The Velux 5 Oceans, the world’s toughest single handed around-the-world sailing event has been won by Bernard Stamm aboard his Open 60, ‘Cheminées Poujoulat’. Stamm completed the Third Leg- 3200 nautical miles from Virginia, USA, to Bilbao, Spain- in 7 minutes under 12 days. The challenge began on the 22nd October, 2006. Six months later Bernard Stamm is the undisputed champion after almost 104 days at sea. The nearest overall rival is Kojiro Shiraishi, behind in total by 14 days. Swiss Sailor Stamm made his way straight to the Committee Boat to greet his family.

The 40th Stanford Antigua Sailing Week started on Sunday with fine winds. 204 boats in 16 divisions started. The Races were from Falmouth Harbour to Dickenson Bay. Division A, consisting on the racing fleet set off in a counter-clockwise direction on a course of 35.4 nautical miles around the Atlantic side of Antigua. Division B set off in the clockwise direction on the sheltered Caribbean side, and downwind. Many of the cruising classes were soon flying kites. The following are provisional results from the official site of Stanford Antigua Sailing Week for the first day’s racing.

It’s that time of the year again! The yachts are crowding in for the 40th Anniversary Antigua Sailing Week which starts on Sunday. As usual at this time of the year the first major party is the Mount Gay Red Hat Party. Mount Gay Rum have been sponsoring or associated with Regattas for “a third of a century”. The Red Hats are treasured items collected by sailors. Yachtsmen have been know to dive overboard rather than loose their caps. Many have collections going back over 20 years. Well, if you missed the party try e-Bay! We estimated a party of over a thousand, although with all that rum in the system we can’t be too sure. Here are some pictures. I will post photos and information on Antigua Sailing Week as the event progresses.

After four days where racing was postponed due to a lack of wind, the Louis Vuitton Cup started on Friday 20th April with Flights 1 and 2.

FLIGHT 1.
Racing started on time on the south course. BMW ORACLE Racing won against United Internet Team Germany, while Luna Rossa triumphed over China Team.The closest race on the south course was between Victory Challenge and Team Shosholoza. Paolo Cian at the helm of the South African boat won the start causing Victory Challenge to tack away. Victory was bounced out to the starboard layline by Shosholoza but the two boats remained neck and neck up the beat. Victory Challenge managed to round the top mark 16 seconds ahead of Shosholoza. Despite the South Africans remaining close the Swedish team were able to extend, particularly down the final run, to win by 46 seconds.

This week’s Volvo Sailing Podcast sees Guy Swindells on location in Valencia for all the latest America’s Cup action and among our many guests is BMW Oracle’s American Navigater Peter Isler.  We also talk to Emirates Team New Zealand and Mean Machine stalwart Ray Davies.  South Africa is also represented, with Shosholoza’s Ian Ainslie as is Italy, with the +39 Challenger’s Ian Walker.

The Volvo Sailing Podcast is produced once a week and you will find links to the podcast here every Friday. Visit the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 website for information such as the VO70 Rule, Boat Design, Notice of Race, Race Schedule and more: Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009. For this week’s Volvo Sailing Podcast: Listen Here.