(Contents January 1999

FEATURES OD world championship and 1D35 US 31 Towards clarity and simplicity nationals reports, fleet storm For some time it has been well known that there south, man-overboard row in Sydney, Macquarie were anomalies in the 1996-2000 rules, espe­ Innovation winding up to 50, Sydney-Hobart cially as applied to match racing. Team preview, Syd Fischer scores New Zealand have been pushing for 's Cup points (ashore), Coutts changes for some time, and recently returns to match-race circuit to take some were made. But is it time for a Bermuda Gold Cup, Cayard hits whole new approach? RUSSELL back at Bitter End Pro-Am, and the COUnS and TIM JEFFERY Mari-Cha transatlantic story - and , lessons for The Race 2000. With FRONT COVER: 34 mOB Itl lieaven? V Mm PATRICE CARPENTIER, IV^OR Mike Golding storms into It sorted its differences with ISAF, but \ WILKINS, ROB Cape Town on Team Group the ORC failed to address IMS stability at MUNDLE, DOBBS DAVIS, JOHN 4 to win leg one of the its annual round of meetings. ORC and ITC ROBERSON and ALASTAIR ABREHART Around Alone Race member DAVID LYONS reports from Palma and This opening performance p^UL HENDERSON gives his views on the ^ P||ii| RmmPÉ X%?"^rking En ^f'^oSL at the JMV shipyard in S^n 6o\^a?b"üt'Th'Zgl , '^c M^" '""^^'i TTM 24 Olympic AwA sDiall boat news Goldingl projec mlnag^ ÏJÏïpP v'^'"^ T T7 A ^on't take that old to Sydney, nor your ment te'am'ieant hard on ^FFERY reports on eg one of he Around wing-mast. PETER BENTLEY JMV to produce precisely the ^1™*:' ^^''^'^ ^^^^^^^A^^Vl^^^Jc'^^.''% I'^Ports on the 1998 ISAE conference " boat they wanted, the French routemg strategies and ALEX PETERSON talks builders were impressed with to Class 2 winner JEAN-PIERRE MOULIGNE nn P..« Golding's quiet but dedicated •^0 AmenCa S UUP ttOWS approach and his patience Ai Thp Vnlvn flfiAail RanP Musical chairs begin as Fehlmann leaves FAST and attention to detail. The V *2000, Challenger Association meeting in result is what is probably one A HBW Ora Bermuda and syndicate profiles. TIM JEFFERY of, if not the best-finished The Volvo Ocean Race is certain to be a step up Open 60 yet seen, light and from its predecessor in many areas, not least OQ ICIIC nnllimn very strong Second place promotional investment. We talk to the man in . , , „.^TT ^ hnisher Isabella Autissier had choree HELGE ALTEN starts a second term PAUL HENDERSON expected Golding to have ^ ' gives his verdict on the ISAF conference speed on her now three-year- , • _ old PRB, but was surprised 44 TOPPing tllB yOar... 47 Qggjg _ O* , j . t , by the margin of difference. peter Gilmour and the Pizza-la team defended Z, i, ^ T . ^ ' Autissier herself had htted a ^^eir world match-race title in Japan in ^^"^ ^^chts managing director Giorgio Tn 7h u";''°"r ^T't" November. Race report from ANDY ^^S""' ^^^"'bes the development and ^ive L?boIt mor?power° HEMMINGS and an insight from Gilmour's innovation that went mto creating the give ner Boat more power. \^„„f-,^„ bowman KA7TTHTKO SOFTTKTT company's new showpiece German Frers steld?reflLl^nTsThuT KAZUHIKO SOFUKU j^^.g^^j swing-keeled 88-footer, Tiketitan shape, it seems the progress REGULARS cn p, made in lighter structures, — — OU dedAOfSd raCODOat more sophisticated swing 4 lOmmOdOre S lOtteP hlliW tahio keel mechanisms and more UUIIU IdUIC advanced rig configurations ^ C/l"* ' I "^^"^ INDREW HURST 52 RORC news and Race Director's estimated that his new hull lOttCr shape offered an improve- ^ I|nHatp ALAN GREEN ment or about one per cent U UpUulC on its predécessor, but IR2000 meets IMS in Palma and the ISAF/Sperry nr o • Autissier feels that in some Top-Sider sailor of the year awards 00 SeRllOrSe CalOndaP conditions the new boats are eveas mucn a twh aos pethrer ecen pet rmargi cent n is fastea couplr - e ino faround days. ,O thf ecourse world, s easaaa r''flk;'«««(, rw l '/• r /' ' . • that is only part of the story, / The 'mam man ; and Autissier has shown that leading Open tactically she is master of the Class designer field. Over the long haul she Jean-Marie Finot stdl remains most people's admires the favourite for an overall win, canting and but two days is a lot to rotating wing mast concede and can only add to fitted to Raphael the pressure. Dinelll's new Open 60, Sodebo Cover: Jaques Vapillon. Savourons la Vie Inset Guy Guriiey {far left), which was launched just before the Route du Rhum ariiliWjaMFebruary 1999

to Brady at New Zealand match-race champs FEATURES (just), James Spithill scores on offshore debut, 33 The most fun you'll ever have? Australian Olympic sailors cash up, and Macquarie Innovation goes back in the shed. Commodore Explorer designer GILLES OLLIER PATRICE CARPENTIER, FVOR WILKINS, talks to DAVID PALMER about tbe development ROB MUNDLE and DOBBS DAVIS. of his new 35m catamaran, conceived for The Race 2000. 21 37 The Volvo Ocean Race 'You have no idea': the Prada Director learns to sail lACC boats in Auckland Moving on... As website commentator for the last Whitbread Race, grand-prix navigator MARK CHISNELL 22 Olympic and small boat news was well placed to assess areas of possible Bundock and Forbes dominate worlds in Brazil, ERIC DROUGLEZ. Plus Nicho drops FRONT COVER: change for the next Volvo Ocean Race. This is his 'wish list'. by the skiffs - and wins, and ROB BROWN'S Laurent Bourgnon celeb- 49er tip of the month. trates his second consec­ utive Route du Rhum win 40 A hard start For the Swiss-French solo The opening of leg two brought brutal conditions 26 America's Gup news , this latest Transatlantic to the Around Alone fleet and saw race favourite Prada syndicate profi ed, windy times in victory will have special sig­ Auckland and will DC merge with Holmberg? nificance, as he works hard Isabelle Autissier's poor luck to secure the sponsorship he return yet again. TIM JEFFERY reports. TIM JEFFERY now urgently needs to com­ plete his new 38 metre Nigel 45 For the greater good 28 ORG hens designed catamaran, 'That' stability quick fix - and why it happened. for which Bourgnon now has Sail developments for the Around Alone fleet KEN WELLER. a finished plug sitting in a should have immediate benefits for other areas shed near his home in of the sport. BARRY and RUSSELL Brittany. For Bourgnon, and PICKTHALL look at the progress made. 31 Seahorse letters for the other skippers trying to raise funds for The Race, One rule and one language (please), requests the launch in December of ROB WEILAND. Steve Fossett's impressive 32 REGULARS metre Morelli/Melvin designed PlayStation (see 48 Design - Hobart rocket? p.8), should also bring some 4 Commodore's letter ANDY DOVELL describes an unusual design benefits. The publicity brief recently completed for a lightweight new Fossett's new boat is certain 7 Editorial Australian mini-maxi. to generate will raise the profile of 's ANDREW HURST round the world event, 50 Seahorse ncebotit which in turn should assist 8 Update build table in the wider quest for cash. Steve Fossett's PlayStation goes afloat and the Bourgnon, meanwhile, with newly amended ISAF match racing rules come his latest victory, really has under the spotlight in St Thomas. 52 RORG news and Race Director's established himself as the man to beat in this disci­ letter pline. His record of achieve­ 10 World news The Fastnet gains a Class Zero. ment in offshore multihuUs Bourgnon takes Route du Rhum double as ALAN GREEN stands comparison with any­ Coville and MacArthur top the monohuU one, with his outright and divisions, plus Mumm 30 worlds, strong IMS solo 24 hour record of 538 65 Seahorse calBnAdir miles being perhaps his fleet for Key West Race Week, Dickson loses out crowning glory. But Bourgnon is well aware that though that distance will survive for some time as a solo record, once Steve Fossett's team start to wind up their new machine it is likely to be quickly superced­ ed as sailing's outright 24 hour benchmark. Bourgnon knows that he needs a new boat, and he needs it soon. No one deserves it more.

Cover Thierry Martinez Inset Jean Marie- Uot/DPPI

A windy second day at the Mumm 30 worlds, In Carolina, brought good spectacle for those watching. Through it all Luca Bassani's well-practiced team (centre) cruised on to their well-deserved title. March 1999

Isabelle Autissier's crazy Christmas, Hydroptere IRES to go for Atlantic record, Mini-Transat, Trophy 34 A black day Clairefontaine, Auguin for Volvo Ocean Race, ROB MUNDLE reports on the tragic events of new floats for Cammas, US CMAC news, Acura the 1998 Sydney-Hobart Race, with additional SORC preview, lD48s go to Bakimore and a new comment from MARK RUDIGER and MARK boat for Team . IVOR WILKINS, TURNER, both competing in the event. PETER BENTLEY, PATRICE CARPENTIER and DOBBS DAVIS.

42 By numbers Pani navarri Steve Fossett's new 105 foot catamaran V"J'** " ,. , , • PlayStation is one of the most significant new I" light of the Hobart disaster, the dominant wm- raceboats to have been launched in the last 50 of the last Whitbread Round the World Race FRONT COVER: Designer GINO MORELLI describes the takes a hard look in the , battles its way across the evolutionary, rather than revolutionary design Bass Strait on December and bmld process employed. 26 OlympiC AM Small bOat nOWS 27, one day into the 1998 Is there a conflict between 49ers and 18 footers, Sydney-Hobart Race. , , T|ll'|01'011f|Ml asks ROB BROWN? Plus the Volvo Youth ':Zi^:^^:^^'' ForcompetitorsatthefrontoftheAroundAlone WoHd i S^^^^^^^^^ Hemisphere yachtsmen, in A^et no other word really describes the tumul- ^^"^ and ROY UUNMJlR the wake of the six sailors tuous week that bridged the New Year holidays, lost during the roughest when first became last, and (nearly) last became 5U IbAr Sydney-Hobart of recent first. TIM JEFFERY reports from Auckland, and PAUL HENDERSON years. Roger Badham, top talks to former race leader MIKE GOLDING. race meteorologist but with- 7 7 > • • out any official role at this 53 AmOriCa S GUP tteWS event, sadly called events ah ÖE^yB MB CS TIM JEFFERY talks to JOHN MARSHALL of too precisely when late on Young America, and watches the growing activi- SE^l^dclco:::^: 4 Commodore's letter ty - and traffic - on the Auckland waterfront. er turning back in view of -g. „ , , the approaching storm. In y PHitnPial ^" '^^^"OrSe raCODOat actual fact, tragic though the * tUIWJI WI hllilrl tühlo loss was, many were proba- ANDREW HURST DUim 13010 bly counting their blessings that the final toll was no g y 52 RQRG HOWS aod Raco Dlroctor's higher. There were some wpuuiu remarkable escapes and once Glyn Charles remembered. ICttOr again competitors in a major Hobart reflections. sailboat race owe a huge -jQ pOWS ALAN GREEN debt of gratitude to the ' ! ,, , „> • r Australian rescue services Frantic activity in Auckland, Black goes tor 56 sailors were lifted off by a sinl

FERY, IVOR WILKINS, BRIAN THOMPSON, PATRICE CARPENTIER and DOBBS DAVIS. 39 Early reflections SCOTT JIJTSON argues that, following the 25 Rod Davis Sydney-Hobart tragedy, from a technical perspec­ After some early setbacks the Prada Sailing Direc­ tive we should be questioning some of the less tor's SoUng crew have qualified for the Sydney obviously contentious areas of naval architecture. 2000 Olympic Regatta. Now the real works starts - with some other commitments to also consider... 40 Take 2 As the leaders rounded , the Around 26 America's Gup news Alone was beginning to resemble a destruction The temperature is increasing in Auckland, with Derby. TIM JEFFERY reports, with comment some unpleasant scraps between chase boats from MIKE GARSIDE and JOSH HALL, dis­ among the consequences. Plus Cup legend Jack FRONT COVER: masted early in Leg Three. Sutphen rejoins Team Dennis Conner and a pro­ Vasco Vascotti drives tlie Merit Cup at file of Syd Fischer's latest challenge. Key West 1999 45 A clear cut case? Merit Cup now looks certain For Open class designers there are still several 29 Olympic and small boat news to be a part of Italy's 'offi­ unanswered questions with regard to the optimal Chris Nicholson blazes back into the 18 footers cial'. Champagne Mumm rig and keel configuration for the different events. Admiral's Cup team this with a Grand Prix win, plus more of ROB- year, leaving rival Italian ALEX SIMONIS looks to see what can be learnt BROWN'S 'skiff tips'. Also Tim Robinson Sydney 40 Seven Things to from the current Around Alone fleet. strikes a blow in the skiffs for Europe by taking join the San Marino team, the JJ Giltinan, plus a Tornado technical update along with Pasquale from triple world champion JOHN FORBES. Landolfi's new Farr IMS 50 REGULARS Brava Q8, midway through building at Cooksons, and 4 Commodore's letter 34 Seahorse Letters an unconfirmed Italian Where Gdansk??? And a call for more interna­ . In general terms tional unification of modern liferaft testing. - this years Admiral's Cup is 7 Editorial shaping up to be a good step ANDREW HURST forward from the last few 37 ORC editions, with every expecta­ An eventful winter - HANS ZUIDERBAAN. tion of there being ten teams 8 Update in this July. Not as Tragedy for Spain's America's Cup challenge, many, perhaps, as the 15 49 Design teams talked about when the Atlantic success for Hans Bouscholte and a major 'Great white hope'. GREG STEWART discusses major revisions were revamp for the Rolex Commodores' Cup. the new Nelson-Marek IMS 50 , and con­ announced last year, but a siders CMAC prospects in the big boat class. 25% increase is still surely a good step forward in any- 10 World news ones' books? Interesting, for Alan Payne's Hobart predictions resurface, early 50 Seahorse raceboat future Admiral's Cups, is the Hobart conclusions, Chris O'Nial tribute, Auck­ position of the Mumm 36, land - (current) undisputed sailing capital of the build table confirmed as being up for world, winding up the PlayStation, Whitbread review after this year's event maxi Atlantic Privateer sold (for $17,000), Primo but with as yet few obvious Cup in Monaco, Raphael Dinelli 'released' by 52 RORC news and Race Director's rivals for the small boat slot. Sodebo, while Thierry Dubois' new boat letter There is currently at least approaches readiness, Isabelle Autissier interview, one developed Mumm 36 ALAN GREEN IRM conversion proposal on French America's Cup crew named, CMC the table (see Update Pg 8) Yukon/Yachting Key West report, Cayard-Alison 65 Seahorse calendar and others will follow. take US Rolex Awards and Steve Fossett takes Bottom line is that the (yet) another record. ROB MUNDLE, TIM JEF­ And event contact details. Mumm 36 hull is still a good shape and currently supplies of the boat are plentiful and relatively cheap. In the cur­ rent environment, with most aware that too many one designs do not help the ship stay afloat, it will be interest­ ing to see what alternatives are proposed for CMAC 2001. The Sydney 40 experi­ ence has shown that it takes serious money, or a real gap in the market (ie the 1D35) to see a fleet of any new mid-size CMAC type fleet created in the 18 months available. Jim Dolan's new Bill LaTigafi design Front cover: Ig^unched by New EngUind Boa®^" Petev WJeCaowaii owner of a number of the FO)Df¥^" was closely involved in ïece' lt!»1iW:!i^l:l May 1999

8 New boats for The Race 2000, IRM rating system 35 At the coal-face leaps forward, profiled and the Tour In the first part of a two part interview TIM de France goes international at last. JEFFERY talks to SIR , who is determined to not only host a good America's Cup in 2000 in Auckland, but also to win it. - Werlil lews Coutts scrapes Road to America's Cup regatta. Idler stars at Acura SORC, Philippe Jeantot on 38Giao... changes for the next Vendée Globe, Isabelle FRONT COVER: The Around Alone has not only been a remark­ Autissier's capsize story, plus Desjoyeaux to Isabelle Autissier's able race, but with the capsize of Isabelle skipper new PRB as Autissier retires from solo Groupe Finot Open 60 Autissier's PRB, in little more than 20 knots of racing, Wavre gets new Open 60, Fischer finds PRB, at the last wind, and the controversy over Marc some (big) ahies in Cup dispute, Aussie enters sighting... Thiercelin's part in her rescue, it is now set to be Mini Transat, USA Admiral's Cup team news. The loss of PRB, and the an arbiter of some major changes in the manage­ IVOR WILIONS, ROB MUNDLE, PATRICE manner of the loss has hit ment of long distance events. CARPENTIER and DOBBS DAVIS. the long distance sailing fra­ ternity hard. There is now no escaping the fact that 42 No more denial y Fai eapsil these boats are fimdamental- PRB's capsize has made many race AmericaOne and settling into ly flawed. Certainly PRB is organisers face up to the liability they of the generation of boats Auckland. considered most at risk by could be exposed tp if they continue the designers - Yves Parlier's to allow potentially unsafe boats to 1 26 America's Cup news Aquitainne Innovations is compete. PASCAL CONQ of Groupe now the sole survivor of this Finot and BERNARD NWELT explain TV trauma dominates proceedings as group - but no-one is under what has brought us to the current Coutts looks for some playmates. any illusions as to the gener­ situation, and how things must - and will - al implications of the loss of now change for the better. 28 ISAF news Autissier's boat in 20 odd knots of wind and a relative­ ly flat sea. Indeed it was the 47 Stiffer-faster 310\ymm and small boat news flat sea that virtually elimi­ A stiffer carbon mast was one of the keys to the A persona view of the Bacardi Cup from IAN nated any chance for success of at the last Isabelle's boat to self-right, WALKER plus ROB BROWN talks to 49er and America's Cup. SCOTT VOGEL of Omohundro skiff supremo CHRIS NICHOLSON. not providing anything like describes his own firm's development in search of the amount of wave energy a winning spar for Auckland 2000. required to help PRB to flip 50 Seahorse n lib back upright. However the reality is, that having seen build table the Chilean Airforce photos REGULARS of the late Gerry Roufs' Groupe LG2, still inverted 52 RORG news and Racf many months after first 4 Commodore's letter going missing, everyone letter involved knew that ALAN GREEN Autissier's boat was going to 7 Editorial stay capsized and was ANDREW HURST Sea/porsê beyond self-rescue. The sil­ 60 calendar ver lining to this latest Open class drama is that the race organisers - who at the end of the day drive the bus - have finally been forced to take a stand, and from now on it is likely that boats com­ peting in long distance events will be forced to meet more stringent stabihty crite­ ria, fundamental to any attempts to make this other­ wise exciting fleet more self- sufficient. These astonishing­ ly fast boats will only go marginally slower if they are made significantly safer, with heavier bulbs and high­ er minimum Limits of Positive Stabihty. Thus good will come of Isabelle's acci­ dent. That she herself sur­ vived it intact was an immeasurable bonus. International recruitment group Adecco have put up a 1 million Swiss Franc purse for this year's MaxI One Design World Championship. All eight MaxI OD's are now complete and ready for charter, the Front cover: fleet being underwritten by Ernesto Bertarelli, head of pharmaceutical group Ares-Serono. Bertarelli Giovanni Soldini/KOS has already committed to racing this year's circuit, having topped last year's inaugural regatta in Sardinia sailing with countryman Dominique Wavre, who In turn has just ordered a new Finot Open 60. (Contents iHiiaisaisis^sM

irij-r^i^y^^^^:'^-^^- 10 WoNd Hews ^, ,. PlayStation hits the jackpot at its first attempt, 36 (SOm.e of) the anSWerSare Cayard takes Stelnlager Lme 7 series - under blowing IU tlie WllMlJ Auckland's nose, French one-design sailors hit the DOBBS DAVIS visits the University of Maryland front at Spi Ouest, Coville gets his Open 60 - but wind-tunnel facility where Bruce Farr, John Charlie Capelle loses his classic trimaran, Aus- Marshall and the Young America/PACT 2000 tralian team for CMAC 99, Hobart consequences, design team are undertaking much of the research IMS 'world championship' fails to light up for their two new lACC boats for the New York Austraha, Block Island Race Week preview, and YC's America's Cup challenge. new IMS 40 association forms. IVOR WILiaNS, BRIAN THOMPSON, ROB MUNDLE, FRONT COVER: lito vacation PATRICE CARPENTIER and DOBBS DAVIS. Steve Fossett's During the last BOC/Around Alone race, Alan nc n ^1 H PlayStation, north of New Zealand during its Nebauer described the final leg to Charleston as 2u KOd PaWIS successful attempt on the 'a vacation'. This time it was anything but. Of Admiral's Cups, owner-drivers, and those 24-hour sailing record. TIM JEFFERY reports from Punta del Este. America's Cup predictions... Although it would be easy to say 'so what', given the size Oil of boat involved, this was a • • Stai/iiig top 26 Ameriea's Oiip news very impressive achievement Lewmar Marine's PHIL ATFIELD describes the Syd keeps 'em guessing, Team NZ starts build- which took in PlayStation's research and development that went ing and the latest big row... over a buoy? first-ever night at sea. As into producing the winches that _^^ÊUÊ\ watch leader Brian helped and Team jgl |J||J] l^ij^SM Thompson explains, on page w^u'°j'''^' ' The IMS is not so bad... NICOLA SIRONI. 10, equivalent conditions Whitbread race win. I.;, • with a top 60ft trimaran could have been expected to produce a run of 450 miles 46 Swansonfi» ! ^0 Olympic and small boat news at best. PlayStation managed HDOWdliaUllg. _ PAUL BIEKER and PETER BENTLEY take a 580 miles, a surplus of some No more serious racing \ detailed look at development in the 30 per cent. The same campaigns after this class since the worldwide rules proportion added to Bourgnon's (remarkable) ^êK^L^È'S^l.. ple.,v^*^^ "-'•^•"•>» °' ve-.. a.o. previous record of 540 miles of o,h„ .l„„gs planned » keep hi„ fc„» g.»»* 3^ ^^^^^^ suggests a figure of 700 miles, meaning that the Storm sails, stability and Sydney 40 ratings. assertion of Pete Goss's super-cat designer Adrian Thompson - that 'all these REGULARS 48 Design boats will be capable of 650- Sportsboat with attitude - the magnificent, and mUe days' - looks entirely • OOmmOOOre S letter insane, 7.50 open from Groupe Finot. plausible. The big enemy on the trip, which slightly surprised even Fossett's 7 Editorial 50 Seahorse raceboat build table experienced team, was the ANDREW HURST level of crew 'wear and tear' and fatigue. Watch leader : iOiG news aid Ben Wright missed the 8 Update lirector's letter record trip, having lost part Match-racing finds a new level of mtensity m ALAN GREEN of a finger in a seemingly Dubai, Bob Rice's Weather Windows - very much 'minor' incident, while the alive and kicking, plus Volvo Ocean Race and „j. «-„!,__„- nolonrlon effort required of even the Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup news. DO OBanOrSB CaienOdr simplest task at such a big scale was exhausting. For The Race, the message is that • jr- a^Ii^ai! ''^f'^'' *helr maiden anyone still considering tl^Ijj^Bg^^QH success with a racing with a small crew, to 24-hour record, the save weight, must think T^-|¥7*'l PlayStation team again: people wear out too quickly. For Fossett's own setback as the boat team, they now have a ^KjT^I different problem, following \ |^^^^IPS0^' '^f'"^ prepared the disastrous fire as they were about to ship then: boat. Several months will be needed to repair PlayStation, a fire which and its builders, Cooksons, ^•'^1 destroyed much of have just started the first of fiïlP'l inside of the two new lACC boats for Team New Zealand. But 4M(lliO[l,i ^' ^--Ajy starboard hull, don't expect Fossett's group • including the to be down for long. I navigation area, I and damaged the H boat's complex Front cover: H composite Christian Fevrier ^^HH^SSB^^^^^^^si^HHi^^l^HBIHH^HI structure. rnnntents gmt^B^SKKB

FEATURES 34 A long time coming 7 Editorial ANDREW HURST Giovanni Soldini had certainly paid his dues by Yazykov's triumph and those wood keels again... the time he began the last leg of the Around Alone. To win three of the four legs, as 8 Update well as the overall The Zegna Trophy fills Portofino, Adecco Maxi prize was just chcuit kicks off, ISAF reasserts itself on media reward. TIM JEF­ rights and Kingfisher launches Ellen MacArthur's FERY reports while Vendée Globe programme race director MARK SCHRADER has FRONT COVER: encouraging news of 10 World news Giovanni Soldini takes his the next event Coutts and Team NZ show form to spare at i bows at the end of the 1D48 Grand Prix in Baltimore, John Dibley's new ' Around Alone package for round-the-world-racing, Peyron stays ! In many ways it was remaric- 41 Young in front at start of offshore multihuU season, entry 1 able this event toolc place at limit to be enforced for Vendée Globe... and Mini all, with no main sponsor grown-ups... Transat, Figaro Solo report, France makes CMAC coming forward to replace Corum Sailing Team chief LUC GELLUSEAU is the BOC Group. However, line up, Melbourne-Osaka drama, Sydney cele­ bringing a realistic, pragmatic but optimistic brates Volvo Ocean Race nomination and Aussie in spite of the near farcical approach to his new role heading up France's attrition rate mid-race, the Olympic hopes rise. IVOR WILKINS, ROB event ended up a success and latest America's Cup challenge MUNDLE, PATRICE CARPENTIER and now looks well positioned DOBBS DAVIS for the future, with fresh 43 Moment of truth offers of title sponsorship on It's very nearly here, as we enter the launch the table. After winning the month for the RORC's new International Rule 23 ISAF column overall prize, as well as three And all is not settled for the 2004 Olympics of the race's four legs, Measured (IRM), HUGH WELBOURN walks us Soldini surprised many by through the new handicapping system and pouring cold water on the MARIC MILLS and CHRISTWiN STIMSON 25 America's Cup news fires fanning the present have examples of new IRM designs Prada and America True stampede to the Vendée launch, Syd lowers Cup Globe, cautioning those rushing lorward about the ambitions for Australian i very different nature of that REGULARS challenge, wing masts hit Wm competition. Soldini feels Auckland Cup scene, ice strongly that an event such 4 Commodore's letter cream saves Swiss challenge as the Vendée should be held '99 Admiral's Cup challengers start to line up and the New York YC decides less often, to be more of a it's time for change. ROB MUNDLE 'champion of champions' TIM JEFFERY and GEORGE ISDALE Jr affair, for a generation of experienced solo competi­ tors. Certainly the regularity 31 Olympic and small boat news of that event has threatened ADAM BEASHEL tells ROB BROWN that to perhaps make the sailing 'Nicho' can be beaten. Plus PETER BENTLEY public shghtly blasé, while the nature of the Vendée considers some of the implications of recent course makes it more of a ISAF decisions... and non-decisions pure human test, less inter­ esting, perhaps, to students of sailing technology than a 48 Seahorse raceboat build table multiple 'sprint' such as the Around Alone. Soldini can 51 RORC news and Race claim additional objectivity in that he is Italian, rather Director's letter than French, and so is able ALAN GREEN to look dispassionately upon something like the Vendée, that to French shorthanders 65 Seahorse cdAenAdjr is simply there at the top of the pile, the automatic ulti­ This year's Hyeres Regatta mate goal. Meanwhile, as all started off with two days of about them in the Around the full Mistral for which the Alone Class 1 fleet were French venue Is famous. falhng apart, the best boats There was plenty of carnage of Class 2 came through fast for spectators, Including, and relatively unscathed. remarkably, the loss of sever­ And for much less money. al masts - an almost One day 50 foot may yet be unheard of phenomenon. In considered enough? the case of Roy Helner's Dutch Soling, the bolts hold­ Front cover: ing down the shroud tracks JAQUES VAPILLON/PPL simply ripped through the sidedecks ANDREW HURST m 1999 Champagne Mumm And it's all been done before... K Admiral's Cup Programme 13 A step forward Brit/Australian duo score in Mini Fastnet, Friese The changes made to the Champagne Mumm takes a third Mumm 36 worlds, Volvo Ocean Admiral's Cup have taken the event in the right Race news and Warren Jones offers some pearls direction and it looks like the downward trend in for Team New Zealand entries has finally been reversed. This year promises a closely fought contest afloat together 40 World news with lively debate ashore about the future. We CYCA Hobart Report (and 'Clouds' Badham) FRONT COVER: have full details of the regatta, comment from takes a poor view of Australian weather forecast­ Ken Read drives Helmut DEE SMITH, FIETJE JUDEL, MARIC CHIS­ Jahn's Farr 50 Flash ing, Loick Peyron hangs on at Grand Prix de Mar­ NELL, BOUWE BEKKING and ANDREW seille... while Gautier has trouble just arriving, Cordon upwind at the HURST, and a welcome from JEAN MARIE 1997 Champagne Mumm Vatine holds off the sailboarders, Jourdain goes Admiral's Cup BARILLERE of Champagne Mumm for Vendée Globe, bumper entry for Figaro, Auck­ Most of the Flash Gordon land throws the spies off the wing mast scent, con­ team have returned for this 22 Tough! crete footpath to Fiji, and Dawn Riley takes Santa year's event on George Maria Cup. ROB MUNDLE, PATRICE CAR­ David's Nelson-Marelc IMS A look at the teams for this year's regatta. PENTIER, rVOR WILKINS and DOBBS DAVIS 50, Idler, to help to defend ANDREW HURST the trophy the ÜSA team won in the final yards of the 55 Rod Davis last event. A similarly close 34 Party party finish is expected for this The Champagne Mumm AdmiraPs Cup Still a long way to go... year's series, which probably shore and social guide has as many potential win­ 57 Olympic and small boat news ners as has ever been seen in the event's history - even in 37 Overview PETER BENTLEY reports on SPA 99 the days of 16-18 teams. who better to take a look at state of the offshore Both of the long races are racing game than BRUCE FARR? 61 ORC Column scheduled to finish at Cowes Cards on the table... DAVID LYONS this year, weather permit­ ting, which could weU make 67 Nature of the beast Plymouth Sound in 1997 Inevitably the subject of heated discussion at 63 America's Cup news seem stress-free by compari­ Cowes this year, HUGH WELBOURN talks us Spithill's big break, new lACC launchings and son! However, on balance, the changes made this year through the IRM design process the Arbitration Panel clears its desk for action. have been well received; in ROB MUNDLE, TIM JEFFERY and PATRICE particular the simpUfication CARPENTIER of the administration and the 71 Progress indeed reduction in the total time Boats fell apart, or fell over, but sails scored pret­ required have made the ty well in the last Around Alone. PETER I

FEATURES 8 Update French win on home ground in Adecco Grand ril 1999 Champagne Mumm Prix series , Doug Peterson on lACC design, Cam Lewis has still got the gift and DCs new Kiwi Admiral's Gup built 'America's Cup' catamaran... 32 Out of the fire Initially overshadowed by the row over the IMS 12 World news rating of the French team's innovative new 50 Luc Dewulf's Belgian team takes last gasp footer Faster K Yote 2, the 1999 Champagne victory in Tour de France, as Mumm 30's prove Mumm Admiral's Cup rose above the squabbling a successful boat choice. Round Europe Race to re-establish its premier event status. Six of the overshadowed by tragedy, French America's nine teams started the final long race with a Cup programme on track. Marc Pajot inter­ chance of overall success; that the end result was viewed, Bénéteau launches its new IMS bandit, a popular maiden victory for the Netherlands was Australian offshore racing coming under legal the final icing on a very competitive cake. pressure, 'Brownie' appointed coach to Syd's FRONT COVER ANDREW HURST tries to stay impartial... Cup challenge, IRM reaction from the USA and Hans Eekhof's Judel- Disney wins his own trophy at the 1999 Vrolijk IMS 49 Innovision Transpac. PATRICE CARPENTIER, ROB 7 drives away from the 38 Paradox MUNDLE, FVOR WILKINS and DOBBS start of the deciding long BRIAN DOYLE argues that it makes little sense DAVIS offshore at CMAC 99 tp currently allow PBO sailcloth in IMS, and The order for Eekhof's new other offshore classes, while banning carbon boat, placed last summer at 25 Paul Cayard the Copa Del Rey, where he yarns, which properly handled are proving to be at least as durable AmericaOne is ready to win. But there are some was competing with Russell tough battles ahead... Coutts aboard his world champion Swan 60 43 Decisions decisions Innovision 6, was the cata­ 27 Olympic and small boat news lyst for this year's CMAC Software expert and sail designer PETER HEP- winning team. Coordinated PEL has only recently appeared on the fast grow­ France takes the top prize (again) at the Volvo by Team Manager, Rob ing Mini 6.5m circuit yet has moved dhectly to ISAF Youth Worlds and the 18 foot skiffs revisit Weiland, who also project the top of the rankings. But a lot of preparation Nomex. PETER BENTLEY and INGRID managed Eelchof's successful has gone into his campaign, especially in the area ABERY Swan, the Dutch CMAC of foils and downwind sails programme rolled into action almost immediately. 31 America's Cup news Eekhof's new boat was built 46 Key stage one A discreet launch for an impressive looking by Neville Hutton in the UK Project Director MARK TURNER describes the Nippon Challenge, Prada feeds the spies and under the auspices of Mean decision making route followed by the designers Dennis back at the helm? TIM JEFFERY Marine, the company run by of the new Kingfisher sponsored Open 60 for Weiland, Hutton and Peter de Ridder. Many of the crew English skipper Ellen MacArthur, now building in 48 Seahorse raceboat build table of Innovision 6 went on to New Zealand for the 2000 Vendée Globe sail on the new IMS boat. Meanwhile Peter de Ridder 50 RORG news and Race himself elected to campaign in the Mumm 36 class rather REGULARS Director's letter than take the mid-sized slot, We do still go offshore! first chartering, and then 4 Commodore's letter ALAN GREEN buying back his original Cookson built Mumm, which was then extensively 7 Editorial 65 Seahorse calendar re-fitted. During the winter, Jochem Visser also secured sponsorship, with further oneAustralia finance from Eekhof and De revisited for Ridder, from Trust Bruce Owen's Computers for a chartered Six Metre, Sydney 40, the company Scoundrel, at then going on to successfully the 1999 class sponsor the team itself. The world champi­ majority of those involved in onships in the Dutch team, including Finland. many of the overseas crew, Scoundrel trained together through last sank in less winter, sailing alternate than a minute weekends in Holland on a after being variety of boats. From start holed by fel­ to finish there were very few low UK entry personnel changes; appropri­ Battlecry. The ate testimony to Weiland's boat was good management and vast recovered five experience. days latef, Front cover: from 35 metres Ocean Images down and is Inset: Carlo Bolenghi-KOS expected to be fully repairable (Contents October 1999

weaving the magic for the Abracadabra, and FEATURES an American learns all about it in Cowes. • Is plistie feBilailieF With DOBBS DAVIS, BOUWE BEKKING, Southern Spars managing director and former PATRICE CARPENTIER, ROB MUNDLE and -Whitbread racer STEVE WILSON looks at the IVOR WILKINS implications of the recent changes to the spar regulations for the 2001 Volvo Ocean Race 23 Rod Davis Fair... 'Please don't trouble me with idealism,' 40 Harder than necessary, perhaps? says the Prada saihng director ROB WEILAND, team captain and one of the driving forces behind this year's successful 25 Olympic and small Netherland's Champagne Mumm Admiral's Cup 'A new world is truly upon us'... Long overdue, challenge, looks back at some of the controversy FRANK BETHWAITE writes the first in his that coloured the successfully reformatted new series of articles that analyse the revolution 1999 event that's taken place in small boat design over the FRONT COVER past eight years The 49er fleet gets away 44 Onwards - at speed TIM JEFFERY talks to the number-one man at It is several years since Frank 28 ORG Bethwaite's last illuminating the Volvo Ocean Race, HELGE ALTEN, about NICOLA SIRONI sets out the 'Krazy-K' story of Seahorse series (Reach for the changes in corporate ownership that immedi­ CMAC 99, from the perspective of ocean the Sky)j written as we were ately followed his company's purchase of the racing's world governing body first moving into the era of world's top crewed ocean racing event, and about 'humpless' monohull design some of his recent fireside chats with the ISAF and semi-automatic rigs. In 31 Seahorse that interval Frank and his The case for carbon in IMS sails grows and son Julian have given the REGULARS Mike Kalaugher explains just how small those world the 49er, and now Hobart trysails needed to be... the , as well as many less-known contributions to Oommocnlw^e's letter naval architecture. It is 34 America's Gup news fascinating to look back at TIM JEFFERY asks whether we are really going the Bethwaites' writings, and 7 Editorial reflect just how significant to see the Russians in Auckland, as well as a were many of the pointers Upfiate second French syndicate, and YOICHE YABE for subsequent trends in talks to PETER GILMOUR about a quiet but keelboat development. One Catherine Chabaud scores a well-deserved Fastnet undoubtedly serious Nippon Challenge 2000 of the very best-known Race success. Dee Smith continues a 'rather good offshore yacht designers year'. Bank takes Match Race Worlds, Ludde Ing- predicted as much to me at vall, 'Scotty' and the team take the first Adecco 48 Seahorse raceboat build table the time, after he had read Maxi title and Patrizio Bertelli talks about the the Bethwaites' various realistic chances for getting 'that' cup to Europe pieces - real success rarely 46 Design - New kids on the block arrives by accident. The The Botin and Carkeek-designed IMS 46 Zurich timing of Frank's current 12 World news evaluation into the Copa del Rey success for Botin and Caureek's 50 RORG news and Race 'humpless' planing hull and Zurich breathes new life into IMS design the most modern trends in market, Jean Le Cam scores his third Figaro Director's letter small boat rigs is poignant, success - for Pleury Michon, Bryan Willis takes Lessons learnt - ALAN GREEN with so much of the focus in the forthcoming America's on a questionable Admiral's Cup jury chalice, Cup likely to be on radical Austrahan IMS series prove a further bonanza 65 ^da^or^d calendar rig design (admittedly within for Bénéteau 40.7s, Burns-Dovell confident of the tight confines of the lACC rule). But this trend is LeU: one of the there to see; in recent months least-publicised we have had 'the Krazy K', facts of the Around the development of unstayed Alone was that, Open 60 monohulls, and in a while the Open 60 few months we will have the records tumbled, launch of Pete Goss' new the Thompson-designed 'twin- benchmark set by unstayed-maxi-cat'. We will the Scott Jutson- also, in the next 12 months, designed True Blue be enjoying the first Olympic In 1994 remained regatta with a modern skiff- very much intact. type boat - just watch to see The Malaysian where the general media skipper, Azhar pays closest attention. Great Mansor, Is now times... Paul Elvstrom must midway on his own be proud of his sport lonely round-the- world solo record- breaking attempt Front cover: aboard this new Ocean Images Jutson-designed Inset: Carlo Borlenghi, 50-footer, Jalur KOS Gemilang November 1999

24 Seahorse letters Just how fast are the new Open 50s? Plus the case 34 Big autumn for PBO in sails Hans Eekhof's Judel-Vrolijk 49, Innovision^ followed up her Admiral's Cup triumph with an outright win at the inaugural Rolex IMS worlds 26 ISAF Golumn in Sardinia, while 's Farr maxi, Of certification and Olympic class selection Sayonara, continued her winning ways at the Rolex ILC maxi series held at the same venue. 2§ Olympic and small Porto Cervo was a busy place in September. BOUWE BEia

FEATURES Editorial Panic, what panic? America's Gup 2000 ANDREW HURST 32 True to form For the favourites there were probably few sur­ 8 Update prises in the opening round of the Louis Vuitton The late Ricus van der Stadt, Alain Gautier need­ Cup. But for some of those less sure of their place ing bigger floats and Chris Law, sort of retiring... in the pecking order it is already looking like a long few months ahead. TIM JEFFERY reports 14 World news on the first round of the challenger series Tragedy strikes transat Jacques Vabre, Mini Transat restarts with depleted fleet, Isabelle's FRONT COVER 34 Quivers of spars? Volvo quest, Jean-Luc off again, Peyron (B) to Lionel Lemonchois IVOR WILKINS finds that among possible rig 'race The Race?', Hobart official enquiry begins, powers away at tlie rough developments, at least one syndicate is assessing IMS lives on in the US of A, and Vasco Vascotto • start of this year's Mini the cost of a skiff-style, multiple spar approach keeping busy. PATRICE CARPENTIER, IVOR Transat classic WILIONS, TIM JEFFERY and DOBBS DAVIS Fast to start, Lionel, one of the pre-race favourites was 34 Loo[(in' aliead sadly dismasted within a Last minute America True signing DEE SMITH floli Bmm couple of days of leaving offers a personal view of where the various "A hell of a week in Oz" Concarneau aboard his teams will be in a few months time beautifully-detailed, home built Marc Lombard design 2A Seahorse kiiers (see Pge. 39). After an 38Howtlieylool( The need for an affordable modern training impressive voyage back "An overly ambitious approach, probably with­ under jury rig there was a dinghy, and "a rise to humps" further delay of several days out the funds to make it pay off", is the French before Lemonchois was able Challenge's co-designer, JUAN KOUYOUMD- 26 ORG Golumn to locate a replacement rig JLAN'S verdict of his own team's approach. But and rejoin the race. However Juan also offers his first impressions on the efforts To sweep or not to sweep? he eventually arrived in of the technical teams of his Cup rivals DAVID LYONS Lanzarote in good time to make the start of the race's 29 Olympic and small boat news longer second leg, and at the 38 Tidying up tlie act PETER BENTLEY offers little hope for a fluke time of writing was lying sec­ PATRICE CARPENTIER takes a close look at ond. After several years out result at Sydney 2000 and FRANIC BETH­ this year's Mini Transat fleet and finds refinement WAITE addresses the steady-state fundamentals of the headlines it is clear' and preparation are the names of the game that Marc Lombard and his of modern small boat rigs La Roebelle office are very much back at the forefront 41 One point of view 46 Design - Here we go again of 'Open-style' raceboat CHRISTIAN STIMSON wants to see IRM suc­ design. Jean-Marie Finot and It's that man again... as JUAN KOUYOUMD- ceed. He offers his evidence as to why he believes Pascal Conq have done a JIAN makes the case for a Millennial wooden ship wonderful, and also a he is backing the right rating system for the future responsible job in dragging Open design forward so far 48 Seahorse rmhodt build table • in recent years, but it is nev­ 45 New breed ertheless welcome to see JUDD SMITH has a pretty good record in the them now facing some real new non-overlap classes, and he just helped Ed 50 RORG news and Race competition once again. Collins clean up at the 99 Mumm 30 Worlds... Director's letter While Lemonchois' little ALAN GREEN 6.5m design was showing great pace in the Mini REGULARS Transat fleet, so Catherine 65 ^eaAorsd calendar Chabaud and her Lombard 4 Gommodore's letter Regatta dates and contact information designed Whirlpool Europe was leading the monohull Signing off... TERRY ROBINSON contingent in the Transat Jacques Vabre. Catherine's bright yellow Open 60, fea­ tured in our Design Review last month, also won this year's overall, and was leading the mono- hull division in last year's Route du Rhum before suf­ fering a spar failure. All this while Marc Lombard claims Catherine's boat is also sig­ nificantly safer than most of its peers. Not bad.

Left: Pascal Herold's new 85 foot Open design from Simonls-Voogd approaches completion In South Front cover: Africa, where the build of Herold's solo round-the-world challenger is being project managed by Mike Jaques Vapillon-DPPI Birch. Right: Catherine Chabaud's elegant Marc Lombard designed Open 60, Whirlpool Europe 2, was Inset: Tati comfortably leading the Transat Jacques Vabre monohull fleet as we closed for press