Issue #

 Today's Sailing News 

Team Philips moves on

Team Philips under tow

Team Philips minus a 45 foot section of her port bow is now anchored safely in
St. Mary's Isles of Scilly. The Isles of Scilly are located in the North Atlantic to the west of the United Kingdom.

The damage incident occurred at dawn yesterday. 2nd in command Andy Hindley and Mike Calvin were nearing the end of the dawn watch sailing in at 16-17 knots.. As they began their first light deck checks, the forward part of the catamaran let lose with a rending screech. It was immediately apparent something serious was wrong. The other 4 crew emerged from the living pod and all immediately donned survival suits.

Team Philips was taken under tow. During the tow a 45 foot section of the port hull completely sheered off. It is now afloat in the North Atlantic. Team Philips' Andy Hindley is using a private aircraft to locate the hull so a salvage crew can be sent to retrieve it.

On shore the damage assessment and explanation begins. Skipper Pete Goss states, "We will start the methodical process of finding out what the problem is. Until we know this we can only make assumptions."

Designer Adrian Thompson said: "... the damage on the starboard hull gives a good indication of where the crack started. We believe both hulls failed in the same manner."  Thompson also stated, "Next time the boat has got to be bullet proof."

Next for Team Philips will be a tow back to the build facility in Totnes, UK. After pumping 70 tones of sea water out of the port float, Team Philips will be towed backwards. A suitable towing weather window could come as early as Friday.

The damage will mean that there will be no attempt at the Jules Verne Trophy for absolute sailing speed around the world. All efforts will be directed at readying Team Philips for The Race.

Team Philips is receiving great support and interest as evidenced by the 2.4 million hits their website received.

Sun Australia Cup

Fremantle West Australia has seen three days of intense world class match racing.  Day 3 saw the first round robin completed and the second begin.

The best results in the first round were posted by Bertrand Pace (FRA), Dean Barker (NZL) and Peter Gilmour (JAP) with 8 wins each.  In the first round Gilmour beat both Barker and Pace, while Pace also beat Barker.  

Round Robin 2 is now underway.  Bertrand Pace leads with 11 wins.  Gilmour is second with 10 points and a second straight win over Pace.  Barker is 3rd with 10.5 points.  The .5 is as a result of a match that finished in a dead heat.  Barkers opponent was Australia's James Spithill.

With the top 3 well established, there looks to be only one more semi final spot.  Currently battling for it are Peter Holmberg (USVI), Bjorn Hansen (SWE) and Gordon Lucas (AUS).  All have 7 wins and from 7 to 9 races left to grasp 4th.  

Tomorrow should see most of the second round completed and a better picture of the semi finalists given.