All the weeks News, Features and Results

A busy week despite the onset of winter in the UK and the approach of Christmas

As things go into winter shut down here in Britain the summer season is cranking up in Sydney with Christmas and more importantly, the Sydney-Hobart just days away and madforsailing will be there to bring you all the action.

The Canon Big Boat series was on in Sydney Harbour and photo journalist Peter Bentley was there camera in hand to bring us his report in pictures. Back in UK, there was a huge turn out for the funeral of Sir Peter Blake near Emsworth. Half of New Zealand (it seemed) including numerous AC and former Whitbread crew, along with NZ premier Helen Clark were at the service.

On Sunday we featured marine photographer Richard Langdon who spent the last few months working closely with Jez Fanstone's Team News Corp and has built up a superb library of photos of the team, including their Atlantic crossing this summer.

In the Atlantic Alex Bennett had to abandon his Open 50 yesterday when in building conditions both the rams used to cant her keel failed.

Monday James Boyd spoke to Mark Turner, Ellen's Project Director and business partner about their plans for the future and whether or not Ellen is going to get her own trimaran.

Over the weekend Iain Murray steered Bumblebee V to victory in the British Trophy in Sydney, while the IRC division was won by Stephen Ainsworth's Swan 48 Loki.

In the 18ft Skiff championship going on nearby, John Harris on Rag & Famish Hotel took first prize.

Tuesday and the America's Cup challengers have now settled into their respective bases in Auckland's Viaduct Basin reopening old wounds - the backstabbing has begun. Stuart Alexander reported on the warring factions.

In Sydney the International Dinghy Regatta concluded with Paul Goodison winning the Lasers and Josie Gibson and Saskia Clark second in the women's 470. Following a win in the Raja Muda series in Malaysia Neil Pryde has now won the King's Cup in Phuket.

Wednesday we covered the 'turboed' Open 60 Grundig Xena, which is one of the potential candidates for line honours in next week's Sydney-Hobart race. Her owner, former Star and Skiff sailor Sean Langman spoke to James Boyd about how a chainsaw has helped him get the best from the boat and of his plans for a 75ft ocean going skiff.

Down in Sydney Tony Buckingham's Farr 40 Bit of A Coup won the last race in the New South Wales Farr 40 Championship, but this was not enough to bump the British team far up the leader board. See also the latest update for Key West.

Thursday James Boyd looked at why the Sydney-Hobart has fallen into decline and who the main contenders are this year with only 76 boats are taking part including the eight Volvo Ocean Race boats who will make a 3.5 hour pitstop in Hobart, before continuing on to Auckland.

Sian Cowen put together a last minute Christmas gift list if you are still wondering what to get the love of your life - or even your crew.
On Friday Ed Gorman had a look at the usual political wranglings that herald the America's Cup.

The latest worries for Peter Harrison's GBR Challenge team is over a possible infringement of the America's Cup Protocol due to the purchase of their two Japanese training boats and the employment of two of the Nippon's designers - Ed Gorman investigated.
Also check out the interview with Jo Richards where he describes the GBR Challenge design process for the new boat which was issued sail number GRR-70 this week.

Stu Bannatyne, watch leader on illbruck, winner of the first two legs in the Volvo Ocean Race, shared with us his experience of blasting through the Southern Ocean and reveals the secrets to the success of John Kostecki's seemingly invincible team. And the Volvo skippers give their views on the next leg.

Gerald New reported on a radical new carbon fibre construction technique that is being tried out on a Merlin Rocket.

American cable company Outdoor Life Network announced they will show nearly 500 hours of live television during the challenger elimination series for the America's Cup, known as the Louis Vuitton Cup.

UK racing results were thin on the ground but the Finns were still out there at Warsash and remember that the big Winter Classic events are just around the corner. The Grafham Grand Prix, first stop on the new Typhoon Winter Classic circuit in association with madfor sailing is on the 30 December and is followed by the Bloody Mary at Queen Mary SC on the 5 January.

Remember that madfor sailing will be in action right through the Christmas period to bring you the latest sailing news, so log in and have a Merry Christmas.