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December 2002 - Archives Special Features
Dec 31

Team Kingfisher
While The World Enjoys Festive Season, Team Kingfisher Work On...

As much of the western world recovered from holiday excess, and prepared for New Year?s celebrations...Ellen MacArthur and Team Kingfisher headed out to sea yesterday on a cold and windy December day to start sailing trials on the 110 foot mega-cat KINGFISHER2. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Fair Winds For The New Year

31st December 02 - 1st January 03 in the Southern Ocean

As the 11 skippers in Around Alone are racing in the Southern Ocean below Australia, they have already passed into the New Year as they sail Eastwards through the different time zones and into time itself. Swiss skipper Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group - Armor Lux was the first skipper to celebrate the New Year and a winning start to 2003 not only in the lead of Leg 3 from Cape Town to Tauranga, NZL, but also at the top of the overall rankings. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Highs And Lows Of Southern Ocean Racing

A total of 2,130 nm separates first from last boat in the Around Alone race deep in the heart of the Southern Ocean, where currently 11 skippers and their Open class yachts are located between the Kerguelens and Southern Australia. One by one the front boats are passing the virtual waypoint at 46N and of course the second of the three 'Great Capes' in their solo circumnavigation - Cape Leeuwin. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Army signallers survey race radio efficiency

Signallers from the Army’s 110 Signals Squadron have played an important, behind-the-scenes role in the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, looking towards the future of race radio communications. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Delta Wing flies from last to first

Delta Wing, the second oldest boat in the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race, has created yachting history with a rare double – this year winning the PHS Divisions of the Sydney Hobart and the Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race, Australia’s only annual Category 1 ocean races. ... Full Story

Alinghi Team
Live Boat Unveiling

The boat that Alinghi will sail in the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup will be officially 'unveiled' on Tuesday the 7th of January at 9am local time. You can watch live on our webcast as the skirt drops and the rudder, keel and bulb of the race boat are revealed. Coverage will commence at the following times: 8.45am NZ, 8.45pm Central Europe, 7.45pm GMT, 11.45am US West coast, 2.45pm US East coast.

Clipper 2002 Round the World Race
Glasgow Takes the Lead on Leg 4

Over the last 12 hours there has been an interesting split in the fleet. The wind has been blowing 20 knots from the north and London, Jersey and New York have taken advantage of this to blast downwind to the south. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
World Class talent at Australian Etchell Titles

Australian Etchells championship favourite Mark Bradford may rue the moment when he offered a friendly taunting to the highly talented Irish born helmsman Noel Drennan during the recent World championship regatta in New Zealand. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Sunshine Coast Sailors in Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs race

The successful Sunshine Coast husband and wife ocean sailing crew of Jeremy and Roslyn Leitch will fly the Mooloolaba Yacht Club burgee aboard Sunshine Coast Roofing High Anxiety in the Strathfield Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race starting on Thursday (January 2). ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
International eyes on Hamilton Island this New Years Eve

In a Queensland first, images of New Year celebrations on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays will be seen by more than 750 million people around the world. ... Full Story

Thanks to our friends at www.2003ac.com for sharing this composite photo of the participating syndicates for the semi-finals!


© 2003ac.com

Dec 30

Around Alone
Van Liew Makes Risky Investment To The North In Preparation For Great Equalizer Of Tasman Sea
New York, N.Y. (December 30, 2002) - Leg 3 of the Around Alone race challenges competitors with both the rigors of the Southern Ocean and daring tactical choices that can pay dividends or send one to Chapter 11. Mileage is the currency and building it is one's ticket to victory. ... Full Story

Around Alone
From Mountie To Around Alone Skipper

Derek Hatfield is one of those solid you-can-count-on types of person. His former profession (before he became an Around Alone skipper) was as a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, and it shows. I have always admired and had great respect for Mounties, and their ranks must be a little weaker without him. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Points Along The Way

The leaders are through the "gate" and are heading south once more. Bernard Stamm on Bobst Group Armor lux and Thierry Dubois on Solidaires have passed north of the obligatory waypoint and are heading back into the Southern Ocean. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
International Jury disqualifies two yachts

An International Yachting jury today disqualified the French/Australian entry Peugeot Racing and the Sydney yacht Loki following protest hearings into race collisions shortly before and soon after the Boxing Day start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Last yacht finishes at Constitution Dock

Alex Whitworth normally celebrates New Year’s Eve at sea with his crew but this year, he has joined the remainder of the fleet in Constitution Dock more than a day before tomorrow night’s New Year celebrations. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Quest Wins Rolex Hobart Yacht Race

Quest today climbed its ‘Everest’ to Win the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race after nail biting morning ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
SOLAS Trust’s largest donation

This was established following the stormswept 1998 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which makes its single biggest donation today. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Overall win to Quest as Zeus II just falls short

Sydney yachtsman Bob Steel with his state-of-the-art 46-footer, Quest, is the Overall Winner of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. ... Full Story

Lous Vuitton Cup Media
A Lack of Time

Team Dennis Conner’s late cash flow meant it didn’t have the time to overcome setbacks. ... Full Story

Alinghi Team
Who Flies A Protest Flag And When?

There is a lot at stake in each battle of the America's Cup. The match racing between these yachtsmen gets heated, tempers flare, rules are broken and powerful competitors are penalized. It's all in a day's work for the umpires, whose job is to ensure the on-the-water action remains fair. ... Full Story

Clipper 2002 Round the World Race
Glasgow Takes the Lead on Leg 4

Over the last 12 hours there has been an interesting split in the fleet. The wind has been blowing 20 knots from the north and London, Jersey and New York have taken advantage of this to blast downwind to the south. ... Full Story

XXVII Christmas Race
Ideal Conditions on Day 3 in Palamós

The third day of races at the XXVII Christmas Race in Palamós saw sunshine and a stable 8 to 10 knots from the South West. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
2002 McDonald's 29er National update
Today's weather was bright and sunny with a 15-20knot SE breeze forecast. Again four races were scheduled to catch up from last sailing from Day 2 of the regatta when sailing was abandoned after the first race. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Kontrol wins Indec Melbourne to Hobart race
In the most closely contested race in it’s 31 year history, Kontrol skippered by Peter Blake has won line honours when it crossed the finish line at 0917.15 hours today, just 39 seconds ahead of the two handed Maverick II from New Zealand, skippered by Brian Petersen. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Big Guns Prepare for 2nd January Start

Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race competitor Andrew Short was cooling his heels in Hobart this afternoon, having completed the “Hobart Race” abard his Sydney 38 Andrew Short Marine at just after 10:00pm last night. ... Full Story

Dec 29

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Protest hearings tomorrow

The International Jury will hear two protest hearings tomorrow morning arising from collisions at and soon after the start of the 630 nautical mile race. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Small boats' overnight bid for IMS, IRC wins

The Overall IMS winner of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race hangs in the balance with two of the smallest yachts in the fleet sailing their final 100 miles knowing the prize is within their grasp. ... Full Story

Around Alone
The Storm Passes Overhead

The wind is blowing and the Around Alone yachts are riding the edge of a Southern Ocean front. It’s the kind of sailing they came for and despite the rough conditions the spirits are high. Emma Richards, in typical Emma fashion, is dealing with the conditions in her own special way. ... Full Story

Alinghi Team
Perched In The 'Branches' Of The Millennium Rig

From time to time strange birds are found perching at the top of the America's Cup Class mast. On a regular basis, the grinders hoist team members Murray Jones, J.C. Monnin or Dean Phipps up the rig to perch in the top spreaders. Let's take a look at what it's like to take up a spot in the heights of the mast. ... Full Story

Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Offshore Series
Perfect Conditions for Day Two
Perfect conditions again prevailed for Strathfield Race Day 2 in the Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Offshore Series. ... Full Story

2002 - A Year in Review
Issue Four - August/September

Moving into the final few months of the year there were World Champions a plenty, Olympic Qualification and test events, and the countdown started to the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Quest has the runs on the board

The Derwent River and Storm Bay glass out mid-morning might yet deliver the 2002 Rolex Sydney to Hobart race to Bob Steel’s Nelson-Marek 46 Quest. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
The wind delivers but the wind can take away

Strong winds were blowing the smaller boats home fast as they came down the Tasmanian coast but now the weather has played a cruel trick. ... Full Story

Dec 28

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
More a Cruise than a Race, says Dreamland skipper.

Brook Lenfest, owner of the luxury 85’ cruising yacht Dreamland, was very happy with their 15th placing in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart ocean racing classic but disappointed with the race itself. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Marine Widlife Threatened to Eliminate Fitness First Sting.
In 1993 when Fitness First Sting skipper Terry Mullins heard that Brindabella had hit a sun fish and been put out of the race he thought “how unlucky would that be. Your chances of hitting one must be tiny”. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Finished Yachts
Official Finish Times of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Smallest yachts head handicap divisions
Two of the smallest yachts in the fleet , Zeus II and Toecutter, head the progressive IMS and IRC rated handicap divisions as weather conditions continue to favour the smaller yachts on their fourth day at sea in the annual ocean classic. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
British skipper will be back

British property developer Mike Slade has steered his luxury 97 foot maxi Canon into third place across the line two hours behind line honours winner Alfa Romeo but said that he would love to bring the boat back another time. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Grundig skipper rapt at second placing.

After an extraordinary race the 66-foot Sydney flyer Grundig has finished second across the line in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, just 44 minutes behind the 90 foot maxi Alfa Romeo. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
No Race Record but Crichton still delighted

Had the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race started a day later, the 90-footer Alfa Romeo would have threatened Nokia’s 1999 race record, owner/skipper Nevile Crichton said in a dockside interview at Hobart’s Constitution Dock. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Line Honours to Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo, Neville Crichton’s super maxi has taken line honours in the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, surfing up the River Derwent under her massive spinnaker before a fresh seabreeze to cross the line off Hobart’s historic Battery Point at 5.58.52 this afternoon. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Fitness Fit Sting's rudder damaged by whale

Fitness Fit Sting has had her rudder badly damaged in a collision with a whale. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Toecutter dominating handicap Race

Alfa Romeo was surfing at speeds in excess of 17 knots in a 20 knot northerly sea breeze down the edge of Tasman Island ... Full Story

Around Alone
Big Storm Approaching

There is big wind coming and the Around Alone sailors are bracing for the second storm of their Southern Ocean crossing. They have been watching the system develop for a few days and it looks likely to pack a real punch. ... Full Story

Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Offshore Series
Champagne Sailing on Day One

Sydney turned on perfect conditions for Line 7 Race Day One in the Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Offshore Series on Palm Beach circle today. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Huey’s plans for Storm Bay and the Derwent tonight

Many of the 57 Sydney to Hobart races have been won or lost in the last 25 miles. In 5 hours time, at the 3am sked, we will see just what Huey had planned as a an arrival greeting for its overnight guests. Right now sailors are reporting that is ‘very very quiet’ ... Full Story

Dec 27

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Alfa Romeo steps on the gas and could finish this evening.
The super maxi Alfa Romeo, power sailing across Bass Strait overnight, could take line honours late this afternoon in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Leaders in Spinnaker Run to Tasmania

Optimum easterly/north easterly conditions for many of the boats in the 55-strong Rolex Sydney Hobart Race fleet will give crews a comfortable night’s sail as the race leaders pass the half way mark to Hobart. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Winds of change for fleet in Bass Strait

Freshening north-easterly winds this afternoon have caused a major change in overall handicap positions in the IMS and IRC divisions of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race as the leaders power sail across Bass Strait. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Leaders into Bass Strait under spinnaker

Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo holds a five-mile lead as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race frontrunners enter Bass Strait. ... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Winners Dominate Statistics

The three winners of the semi final matches scored a combined record of 12-2 and were thorough in their victories... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Jury Rules on Radar

Even though range-finders have been widely used, they got caught in the same net as radar... Full Story

New Zealand Herald
Family steered sail trimmer into boats from an early age

Considering his family background it comes as no surprise that Chris Salthouse is a sailor at Team New Zealand. His grandfather, John Brooke, was a yacht designer and past commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and his father, John, founded Salthouse Boatbuilders, a successful Auckland business, now run by his brother, Phil. ... Full Story

New Zealand Herald
Experienced Team NZ bowman has a lot to offer

One of Team New Zealand's most experienced members, Joey Allen has plenty to offer those new to the game. Now in his mid-40s, Allen been sailing since he was a kid. "I started sailing in Auckland at the Howick Sailing Club and the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club."
... Full Story

New Zealand Herald
Team NZ to be quizzed over trademark money

A high-powered meeting will be held today over the question of Team New Zealand's use of America's Cup money. The Herald understands that the New York Yacht Club and Prada's club, Punta Ala, have organised the meeting, to which Team NZ have been invited. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Spaghetti Junction At World's End

Sailing around the bottom of the world where the night is as dark as the inside of your pocket, and the waves and winds wreak full force upon the eleven crazy skippers who have chosen to race solo through this oceanic desert, the majority of the Around Alone yachts are over 1,500nm from Perth, at the bottom left corner of Australia. ... Full Story

2002 - A Year in Review
Issue Three - June and July

May saw the IOC continue to move forward in its anti-doping campaign, with the approval of the new draft Anti-Doping Code. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Valheru and Trumpcard’s early exit from Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race

As the 57 competitors started in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race in light breezes, mist and rain on Boxing Day, most breathed a sigh of relief, not so much for the needed rain, but because it felt ‘safe’, surely nobody would suffer breakages or damage in these conditions. ... Full Story

Dec 26

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Alfa Romeo opens up lead overnight
The Sydney-based super maxi Alfa Romeo has opened up a seven nautical mile lead over the British 97-footer, Canon, as they the lead the fleet towards Bass Strait. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Alfa Romeo leads fleet in very close race

The quest for line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is wide open – judging by positions at the first position schedule (“sked”) with the fleet at 8pm tonight. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Collisions knock two yachts out of race soon after start

Collisions knocked two yachts out of the fleet within the first hour of the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race from Sydney Harbour this afternoon, with a crew member being knocked overboard from each boat. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Spinnaker start likely for Rolex Sydney Hobart Race

Forecasts of 15 knot south to south-easterly winds on the Harbour point towards a spectacular spinnaker start to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race at 1pm today as the 57 boat fleet dashes towards the Heads and the Tasman Sea. Forecasts of 15 knot south to south-easterly winds on the Harbour point towards a spectacular spinnaker start to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race at 1pm today as the 57 boat fleet dashes towards the Heads and the Tasman Sea. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Back To Work

Christmas has come and gone for the Around Alone yachts and it’s back to the business of racing. There is a complex weather pattern approaching and it has the fleet split in their tactics. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Interview with Craig Coulsen

Audio of interview with Craig Coulsen skipper of the Queensland entry Trupcard whos race neded so cruelly this afternoon on the startline. ... Full Story

Dec 24

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Getting to Hobart, and well fed!

On Boxing Day veteran Hobart yachtsman John Bennetto will start his 42nd Sydney Hobart. Just think about that! ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Light winds forecast for 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart

The Bureau of Meteorology has told the skippers of the 57 yachts competing in this week’s 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race that they can expect fairly benign conditions for most of the race. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Life of Captain Stan Darling to be Commemorated at the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race start

The ashes of Captain Stan Darling OBE, DSC and two bars, VRD, RANR, a Second World War Naval hero and one of Australia’s most famous yachting navigators, will be scattered from HMAS Seal, just prior to the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on December 26, 2002. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Alfa Romeo odds-one in TAB betting

Australians are noted gamblers, betting on horse and dog racing, the cricket scores, even on cane toad races. ... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
OneWorld Classy on Way Out

Blaming no one but themselves, OneWorld bows out of the Louis Vuitton Cup... Full Story

2002 - A Year in Review
Issue Two - April and May

Welcome to the second in our five part review of the 2002 sailing year. Today we concentrate on April and May. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Volvo 60 heading for Coffs Harbour

Marine industry identity Andrew Short has entered the Strathfield Pittwater and Coffs Harbour Offshore Series in a Volvo 60 racing yacht. Originally Short had entered the Series in a chartered Sydney 38. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Another New Northshore 369 hits the water

Northshore Yachts have never been busier; the new popular 369’s have been popping out of the factory doors at a rate of one a month for the last six months. ... Full Story

Dec 23

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Oracle BMW Racing Makes it a Clean Sweep

Oracle BMW earns a fantastic, come from behind win to sweep OneWorld from the Louis Vuitton Cup... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
SF Repechage - Race Day Four - Press Conference

James Spithill sums up his Louis Vuitton Cup experience...Full Story

AC Notes & Quotes

OneWorld Goes Its Own Way for Last Time
In almost every sporting enterprise, there are those who almost always get it right and those who don't. This was demonstrated again in the last race of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals repechage when Seattle's OneWorld stumbled from 48 seconds ahead at the halfway point to 28 seconds behind at the next mark only three miles later. ... Full Story

Oracle's Secret Weapon
Well, radar maybe, but that wasn't the difference. Ian Burns gave full credit to the weather team. ... Full Story

It Wasn't Just Captain Chris?
Trailing badly, Oracle skipper Chris Dickson didn't yield the helm to Peter Holmberg after the first upwind leg, as he had in other races, but kept it until Oracle had taken the lead. ... Full Story

No Driving Instructor Next time
After Saturday's awful start, One World helmsman James Spithill bounced back strong Sunday, to no avail. ... Full Story

Gilmour Sees a One-Sided Final Match
So who do you like for the Cup, Gilly? ... Full Story

AC Future Doomed to Status Quo?
Luca Birindelli, chairman of the Challenger of Record Committee, also appeared at the press conference, offering this view of the future of the event: ... Full Story

Around Alone
Leg 3: John Dennis On Bayer Ascensia Retires From Around Alone
Southampton, England – 23rd December: Canadian skipper and diabetic, 58 year old John Dennis, affectionately known as 'Pops' to the rest of the Around Alone competitors, today sadly announced his retirement from Around Alone 2002-03. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Not Much Holiday Cheer

The holidays are on the minds of many of the Around Alone skippers even though their days are not filled with cheer. It’s the time of year when emotions run high and family and friends are desperately missed. The toughest part of a trip around the world is spending special days like Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries alone at sea, especially when the conditions are miserable. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Young US sailor on a Dreamland mission

At the age of 19 American Brian Caldwell decided that he would be the youngest person to sail around the world solo. To do that he would have to be home before he turned 21. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
"You Only Go To Hobart to Win"

At 56, having done six Hobarts already, David McKay wasn’t at all interested when Michael Spies asked him to join the team on P&O Nedlloyd for the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
The Merits of racing on a budget

Retired Sydney businessman Ian Treleaven always liked the idea of campaigning a big yacht in ocean races. Unfortunately he says he doesn’t really have the spare millions it takes today to be competitive in the maxi class dominated by boats like the 97 foot Canon, Neville Crichton’s 90 footer Alfa Romeo and the Swedish global flyer Nicorette. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Maybe he's not plum crazy after all!

For the 13th time in his life Sydney maths teacher Chris Bowling is sailing to Hobart on the smallest boat in the fleet in the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart yacht race. For the past two years he has been awarded the Plum Crazy Trophy for being the first boat under 9.5m LOA to finish the 630-mile race. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
10 nations represented

The arrival today of four Russian sailors brings to ten the number of nations represented in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race which starts next Thursday, 26 December. Headed by Olympic sailor Goergy Shaiduko, the Russians have chartered the Sydney 38, Next, which will race to Hobart as Polar Star. ... Full Story

2002 ISAF November Conference
Council Minutes Published

The minutes from the Council Meeting of 15-16 November 2002 have now been published online via the ISAF Minutes Archive. ... Full Story

Dec 22

Yacht Racing .com Staff
Oracle BMW Sweeps Semi-final Repechage
Oracle successfully defeated OneWorld Challenge today by 1 minue 4 seconds today in the 4th day of racing.

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Oracle One Win Away From Finals

Time's running out for OneWorld as their task gets even tougher... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
A Pre-Start Gone Awry

Needing the upper hand off the line, OneWorld got penalised and was over early to boo... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Arbitration Panel Releases Full Decision on OneWorld Case

The 27-page document explains the reasoning behind the OneWorld penalty... Full Story

New Zealand Herald
Errors cost OneWorld dearly

A desperate OneWorld team dented their hopes of beating Oracle in their America's Cup challenger series match on the Hauraki Gulf today by making two serious mistakes before the race even started. In... Full Story

AC Notes & Quotes

Bananas and Other Exotic Devices
As Oracle BMW pushed OneWorld to the end of the plank in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger semifinals, the spotlight fell on two old warriors and rivals, Chris Dickson and Peter Gilmour. ... Full Story

Helm Hopping, Part 3
Finally, media had a chance to question Dickson directly on the helm hopping aboard Oracle, with Peter Holmberg starting and Dickson driving the first upwind leg, then handing it back to Holmberg the rest of the way. ... Full Story

It's Never Too Late
You could feel this one coming. After OneWorld botched Saturday's start not only with a penalty but by starting about an inch early, was James Spithill's job on the line? ... Full Story

Forget Reevesgate
Gilmour's mood darkened momentarily when he was asked if the weight of the dispute over stolen design secrets had hurt OneWorld's performance. ... Full Story

No Time to Lighten Up
So, how is Dickson's mood these days? Sometimes a seemingly innocuous question brings a very revealing answer. He was asked, "Are you having fun, Chris?" ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Infinity III crew working hard to make

With only five days to go until the Boxing Day start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the crew from the Sydney Yacht Infinity III, which was severely holed by a Jetcat a fortnight ago, are still hopeful that they will have the boat ready. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Grand prix Hobart racer loses rudder offshore

One of the leading contenders for handicap honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Matt Allen’s new Farr 52, Ichi Ban, is without a rudder – only four days out from the start of the 630 nautical ocean classic. ... Full Story

Euromed Malta Championships
Fleri Soler (MLT) Clinches Overall Title

Matthew Fleri Soler last night was exceptionally exuberant having won the overall trophy of the Third Euromed Championship. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
100% pure Adrenalin!!!

Wind, waves and sun....a sailing photograher's dream. Some serious offshore surfing...well was that a nice way to finish the last race series before the Rolex Sydney to Hobart or what? ... Full Story

Dec 21

Yacht Racing .com Staff
Oracle BMW Racing On The Verge of Finals

OneWorld finished behind Oracle BMW once again by a margin of 55 seconds. The series finds OneWorld down 3-0 on the water with a 1 point penalty still against them. They must win the next 5 races to make it to the finals, but it doesn't look promising.

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Thriller finish gives Oracle BMW Racing its second win

The 3 second winning margin is the closest finish of the Louis Vuitton Cup so far... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Tipping Point

The final run of Race Two could prove a decisive point in this series, as Oracle BMW ... Full Story

New Zealand Herald
Mixed emotions over possible Coutts face-off

Growing up in Wellington, Tom Dodson started out in a sailing community that has produced many of New Zealand's stars, including his brother Richard, ... Full Story

New Zealand Herald
Cup encourages the best in ideas and innovation

It's not too hard to pick the subtle changes on the back of Alinghi's second boat now there's talk that Team New Zealand are hiding a radical false hull... Full Story

AC Notes & Quotes

Let's Hear More From the Boys On the Boats
The commentators for the TVNZ main feed are the colorful veteran, Peter Montgomery, and former AC competitor Ed Baird. After nearly three months they apparently have realized, following some highly charged criticism, that viewers want to hear not only their expert insights but some of the chatter from the boats, as well. ... Full Story

Tactical and Practical
As racing sailors know, who "wins" the start is less important than who is in front at the initial convergence, otherwise called the "first cross," at which point the crosser assumes control of the race over the crossee. ... Full Story

The Oracle Driver, One More Time
Everyone that represents Oracle at a press conference is sure to be asked about the helm situation, as Burns was. ... Full Story

Do You Believe In Miracles?
After Friday's second race, Oracle needed to win only two more to survive the semifinals repechage. OneWorld, starting with a one-point penalty, needed to win five. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Ragamuffin looking good for 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart

One of Australia’s greatest ocean racing yachtsmen, Syd Fisher, has provisionally won the grand prix IMS division of the British Trophy series, confirming that his Farr 50, Ragamuffin, will enter the ocean classic as a strong chance for the Tattersalls Cup. ... Full Story

Around Alone
The Gret Southern Highway

With the exception of John Dennis on Bayer Ascensia, all the Around Alone yachts are in the Southern Ocean, or the Great Southern Highway as many sailors refer to the region. It’s a unique part of the world made more so by legend and the many disasters that have taken place in that part of the world. It’s a place where hero’s are born and where much of the drama of the Around Alone gets written. ... Full Story

2002 - A Year in Review
Issue One

What a Year! The ISAF '2002-A Year in Review' aims to relive and remember some of those moments. ... Full Story

Euromed Malta Championships
Day Three - Borg Leads Optimist Class

While Malta still hangs on to the top two places ahead of the Swedes in the Optimist class in the Third Euromed Championship currently being held at St. Paul's Bay, it has become a tussle between the two leading Maltese as well. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Posthumous Ocean Racer award to yachtsman

The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Ocean Racer of the Year awards, announced tonight, have given posthumous recognition to Sydney yachtsman Ashley Reed who died at sea during the Sydney – Mooloolaba Race earlier this year. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Images & Results from British Trophy series

Here are the provisional results from the 2002 British trophy series, along with some images from today's racing. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
British Trophy series win shows Ragamuffin is boat to beat in Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race

In strong offshore sailing conditions Syd Fischer’s Farr 50 Ragamuffin won the Grand Prix IMS division in the British Trophy series off Sydney Heads today. The Rolex Sydney to Hobart overall winner will be decided on IMS handicap results and its clear that Ragamuffin will be the boat to beat. ... Full Story

Dec 20

Yacht Racing .com Staff
Oracle BMW Racing On A Wing And Dirty Air

Oracle BMW Racing closed the door on OneWorld challenge in the final few hundred meters of race 2 in the semi-final repechage today. They crossed the finish line 3 seconds ahead after both boats gybed and OneWorld was forced into the wind shadow of USA-76. Oracle now leads the series 2-0 on the water, while OneWorld Challenge is still down 1 point. They must win the next 5 races to advance to the finals.

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Oracle BMW Racing Draws First Blood

OneWorld closed up the race on the final beat, but Oracle BMW Racing comes away with a win... Full Story

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Heads Up, Tacking Duel Underway

Oracle BMW Racing and OneWorld combined for 120 tacks today with performance updated ... Full Story

AC Notes & Quotes

It Must Not Be Match Racing
Maybe you thought the best match-racing sailors in the world were competing in the America's Cup? ... Full Story

What Headlands?
Perhaps ISAF is reading George Schuyler's original Deed of Gift from 1887 when it dismisses the America's Cup as a match racing event. ... Full Story

Love That Tiritiri Channel
Eric Doyle of San Diego, representing Oracle at the post-race press conference, was asked about tactics on the last leg when the San Francisco team went from a 10-second lead at the last mark to a 4-minute 8-second win. ... Full Story

Sailmaker's Delight
With OneWorld initiating tacking duels and Oracle covering tenaciously, there were 60 tacks on the three upwind legs---enough to flog a headsail to death and something to consider when each team is limited to 45 sails for the event. ... Full Story

The Oracle Democracy
A lot of interest centers on who is driving the boat, not who is working the pit or grinding the winches or performing another of the multitude of tasks required. The helmsman is like football's quarterback or basketball's center: success or failure seems to revolve around him. ... Full Story

Grands Records
Geronimo On Stand-By

The giant Cap Gemini Ernst & Young and Schneider Electric trimaran returned to the Brest Arsenal on 4 December. Well protected against any poor boat handling on the part of others, and after removal of her engine and propeller shaft, Geronimo was fully provisioned and is now ready to leave. ... Full Story

Around Alone
Dalton - A Man On A Mission

Graham Dalton is a man on a mission. His mission is to be first into his home country of New Zealand where sailors are revered as hero’s and the general public has a passion for sailing unequalled elsewhere in the world. Dalton’s home base in Auckland, but his yacht Hexagon was built in Tauranga and it is registered in Tauranga. ... Full Story

Clipper 2002 Round The World Race
Road improvements

After a frustrating couple of days as the fleet struggled to round the New Bank waypoint*, they have now been able to bear away and sail straight towards the finish line... Full Story

Volvo Ocean Race
New plans for Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006

Volvo is set to support sailing in a more encompassing way than previously envisioned. In addition to confirming the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006, full backing will be given to support additional sailing events in co-operation with other partners. ... Full Story

International Olympic Committee
IOC Appeal To The Convention On The Future Of Europe

2004, the year when the Olympic Games will be returning to their roots in the Greek capital of Athens from 13 to 29 August, has been proclaimed 'European Year of Education through Sport' by the European Union (EU). ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Close Racing in British Trophy Series

The same two yachts tying for first place yesterday are still locked in battle after another days races. Ragamuffin and Nips N Tux are currently jointly leading the British Trophy Series in the lead-up to the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race. ... Full Story

Sail-World .com
Chinese gybe injures crewman in British Trophy series

While the offshore fleet battled heavy seas in today’s British Trophy Series, inside Sydney Harbour the Farr 40s racing were jumping the gun with premature starts and the Sydney 38s were rocking and rolling in freshening breezes, with a crewmember injured in one out of control gybe. ... Full Story

Dec 19

Louis Vuitton Cup Media
Morning Briefing - SF-Repechage - Race Day One

OneWorld and Oracle BMW Racing are in a fight to get to the Finals of the Louis Vuitton Cu... Full Story

NZoom
American rivals prepare for battle
The American duo left fighting for a spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals are ready to forget the off-water bickering and concentrate on what they are here to do, sail... Full Story

NZoom
Jones awaits Team NZ reply

Louis Vuitton Cup Regatta Director Dyer Jones is awaiting a response from Team New Zealand regarding the letter the America's Cup defender sent seeking clarification of boat substitution between the semifinals and finals. ... Full Story

Around Alone
John Dennis Leaves Mossel Bay

Shortly after 13:30 local time Thursday John Dennis slipped his lines and headed back out to sea on Bayer Ascensia. It had been a frustrating stop for Dennis who, for a brief period at the start of Leg 3, had led his class. Unfortunately within hours of leaving Cape Town the boat lost all communications equipment, and John decided to make a quick stop to effect a repair. That quick stop turned into a long, logistical nightmare that involved moving on to another port and damaging the boat in the process. ... Full Story

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2002
Grundig due for clean run to Hobart
They say bad things happen in threes. That should provide some comfort for skipper Sean Langman who has suffered a treble of mishaps in the past three Sydney Hobart Yacht Races. Fresh from an overnight crew training sail up the NSW coast to familiarise the 11-crew members to night sailing, the former 18-foot skiff champion says the crew and the boat are better prepared than ever. ... Full S