Issue # 146

 Today's Sailing News 

Progress Reports
A. Discovery Route
B. Monnett/UUNEt
C. Team Adventure

Discovery Route- From Cadiz Spain it's 3885  mile to the  finish for the course  the Island of San  Salvador. This is the same route that Columbus took on his way to the new world. 

The current record was set by Polpharma-Warta when her name  was Jet Services V and sailed at a length of 74 feet. The time is  12 days 12 hours 30 minutes and 17 seconds.

Polpharma-Warta need not break this record to qualify for the race, but  she must sail  to within 25% of the record time or 15 days 15 hours 37' 51. A

As Polpharma passed Grand Canary Island they were ahead of record pace.  

Polpharma should have solid winds ahead and will make grand time.
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UUNET-   After 38 days 4 hours and 42 minutes French mariner Phillipe Monnet sailed his Open 60 UUNET around Cape Horn.

Since leaving France UUNET has averaged 8.40 knots.  Her lead over current record holder Mike Golding is 6 days.  

Monnet had benign conditions for his rounding of the Horn.  As stated he will continue to head South.  Current conditions in his area show mostly winds under 20 knots.  
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Team Adventure-  The construction of the teams maxi cat is underway in France.  In fact, the first half hull is complete.  Supervising the construction is project manager Peter Grubb who worked with Bill Koch's Americas Cup efforts.

A new addition to the team is Randy Smyth who will oversee the sail program.  Smyth is America's most successful multi hull sailor.  Brian Hancock will assist with the sail program and serve as Communications Director.  

(C)update: News of the Day

The relevant America's Cup news is that the teams have come to an agreement on the rules.  

In a compromise most penalties will still be able to be carried out at the teams discretion.  However, Team New Zealand managed to get a red flag provision where if a foul gains position for a team a red flag penalty will be issued and the 270° turn must be done immediately.

The other controversial provision was the inclusion of on board umpires/observers.  The boats will carry a person on board to serve this function.

With this settled Race 1 will be off Friday nite USA time.  Due to a high pressure race 1 looks to be  a lite air contest.  Forecasts show winds descending from 20 to 15 and then to 10 knots for Saturday.  Pre race thought suggests Prada has an edge in lite air.  However, if it's lite look for Team New Zealand's Code 0 gennaker to be used.