www.Sail_search.com: Fifty sailors will set off from La Rochelle tomorrow at 13:00 on the first of three legs of La Solitaire du Figaro, they key event of the Figaro solo sailing calendar.

The 2008 edition will cover 1,880 miles over three legs: La Rochelle to Vigo in Galicia, then a return leg to Cherbourg in France before the final marathon leg of 826 miles (the longest leg in the 39 year history of the race) to L’Aber W’rach on the northern tip of Brittany, by way of the Isle of Man in the north Irish Sea.

Race Director, Jacques Caraës has formulated a course that is long, tactical and testing in offshore sailing skills. “The decision to provide longer and further offshore legs comes down to popular demand from the sailors, and I see the standard as high and capable of dealing with the challenges the course will provide” explains Caraës on the eve of the start. The 465 mile leg from La Rochelle to Vigo “will be a warming up session for the sailors” continues Jacques, “crossing the Bay of Biscay is never without it’s problems, and do not be fooled, because it may be the shortest leg, in terms of distance, but it could well end up taking longer that you expect.”

The one-design Figaro Beneteau boat is enjoying continued success and the following of the solo sailors. For the highlight event of the season, 11 rookie sailors join the competition together with four highly experienced women sailors, another record in the race history. Jeanne Gregoire on Banque Populaire and Liz Wardley on Sojasun will be joined by two new aspiring Figarists, Elodie Riou (KPMG) and Isabelle Joschke (Synergy), both successful Mini sailors.

The growing international following the event is currently enjoying is reflected in the arrival some new faces on the circuit. There are five non-French sailors in all, some familiar to the scene; Italian, Pietro D’Alì returns for the 4th consecutive year flying the colours of his new sponsor, Mc Cool, Antonio Pedro da Cruz, from the Cape Verde Isles, but truly settled in the France for years, returns for the third time on Baïko, Liz Wardley originally from Papa New Guinea, but now ensconced in the heart of the sailing mecca that is Brittany, returns for her 5th participation with her green boat, Sojasun. New to the Figaro scene, but familiar to sailing enthusiasts, Isabelle Joschke, joins the Solitaire for the first time with Synergy. Isabelle, born in Munich and now settled in France, made a name for herself in the Mini 6.5 Transat and will be one of the rookies to watch closely. Last but not least, Andy Greenwood from the UK comes to try his hand and gain some Figaro experience. At 26, he is young and experienced in other areas of sailing, but the Figaro is new and a challenge he is ready to tackle. “I see this year as an opportunity to understand and get some experience in this discipline, but really would like to train and work on an ideally 3 year plan,” he explains.

This evening’s weather briefing provided by Meteo France will give final food for thought for the 50 sailors who studiously prepare their strategy for tomorrow’s start.

Cercle Vert wins the Suzuki Prologue race

Gildas Morvan, participating for the 13th time, won crossed the finish line first in the Suzuki Prologue on Cercle Vert yesterday. François Gabart on Espoir Région Bretagne was the first rookie with a well-earned 7th place.

www.Sail-Search.com: Now in its 9th year, the original idea came from four senior people in the IT industry who got together to combine their passion and their profession to raise meaningful amounts of money for charity.

Last year the event was contested by over 650 people, representing over 200 companies and raised over £50,000 for our nominated charities. In 2008, The Silicon Cup will be restricted to just 85 yachts and then a waiting list will operate - so please enter now to be assured of an entry!

If you would like help with a yacht charter and full hospitality package or are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Jess Lang at Britannia - jess[at]britanniaevents.co.uk

Not only is The Silicon Cup a great event for Corporate Hospitality, many companies use it to promote their brand, network within our industry or as a team building event.

www.Sail-Search.com: The 36th running of the International Rolex Regatta is sure to build on its successes last season, which included the addition of IRC racing and joining with the BVI Spring Regatta to offer the inaugural Virgin Islands Race Week. With racing scheduled for Friday, March 27 through Sunday, March 29 2009, the International Rolex Regatta is one of the most popular of several Caribbean sailing events that, when strung together, can keep a hard-core, fun-loving racer occupied in the islands for the better part of two months. While it is part of the US-IRC Gulf Stream Series, the event also hosts classes for CSA (or "Caribbean Rule") racing as well as one-designs, beach cats and large multihulls.

We've proudly hosted this regatta since 1974," said William Newbold, Commodore of St. Thomas Yacht Club. "Over three days, the finest yachtsmen and yachtswomen from around the Caribbean, United States, and Europe join in world-class racing in a spectacular environment, which includes the warm, clear waters surrounding our Club. It's an adventurous way to get a jump on their summer sailing season."

Veteran competitor Bill Alcott of Detroit, Michigan, who owns the 68-foot yacht Equation, counts the International Rolex Regatta as "one of the highlights of my life and love of competition and the sea--I wouldn't miss it for the world." America's Cup veteran Peter Holmberg, who calls St. Thomas home, is one of the more famous local sailors who attends, while last year Norbert Plambeck, from Cuxhaven, Germany, came from farthest abroad to sail his Frers 80 Hexe.

The regatta's popularity is attributable to its professional race management, dependable trade winds and varied and challenging schedule of races -- including both around-the-buoys and distance courses.

"The hotly contested one-design racing on the St. James Circle returns," said Regatta Co-Chair John Sweeney, "and now that we have IRC off the ground, we expect an increase in those boats on the Ocean Circle." Sweeney added that the picturesque distance race from the east end of St. Thomas to Charlotte Amalie Harbor and back has established itself as an Island tradition. Also highlighting the regatta is the beautiful yet tactically demanding Pillsbury Sound Race in and among the cays between St. Thomas and St. John. This "Sunday drive" has decided final standings in most classes each of the last four years.

After racing, beachside social activities blend St. Thomas Yacht Club's island-style hospitality with the outstanding camaraderie and competition that hundreds of participants have come to expect each year. The finishing touch is the awards stage that magically appears over the water on the last day of racing and the presentation of coveted Rolex timepieces to winners of qualifying classes.
While most of the yachts moor or anchor (or rest on the beach, as is the case with the Beach Cats) within St. Thomas Yacht Club's watery backyard of Cowpet Bay, the posh new Yacht Haven Grande Marina in Charlotte Amalie can be second home to any boats that prefer full-service facilities.

A.H. Riise, Official Retailer of Rolex watches in the U.S. Virgin Islands, takes an active role in sponsorship of the event. The St. Thomas duty free shop is one of the largest in the Caribbean and is located on the historic waterfront of downtown Charlotte Amalie. Rolex is known for sponsoring grand prix events such as the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Rolex Fastnet Race, Giraglia Rolex Cup, Rolex Middle Sea Race, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Farr 40 World Championship.

www.Sail-Search.com: Nominations are now invited for the 2008 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards, the most prestigious award of recognition in the sport of sailing. The list of nominees and winners since the first presentation in 1994 is an exceptional roll call of the world's top sailors from all disciplines of the sport.

There is only one male and one female ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, who will not only win the coveted Rolex timepiece and trophy, but receive true recognition of their achievement from their peers across the world.

Nominations can be made by anyone and the only criteria are that sailors must have performed an "outstanding achievement in the sport" during the qualifying period of 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2008. Nominations should be sent in to ISAF by 10.00hrs (UTC) on Friday 5 September 2008 on the official form which can be found via www.sailing.org/worldsailor

A shortlist will be drawn up by ISAF from all of the nominations received at the ISAF Secretariat by the deadline and those sailors will go on to become the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2008 Nominees. The 126 ISAF Member National Authorities will then vote for one male and one female sailor who they believe merit the Awards.

The accomplishments of the sailors nominated each year are an inspiration - from windsurfers and dinghy sailors to offshore specialists, a nominee's achievements may be an exceptional series of regatta wins, a record breaking passage or a triumph against the odds. And, whilst there have already been some remarkable achievements in our sport since September 2007, with the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition rapidly approaching we are set to witness many more.

The winners will be announced at an Awards dinner on Tuesday 11 November in Madrid, Spain, host city for the ISAF Annual Conference. They will be presented with the unique marble and silver trophy depicting the globe, crowned with five silver spinnakers representing the continents, together with a personalized Rolex timepiece.

The past nominees and winners of the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year include the highest achievers in the sport, with the winners' roll call reading:

2007 - Ed BAIRD (USA) and Claire LEROY (FRA)
2006 - Mike SANDERSON (NZL) and Paige RAILEY (USA)
2005 - Fernando ECHAVARRI; Anton PAZ (ESP) and Ellen MACARTHUR (GBR)
2004 - Robert SCHEIDT (BRA) and Sofia BEKATOROU; Emilia TSOULFA (GRE)
2003 - Russell COUTTS (SUI) and Siren SUNDBY (NOR)
2002 - Ben AINSLIE (GBR) and Sofia BEKATOROU; Emilia TSOULFA (GRE)
2001 - Robert SCHEIDT (BRA) and Ellen MACARTHUR (GBR)
2000 - Mark REYNOLDS; Magnus LILJEDAHL (USA) and Shirley ROBERTSON (GBR)
1999 - Mateusz KUSZNIEREWICZ (POL) and Margriet MATTHIJSE (NED)
1998 - Ben AINSLIE (GBR) and Carolijn BROUWER (NED)
1997 - Pete GOSS (GBR) and Ruslana TARAN; Elena PAKHOLCHIK (UKR)
1996 - Jochen SCHÜMANN (GER) and Lee-Lai SHAN (HKG)
1995 - Russell COUTTS (NZL) and Isabelle AUTISSIER (FRA)
1994 - Peter BLAKE (NZL); Robin KNOX JOHNSTON (GBR) and Theresa ZABELL (ESP)

www.Sail-Search.com: Århus, Denmark – 18 July, 2008 – Great Britain topped the medal table as the podium positions were decided on the final day of racing at the 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Århus, Denmark.

On the final day of the 38th championship all the medal positions bar the Boy’s 29er fleet remained the same from yesterday’s leaderboard. Argentines Germán Billoch and Gastón Cheb Terrab clinched a win in the last race of the series pushing the American’s Judge Ryan and Hans Hensen into bronze position.

An elated Terrab explained, “I am really, really happy to get a silver medal here. We had a bad start but we took the right hand side and had great speed. We kept looking for the gusts and when we tacked over we were in front of everyone, including the British boys. We always had speed today and just maintained our lead. USA got a sixth in the race which was enough for us to jump up.”

The GBR boys James Peters and Edward Fitzgerald posted a fourth today but after the disqualification of the Americans from one of yesterday’s race they were never going to be caught. A delighted Peters said, ““It’s a dream come true really. It’s just so good that all the hard work we put in and all the hours in January in the freezing cold have finally paid off. It’s just great that we could make it count in this event.”

Fitzgerald added, “When I started sailing with James, ever since then everything’s been towards it [winning the Youth Worlds], so I can’t really believe it yet.”

The Volvo Trophy went to Britain but the fight for second place was a close fought one with New Zealand pipping Australia to the post with only two points separating them.

“To come out here and win two gold medals, a bronze medal, win the Volvo Trophy and to also finish topping the medal table, we’ve got to be pleased with that,” said Simon Wergen, RYA Youth Racing Manager. He explained that teamwork was key to the British success, “We have really sailed as a team here and when people have needed to post results to score us points in the Volvo Trophy standings, they went out and did it.”

Helping Britain to win the Volvo trophy was the Girl’s 29er team of Frances Peters and Claire Lasko who came second in today’s race and were very pleased with their consistency throughout the event. Peters commented, “We are the most pleased about this win than any other competition and winning the Volvo Trophy for the GBR Team is a bonus.”

Dutch team Annemiek Bekkering and Jeske Kisters pushed the Brits the whole way through the series to win the silver medal with Hannah Nattrass and Michelle Muller of Australia winning their second consecutive bronze medal.

In the SL16 fleet the focus was on the battle for silver and bronze after French brothers Valentin and Romain Bellet had secured overall victory yesterday. The Australian team of Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin were fast starters and lead around the course to score their first bullet of the championship and move up to sixth place overall. Of the four teams who had a shot at a medal, Singapore put in the best performance with a second place but it was not quite enough. The young South African team of helm Matthew Whitehead, aged 14, and crew Michael Ovenstone, aged 17, scored their worst result of the regatta with a tenth place finish, but crucially their closest challengers for second place overall, the British team of James Ellis and Andrew Glover were only one place ahead. This gave Whitehead and Ovenstone the silver medal, whilst Ellis and Glover won bronze on countback from Singaporeans Wen Chun Low and Jonathan Russel Wei Xiang Chew.

Although narrowly missing out on the medals, the Singapore team will not leave Århus empty handed. They won the Bengt Julin Trophy for Sportsmanship, re-introduced at this year’s championship and voted for by other teams and competitors. The team won this for their friendly attitude and helpful manner with everyone at the championships, especially the Athlete Participation Programme (APP) sailors.

Team Cyprus has only three competitors in the championships, making their two gold medals, one by Pavlos Kontides in the Laser and the other in the Boy’s RS:X fleet by Michalis Malekkides, even more impressive. Kontides won his last race and straight after praised his team for doing so well. “I can’t believe that we won two gold medals it is great for a country as small as mine that we have two World Champions at this event. I hope this makes more people start sailing at home. It still hasn’t sunk in yet and I can’t believe I have won two golds.”

Luke Lawrence (USA) did not sail today knowing he had done enough to secure silver yesterday from New Zealander Sam Meech in bronze position. Århus local Thorbjoern Schierup pushed himself to the limit to try and catch Meech but later admitted that he went too far and got a yellow flag for an incident in the only race of the day.

In the Laser Radial fleet Gabrielle King (AUS) still went out today to try and retain Team Australians position in the Volvo Trophy standings and won her race but unfortunately it was not enough to secure a second for them. Susana Romero of Spain posted a third in the last race which won her the silver medal with New Zealand’s Cushla Hume-Merry in bronze position.

There was no change at the top of the Girl’s RS:X with Polish windsurfer Maja Dziarnowska posting a first today and Patricia Freitas (BRA) close behind her in second, but this was not enough for the Brazilian to steal silver from her. Laura Linares (ITA) said her third gold medal win had still not sunk in, “I still can’t believe it, it is wonderful!”

Cypriot Michalis Malekkides in the RS:X was beaten by both the Greek Thiseas Kampas and German competitor, Oliver-Tom Schliemann today but it did not change his gold medallist position. Kampas retained his silver medal while Schliemann, despite winning the race had to settle for bronze.

The competitors will be awarded their medals and trophies at the Musikhuset in Århus tonight, bringing the 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships to a close. Next year’s event will be held in Buzios, Brazil on 9-18 July 2009.

For overall results go to: http://www.youthworlds2008.org/Results.aspx

The South African positions:

1. Rudi McNeill - Laser, 18th
2. Claire Walker - Laser, 38th
3. Taariq Jacobs and Neil Malan - 29'er, 7th
4. Mathew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone - Sirena SL16, 2nd.

South Africa managed a 16th place overall in the Volvo Team Trophy.

South Africa's Matthew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone celebrate winning the 2nd place in SL16 Multihull class at the award ceremony of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

South Africa's Claire Walker, Laser Radial class, on the 4th racing day of this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

South Africa's Taariq Jacobs and Neil Malan, 29er class, on the 4th racing day of this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

South Africa's Rudi McNeill, Laser class, on the 4th racing day of this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

Århus, Denmark – 17 July, 2008 – The records tumbled at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship with all seven titles decided, Great Britain secured the Volvo Trophy and a new generation of sailing stars emerged in Århus.

Cyprus and Great Britain won two titles, with the others going to Australia, France and Italy on a record breaking day in Århus, Denmark. Great Britain is in an unbeatable position in the Volvo Trophy standings and therefore wins the title for the best performing nation at the Youth Worlds for the first time since 1996.

Pavlos Kontides (CYP) became the first ever two-time winner of the ISAF St Lawrence Trophy, presented to the winner of the Boy’s One Person Dinghy event – an incredible achievement considering the sailors to have come closest to it in the past (by winning one gold and one silver medal) are Russell Coutts (NZL), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Dean Barker (NZL) and Dan Slater (NZL)! Kontides did not have his best day today, but has dominated the Laser fleet throughout the series to win with two races to spare.

Pavlos Kontides from Cyprus, Laser class, on the 4th racing day of this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

Kontides explained, “It hasn’t sunk in yet that I have won. I can’t believe that two people from my country is in the top ten, that is great. I had a bad last race today but it didn’t matter in the end. I was fifth from last at the top mark because of a massive wind shift but managed to get back to 16th or 17th so I was happy. This is my fifth and last Youth Worlds and I can’t believe I am the only person to win two gold medals.”

After five years at the Youth Worlds, next stop for Kontides will be Qingdao, China, where he will represent Cyprus at the Beijing Olympic Games. After 30 years at the Youth Worlds, as GBR then ISAF World Youth Trust Sailing Coach, Jim Saltonstall is better placed than anyone to assess the potential of this future star. “He’s really like another Ben Ainslie; as Ben was for GBR, Pavlos is for Cyprus. It won’t surprise me at all if he doesn’t win a medal in China because he’s quite capable of doing that.”

Luke Lawrence (USA) also secured the silver medal in the Laser fleet, whilst the battle for bronze will go down to the final day. Sam Meech moved into third place overall after a disastrous day for Århus local Thorbjoern Schierup (DEN). The Dane got caught on the wrong side of the same wind shift that caught out Kontides, eventually finishing 36th to drop to fourth overall, five points off the podium.

Another record breaker today was Laura Linares of Italy. She won her third consecutive title in the Girl’s Windsurfer event on the RS:X and became the first sailor in the 38-year history of the event to win five Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship medals. Like Kontides, Linares dominated the series from start to finish only once finishing outside of the top-two places.

Two-time Youth Worlds gold medallist Laura Linares of Italy, prepares to compete in the RS:X Windsurfer class at this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

“Five ISAF’s, five medals. Unbelievable. It’s really fantastic results and I’m really satisfied and really happy. I realized my dream. It’s unbelievable. I can’t believe it,” said a delighted Linares. In the battle for the remaining podium spots, just two points separate Maja Dziarnowska (POL) and Patricia Freitas (BRA) in second and third place respectively.

Gabrielle King made it a triple success for the Kingston gold medallists, defending her title in the Laser Radial with another superb performance. King scored her fourth and fifth bullets of the championship in today’s two races to take the title in style. “I thought after day two it was a possibility to win and then the wind gods looked down on me and things kept going my way and it has ended up with this win. This is the best event I love it,” said the ecstatic young Australian. Susana Romero of Spain currently lies in the silver medal position, just four points ahead of New Zealand’s Cushla Hume-Merry.

Australia's Gabrielle King, Laser Radial class, on the 4th racing day of this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

The British teams scored a double victory in the 29er fleets. The Girl’s team of Frances Peters and Claire Lasko were delighted to have the gold medal in the bag after the second race of the day. They were mostly pleased about the consistency throughout the week’s competition. They were disappointed with their performance at the Youth Nationals despite winning the event because they felt they could have done better but here was a different story. Peters commented, "It hasn't sunk in yet. It is a relief because this is what we have been working towards for so long. Seven hours out on the water in December has finally paid off and it is all worth while now. This is why we did all that training and worked so hard.”

Annemiek Bekkering and Jeske Kisters of the Netherlands have also secured the silver medal, whilst Hannah Nattrass and Michelle Muller are well placed to repeat their third place finish of last year.

James Peters, brother of Frances, and Edward Fitzgerald won Great Britain’s second gold medal in the Boy’s 29er fleet. It had looked like being a final day shootout between the Brits and the USA crew of Judge Ryan and Hans Henken, but the Americans were disqualified from race 13 after a protest from the French team, putting Peters and Fitzgerald into an unbeatable position at the top of the leaderboard. Germán Billoch and Gastón Cheb Terrab of Argentina lie in third place overall and will be looking to challenge for the silver medal tomorrow.

The French SL 16 sailors Valentin and Romain Bellet are also celebrating overall victory in the multihull SL16 class although refused to celebrate a day early and are concentrating on a good position tomorrow in the last race of the series. Romain Bellet, just 15 years old and the younger of the two brothers, said, “I still want to gain points for the Volvo Trophy. We don’t feel we have totally won until we go for the collective achievement tomorrow.”

The South Africans Matthew Whitehead and Micheal Ovenstone were covering the French all day in true match racing style and won their first race putting two boats in-between them and the French. But the French pair managed to get away from them on the last downwind leg of second race leaving them in seventh and the Bellet brothers in first. Romain Bellet explained, “Going downwind we gybed. The South Africans did not follow – they should have!” Whitehead and Ovenstone now have a four point lead over the nearest rivals James Ellis and Andrew Glover of Great Britain with Simon Michaelsen and Jacob Dannefer of Denmark a further four points behind.

Michalis Malekkides won a second gold medal for Cyprus in the boy’s windsurfer fleet. After a tough day yesterday, he was back to best in today’s stronger winds. “The conditions here were like Cyprus, especially the first and the second day when it was windy. They’re the conditions I know very well and that helped me,” said Malekkides, who at just 16 years old, said his aim now is to defend his title at next year’s Youth Worlds in Buzios, Brazil.

Malekkides won race 10, but with his close rival and training partner Thiseas Kampas (GRE) in third, the pair were only separated by five points in the overall standings. The decisive action came in race 11, when Malekkides took a gamble out to the left of the first downwind, caught a gust and accelerated from six to second. He maintained that position across the finishing line and the title was his as Kampas struggled across the line in 14th. Despite that finish, Kampas hold on to second overall, although Germany’s Oliver-Tom Schliemann is just six points further back.

Tomorrow is the final day of the 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship, the 38th edition of the event. One race is scheduled for each event, and although the gold medal winners have already been decided, there are still plenty of podium positions up for grabs.

In the battle for the Volvo Trophy, Great Britain current lies on 336 points, with the last year’s winners Australia climbing up to tie for second place with New Zealand on 304 points. As the GBR 29er crews have already secured at least 12 points in race 12, Great Britain holds on unbeatable lead and tomorrow will lift the Volvo Trophy tomorrow for the third time. France is fourth in the national standings, just behind Australia and New Zealand, with the host nation Denmark in fifth, just ahead of hosts of next year’s championship, Brazil.

Racing is scheduled to start tomorrow at 11:00 and will be followed by the Closing Ceremony.

For full results go to: http://www.youthworlds2008.org/Results.aspx

The South African positions:

1. Rudi McNeill - Laser, 19th after eleven races
2. Claire Walker - Laser, 38th after eleven races
3. Taariq Jacobs and Neil Malan - 29'er, 7th after fourteen races
4. Mathew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone - Sirena SL16, 2nd after eleven races.

It looks as though Mathew and Michael are the South African Sailors going into the last day of racing under the most pressure as the third placed team of James Ellis and Andrew Glover from Great Britain are four points adrift of RSA. Athough with only one race scheduled, all should be well in the camp of biltong!

South Africa's Matthew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone, SL16 Multihull class, on the 4th racing day of this years Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.
Photo credit: onEdition

www.Sail-Search.com: Århus, Denmark – 16 July, 2008 – The top five places in the 29er boys, RS:X girls, Laser Radials and the SL16 are getting tighter with only two days left of the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships. The breeze was lighter on the Bay of Århus allowing for more of the sailors to excel as the conditions eased for them. The race committee set three races for each class today to catch up on those lost on the first day.

The British girls still rule the 29er class as Frances Peters and Claire Lasko posted a 2, 1 and 3 on the fourth day of racing of the Championships. The Swedish team of Sara Engström and Hanna Dahlborg didn’t have a great day on the water with a 5, 5, 4 which made them drop down to fourth from third. Engström commented after racing, “We were not happy with today but at least we are sailing more consistently now which is good. With only two more days it will be very close for all of us at the top.” The Australians Hannah Natrass and Michelle Muller, bronze medallists last year, moved into third with a two firsts and a ninth which they dropped as the second discard comes into play.

In the boy’s fleet the American’s Judge Ryan and Hans Henken had a great day with a 1, 2, 3 bringing them to the top of the pile. Henken explained how they started slow but placed themselves well in the lighter breeze. “We played the shifts downwind well and getting top three positions today was a great achievement.” James Peters and Edward Fitzgerald (GBR) where pushed down to second but are only a point behind the leaders. Australians Bryon White and Rhys Mara are now in third on 37 points, 14 points behind, with Germán Billoch and Gastón Cheb Terrab of Argentina six points behind them.

France dominates the SL16 fleet for a second day with brothers Valentin and Romain Bellet winning two races and scoring a third in the last of the day. The South Africans Matthew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone are still in second but posted a 7, 2 and a 9. “We had a bad day today and it didn’t help it was a very long day. The Singapore and New Zealand guys are back on form, which is good to see,” said Ovenstone. The third placed GBR team of James Ellis and Andrew Glover are only two points ahead of the Danes Simon Michael and Jacob Dannefer and just one point behind the South Africans. With three races left in the series there is a lot to win and lose.

With the wind shifting in direction and speed throughout the day, consistency was key to success in the windsurfer fleets as both the light and heavy wind specialists had a chance to shine. Thiseas Kampas of Greece was the standout performer in the Boy’s RS:X fleet, closing the gap on the overall leader - also his good friend and training partner - Michalis Malekkides of Cyprus to just three points. Great final runs helped Kampas make up vital places to score second and third positions in races 7 and 8 before he sacrificed first place in the day’s final race to force Malekkides to the wrong side of the course. The strategy worked as the Cypriot posted an 11th place, his worst score of the regatta, whilst Kampas again finished strongly take fourth place. Kampas said his performance today, particularly his strong finishes, were principally down to a more confident approach, “I didn’t have it [confidence] the days before because I was so nervous, because of the wind I was saying oh no, it’s high winds again. But today I said to myself, ‘okay I’m here to fight, to fight until the end’ and that’s what I did.”

Laura Linares (ITA) had another stellar day in the girl’s RS:X fleet, with a second place followed by her fifth and sixth bullets of the regatta. With just three races remaining and no score worse than a fifth the Italian looks well on the way to a third consecutive Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship title. Maja Dziarnowska (POL) and Patricia Freitas (BRA) continue to battle it out behind the leader, with just two points separating them in second and third place respectively.

Pavlos Kontides (CYP) had a rare blip today with a fifth in race 8, but sandwiched between a bullet and a second place it did nothing to affect his dominant position at the top of the Laser standings. Luke Lawrence tightened his grip in second place with a win the day’s final race, whilst Denmark’s Thorbjoern Schierup remains in third. Schierup said back in the dinghy park, “I've mixed feelings about today. The gap up to second has opened up, but at the same time I’m more isolated in third. But I had by far preferred to have the chance to fight my way up the list instead of defending the third spot.”

Like Kontides, Australia’s Gabrielle King is looking odds on to defend the title she won last year in Kingston. She added a third bullet to her scoreline and maintained her run of all top-five finishes to extend her overall lead in the Laser Radial fleet. Susana Romero of Spain admitted she still hasn’t got to grips with the changeable conditions in the Bay but nevertheless won the day’s final race to propel herself up the leaderboard. The young Spaniard is aiming for a confidence boosting performance in Denmark before heading to Qingdao, China where she will represent Spain at the Olympic Games.

Tomorrow two races (three for the 29ers) are scheduled for each event, starting at 12:00 local time. With just one race remaining for each fleet on the final day of the championship on Friday, victory is within grasp for some of the fleet leaders setting the scene for an exciting penultimate day in Århus.

For full results go to: http://www.youthworlds2008.org/Results.aspx

The South African positions:

1. Rudi McNeill - Laser, 19th after nine races (climbed 2 places)
2. Claire Walker - Laser, 38th after nine races (dropped 2 places).
3. Taariq Jacobs and Neil Malan - 29'er, 7th after ten races (climbed 2 places)
4. Mathew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone - Sirena SL16, 2nd after nine races.

www.Sail-Search.com: From 1 February 2009 the Cospas-Sarsat system will no longer receive alerts from 121.5MHz Distress Beacons.

Only the 406MHz beacons will be detected. The 406MHz beacons are far superior, more accurate and can be located faster.

Why switch to the 406MHz Beacon?

406MHz Beacons transmit a much stronger signal and are verifiable and traceable. They can be accurately detected within a few minutes. Each 406MHz Beacon has a unique identifier encoded in its signal. As long as the Beacon has been registered, the rescue centers can quickly confirm if the distress is real. These beacons have a position accuracy of less than 5kms – reducing the Search and Rescue teams search area, saving time and lives.

Guidelines for the operation of the 406MHz Beacon:

1. Be aware of maintenance procedures for the beacon
2. Learn how to use the beacon in an emergency
3. Understand the self-test feature of their beacon
4. Manufacturers contact details for approved 406MHz beacons can be found on the Cospas-Sarsat website www.cospas-sarsat.org under the “Beacons” tab

How Distress Beacons work:

When a Distress Beacon is activated it transmits a signal that is detectable by passing aircraft and satellites. As the satellites orbit the earth they detect activated distress beacons and report their positions to the relevant rescue authority.

When to use Distress Beacons:

Distress Beacons are only to be used in life-threatening situations.
In the event of an emergency, first signal other vessels in the area by using radios or other methods.
Cell phones may be used, however, do not rely on them alone as they might be out of reception range, loose battery power or become water-damaged.

How to register a Distress Beacon after acquiring one:

Visit www.icasa.org.za or contact Eileen (ICASA) on 021 5951 640 or 021 5957 300

What to do if the Distress Beacon is set off accidentally:

Firstly – turn it off!
Then contact the proper authority in whose area you are.

www.Sail-Search.com: Århus, Denmark - Great Britain is leading a close four-country battle for the Volvo Trophy, awarded to the best-performing nation at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship.

The young British sailors can enjoy the lay day in Århus, Denmark today, after a highly successful start to the championship which puts them 17 points clear at the top of the Volvo Trophy standings. New Zealand follow the Brits in second place, whilst the defending champion Australia lie third, just ahead of the host nation Denmark. France, nine-time winners of the Volvo Trophy, complete the top five, but has a lot of ground to make up with a 45-point gap separating them from the British team.

The national battle at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship is as fiercely fought as any of the seven individual titles and more than any other event exemplifies the unique spirit of the championship. The standings are calculated based on a nation’s top four crews after each race is completed across all the fleets, meaning a sailor out of medal contention can still have a massive impact on their team’s performance with a strong finish.

The British success so far has been spearheaded by the two 29er teams who both hold the overall lead, but mixed performances from them in races seven and eight (which the other fleets are yet to complete) could see the standings tighten by the end of tomorrow. Following the lay day, there’s also a new factor added into the equation: pressure. With just three days of racing remaining, the finishing line is drawing closer and any mistakes begin to prove more and more costly.

Amongst the five leading teams, only Denmark has never won the Volvo Trophy before. Great Britain’s two wins came back in 1995 and 1996 with the team of ‘ferrets’ coached by Jim Saltonstall, many of whom went on to win medals at the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. New Zealand has also won the trophy twice before (1992 and 1994), whilst Australia have won three times (in 1993 and 2003 as well as last year).

Following the lay day, racing resumes in Århus, on the 16th of July at 12:00 local time. Two races (three for the 29er fleets) are scheduled for each event on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, the final day of the Championship, just one race will be held in each event to decide the 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Champions and the winners of the Volvo Trophy.

Volvo Trophy Standings (after six races)

1. Great Britain – 187 points
2. New Zealand – 170 points
3. Australia – 163 points
4. Denmark – 160 points
5. France – 142 points
6. Brazil – 117 points
7. Cyprus – 112 points
8. USA – 100 points
9. Italy – 97 points
10. Greece – 92 points

www.Sail-Search.com: The World Yacht Racing Forum is pleased to announce that the Yacht Club de Monaco will be the official host of the first edition of the conference, under the Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II, President of the YCM since 1984.

”We are very happy to welcome the whole yachting fraternity in the Principality, for the World Yacht Racing Forum”, says Bernard d’Alessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco. “Beyond race results, we believe it is also very important to promote essential values, notably by encouraging solidarity, respect for others, naval etiquette and respect for the environment. That was our objective when we created the “La Belle Classe” label. The Principality of Monaco has always been very active within the world of sports. I hope this forum will become an annual rendezvous which will enable the yachting world to meet every year to reinforce the links between the different activities and actors thus contributing to the development of sailing. It is about the future of our sport.”

In December 2008, the principality of Monaco will be the venue for the first dedicated yacht racing business forum, hosted by Informa plc events, one of the world’s biggest conference organisers. The Grimaldi Conference Forum will be a global meeting place for the best-known sailing events, racing teams, race management and finest sailing venues, from all over the world. In addition, many of Europe’s highest sports sponsorship spenders will be in attendance to assess the great opportunities that our sport can deliver.

The forum will create the platform for delegates to debate the key issues that are critical to the future of yacht racing. Topics will include Television Coverage, America’s Cup, Race Management, Composite Technology, Event Management, Safety, Telecommunications, Sponsorship Value and Media Exposure.

Delegates will benefit from expert advice delivered by sports Sponsorship industry professionals concerning the fast growing yacht racing circuit. Delegates will be allowed to promote, exhibit and present business opportunities within the Grimaldi Forum to the world of motorsport and yacht racing.

The Yacht Club de Monaco is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs, located in the heart of Monte Carlo. The Club is known for its commitment to tradition and in particular classic yachts, with the organisation every two years of Monaco Classic Week. This event brings together early motorised day boats, vintage motor yachts, and classic sailboats in the Bay of Monaco. The 2009 edition (16 to 20 September) will be particularly special with the celebration of the centenary of its flagship Tuiga.

The Club also organises some of the most important regattas in the Mediterranean, such as the annual Primo Cup which in February (5 to 8 and 12 to 15) will celebrate its 25th anniversary, with a particular objective: 80 Dragons for the 80 years of this prestigious Class.