2001- a yachting odyssey pt3

James Boyd looks back at July to September and memorable events like the Jubilee regatta

The America's Cup Jubilee kicked off on 18 August. By way of a preview madfor sailing looked at Australia II's victory in 1983, the controversial tale of the Cup's first winner America,while Sian Cowen looked at the return to the UK of Britain's 1980 challenger Lionheartand met Don Wood, owner of the 12metre Italia, and Ed Gorman spoke to IACC yacht High Voltage owner John Caulcutt . Top French photographer Christian Fevrier shared some of his top images from the Cup.

The official proceedings started with HRH the Duke of Edinburgh greeting many America's Cup legends from Dennis Conner to Olin Stephens to Russell Coutts. The next day we were treated to one of the most spectacular sights in yachting as the three J Class yachts lined up. We published a photo gallery of the action, and correspondent Sam Davies' report from on board Shamrock. At the other end of the Solent to the east Peter Harrison's GBR Challenge were having their first taste of IAC racing. madfor sailing was with them aboard the older generation GBR41 with Andy Beadsworth and Derek Clark.

But the event everyone was waiting for was the the UBS Round the Island Race, the 150th anniversary of that first America's Cup. madfor sailing editor James Boyd took part on board Mr Robert Miller's 147ft all carbon ketch Mari Cha III.

As all this was going on out in the Atlantic the EDS Atlantic Challenge was drawing to a conclusion. Kingfisher had won the leg north to Boston. Meanwhile out in the Atlantic Fila was back in the frame and knocking up 400+ mile days. As the boats were a day away from the finish in St Malo Gartmore lost one of her rudders. Later Ecover took the lead and then Kingfisher, who ended up winning the race outright.

Unusually there has been a draw in the Wayfarer Worlds on 18 August. Hugh Styles and Adam May finished a respectable second overall in the Tornado European Championships on 26 August. Later the Red Bull Tide Ride offered crash and burn sailing for the most high performance classes and cash prizes. It was set up as a spectator event with on shore commentry and marks near the beach. madfor sailing asked is this the future of racing?

Over at the ORMA Grand Prix in Fecamps disaster struck Loick Peyron's new trimaran Fujifilm in race two when his mast came tumbling down. Designer Nigel Irens said it was not unexpected. (The same later happened to Giovanni Soldini's trimaran Fila). The racing was better for Ellen MacArthur and Alain Gautier on Foncia who eventually won. T

In early September the action was still focussed on the Solent in the build up to the start of the Volvo Ocean Race. madfor sailing gave our own round up of the form. We also spoke to Whitbread veteran Magnus Olsson who was part of Paul Cayard's EF crew four years ago, who had just announced he would be sailing on board Assa Abloy. madfor sailing was shown around this immaculate boat by its builder/crewman Jason Carrington.

But another offshore race was also in the offing - the Mini Transat. Ed Gorman spoke to top British contender Brian Thompson . Down at the start in La Rochelle madforsailing correspondent Sam Davies reported on her final preparations prior to setting off across the Atlantic on her 21ft flier. James Boyd looked at the race, the boats, the skippers and their form.

The grandeur of the Jubilee continued at the Rolex Maxi Cup at Porto Cervo where Ernesto Gismondi's Edimetra V conquered the final day to win the IMS divison. The whole event was photographed in breathtaking style by Carlo Borlenghi.

Elsewhere Cedric Pouligny won Melges 24 European Championships on Lake Garda, leaving Britain's Jamie Lea in fifth place overall. In north Wales, George Andreadis' Atalanti X skippered by Prada's Gavin Brady convincingly won the One Ton Cup ahead of David McLean's Babbalaas skippered by Ben Ainslie.

Back in the Solent Dawn Raid, with GBR Challenge's Ian Walker calling the shots, won the Farr 40 European Championships aboard Dawn Raid. This event was immediately followed by the Farr 40 Worlds where Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli crushed the competion with his America's Cup skipper Russell Coutts at his side.

Down the road in Weymouth Ian Williams dropped only one race when he secured the RYA National Match Racing Championships. He then went on to win the RYA Match Racing Open kicking the respective butts of GBR Challenge's Andy Green and Ian Main in the process.

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