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Team Finland has secured their third victory of the Clipper 09-10 Round the World Yacht Race, crossing the finish line in Geraldton, Western Australia, at 1210 local time (0410 GMT).
In what has been the closest race to date, Team Finland finished just 33 minutes ahead of Spirit of Australia, denying the Australian team the home port victory that they were so desperate to achieve.
Third place went to Jamaica Lightning Bolt, with the Caribbean team beating Cape Breton Island across the line and claiming their second podium finish of Clipper 09-10.
Lewmar has launched its new heavy lift Lloyd's Approved V10 and V12 windlass. Designed for true super yacht appeal, the deck units are constructed from 316 stainless steel, with drums featuring Lewmar's W.A.R.P (Wear and Abrasion Resistant Pattern). The centre shaft of the windlass has a support structure built to provide the ultimate in strength to withstand high loads on vessels up to 160 feet (50m).
The V10 and V12 windlass gypsies are driven by a solid dog-drive that can easily be disconnected for controlled anchor descent via a band brake. The band brake can be operated with a winch handle or remotely via two choices of hand wheel.
Clements Marine are key propeller suppliers to Ocean Yacht Systems (OYS) for their bow and stern thruster range, and suppliers of propellers for most of their unique primary drives.
OYS were displaying a large thruster with Clements produced propellers on their stand at the METS exhibition 2009.
Produced onsite at the Clements Marine foundry in Bedfordshire, the special geometry propellers for the thrusters are made from nickel aluminium bronze.
This morning representatives from seven of the eight maxis lining up for this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart became mini boat skippers, racing two feet long model boats in the inaugural Little Boat Challenge.
The event, held in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia marina, was a preview to tomorrow’s SOLAS Big Boat Challenge and the highly anticipated Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours contest which will play out for real in a week and a half.
Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo, represented by helmsman Erle Williams, won the best of three series with two wins while Wild Oats XI’s skipper Mark Richards picked up one victory.
The new Prowler Ultra 4.7 has been designed for serious kayak fishing. It incorporates all the practical features anglers have come to expect from Ocean Kayak plus innovations including a multi-functional reversible hatch cover, a live bait tank and also an ice box storage well. The 4.7 metre (15’ 5”) performance hull offers speed and stability with a deck area laid out to maximize comfort and make this a highly effective fishing craft.
The first Discovery 67, from UK based Discovery Yachts has successfully completed the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) arriving in St Lucia after 15 days 18 hours 19 minutes at sea and finishing 54th out of the 210 starters. Taking part in the Invitation Cruising division, the yacht, 'Tilly Mint', recorded 24 hour runs of over 200 miles, The 67 was joined by the Discovery 55 'Kalandia' sailing in Division 1 Cruising, arriving just a few hours behind and completing the crossing in 16 days 3 hours 39 minutes.
'Tilly Mint' was the first Discovery 67 to be launched. The second yacht was exhibited at the Southampton Boat Show while hull number three will leave the factory in Southampton shortly after the 2010 Southampton Boat Show.
The catastrophic Cockermouth floods show we have entered a new climactic era. Flooding caused by sudden rainstorms (let alone by rising sea levels) means that rescue services now need effective new ways of rescuing flood victims.
When the floods hit Cockermouth, Leyland, UK based SIT (Specialised Inflatable Technology Ltd) assisted MFRS, at short notice, to enable the new state of the art inflatable rescue craft to be deployed to assist in the rescue operation..
After Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) was scrambled to assist with house-to-house rescues, it desperately needed seaworthy inflatable craft - and fast.
Geoff Holt has set out to become the first quadriplegic yachtsman to cross the Atlantic. The 42 year old father became the first disabled yachtsman to sail around Great Britain in 2007 and has now departed Lanzarote on his latest challenge, headed for Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.
Just before he departed Geoff commented, 'It feels good to finally be under way and off on my journey across the Atlantic. The weeks and months of planning are over and now I am facing 2700 miles at sea. I am excited about what lies ahead but naturally there are nerves too. I am looking forward to returning to the beach in Tortola that I left in an ambulance 25 years ago. Back then I thought I would never sail again and now I will be returning in command of my own vessel.'
On Thursday 10th December 2009 record-breaking disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt will be embark on a personal and emotive voyage to cross the Atlantic, returning to the scene of the accident that paralysed him 25 years ago.
He will sail the 2,700 mile journey across some of the most hostile waters in the world sailing Impossible Dream, a 60ft, purpose built catamaran. Once his journey has been completed he will be the first quadriplegic to make the journey, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.
Dame Ellen MacArthur knows only too well what a challenge the Atlantic can be. She added her support for Geoff and wished him well on his crossing, 'Geoff is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met.
Clipper Ventures today confirmed Polish skipper Zbigniew Gutkowski as the fourth entry in the exciting new Eco 60 Class in the Velux 5 Oceans 2010-11. The experienced skipper, known as 'Gutek', joined Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and the Mayor of La Rochelle at the Nautic Boat Show in Paris to launch his campaign 'Polish Ocean Racing' for the next edition of The ultimate Solo Challenge.
Gutek (36), is one of the leading sailors in Poland, with a wealth of competitive offshore and inshore racing experience, with over 100,000 miles onboard 60 foot multihulls and 60 foot monohulls. He will announce his boat, sponsors and partners in Poland in January before beginning preparations in earnest for the start of the Velux 5 Oceans from La Rochelle in October 2010.