Qatar Bringing New Boat For Super Boat 700hp Class

With the acquisition of the former Reliable Carriers offshore raceboat, a 42-foot-long Marine Technology, Inc., catamaran, the Spirit of Qatar team has added a third boat to its fleet. Formerly owned and campaigned on the offshore racecourse by Tom Abrahams, the 42-footer is part of a stable that includes the team’s 41-foot Victory cat powered by twin 1,000-hp Lamborghini engines and built for Union International Motonautique Class 1 competition, as well as its soon to be completed Mystic Powerboats 50-foot cat with twin 1,500-hp turbine engines. (For special speed events, the Mystic will be powered by twin 3,000-hp turbine engines.) Read more.

Source; Super Boat International

Men's Round 2 - Mirage Daily Highlights - Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach 2013

The ASP's Top 34 returned to Bells Beach in large seas and challenging conditions at the 2013 Rip Curl Pro presented by Ford. With swell of six-to-eight foot (2 - 2.5 metres), Round 2 was completed with some incredible surfing going down on the famous Bells Bowl. Jordy Smith (ZAF) & Dusty Payne (HAW) were notable standouts getting through their Round 2 match-ups with strong, powerful surfing.

 

Source; Rip Curl Pro Media

Zen Waterman: Paddling around Oahu- 124 miles in 3 days- by Robert Stehlik

Follow  Robert Stehlik and Jeff Chang as they paddle around Oahu on Zen Waterman

 

Zen Waterman: Paddling around Oahu- 124 miles in 3 days- by Robe...: Ok, we did not do it on consecutive days and it was not a circumnavigation but Jeff Chang and I paddled around the entire coastline of O...

Sun rising behind the Mokulua Islands outside of Lanikai

 

Source; Zen Waterman

World’s Best Surfers Tackle Large Surf at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Sunday, March 31, 2013) – The ASP Top 34 returned to Bells Beach today, taking on solid six-to-eight foot (2 – 2.5 metre) surf for Round 2 and the opening three heats of Round 3 at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford.

The second stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach embarked on another solid day of competition this morning with the world’s best surfers doing battle in the well-overhead surf in the Bells Bowl.

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, posted a near-perfect 19.14 out of a possible 20 at Bells Beach

Jordy Smith (ZAF), 25, long considered a threat to the ASP World Title, was in sensational form this morning, nailing a near-perfect 19.14 heat total out of a possible 20 for unmatched power and precision in the big Bells righthanders.

“I have really good equipment under my feet right now,” Smith said. “The boards feel really solid and I think big Bells Bowl waves really suit my surfing. I love having big walls to carve up. Hopefully the conditions stay solid and clean for the rest of the event.”

At 6’2″, 190 lbs, Smith cuts one of the more imposing figures amongst the world’s elite and his dominant physicality is a huge asset at Bells Beach.

“I didn’t have the best start to the season with a 13th at Snapper but it’s a long year ahead,” Smith said. “I’m healthy, I feel like I’m surfing my best and I’m just focusing on put it together in heats. Bells is an opportunity for me to gain some early traction this season and that’s my goal.”

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Called ON in Pumping Surf, Possible Women’s Final Today

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Sunday, March 31, 2013) – Solid surf in the six-to-eight foot (2 – 2.5 metre) is steaming through Bells Beach this morning and event organizers have called Round 2 of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford ON, commencing at 7:45am.

Bells Beach has come alive for Easter Sunday at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach!

Stop No. 2 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will look to complete the whole of Round 2 as well as potentially the opening 10 heats of Round 3 today in pristine Easter Sunday conditions. In addition to the men’s event, the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach has whittled the field down to the final two surfers, Tyler Wright (AUS), 19, and Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, who could potentially battle it out for the crown today.

“Surf is solid this morning and we’ll commence competition at 7:45am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We’ll begin with Round 2 of the men and have put the women’s Final on standby for a possible start this afternoon. We also have the first 10 heats of Round 3 on standby for a start as well. Good luck to all our competitors today.”

Up first this morning will be Taj Burrow (AUS), 34, up against Jacob Willcox (AUS), 15, in the opening heat of Round 2.

The 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE via www.live.ripcurl.com and broadcast live on Fuel TV in Australia and Portugal, ESPN in Brazil and MCS Extreme in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland and Africa. You can also watch the event live via the Rip Curl Pro iPhone app, available free in the iTunes App Store.

CoastalWatch, official forecasters for the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, have called for: A strong increase in long period SW groundswell arrives over the Easter long weekend, peaking on Sunday morning under moderate to strong WSW winds before gradually easing throughout Monday.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 2 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Taj Burrow (AUS) vs. Jacob Willcox (AUS)
Heat 2: Gabriel Medina (BRA) vs. Jack Perry (AUS)
Heat 3: Adriano de Souza (BRA) vs. Oney Anwar (IDN)
Heat 4: Jeremy Flores (FRA) vs. Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 5: Michel Bourez (PYF) vs. Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 6: Owen Wright (AUS) vs. Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 7: Jordy Smith (ZAF) vs. Glenn Hall (IRL)
Heat 8: C.J. Hobgood (USA) vs. Adam Melling (AUS)
Heat 9: Bede Durbidge (AUS) vs. Brett Simpson (USA)
Heat 10: Travis Logie (ZAF) vs. Sebastian Zietz (HAW)
Heat 11: Damien Hobgood (USA) vs. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
Heat 12: Matt Wilkinson (AUS) vs. Kai Otton (AUS)

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH FINAL MATCH-UP:
Tyler Wright (AUS) VS. Carissa Moore (HAW)

Source; ASP Media

Volvo Ocean Race - OBRs beware, a multi-sensory nightmare awaits

Just how hard is the Onboard Reporter job in the Volvo Ocean Race? For anyone who still thinks they could cut it, read this thrilling tale from Marc Bow – someone with all the qualifications for the job, but now possessing the first-hand experience to know that this is the toughest, as well as the best, gig in journalism.

Strolling into Thunderbolt Marina straight off the plane I spotted Sanya’s 105-foot mast towering above the billionaire pleasure craft around her. The sail team had also arrived on my flight and I felt a bit of a lemon as the fly boys caught up with the shore crew who had been rebuilding Sanya here for a few weeks. After a quick team get-together we were told a shallow sandbank at the end of the Savannah river meant our 4m draft would prevent us from leaving till the next day. So with a lethal concoction of jet leg and anxiety coursing through me I headed to our hotel and didn’t sleep a wink.

 

Being bred on South African waters and starved of real yachts the Volvo boats are massive. The dimensions. The sounds. The loads. Even the speed. It’s all been super-sized. The beam is the size of my day sailor, the mast disappears into low clouds, and the length challenges even the surest of sights. When her wardrobe is unpacked she’ll be flying over seven hundred square meters of sail, all of it hand crafted from the lightest, most expensive material known to man. The mast, boom, rigging, hull, even the bunk tubes are all fashioned from carbon fibre. In all it means a Volvo boat is as strong, light and fast as modern man knows how, and when in the hands of a veteran crew like the predominantly Kiwi gang on Sanya, she’s a brutally expensive weapon.

VICTORY WINS CLASS 1 RACE 2 TO COMPLETE SANYA TREBLE

Saturday, 30 March, SANYA (China): Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri wrapped up the perfect opening to their season, winning race 2 of the Sanya Grand Prix to add to their wins in qualifying and race 1 to complete their Sanya hat-trick.

But Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski’s hopes of carrying the fight to Victory 3 and adding to their double podium seconds, ended in spectacular fashion when they barrel-rolled Zabo-Isiklar at the first turn.

Both pilots were unhurt but the severity of the damage to the boat became clearer once it had been towed back to the pits. “It’s hard to say what happened. Maybe we caught a wave,” said throttleman, Christian Zaborowski. “It was a fast entry corner. I felt the boat lift and twist a little as we turned in and then it went over. This was a big crash. The damage is very bad all over the boat.”

Zabo-Isiklar’s dramatic exit brought out the red flag and forced a restart, with the race shortened to 14 laps.

Historic Day of Surfing Decides Rip Curl Pro Finalists, Wright and Moore to Face Off for Bells Title

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Saturday, March 30, 2013) – The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford, Stop No. 3 of 7 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, completed a mammoth day of competition today with Rounds 2, 3, 4, the Quarterfinals and the Semifinals all ran in pumping four-to-six foot (1.5 – 2 metre) waves at Bells Beach.

Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, current ASP WCT No. 1, into the Finals of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach.

Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, current ASP WCT No. 1, put on an inspired performance throughout today’s five rounds of competition, blending her energetic approach with unmatched power in the Bells Bowl. The young natural-footer closed her day out with a Semifinal win over a rampaging Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, in classic Bells conditions.

“That was my fourth surf of the day so I am exhausted,” Wright said. “Courtney (Conlogue) has been impressive all day and I knew it was going to be a battle on my hands. Fortunately I had a strong start because Courtney came back in a big way towards the end and had opportunity on her last wave if she didn’t fall. Great heat and let’s see what tomorrow brings.”

This afternoon’s Semifinal win earned Wright her third, consecutive Finals berth of 2013 – a Final that can be run as early as tomorrow.

“Tomorrow’s my third straight Final this year, it’s my birthday and it’s Easter so yeah, it’s going to be a big day if we run,” Wright said. “Look, Bells is an event I’ve been watching since I was a kid.
It’s prestige is second to none and we have waves on tap. I’m just really excited for tomorrow.”

UIM CLASS 1 - RACE 1 WIN PUTS VICTORY ON TARGET FOR SANYA TREBLE

Friday, 29 March, SANYA (China): Victory’s Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri made the perfect start to their title defence with a convincing win in race 1 of the Sanya Grand Prix.

The defending Champions had to come from behind after being outgunned at the start by Zabo-Isiklar’s Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski, who led the Victory duo into the first turn to lead by three seconds at the end of the opening lap.

Behind the race leaders the LFFendi10 crew of Luca Formilli Fendi and Giovanni Carpitella made the jump on Victory Australia’s Darren Nicholson and Class 1 newcomer Ross Willaton to move up a place from fourth on the start line.

The race outcome hinged on two opposite race strategies, Zabo-Isiklar opting to take their mandatory short-lap early, on lap 2, and a brilliant midrace stint of the 11-lap, 51.51Nm race by the defending World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions, and their decision to go late with their short-lap on 7.

Perennial ASP World Title Threats Dominate Opening Round at Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Friday, March 29, 2013) – The ASP Top 34 returned to battle today as the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford completed Round 1 of competition in clean three-to-four foot (1 metre) waves at Bells Beach.

Joel Parkinson (AUS), 31, reigning ASP World Champion, posted a solid Round 1 win today at the

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach.

Stop No. 2 of 10 on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach recommences the hunt for this year’s world surfing crown and the perennial threats were in blistering form on opening day.

Kelly Slater (USA), 41, 11-time ASP World Champion, posted an emphatic victory over a lethal Adam Melling (AUS), 28, and wildcard Jacob Willcox (AUS), 15, in Round 1 of competition this afternoon. Slater’s commanding display at Rincon point netted him the day’s high heat total of an 18.07 out of a possible 20, including a near-perfect 9.70 on his final wave of the heat.

“I switched my equipment back to the Weirdo Ripper which I rode in the early rounds on the Gold Coast and it seemed to work really well in those slopey Rincon waves,” Slater said. “I drifted in towards the end of the heat and that wave (9.70) wasn’t very big, but it looked like it was going to run a bit better and it just allowed for a good amount of turns.”

Flying birthday for Iain Percy at Artemis Racing - America's Cup

Artemis Racing skipper Iain Percy spent his birthday flying high above the water on the re-vamped foiling AC45.

“AC45, foiling wing on my birthday… It was a good laugh,” Percy said. “It’s been a great project by the boys. They’ve just gone and made it (the conversion to foils) happen. I was spoiled to be taken out for a ride on my birthday!’.

“It was an awesome day. The boys have been working hard for a month on this boat,” said helmsman Nathan Outteridge. “The fact that we could get a bunch of the sailors and a few of the designers and go foiling in four weeks is just awesome.”.

In a separate interview, Outteridge said the goal with the AC45 was to, “…learn what we can now so when we go foiling on the big boat we don’t look too stupid. We’re learning as much as we can from the little boats and we’ll convert that to the big boat.”.

Artemis Racing recently returned to San Francisco Bay with its first AC72, but this boat has not been converted to fully foiling.

 

Source, America's Cup Media

Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach Round 1 ON, Women’s Round 2 on Standby

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Friday, March 29, 2013) – The Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford, the second stop on the 2013 ASP World Championship Tour, has called Round 1 on this morning, commencing at 7:45am in clean three-to-four foot (1.5 metre) waves at Bells Beach.

Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24, will kick off the 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach this morning.

“We have an increase in swell this morning and have called men’s competition on for 7:45am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We anticipate a full day of competition so have placed men’s and women’s Round 2 heats on standby for a potential start this afternoon as well. Good luck to all our competitors today.”

Commencing men’s competition this morning will be Gabriel Medina (BRA), 19, Matt Wilkinson (AUS), 24, and Raoni Monteiro (BRA), 30, in Heat 1 of Round 1.

The 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE via www.live.ripcurl.com and broadcast live on Fuel TV in Australia and Portugal, ESPN in Brazil and MCS Extreme in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland and Africa. You can also watch the event live via the Rip Curl Pro iPhone app, available free in the iTunes App Store.

NATIONAL TEAMS ANNOUNCED FOR THE WORLD’S ONLY MASTERS SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP

Powerhouse National Teams from Australia, Brazil, France, Hawaii, Japan and South Africa have confirmed their surfers who will be traveling to Ecuador for the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC) from April 6-14.

 

2012 ISA Women’s Masters Gold Medalist Rochelle Ballard, representing Team Hawaii,

will be defending her title in Montañita. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

National Delegations from every corner of the globe are getting ready to compete in the warm water and perfect right-hand point-break waves of Montañita, Ecuador for the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy and individual Gold Medals.

The defending Team Champion, Hawaii, will be returning with an All-Star lineup featuring 2012’s Grand Masters (over 40) Gold Medalist and 2000 ASP World Tour Champion Sunny Garcia and former ASP World Tour standout Kalani Robb. Garcia will be looking to defend his Gold Medal in the Grand Masters (Over 40) and improve on his 2^nd place finish in the Masters (Over 35). Robb, who was the 1994 ISA World Junior Division Champion, is coming back this year to compete for the first time in the Masters Division.

Joining Garcia and Robb on Team Hawaii will be defending Women’s Masters Gold Medalist Rochelle Ballard, Love Hodel (Grand Masters), Mike Latronic (Kahunas over 45), Reuben Balmores (Kahunas) and Shuji Kasuya (Grand Kahuna over 50).

VICTORY 3 FASTEST IN UIM CLASS 1 QUALIFYING IN SANYA

Thursday, 28 March, SANYA (China): Victory’s Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri will start race 1 of the Sanya Grand Prix in pole position after dominating this afternoon’s qualifying session.

The defending World Champions threw down the gauntlet on their first flying lap, posting a time of 3mins 8.67s around the 4.93Nm circuit on Sanya Bay, and then went over four seconds quicker on their second run to post the fastest time of 3mins 4.58s and secure the pole.

The fight to be in the top three and gain the advantage of being in the group to take the inside turn gate at the first turn in race 1, proved a titanic fight between Zabo-Isiklar, Victory Australia and LFFendi10.

The trio traded times and swapped places throughout the two-hour session, with Ugur Isik and Christian Zaborowski coming out on top to post the second fastest time late in the session ahead of the all-Australian pairing of Darren Nicholson and Ross Willaton, whose impressive late charge up through the field knocked the LFFendi10 crew off the podium.

It was another impressive performance by Zabo Racing’s Turkish-Norwegian partnership who earlier in the day had traded times with the Victory 3 duo in official practice, and getting the better of them, posting the fastest short-lap time of 2mins 48.14s.

The late withdrawal from the event of Rashed Al Tayer and Majed Al Mansoori meant a very last minute reshuffle of drivers for Team Abu Dhabi and also Poliform, with Cass 1 debutant Falah Al Mansoori, racing for the first time in Class 1 and under a provisional super license, joined in the cockpit of the UAE boat by the vastly experienced Poliform throttleman Giampaolo Montavoci and going fifth fastest. But the switch of seats resulted in Italy’s Tomaso Polli having to sit out qualifying.

FA.RO ACCIAI posted the sixth quickest time of the session, but there was disappointment for Class 1 debutants Alfredo Amato and Miles Jennings in LFFendi8, stopping after just one lap, and for Visun Sanya’s Marit Stromoy and Pal Virik Nilsen who were forced back to the pits with technical problems without posting a time.

SANYA GRAND PRIX - EDOX POLE POSITION - results

1. 3 Victory - A Al Zaffain (UAE) / M Al Marri (UAE) - 03.04,58
2. 91 Zabo Isiklar - U Isik (TUR) / C Zaborowski (NOR) - 03.06,28
3. 7 Victory Australia - D Nicholson (AUS) / R Willaton (AUS) - 03.10,61
4. 10 LFFendi10 - L Formilli Fendi (ITA) / G Carpitella (ITA) - 03.14,78
5. 5 Team Abu Dhabi - F Al Mansoori (UAE) / G Montavoci (SUI) - 03.16,63
6. 23 FA.RO. ACCIAI - G M Gabbiani (ITA) / L Nicolini (ITA) - 03.21,25
7. 8 LFFendi8 - Miles Jennings (GBR) / A Amato (ITA) - 03.39,33
8. 74 Poliform - T Polli (ITA) / N/A () - dns
9. 86 Visun Sanya - M Stromoy (NOR) / PV Nilsen (NOR) - dns

EDOX POLE POSITION CHAMPIONSHIP - after round 1

1. 3 Victory Team - 20pts 2. Zabo-Isiklar - 15pts 3. Victory Australia - 12pts 4. LFFendi10 - 9pts 5. Team Abu Dhabi - 7pts 6. FA.RO.ACCIAI - 5pts 7. LFFendi8 - 4pts

Perfect Scores and Major Upsets at Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach Round 1

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Thursday, March 28, 2013) – The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford, the third stop on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), commenced competition today with the world’s best female surfers lighting up the playful two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves on offer for Round 1.

Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 2,

was near flawless today during Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach.

Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion and current ASP WCT No. 2, took top honors today, posting the event’s first Perfect 10 as well as the day’s high heat total of a near-perfect 19.43 in Round 1 of competition. Moore’s powerful forehand and progressive surfing performance wowed spectators and competitors alike, establishing the Hawaiian as a major contender as the event moves forward.

“I had so much fun in that heat,” Moore said. “I got great waves, had a lot of opportunity and got to perform. I’m in a really good place. I’m happy and have some really good people in my corner. Last week’s win in West Oz gave me some confidence but I’m just really excited to perform and hopefully the waves continue to improve.”

Rip Curl Women's Pro Bells Beach Called On

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Thursday, March 28, 2013) – Round 1 of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford has been called ON this morning, commencing at 11am in clean two-to-three foot (1 metre) waves at the primary venue of Bells Beach.

 

Event No. 3 of 7 on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour (WCT), the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach recommences the hunt for the 2013 world surfing crown and the world’s best female surfers will kickstart their respective campaigns this morning at one of the most iconic breaks in the sport.

“Conditions have improved significantly since earlier this morning with the assistance of the incoming tide and we’ve called the women’s Round 1 on at 11am,” Rich Porta, ASP International Head Judge, said. “We will aim to complete the six Round 1 heats today and have placed Round 2 on standby for a possible start this afternoon. Good luck to our competitors today.”

Up first this morning will be Courtney Conlogue (USA), 20, Laura Enever (AUS), 21, and Silvana Lima (BRA), 28, in the opening heat of the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach.

The 2013 Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach will be webcast LIVE via www.live.ripcurl.com and broadcast live on Fuel TV in Australia and Portugal, ESPN in Brazil and MCS Extreme in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Switzerland and Africa. You can also watch the event live via the Rip Curl Pro iPhone app, available free in the iTunes App Store.

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

RIP CURL WOMEN’S PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA), Laura Enever (AUS), Silvana Lima (BRA)
Heat 2: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Alana Blanchard (HAW), Sage Erickson (USA)
Heat 3: Tyler Wright (AUS), Malia Manuel (HAW), Nikki Van Dijk (AUS)
Heat 4: Carissa Moore (HAW), Paige Hareb (NZL), Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Heat 5: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Bianca Buitendag (ZAF), Rebecca Woods (AUS)
Heat 6: Coco Ho (HAW), Lakey Peterson (USA), Pauline Ado (FRA)

RIP CURL PRO BELLS BEACH ROUND 1 MATCH-UPS:
Heat 1: Gabriel Medina (BRA), Matt Wilkinson (AUS), Raoni Monteiro (BRA)
Heat 2: Julian Wilson (AUS), Kai Otton (AUS), Patrick Gudauskas (USA)
Heat 3: Taj Burrow (AUS), Kieren Perrow (AUS), Willian Cardoso (BRA)
Heat 4: Mick Fanning (AUS), Sebastian Zietz (HAW), Oney Anwar (IDN)
Heat 5: Joel Parkinson (AUS), Brett Simpson (USA), Jack Perry (AUS)
Heat 6: Kelly Slater (USA), Adam Melling (AUS), Jacob Wilcox (AUS)
Heat 7: Adriano de Souza (BRA), Alejo Muniz (BRA), Tiago Pires (PRT)
Heat 8: Josh Kerr (AUS), Damien Hobgood (USA), Dusty Payne (HAW)
Heat 9: Jeremy Flores (FRA), Travis Logie (ZAF), Nat Young (USA)
Heat 10: Michel Bourez (PYF), Bede Durbidge (AUS), Filipe Toledo (BRA)
Heat 11: Owen Wright (AUS), Adrian Buchan (AUS), Glenn Hall (IRL)
Heat 12: Jordy Smith (ZAF), C.J. Hobgood (USA), Kolohe Andino (USA)

The Rip Curl Pro is presented by FORD with partners the Victorian Government, Momentum Energy, mophie, Tooheys Extra Dry, Jim Beam, Skullcandy, Red Bull, Telstra, Surf Coast Shire, Surfing Life Magazine, Fuel TV, Ozmosis, Nova, CO2 Australia, Coastalwatch Plus and co-managed by Surfing Victoria.

Source, ASP Media

The nominees for the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year 2013

Shawn Dollar, Shane Dorian, Greg Long, Reef McIntosh and Dave Wassel have been nominated for the "Rider of the Year", at the 2013 Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards.

Hawaiian surfer Shane Dorian has been nominated in all four of the categories - Ride of the Year, Paddle Wave, Tube Ride and Biggest Wave - for his landmark ride on an enormous wave at Jaws, Maui, in early October.

California's Shawn Dollar is right on Dorian's heels with a trio of nominations for his own exceptionally tall wave caught in a dangerous December session, at the notorious Cortes Bank.

Read mor; The nominees for the Billabong XXL Ride of the Year 2013: 

Surftech Shootout 2013 Race - Video review

The Surftech Shootout and Surf & Sand Duel SUP Race video review;

America's Cup - The ‘big fella’ on the big cat: “The Bay is a small place

America’s Cup Regatta Director Iain Murray, known to many in the sailing community as ‘big fella’, spent Tuesday afternoon foiling around San Francisco Bay with ORACLE TEAM USA. It wasn’t a joyride however; Murray was assessing how the guest racer program could work on the AC72.

© ORACLE TEAM USA / Photo: Guilain Grenier

“They’re wonderful boats and fantastic crews as you would expect at the America’s Cup,” he said. “With some practical safety measures and time I think we can provide a good opportunity for guests this summer.”

Murray, who has spent plenty of time on high-performance monohulls from 18-foot skiffs to giant offshore race boats like Wild Oats, says the sensations on board an AC72 are very different.

“The normal feedback of wind and waves that give you the sense of speed aren’t there on a catamaran,” he said. “It’s a very serene sense of speed. Almost unemotional compared to the fuss you get with a big yacht.”

And it’s a similarly subtle sensation as the boat lifts up onto the foils: “It’s actually quite hard to tell. You almost have to look. If you were blindfolded you probably wouldn’t know you were lifting out of the water. The biggest sign is the reduction in noise as the waves and splashing go away as the boat comes out of the water.”

And of course, the pure speed is impressive.

“The speed they travel and the ground they cover and the efficiency of the boats mean they just tear across the Bay,” Murray said. “The most impressive part to me was how efficient the boat was sailing upwind. Tacking was surprisingly good; they tacked as well as a monohull in my opinion.

“The Bay becomes a very small place in these boats. The races are going to go by very fast and I think it’s going to be quite a spectacle for the fans on shore.”

Emirates Team New Zealand - One more week, then pack up begins

Day19 with the new boat has passed and Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker says the designers and boat builders had delivered all the sailing crew had hoped for.

“In some ways,” he says, “they delivered more than we expected.”

“We learned a lot from our 30 days with the first boat and the second boat seems to be tracking in the right direction.”

Barker said: “We are mindful of the good sailing going on in San Francisco. Oracle’s back in the water and looking formidable so we have a lot of work ahead to make sure we are competitive right through the Louis Vuitton challenger series.”

Little more than a week’s sailing in Auckland remains before the team packs up the base and heads for San Francisco. With a long list of items on the “to-do” list, the pressure is on.

The relocation to San Francisco takes place April-May and the team aims to be sailing there towards the end of May, giving themselves a month on the water to become reacquainted with the nuances of the Bay’s breeze and currents.

With the team’s experience at relocating its operations and well used to life on the road he’s expecting an easy transition to life in America. “San Francisco’s a great city to be based in and it will be an easy transition to American culture.

That aspect easy to deal with – the hard thing is to get comfortable in the surroundings, understand how the day works get used to the traffic and re-establish all the routines.”

In Auckland the sailing team has spent a lot of time simulating race conditions by running virtual boundaries. “Restraints of the course area force us to do a lot more manoeuvres – tacks and gybes every two to three minutes – than we would normally do in this type of boat.

“We know the difficulties of in San Francisco Bay’s currents and the breeze need to focus very hard on the course area, understanding how to best manage that.

“The team have spent a lot of time on venue development but until we get there and experience sailing the AC72 on the course area its all theoretical.”

Source; America's Cup Media

World’s Best Female Surfers Prepare for Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach

BELLS BEACH, Victoria/AUS (Monday, March 25, 2013) – The Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach presented by Ford Fiesta, the third stop on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, is set to commence this Tuesday at the iconic Australian pointbreak of Bells Beach and the event will mark a pivotal point on the ASP Women’s World Title Race.

Carissa Moore (HAW), 20, current ASP WCT No. 2, is coming fresh off a victory in Western Australia

 and poised to make a run at the Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach.

Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, ASP Women’s WCT ratings leader, has been in impeccable form during the Australian leg of the season and is fired up to head down to Bells to take part in what is slated to be another historic event.

“I’m really excited to get down to Bells tomorrow,” Wright said. “I’m looking forward to surfing fun waves at the bowl, catching up with my Rip Curl family and spending some quality time over Easter with Owen, Sam and Kirby.”

Wright, who won the season opening event on the Gold Coast, is now looking to further her position as the frontrunner for the ASP Women’s World Title. The talented Australian would love to add the prestigious Bell to her list of accolades at a destination that has become a sentimental stop during her ASP World Title chase.

“Winning Bells would be a great achievement,” Wright said. “The Bells event has so much history and prestige attached to it that it would mean a lot to anyone.“Last year we had a team dinner and Claw came along,he got talking about how Rip Curl came to be and how the event came along. 
Hearing his stories and excitement, that’s where it becomes special for me. It was probably the best story time ever.”

Greg Long Crowned Big Wave World Tour Champ

Greg Long has been crowned the 2012/2013 Big Wave World Tour champion.  The fourth season of the Big Wave World Tour has successfully been completed. When Long arrived in Peru this past summer it was clear by the look in his eyes that he was there to win it all.

Greg Long, Pico Alto, Peru © Richard Hallman

 

Greg would take his dedication, focus and training and make every final of the 2012/2013 season. His consistency throughout the year was nothing short of spectacular.

 

He placed second at the Billabong Pico Alto event in Peru, third place at the Mavericks Invitation in Half Moon Bay, California and second finish at the Nelscott Reef Big Wave Classic in Lincoln City, Oregon.

 

By the end of the season, Greg would finish nearly 1000pts ahead of his fellow competitors. "It is my honor to pass the torch to another great young man, Mr. Greg Long", stated Peter Mel.
 

Greg Long was followed in the 2012/2013 Big Wave World Tour rankings by Jamie Sterling, Carlos Burle, Peter Mel and Ken Collins.

 

Final 2012/2013 Big Wave World Tour Standings:

1. Greg Long (USA) - 2155.5
2. Jamie Sterling (HAW) - 1160.7
3. Carlos Burle (BRA) - 1150
4. Peter Mel (USA) - 1148.7
5. Ken Collins (USA) - 826.5
6. Gabriel Villaran (PERU) - 823
7. Zach Wormhoudt (USA) - 688.5
8. Ben Wilkinson (AUS) - 674.25
9. Jose Gomez (PERU) - 621
10. Joao De Macedo (PT) - 555
11. Ramon Navarro (CL) - 517.5
12. Jeff Rowley (AUS) - 494.75

 

Source; BWWT

The Surftech Shootout and Surf & Sand Duel SUP Race

Congratulations to Surftech SUP's own Candice Appleby for dominating the Women's Sup Surfing and Sup Race divisions, and for also winning the Overall "Lone Ranger" award. Congrats to Dave Boehne for winning the Men's Sup Surfing and Chuck Glynn for winning the men's "Lone Ranger" award. See full results below.
 

Results;

 

Sup Surf Women
1st Candice Appleby
2nd Diane Wenzel
3rd Morgan Hoesterey
4th Kimberly Gomez
...
Sup Surf Men
1st Dave Boehne
2nd Tommy Lloy
3rd Brandon Rambo
4th Chuck Glynn

Overall "Lone Ranger" Women
1st Candice Appleby
2nd Morgan Hoesterey
3rd Brit Oliphant

Overall "Lone Ranger" Men
1st Chuck Glynn
2nd Matt Becker
3rd Slater Trout

Elite Race Women
1st Candice Appleby
2nd Brit Oliphant
3rd Morgan Hoesterey

Elite Race Men
1st Slater Trout
2nd Chuck Glynn
3rd Matt Becker
4th Anthony Vela
5th Chance Fielder

 

Source; Surftech SUP

Make Or Break Final Day - 40th International Rolex Regatta

It was make or break time on the third and final day of racing at the 40th International Rolex Regatta (IRR).

Delta scores a big win in the Melges 32 class ©Rolex / Ingrid Abery

 

Rick Wesslund, who pocketed a precision Rolex timepiece for his class win in CSA Racing 1 aboard his J/120, El Ocaso, sums up the fun this way, "After three days and six races total, it came down to the last race on the last day to determine the winner in our class," explains Wesslund, of Miami, Florida. "In the last race, we were in a dead heat with Lazy Dog. Sometimes we were in the lead, and other times they were. It was a real emotional roller coaster, but we just hung in there. We stayed on it and we won."

The seventy-two boat fleet with crews hailing from the Caribbean, U.S. and Europe, reveled in the 12 to 15 knots of breeze under clear sunny skies. The one-design Melges 32 class and the one-design IC-24 class along with the beach cats both competed on their own one-design courses, while the rest of the fleet raced round-the-islands in Pillsbury Sound.

Youth triumphed in the Melges 32 class where 21-year-old Dalton DeVos, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, held his first day lead straight through to the finish aboard Delta. "Getting into clear lanes and around the top of the fleet first was the formula we used all three days. It worked," says DeVos, who developed his love of sailing from his father, Doug DeVos, who took his son sailing from young aboard one-design 35s and 48s.

Salperton And Bolero Win Caribbean Superyacht Regatta

It may have been the final day of racing at the Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous, but there was a palpable sense of expectation on the dock.

Caribbean Superyacht Regatta ©Carlo Borlenghi

 

Not only were owners of the 20 sailing superyachts, their guests and crews looking forward to another classic day on the water, but also there was all to play for with the victory up for grabs in all classes.

With a breeze of 10 to 12 knots, the race committee chose a long course clockwise around Virgin Gorda and outside all the Dog Islands, with the Division B yachts rounding inside Ginger Island and the Division A yachts heading outside Ginger. With most of the yachts heading left up the first beat, the first real test was at the northeast corner of Virgin Gorda. Here the kites were hoisted and the yachts were set for an epic gybing battle all along the south side of the island.

By the time the Division B yachts reached Round Rock, 62m Athos was out in front with the 23.5m Wild Horses just three minutes behind. The 25.2m Sejaa was also having a good day, rounding third.

Meanwhile, the Division A yachts were fighting tooth and nail. By the time they got to the western end of Ginger Island, it was Indio that had made the best progress on the run, dropping her kite and hardening up for the reach to the Dogs a minute ahead of Salperton and Cape Arrow, who were separated by just 10 seconds. Hanuman, P2 and Rebecca were not far behind.

Final Wingman Trialists Decided At Bells

Local standouts Dylan Schulze, Troy Brooks, Josh Johnson-Baxter and Jack Perry ripped apart fun Bells during the Wingman Pre-Trials on Sunday and earned the final four spots into the Wingman Trials

March 24, 2013 – Surfing Victoria celebrated its 50th year anniversary Sunday at Bells Beach with the Wingman Pre Trials and the gathering of past members and administrators.

In great 4ft waves, the Wingman Pre Trials decided the four surfers who will progress through to the Wingman Trials and compete for the opportunity to receive a wildcard into the Rip Curl Pro Presented by FORD.

Dylan Schulze (Anglesea), Troy Brooks (Jan Juc), Josh Johnson-Baxter (Ocean Grove) and Jack Perry (Jan Juc) have all progressed through to the Wingman Trials. They will face off against Cahill Bell Warren (Bells Beach), Nic Muscroft (Jan Juc), Harry Mann (Torquay) and Carl Wright (Phillip Island) who all gained automatic entry.

SANYA ALL SET TO TURN ON THE STYLE FOR CLASS 1’s HISTORIC DEBUT IN CHINA

Sunday, 24 March, SANYA (China): Fifty-years after American Jim Wynne won the first UIM sanctioned World Drivers’ Championship in 1964 the sport celebrates’ its anniversary-season with an historic first Grand Prix in the Peoples’ Republic of China.

The bustling city port of Sanya on the southernmost point of Hainan Island, often referred to as the Chinese Riviera, will provide one of the most diverse and exciting backdrops of the year when it hosts the Sanya Grand Prix and the season-opener, 28-30 March.

Defending World, Middle East and Edox Pole Position Champions Arif Al Zaffain and Mohammed Al Marri will lead the nine-strong fleet out as the Victory Team celebrates its own impressive landmark of competing at the top level in international powerboat racing.

Twenty-one year’s after lifting their first World Championship in 1993, Victory Team’s title holders will be the pair to beat and will be looking to carry on where they left off in 2012 as they go in search of the team’s 13th World crown and adding to Victory’s remarkable tally of 93 wins from 168 starts.

Al Zaffain and Al Marri have proved a powerful force since teaming-up at the end of 2011, winning eight times in 11 outings and qualifying in pole position five-times. This season Al Zaffain is chasing a sixth World title and Al Marri a fourth.

We continue to ask the question, "What is a Waterman"?

We continue to ask the question, "What is a Waterman"?

Take a look at a video by The Waterman League and Interviews with Gerry Lopez and Brian Keaulana about the concept of a waterman, past and present.

 

Source; The Waterman League

Harley Ingleby And Georgia Young Win Australian Longboard Surfing Open

KINGSCLIFF, NSW/Australia (Sunday, March 24, 2013) - A day of challenging conditions welcomed competitors to the final day of competition at the Australian Longboard Surfing Open in Kingscliff.

The men’s and women’s ASP LQS division finals had contrasting tales, with Georgia Young (AUS) and Harley Ingleby (AUS) coming away convincing winners.

Harley Ingleby © Luke Sorensen

Harley Ingleby (AUS), 2009 World Longboard Champion, got out to a strong start and never looked like relinquishing his lead throughout the final.

“It’s always so hard to beat Taylor (Jensen) in these kind of conditions,” Ingleby said. “I really just stayed focused and I’m so stoked to get the win. It’s been too long since I’ve won a contest and hopefully I can carry this momentum into the ASP World Longboard Championships in China later in the year.”

Ingleby will also take home another $1200 for taking out the Noserider division.

Taylor Jensen (USA), reigning two-time ASP World Longboard Champion was forced to play catch up throughout the final and in the end it cost him the chance to defend his event title.

“It was almost 15 minutes until I got a wave higher than a 1 or 2 and that makes it hard,” Jensen said. “That’s just how it goes sometimes and congrats to Harley (Ingleby), he surfed well all event.”

Taylor’s next big project is learning to become a dad with him and his partner Nava expecting a baby
in the next 4-5 weeks. We wish them all the best on this new adventure!

In the Cancer Institute ASP LQS women’s division Georgia Young (AUS) snatched victory from Crystal Dzigas (HAW) in the dying minutes of their final to take out her first Australian Longboard Open.

Georgia Young © Luke Sorenson

“I was getting so nervous as the heat went on but I finally found the wave I needed in pretty hard
conditions and I’m just so happy to win that one,” said Young.

Dzigas on the other hand was disappointed in letting victory get so close before being overtaken in the final minutes.

“I knew I was right in it with a chance, but then to lose it like that in the end is pretty hard. I blew it, but that’s surfing for you!” Dzigas said.

Stand Up World Tour - Abu Dhabi All Stars Invitational 2013

A selection of the world's best stand up paddlers have been invited to Abu Dhabi to take part in the All Stars Invitational, hosted by Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club, UAE SUP and Wadi Adventure. The event will be broadcast live on the 4th - 6th April at www.standupworldtour.com

Hawaiians Moore and Payne Crowned 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Champions

MARGARET RIVER, WA/Australia (Sunday, March 24, 2013) – Carissa Moore (HAW) and Dusty Payne (HAW) have both claimed victory at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in solid surf today. Both surfers fought through a stacked field of the world’s best to claim their respective wins and etch their names in the history books as winners at the world-class Surfers Point, Margaret River, WA, Australia.

Carissa Moore (HAW) winner of the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro, Tyler Wright runner-up and current

ASP World No. 1. PIC ASP/Robertson

Stop No. 2 of 8 on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro has seen Tyler Wright retain the ASP Women’s World No. 1 position after finishing runner-up to Moore. The rest of the surfers moved and shuffled around the rankings, with last year’s top 4 further stretching the gap between them and the rest.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is the first men’s ASP PRIME rated event for the 2013 season, offering maximum points towards 2014 ASP World Championship Tour qualification campaigns.

The final four surfers left standing in this event were all elite ASP World Championship Tour surfers, taking the lion’s share of all the points and prize-money on offer.

Winds Play Hide And Seek With International Rolex Regatta Fleet

The traditional March trade winds kicked up to 12 to 15 knots giving sailors great competition on this second day of racing in the 40th International Rolex Regatta (IRR).

The day's action took place on three stages. The one-design Melges 32 class started out in Great Bay where playing hide-and-seek with the wind caused the race committee to re-set marks further out in Pillsbury Sound. There was also a half-hour mid-day postponement in the IC-24 and Beach Cat classes as the wind ebbed and finally flowed in Jersey Bay. The spinnaker and non-spinnaker fleets had no trouble finding steady wind on courses set along the south coast of neighboring St. John.

The search for breeze and course resets didn't deter Grand Rapids, Michigan's Dalton DeVos from maintaining his lead in the Melges 32 class. In fact, DeVos and his crew aboard Delta stretched their frontrunner status to an incredible six points after seven races over second place Argo, sailed by New York's Jason Carroll. Meanwhile, the team aboard ngoni, which is sailing in their first Melges 32 regatta, is happy to maintain their mid-class position, says Ian Tillett, ngoni's pit man. "We had the boat and hadn't used it, so we decided to bring it across and race. I'll tell you we're enjoying it a lot. It's better than the cold weather back in the UK."

82. 1987 America's Cup - AC Discovered Video

This week we look back at the once fierce American and Australian America's Cup rivalry. We meet a man who just can't leave his fascination and love of the event behind, now Race Director of the 34th America's Cup, Australian Iain Murray. And we travel to London to the design rooms of Garrard's, the world's oldest jewellers, responsible for making the oldest trophy in sport.

 

Source; America's Cup Media

Swedish surprise in Heat 3 of UIM XCAT World Series

23 March 2013, Dubai – Westerlund Racing sprung the surprise of the season so far with an unexpected win in the third heat of the UIM XCAT World Series at DIMC this afternoon.

The Swedish pair of Joakim Kumlin and Daniel Svenson, who started in fourth position, powered their way to victory, covering the 13 laps on a rough course in a time of 43:06.84.

“This is definitely a surprise. It was not expected,” said a beaming Svenson after the race. “We had a good start. I think we were the second boat behind Fazza at the first turn. It was a little bit rough but we like it when it’s rough so these were really our conditions.

“When we started the race everything felt just fantastic and I kind of felt that this could end very well,” added the throttleman. “But Fazza is a very fast boat and they ran fantastically well at the start, but we somehow managed to stay in contact with them and so when they slowed down we passed them very quickly.”

America's Cup World Series Naples brings AC45 fleet back on the water

A fleet of nine crews is expected when the America's Cup World Series returns to the waters off Naples, Italy, April 16-21.

Entries have been received from series leader ORACLE TEAM USA, second-placed Luna Rossa, third-placed Artemis Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, J.P. Morgan BAR, Energy Team and China Team. A ninth crew is expected to be announced later this week.

Last year's AC World Series Naples drew crowds estimated at 500,000, who were there in part to catch the debut of Luna Rossa Challenge 2013. Chris Draper led his Luna Rossa Piranha crew to a thrilling win in the final fleet race. The victory kicked off celebrations among the tens of thousands of Italian America's Cup fans lining the Naples waterfront to catch a glimpse of their heroes.

For more on Naples please visit www.americascup.com

Foiling AC45 - America's Cup

A big step forward for Artemis Racing as we launched our foiling AC45 onto San Francisco Bay. This is the first step in our foiling training for our second AC72. The modifications from our one design AC45 to our now foiling AC45 took about a month to complete.

Adam May, our foiling expert at Artemis Racing was the project manager for this conversion. “We set up a little commando group of guys to get the 45 foiling. Things were kept simple to get foiling as quickly as possible, taking input from the ongoing work on boat 2, what we’ve seen in use by other teams, and a healthy dose of ‘just do it’ attitude. Our structural test day progressed quickly into controlled foiling flight, with the boat behaving really well and Nathan getting to grips with it in no time at all.”

 

The moral on the team is very positive and we are all excited to be getting back out on the water after all the hard work that has been happening inside the Artemis shed.

 

“Our shore and sailing teams have been working long days and nights to get us back on the water and foiling. To foil the new AC45 with complete control on our first outing gives our team great momentum. It’s going to be a very exciting summer!” explains helmsman, Nathan Outteridge.

 

 

Source; Artemis Racing Media

Finalists Decided in Big Waves at Drug Aware Margaret River Pro

A drama filled week of action at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro will come to a close at Surfers Point tomorrow with the Women's and Men's Finals taking place in perfect conditions.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is the first Men's ASP Prime rated event for the 2013 season, offering maximum points towards qualification for the 2014 ASP World Championship Tour (WCT). Finalists were decided today in big waves whipped up by onshore winds at Surfers Point.

The Men's Quarterfinals, to be held early tomorrow morning, will feature a mix of the top seeds following a week of upsets at Margaret River.

Aussie favourite Julian Wilson will contest the first Quarterfinal after today beating the interference curse that has plagued most of the top seeds.

Wilson had a shocking blunder at the start of his blockbuster Round of 16 match up against teenage sensation Kolohe Andino. Clearly dropping in on the Californian Andino, Wilson was hit with an interference penalty, losing half the value of his second scoring wave.

Ingleby Lays Down Challenge In Dominant Semifinal at Australian Longboard Surfing Open

KINGSCLIFF, NSW/Australia (Saturday, March 23, 2013) - 2009 ASP World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby (Emerald Beach, NSW) has sent an ominous warning to his rivals in a dominant display in his ASP LQS Semifinal bout in the Australian Longboard Surfing Open at Kingscliff.

2009 ASP World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby (Emerald Beach, NSW) advanced into the final of the Australian Longboard Surfing Open today. Photo Credit Luke Sorensen

While the conditions were very challenging today with 2 foot (1 meter) of east swell and moderate onshore winds the sand-bank was still doing its thing, with running right handers offering high scoring potential to those who could find the right waves.

That is exactly what Ingleby did, scoring the highest heat total (16.34 out of a possible 20) and the highest wave score (8.67 out of a possible 10) of the day to easily take the heat win over Justin Redman (AUS), Ray Lawrence (AUS) and Jackson Close (AUS) finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.

“I think it helped that I was just out there on my big 10 footer for the noserider heat and then getting back onto my normal board, it just felt so responsive,” said Ingleby.

And in a worrying sign for his rivals Ingleby feels like the best is yet to come. “I definitely feel like I am yet to peak in this event and I’m really looking forward to the final!”

XCAT World Series - Qatar turn the tables on Fazza in thrilling Speed Cat Run

- Al Nasr and Al Na’amah bounce back to take top podium spot -

22 March 2013, Dubai – The Qatar Team pair of Mohamed Al Nasr and Ali Al Na’amah will be hoping their lightning-quick performance in today’s Speed Cat Run is a sign of things to come when they return to the water for tomorrow’s third heat of the 2013 UIM XCAT World Series.

 

 

The Qatari duo managed to defeat two-time Speed Cat Run champions Fazza in the final to top the podium. It was particularly pleasing win for the pair considering they lost out to the same rivals in the final of the last Speed Cat Run in Dubai in January.

“Now all the boats are strong – Fazza, Spirit of Dubai, Gabon – they’re all strong. But I think we have a good set-up – the boat situation is very nice and we managed to win,” said Al Nasr after the final.

The Qatar Team, had in fact lost out to Fazza ‘s Mohammed Al Marri and Arif Al Zaffain by quite a margin in a previous run this afternoon but a successful repechage saw them working themselves back in to contention for the spoils – with Al Nasr and Al Na’amah seizing their second chance and producing a much better start which ultimately led to the win.

“The first time it went a bit wrong, but the second time the boat went very nicely at the start and we came first. Tomorrow I am hoping for flatter water. My boat is happy with flat. But I think it might be rough. We will see tomorrow,” added Al Nasr.

Fazza, meanwhile, had looked dominant throughout yesterday’s progression to the final, defeating Consul Brokers and series second-placers Mouawad on the way, but a slower start for the final showdown saw them missing out.

The Swedish Westerlund Racing team of Joakim Kumlin and Daniel Svenson finished in third spot after losing out to the Qatar Team in the semi-final run.

Action continues tomorrow with 12 boats lining up for the main race at the Dubai International Marine Club, starting at 3.30pm.

Source; XCAT World Series Media

Upsets and Insane Action at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Today

MARGARET RIVER, WA/Australia (Friday, March 22, 2013) - The field of 18 women has been reduced to just four and the men’s field of 96 is down to a mere 24 as things start to get serious in the surf in South West WA. The swell dropped at Surfer’s Point Margaret River today, but there was still plenty of punchy sections with surf in the 4-foot-range (1.5 meters). Event officials made the call to run the Women’s Quarterfinals, followed by the Men’s Round of 48, and non-elimination Round of 24.

2011 ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) through to the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro Semifinals. Pic ASP/Robertson

Stop No. 2 of 8 on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro has just four Semifinalists remaining, coincidentally the same four Semifinalists from the season opening event on the Gold Coast.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is also the first men’s ASP PRIME rated event for the 2013 season, offering maximum points towards 2014 ASP World Championship Tour qualification campaigns.

Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), reigning 5-time ASP Women’s World Champion today advanced into the Semifinals over former two-time Drug Aware Margaret River Pro champion and form surfer of this year’s event Courtney Conlogue (USA). Both Gilmore and Conlogue struggled in today’s conditions that were dramatically different from yesterday, but it was Gilmore who was able to find the right waves and link together multiple explosive turns to earn the biggest scores of the heat and advance.

“Courtney (Conlogue) is the hardest one to beat out here,” Gilmore said. “She’s won here before and she just charges in these waves. It was a blessing the conditions changed and I could kind of sneak around and pick the inside ones. I’ve already matched my result from the first event of the year, hopefully I can go one better and make the Final. With four events back-to-back it’s so important to be consistent.”

Jesse Kautz Powers to Victory in New Smyrna Beach

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL – Stand Up Paddleboard Racing and the weather both shined last weekend attracting more than 80 racers of all ages and abilities to beautiful New Smyrna Beach, Florida.  Racers competed in race two of the Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach Mayor’s River Fest in either a 5 mile long course or a fast 2 mile sprint, with courses taking racers through a protected lagoon, canal system and the Intracoastal Waterway.

Mike Tavares and Jesse Kautz dig deep at the start of the race.

Jesse Kautz put in every last shred of energy to claim the long course overall victory and the 14 foot division by just nudging out Mike Tavares and Andrew White in race two of the Paddleboard New Smyrna Mayor’s River Fest.  The women’s long course 12.6 race was equally impressive with Lisa Cool, Nessa Brunton and Jessica Cichra making it to the podium    

The short course proved to be both fast and exciting with top honors going to overall first place and 12.6’ division winner Jeffery Mueller, 14' division winner Sylvan Mc Elroy and rec division winner Glenn Jenkins.  Top women's short course finishers included overall Women's first place and 12’6 division winner Evey Hammon and rec division winner Naomi Gutnik. 

Mayor Adam Barringer after an impressive finish

A key supporter of the event and active participant in community activities, New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer took part in the short course race to the excitement of the crowd with an impressive finish. 

Click here for complete results.

Presented by Paddleboard New Smyrna Beach, the Mayor’s River Fest was made possible through its sponsors, YOLO Board, Paradise Power Sports and SoNapa Grille. 

Race three of the Paddleboard New Smyrna Mayor’s River Fest is scheduled for April 20, 2013, for more information go to their event page

America's Cup Emirates Team New Zealand - Dalton: ‘It’s time to get to San Francisco’

Two days ago Emirates Team New Zealand escaped near catastrophe when the team’s 130-foot tall wing sail clipped the side of a building during a launching exercise. Today team CEO Grant Dalton was breathing a heavy sigh of relief.

“It was windy the other day when we lifted,” Dalton says in a video from the Kiwi team. “We did a bit of damage, but Joey Allen says God’s a Kiwi and maybe he was looking after us because we could’ve gone out there and put it on its lid. It was a good lesson.”

Related story: Emirates Team New Zealand’s wing sail damaged

The team attempted to mount the wing on the AC72 platform in winds that reportedly were gusting into the 20s. The wing suffered damage that temporarily kept the team shoreside yesterday, but it was business as usual today.

“We’ve got the wing in now, normal, up already, and life goes on,” Dalton says. “We haven’t got very long now. We’ve done 50 lifts or so and we’ve got about 10 to go and we’re packing up. We’re almost at the end. Boredom’s coming, you can feel it today. It’s time to get to San Francisco.”

Women’s Quarterfinals, Then Men’s Round of 48 Called On Drug Aware Margaret River Pro

MARGARET RIVER, WA/Australia (Friday, March 22, 2013) - The swell has dropped at Surfer’s Point Margaret River, and is in the 4-foot-range (1.5 meters). Event officials have made the call to run the Women’s Quarterfinals, followed by the Round of 48, and possibly some heats of the Round of 24.

Stop No. 2 of 8 on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro will have just four Semifinalists by day’s end and we will know who the early front runner’s for the 2013 ASP Women’s World Title will be.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is also the first men’s ASP PRIME rated event for the 2013 season, offering maximum points towards 2014 ASP World Championship Tour qualification campaigns.

“The surf isn’t as big or clean as yesterday, but there’s still plenty of waves,” said ASP Australasia General Manager Dane Jordan. “The surf is still looking solid tomorrow, and good for Sunday, so our job today is to run as many heats as possible to give ourselves the best chance of finishing in good waves.”

Event info, photos, videos and more – www.margaretriverpro.com

UPCOMING WOMEN’S QUARTERFINAL MATCH-UPS:
QF 1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) vs. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
QF 2: Coco Ho (HAW) vs. Carissa Moore (HAW)
QF 3: Alana Blanchard (HAW) vs. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
QF 4: Tyler Wright (AUS) vs. Paige Hareb (NZL)

Over 1500 applicants for Onboard Reporter slots - Volvo Ocean Race

The search for Onboard Reporters for the Volvo Ocean Race has been given a resounding response, with over 1,500 applications received in under 10 weeks. Here, project manager Rick Deppe gives an update on the process - and shares some advice.

How is the Onboard Reporter search progressing?
We’ve been stunned by the response. We've had around 1,500 applications already and it’s an incredibly diverse set of people sending in their cvs.

The levels of skill and experience from many of the candidates are off the charts and and the whole process is proving to be a fantastic window on the passion people have for the Volvo Ocean Race and how much they want to be involved.

Man vs Gravity, One for the Ages - Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2013

85kph, aesthetic, gravity-defying freefall – cliff diving is the purest extreme sport on earth and has many centuries of tradition but has never been as youthful as it will be in 2013. The average age of 27.9 years is the youngest to date and it promises to be another year of rapid evolution of one of the most breathtaking of all sports. In its fifth season, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series will hit new waters and determine a new champion during eight challenging competitions across Europe, Asia and North and South America.

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2012 Azores - Orlando Duque

Between May and October ten of the world’s best cliff divers, from seven different countries, and up to four wildcard divers per stop will launch from 27 metres with no protection besides concentration, skill and physical control.

As the pinnacle of cliff diving competition, the 2013 World Series once again highlights the sport’s top athletes. After the most exciting season to date in 2012, in which the brilliant Brit, Gary Hunt, took a hat-trick of wins in the very last dive, beating comeback star Orlando Duque (COL) and American qualifier Steven LoBue, three rookies will spice up the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in its fifth season. Rising star and youngest athlete, Jonathan Paredes (23), from Mexico, claimed his spot impressively in his second qualification attempt after 2012 with the highest overall score, Anatoliy Shabotenko, the impressive Ukrainian, made a big impact as a wildcard in 2012, as did newcomer Matt Cowen from Leeds, England.

The field of ten set divers consists of the top five from 2012 and the top five from the qualification competition in Australia earlier this year, and come from seven different countries with an age-range of between 23 and 38 years. The permanent participants will be added to with up to four wildcard divers per event who will be awarded points which will count towards the overall rankings and will therefore have a say in the final results.

Swell Arrives, Performance Levels Rise at the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro

MARGARET RIVER, WA/Australia (Thursday, March 21, 2013) - After three long lay-days the highly anticipated swell arrived at Surfer’s Point Margaret River, and produced excellent surf in the 6-to-8-foot-range (2-2.5 meter) all day. The maxing swell was matched by a mammoth day of surfing with the Women’s Round 3, Round 4 and the Men’s Round 96 all completed with dozens of standout performances and exciting heats.

Taj Burrow (AUS) and Lincoln Taylor (AUS) getting tangled up and both surfers pay the price with a double interference. PIC ASP/Robertson.

Stop No. 2 of 8 on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the 2013 Drug Aware Margaret River Pro ran through two rounds of competition and culled the field that started with 18 surfers, to just eight Quarterfinalists.

The Drug Aware Margaret River Pro is also the first men’s ASP PRIME rated event for the 2013 season, offering maximum points towards 2014 ASP World Championship Tour qualification campaigns.