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Santa Irene Club de Vela Newsletter - 15th October 2008
The Grand Adventure of Sailing around the World, started with an "In port Race" at Alicante on the 4th of October for the 8 "Volvo 70" Yachts and the 88 Sailors crewing them. The Volvo Ocean Village was open from 20th of September with attractions and entertainment through-out the day. This Round the World Race started in 1973 as the "Whitbread World Race" and has continued every 4 years until 2001 when Volvo took over. The last Race was 2005 with the start from Vigo in Spain, when "Abn Amro One" took the Trophy. The Yachts now are all " Open 70´s " with a crew of 11 professionals, one being a Media man.
Are there any Dinghy sailors involved ? I would guess most of the professionals started in Dinghies. On our visit to Alicante to see the "In port Race" I was happy to learn that "Bladerider" had teamed up with "Puma" the sports clothing manufacturer and owner one of those Open 70´s in the Race. So ! We were going to see some Dinghies, Bladerider are the builders of the "International Foiling Moth". Two of them will be travelling around the world and sailing at all 11 ports of call to promote, Puma and these fantastic 11 ft. Foiling Dinghies. They sail like a conventional dinghy then as the wind increases above 5-6 knots, they lift upon to their Foils, increasing speed, they are capable of 20 knots in a Blow.
The International Moth is one of the oldest established classes in the world, it all started in Australia back in 1928. A good year, Shirley Temple was born and Len Morris built him self a sailing dinghy, in fact he built 3 and others copied it. In the 1930´s a similar dinghy was being built in America, they came together to create the International Moth. Now, 80 years on "Bladerider" an Australian Company are building the International Foiling Moth, would I like one ? Yes please ! I´m sure it would steal the show at Cuevas lake.
Now back to the Big Boys of "V.O.R", all the crews were greeted by King Juan Carlos and his two daughters before the start of the Race on the 11th of October. It was a lively start with with a N.E wind blowing at 20-25 knots. Irish and Chinese supporters were out in force to cheer on my favourite, Ian Walker and his crew on "Green Dragon", it´s a joint venture between Ireland and China, Good Luck to them. The first leg to Cape Town is estimated to take 23 days.
If you want to sail, come and talk to us, Sunday morning at Garrucha and Catamarans at playa del Cantal (opp. Mr U.K) .
Take care
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
Sailing News Sol Times - 15th October 2008
The Mediterranean has been living up to its reputation, either too much wind or not enough! I´m sure it will settle down soon, remember we have just had the Autumn Equinox (late Sept.). Many of us have been away, David racing Flying Fifteen in Scotland, Paul cruising out of Gibraltar, Bob and Pam sailing up the Nile or there about, Houri and I relaxing in Benidorm with frequent visits to Alicante to see the Start of the "Volvo round the World Ocean Race".
Without doubt, the highlight for me has been watching those Volvo Open 70´s, even in very little wind, they would be slicing through the water like light weight dinghies and in a blow their bow was out of the water and they were flying. The Volvo Ocean Village which had opened on the 19th of September and closed at midnight on the 11th of the October had received nearly One Million Visitors – Entrance Free! It was all very interesting, apart from the Volvo Open 70´s there were Extreme 40 Catamarans and many more attractions. Entertainment, from Kids Theatre to Bryan Adams and UB40 in the evenings. The Real Club de Regatas de Alicante is adjacent to the Marina ,the Dinghy Sailors are at the opposite end of the Playa de Postiguet. They have a basic Club House but a Big Dinghy Park and a very good launching area with a variety of Dinghies and Catamarans.
On the day of the" In Port Race" there was a nice F3 breeze, we had a good view of it all from the sea wall at the Dinghy Park, the winner was "Telefonica Blue" and collected 4 points.
However, on the first leg to Cape Town 6,500 n. miles Telefonica Blue has had rudder problems and needed to make a Pit Stop at Gibraltar, she is now chasing the other 7 yachts as they sail through the Canary Islands. The favourites are Ericsson or Telefonica, my favourite is "Green Dragon" with Skipper Ian Walker.
Hope to see you on the slipway at Garrucha any Sunday morning. Take care
John Talliss
Tel : 950 475 157
Movil: 658 548 790
E-mail johntalliss@gmail.com
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