Stories about De Ridder
Below are the latest stories which have been categorised as being about De Ridder.
Audi Med Cup: Peter de Ridder's Mean Machine leads Sardinia Trophy regatta
Posted 3 days, 21 hours ago by BYM Sailing News
After their dark disappointment in Marseille where they finished 11th, Peter de Ridder and his Mean Machine returned to produce something a little closer to a virtuoso performance on Sardinia’s Gulf of Cagliari today when they won two ... more »
The return of Mean Machine
Posted 3 days, 21 hours ago by $$$ The Daily Sail $$$
Two bullets for Peter de Ridder's TP52 on day one of the Audi MedCup event in Cagliari more »
New sail design
Posted 8 days, 19 hours ago by Sail Karma
BMW ORACLE Racing’s new sail design program underway.
Working with experts at North Sails in the USA, BMW ORACLE Racing's sail design and production team are now well underway in developing the huge new sails required for the 33rd America's Cup.
The sail design team is headed by BMW ORACLE Racing sail trimmer Ross Halcrow, and includes designers Laurent Delage, Robert Hook, and Juan Meseguer. Delage brings valuable multihull experience from North Sails France. Hook, another North Sails veteran, was with Emirates Team New Zealand in the last America's Cup. Meseguer, who runs the North loft in Valencia, returns to the team from the 32nd campaign.
"It is a massive challenge, as with all aspects of the multihull everything is on a larger scale," said Halcrow. "The sail plan for the multihull has huge dimensions yet we must keep weight to a minimum. While we are working with many of the same methods and materials as in the last America's Cup, the designs are quite different. We also are looking at a wider range of sails since we won't know the venue for the Match until six months in advance."
The team's other sail trimmers are also contributing to the sail design program, including Dirk de Ridder (NED), Noel Drennan (IRL), Daniel Fong (NZL), and Joe Newton (AUS). JB Braun (USA) coordinates the "aero program," integrating the rig and sail package, and held a similar role with BMW ORACLE Racing's last campaign. Craig Phillips (AUS) is managing production.
As required by the America's Cup Deed of Gift, the sails and other components of the boat must be built in the country the team represents. -http://bmworacleracing.comhttp://www.sailkarma.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss more »
BMW ORACLE's new sail design program underway
Posted 9 days, 7 hours ago by Valencia Sailing
[Source: BMW Oracle] Working with experts at North Sails in the USA, BMW ORACLE Racing's sail design and production team are now well underway in developing the huge new sails required for the 33rd America's Cup.
The sail design team is headed by BMW ORACLE Racing sail trimmer Ross Halcrow (NZL), and includes designers Laurent Delage (FRA), Robert Hook (AUS), and Juan Meseguer (ESP). Delage brings valuable multihull experience from North Sails France. Hook, another North Sails veteran, was with Emirates Team New Zealand in the last America's Cup. Meseguer, who runs the North loft in Valencia, returns to the team from the 32nd campaign.
"It is a massive challenge, as with all aspects of the multihull everything is on a
larger scale," said Halcrow. "The sail plan for the multihull has huge dimensions yet we must keep weight to a minimum. While we are working with many of the same methods and materials as in the last America's Cup, the designs are quite different. We also are looking at a wider range of sails since we won't know the venue for the Match until six months in advance."
The team's other sail trimmers are also contributing to the sail design program, including Dirk de Ridder (NED), Noel Drennan (IRL), Daniel Fong (NZL), and Joe Newton (AUS).
JB Braun (USA) coordinates the "aero program," integrating the rig and sail package, and held a similar role with BMW ORACLE Racing's last campaign. Craig Phillips (AUS) is managing production.
As required by the America's Cup Deed of Gift, the sails and other components of the boat must be built in the country the team represents. more »
Spithill wins Jaeger-Lecoultre Just the Best Trophy
Posted 12 days ago by Valencia Sailing
[Source: BMW Oracle] Spithill and Co. earn top prize at catamaran match race event. After three days of closely fought match racing in X40 catamarans off Italy’s east coast, James Spithill and his BMW ORACLE Racing crew took home the Jaeger-Lecoultre Just the Best Trophy.
In doing so, Spithill defeated his teammate and skipper Russell Coutts who was calling tactics for Pete Melvin, an American leading multihull sailor and coach for the team. In the three-day, 11-race series in Cattolica on the Adriatic Coast, the face-off between Coutts and Spithill came down to the final day.
”It was extremely close racing,” Spithill said. “In the first day, Pete and Russ dominated. We were able to pull off a couple of wins and then it really came down to the final day. Russ and his guys pushed us all the way.”
Sailing with Coutts on the “White Team” was Simeon Tienpont (NED), Max Sirena (ITA), and USA multihull coach Pete Melvin. Spithill’s “Blue Team” included John Kostecki (USA), Dirk de Ridder (NED) and Alan Smith (NZL).
James Spithill and Russell Coutts race in the final day of the Jaeger-Lecoultre Just the Best Trophy. Cattolica, 22 June 2008
For the final three races on Sunday, there were plenty of spectators and 12-14 knots of breeze and brilliant sunshine. “It was a picture-perfect day in Italy,” Spithill said.
The regatta was organized by BMW ORACLE Racing’s Max Sirena. Spithill complimented the event organization and expects it will trigger more match racing events in multihulls.
“This could be a bit of the future of match racing. There was a lot of interest here. It was a fantastic event.”
The winners of the Jaeger-Lecoultre Just the Best Trophy. From left, Dirk de Ridder, John Kostecki, James Spithill and Alan Smith. Cattolica, 22 June 2008 more »
James Spithill and Russell Coutts to match race in Extreme 40's
Posted 18 days, 18 hours ago by Valencia Sailing
A new event was presented last Friday in Milan, Italy. It will take place in Cattolica, on the Italian Adriatic coast, from Thursday till Sunday and will see James Spithill and Russell Coutts, respectively helmsman and CEO of BMW Oracle, face off in a series of match races.
The two sailors will participate in this exhibition regatta, organized by their Italian teammate Max Sirena, aboard the now-famous Extreme 40 catamarans in what will probably be a training session for the upcoming 33rd America's Cup Match, presumably to be held some time between October 2008 and July 2009.
According to Sirena, the event is open to all interested match racers. For the inaugural event only Spithill and Coutts will take part but from next year, the best sailors of the world will have the opportunity to join. Obviously, by that time next year the 33rd America's Cup might be over and depending on its result there might be no interest at all in match racing Extreme 40's.
The event, named "JAEGER-LECOULTRE JUST THE BEST MATCH RACE 1ST", will consist of traditional windward/leeward match races and was initially planned to be raced in RC44's but given the recent developments, Sirena stated they thought it would be more appropriate to use the Extreme 40 catamarans. According to Sirena, it will be a "challenger cup", meaning that its winner, every year, will have to accept challengers, in what appears to be very similar to the America's Cup.
In the first boat James Spithill will sail together with John Kostecki, Dirk de Ridder and Alan Smith. The crew of the second boat will consist of Russell Coutts, Max Sirena, Simeon Tienpont and Pete Melvin, the US multihull specialist.
For those interested, here is the video from the presentation:
more »
Audi MedCup City of Marseille Trophy: Peter de Ridder's Mean Machine unable to push forward
Posted 27 days, 19 hours ago by BYM Sailing News
Tough days for Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine team, who didn’t manage to push forward in this MedCup event with the force with which they started the TP52 season. The disqualification in the coastal race in the City of ... more »
Audi MedCup: Dirk de Ridder (NED) Mainsheet trimmer on USA-17
Posted 28 days, 23 hours ago by BYM Sailing News
After four years sailing with Peter (de Ridder) and Mean Machine it was quite a hard decision to leave them this season. I have always worked really well with the team and I worked hard on the current boat ... more »
Un grave error del Mean Machine deja a Matador fuera de competencia
Posted 29 days, 20 hours ago by Juanpa Cadario
Foto copyright Ian Roman
Foto copyright Juan Pablo Cadario
Foto copyright Juan Pablo Cadario
En realidad fueron dos los errores que Mean Machine cometió hoy, el primero intentar meterse en un lugar que no existía, con malas amuras, 18 nudos de viento y barcos que van a 9 nudos, con la consecuencia de un terrible golpe que destroza nuestra popa, y daña también parte de la estructura del barco.Pero el segundo error fue el no haberse retirado de la prueba inmediatamente, seguir corriendo y completar la misma, y luego acercarse en tierra a nuestro barco a ver los daños y ni siquiera pedir disculpas. Tal vez el señor De Ridder, timonel y propietario del Mean Machine piense que con pagar la rotura sea suficiente (cosa que por supuesto debe hacer) pero que sepa que este es un deporte de caballeros y que no siempre se puede ganar a cualquier precio.JPC
Cómo fue el incidente:
Matador amurado a estribor (con derecho de paso), y en el layline para virar la boya de barlovento, en segunda posición y por detrás del TP52 del Desafío. A metros de virar la boya, Mean Machine que venía sobre el layline de babor (sin derecho de paso) hace un mal cálculo y golpea fuertemente la popa de nuestro barco, arrancandonos el balcón de popa y también candeleros y el púlpito de proa que es arrastrado por el primero. Platoon que venía por detrás nuestro a menos de una eslora logra esquivar de milagro al Mean Machine filando completamente su vela mayor y evitando lo que hubiese sido una nueva colisión muchisimo más grave. more »
Artemis grabs leadership of the Marseille Trophy under stunning conditions
Posted 1 month ago by Valencia Sailing
If the opening day of the regatta offered a modest introduction to ‘Mistral-lite’ conditions, 15-19 knots, today’s two windward-leeward contests met with conditions much closer to the upper racing limit for the Audi MedCup Fleet of TP52’s.
After an initial postponement, waiting for the wind to drop enough, there were still 22 knots blowing from the Mistral’s hallmark North West direction when Race 4 started. With the windward mark set under the cliffs of the Isle du Frioul the breeze may have been strong, but it was erratic at times on the approach to the top turn.
Long, spectacular surfs downwind on the limit of control at times, ended with a bumpy turn at the leeward gate just offshore from Marseille’s Pointe Rouge, overlooked by the spectacular Montagnes de Marseille Veyre.
The 2007 circuit winners were on regular form. Tactician John Kostecki (USA) helped owner-helm Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) to make two solid starts, while other contenders faltered. And getting into phase with the shifting breeze was key, a talent Kostecki has proven to be strong on over his years on this circuit with different boats, all complemented by solid crew work from the BMW Oracle Racing Team who fill the core positions.
Artemis chased their Reichel/Pugh-designed sistership USA-17, across the finish line to take second in the first race only 15 seconds behind with Platoon by Team Germany earning third.
A 12th from the first race of the regatta is weighty ballast in this white hot fleet for Artemis, but being able to return regular scores, second and third in these bruising conditions was impressive today. Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine (MON) which lead into this regatta, had a problem on the start line of the first race and was left flat footed, to start last. Whilst in the second race USA-17 was judged to be one of four boats over the start line and forced to re-start. Russell Coutts (NZL) and the USA-17 crew were seeking redress, believing they should not have been called as one of the four offenders.
The day’s second race proved a resounding victory for Terry Hutchinson (USA) and the crew on the new Botin & Carkeek-designed Quantum Racing, their first win this season for a team which won the 2005 circuit. Vicente Torado’s CXG Caixa Galicia (ESP) also raised team morale with a hard won second, their navy blue bow and iconic ’watching-eye’ gennaker breaking the line ahead of a four-way scramble across the finish line, pipping Artemis which has their 2007 season tactician Kostecki on board.
Artemis go into tomorrow’s 40-mile double points coastal race around the Frioul islands and down to Cassis and back with a two points lead, ahead of Bribón who are a point ahead of USA-17.
Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE), owner-helm of Artemis said:
“I like these kind of conditions, windy, wavy and physically tough, just love it. Good, tight racing. We are getting there, we are working better as a team and getting over my long lay off. It is starting to come together. It shows that we are performing better. It was so enjoyable. Tough conditions, testing and it helps when you come off the water having done well. We do well in the windy conditions when the quality of this team is playing off.”
Artemis trimmer Juan Meseguer (ESP):
“The boats are identical and so the settings are pretty much identical. We had so little time to prepare and sail them together because the other boat was late that we are all still learning. Some crew were in Austria and so had very little time to sail the boat after Alicante. It was hard, but it was good, and you just can’t top these kind of days, downwind was really hard work, but every position on these boats is hard when the breeze is like that.”
Terry Hutchinson (USA), skipper and helm of Quantum Racing:
“That race was a long overdue race. We have had more than a couple of things that have not really fallen in line for us, so it was it was nice to be in a position where, when something does go your way it is nice to be able to capitalise on it. And the first race we were sailing a great race and the breeze went 25 degrees right on the second beat and stayed there, but I think collectively as a team we learned a lot about the boat handling, and it was just nice to sail aggressively today in conditions that were challenging. And, steering, for me it was awesome, nice gybes, no broaches and downwind in the second run of the first race I think we were well over the middle 20 knots, but we could not see the instruments ‘cos they were covered in sheets of spray. Awesome!!!"
more »
Matador leads TP52 Marseille Trophy
Posted 1 month, 1 day ago by Valencia Sailing
[Source: AUDI Medcup] The MedCup in France carries memories the international crew of the Argentine TP52 Matador will be happy to bury today. In Hyeres last year they broke their mast during the final regatta of the season and had to consign to the deep their hopes of a top three finish overall. But today the international crew mastered the Mistral and used the awkward swell to best effect and emerged from the three excellent races leading the regattas by just one point.
With multiple Star world champion Vince Brun (USA) calling tactics Matador earned two second places and a seventh place to hold off the advances of the new USA 17.
With owner Larry Ellison sharing the steering with James Spithill (AUS), and Russell Coutts (NZL) on tactics, USA 17 improved as the crew learned their new boat in the testing conditions, rising from sixth in the first race, to fifth in the second before winning the third, just getting the better of their sister-ship Artemis on the finish line.
After today's excellent performance, Bribón is the overall leader of the circuit. Marseille, 3 June 2008. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / AUDI Medcup
In the shadow of Marseilles’ Pointe Rouge there was no more than the swish of a fighter’s cape between Matador and Mean Machine on the finish line of the first race. Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine had lead from the first turn, but Matador closed on the final run, earning with downwind speed and some excellent surfing, using every wave to best effect, but were denied by just one second.
Artemis, sailed by the reigning MedCup Circuit crew and steered by owner Torbjorn Tornqvist (SWE) won their first race with their new 2008 boat, extending to win my more than one minute. But this second race proved a punishing one for the Mean Machine team who had to do penalty turns on the first run and finished last.
Matador "flies" to victory in the opening day of the Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 3 June 2008. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup
The third race saw another close finish with USA 17 just scraping home ahead of Artemis, with Mean Machine challenging with a final gybe on the line and all three boats finishing within a boat length of each other. Matador would have been better than their seventh place finish but for a misunderstanding as they tried to cross Desafio on the first beat.
“We had two good race and were pleased to get back to seventh in that third one. I though we had been told we could cross ahead of Desafio and then we realized we weren’t. It was just a misunderstanding and it was only when they hailed us to do our turns I realized.” explained tactician Brun.
“I think we felt confident with boat speed and handling.” said Guilermo Parada (ARG), Matador’s skipper and helmsman, “We didn’t do anything special just let the boat do its job and stay out of trouble and not make any mistakes which are expensive. It is a good feeling to be leading the City of Marseille Trophy but there is still a long way to go obviously we are very happy and looking forward to continuing this way. Today it is Juan Pablo Cadario’s 40th birthday every time it is his birthday we have a good day and luckily today we could give him a good present.”
Photo finish victory for Mean Machine in the first race of the day. Marseille, 3 June 2008. Photo copyright Ian Roman / AUDI Medcup
But in the long run, the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit, it is consistency which will prevail and no-one was more consistent than Bribon. With owner Jose Cusi on board enjoying the fulsome downwind surfing at up to 20 knots at times, Ross MacDonald (CAN) and Dean Barker (NZL) combined with some excellent crew work to post three fourth places to regain their overall lead in the Audi MedCup Circuit.
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primeros 10 lugares marsella dia 1
Posted 1 month, 2 days ago by Team Baccarat
© Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP Mean Machine apenas adelante del Matador. Race1 © Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP El Matador bajando olas. © Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP Con dos manos en el timón Peter de Ridder (Mean Machine) en la popa. © Therry Martinez/AUDI MEDCUP Bribón © Therry Martinez/AUDI MEDCUP En el primer día de regatas el equipo argentino de TP 52 Matador lidera el Trofeo Ciudad [...] more »
De Ridder still on form
Posted 1 month, 2 days ago by $$$ The Daily Sail $$$
As Mean Machine takes the practice rce of the Audi MedCup's Marseille Trophy more »
Mean Machine takes practice race
Posted 1 month, 2 days ago by Sail Karma
© Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP. France, Marseille. Practice Race 2/6/08 Not to many smiles on USA 17 today... It may take a few races to get her dialed in.
© Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP. France, Marseille. Practice Race 2/6/08
© Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP. France, Marseille. Practice Race 2/6/08
© Ian Roman/AUDI MEDCUP. France, Marseille. Practice Race 2/6/08
[MedCup.org] It was an opportunist's victory for Mean Machine, gained on the final gybe of the practice race for the City of Marseille Trophy regatta, but today's race is a clear indication that Peter de Ridder's crew are ready to win again. The ancient city ramparts around Marseille’s Vieux Port are given over to an exhibition of hundreds of paintings but for most of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit’s crews gathered in France’s third city this week the writing may be on the wall, written large today by Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine team when they seized victory in today’s practice race in the final 90 seconds. Read morehttp://www.sailkarma.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss more »
Mean Machine takes MedCup Marseille Practice Race
Posted 1 month, 2 days ago by Sail World UK
Mean Machine signaled a clear warning that De Ridder's team will be the crew to beat in Marseille. more »
Mean Machine wins practice race in TP52 Marseille trophy
Posted 1 month, 3 days ago by Valencia Sailing
[Source: AUDI MedCup] It was an opportunist's victory for Mean Machine, gained on the final gybe of the practice race for the City of Marseille Trophy regatta, but today's race is a clear indication that Peter de Ridder's crew are ready to win again.
The ancient city ramparts around Marseille’s Vieux Port are given over to an exhibition of hundreds of paintings but for most of the 2008 Audi MedCup Circuit’s crews gathered in France’s third city this week the writing may be on the wall, written large today by Peter de Ridder’s Mean Machine team when they seized victory in today’s practice race in the final 90 seconds.
After winning the opening regatta of the Audi MedCup Circuit two weeks ago in Alicante, today’s warm-up contest, raced in 8-10 knots of Southerly breeze amidst a spectacular Mediterranean amphitheatre bound to the east by L’Ile Maire and the Montagne de Marseille Veire, signaled a clear warning that De Ridder’s team will be the crew to beat here.
Practice race in the TP52 Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / AUDI MedCup
Platoon powered by Team Germany, skippered by three times Olympic gold medallist Jochen Schuemann proved that their hard work in Valencia, tuning their new Rolf Vroijk designed boat and a hard week of crew training after Alicante, may reveal a dividend this week. They were quickest off the start line and made the best tactical call to lead the race all the way until the last 400 metres, but showed very good speed, especially downwind.
The maiden race outing for USA 17 saw Larry Ellison (USA) enjoy his first sail on the Reichel Pugh TP52. With Russell Coutts (NZL) and James Spit hill (AUS) orchestrating the tactical decisions at the back of the boat, USA 17 was seventh at the first windward mark, four seconds behind sister-ship Artemis, and finished ninth.
While it was a gentle introduction for Ellison, Coutts and Co to their new boat and the rest of the 14 boat fleet, local forecasters and team navigators are predicting at least 20 knots of Mistral breeze for tomorrow’s opening races.
Practice race in the TP52 Marseille Trophy. Marseille, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / AUDI MedCup
“Twenty knots would be just fine for us. There is less chance for the tactician to get it wrong when the breeze is up.” grins Ray Davies (NZL), Mean Machine’s tactician, “But really, we are a good team and the crew work is generally very good, so we are happy in the breeze. We had a new mainsail on today which we were testing for when the wind is a little more down the range, but otherwise have not really done anything much to the boat.
It is not quite as busy on the start lines with a couple less boats and the start line was a little longer today. We will be out for a clean start tomorrow and to really let the boat do the work. There is nothing specific contributing to our speed, but we have good sails and good trimmers and generally a nice rig set up which is easy to tune. I don’t think there is anything in the hulls particularly because it is the same shape as others.”
Jochen Schuemann, Platoon Powered by Team Germany's helm and skipper was not reading too much into their performance today:
"We have done some good work on the boat since Alicante, and have learned the right things about the boat. We obviously struggled to have the boat finished before the first event, and now we have settled in a little bit better, have done a little a bit of work on rig tuning, optimised a few things, but essentially learning the rake and sails is a major thing.
We are always optimists but I think we had the right strategy it was so clear which side was favoured today. We did all the right things and that made us look really good but in general lining up with the rest of the competition we have always been happy how we do. We have a good boat - we’ll see how it goes."
James Spithill (AUS), tactician/strategist on USA 17:
"Like any new boat it takes a lot just to learn it and get the optimum out of it, the boys did a great job to get us here in such a tight time frame. My exact role is sitting on the side and hiking very hard and helping out when needed really, obviously Larry is going to drive, Russell is doing tactics so I will assist when needed. Larry did a great job in Austria driving and is doing so here .It should be fun and from what I hear we should have some good wind.
We want to get the boat performing as well as we can and get a good result but it is tough on the first regatta with a brand new tool but the only way to improve it is to race new boats so that is what we are going to do, and each day we will get a little bit better. We are just taking one event at a time will focus on this one event for the time being and see how we go.
The boats are a lot closer this season as the old boats are still very competitive- its going to be nice."
Racing starts tomorrow (Tuesday) with the first of nine scheduled windward-leeward races. more »
Audi MedCup: Peter de Ridder's Mean Machine defends title in Marseille
Posted 1 month, 4 days ago by BYM Sailing News
The boat with the famous pink flames flying from her spinnaker has reached Marseille with two clear objectives: to strengthen her lead in the 2008 AUDI MedCup Circuit and to leave French waters with a City of Marseille Trophy ... more »
Mean Machine is searching for sponsors
Posted 1 month, 12 days ago by Valencia Sailing
[Source: Mean Machine] The search is on for a sponsor for the team who took the Alicante Trophy and who currently lead the TP52 fleet in the European AUDI MedCup Circuit 2008
There are just 10 days to go until the second event in the MedCup Circuit kicks off, with Mean Machine and her international crew, lead by Peter de Ridder, starting as leaders.
The Mean Machine team has a history that spans back over 20 years, making it one of the oldest and most successful teams in the world of sailing. Despite winning the 2006 MedCup Circuit, stepping onto the third step of the podium at the 2007 TP52 World Championships, as well as at the 2008 Farr 40 World Championships, Mean Machine is still on the lookout for a sponsor.
De Ridder’s 25-plus strong crew are already preparing for the Marseille Trophy. The recently launched TP52 Mean Machine set course for Valencia following the Alicante win, in order to finish off the fine-tuning to the boat. Valencia was also en route to the famous Côte d’Azur where the mighty fleet of Transpac 52s are set to do battle once more.
The engines are getting warmed up and one thing’s for sure: Marseille is going to witness one of the fiercest examples of Mediterranean racing around. Mean Machine was one of the most widely covered teams in the Press in 2007, and now, as leaders of the AUDI MedCup Circuit 2008, the Mean Machines find themselves focusing on two objectives: to take another victory with their new TP52 in Marseille… and to continue with the search for a sponsor for the 2008 season. more »
How long is three days?
Posted 1 month, 13 days ago by Scuttleblog
On May 20th, in an interview on Sailing Anarchy, successful yacht racer Peter de Ridder was asked about his lack of sponsorship for his TP 52 program, which had just won the first event of the AUDI MedCup Circuit 2008:
SA: You didn't have any sponsorship at this first regatta? will that change?
PdR: Correct, no sponsoring and little chance that this will change in the near future.
But then, on May 23rd, the Mean Machine team sends out a press release with this headline:
WINNER OF THE ALICANTE TROPHY AND CURRENT LEADER OF THE AUDI MEDCUP CIRCUIT 2008, MEAN MACHINE LOOKS FOR SPONSOR
The search is on for a sponsor for the team who took the Alicante Trophy and who currently lead the TP52 fleet in the European AUDI MedCup Circuit 2008. – Read on
So did Peter de Ridder not understand the question on May 20th, did SA not understand his answer, or did that “little chance that this will change in the near future” mean that there was a good chance it could change in three days? more »
BMW ORACLE X40's DO BATTLE
Posted 1 month, 15 days ago by Sail Karma
Photos by: Gilles Martin-RagetBMW ORACLE Racing competes in Extreme 40s.
[Source BMW ORACLE] Racing skipper Russell Coutts and helmsman James Spithill are going head-to-head this week in Extreme 40 catamarans in a nine-race, in-house battle as part of the team’s race training for the 33rd America’s Cup.
Today was the first day of the three-day series off Valencia’s Malvarossa beach. After some fickle spring weather the past few days in Valencia, the sunny spring day brought a steady 14 knots of afternoon sea breeze and plenty of action. Much of the afternoon, the catamarans were “flying a hull” (one of the two hulls out of the water), reaching speeds of 15 knots upwind and over 20 knots downwind.
In today’s racing, multihull expert-consultant Franck Cammas (FRA) was helming Coutts’ boat with team members Jonathan Macbeth (NZL) grinding and Alberto Barovier (ITA) on the bow. On the Spithill team, John Kostecki (USA) was calling tactics, Dirk de Ridder (NED) was grinding and Alan Smith (NZL) was on the bow. The crews will remain the same but they will swap boats throughout the three days of racing.
“The conditions were just perfect today,” Spithill said. “It doesn’t get any better than this. It was really good fun.” -http://bmworacleracing.com/http://www.sailkarma.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss more »
