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Santa Irene Club de Vela Newsletter - 7th October 2009
Blow that Horn, Ring that Bell. Racing has arrived in a Big way at “Almeria Port”. Ten Extreme 40 Catamarans; the Ferrari's of our sport will be racing. This is the 6th Event and Last in the Series.
You can see it all, the start, the near misses as they go to windward, a possible capsize and the exciting finish. I have reminded you during the last couple of months, the dates are 10th , 11th, 12th of October. Houria and I will be on our way to Almeria on Friday 9th .
The format of the 3 days Regatta is a total of 24 short races during the 3 days. The duration of each race is only 15 to 20 minutes. Who are the sailors? World Champions, Olympic Champions, America Cup Champions. Some of the names you may recognize are Mike Golding, a sailor who has sailed around the world single handed in both directions. I wonder what he makes of these short courses, he is Skipper of “Ecover”. Then there is Shirley Robertson, Olympic Gold Medallist in 2000 and 2004, she is Skipper of “iShares”, Hugh Styles, another Olympic sailor, is one of her crew. Our favourite for a Podium place is Pete Cummings Skipper of “Oman Masirah” with his crew of Chris Draper, Mark Bulkeley, David Carr, the 5th member of the crew will be an Oman sailor.
The Sultanate of Oman wants to re-ignite the Country´s maritime heritage. There is a second Omani Catamaran too, its the “Oman Renaissance” with French Skipper Loick Peyron. The Top of the Leader Board after the 5th Event is “Oman Masirah” 43 pt s. “Gitana Rothchild” 43 pt s. “Oman Renaissance” 42 pt s.
As I have said, this is the Last in the series, on Monday, the 12th of October, we will know the Overall Winner. It´s all about keeping a cool head for the 10- iShares Cup – Extreme 40 Skippers.
I hope we we will be able to meet some of the Omani Sailors, it will give Houria an opportunity to use here Mother Tongue.
If “Omani Masirah” is on the Podium, we will “Splice the Main Brace”, that old tradition of the Royal Navy, when we were happy to collect an extra Tot of Rum. I recall the last time for me was 1949, when HMS. Amethyst escaped from China, down the Yangtze River and King George V, ordered “ Splice the Main Brace”.
The members of “Santa Irene Club” enjoyed a good sailing day last Sunday. A new member of the “Drascombe” crew, was our four legged friend “Rufus”, he was good company.
Hope to see you for a coffee at Rincon del Puerto Garrucha. Take care.
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
Sailing News Sol Times - 30th September 2009
Rain stopped play last Sunday,I did have an “Oppie” floating in the garden. However it must have been very welcome for many residents of Mojacar.
Now! I want to tell you something about The iShares Cup. It is a competition which is held between May and October in 6 major European countries: Italy, France, UK, Germany, Netherlands and Spain. The last stop is going to be Big and it´s in “ Almeria Port” right on your doorstep. You will see Ten Extreme 40 Catamarans racing, the dates 10th to 12th October. The official opening ceremony will be on Friday evening 9th October.
The format of the 3 day regatta is a total of 24 short races during the 3 days. The duration of each race is only 15-20 minutes. It will take place in the harbour and to the end of the breakwater. A spectator train will allow the public to move easily around and in the afternoon a shuttle-boat will operate, all this will be free. There will be plenty of entertainment for the crowds they are expecting during the day and the evening. Almeria will be by far the biggest event of the 2009 iShares Cup season.
Who are the sailors? They are World champions, Olympic champions, Almerica Cup champions from 10 European countries. There are 3 Skippers from the UK: Mike Golding, Shirley Robertson and Pete Cumming on “Oman Masirah” who is in 1st place. Do these Big Cats capsize? YES!
I would hope to see some of the racing etc on Spanish television. The TV schedule for the UK is Skysports 2&3 on the 20th and 21st of October. I will be looking out for you at the iShares Village, remember to buy the T-shirt and enjoy the day.
I will be checking on the progress of the Garrucha slipway. We hope to be on the water soon.
The good news is we will have a Wayfarer dinghy sailing with us.
I look forward to seeing you at our dinghy park in Garrucha on Sunday. Take care.
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
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