June 2010 Archives

Quantum Racing and Iberdrola's green revolution overtook the Marseille Trophy regatta, the second event of the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit, as the two green-hulled Botin Carkeek designs lifted the respective top trophies for the TP52 series and GP42 series. Quantum Racing's (USA) victory in the TP52 Series fleet is their first event win overall since becoming 2008 TP52 World Champions in Puerto Calero, and their first Audi MedCup Circuit regatta triumph since they sealed the 2008 overall title winning the Portugal Trophy in September 2008. The 2007 and 2008 GP42 Circuit title winners Iberdrola (ESP) leave Marseille buoyed up for the rest of the season by their first ever Audi MedCup regatta win. It was the Mistral which prevailed on the final day of scheduled racing. Out on Marseille's Rade race areas the notorious winds whipped spumes of spray and kicked up a nasty swell. With gusts close to 40 knots it always seemed unlikely that the Marseille Trophy fleet would leave the dock in the Vieux Port. For all that, the Quantum Racing team were never far from their boat and always poised to go and do whatever needed to be done. Skipper-helm Terry Hutchinson (USA) acknowledged the good work of his team, not least in the behind the scenes industry from their boat-builder, from Quantum Sails themselves and the designers Botin Carkeek, which have all contributed to the 2008 champions upping their game on last year. Winning two races and, for the second year in a row, the coastal race, formed the solid foundations for the Quantum Racing victory composed over just six races sailed. Continue reading on www.medcup.org

If you're thinking of a land-based exploration or adventure after your sailing holiday in Asia, then Discover Borneo's "Off The Beaten Track" is for you. Together with the very best tour leaders and operators the team at Discover Borneo have created a selection of unique and challenging adventures tailored to those who demand more from their holidays. This series of specialized programs are a result of detailed research and development, and they offer a unique insight to Borneo. However they are not for the faint-hearted! The latest information on the tours and programs on offer throughout Malaysian Borneo is regularly updated, and you can find it all at www.discoverborneo.com

Kota Kinabalu: Forty-seven teams are set to compete at the two-day 25th Sabah Dragon Boat race, which will begin on June 19 at the Likas Bay, near here. In disclosing this, here today, State Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Ellron Angin said the teams, consisting of six international teams from Australia, Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong and two teams from Singapore and 41 local teams, would be competing for nine trophies with a total prize money of RM43,000. He said the trophies were the Sabah Head of State's Trophy (international and elite Malaysian teams), Sabah Chief Minister's Trophy (Malaysian teams only), Sabah Dragon Trophy (mixed teams), Sabah Chinese Cultural Association Men and Mixed Trophy (Chinese teams), Kinabalu Dragon Trophy (junior boys under 20 years old), 200m Mixed and Men's Race and a Charity Race. Ellron said last year's Head of State Trophy winner, Pertubuhan Peladang Tuaran, was also back to defend its title. He said the event was jointly organized by Sabah Tourism Board with its wholly-owned subsidiary Sri Pelancongan Sabah and the Sabah Chinese Cultural Association. Apart from the race, he said the Dragon Boat Carnival would take place on the first day with activities such as canoeing competition, sailing activities and beach soccer competition which will be open to all starting from noon onwards. Source: Bernama

Leading figures from the world of sailing and yacht racing will come together in Estoril, Portugal, from 14-15 December 2010 for the third edition of the World Yacht Racing Forum at the Estoril Congress Centre. The two-day conference will include many new features this year such as a new interactive exhibition lounge, additional workshop sessions, and an online networking tool to connect delegates prior to the conference. Delegates will also be invited to participate in a special Golf Day hosted by the organisers on Thursday 16 December. The event will once again be held with the continued association and support from the Yacht Club de Monaco under the High Patronage of its President, HSH Prince Albert II. As one of the world's most prestigious and well known yacht clubs, the YCM was the official host of the first World Yacht Racing Forum in 2008 and is pleased to continue its support of the event in 2010. The 500-seat main auditorium in the impressive Estoril Congress Centre will provide an ideal stage for the two days of lively discussions and panel debates at the Forum. A comprehensive speaker schedule is being put together with input from an advisory panel of some of sailing's most respected industry leaders. Continue reading the article Here

Jerusalem: Israeli commandos rappelled down to an aid flotilla sailing to thwart a Gaza blockade on Monday, clashing with pro-Palestinian activists on the lead ship in a botched raid that left at least nine passengers dead. Bloodied passengers sprawled on the deck and troops dived into the sea to save themselves during several hours of hand-to-hand fighting that injured dozens of activists and six soldiers. Hundreds of activists were towed from the international waters to Israeli detention centers and hospitals. International condemnation was swift and harsh as Israel scrambled to explain how what was meant to be a simple takeover of a civilian vessel went so badly awry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly canceled a planned meeting with President Barack Obama in Washington to rush home. The global reaction appeared likely to increase pressure to end the embargo that has plunged Gaza's 1.5 million residents deeper into poverty. Most of the information about what happened on the single ship where violence broke out came from Israel, which cut off all communication to and from the activists and provided testimony and video evidence that its soldiers came under attack by activists armed with metal rods, knives, slingshots and two pistols snatched from the troops. Passengers reached at an Israeli hospital and journalists aboard the ship accused the soldiers of using excessive force. One passenger, who identified himself as American, spoke briefly with reporters. "I'm not violent. What I can tell you is that there are bruises all over my body. They won't let me show them to you," he said before he was pushed away by a security escort. Continue reading Bloody Israeli raid