Thursday, 4 March 2010

New MUSTO Evolution Sailing Jackets on Sale Now: Save 20%!

New in today at the Roan Star Sailing Outlet we have bargain price Evolution jackets!










  








Brand new MUSTO Evolution Jacket with Gore-Tex Performance Shell & Polartec Fleece lining.
Stylish & smart with many technical features making it ideal for on the boat or on shore. The retail price for these terrific MUSTO jackets is £250. Our price is just £199: Save 20%!

Technical Description:
  • Showerproof & windproof zips throughout
  • Self fabric cuffs with rubber tab/Velcro adjustment
  • Inner pocket with headphone facility
  • Centre front mesh drainage sections
  • Scooped back hem with drawcord
  • GORE-TEX® Polartec® & New Evolution external branding
  • Articulated elbows
  • Zip guard
  • Durably waterproof, highly breathable, windproof
  • GORE-TEX® 2 layer Performance Shell
  • Recycled Polartec® Classic 200™ fleece body lining & single sided fleece sleeve lining
  • Fleece lined collar
  • Fleece lined front pockets

We have 2 sizes available. Limited availability. Our Price £199: Save £50 off shop prices. Get free UK delivery. International shipping available.
MUSTO Evolution Jacket size XL
MUSTO Evolution Jacket size XXL

 

Wednesday, 3 March 2010

Dee Caffari Video Profile



Video © Dee Caffari. All Rights Reserved.
Video from Dee Caffari's YouTube Channel.

Learn more about one of Britain's very best sailors, yachtswoman Dee Caffari. Excellent video!

MUSTO Auctions

We hope that you have taken the opportunity to visit our eBay shop. We have recently started listing a few select MUSTO clothing items at auction. These can be found through our shop, in their own category: Our Musto Auctions. All of our auction items will have low starting prices and are available to international eBay customers.  Roan Star Sailing Outlet: Our Musto Auctions.

Wednesday, 17 February 2010

Celebrating 10 years of the MUSTO Performance Skiff

Happy 10th Birthday Musto Performance Skiff!















Image from Gwicke via Wikimedia Commons. All Rights Reserved

"The only true singlehanded skiff available. With spinnaker, wings and trapeze the MPS is the best performing sinlehanded trapeze boat." Ovington Boats.

"The Musto Performance Skiff is a single-handed sailing skiff with a length of 4.55m. It features a trapeze, asymmetrical spinnaker, wings and low weight and achieves speeds of over twenty knots which makes it one of the fastest single-handed sailing boats.

It was designed for the 2000 Olympic Class trials in Quiberon by Joachim Harpprecht where it won every race in the single-handed dinghy competition. Since then, the class has grown mainly in the UK and Europe. The racing circuit had up to seven nations participating at regattas in 2004.
It is a demanding boat for experienced dinghy sailors. At the time of the design, the concept of a single-handed skiff was first met with scepticism by many observers, very similar to the initial reaction after the introduction of the 49er in 1996. Since then other single-handed skiff classes such as the RS700 have developed, bringing this kind of boat closer to mainstream dinghy sailing."

Text is taken from Wikipedia®. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Check out the Ovington Boats website and the special limited editon anniversary boats, or visit their stand at the RYA Volvo Dinghy Show 2010 which is on at Alexandra Palace, London Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March 2010.


Musto Performance Skiff class and Ovington Boats are celebrating the 10th birthday of the class by offering 10 limited edition Musto Performance Skiffs

Monday, 15 February 2010

February Sale on MUSTO Jackets - Great Discounts!

Fantastic February MUSTO Clothing Discounts at the Roan Star Sailing Outlet

We only have limited stock, so if you want to make some great savings on Musto jackets, then check out these terrific offers today:




















New MUSTO Lite Jacket Gore-Tex Waterproof MJ0461 Medium Now only £115! Save £65
New MUSTO Lite Jacket Gore-Tex Waterproof MJ0461 Large Now only £115! Save £65

Check out our Musto Clearance items:

New Light Blue MUSTO Snug Blouson Jacket - 3 sizes available. Large, Medium or Small. Now just £65! Save 35% 
New MUSTO Waterproof Snug Jacket XL Also just £65! Great value for a top quality Musto Snug Jacket.


Check out our eBay Feedback and Buy with Confidence. Visit the Roan Star Sailing Outlet to see all of our MUSTO clothing range. Free fully insured and fully trackable delivery included within the UK. We have everything on sale at a discount price and if you are looking for any particular MUSTO item from their sailing or casual clothing ranges, then we are always happy to assist.

BMW ORACLE Racing Wins the 33rd America's Cup



Video Copyright © BMW Oracle Racing. All Rights Reserved.
Taken from YouTube BMWORACLERacingTeam's Channel.

The second race of the 33rd America's Cup was a terrific spectacle, full of suspense and exciting sailing.
Alinghi 5 picked up a penalty just before the starting gun, and looked as if they were already beaten, but then the Alinghi boat went to the right hand side of the race course and gained when the wind shifted to the right. Despite the disastrous start,  Alinghi were leading for most of the upwind leg of the race, gaining 600 metres on the challengers. In this second race of the cup, experienced racing helmsman Loick Peyron taking control of Alinghi 5 instead of owner Ernesto Bertarelli.  It was very close for most of the race with leaders Alinghi 5 trying to escape from the chasing BMW Oracle boat, all the while knowing that they would still have the penalty to complete. However after a disasterous tack at the top mark, BMW Oracle Racing then took the lead for the downwind leg and from then on the race was won. BMW Oracle Oracle rapidly gaining speed, reaching up to 33 knots!, and finishing 5 minutes 26 seconds ahead to take the 33rd America's Cup with a 2-0 victory.

Saturday, 13 February 2010

33rd America's Cup Finally Starts

After being delayed from starting on Monday and Wednesday, due to unfavourable wind conditons, yesterday saw challenger US team BMW Oracle Racing's monster trimaran emphatically beating the defender Alinghi 5 catamaran in the first race of the 33rd America's Cup. It's the best of three races, and if everything goes in the same way that race 1 did,  the ultimate victory could be decided tomorrow.

BMW Oracle is equipped with a revolutionary and incredibly powerful 68 metre long wing sail, and the trimaran was 1-3 knots faster on any point of sail, sailing higher upwind and lower downwind ultimately reaching speeds of up to 28 knots. BMW Oracle finished more than 3 kilometres ahead of Alinghi 5, who also incurred a right of way penalty. The finishing time margin was over 15 minutes.


Follow the 2nd race live from Valencia on the official America's Cup website tomorrow. The live video stream coverage and expert commentary is excellent.

http://www.americascup.com/en/index.html

Thursday, 11 February 2010

MUSTO Evolution Fleece Sailing Jackets (SE0050) on Sale Now

Brand new arrivals today at our eBay shop. These jackets are just £73.50! With free UK delivery included. These fleeces are £85 in the shops.

We have fantastic black EVOLUTION fleeces from MUSTO. These full zip fleece jackets are smart, sporty and exactly what you expect from the very popular MUSTO EVOLUTION sailing range.
















  • Recycled Polartec® Classic 200™
  • Centre front zip with rollover chin guard
  • Lycra trim to hem & cuffs
  • Cover stitch detail throughout
  • Under arm panels for articulation
  • New Evolution external branding
We have 3 sizes available, Large, XL & XXL.















We offer international shipping to Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States of America.


Please visit our eBay shop the Roan Star Sailing Outlet to see all of our great deals on MUSTO clothing.

Wednesday, 13 January 2010

Latest Edition of DesTopNews International Sailing Report



DesTopNews is essential viewing for anyone interested in international sailing & yacht racing. This report always has excellent footage from sailing events (don't know how they manage to consistantly source such great video!) and all the big races from around the world. It's the best! Check it out.

Monday, 11 January 2010

MUSTO Waterproof Snug Blouson Jackets Now Only £84.99

Musto Waterproof Snug Blouson Jackets Now Only £84.99 - Save £40 off shop prices!

These are the fully waterproof  version of the classic Musto blouson:



  • Waterproof, breathable, windproof, insulating
  • Peached polyester shell with DWR water repellent finish
  • Hydrophilic "Breatheable Waterproof" coating
  • Taped seams
  • Polartec® Classic fleece body lining
  • Single sided fleece sleeve lining
  • High fleece lined collar with silver reflective band
  • Zip / chin guard
  • Two external fleece lined zipped pockets
  • Inner zipped security pocket
  • Self fabric semi-elasticated cuffs with velcro tab adjustment
  • Back neck external hanging tag
  • Machine washable


















We have 2 sizes available, Large and XL. Ocean Blue only.

Limited Availability!

Free Delivery within United Kingdom.

Check out all our current deals on MUSTO clothing at the Roan Star Sailing Outlet

Thursday, 10 December 2009

New MUSTO Polartec Fleece Zip Jacket




















Brand new arrivals in today at the Roan Star Sailing Outlet shop:


New MUSTO Polartec ® ™ Zip Fleece Jackets in either Black or Navy Blue
Technical Specification:


  • Full Zip with chin guard

  • Polartec ® fleece

  • Machine washable

  • Musto logo stitched on chest

  • 2 ziped handwarmer pockets

  • Adjustable hem tensioner

  • Lycra trim on cuffs
The Polartec ® range features:
Warmth without Weight -Very Breathable  -Dries Quickly -Machine Washable -Extra Durability

All sizes are currently available: large, xl and xxl.
Buy it now for just £65 including free UK delivery.
Save 18.75% off the shop prices for this brand new style!



Tuesday, 8 December 2009

Video of 33rd America's Cup Boats: BMW Oracle Racing 90 & Alinghi 5




Video From Yachtpals via YouTube: BMW Oracle America's Cup Boat BOR 90 and Alinghi America's Cup Boat Alinghi 5.
The 33rd America’s Cup will take the form of a Deed of Gift Match between the Defender, Alinghi (SUI) and the Challenge of Record, BMW Oracle Racing (USA) in February 2010.
After this next edition of the cup, hopefully the AC will return to the standard open format where many teams are competing. Along with at least 15 other international teams, British Team TEAMORIGIN is eagerly waiting for their chance to compete!

Monday, 7 December 2009

Great Deals on Musto Sailing Clothing

We have just cut the prices on several select items in our eBay shop. There are some great deals:


Light Blue MUSTO Polartec Snug Blouson Jackets - Now only £79.99 - Save 20%  - Unisex classic styling.
Small, Medium & Large available.






New Men's MUSTO Black Breathable Waterproof Jacket XL Now only £45! Save £40 off the Retail Price. Last one left.





Over 50% off these top quality leather deck shoes:

New MUSTO Sailing Deck/Boat Shoes Grey Size 7.5 UK/ 41 EU Now only £39! Save £41! Last pair left





Unlike many online retailers, we do not charge any additional costs for postage within the United Kingdom, so it is very easy to see what everything costs. There are no hidden extras!
It's the best way to show our customers what great value our Musto clothing range really is!

Monday, 30 November 2009

Aviva Ocean Racing: Transat Jacques Vabre Race Finish



Nice video footage of Dee and Brian finishing the Transat in the rain.
Good shots of the IMOCAs and post race interviews with the co-skippers.
Video © DeeCaffari

Saturday, 28 November 2009

Transat Jacques Vabre: All IMOCAs have now crossed the finish line!

Source: Jacques Vabre :- IMOCA - FINAL STANDINGS

Rank
Boat / Sailor
Latitude
Longitude
Speed
Cap
Dist. But
Dist. 1er
1
SAFRAN Marc Guillemot - Charles Caudrelier Benac
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 09:52:10,
in 15 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 10 seconds
at the average speed of 12.46 knots.
2
GROUPE BELKito De Pavant - François Gabart
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 18:32:30,
in 16 days, 4 hours, 2 minutes and 30 seconds
at the average speed of 12.18 knots.
3
MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING Mike Golding - Javier Sanso
Arrival 11/25/2009 at 15:59:38,
in 17 days, 1 hours, 29 minutes and 38 seconds
at the average speed of 11.54 knots.
4
FONCIA Michel Desjoyeaux - Jérémie Beyou
Arrival 11/25/2009 at 23:14:34,
in 17 days, 8 hours, 44 minutes and 34 seconds
at the average speed of 11.34 knots.
5
W HOTELS Alex Pella - Pepe Ribes
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 12:41:44,
in 18 days, 22 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds
at the average speed of 10.41 knots.
6
VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT Roland Jourdain - Jean Luc Nélias
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 12:46:00,
in 18 days, 22 hours, 16 minutes and 0 seconds
at the average speed of 10.41 knots.
7
AKENA VERANDAS Arnaud Boissières - Vincent Riou
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 15:50:12,
in 19 days, 1 hours, 20 minutes and 12 seconds
at the average speed of 10.34 knots.
8
AVIVADee Caffari - Brian Thompson
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 16:17:12,
in 19 days, 1 hours, 47 minutes and 12 seconds
at the average speed of 10.33 knots.
9
1876  Yves Parlier- Pachi Rivero
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 19:07:45,
in 19 days, 4 hours, 37 minutes and 45 seconds
at the average speed of 10.26 knots.
10
ARTEMIS Samantha Davies - Sidney Gavignet
Arrival 11/28/2009 at 06:50:10,
in 19 days, 16 hours, 20 minutes and 10 seconds
at the average speed of 10.01 knots.
ABD
BRIT AIR Armel Le Cleac'h - Nicolas Troussel
Retired
ABD
BT Sébastien Josse - Jean François Cuzon
Retired
ABD
DCNS Marc Thiercelin - Christopher Pratt
Retired
ABD
HUGO BOSS Alex Thomson - Ross Daniel
Retired

Official Jacques Vabre Press Release:
"Spanish flagged 1876 came in to Puerto Limon in ninth place with Spain’s Pachi Rivero partnered by France’s Yves Parlier making a strong comeback in the last 36 hours. The pair lost more than 100 miles to Akena Verandas in recent days and fought back, gaining most of them back again. 

Out of another squally, difficult evening peppered by torrential heavy tropical rain showers, Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet brought Artemis across the finish line to complete their Transat Jacques Vabre in tenth place. Davies said she and Gavignet have no regrets at all about their strategic choice to go south, a choice which cost them any chance of a top result. She simply said they did not know the boat well enough to venture towards the northern routing. She said there were small things which cost them, making one small choice to tack south too late saw them lose miles to Akéna Vérandas. Otherwise it was the wearying battles with technical failures which ground them down and contributed to lost miles and small mistakes. Nevertheless the hugely talented duo sailed a solid race, showing great drive, spirit and good humour even when the odds had long since stacked up against them.


It has been a fascinating race to follow. The first week, especially, was absolutely gripping as the teams battled with the extreme weather. We congratulate all those teams that managed to complete the course.

Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCAs: Mike Golding Yacht Racing 3rd Place Finish



Via OceanFanatics on YouTube

Special Congratulations to Mike, to the highest placed British yachtsman in the TJV! Well Done Mike & Javier!

Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCAs: Groupe Bel's 2nd Place Finish



Via OceanFanatics on YouTube.

Friday, 27 November 2009

Four IMOCAs Finish Today


IMOCA - Rankings on 27/11/2009 at 17:00 - Source: Jacques Vabre

Rank
Boat / Sailor
Latitude
Longitude
Speed
Cap
Dist. But
Dist. 1er
1
SAFRAN Marc Guillemot - Charles Caudrelier Benac
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 09:52:10,
in 15 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 10 seconds
at the average speed of 12.46 knots.
2
GROUPE BEL Kito De Pavant - François Gabart
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 18:32:30,
in 16 days, 4 hours, 2 minutes and 30 seconds
at the average speed of 12.18 knots.
3
MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING Mike Golding - Javier Sanso
Arrival 11/25/2009 at 15:59:38,
in 17 days, 1 hours, 29 minutes and 38 seconds
at the average speed of 11.54 knots.
4
FONCIA Michel Desjoyeaux - Jérémie Beyou
Arrival 11/25/2009 at 23:14:34,
in 17 days, 8 hours, 44 minutes and 34 seconds
at the average speed of 11.34 knots.
5
W HOTELS Alex Pella - Pepe Ribes
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 12:41:44,
in 18 days, 22 hours, 11 minutes and 44 seconds
at the average speed of 10.41 knots.
6
VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT Roland Jourdain - Jean Luc Nélias
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 12:46:00,
in 18 days, 22 hours, 16 minutes and 0 seconds
at the average speed of 10.41 knots.
7
AKENA VERANDAS Arnaud Boissières - Vincent Riou
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 15:50:12,
in 19 days, 1 hours, 20 minutes and 12 seconds
at the average speed of 10.34 knots.
8
AVIVA Dee Caffari - Brian Thompson
Arrival 11/27/2009 at 16:17:12,
in 19 days, 1 hours, 47 minutes and 12 seconds
at the average speed of 10.33 knots.
9
1876 Yves Parlier- Pachi Rivero
10 15.06' N
83 00.66' W
8.5
242
16.1
0.0
10
ARTEMIS Samantha Davies - Sidney Gavignet
10 32.48' N
81 42.88' W
14.5
197
84.3
68.2


W Hotels, Veolia Evironnement, Akena Verandas & Aviva all reached the finish line today. This leaves only 1876 and Artemis still en route.

It is W Hotels 5th place finish that has really been impressive today, as the following press release explains:

Press Release from Jacques Vabre:

" Finishing in fifth, bookending Foncia and Veolia Environnement, the Spanish duo of Pepe Ribes and Alex Pella sailed a remarkable race considering this was their first race together, and they are relative beginners in the IMOCA Open 60 Class.....


Fast learners. They had only sailed on W-Hotels for few days together before the start of this Transat Jacques Vabre Race. They had never raced two-handed together, and only learned the IMOCA Open 60 on the Istanbul Race in the summer.


But Pepe Ribes and Alex Pella pulled off the coup of the race when they clinched fifth place today by just four and a half minutes ahead of Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nélias, getting the best of an exciting final tussle over the final 24 hours.


In squally, intermittent winds which prompted big gains and losses through the final hours of this scrap for fifth to eighth places, the intensity was more akin to an inshore regatta.


W-Hotels passed Veolia Environnement three times since yesterday, the final time just half a mile from the finishing line. Sportingly, Ribes was apologetic to the Veolia skipper when they docked in Peurto Limon, drenched from the torrential tropical rain.


Their margin was just four minutes and 16 seconds after over 5,500 miles of racing and just two hours less than 20 days of racing.


At one point, when all four emerged from Stealth mode this morning W-Hotels were over 5 miles behind Veolia Environnement.


The Spanish pair were especially quick downwind, hard driving in the trades and the Caribbean, learning quickly what makes the former Paprec-Virbac.  Pella, previously a top Mini 650 sailor, admitted they missed the option to push west with the trio who took the top three places, and that they made many small mistakes on their learning curve.Source Jacques Vabre. All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Latest Positions in Transat Jacques Vabre

IMOCA  

Four of the remaining 6  IMOCA Open 60’s which are now into the final the miles of the Transat Jacques Vabre race: Aviva, Akena, Veolia & W Hotels, are now all in stealth mode. It seems to be the fashion in this Transat for the boats to go in to Furtiv mode during the final approach to Costa Rica. This may have tactical advantages for the teams, but it is frustrating for the spectators/followers/supporters.

 Results are sourced from the Jacques Vabre website.

Ranking on 26/11/2009 at 20:00

Rank
Boat / Sailor
Latitude
Longitude
Speed
Cap
Dist. But
Dist. 1er
FU
AKENA VERANDAS Arnaud Boissières - Vincent Riou
In Furtiv Mode
FU
AVIVA Dee Caffari - Brian Thompson
In Furtiv Mode
FU
VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT Roland Jourdain - Jean Luc Nélias
In Furtiv Mode
FU
W HOTELS Alex Pella - Pepe Ribes
In Furtiv Mode
1
SAFRAN Marc Guillemot - Charles Caudrelier Benac
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 09:52:10,
in 15 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 10 seconds
at the average speed of 12.46 knots.
2
GROUPE BEL Kito De Pavant - François Gabart
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 18:32:30,
in 16 days, 4 hours, 2 minutes and 30 seconds
at the average speed of 12.18 knots.
3
MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING Mike Golding - Javier Sanso
Arrival 11/25/2009 at 15:59:38,
in 17 days, 1 hours, 29 minutes and 38 seconds
at the average speed of 11.54 knots.
4
FONCIA Michel Desjoyeaux - Jérémie Beyou
Arrival 11/25/2009 at 23:14:34,
in 17 days, 8 hours, 44 minutes and 34 seconds
at the average speed of 11.34 knots.
5
1876 Yves Parlier- Pachi Rivero
12 01.40' N
80 39.92' W
13.6
226
185.2
0.0
6
ARTEMIS Samantha Davies - Sidney Gavignet
12 20.20' N
77 35.35' W
16.2
227
349.7
164.5
ABD
BRIT AIR Armel Le Cleac'h - Nicolas Troussel
Retired
ABD
BT Sébastien Josse - Jean François Cuzon
Retired
ABD
DCNS Marc Thiercelin - Christopher Pratt
Retired
ABD
HUGO BOSS Alex Thomson - Ross Daniel
Retired

Multi50 - 

Ranking on 26/11/2009 at  20:00

Rank
Boat / Sailor
Latitude
Longitude
Speed
Cap
Dist. But
Dist. 1er
1
CRÊPES WHAOU ! Franck Yves Escoffier - Erwan Leroux
Arrival 11/24/2009 at 05:31:50,
in 15 days, 15 hours, 31 minutes and 50 seconds
at the average speed of 13.41 knots.
2
GUYADER POUR URGENCE CLIMATIQUE Victorien Erussard - Loic Fecquet
11 28.70' N
67 10.88' W
15.7
316
962.1
0.0
3
REGION AQUITAINE-PORT MEDOC Lalou Roucayrol - Amaiur Alfaro
11 38.24' N
63 13.88' W
15.0
246
1184.5
222.4
4
PRINCE DE BRETAGNEHervé Cleris - Christophe Dietsch
20 02.77' N
33 09.50' W
10.3
284
2967.9
2005.8
ABD
ACTUALYves Le Blevec - Jean Le Cam
Retired
ABD
FENETREA-CARDINAL Alain Maignan - Nicole Harel
Retired


Video: The Best of Transat Jacques Vabre via YouTube Channel SailingNewsTV (Fr)


New MUSTO Polartec Fleece Smocks





New in today at the Roan Star Sailing Outlet we have just added more navy and cinder Polartec fleece smocks to our shop. These extra thick fleeces are very popular for winter as they are just so warm. Fully washable, and fast drying, the Musto Polartec fleece smock will be worn all the time. As they are Polartec, you know that top quality and excellent durability is virtually guaranteed. They are very generously sized, so you can wear plenty of layers underneath if you need to. We have 3 sizes in stock at the moment.




















Technical Specification:
• Zip Collar with chin guard
• Polartec® Classic 200™ fleece
• Machine washable
• Musto logo on the inside of front collar

The Polartec ® Classic 200™ range features:


  • Warmth without Weight
  • Very Breathable
  • Dries Quickly
  • Machine Washable
  • Extra Durability
Check out our Full Range of MUSTO Fleeces

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

Video: SAFRAN Triumphs in Costa Rica




Offical Press Release from Jacques Vabre:



"It was a mightily relieved and intensely happy Marc Guillemot who won the hard fought Transat Jacques Vabre IMOCA Open 60 class when, along with co-skipper Charles Caudrelier they ended a mentally tortuous final 24 hours sailing over the finish line early this morning off Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier brought Safran across the finish line in the early hours of Tuesday morning (local time) off Peurto Limon, Costa Rica to complete an emotional victory in the IMOCA Open 60 class in the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race from Le Havre to Costa Rica.

Although the duo had battled through an horrendous Atlantic storm, during which they took the lead of the 14 boat IMOCA Open 60 class back on Thursday 12th November, the hard bitten skipper from La Trinité confirmed on the dockside that the worst part of their race was the final 24 hours.

Because both they and their nearest rivals Groupe Bel (Kito de Pavant and François Gabart), who were just 90 miles behind, had chosen to go in ‘stealth’ mode – during which their positions are no longer publically broadcast – he spent the final miles fighting through unpredictable light winds, squalls and shifting breezes as they closed to the Costa Rica coast through the night, being eaten up by worry that De Pavant and Gabart might still catch them with their ‘Laughing Cow’ logo’d, an identical design from VPLP/Verdier partnership.

“The most difficult time was today, every time were battling under the clouds, the storms, the rain, with no wind I was imagining Kito and François with their Laughing Cow running down the slopes with 25 knots of wind, whereas we were stuck with three or four knots. It was hyper hard for the moral, very stressful. Even up to an hour before the line we were still very anxious. But the main thing is that we got in in front.” Grinned a relieved Guillemot.

Behind Safran when they finished into Puerto Limon are double Vendée Globe winner Michel Desjoyeaux, who was lying fourth before he and co-skipper Jérémie Beyou went into stealth mode, and 2004-5 Vendée winner Vincent Riou who lies ninth of the 14 boats which started in Le Havre on Sunday November 8th." Press release from official Jacques Vabre website. All Rights Reserved.

New Video: Crêpes Whaou! Victorious





Multi50 winners, Franck Yves Escoffier and Erwan Le Roux, co-skippers of Crêpes Whaou!, arrive in Cosat Rica to big crowds and fireworks... Congratulations!

SAFRAN Wins IMOCA Open 60 Class

Newsflash: " At 08:52:10hrs GMT/UTC (02:52:10hrs local time Tuesday 24th) after 15 days 19 hrs 22 mins 10 secs on course Safran co-skippered by France’s Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier-Bénac crossed the finish line off Puerto Limon, Costa Rica to win the 14 boat IMOCA Open 60 Class in the Transat Jacques Vabre transatlantic race which started on Sunday 8th November from Le Havre. Safran sailed 5263 miles at an average speed of 12.46 knots."

Source: Jacques Vabre. All Rights Reserved

Crêpes Whaou! takes line honours

Crêpes Whaou! took line honours in the Transat Jacques Vabre this morning

Press Release from Jacques Vabre:

"A huge, noisy Costa Rican welcome greeted Franck Yves Escoffier and Erwan Le Roux, co skippers of Crêpes Whaou! when they emerged out of the darkness, comprehensively winning the Multi 50 class and taking line honours for this ninth edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre race which started from Le Havre on Sunday 8th November.
Emerging out of the darkness to break the finish line off the historic port town of Peurto Limon at 2231hrs local time Monday 23rd (0431hrs UTC/GMT Tuesday) the French duo with their new build Crêpes Whaou! 3 maintained Escoffier’s remarkable unbeaten record in this biannual classic, also scooping the IMOCA Open 60’s to take line honours for the third consecutive edition. Escoffier and Le Roux took 15 days, 15 hours, 31 minutes and 50 seconds to complete the course which took the Multi 50 fleet south of Barbados on a course which for the winning pair was 5805 miles, which they completed at an average speed of 13.41 knots.
 The new destination for the coffee route race, finishing in Costa Rica, served up a carnival greeting for the winners, Escoffier remarking immediately that without doubt the high point of their race was the warmth of finish. Sailing with Le Roux, a successful former Mini 650 Class 40 and multihull sailor who has completed two previous Transat Jacques Vabre races, Escoffier sailed a prudent race on a southerly routing to avoid the very worst of a very active depression before then building a big lead over their Multi50 Class rivals. "

Press release taken from Jacques Vabre website. All Rights Reserved.

Monday, 23 November 2009

MUSTO Snug Blouson Jacket £84.99 - On SALE Now

We have just cut the price of our classic Musto Snug Blouson Jackets. Now Only £84.99! Save 15% off the full retail price and get free delivery in the UK.

We have Light Blue, Navy Blue, Black, Pink, & Red available in a wide range of sizes. We also have a few of the Waterproof version available in Ocean Blue.

Check out our Musto Snug Blouson Jackets







Dee Caffari Interview 23 11 09



Via Dee's YouTube Channel © Dee Caffari

Dee Caffari talks about Aviva's pit stop in St Lucia on the Transat Jacques Vabre

Artemis Ocean Racing - Sam & Sidney in the Trade Winds



Video Copyright © Artemis. All Rights Reserved.

New video from onboard Artemis Ocean Racing.
21/11/09 Sam & Sidney in the Trade winds or is it the Doldrums...you decide.

Latest IMOCA Rankings from Jacques Vabre


 

IMOCA Rankings on 23/11/2009 at 11:00 from Transat Jacques Vabre

Rank
Boat / Sailor
Latitude
Longitude
Speed
Cap
Dist. But
Dist. 1er
FU
GROUPE BEL Kito De Pavant - François Gabart
In Furtiv Mode
FU
SAFRANMarc Guillemot - Charles Caudrelier Benac
In Furtiv Mode
1
MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING Mike Golding - Javier Sanso
11 24.26' N
74 55.45' W
15.1
216
485.1
0.0
2
FONCIA Michel Desjoyeaux - Jérémie Beyou
13 01.32' N
71 33.92' W
16.0
250
697.8
212.7
3
W HOTELS Alex Pella - Pepe Ribes
13 36.91' N
64 21.09' W
17.1
288
1117.7
632.6
4
VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT Roland Jourdain - Jean Luc Nélias
14 18.95' N
63 38.30' W
16.0
286
1165.9
680.8
5
AVIVA Dee Caffari - Brian Thompson
14 38.59' N
63 08.48' W
15.6
283
1198.0
712.9
6
1876 Yves Parlier- Pachi Rivero
21 09.06' N
64 17.75' W
5.8
204
1271.0
785.9
7
AKENA VERANDAS Arnaud Boissières - Vincent Riou
14 21.53' N
61 45.39' W
15.9
284
1274.1
789.0
8
ARTEMIS Samantha Davies - Sidney Gavignet
12 58.44' N
57 35.16' W
16.1
272
1507.2
1022.1





Video summary of yesterday from Andonnate TV. via YouTube


The first and second leading boats, Safran and Groupe Bel are now in stealth mode (Furtiv Mode). Groupe Bel has been chasing Safran for several days, but Safran appears to be uncatchable. Source: Jacques Vabre "Having opened a further 15 miles on Groupe Bel which has pursued them hard more than the last week, there was an element of relief in the voice of Safran skipper Marc Guillemot this morning. While his co-skipper Charles Caudrelier snatched some well deserved sleep, Guillemot admitted that now, with some 90 miles in hand and with 240 miles to the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica the pressure on them was slightly relieved.  In 2007 there was the pain for the Safran duo of actually being able to see the race winner up ahead in the distance. These are the final miles that Guillemot, who had such an heroic Vendée Globe earlier this year, is savouring, on what he hopes is the brink of a great sporting win.

For the chasing pair, Kito de Pavant and Francois Gabart, on Groupe Bel, there is the final throw of the dice, perhaps a realisation that their chances of simply powering past their rivals on the same course in the same winds, was not going to happen. Instead they have headed further north, in the hope of gaining more breeze and a more favourable wind angle in to the finish. " Press release from Transat Jacques Vabre website. All Rights Reserved.

Both SAFRAN of the IMOCAs and CRÊPES WHAOU of the Multi50s seem to have completely dominated the Transat, and now it is only a matter of days before we will know if these teams will claim victory. Watch this space:  Race Chart - See the latest positions on the map


Friday, 20 November 2009

Transat Jacques Vabre on approach to the Caribbean

IMOCA - Rankings at 08:00 20/11/1009



1 SAFRAN - Marc Guillemot & Charles Caudrelier Benac 0.0 nm

2 GROUPE BEL - Kito De Pavant & François Gabart +51.0 nm

3 MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING - Mike Golding & Javier Sanso +194.2 nm

4 FONCIA - Michel Desjoyeaux & Jérémie Beyou +468.4 nm

5 1876 - Yves Parlier & Pachi Rivero +523.5

6 VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland Jourdain & Jean Luc Nélias +737.1

7 AVIVA - Dee Caffari & Brian Thompson +743.8 nm

8 W HOTELS - Alex Pella & Pepe Ribes +761.8 nm

9 AKENA VERANDAS - Arnaud Boissières & Vincent Riou  +849.3 nm

10 ARTEMIS - Samantha Davies & Sidney Gavignet +967.6 nm

20/11/2009 Press Release from Jacques Vabre website:
 
"The leaders will transit into the Caribbean today but the weather mood is far from idyllic. It's a tricky rhythm on board but the 15 knot easterly trade winds look quite well established once the West Indies islands chain is passed.


The rewards for breaking from the Atlantic in to the Caribbean may be promising, but meantime the transition for the Transat Jacques Vabre leaders has been energy sapping and, at times, difficult.

As they approach the passage between Guadeloupe and Martinique to break into the Caribbean where the return of a more regular E’ly trade wind is likely, the two leaders have been experiencing difficult, unpredictable squalls and long lulls, dark clouds with heavy rain showers and very unsettled winds. Charles Caudrelier, co-skipper on leading IMOCA Open 60 Safran, remarked early this morning how the worst squalls always seemed to arrive when he was finally ready to sleep. Having then gone on deck to make adjustments it can be several hours until the conditions remain settled enough to return below. A squall-lull one-two punished Safran with a 15 miles body blow, allowing Kito de Pavant and Francois Gabart to reduce their deficit to a very tenable 54.4 miles this morning.

In third place, making better speeds again early this morning after another electrical outage, Mike Golding and Javier Sanso on Mike Golding Yacht Racing acceded some more miles due to their problem. Sanso explained that the issue slowed them again for several hours, but they are back on track now, pursuing the French leader at 14.5 knots this morning.

1876 have strengthened their position overnight, reaching fast from their northerly position as the quickest boat in the fleet. Yves Parlier and Pachi Rivero have now opened a lead of the best part of 180 miles over sixth placed Veolia Environnement.

Roland Jourdain and Jean-Luc Nelias on Veolia Environnement are having a slow motion race with Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson’s Aviva as they try to extract themselves from a light winds ridge, with their French rivals just having the upper hand slightly further to the south and getting a little more favourable air this morning. But still this is the most engaging competition at the moment with only 23 miles – in DTF – separating the sixth placed French, seventh placed British and Spain’s W-Hotels in eighth. " Source Jacques Vabre. All Rights Reserved.


See exactly where the boats are now

Thursday, 19 November 2009

Aviva Co-Skipper: Brian Thompson Interviewed

New video from Aviva. Audio interview and photographic slideshow.



Check out Dee Caffari's channel on YouTube  Youtube.com/user/DeeCaffari

Transat Jacques Vabre reaches the Tropics



Copyright © Andonatte TV

Latest video from Andonatte TV, with report in French from the Transat Jacques Vabre.


Source: Jacques Vabre. All Rights Reserved :

19/11/2009 : Currently in 7th spot, this is Aviva's news this morning

"We have just spent darkness coasting along in a dying breeze under a canopy of bright stars. Flat water and warm tempratures have made it an uneventful but also a wonderful night's sailing. As predicted we will be fighting light airs with those around us. If we can keep working hard and keep at the front of this little group then we will reach the stronger breeze in about 36 hours quicker. It is amazing getting a grib file now for weather information and realising how far we have come because we are also getting the Caribbean weather too now. To play tribute to this particularly tropical theme we also celebrated shower day onboard Aviva. So now she and her dynamic duo smell of roses as you would expect."




Copyright © Artemis via YachtPals on YouTube.

Sam & Sidney enjoying the Tropics onboard Artemis Ocean Racing. They are currently in 10th position, but the big question remains: will Sidney be the next one to take a shower?

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Latest Rankings in TJV

Latest Rankings at 18/11/09 at 1700

The 10 remaining IMOCAs:

1 SAFRAN -Marc Guillemot - Charles Caudrelier Benac 0.0 nm
2 GROUPE BEL - Kito De Pavant - François Gabart +52.5 nm
3 MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING -Mike Golding - Javier Sanso +125.9 nm
4 FONCIA - Michel Desjoyeaux - Jérémie Beyou +396.9 nm
5 VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT - Roland Jourdain - Jean Luc Nélias +503.0 nm
6 AVIVA - Dee Caffari - Brian Thompson +526.6 nm
7 W HOTELS - Alex Pella - Pepe Ribes +538.4 nm
8 1876 - Yves Parlier- Pachi Rivero 33 +576.8 nm
9 AKENA VERANDAS - Arnaud Boissières - Vincent Riou  +631.6 nm
10 ARTEMIS - Samantha Davies - Sidney Gavignet +785.2 nm

Check out this link to see exactly the where the boats are...

Artemis Co-Skipper Sam Davies: Transat Jacques Vabre 2009 Diary

Click here to read Sam's Diary  Check out the sailing pages on the Telegraph website for Samantha Davies Exclusive diary from the Transat Jacques Vabre.


Photo Copyright © Artemis via Telegraph.

TJV: Video from onboard Mike Golding Yacht Racing & Aviva



Onboard Aviva, Brain Thompson talks us through the race route using an ideal visual aid. It's very educational and informative ;)

Aviva are in 6th position at this moment:

Dee Caffari : " We have just had a beautiful night's sailing with no squalls or freaky wind and clear skies with stars all the way. Sleep has come easy to both Brian and I as we are working quite hard at the moment to stay on the pace in the dying wind and also fulfill jobs during the day. There is some great banter and shared jobs which has just highlighted how great two handed sailing is as there is always someone else there! The convergence of this second group is interesting as we all push hard in a South Westerly direction, there is still a long way to go and runway is running out which limts tactics until we begin the final stage of the race in the Caribbean Sea." Source Jacques Vabre.




Both Videos Copyright Yachtpals. Via YouTube


It is very hard to hear what Javier Sanso is saying because of the wind noise. However, you can see the boat and get an impression of what is going on. Mike & Javier are currently in 3rd place behind Group Bel and leaders Safran.

Today's Report from the Transat Jacques Vabre:

"Guillemot believes the podium places will be secured between Groupe Bel, Mike Golding Yacht Racing and he and Charles Caudrelier Bernac on Safran by tomorrow, but the final stage through the Caribbean will settle the order.


The small advantage, such as it is, is back with Marc Guillemot and Charles Caudrelier-Bénac as the moods turn tropical and the Transat Jacques Vabre leaders plough onwards towards Costa Rica.
They have a spell of lighter 5-10 knots breezes to negotiate, but on board the leading trio of IMOCA Open 60’s, with Safran now under 2000 miles to go the finish line in Puerto Limon, thoughts during the long starlit nights and pleasant temperatures, are inevitably of a seemingly assured podium place.
Leading co-skipper Marc Guillemot of Safran said as much this morning:
“From now on the race will be played out between the three of us.”, he volunteered to the early morning radio vacs in Paris. Safran has re-built some small, but hard earned miles against the pursuing duo, 38.4 miles on sister-ship Groupe Bel while Mike Golding and Javier Sanso has successfully regained 20 miles since last night, and were 98 miles behind Safran and were 58 miles shy of second placed De Pavant and Gabart.

Aboard the leading boats there is the knowledge that every mile lost or gained may prove vital, but at the same time Guillemot emphasized how he and co-skipper Caudrelier Bérnac are trying to make sure they are mentally and physically rested as much as possible for the final push through the Caribbean. Forecasts for the final stage of the race show nothing by way of major meteorological potholes on the route in.

From Golding to fourth placed Michel Desjoyeaux on Foncia there are now 300 miles, the best part of 20 hours behind, while Foncia has really underlined their speed and tactical strength moving 89 miles clear of Roland Jourdain and Jean Luc-Nelias on Veolia Environnement.

The changeable conditions have tested 1876’s duo Yves Parlier and Pachi Rivero, as their variable speeds over the last 24 hours show, but their overall averages remain competitive and they hang on to sixth place.

The battle rages between Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson’s Aviva and their Spanish rivals on W-Hotels. The British pair have actually eked out another twelve miles, more than doubling their lead since yesterday night, which will give the two Vendée Globe skippers some satisfaction.

Meanwhile the stricken IMOCA Open 60 BT was on the verge of making it into the safe haven of Victoria in the Azores but a very difficult passage into the harbour there, in big seas and winds, still stands between the salvage team and the completion of a very long and difficult mission with the very waterlogged Open 60.

Marc Guillemot (FRA) Safran: “It is pleasant, we can spend more time outside on the deck and things are less frenetic, we go a bit more slowly. This enables us to get some fresh air, and work on the deck. All is well on the boat and nothing slows us, we are all under control. The ink is far from dry on this race yet, but my view is that tomorrow it will be all but done. We cover our opponents carefully, Groupe Bel and Mike Golding. If there are no breakages the race will be between the three of us, the others are too far back. But meantime the conditions allow us to tackle the second stage more rested.” Sourced from the Transat Jacques Vabre website. All Rights Reserved.

It might not be possible for Foncia to catch the leading pack, but with this race, anything can happen.

Tuesday, 17 November 2009

The Air Rescue of Jean-François Cuzon & Sébastien Josse from BT



© Ocean-Fanatics. All Rights Reserved. Via YouTube.


Video of the helicopter rescue 13/11/09 of the BT co-skippers Jean-François Cuzon & Sébastien Josse. Thank goodness that they are now safe. It is not such a simple story concerning the salvage of the boat.

4 days after the co-skippers abandoned their boat, the operation to recover the BT Imoca boat is still ongoing and facing ongoing difficulties. Source: Jacques Vabre: "Last night the tow rope to BT broke and since then the tug has been standing by through the hours of darkness awaiting the best chance to re-attach a line. With a storm approaching due to bring big seas and 50 knot gusts then time is running out with the boat still 83 miles from safe haven."


Check out the latest news from the Transat Jacques Vabre

New video from TJV - Dee Caffari & Brian Thompson on Aviva

We are big fans of watching the TJV through video footage from onboard the IMOCAs. It is the best way to understand what the race is really like for the skippers, and to get to know the boats and personalities.

Transat Jacques Vabre 16/11/2009

Video report summary of the day's sailing.




Storm Sailing with Dee Caffari and Brian Thompson on Aviva

Monday, 16 November 2009

Dee Caffari & Sam Davies find time to blog from TJV

Two British skippers that are currently racing in the exciting Transat Jacques Vabre:

Check out Aviva skipper, Dee Caffari's blog on Yachtpals.com. Dee is posting regular updates from the Transat Jacques Vabre.
Dee's blog
Another TJV sailor that blogs on Yachtpals, is Artemis skipper Sam Davies. Sam is also managing to post regular updates from onboard Artemis, despite the rough sailing and running repairs!
Sam's blog

Transat Jacques Vabre: Latest Rankings

Official Ranking on 16/11/2009 at  17:00

IMOCA -


1 SAFRAN Marc Guillemot - Charles Caudrelier Benac 0.0nm

2 GROUPE BEL - Kito De Pavant - François Gabart +28.1nm

3 MIKE GOLDING YACHT RACING - Mike Golding - Javier Sanso +70.0nm

4 VEOLIA ENVIRONNEMENT Roland Jourdain - Jean Luc Nélias +309.4nm

5 FONCIA - Michel Desjoyeaux - Jérémie Beyou +311.1nm

6 1876 - Yves Parlier- Pachi Rivero +317.3nm

7 AVIVA - Dee Caffari - Brian Thompson +373.2nm

8 W HOTELS - Alex Pella - Pepe Ribes +401.5nm

9 AKENA VERANDAS - Arnaud Boissières - Vincent Riou +487.7nm

10 ARTEMIS - Samantha Davies - Sidney Gavignet +593.1nm

BRIT AIR - Armel Le Cleac'h - Nicolas Troussel Retired

BT - Sébastien Josse - Jean François Cuzon Retired

DCNS - Marc Thiercelin - Christopher Pratt Retired

HUGO BOSS - Alex Thomson - Ross Daniel Retired

Multi50 -

1 CRÊPES WHAOU ! Franck Yves Escoffier - Erwan Leroux
2 GUYADER POUR URGENCE CLIMATIQUE  Victorien Erussard - Loic Fecquet
3 REGION AQUITAINE-PORT MEDOC Lalou Roucayrol - Amaiur Alfaro
4 PRINCE DE BRETAGNE Hervé Cleris - Christophe Dietsch

ACTUAL Yves Le Blevec - Jean Le Cam Retired

FENETREA-CARDINAL Alain Maignan - Nicole Harel Retired

Hugo Boss retire from the TJV

Source: Transat Jacques Vabre. All Rights Reserved

" On inspection in daylight this morning (16/11/09) skipper Alex confirmed the damage is located on the starboard bow about four metres back and although fairly localised it is allowing a fair amount of water in the boat. The skippers are discussing the damage with their shore team to finalise a temporary fix which will allow them to make for the nearest land which is The Azores. Although the damage is small it will not be possible to stop the water until the area is free from water, something not possible in the ocean. Regrettably today at 1300 GMT Alex and Ross made the difficult decision to officially retire from the race. "