED)

Mainsail Handling

Since the development of the headsail handling system the mainsail has become easier to use than ever. Both the main and the genoa can be deployed and handled with safety and confidence from the cockpit. Whether it’s the ease of hoist or the convenience of storage, two mainsail handling products come to mind: the Harken Battcar System and the Forespar Leisure Furl and Coastal in-boom furlers.

If it’s raising and lowering the sail that is giving you fits I urge you to check out the Battcar systems from Harken. Used in conjunction with Harken’s Lazy Jacks, this product makes handling the main much easier. With an anodized track installed on the mast, the Battcars travel up and down with relative ease. The mainsail is attached to Battcars that either ride on captive bearings or a low friction plastic insert, depending on which cars are selected for your project. The Battcar is adapted nicely to the full battens of the modern mainsail. Typical of Harken, the fit and finish are great. View this product at shop.torresen.com

For a more elaborate mainsail handling system with the latest developments in storage check out the “in-boom” furling main. As with the roller furling genoa, the main can be rolled onto a mandrel that retracts the sail into the boom. Full battens are easily rolled in-line with the boom. A sail cover is incorporated in the boom itself and merely slides forward covering the stored sail with a tug of a line. This system works well and allows reefing of the main safely from the cockpit. Boom retrofit projects like this are becoming more popular and even stock items on a handful of new boats. Check out this product at shop.torresen.com.

With these two new products, sailing a balanced boat with both main and genoa has become more convenient and safer for short-handed crews. For more information or an estimate on either of these systems contact John at the Torresen Marine Service Department.

Motherly Advice Dictates, “Make Sure You Have A Spare Pair of…

…filters, or belts, or zincs. “You never know when you may need them.”

If your mother was/is anything like mine, you have heard the importance of preparedness…repeatedly. And I concede, she is right. You never know what the future will bring, making preparation a necessity. Like that spare pair of johns in the glove box waiting for misfortune, spare engines parts can save you from an embarrassing situation.
The Torresen Marine staff has taken countless calls from stranded sailors in need of engine spare parts. At times those calls are for major engine components that have failed unexpectedly, not common spares. But, often times the customer will require a belt, or an impeller, or any number of engine parts that are considered a general maintenance spare. Although we love to provide the ailing sailor with these maintenance parts, it is easier and less stressful for both parties when preparation is attended to ahead of time. The customer is, therefore, not at the mercy of the marina’s stock or shipping time frames and costs.
A fantastic way to carry spares is via the purchase of a spare parts kit. Generally there are two parts kit variations, a minor and major. Anyone looking at an extended cruise should carry a major kit. The remaining vessels should carry the minor. The lists below give a general idea of what the kits contain.

Minor/ “A” Sized Parts Kits

 Oil Filter
 Fuel Filter
 Air Filter
 V-Belt/s
 Zinc
 Impeller & Gasket

Major / “B” Sized Parts Kits

 The Minor / “A” Kit plus
 Water Pump Assembly
 Injector
 Service Manual

Yanmar, Universal and Westerbeke all provide variations on these pre-packaged spares to accommodate your needs. Volvo engines also offer a variety of spare kits. Torresen Marine carries a full line of spare parts kits and general spares for each of the aforementioned manufacturers. To view and purchase parts and spares please visit Marine Diesel Direct or via telephone at 231-759-8596.

Beyond the Engine

Believe it or not, spring is right around the corner and with it comes the start of the 2006 sailing season. It won’t be long until you can feel the wind in the sails and the water rushing past as you trim in for your first outing of the year. In an ideal world we would spend all of our time sailing from one destination to the next, but unfortunately that is not always the case. More times than we would like, we end up using our auxiliary means of propulsion, more commonly known as our engine.

Moving while under power can be quite noisy and causes a fair bit of vibration. This vibration, while normal, is sometimes exaggerated by components of your drive train becoming worn out or misaligned. Before your boat goes into the water is the best time to inspect all of the elements of this system to ensure smooth operation of your sailboat while under power.

The first item we come to on our inspection underneath the boat is the propeller. The prop should be smooth and look completely symmetrical from one blade to the next. The slightest damage or imperfection to the prop can cause serious vibrations to occur while under power. Inspect the point where your shaft enters the prop, there should be absolutely no visible gap here whatsoever. If you can see any daylight, the prop is improperly mounted. Check to see that both nuts are tight and that there is a cotter pin in the end of the shaft. If you have a folding propeller, the blades should be tight in the hub and there should be very little play in the blades when they are open or closed.

The next step up the shaft is the propeller strut. The strut is able to hold the shaft in place but still allows it to rotate by means of a cutless bearing. This cutless bearing is a brass sleeve with a rubber liner inside of it. The brass sleeve is pressed in place in the strut and is usually held in place with setscrews. The rubber liner is what acts as the bearing for the shaft and it stays lubricated simply by the water it is submerged in. Although these bearings usually last quite some time, they will eventually wear out. Inspect the bearing from both ends and look for signs of wear. It is especially important to look for signs of uneven wear. Uneven wear can signify the need for bearing replacement as well as give you a clue about potential engine alignment problems, which we will discuss later in this article. Wiggle the shaft back and forth and see if there is any slop between the shaft and the bearing. This should be quite snug and any motion should be a cause for concern. If a cutless bearing fails, the rubber can become detached from the brass and fold over inside the bearing and cause serious problems. Inspect this area carefully and replace if needed. Do NOT oil this bearing.

The last inspection to be done outside of the boat is to the shaft itself. Grab the propeller and rotate it while closely watching the shaft where it exits the hull. There should be no sideways motion whatsoever. Any motion up and down can mean a bent shaft or potentially a shaft-coupling problem. Also look and see if the shaft exits the boat in the middle of the tube. If not, this could also be a clue to a potential alignment problem.

The first point of contact for the propeller shaft inside the boat is the stuffing box. The job of the stuffing box is to keep the water out of the boat while still letting the shaft rotate freely. The conventional stuffing box consists of a brass nut containing flax packing. By tightening this nut, the flax packing is compressed against the shaft and water is sealed out. When the packing is new, very little pressure is required to make this water seal. As the packing ages and dries out, more force is required on the packing to create this seal. This increased pressure over time can eventually get to the point were it will begin wearing grooves into the shaft. These grooves will in turn allow more water in, which requires the nut to be tightened more. This cycle can cause premature shaft wear as well as allowing unwanted seawater into your boat. If you have never replaced your packing, assume that it needs it. It is quite a simple procedure and can be done without too much difficulty.

The next step for your shaft is the coupling. This is the round T shaped piece that connects the shaft to the output shaft of your engine. It is very important that the shaft fits perfectly into the coupling. There should be absolutely no movement at all between these two components. If you can wiggle the two independently from each other at all, you need to have it corrected. This usually means replacement of either the shaft or coupling which is major, but crucial. This problem is one of the most common causes of excessive vibration and if this fit wears excessively it can cause the key and/or the setscrews to shear which can cause you to lose all drive to the shaft. If this failure were to occur while in reverse, it is possible that the shaft could even back itself out of the boat leaving you with a large hole in the boat as well as no forward or reverse. This fit is best checked with the coupling separated from the output flange of the engine and is most commonly done while alignment is being checked.

The shaft coupling is bolted to the output flange on the engine. It is important that these two mating surfaces are perfectly aligned with one another. Alignment is checked by first separating the shaft coupling from the output flange on the engine. The shaft is then positioned in the center of the tube where it exits the hull. These two surfaces are then inspected for alignment. If the two surfaces do not align perfectly with one another, the engine then must be repositioned until it is aligned with the coupler. This repositioning is done by adjustments that are performed with the motor mounts. These adjustments can move each corner of the engine up or down as well as side to side.

Motor mount breakdown is one of the biggest causes of engine misalignment and can dramatically increase vibration while under way. Inspect the mounts and look for any signs of them breaking down. The rubber on the mounts should appear firm with no cracks or tears. Keep them clean and free of diesel fuel or engine oil, as these products can break down the rubber. Motor mounts break down over time and will eventually need replacement. If you’ve never checked your mounts, now’s the time.

If you have any questions concerning any of the above information, please feel free to contact our service department at 231-759-8597 or send an e-mail to Brian Torresen. Torresen Marine also has expert mechanics on staff that are trained in the maintenance and repair of your boat’s entire drive train. Our mechanics are also available to assist you with inspections and repairs before your boat gets launched.

Whether you have a vibration problem or not, these are all items that should be checked in order to keep your drive train in proper operating condition. A little routine maintenance now can help keep your boat powering smoothly and help prevent expensive yard bills down the road.

The Rap On Halyard Wrap

In our March article about headsail handling we unraveled some of the history of the furling system. This article pertains to the issue of “halyard wrap”, a common problem that we are finding on many installed systems and addressing on every furler that we install. When a system is installed it isn’t complete until the sail has been fit. At this time the angle of the headstay and the genoa halyard can be inspected.

In a wrap situation the tendency is for the upper half of the swivel to spin with the rest of the sail causing the halyard to wrap around the furler foil. More seriously, if this occurs repeatedly or if the furling line is forced by using a winch, the headstay itself may sustain enough damage to fail completely. Using a winch to operate a furling system falls seriously into the “don’t” category. Seasonal maintenance should include a rig inspection by a professional. Specifically, inspecting the headstay for damage or wear is recommended.

Should your halyard become wrapped try to release it by alternately pulling on the sheets and furling line. If the wrap still persists, inevitably someone may have to go aloft to unwrap the halyard.

There are two solutions most commonly used prevent this problem depending upon the relationship between the sheave and headstay. The first is to install a halyard diverter. This device is installed on boats where the sheave is to close to the headstay. The diverter is mounted on the mast below the genoa halyard exit thus increasing the angle of the halyard. Likewise when the sheave is low enough a pennant can be installed at the top of the sail. This raises the halyard swivel up to the sheave box thus keeping the halyard from wrapping.

It should be noted that different headsails have different luff lengths and may or may not work with the system without the necessary modifications. Whatever the scenario, contact Torresen Marine’s service department to arrange a consultation and schedule a sail fit to ensure a proper installation. This will be good insurance that when you are spending valuable time enjoying your boat you won’t be hassled with a stubborn furler.

Why Use A Surveyor?

An aspect of boat buying and selling that comes up during most boat deals is having a current boat survey. Just as it is smart to have a home appraised before you buy, having your new/used boat inspected is a handy tool. It is a must when financing or insurance is required. Torresen Marine Sailboat Brokers have good working relationships with several surveyors in the area.

The surveyor will help you fine tune the value of the boat, note needed repairs, determine which deficiencies should have priority in repairing, and what conditions might be common in that style and age of boat.

The prepurchase condition and valuation survey is what prospective buyers normally order, usually as a condition of the sale. All accessible areas of the boat and marine systems will be inspected, including hull, deck, propulsion systems, electrical, plumbing, and navigation systems. A comprehensive written report and an appraisal of the fair market value of the boat will be provided. The cost of a survey is generally in the $12.00 to $14.00 per lineal foot range. Corrosion analysis, spectrometric oil analysis, or sea trials will have an additional charge.

More and more frequently we find that well prepared sellers are offering a current survey, from a qualified surveyor, to assist the buyer when he is making his selection. This survey may satisfy your lender and insurer but this will depend on how current the survey is. Check this out ahead of time to see what they might require.

Contact the Torresen Marine Brokerage Department for a list of surveyors near you. We can assist in setting up the survey arrangements, schedule the haul out/launch and assist in any concerns that may arise.

Hard Starting Engine

To have an engine, gas or diesel, start easily and consistently requires that many things must be in order. Some things will be peculiar to either gas or diesel but most requirements are common to both. Many of the essential needs are interdependent; for example, compression and cranking speed. Both must be within tolerance but as compression decreases, cranking speed will increase – all other things remaining unchanged.

Adequate compression is needed. Compression is the term used when air is taken into a cylinder (intake stroke) and then the piston is pushed into the cylinder (compression stroke) reducing the volume of the combustion chamber and compressing the contents of the cylinder. When starting, the starter motor provides the force required for the compression. As the pressure within the cylinder increases, the air being compressed leaks out a little. The higher the compression, the faster the leak and the slower the cranking the more time for the leak to persist. The internal condition in the engine contributes to the speed of the leak. Bad rings or valves can contribute greatly to poor compression. Low cranking speed can give the same results.

Compression test results are expressed as “pounds per square inch” (PSI). The readings should be close to the same across all cylinders. Gasoline engines should have compression readings between 90 and 120 PSI and diesel engine pressures will range from 340 to 475 PSI. Diesel compression is much harder to measure and requires better measuring equipment.

Low compression with proper cranking speed requires that the engine be repaired. Sometimes that repair is as simple as adjusting the valves or doing a valve job. More often in engines with higher running hours new piston rings will be required, i.e.; a major overhaul.

If compression is low because the cranking speed is low, there are a lot of things that must be checked and corrected to crank faster.
1- The starter motor must be in good shape. There are bearings, brushes and electrical components that age or wear over time, resulting in diminished cranking speed.
2- The batteries must be adequately rated and in good condition.
3- All related wires and cables must be in good condition with all the connections clean and properly tightened. Voltage can drop dramatically if a connection is oxidized, even if the retainer appears to be tightened firmly. The wiring and connections to the starter switch and dash panel must also be good.
4- The grounding of the starter to the engine block must be clean and tight.
5- The starter motor solenoid must pull in solidly and have clean internal contacts.
6- The engine lubricating oil should not be overly viscous.

The fuel must be relatively fresh, of the proper Cetane or Octane and free of water or additives.

Gasoline engines must have:
1- Properly operating choke.
2- Good spark plugs of the proper heat range.
3- Good low voltage components. (Points, distributor cap, rotor, condenser and wiring)
4- Good high voltage wiring and components. (Plug wires and coil)
5- The carburetor must be clean and properly adjusted.
6- The ignition timing must be to spec.

Diesel engines must have:
1- A good injector pump.
2- Good injectors.
3- The injection timing must be to spec.
4- Good glow plugs or manifold heaters – where installed.
5- Good preheating actuators and wiring.
All the above (and probably more) should be checked and discrepancies corrected. One or more items could contribute and fixing just one might improve starting, but not make it the best possible.

Volvo Race Portal a Roaring Success

March 30, 2006, Portsmouth, England - The Volvo Ocean Race mobile portal, a unique collaboration between Ericsson and the race organisers which enables fans to follow the drama of the event on their mobile phones has attracted huge audiences.

The portal, which enables enthusiasts across the world to experience and participate in the Volvo Ocean Race via their handsets has to date recorded over a quarter of a million page downloads just on mobile phones.

From the Ericsson-hosted Volvo Ocean Race mobile portal, consumers can enjoy daily news and results as the fleet makes its 31,500 nautical mile journey around the world, as well as videos, games, wallpapers, and images to enrich the consumer experience of the race. Operators who offer consumers this service include Bite Lithuania, EMT Estonia, Telefónica Móviles Argentina, Telefónica Móviles México, Telfort, Holland, TeliaSonera on their mobile internet portal SurfPort in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Lithuania, TMN Portugal and Vodacom South Africa. Latest operator to launch is Vodafone in Portugal where the Volvo Ocean Race portal will be positioned and integrated into the Vodafone live! portal.

Glenn Bourke, CEO, Volvo Ocean Race, says: “For the first time in the history of the Volvo Ocean Race, people are part of the race 24 hours a day via their mobile phones, getting the true feeling of the race. The portal gives consumers immediate access to experience the race on their own terms.”

The Volvo Ocean Race mobile portal is now available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. On average every day people are reading over 20,000 pages of mobile content race information including over 6000 downloads a day of a variety of content including video clips, audio interviews, mobile phone sailing games and sailing wallpapers. A further 3,000 core sailing mobile enthusiasts are receiving SMS news alerts whenever a story breaks.

Johan Bergendahl, Vice President, Marketing, Ericsson, says: “Ericsson is establishing a mobile channel business for media companies, by hosting brands to the market directly to consumers and also via mobile operator portals. We enable media companies to set up business relations with operators and act as both a reseller and a service and solution provider of mobilized content”.

The portal is integrated and hosted by Ericsson under a managed services agreement and operators can quickly introduce the Volvo Ocean Race service under their own brands. The portal can be part of operators’ existing portals or used as a stand-alone service.

Commodores' Cup Challenges Gain Momentum

Three months out from the start of the Rolex Commodores' Cup 2006, regatta organiser Royal Ocean Racing Club, is predicting a strong line up. In 2004, 11 teams took to the water, with England Red overcoming the Irish on the last day to win this Solent-based international competition.

David Aisher, newly elected Commodore of the RORC, is delighted with the prospects for this summer. "We hope to have at least eleven teams representing the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Ireland. There is also a strong possibility of one or two more attending". Given that the French are looking at adding a fourth team, the Irish a third and the Dutch a second to their existing line-ups, eleven may be conservative. Over and above these traditional entrants, there is also a good chance of an 'Eastern European' team with a mix of Russian and Polish boats. There is even a possibility of teams from both Malta and Italy, and discussions are taking place with the U.S., which has recently started using the international IRC rule. They have not competed in the event since 1996.

The Irish set their stall out early with their first team announced in September 2005. Colm Barrington has a Ker 50 Magic Glove building in South Africa, to replace his successful Flying Glove. Conor & Denise Phelan have a brand new Ker 37 also under construction. Whilst Anthony O'Leary will bring his Corby 35, Antix, which won the ultra competitive Sovereign's Cup in Kinsale in 2005 along with second overall (behind Colm Barrington's Flying Glove) at the MeesPierson IRC Nationals. In February a second team was confirmed, including Tim Costello's Mills 40 Tiamat, which had success at both the Bell Lawrie Scottish Week and Skandia Cowes Week in 2005; Eamonn Rohan has recently commissioned a Corby 37 Blondie as the team's Class 2 boat and Andrew Allen's/Colm Monahan's J 109 No Naked Flames will be in Class 3. Following their disappointment in 2004, the Irish enthusiasm - for a trophy they have never won - shows no sign of waning with rumours of a third team planning to cross the Irish Sea.

The RYA have announced their plans for the selection process which will include both inshore and offshore trials for the GBR teams with the intention of announcing teams towards the end of May. The GBR teams are likely to include one Scottish team.

The French are no newcomers and with victory in 2002, Gery Trentesaux knows exactly what is required to win the trophy. "The key to success is patience and a week-long strategy that recognises the importance of both the inshore and offshore components," commented Trentesaux who will bring his new Beneteau 44.7 Courrier du couer as one of the big boats. "And, naturally some luck as well", he adds. The French had two teams in 2002, three in 2004 and now hope to put together a fourth. "It is rewarding to see such strong French interest in this top level competition," explains Trentesaux.

RORC is particularly pleased that its efforts to attract an Eastern European crew in 2004 were not in vain. Serguei Kotsiouba's IMX 45, Follow Me, flew the Russian flag for Team Europe last time around. For this year hopes are high that two Russian boats will form a team with a boat from Poland. The Russian boats are Misha Mouratov's Swan 45. Murka, already a familiar sight on the Solent and Sergey Bryuzga's Sinergia 40, Juga, which was a regular on the Baltic circuit in 2005. "There are more and more eastern European yachts participating in our events in the UK as well in regattas in the Mediterranean and elsewhere in the world. Helping them get involved in international events such as the Rolex Commodores Cup will only help the sport to grow back in their own countries. For this reason we have no hesitation in assisting these people put competitive teams together," explains David Aisher.

The Rolex Commodores' Cup will be held off Cowes, Isle of Wight, from 25th June to 2nd July 2006. Entries close on Monday 22nd May.

Skippers' Plan Insures Spirit of Canada is Winner

Robertson & Robertson Insurance joins Spirit of Canada Ocean Challenges as a Silver Partner. Just like thousands of boats in Ontario, Spirit of Canada is insured by Robertson and Robertson's "Skipper's Plan".

About Robertson & Roberson "Skippers' Plan"

Robertson & Robertson has the highest level of qualified professionals and have been providing advice and insuring boats in Ontario for over 40 years. Their knowledge of the marine insurance environment ensures that clients obtain the coverage that fits their needs. With their pledge to make their clients' best interests their own, always act with integrity, value people before profits, and honour their commitments, they are well suited to team with Spirit of Canada

Robertson and Robertson focuses on making their clients' contact with the marine insurance industry simple and positive. They provide the best professionally administered yacht insurance in Ontario.

Ellen's Team Scores Hat Trick

At London’s Grosvenor House hotel last night, the support team behind Ellen’s MacArthur’s Offshore Challenges Sailing Team had their efforts rewarded at the Hollis Sponsorship Awards as they walked away with three top awards. The Awards recognise the very best and most effective sponsorship campaigns for the year.

This recognition by the sponsorship industry of Ellen’s team could not be more timely as the commercial team are currently negotiating for a new title sponsor for Ellen’s ongoing sailing plans: “As we head into the next phase of our project which will see the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team return to the competitive world of IMOCA Open 60 monohull racing, we are looking forward to progressing this project with a brand new title sponsor and so this comes as a great boost to the team in recognition of what we have achieved so far on land as well as at sea,” said Ellen MacArthur.

The Offshore Challenges Sailing Team won both the Sports Sponsorship Award and the ESA International Sponsorship Awards against some strong contenders. In the Sports Sponsorship Award category sponsored by Aura Sports, they came up against npower Ashes Test Series 2005, John Smith’s Grand National, CIS Insurance Cups and Brain’s sponsorship of the Welsh Rugby team. But the B&Q title-sponsored campaign that culminated in MacArthur setting a new world record for a solo circumnavigation, won out.

In the ESA International Sponsorship Award, one of the most hotly-contested awards, the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team nomination came out on top against BP Explorer (sailing), Chang Beer Everton Football Club and the Nikon European Golf Challenge.

Then on top of these two winning awards, the team were to receive one further accolade and clinched the best Overall Sponsorship for 2006. This is not the first time the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team and their title sponsors have been recognised by the judges of the Hollis Sponsorship Awards, having been the recipient of four other awards in the past.

Ellen’s triumphant return after 71 days at sea sparked off a round of plaudits from industry insiders: “The branding and positioning of signage has been outstanding and work with the media has also been cleverly planned and skilfully managed. The whole package added up to one of the most successful marketing communications campaigns in recent memory,” Nigel Currie, chairman of the European Sponsorship Association [extract taken from Nigel Currie’s Media Comment column in Marketing Week].

“It was a flattering position for the company to be in,” commented Mark Turner, CEO OC Group, “and it was great for the team behind the scenes to get the recognition they deserved. Although as far as they were concerned they were just doing their job – communicating the project to the widest possible audience and ensuring that the sponsors get the best return possible.”

The unprecedented media coverage surrounding Ellen’s return in February 2005 both in the UK and overseas, turned it into one of the biggest sailing stories in history. It was front-page news on every national UK newspaper and was covered ‘live’ by both the BBC and ITN. An estimated 50+ hours of coverage was achieved in the UK during the record attempt reaching an audience of over 100 million viewers (UK and worldwide via BBC World and Sky). IPSOS confirmed that Ellen’s awareness in the UK was 77% (very few mainstream public figures match these awareness levels) and spontaneous awareness of B&Q’s association with Ellen stood at 57% (one of the highest figures ever seen by IPSOS). The ESA International Sponsorship Award recognised the campaign’s diversity in presenting a dual-branded project for B&Q in the UK and its French DIY counterpart Castorama across Europe – two sponsorships for the price of one! The 75ft trimaran was branded B&Q one side and Castorama the other, and the entire communications programme was two-fold targeting the relevant countries with the appropriate brands. In France, Ellen’s awareness was recorded at 68% and has maintained these high levels since the year 2001 when she finished second in the non-stop solo Vendée Globe race. Very few athletes reach these levels of awareness and even fewer in more than one country.

US Sailing Announces 2006 Championships

Portsmouth, R.I. (March 28, 2006) - US SAILING, national governing body of the sport, has determined its 2006 schedule for Adult and Youth National Championships. The 17 events, which begin in March and continue through November, will be hosted by different sailing organizations across the country and raced in a wide range of classes of boats. Continuing the event series' tradition, many of US SAILING's National Championships are being raced in different classes of boats each year. Most of the events also provide advanced racing clinics for the competitors.

While some participants are selected by their sailing resume, the course to the majority of Championships is either open or based on a ladder structure that begins at the local club level and progresses to regional finals before reaching the National Championship.

Since the first US SAILING Championship Trophy was first awarded in 1930, more than tens of thousands of sailors have competed in a U.S. Championship, either at the national level or at the local qualifying level. Many of the Championships' winners have gone on to compete at the highest levels: winning Olympic medals and world championship titles, being named US SAILING Rolex Yachtsmen and Yachtswomen of the Year, and much more.

BMW Racing Launches USA 87 in Style

Valencia, Spain. BMW ORACLE Racing celebrated three major milestones in Valencia, Spain today with the official naming of their first new generation yacht, the official opening of the team base and the launch of an extensive merchandise collection.

More than 500 guests and 150 international media gathered at the impressive new base to watch as Sue Dickson, wife of BMW ORACLE Racing skipper and CEO, Chris Dickson, broke the traditional bottle of champagne across the bow of USA-87.

“This is a great moment and milestone for our team,” Chris Dickson said. “A boat christening is always a moving event – for every designer and boatbuilder, for every sailor, for all of us who have the privilege to take part in such a magnificent campaign.

“USA 87 is the result of 1,000 hours of full-scale two-boat testing and 30,000 man hours invested by our boatbuilding team.

“Over the coming days and weeks, the challenge will be to tap the yacht’s full potential.” Dickson thanked the BMW ORACLE Racing design team headed by Ian Burns, the BMW contribution of automotive engineering know-how, the boatbuilding team managed by Mark Turner, Tim Smyth and Mark Somerville, and the sailing team who will now be testing the boat to develop its full potential.

Extremely strong and lightweight, the two-ton carbon fiber hull of USA 87 was constructed in the American coastal town of Anacortes, Washington. At the end of February, the “Made in USA” hull traveled from Seattle to Valencia in a spectacular manner – 8,900 km aboard a Russian Antonov cargo plane with support from DHL Global Forwarding.

The christening of the new race yacht was the centerpiece of a spectacular evening of celebrations, which took place at the new BMW ORACLE Racing team base in Valencia. The base covers 5,600sq meters over three floors and features world-class hospitality for team VIP guests, a public interactive centre, a gymnasium and team facilities for running a two-boat America’s Cup program.

“We designed a base that would encompass a wide range of our team requirements under one roof,” said Chris Dickson. “The first priority was to provide the most efficient sailing operations possible.

“At the same time, we wanted to design a space that would offer our guests a memorable world-class hospitality experience set amidst an authentic sailing environment. Our base is our home in Valencia and we will open our doors daily to the Valencia community with a public interactive and merchandise area.”

The base architecture and design reflects the team’s technology-driven campaign. The team commissioned noted German interior designer Volker Bender of Kaiserslautern, Germany, who also designed and produced most of the VIP interior and the public area furniture. Italian design label Tecno supplied all of the office furniture used throughout the base.

“Our program will be closer to what guests experience in Formula One than to what has been seen before in the America’s Cup,” said Mirko Groeschner, Marketing Director, BMW ORACLE Racing. “The crucial point is to entertain a significant number of guests at once and yet give each of them a very unique and special America’s Cup experience. We believe this base design concept achieves this goal.”

One of the highlights of the evening was the launch of the team lifestyle collection. Team members and models presented the range consisting of more than 28 separate items in a catwalk style fashion show.

In cooperation with BMW, the new collection was developed by world renowned marine clothing specialist, Henri Lloyd, who are Technology Partner for BMW ORACLE Racing.

State-of-the-art technology, professionalism, innovation, quality – these characteristics, which are associated with the BMW ORACLE Racing Team, are also reflected by the new merchandise range of clothing and accessories. The collection is inspired by the team kit worn onboard and the same attention to detail has been applied, incorporating premium quality fabrics, such as GORE-TEX®, Scheoller® Soft Shell Technology and Windstopper® materials, which are used to produce the most technically advanced performance clothing for one design racing.

However, fabrics such as classic cotton, jersey and polyester have not ceased to appeal to the classic on shore clothing items, which include a men’s, ladies, unisex and kids range.

First Day a Treat - Rolex Regatta

St. Thomas, USVI (March 24, 2006)--After last night's rousing welcome party, complete with Carnival dancers and a reggae band, the St. Thomas Yacht Club today kicked off the on-water action at the 33rd International Rolex Regatta with a packed morning and afternoon of course racing. Hundreds of sailors competed aboard 92 boats, ranging in size from 24 to 72 feet, while a brisk 12-16 knot breeze under notoriously blue Caribbean skies kept the competition tight and the action non-stop.

The conditions were perfect.just paradise," said Martin Jacobson of Greenwich, Conn., owner of the Swan 44 Crescendo, which leads the Spinnaker Racing Cruising class after posting three victories in as many races today. "We liked having the three races with shorter legs of about 1.5 miles each. We got better as a team throughout the day." Jacobson is one of 22 owners on the entry roster representing the U.S. mainland. It is his first International Rolex Regatta, and he is acutely aware that a Rolex watch is at stake for each winner in the eight classes. "Tomorrow could be different," he said, referring to a planned distance race to Charlotte Amalie Harbor, followed by a race back to the yacht club. "We have 15 boats in our class, and it's a strong class competition-wise."

Also showing strong are Spinnaker Racing classes 1 and 2 and their respective leaders Danilo Salsi of Milan, Italy, aboard the Frers 45 Dsk Comifin, and Robert Armstrong of St. Croix, aboard the J/100 Expensive Habit. Both skippers won all three of their races today, Armstrong with the help of 2004 J/24 World Champion Jens Hookansen, who grew up in St. Croix but now resides in Middletown, R.I.

Amazing growth in the local IC-24 class translated into 19 boats competing today, and close competition was reflected by the scores after five races. Local sailor Christopher Curreri's Brand New Second Hand leads with 24 points overall, followed by fellow St. Thomian Chris Rosenberg with 27 points and defending champion Robby Hirst of Road Town, BVI, also with 27. Aboard Curreri's boat is local Ben Beer, a veteran world racer at age 33, who has sailed the last several Rolex regattas aboard the 75-footer Titan 12. "Titan couldn't be here this year, so I decided to come back and do something really fun. Not that sailing on big boats isn't fun, but these are my home waters, and IC-24 racing is just different.it makes sailing new again for me." Curreri and Beer are joined by Lee Icyda of Stuart, Fla., another well-known sailor who is trying something different. "This is what happens when you sail all over the world--you meet people and get asked to do cool things like this," said Icyda, who is an Yngling World Champion and is campaigning the Olympic-class boat for Beijing in 2008.
The U.S. Virgin Islands are represented by 30 entries and Puerto Rico by 22. The balance of the fleet comes from the British Virgin Islands (7), Antigua (2), St. Martin (2), Canada (1), Belgium (3), Ireland (2), Italy and the UK (1 each).

Live results by Interactive Creations (www.yachtscoring.com) are posted on www.rolexcupregatta.com, where hometown rosters, nightly reports and photos also can be found. Daily video coverage will be available on demand by 9 p.m. each night at www.t2p.tv or by clicking on the related icon on the regatta web site.

Rolex also is the title sponsor for the Rolex Antigua Sailing Week, due for its 39th running from Sunday, April 30, through Saturday, May 6, 2006.

Place, Yacht Name, Type, Owner's Name, Origin, Results, Total Points

CSA 24 Spinnaker (CSA - 8 Boats)

1. Urayo, J24 24, Gilberto Rivera, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA - 1, 1, 1, 1, 2; 6
2. KQ-LO, J24 24, Carlos Sierra, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA - 3, 3, 3, 4, 1; 14
3. Compinche, J24 24, Gerardo Fernandez, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA - 2, 2, 4, 2, 4; 14

IC 24 One Design (One Design - 19 Boats)

1. Brand New Second Hand, IC24 24, Christopher Curreri, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 1, 4, 2, 9, 8; 24
2. Bambooshay, IC24 24, Christian F. Rosenberg, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 17, 5, 3, 1, 1; 27
3. Sea Hawk, IC24 24, Robby Hirst, Road Town, Tortola, BVI - 2, 16, 1, 5, 3; 27

Spinnaker Racing 1 (CSA - 7 Boats)

1. Dsk Comifin, Frers 45, Danilo Salsi, Milan, ITA - 1, 1, 1; 3
2. Devocean, Swan 45 45, Steve Devoe, Stamford, CT, USA - 3, 2, 2; 7
3. Privateer, Swan 48 Cr 48, Ron O'hanley, Ipswitch, MA, USA - 4, 3, 3; 10

Spinnaker Racing 2 (CSA - 16 Boats)

1. Expensive Habit, J100 33, Robert Armstrong, Gallos Bay, St. Croix, BVI - 1, 1, 1; 3
2. Lost Horizon II, Olson 30 30, James Dobbs, Antigua - 2, 2, 4; 8
3. Ghost, Etchells 30, David L. Flaherty, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 5, 4, 2; 11

Non-Spinnaker Racing 1 (CSA - 12 Boats)

1. Three Harkoms, Beneteau 44, Christopher Lloyd, Road Town, Tortola, BVI - 1; 1
2. Wildflower, Sabre 402 40, Ron Noonan, St. Thomas, USVI, USA - 2; 2
3. Acadia, Cat Ketch 48, Burt Keenan, New Orleans, LA, USA - 3; 3

Non-Spinnaker Racing 2 (CSA - 7 Boats)

1. Poco A Poco - Preferred Health, Pearson Flyer 30 30, Agustin A. Rodrigues, Fajardo, Puerto Rico, USA - 1; 1
2. Cayennita, Soverel 27, Elle & Tony Sanpere, Christiansted, USVI, USA - 2; 2
3. Eolo, J30 30, Jose Medina, Puerto Real, P.R., USA - 3; 3

Spinnaker Racing Cruising (CSA - 15 Boats)

1. Crescendo, Swan 44, Martin Jacobson, Greenwich, CT, USA - 1, 1, 1; 3
2. Lazy Dog, Beneteau 40.7 40, Sergio Sagramoso, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA - 4, 3, 3; 10
3. Pipedream, Sirena 38, Peter Haycraft, Road Town, Tortola, BVI - 3, 2, 5; 10

Beach Cats (Portsmouth - 10 Boats)

1. Suzuki / Red Bull, Hobie Cat 16 16, Enrique Figueroa, San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA - 1, 2, 1; 4
2. Doctor Lightning, Hobie Cat 16 16, Jorge Torres, Caguas, P.R., USA - 4, 3, 3; 10
3. Exodus, Hobie Cat 16 16, Keki Figueroa, San Juan, P.R., USA - 2, 1, 7; 10

Seamless Win for ABN Amro One

March 25, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – ABN AMRO ONE sailed a faultless race out on Guanabara Bay to win the fourth in-port race of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 in front of a fleet of 1100 spectator boats.

Skipper Mike Sanderson and his crew took an early lead in the race and crossed the finish line just under two and half hours later to beat second placed movistar by a little over two minutes.

A delighted Sanderson said: “The boat was immaculately prepared for today’s race and the guys onboard did a great job – it was just magic and I was lucky to be holding the wheel.”

He continued: “We didn’t put a foot wrong. We started well and did not get overtaken by a single boat the whole way through the race. It is one of the best days yachting that we have had on this boat.”

During the race all five of the other boats held second place at some stage and the points were extremely hard fought. After plenty of jostling, movistar went on to take second place and after facing a race against time to repair the boat after leg four, movistar skipper Bouwe Bekking (NED) was content to settle with this.

“I am quite happy about our result” said Bekking, who continued by saying:

“You always race for first but today second feels good. ABN AMRO ONE sailed a superb race and deserved to win. We manoeuvred the boat well around the course but ABN AMRO ONE had slightly more speed upwind. It couldn’t have been a better day out on the bay and it was great to see all the spectator boats out to watch the race.”

Paul Cayard’s Pirates of the Caribbean looked set to take second place at one point until a boat handling error saw them drop down the fleet.

Cayard explained: “We had a snowballing effect at mark four. We gybed too soon and we missed the lay-line to the mark, which was the first problem and then we had to do two quick manoeuvres, two gybes and a spinnaker drop, which wasn’t the end of the world, but when we gybed the jib got wrapped around the headstay and then it got snagged, so even after we unwrapped it we had to drop it.”

For the team onboard The Pirates the day got worse as they took the wrong side of the downwind leg and dropped back to sixth place overall.

Cayard concluded: “It was a tough day and it happens. It is not pleasant to go through but you have to keep your chin up and keep going. In the big scheme of things it’s just a minor set back as we still have a good team, we still have a good boat and everything was going great for first couple of legs and we were racing well. ABN AMRO ONE is just simply faster. We have the capability to race well and we just have to get back on it next Sunday.”

With the points being so sought after a couple of the teams were a bit over zealous at some of the mark roundings. At the first mark local hero’s Brasil 1 were penalised by the on-water umpires with a one turn penalty after infringing a racing rule and tacking within two boat lengths of the mark.

Grael commented: “I think we got a bit too close at the first mark, it probably was a good call from the umpire but I have not seen any video yet so can not judge. When I tacked I thought we were below the other boats line but it was quite marginal so a penalty was understandable. We were pushing hard as we wanted to get a good result and I probably ended up being too anxious.”

Skipper Sebastien Josse (FRA) on ABN AMRO TWO also received a penalty when he touched the buoy at the penultimate mark rounding.

In the end the podium positions went to the boats that made the least errors, and after moving up from fourth place overall, it was Ericsson who took the final podium spot.

New skipper John Kostecki (USA) summed up the teams day: “The guys did a good job today. Our goal was to get a podium finish and we accomplished that so we are all quite happy. We had an okay start, it wasn’t as good as we hoped and we felt we gave the rest of the fleet a little advantage, but we managed to recover nicely and the crew did a fabulous job. We minimised the mistakes and the other teams made more mistakes.”

He concluded: “It was a fun race. There was a lot of lead changing so it was exciting and you could feel the energy on all of the other boats and so it was a fabulous race. I would have to say it is probably the most fun in-port race to date.”

The teams returned to the dockside at the Marina da Gloria in front of a magnificent crowd of 19,000 spectators who cheered all of the boats home, and especially their local hero’s on Brasil 1.

The teams now have a week to prepare for the leg re-start which sees the boat leaving Rio on Sunday 2 April for the 5000 nautical mile journey to Baltimore.

In-port race results
1st ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 3.5 pts
2nd Movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED) 3 pts
3rd Ericsson Racing Team, John Kostecki (USA) 2.5 pts
4th Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 2 pts
5th ABN AMRO TWO, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 1.5 pts
6th Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 1 pt

Current Leaderboard
1st ABN AMRO ONE, Mike Sanderson (NZL) 52.5 pts
2nd ABN AMRO TWO, Sebastien Josse (FRA) 36.5 pts
3rd Pirates of the Caribbean, Paul Cayard (USA) 31.5 pts
4th Movistar, Bouwe Bekking (NED) 31.0 pts
5th Brasil 1, Torben Grael (BRA) 28.5 pts
6th Ericsson Racing Team John Kostecki (USA) 23.5 pts

Fast Trip Downtown - Rolex Regatta

St. Thomas, USVI (March 25, 2006)--Most cruise ships stop in Charlotte Amalie to allow their guests some shopping downtown. But today, boatloads of sailors visiting the St. Thomas, USVI, waterfront capital had other reasons. It was the second day of racing at the 33rd annual International Rolex Regatta and the second year that host St. Thomas Yacht Club ran a spectator-friendly distance race from the east end of the island along its south side to Charlotte Amalie. After a finish and restart just inside the harbor, a reverse-direction race brought the fleet of 92 boats back home. Eight different classes of 24-80 foot boats enjoyed the spree, which was made more indulgent by 15-20 knot easterly winds. The wind direction made for mostly off-the-wind sailing on the way to town, though various turning marks lengthened the course and necessitated some upwind strategy. The race home switched to a mostly upwind battle against a 3-4 foot chop on top of big swells.

With finishes of 4-1, Martin Jacobson's (Greenwich, Conn.) Swan 44 Crescendo maintained its lead from yesterday in Spinnaker Racing Cruising class. "It was definitely interesting today," said crew member Tom Castiglione (Rowayton, Conn.), noting that his team didn't need a specified navigator on today's two distance races, which were 10 miles and 15 miles respectively. "We navigated by committee; you could just look around and see most everything you needed to."

The Beneteau 40.7 Lazy Dog, skippered by Sergio Sagramoso (San Juan, Puerto Rico), gave Crescendo a run for its money with a 2-2 in that class today, but his team sits six points behind the leader in second place. "We like the round-the-buoys racing of yesterday better, because it gives more chances for things to happen," said Sagramoso, who hopes tomorrow's planned long distance race in Pillsbury Sound will have enough upwind and downwind legs on its course to increase his chances of catching the leader.

Sagramoso's sentiment was somewhat shared by Jens Hookansen (Middletown, R.I.) aboard Robert Armstrong's (Gallos Bay, St. Croix) J/100 Expensive Habit. Although the boat holds onto its lead from yesterday, Hookansen maintained that it is faster upwind than downwind. "The boats with asymmetrical spinnakers just killed us today on the downwind legs," said Hookansen. "Tomorrow's race will be good for us only if we have some good upwind legs." A testament to Hookansen's theory was Expensive Habit's fifth-place finish in today's first race, followed by a victory in the second.

For another class leader, Danilo Salsi of Milan, Italy, today's race fit perfectly with his long-term racing plan. "This is group training for us," said Salsi, owner and skipper of the Frers 45 Dsk Comifin in Spinnaker Racing Class 1. "Usually in the Mediterranean, it is only windward-leeward course racing, so this is new for us. It is what we need." Dsk Comifin recently finished second at Acura Key West Race Week and travels next to compete in the BVI Spring Regatta, Rolex Antigua Sailing Week and the Newport to Bermuda Race. Traveling from Ghent, Belgium are four teams from the Arena Sailing Club, sailing in Non-Spinnaker Racing Class 2, where Cayennita, a Soverel 27 owned by Elle and Tony Sanpere (Christiansted, USVI) has moved into the lead. "We sail on the North Sea, and each year we choose one Caribbean regatta to sail in," said the club's spokesman Zeelmaekeus Rector. "In the evenings we are friends, but on the race course we are competitors against each other." Holding leads from yesterday are Three Harkoms, a Beneteau 44 skippered by Christopher Lloyd (Road Town, Tortola, BVI) in Non-Spinnaker Racing Class 1; Urayo, a J/24 skippered by Gilberto Rivera (San Juan, Puerto Rico) in CSA 24 Class; and Suzuki / Red Bull, a Hobie Cat 16 skippered by Enrique Figueroa (San Juan, Puerto Rico) in Beach Cats Class.
St. Thomian Chris Rosenberg took over the lead today in IC-24 class today aboard Bambooshay.

Ericsson Back on Podium

The Ericsson Racing Team finished third in the Rio de Janeiro in-port race, behind ABN Amro One and movistar. The team was joined by Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, godmother of the Ericsson yacht, as onboard guest during the race.

The fourth in-port regatta of the Volvo Ocean Race started at 13.00 local time in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro (BRA). Conditions were perfect, with a southerly breeze of 12 knots building to 16 knots by the end of the afternoon.

This race was the first under American John Kostecki's leadership. Kostecki, also inshore tactician, commented: "It was a fun race with a lot of position changes. You could feel a lot of energy in all the boats; it was the most enjoyable out of all the in-port races so far."

A few seconds before the start of the race, Ericsson's keel got momentarily blocked - a late consequence of the lightning that struck the boat just before the arrival in Rio. "We didn't have such a good start because of this," commented Neal McDonald. "From then on we kept battling and fighting our way back."

Despite the late start, Ericsson had a good speed over the line. She benefited from fresh wind and good shifts, reaching the top mark close behind Pirates of the Caribbean and movistar, in fifth place. Brasil 1 rounded second after ABN Amro One, but had to perform a 360 degree penalty turn for obstructing the following boats. The six VO 70's headed downwind on the first of four windward-leeward legs. ABN Amro One led throughout the race, whilst positions amongst the rest of the fleet changed continuously.

Pirates of the Caribbean twisted its genoa at the beginning of the third beat, allowing Ericsson to pass and move into third. Next it was ABN Amro Two that was punished for touching the leeward mark on the final rounding. The team performed a 360 degree turn and from then on Ericsson covered the rest of the fleet and held onto third place. A hard fought battle concluded with ABN Amro One the clear winner, movistar second and Ericsson third, earning the team a strongly desired place on the podium.

The previous legs of the Volvo Ocean Race have been tough for the Ericsson Racing Team. It arrived into Rio in a disappointing fifth place, and has a lot to do in order to move up the leaderboard. Today was a great day of racing, and initial signs following the changes that have been made are encouraging.

"It was a difficult race because the course was quite short," commented McDonald; "the sort of race where whoever makes the least mistakes gets to the front of the fleet. We made fewer mistakes than others and finished third." His team mate Guillermo Altadill (ESP) added: "We managed to keep it simple, and anticipated the maneuvers well. Thanks to this, we were able to catch up well."

All crewmembers acknowledged the fact that the crew work was efficient and proved key to today's result. "The only changes to the usual set up were that Ross Halcrow (NZL) was trimming and Dingo was on the bow", explains McDonald. "So despite Roscoe, who fitted in easily, we were used to this setup."

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was the team's onboard guest. After enjoying lunch with the sailors at the Ericsson Racing Team compound yesterday, climbing onboard today made her feel even closer to the crew. "It was terribly exciting," said The Crown Princess, "and I was very impressed with the guys. I expected their work to be hard, but not to this level. The interaction between crewmembers, and the way they work as a team is very spectacular to watch from onboard."

Now is time to turn a new page. "We have a lot of work ahead of us", confesses John Kostecki. "We had a little problem with our keel and the electronics didn't work properly, so we are far from ready for the offshore."

Three in a Row for ABN Amro One

A faultless display from Mike Sanderson and his crew secured a third straight in-port victory in Rio de Janeiro today and extended the lead of ABN AMRO ONE at the top of the leader board of the Volvo Ocean Race. After a well executed start, ABN AMRO ONE lead into Guanabara Bay breaking away from the rest of the fleet – they went on to gradually lengthen the gap to the following pack from 55 seconds at the halfway point to 2 min 5 seconds at the finish.

Speaking from Marina da Gloria, Rio Mike Sanderson said, “That was the perfect race for us. The boat was in beautiful condition, it had been well prepared and the crew work was awesome. The guys should be very proud today, they sailed a fantastic race. To be honest we had worried about this in port race since the start because we knew the conditions were unlikely to suit us. This morning everything looked a bit light but by the time we were out there it all picked up and we had 17 knots at one point.

“The team was magic today – faultless. We got the perfect start and everything went to plan after that – it’s a great day for ABN AMRO ONE and I am very proud to be part of this team.”

There was less fortune for ABN AMRO TWO as Seb Josse and his crew who, despite a slow start, managed to gain third place by the penultimate leg. But as they made the turn the spinnaker hit the marker buoy forcing the crew to make a 360° penalty turn taking them back to last place. A final fight from the young crew on the last downwind leg however, saw ABN AMRO TWO catch The Pirates of the Caribbean to finish 5th just 3 seconds behind Brasil 1.

“We did not have a good start”, said ABN AMRO TWO skipper Seb Josse. “We were slow over the line and had to work hard to make up the ground but the crew did well and we went into the last lap in third place. We had a good fight with Paul Cayard on the final straight - it shows that our boat is fast. A few more meters and I think we would have caught Brasil 1 too.

“I was frustrated that we had to put in a penalty turn but that is sailing, the crew is also young and we are learning all the time. On the last lap when everything came together we showed that we can be very fast.”

Szambecki Team Race Regatta - Results

Saturday Regatta Report: Winds were oscillating between N and ENE today at 5-18 mph. 52 races were completed, with only one flight left to finish the 2nd round robin. The N course was used all day and the racing was umpired. All teams were on the water during the racing as we used 18 FJ?s and 6 420?s. Thank you to Dave Pyron and his team umpires-we had had 6 umpire boats to preside over the racing. Dinner tonight will be provided by the Szambecki endowment for all competitor?s and regatta mangagement volunteers and we thank them as well.

Sunday Regatta Report: Winds today were NW 12-20 mph. The second round robin was completed, followed by a single final four and consolation round. Thank you again to all the umpires, volunteers, and to Norfolk YCC, Hampton YC, and Dan Milligan for loaning us additional boats. Congratulations to Hobart William Smith College for winning the Szambecki Team Race Regatta. Please see the matrix attached for race results.

Achievements Recognized - Volvo - Leg Four

March 26, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Australian Chris Nicholson received the Musto Seamanship Award for his bravery and quick thinking in saving movistar from potentially sinking, at a glittering prize-giving ceremony in Rio de Janeiro last night.

The Australian watch captain was the man who powered up the pumps after water came flooding into the Spanish boat during the fourth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.

He dived underwater to connect two emergency bilge pumps directly to the batteries, suffering a series of electric shocks as he secured the connection, and was able to fire up the pumps to drain tonnes of water that had risen to four feet high in the mid compartments.

The crew on Ericsson received the Media Award, presented by Executive Director of Volvo Car Brazil Marcos Saade, for the quality of their footage, audio and emails during the fourth leg. On receiving the cheque, crew member Richard Mason (NZ) promptly handed it on to Brasil 1 skipper Torben Grael for his Grael Project, which creates opportunities for underprivileged children to go sailing.

The Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean Watch Environmental prize was the next to be awarded. Given to the team that makes a difference to the environment, the prize went to Brasil 1 crew member Horacio Carabelli.

“Brasil 1 has twice taken responsibility not to cause any unnecessary pollution,” said Nils P Dyviok, company president and CEO who presented the award.

“Firstly by doing their utmost in collecting all debris when their mast broke during leg two and a second time when they had a leak in one of their hydraulic rams. The crew managed to get the leakage situation under control and even managed to recycle the oil. By doing this they diminished the risk of both running out of oil and of course saving the environment from an oil spill.”

New Zealander Mike Sanderson, skipper of ABN AMRO ONE, received two trophies. The crew were called up on stage to receive the Roaring Forties Trophy which is awarded to the team that achieves the highest aggregate points from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro.

The Trophy, which features an albatross, was presented by Mr Romula Mello of Birdlife International Brazil, who explained: “This Trophy represents the Save the Albatross Campaign which has been adopted by the Volvo Ocean Race to reduce the seabird’s incidental capture by long line fishing.”

Shortly after, the ABN AMRO ONE team song played again and this time Sanderson and his team were on stage to collect the trophy for winning leg four of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06, which was presented by Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.

The prize-giving, which was attended by around 1200 crew, sponsors and organisers, was held in a specially constructed auditorium at the Marina da Gloria and continued well into the night as guests shimmied to the beat of a vibrant Brazilian samba band.

Volvo Grand Prix Wraps - Win for Basilica

March 26, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Team Basilica from Britain wrapped up a triumphant week in the Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix series with three podium finishes, to win the Rio trophy after a challenging last day’s racing in Guanabara Bay.

Faced with tricky shifting winds which never rose above ten knots, helmsman Alistair Richardson steered Basilica to a win in the second race, sandwiched between a second and a third, where they competed after repairing a broken winch.

“This is a great result for us,' he said.

'We didn’t get off to a great start in the first event in Sanxenxo but obviously we have done a bit of work and put in a bit of practice. It has been a steep learning curve for us but we have come out on top so we are really pleased. We made a couple of crew changes after Sanxenxo so we now have some strong guys on the boat who enjoy pulling ropes.

“The secret to racing these boats well is staying calm. You only need a little gust and there are massive gains and losses to be had, which is different from normal sailing. It was difficult today because the wind was blowing off the land and we had heavy rain for the first half of racing which wasn’t as much fun.”

Motorola-CHR won the final race to finish 23 points behind Basilica and according to skipper Conrad Humphreys, performances across the fleet were improving as the crews became more familiar with the boats.

“These are powerful boats but all these sailors are world class so it has been a case of working together and practising the manoeuvres but I think at the end of two events, we are all of a similar standard and that has been reflected in some close racing this week,” he said.

Tommy Hilfiger, helmed by Randy Smyth (USA), finished third place overall in Rio, which was good enough to maintain first place in the overall rankings for the Grand Prix Series. Basilica moves up to second place overall and Motorola-CHR is one point behind in third.

The Volvo Extreme 40 was developed as a strict one-design catamaran for high speed racing both inshore and in short offshore regattas. It was created by dual Olympic medallist Mitch Booth and designed by Olympic Gold Medal winner Yves Loday and in the space of a year has created an explosion of interest in a burgeoning speed sailing market. The class is being showcased during five stopovers of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06.

“There is a lot of interest and there are people all over the world who want to get involved,” commented Booth.

“We have another three boats in production and we hope that by Portsmouth or Rotterdam, the Volvo Extreme 40 fleet will be bigger. We want as many people as possible to experience these boats because this is what sailing is all about.”

“This week in Rio has been a great success. This Bay is precisely what Volvo Extreme 40s were created for because we race close to the beach - a bit too close at times - so both the sailors and spectators get a slice of the action.”

“This is only our second event and we aren’t even a year old yet but our vision is to grow the class into a worldwide fully blown one design grand prix class and we are well on our way.”

The next leg of the Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series will take place Baltimore, USA, from the 28 April-3 May.

Final Results (after 16 races)
1. Basilica (1,1,1,2,3,3,1,2,2,1,4,2,1,2,1,3) 133 pts
Alister Richardson (GBR), James Grant (GBR), Pete Greenhalgh (GBR), Jonathan Taylor (GBR)
2. Motorola – CHR (2,3,2,1,1,2,2,3,3,4,5,3,4,3,5,1) 110 pts
Leigh McMillan (GBR), Conrad Humphreys (GBR), Will Howden (GBR), Hamish Oliphant (GBR)
3. Tommy Hilfiger (3,5,4,4,5,1,5,5,1,2,3,1,3,5,2,5) 98 pts
Randy Smyth (USA), Jonathan Farrar (USA), Stan Schreyer (USA), Juliano Viana (BRA)
4. Holmatro (5,4,5,3,4,4,3,1,4,3,2,4,2,4,3,2) 96 pts
Mitch Booth (AUS), Taylor Booth (AUS), Daan Koene (NED), Herbert Dercksen (NED)
5. Volvo Ocean Race (4,2,3,5,2,5,4,4,5,5,1,5,DNF,1,4,4) 91 pts
Diogo Cayolla (POR), Gregg Homann (AUS) & various guests including; Emma Westmacott (GBR), Roberto Bermudez (ESP), Chris Nicholson (AUS), Dirk Neumann (NED), Eduardo Pinedo (BRA), Clinio Freitas (BRA), Marco Grael (BRA), Mauricio Santa Cruz (BRA),

Overall Series Rankings (after two events)
1st Tommy Hilfiger 16 pts
2nd Basilica 14 pts
3rd Motorola – CHR 13 pts
4th Volvo Ocean Race 12 pts
5th Holmatro 11 pts

Remaining Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Dates
Baltimore, USA 28 April – 3 May, 2006
Portsmouth, UK 27 May – 3 June, 2006
Rotterdam, Netherlands 9-14 June, 2006

Light Wind Seals Fate of Winners in Eight Classes

St. Thomas, USVI (March 26, 2006)--Though today's light breeze may have caused some frustration, it didn't dampen the spirits of sailors wrapping up three days of competition at the St. Thomas Yacht Club's International Rolex Regatta -- especially for the winners in eight classes, who each went home with a Rolex Submariner timepiece as a prize. The event, held for its 33rd year, hosted hundreds of sailors aboard 92 boats, ranging in size from 24 to 80 feet.

For all but the IC-24 class, today's agenda was the Pillsbury Sound Race, which started outside Cowpet Bay and then wound for some 14 miles among nearby islands. All of yesterday's leaders maintained their overall positions after the distance race was scored, including Gilberto Rivera of San Juan, Puerto Rico, sailing his J/24 Urayo in the CSA 24 Spinnaker Class. "In fact, we did not have to sail at all," said Rivera, explaining that his team mathematically secured its victory yesterday. "We sailed because we wanted to enjoy the day, and we tried to not be aggressive, since other boats were sailing for second place." Urayo's fifth-place finish today was well balanced with a second and six first-place finishes posted over the previous two days when the wind blew in the 'teens, showing off the best side of blue-water Caribbean racing. "Those strong winds and waves separated the more experienced sailors from the less experienced," added Rivera.

Rivera finished second at last year's regatta, losing out to six-time Rolex winner Fraito Lugo (Ponce, Puerto Rico), who chose this year to sail in the IC-24 class. It is Rivera's first time to win a Rolex watch, which he will give to his father in thanks for his "sponsorship" of Rivera's sailing program over the years. "It is also his birthday today, so it will be very special," said Rivera.

In the only upset of the day, Robby Hirst of Road Town, Tortola, took a leap from third to first on the scoreboard after driving his IC-24 Sea Hawk to finish positions of 1-2-2 today. The IC-24 Class completed a 10-race series, participating in yesterday's distance races to Charlotte Amalie Harbor and back but returning to round-the-buoys racing today while the rest of fleet sailed in Pillsbury Sound. "I'm somewhat speechless," said Hirst, who was the British Virgin Island's Olympic representative in 1996 and won the IC-24 class here last year as well. "I had no idea we'd pull it out like that." Yesterday, local sailor Chris Rosenberg aboard Bambooshay seemed to have a terrier-like hold on the lead, with four straight victories in his scoreline, but today's light breezes became his downfall. "Hirst is a light-air technician," said Rosenberg. "He did a great job."
Enrique Figueroa, a multiple world and national catamaran champion who has represented his country in the Olympics four times, also defended his title aboard his Hobie 16 Suzuki Red Bull in the Beach Cats Class. The Race Committee shortened course for the cats when the wind died to five knots, and Figueroa posted a second-place finish, adding it to a 1-2-1-1-1 lineup.

The last of the regatta's three successful defending champions was Tony Sanpere of Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI, steering Cayennita in Non-Spinnaker Racing Class 2. "After the start, I went right, because I knew the wind would switch back," said Sanpere. "A few of the boats tried to squeeze me out, but when I took off on them in the light air they gave up. We tacked back to port and caught a big lift, and that's all she wrote!"

In Spinnaker Racing Class 1, Danilo Salsi of Milan, Italy, sailing the Swan 45 Dsk Comifin, won the Rolex watch. Robert Armstrong of Gallos Bay, St. Croix, USVI, steered his J/100 Expensive Habit to victory in Spinnaker Racing Class 2, while Martin Jacobson of Greenwich, Conn., won in Spinnaker Racing Cruising Class with his Swan 44 Crescendo. All three skippers had only one race that was not a victory in their six-race scorelines.

Christopher Lloyd's (Road Town, Tortola, BVI) Three Harkoms, a Beneteau 44, won Non-Spinnaker Racing Class 1 with all four first-place finishes.

Basilica Ahead Going Into Final Day

March 24, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – There were testing times for both the competitors and the race committee on day four of the Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series.

With light winds never exceeding ten knots and dropping to five at times, the competitors had a tough time as the sea breeze never settled in.

Basilica, helmed by Alister Richardson, managed the best day in the testing conditions, scoring a second and a race win to maintain first place overall. Team Basilica, comprising of Richardson, James Grant (GBR), Peter Greenhalgh (GBR) and Jonathan Taylor (GBR), have established a 19 point lead over second placed Motorola – CHR.

Richardson commented: “With a first and a second we have been the winners of today’s racing but it didn’t all go our way. During the second race we ripped our mainsail which did not affect us this time but definitely would have if the races have been continued and had not been cancelled due to lack of wind. So we were lucky. The mainsail can be repaired easily and we look forward for the final races on Sunday.”

There was drama in the second race of the day for Team Volvo Ocean Race who managed to run aground as crew member Greg Homann explained: “As we were underway upwind in the second race we went parallel to Flamengo beach and the boat came to an abrupt stop with a nasty noise due to a collision with a rock. We had to retire immediately and went to port for inspection.”

He continued: “We found the port dagger board smashed at the bottom. Obviously and luckily there is no structural damage to the hull so there is only the dagger board to be replaced. It is good to have a lay day tomorrow so we can make repairs and get the boat fixed for the final day on Sunday.”

Going into the final day of racing, Team Basilica hold the top spot in front of Motorola-CHR. Tommy Hilfiger helmed by Randy Smyth (USA) is in third place, five points in front of Team Holmatro.

Tomorrow will see a lay day for the fleet whilst the Volvo Open 70’s take part in their in-port race. The Volvo Extreme 40’s will be back out in force on Sunday for their final day of the Grand Prix Series in Rio.

Volvo In Port Race Receives Royal Seal

March 24, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visited the Volvo Ocean Race Village and had the opportunity to view the team’s final preparations before tomorrow’s in-port race, in which she will participate.

HRH the Crown Princess Victoria is godmother to the Ericsson entry and tomorrow she will be a special guest onboard for the fourth in-port race of the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06, which is expected to draw a large crowd both on and off the water.

“I think we can expect a huge turnout tomorrow for the in-port race and I think it will be the largest number of boats that the bay has ever seen,” commented local hero and skipper of Brasil 1, Torben Grael.

It is expected that the course will be set on Guanabara Bay, just offshore from the race village. Spectators will be treated to the site of six Volvo Open 70s in close combat.

The conditions for the teams will prove tricky as Grael explains: “This in-port race will be a bit different from the others that we have sailed as it will be incredibly hot. Also the geography of the bay is very specific with hills all around and it is very narrow. This will certainly keep the race interesting and it will be a great event.”

Overall race leader Mike Sanderson (NZL) commented: “I really have no idea to be honest on what to expect on Saturday. The forecast is looking a little shady. It would be nice if the sea breeze could kick in like it did today but thunderstorms are forecast which could throw a spanner in the works.”

ABN AMRO ONE has established a 14 point lead over second-placed ABN AMRO TWO and as skipper Sanderson explains it is just a question of consistency: “It is a matter of earning as many points as we can during the in-port race. We don’t need to win it but we certainly don’t want to come last, but if we do it will hopefully be because we have had light airs or it is not our day. We just have to go out, try and do a nice job and see what happens.”

Further down the leader board the points are very close and a tight battle is expected for the podium positions tomorrow. Sebastien Josse (FRA) and his young team on ABN AMRO TWO are in second place just four and a half points in front of third placed Pirates of the Caribbean skippered by Paul Cayard.

As Cayard explains, tomorrow could see some further shuffling of the leader board: “We have done well in all the in-ports and we hope to do the same tomorrow, but it looks like it could be the trickiest day of all the in-port races just because there is tidal current in this bay and high mountains round the side so the lighter it gets the trickier it could be here.”

The Spanish entry movistar is in fourth place overall, with just a two and a half point buffer to Brasil 1. Bouwe Bekking (NED) and his team have worked hard during the stopover to get the boat ready for the in-port race, after suffering damage in leg four, and will be hoping for a change of fortune in Rio.

Local hero’s Brasil 1 will be spurred on by the possibility of victory on their home waters. Grael has already proven he is one to watch in the light airs and with the advantage of local knowledge will be a strong contender.

John Kostecki (USA) will take the reins for the first time as skipper onboard Ericsson. Kostecki is confident that the weeks training in the bay along with a few crew changes will pay off: “We have been race training for the last couple of days and it has been going quite well. We have two changes to the crew for the in-port race and that is all shaping up nicely and we feel like we are ready to go. We have not made any huge, significant changes but we are just trying to chip away at everything and do an overall better job. Hopefully we can get a podium finish.”

The one thing that does seem predictable is that it will be a hotly contested race as Kostecki suggests: “The racing is getting really competitive. Some of the best skippers in the world are involved and the crews are all top level which will provide some exciting racing for the public and also for us.”

Ericsson Racing Team: Looks Forward to Rio

The Ericsson Racing Team has been out all week, training in Guanabara Bay off Rio de Janeiro (BRA), and tuning in before Saturday's in-port race. Scheduled for kick off at 13.00 (local time), the fourth in-port regatta of the Volvo Ocean Race will be the first under John Kostecki's (USA) leadership and with Ross Halcrow (NZL) as crewmember. Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, godmother of the Ericsson yacht, will be the team's onboard guest.

The Ericsson Racing Team has been busy practising all week, ahead of Saturday's in-port race in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro. John Kostecki, the team's skipper for leg five and inshore tactician, arrived early into Rio to start training with the team, whilst talented sail trimmer Ross Halcrow has settled in "as if he had always been there", comments Neal McDonald (GBR).

"We've been race training for the last couple of days and things have been going well," said Kostecki. "We've had two changes to the crew for the in-port race and that's all shaping up nicely. Rosco [Halcrow] is a world class trimmer; he's filling David Rolfe's position for the in-port race and Rolfe's doing the bow now which he's very good at. These small changes have been a benefit and we feel like we're ready to go. Hopefully we'll get a podium finish."

The team arrived in Rio in a disappointing fifth place, and is now seriously looking to improve its result. "Our current ranking doesn't reflect the team's potential", said Kostecki.

Despite a broken propeller shaft door and a few electrical problems, the Ericsson yacht arrived into Rio in reasonably good shape. "We didn't have too much to do on the boat, which was nice," commented Neal McDonald, who has now taken over as the team's watch captain, along with in-port race helmsman Tim Powell (GBR). "This has allowed us to get back on the water and get sailing. The whole team has looked at every aspect of the campaign where there is room for improvement. We have added some new sails to the program during this stopover, which should make a difference."

"It has been a tough period for the team", confesses Ericsson Racing Team navigator Steve Hayles. "The way the team has encompassed the change is impressive and everybody is very focussed on the job in hand and in putting points on the table. We've had some good days training here. The bay's a complicated place and the tides and currents are a big issue. But we're feeling pretty confident for Saturday's race - it's a windward-leeward course and we know the boat is strong here."

The course for the in-port will be three to four laps depending on the wind conditions and the running time will be between two and three hours. According to local weather forecasts, there is a front approaching the east coast of Brazil, but no one quite knows when it will arrive in the harbour and what conditions it will bring.

McDonald predicts a pretty open field for the race: "The bay is going to be interesting - it's potentially shifty with varying pressure. It will be one of those regattas where the boats are very close and the places could change very quickly."

Volvo Ocean Race Sailor Takes Time Off

March 22, 2006, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Movistar watch captain Chris Nicholson took a day off from sailing today – to go sailing. Swapping 70 feet for 40, Nicholson took the helm of a Volvo Extreme 40 during the second day of the Grand Prix Series in Rio.

Sailing with team members Diogo Cyolla (POR), Gregg Homann (AUS), and Mauricio Santa Cruz (BRA) on the Volvo Ocean Race boat Nicholson, an experienced 49er sailor, managed to score a second, fifth and a fourth in mixed conditions to finish day two in third place overall.

Nicholson commented: “I had a great day today. It was good fun and fast, although our results were not that good. This kind of sailing is very enjoyable. You don’t need to coordinate nine other crew members and a shore team; you can just jump in and go.”

Drawing a comparison between the Volvo Open 70s and the Volvo Extreme 40s, Nicholson said: “Both of these classes are at forefront of the sport and technology. The Volvo Open 70 is at one end of the spectrum and is extreme - one of t