The week that was...

A review of the last seven days on madforsailing.com

Wednesday

Not much had changed at the front of the Volvo Ocean Race fleet. However, one Grant Dalton had breathed a sigh of relief after passing the Lisa McDonald's all-women team on board Amer Sports Too. Unfortunately djuice's skipper Knut Frostad was not so fortunate, he was still some 50 miles down the track still 'eating the girls team's dust'. It settled into a drag race north west to the mark off Barbuda. illbruck's Jamie Gale gave his view from the race leader. Orange is racking up the miles in the Southern Ocean, while de Kersauson has announced his plans for the Jules Verne this season.

Skandia Life announced they are to extend their sponsorship of Cowes Week and it is all change at Cowes Combined Clubs. Gitana is the famous series of race yachts owned by the Rothschild family. We looked at the latest boat in this series.

It was disappointment for the Brits after day one of the Steinlager/Line 7 Match Racing in Auckland. Following on from his introduction to ice yachting Graham Nelson describes the action at the DN Ice Boat World Championships.

Thursday



Defi Areva, the French America's Cup team with the controversial nuclear sponsor, isn't in New Zealand yet, but they do have a new boat. Crewman Sebastien Destremau recounted what their first day of sailing her in 'big' breeze was like. At the same time Defi Areva skipper Luc Pillot was kicking butt in the Steinlager/Line 7 regatta.

In the Volvo Ocean Race the procession north west in the glorious Trade Wind conditions continued. While Orange was approaching the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope.

In Tampa, FL Richard Estaugh and Simon Potts was controlling the fleet at the Fireball Worlds. Brits were holding the top three places.

Friday



The team has Russell Coutts. For any gamblers this alone would be enough to put Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi campaign on the map as a serious contender for the America's Cup. John Greenland looked under the skin of the highly potent Swiss challenger.

In the Volvo Ocean Race illbruck was slowly clawing away from her two nearest rivals Team Tyco and ASSA ABLOY, but the weather may work against the frontrunners. Orange yesterday passed the Cape of Good Hope, but are no longer in the best weather situation.

With the Princess Sophia Trophy taking place next week training guru Jim Saltonstall gave his seasoned view on how to tackle racing in Palma.

Saturday

John Kostecki's illbruck Challenge was edging further ahead in the Volvo Ocean Race, but the main focus was behind in the battle for second place. Kevin Shoebridge's Team Tyco and Neal McDonald's ASSA ABLOY are again only spitting distance apart. Rick Tomlinson was in the air to capture the action as the front runners passed Barbuda.

Bruno Peyron and the team on board Orange had a hairy night on Friday night as they dipped deeper into the Southern Ocean. Steep confused seas made for a difficult night of sailing in 45 knots of breeze.

In Auckland the 'four' were chosen for the semis of the Steinlager/Line 7 match racing, but not Ian Walker or Andy Green. Yesterday the Fireball Worlds concluded with a new British champion.