Project: WallyPower 60

The new WallyPower 60 represents the transition between the WallyPower 47 and the larger 70.4 which is the updated version of the 70 for 2007 . She fully exploits the WallyPower line concept to integrate design and function, and combines large interior volumes with high performance, sea keeping, and wide open air areas. On deck, the area forward the superstructure is slightly recessed allowing to safely enjoy this sunbathing and social area. The cockpit features the navigation and driving control station to starboard, while the deck galley is to port with gas burners, fridge, sink, and plenty of storage for cooking tools, china and glassware. The central social area features to starboard a 6-8 people dining table and to port a lounge with a coffee table that can be converted into a second large dining table. Aft is the sunbathing pad with cushions. The top of the glass superstructure can be lifted to increase the ventilation of the cockpit during navigation and at anchor. Three different interior layout options are available, that differ for number and type of cabins offered. All the cabins of the three versions have en-suites, with the main layout being a spacious 3 cabin offer. The propulsion system consists of two MTU diesel engines generating 2,500 Hp driving KaMeWa water-jets, and providing 43 knots of max speed with a range of 300 miles. The first 60 is built at WallyEurope facility in Fano, Italy and the delivery is scheduled for April 2008.

www.wally.com

New Model: Pershing 72

As advised in our boat show review, Croatia was the location chosen to host the unveiling for the new Pershing 72. On April 20 and 21, coinciding with the 9Th Croatia Boat Show, Pershing unveiled this revolutionary new Pershing 72 to dealers, customers and brand aficionados with a series of events including sea trials, meetings and an exclusive gala dinner. The star of the Sea Show, which was held in the private marina at Le Meridien Hotel in Lav, Split, was the new Pershing 72, a craft with an innovative exterior design and luxurious elegant “Poltrona Frau” interiors. The 72 takes the renowned Italian builder to a new design concept for the top sides, but also innovative solutions offering a fully opening main deck. Performance are usuall Pershing, which thanks to Arneson surface drives and twin MTU 1823hp power, can reach a top speed of 45 knots, and a cruising of 40 knots, which will give a range of 300 nautical miles.

Technical Data:

LOA - 22.26 m (73 ft)

Hull Length - 21.67 m

LWL - 16.65 m

Beam - 5.50 m

Draft - 1.45 m

Displacement - 51.4 tons loaded

Fuel Capacity - 4500 l

Water Capacity - 990 l

Max no of Persons - 16

Engines - 2 x MTU 12V 2000 M93 1823 HP

Propulsion - Arneson Surface Drives ASD 14L

Speed - max 45 knots (1/3 load), cruising 40 knots

Range - 300 nautical miles at cruising speed
Hull Shape - monohedron 20 degrees deep vee with sprayrails

Design - Fulvio De Simoni

Certification - CE A

www.pershing-yacht.com

32nd Americas Cup - Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 1 Week 1. Reschedule

Everyone present for the Challenger Selection of the 32ndd America's Cup, the Louis Vuitton Cup but Wind God Aeolus apparently had taken a week off from the Valencia Coast. 5 racing days where cancelled since Monday, with only one racing day out of six being held. Teams and fans alike are frustrated but this is also part of sailing, a sport which is made of humans, machines and most of all the power of mother nature, the wind. The only enough wind day was yesterday Friday, when a wind breeze of just over 8 knots from the East permitted racing. Opening the races was the South Juliet course with BMW Oracle USA98 versus Internet Team Germany GER89. North course Romeo followed with the most expected match race of the day, Mascalzone Latino Capitalia ITA99 against Emirates Team New Zealand NZL92. And what a show this was with ITA99 stealing the start and leading a race from start to finish but with NZL92 always on it's tails. ITA99, fifth in the challenger ranking won by only 15 seconds, in what was a really tight match and provided one of the first surprises for the beginning in Round Robin One.
Comments about Teams on Racing Schedule 1 Week 1:
BMW Oracle Racing - 2 Wins 2 easy win races with bottom table challengers, Dickson does a big sweep of both
Luna Rossa Challenge - 2 Wins easy versus China, convince with Victory who where only 3 places behind in ranking
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - 2 Wins confirms ACT.13 by beating top team NZ, do a sweep of Areva in 2Nd match. A crescendo
Desafio Espanol 2007 - 1 Win only 1 race against +39 but dominate from start to finish
Emirates Team New Zealand - 1 defeat tight match with Mascalzone which looses, still a force! but are they top team?
Victory Challenge - 1 win 1 defeat convince with Shosholoza, worry a bit LR in 1st upwind leg but after get left behind
Team Shosholoza - 1 defeat 1 win loose a close match with Victory and win against Germany, they improved but not enough
Areva Challenge - 1 win 1 defeat beat +39, they look better then the Act's ranking chart
+39 Challenge - 2 defeats 2 defeats, with Areva I hoped for more, may be they still suffer the mast
United Internet Team Germany - 2 defeats pen-ultimate in rankings and it shows, although they show signs of improving
China Team - 2 defeats they are last since the Act's started since 2004
Round Robin 1 - Chart Table after Flight 2

www.americascup.com

Boat Review: Bruno Abbate Primatist G46 Aerotop Pininfarina

Presentation

Presented last Summer during the Bruno Abbate Summer event The Primatist trophy, the new G46 is the offer for the mid size market from this famous builder coming out of Lake Como, Italy. After the G70 Aerotop Pininfarina, the Turin design house continues the work with the new high end G Aerotop line for Bruno Abbate. With the G46, Pininfarina continues the trend shown on the larger sister, reinterpreting the idea for a 46 feet sports cruiser with hardtop in an elegant and streamline design, calling speed and performance with class.

Accommodation

This has to be one of the best offers in a fourteen metre sports cruiser for what is interior accommodation. She offers comfortable accommodation for six in three separate cabins, in what has to be one of the most smart, intelligent and alternative layouts in the hard top sports cruiser category today. The layout is spacious and intelligent, featuring a full beam mid ship master cabin complete with en-suite head, a VIP guest cabin forward and a very intelligent third cabin with 2 bunk beds. This wise third cabin if desired can be converted to a part of the saloon, thanks to a large sliding door and convertible settee adjustment. Calling it genius is the least you can do here. Galley which is the weak point of the G46 is located outside in the cockpit and is of adequate dimensions.

Performance

The hull of the G 46 is a variable geometry deep V-hull with a 50 degrees angle forward and closing at 22 degrees aft. Top speed as declared by the manufacture is 36 knots with the 2 x 435hp Volvo IPS600 at 3500 rpm. Cruising is 31 knots at 3200 rpm and economical cruising is 26 knots at 3000 rpm. Range is over 9 hours with economical cruising speed. She is also one of the few boat's today to have been fully constructed and projected around the IPS system. While many boats are using this efficient propulsion system, there are very few hulls projected around this concept.

Positive

Interior layout

3rd cabin transform feature

Negative
Galley only on main deck

Competition

Many offers in the 13-14 metres hardtop sports cruisers. If you include all hardtop coupe models available you will have a list of about 20 marques, seeing the growing trend and demand for this type of craft in this size. Start adding the plus of the G46, 3 cabins and IPS drive system and the list is reduced for 2 other boats only, and surprising both from Italy and from the Lake Como area as Bruno Abbate. Talk about liking the hard top design, innovative propulsion system and plenty of berths inside.

The Airon Marine 4300 T-Top and Blu Martin 1390 Seatop are as close the competition can get with the G46. Both these models are available with the Volvo IPS, but can also be fitted in alternative with stern drives or shaft driven propulsion, unlike the G46 which is only offered with Volvo's Inboard Propulsion System. They also have the option of a two or a three cabin interior layout, but this in the G46 is standard thanks to a very smart third cabin.

Conclusion

Bruno Abbate Primatist G 46 Aerotop Pininfarina is a step ahead of the competition. She is one of the few fourteen metres hard top sports cruiser in the market featuring 3 cabins without giving up a full beam owners cabin. Then it features the innovative power from the IPS System by Volvo, which saves you about 40% in fuel bills, compared to a conventional shaft driven system. How about saving the environment and your pockets. The G46 also rewrites the way of planning boats for a 13/14 metre dimension and has made good mind of Volvo's highly praised system to the better use of more interior space. In fact to find a real competitor for the G 46 one has to look at bigger boats of over fifteen metres in length.

Technical Data

L.O.A. 14.10 metres (46.2 ft)

Waterline Length. 11.03 metres

Beam. 4.50 metres

Draft. 1.16 metres (including propellers)

Displacement. 14000 kg

Cabin Height. 2.00 metres

Fuel Capacity. 1200 litres

Water Capacity. 450 litres.

Berths. 6 + 2

Maximum Number of Passengers. 12

Engines - Volvo Penta 2 x IPS600 435hp

Propulsion - Volvo IPS Pod Drive

Speed - 36 knots max with IPS600

Hull Shape - deep Vee with with 50 degrees entry and 22 degrees closing deadrise aft

Design. Pininfarina

Category. CE B RINA Approved.

www.primatist.it

Picture Copyright Bruno Abbate. Data Bruno Abbate.

32nd Americas Cup - Challengers Declare Racing Yacht for Round Robin 1

In a press conference this afternoon in Valencia, the 11 challenger's declared the racing yacht's they will use in Round Robin 1, starting next Monday. The team's with 2 racing yacht's i.e Oracle, Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa, Desafio Espanol and Mascalzone Latino, all declared there latest Version five construction. That means maiden official racing for USA98 and NZL92. Luna Rossa, Desafio Espanol and Mascalzione Latino all confirmed there latest racing boat's that where also used for ACT 13.
Challenger's boat's for Round Robin 1:
BMW Oracle Racing - USA 98
Luna Rossa Challenge - ITA 94
Emirates Team New Zealand - NZL 92
Desafío Español 2007 - ESP 97
Victory Challenge - SWE 96
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - ITA 99
+39 Challenge - ITA 85
Team Shosholoza - RSA 83
Areva Challenge - FRA 93
United Internet Team Germany - GER 89
China Team - CHN 95
Note: Challenger's are permitted to change racing yacht, but each change will cost the relevant team a victory match point which is 2 points
Tonight 2130 Boat Parade
The official opening ceremony for the 32nd America's Cup tonight at 2130 CET.

www.americascup.com

32nd Americas Cup - Louis Vuitton Round Robin Schedule

Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin One
Monday 16th April
Flight→ Flight 1 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Emirates Team New Zealand
2 +39 Challenge - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Desafío Español 2007
4 United Internet Team Germany - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 Team Shosholoza - Victory Challenge
6 China Team - Luna Rossa Challenge
Flight→ Flight 2 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Desafío Español 2007 - +39 Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Emirates Team New Zealand
4 United Internet Team Germany - Team Shosholoza
5 China Team - BMW ORACLE Racing
6 Victory Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
Tuesday 17th April
Flight→ Flight 3 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
2 Victory Challenge - China Team
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Team Shosholoza
Bye Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
4 Areva Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
5 Emirates Team New Zealand - +39 Challenge
6
Flight→ Flight 4 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - China Team
2 Team Shosholoza - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 Victory Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
Bye +39 Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
5 Desafío Español 2007 - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6
Wednesday 18th April
Flight→ Flight 5 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - Team Shosholoza
2 Emirates Team New Zealand - Desafío Español 2007
3 Bye Areva Challenge
4 Victory Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
6 +39 Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
Flight→ Flight 6 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - Desafío Español 2007
2 Team Shosholoza - Emirates Team New Zealand
3 Bye BMW ORACLE Racing
4 Areva Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 United Internet Team Germany - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6 +39 Challenge - Victory Challenge
Thursday 19th April
Flight→ Flight 7 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - Areva Challenge
2 Luna Rossa Challenge - +39 Challenge
3 Bye Victory Challenge
4 United Internet Team Germany - Emirates Team New Zealand
5 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - China Team
6 Desafío Español 2007 - Team Shosholoza
Flight→ Flight 8 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Victory Challenge - Areva Challenge
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - +39 Challenge
3 Bye Luna Rossa Challenge
4 Desafío Español 2007 - United Internet Team Germany
5 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Team Shosholoza
6 China Team - Emirates Team New Zealand
Saturday 21st April
Flight→ Flight 9 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Desafío Español 2007 - Victory Challenge
3 Emirates Team New Zealand - Luna Rossa Challenge
Bye United Internet Team Germany
4 Team Shosholoza - +39 Challenge
5 Areva Challenge - China Team
6
Flight→ Flight 10 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Emirates Team New Zealand - Victory Challenge
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Desafío Español 2007
Bye Team Shosholoza
4 +39 Challenge - China Team
5 Areva Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
6
Sunday 22nd April
Flight→ Flight 11 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 +39 Challenge - United Internet Team Germany
2 Team Shosholoza - Areva Challenge
3 Bye China Team
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Victory Challenge
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
 6 Emirates Team New Zealand - BMW ORACLE Racing
Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin 2
Wednesday 25th April
Flight→ Flight 1 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 BMW ORACLE Racing - United Internet Team Germany
2 Victory Challenge - Team Shosholoza
3 Luna Rossa Challenge - China Team
Bye Desafío Español 2007
4 Emirates Team New Zealand - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
5 Areva Challenge - +39 Challenge
6
Thursday 26th April
Flight→ Flight 2 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Team Shosholoza - United Internet Team Germany
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - China Team
3 Luna Rossa Challenge - Victory Challenge
Bye Emirates Team New Zealand
4 +39 Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
5 Areva Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
6
Friday 27th April
Flight→ Flight 3 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Desafío Español 2007 - Areva Challenge
2 +39 Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
3 Bye Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
4 United Internet Team Germany - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 China Team - Victory Challenge
6 Team Shosholoza - BMW ORACLE Racing
Saturday 28th April
Flight→ Flight 4 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Emirates Team New Zealand - Areva Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Desafío Español 2007
3 Bye +39 Challenge
4 China Team - United Internet Team Germany
5 Luna Rossa Challenge - Team Shosholoza
6 BMW ORACLE Racing - Victory Challenge
Sunday 29th April
Flight→ Flight 5 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - Victory Challenge
2 BMW ORACLE Racing - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - +39 Challenge
Bye Areva Challenge
4 Team Shosholoza - China Team
5 Desafío Español 2007 - Emirates Team New Zealand
6
Tuesday 1st May
Flight→ Flight 6 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Luna Rossa Challenge - Areva Challenge
2 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - United Internet Team Germany
3 Victory Challenge - +39 Challenge
Bye BMW ORACLE Racing
4 Desafío Español 2007 - China Team
5 Emirates Team New Zealand - Team Shosholoza
6
Wednesday 2nd May
Flight→ Flight 7 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Emirates Team New Zealand - United Internet Team Germany
2 China Team - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
3 Team Shosholoza - Desafío Español 2007
Bye Victory Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 +39 Challenge - Luna Rossa Challenge
6
Thursday 3rd May
Flight→ Flight 8 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 United Internet Team Germany - Desafío Español 2007
2 Team Shosholoza - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
3 Emirates Team New Zealand - China Team
Bye Luna Rossa Challenge
4 Areva Challenge - Victory Challenge
5 +39 Challenge - BMW ORACLE Racing
6
Friday 4th May
Flight→ Flight 9 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 +39 Challenge - Team Shosholoza
2 China Team - Areva Challenge
3 Bye United Internet Team Germany
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - BMW ORACLE Racing
5 Victory Challenge - Desafío Español 2007
6 Luna Rossa Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
Saturday 5th May
Flight→ Flight 10 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 China Team - +39 Challenge
2 United Internet Team Germany - Areva Challenge
3 Bye Team Shosholoza
4 Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - Luna Rossa Challenge
5 Victory Challenge - Emirates Team New Zealand
6 Desafío Español 2007 - BMW ORACLE Racing
Sunday 6th May
Flight→ Flight 11 Match↓ Blue (Port Entry) Yellow (Starboard Entry)
1 Victory Challenge - Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team
2 Desafío Español 2007 - Luna Rossa Challenge
3 BMW ORACLE Racing - Emirates Team New Zealand
Bye China Team
4 United Internet Team Germany - +39 Challenge
5 Areva Challenge - Team Shosholoza
Disclaimer: above racing schedule is subject to change and racing may be postponed or re scheduled as the Americas Cup jury seems fit.

www.americascup.com

32nd America's Cup - Final Act 13

The Final Act 13 which was a fleet race, was concluded last Saturday. Seven races where scheduled in what was an unpredictable weather week in Valencia.

Alinghi demonstrated it's full defender status by winning four of the seven races held. The remaining races where won by 3 different challenger's. Challenger of records BMW Oracle won the 1st race, when the last downwind leg proved to be a real challenge to the competitors, with unpredictable wind patterns and turning to be an upwind leg in the final stages. Before that +39 held the command of the race from the begining. Emirates Team New Zealand won race 5 in a very exciting head to head finish with Luna Rossa Challenge from Italy. Home team Desafio Espanol won race 6 in a dominant race from start to finish, managing to control second placed the Defender Alinghi. Other important results came from Team Shosholoza which managed to win an extra bonus point at the expense of French Team Areva Challenge while Italian team Mascalzone Latino claimed 3rd Spot and became top Italian challenger in this Act, ahead of highly rated challenger Luna Rossa which came in 4th place. Negative notes for +39 challenge which suffered a dismasting by Team Internet Germany during the 3rd Race. The challenger did not race after that, but was still awarded the 2 bonus points as Team Internet Germany was found guilty of the accident. Team Internet Germany was ordered to pay for the damage occurred to the Italian team.
Valencia Louis Vuitton Act. 13
1. Alinghi - SUI91. Points: 78
2. Emirates Team New Zealand - NZL84. Points: 64
3. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team - ITA99. Points: 63
4. Luna Rossa Challenge - ITA94. Points: 60
5. BMW Oracle Racing - USA87. Points: 57
6. Desafio Espanol 2007 - ESP97. Points: 55
7. Team Shosholoza - RSA83. Points: 43
8. Victory Challenge - SWE96. Points: 35
9. Areva Challenge - FRA93. Points: 31
10. United Internet Team Germany - GER89. Points: 29
11. +39 Challenge - ITA85. Points: 17 (*awarded redress)
12. China Team - CHN95. Points: 15
Louis Vuitton Challengers Ranking
1. Emirates Team New Zealand. Points: 158. Bonus: 4
2. BMW Oracle Racing. Points: 147. Bonus: 3
3. Luna Rossa Challenge. Points: 143. Bonus: 3
4. Desafio Espanol 2007. Points: 106. Bonus: 3
5. Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team. Points: 103. Bonus: 2
6. Victory Challenge. Points: 83. Bonus: 2
7. Team Shosholoza. Points: 73. Bonus: 2
8. Areva Challenge. Points: 72. Bonus: 1
9. +39 Challenge. Points: 66. Bonus: 2 (*awarded redress)
10. United Internet Team Germany. Points: 42. Bonus: 1
11. China Team. Points: 18. Bonus:1

www.americascup.com

Projects: WallyPower 85 M, WallyPower 85 M Tradition

Two new Super Yachts projects came out from the drawing board of Wally, the department dedicated to the design and styling based on proven concepts of the renowned status symbol Italian firm. The new 85M projects will offer two different versions, both of which reflecting features which are unique and marked characteristics of the yachts developed by Wally like the vertical bow increasing performance with comfort in all sea conditions, higher hulls offering more protection, and increased interior volumes which combined with the lower superstructures provide for a sleeker profile. The new proportion hull deckhouse, results in a sheer line that is an unquestionable mark of style and elegance. The barycentre has been moved lower, increasing stability. The unique shape of the hull provides for wider decks than those usually found in the yachts of similar size, whilst keeping the same beam at the water line and therefore the same performance. Once again, design works alongside function. Transparency and view are the key points of the superstructure design with large glass windows that flood the interiors with natural light, and generate plays of light and perspective angles to fully enjoy the outside view while seated, standing up or laying down. Wally’s R&D includes the hiding of the antennas, SatComs and all the other devices of radio-communications that are aesthetically unpleasing. One cabin is dedicated to these systems facilitating the maintenance and limiting the possibility of damage during navigation. The 118 Wally Power has fully demonstrated how aesthetics and style benefit from this solution. The 85m WallyPower comes in two different versions: standard 85M, and the 85M Tradition for those who like a more conservative design and styling.

www.wally.com

32nd America's Cup - Valencia Spain

Today is the start of the 32nd Americas Cup with the unveiling ceremony for all 11 Challengers and the Defender team. The racing will begin the coming Tuesday with the final ACT no.13, which is a fleet race. These ACT's where held since September 2004 starting in Marseille ACT1, with a tour which continued in Valencia, Malmo, Trapani and retuned to Valencia again from ACT 10, May 2006 till the closing ACT which will start Tuesday. These ACT apart from being a promotional tour for the oldest ever competition give bonus points to the challengers for the final phase, the Luis Vuitton Cup which starts Monday, 16th April.
Declared boat's from Defender and Challengers:
Alinghi - SUI 100, SUI 91
BMW ORACLE Racing - USA 98, USA 87
Luna Rossa Challenge - ITA 94, ITA 86
Emirates Team New Zealand - NZL 92, NZL 84
Desafío Español 2007 - ESP 97, ESP 88
Victory Challenge - SWE 96, SWE 73
Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team - ITA 99, ITA 90
+39 Challenge - ITA 85
Team Shosholoza - RSA 83
Areva Challenge - FRA 93
United Internet Team Germany - GER 89
China Team - CHN 95
Racing Calendar: Valencia Luis Vuitton ACT 13
3 to 7 April 2007 Fleet races involving all 12 teams
Luis Vuitton Cup
Round Robins 16 April - 7 May 2007.
11 Teams battle for the four semi-final places.
Semi Final 14 - 25 May.
Final 1 - 12 June. Winner wins Luis Vuitton Cup and will face Defender in Americas Cup Final.
32nd America's Cup by Luis Vuitton
23 June - 7 July 2007. Defender vs Challenger.
Best of 9, first to five match races.
The 12 Teams
Defender
Alinghi, Societe Nautique De Geneve - Switzerland
Challenger of Records
BMW Oracle Racing, Golden Gate Yacht Club - USA
Challengers
+39 Challenge, Circolo Vela Gargnano - Italy

Team Shosholoza, Royal Cape Yacht Club - South Africa
Emirates Team New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - New Zealand
Luna Rossa Challenge, Yacht Club Italiano - Italy

Areva Challenge, Cercle de la Voile de Paris - France

Victory Challenge, Gamla Stans Yacht Sallskap - Sweeden
Desafio Espanol 2007, Real Federación Española de Vela - Spain
Mascalzone Latino Capitalia Team, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia - Italy
United Internet Team Germany, Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club - Germany
China Team, Qingdao International Yacht Club - China

www.americascup.com

Monthly News - March 2007

- Picture of the Month - Ferretti Group Convergence 

Bertram Yachts selected as Manufacturer of the year for 2006 by SFMA

Leading Miami-based manufacturer of sport-fishing yachts for over 45 years, Bertram Yacht, has been selected by the South Florida Manufacturers Association (SFMA) as the 2006 Manufacturer of the Year.  The prestigious award was presented to Bertram at the 28th Annual SFMA Recognition of Excellence Banquet, attended by over 300 leading South Florida manufacturers & local media. The Manufacturer of the Year is selected from the 160 member companies of the SFMA. The selection was made by a 13 member selection committee who visited Bertram along with other candidates and selected Bertram based on the following criteria: 1) Company growth, 2) Commitment to employees, 3) Commitment to Quality, 4) Commitment to Community, 5) Continuous Improvements in Manufacturing and 6) Product Innovations.  The committee particularly noted Bertram’s tripling of revenues and doubling of it’s workforce since 2003, continuing improvements in quality, overall plant improvements in the facility via 5S programs and significant employee training programs.  The SFMA also recognizes Bertram’s employees for their accomplishments in 2006, as Jonathan Gutierrez, Lamination Supervisor, was chosen as an SFMA Employee of the Year Finalist in the Production category.


Grand Banks Recognized Industry Excellence by Malaysian Trade Authority

Winning the 2006 Export Excellence Award for ongoing contributions to export economy, Grand Banks Yachts received the Award yesterday, recognized by the Ministry of International Trade & Industry in Malaysia for its ongoing success and performance in export sales.  The award was presented in Kuala Lumpur by Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, part of the 2006 Industry Excellence Awards honouring Malaysian manufacturers and exporters for their business excellence and quality achievement. Grand Banks is proud of the important contribution this factory has made to export excellence, and to the overall boating industry. With more than 120,000 square feet of floor space on over 20 acres of land, it is the largest of Grand Banks' two factories - and where every Grand Banks yacht begins production. Even boats that complete assembly at Grand Banks Singapore start construction in Malaysia, where all hulls, deckhouses and large components are manufactured under the highest standards of quality control. The Malaysia factory is also home to many of the boat building industry's top experts in design, engineering, production and quality assurance. Together, along with nearly one thousand employees, they create boats that will last for generations - and play a vital role in the worldwide success and lasting reputation of Grand Banks Yachts.


Vision Yachts Horizon Group reporting full capacity for 2007

In the first quarter of 2007, Vision Yachts, a member of the Horizon Group dedicated to building Horizon and Vision series yachts from 50' - 70', has broken its production record since its establishment in 2001. Six years of continuous effort have resulted in a growing facility and accumulated customer orders. In the third month after moving to the current new facility, President, Austin Lin, proudly announced during the 6th anniversary party that Vision has reached full productivity for 2007, and will soon begin to tackle 2008. Over 200 guests joined to celebrate Vision Yachts’ 6th Anniversary and Grand Opening Party for the new facility. The party ended with an amazing and acrobatic lion dance as a traditional symbol to bring lasting luck and fortune to Vision Yachts.

Sunseeker agrees expansion plans at Osprey Quay, Portland UK

Sunseeker International Limited has agreed outline terms with US-based Luhrs Marine for the purchase of its Legend Yacht manufacturing facilities at Osprey Quay, Portland on the UK’s South Coast. The site will be acquired to accommodate Sunseeker International’s planned expansion with a licence to use the facilities immediately, and production starting as soon as the purchase is complete. With demand for Sunseeker motor yachts growing year on year, specifically for the larger models, the need for more waterside production space has been an important issue for Sunseeker. With further investments being made at the company’s shipyard headquarters in Poole these new facilities will allow Sunseeker to meet future demand. Sunseeker is expecting production to be underway in May this year and is planning to employ up to 500 skilled staff at the 11.5 acre site over the next four years. Luhrs Marine will be remaining in the UK with a European headquarters for sales and customer service.

Ferretti Group Convergence Fourth edition

After the success of the previous three editions, Convergence, the theoretical and practical training programme for captains for all Ferretti Group boats up to 24 metres, entered its fourth edition.  The master programme, which took place in Naples, saw over 100 captains from all over the world taking part. The programme included meetings and discussion sessions in the classroom aimed at in-depth examination of the principles and issues regarding the everyday handling of motoryachts by way of workshops, technical lectures by experts of on-board components and systems, and practical manoeuvres. Among the various activities the captains took part in, there was one where they had to design an ideal helm station; a team of judges, led by Andrea Frabetti, head of Advanced Yacht Technology department, and who also coordinated all the technical events over the three-day programme, chose the best project.The whole event was, as usual, the stage of a worthwhile exchange of ideas and discussion between the participants, all captains who were given the chance to meet together, discuss their experiences and examine the many complex aspects bound to the everyday handling of luxury motoryachts.