| The latest sailing news from Asia and the world. |
04 Jul 2017 |
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  Farewell Bermuda, Hello Volvo in Hong Kong
 | | 2017 America's Cup Finals - Day 2 Ingrid Abery |
Just nine days ago, at about 0114h Hong Kong time, the fat lady got up from her seat, smoothed her skirts, took a deep breath and started to sing. It was a gorgeous moment, when ETNZ gybed inside Oracle Team USA out near the boundary, and then pulled away to win the race by 55 seconds, win the series 7-1, and win the 35th America's Cup.
Where the AC goes next in terms of Protocol is anyone's guess – and there is plenty of speculation going on. Luna Rossa (‘Prada', or more correctly the Circolo della Vela Sicilia) is the new Challenger of Record, Patrizio Bertelli having walked away when the last Protocol started becoming altogether too lopsided – so expect rather more even-handedness in the next version, and rather fewer swift alterations of the goalposts. And maybe less of the blinkered pursuit of commercial gain that this edition of the AC has generated, not always successfully.
 | | New Challenger of Record - Patrizio Bertelli (Luna Rossa, dark shirt)) looks on from the back ground chase boat after Emirates Team New Zealand - Match, Day 5 - Finishes - Race 9 - 35th America's Cup - Bermuda June 26, 2017 Richard Gladwell |
Expect some nationality regulations. The America's Cup Deed of Gift calls this event “a friendly competition between nations” but with 5½ Aussies and just half an American on the ‘USA' boat, that went right out the window for AC35.
Back to monohulls or stay with the foiling multis? The America's Cup has always been an technological arms race: it is hard to imagine a Protocol that actually slows the event down by sending eveyone back to what some have called “the Dark Ages”. The fast foiling cats have proved that they can match race, even if it doesn't look like match racing as we know it, Jim. Those of us who really enjoyed the pre-start dog fights, the dial-ups, the hoists and drops and gybes of yesterday may be disappointed. We now have a high octane 20-20 cricket match on our hands instead of the considered thoughtfulness of a five-day Test, and that may well be here to stay.
Whatever happens next, we can be sure that AC36 will be more about sailing, and less about selling t-shirts than AC35. Huge congratulations to ETNZ on a great job well done. We look forward to a spectacular event in Auckland in a few years' time, but without the Defender racing in the Challenger series.
 | | David Witt, skipper of Scallywag, and a Volvo Ocean Race trophy Guy Nowell © |
Talking of big ticket events, Hong Kong was recently graced with a visit from the Volvo Ocean Race trophy. There was a rather unannounced ‘media meeting' with very few attendees, at which David Witt, skipper Team Scallywag and self-appointed representative of Hong Kong sailing across the globe, assured us that “the Scallywag crew is different to everyone else [in the Volvo Ocean Race]. They are all very good sailors; tough, frank, happy to put their hand up and say ‘I made a mistake.' They are all happy to cover for each other. Nobody is trying to make a name for themselves, and there are no egos to get in the way.”
Sadly, it was evident that the trophy wasn't actually THE trophy: a quick inspection revealed that Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Ian Walker's names were not engraved on it. Rumour has it that THE trophy is still in Sheikh Khalid's palace in Abu Dhabi, and nobody has yet had the courage to ask for it back. Just a rumour.
In Asia, the next major event on the calendar is the Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek, which is one of the bigger events in the region. There are presently 45 boats on the list either entered or ‘with intentions', and the Cape Panwa Hotel is a delightful place for a regatta venue – just add water, and you have a regatta, so to speak. Sail-World Asia will be in Phuket, reporting.
Last weekend, Hebe Haven Yacht Club's UK Sailmakers Typhoon Series attracted 61 boats for a short, sharp and hugely enjoyable scoot around the islands in 15kts of breeze, which made for a great day out on the water. Those at the front of the fleet were back at the dock before the 30kts rainsquall came through – although some of us were still flaking sails and got a soaking anyway!
 | | Barry Hayes, UK Sailmakers. On the move from Hong Kong to Ireland. Guy Nowell © |
News (below) that the General Manager of UK Sailmakers Hong Kong, Barry Hayes, is departing for pastures greener – literally. He and Claire Morgan are off to Ireland to take over the UK/McWilliam Sailmakers loft in Crosshaven, Cork. Sail-World Asia wishes them well, but we'll be missing you - to be sure, to be sure.
Standing by on 72.
Guy Nowell, SW Asia Editor
Youth RS:X World Championship - Nicolo Renna is the new World champion
Elena Giolai, 
Among men Sil Hoekstra,Tom Reuveny Daniele Gallo, Luca Di Tomassi, Andy Brown,Zhaoguan Dong, Geronimo Nores, Yoav Cohen, Nicolo Renna, Aleksander Przychodzen, Fernando Lamadrid Trueba reached the final race and will compete for the top ranks. It was another exciting day for the 200 athletes hailing from thirty nations, who have been striving to conquer title of Olympic class Rs:X Youth champion... [more]
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