Racing NewsMascalzone Latino-Capitalia Wins Farr 40 European ChampionshipThe final day of the Rolex Farr 40 European Championship, taking place in Menorca, Spain, closed with two demanding races in light and shifting conditions that afforded plenty of opportunities for big gains and just as many chances to slip up. Adrian Stead, mainsail trimmer for regatta champions Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia, opined that the last day was the hardest of the four. “Very tricky conditions,” he said, “Quite patchy, and even when you thought you were in front of the opposition they came right back at you…There were plenty of snakes and ladders out there.”Mascalzone’s overall success overshadowed an excellent closing performance by Game On, which scored two emphatic bullets. Despite its victories, however, Game On finished seventh in the regatta. TWT finished second, Enfant Terrible third, and Alinghi fourth.For more information about the Rolex Farr 40 European Championship 2006 including results please visit www.farr40.net .Victory Challenge Takes Home Jeep Trophy By prevailing in a final match race series with Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia, Victory Challenge won the Jeep Challenge in Porto Cervo, Italy on July 15.Also competing in the event, sailed in Mumm 30s, were two other America’s Cup syndicates, Spain’s Desafio Espanol and Germany’s United Internet Team Germany, both of which lost in the semifinals.Victory Challenge helmsman Mattias Rahm was effusive in his praise for the racing and the venue. “We knew from the start that [Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia helmsman] Vascotto would be a difficult adversary and we really gave it our all to get by him,” said Rahm. “I hope we can return next year to defend the title because Sardinia is the most beautiful place I’ve ever sailed.”For more information about the Jeep Challenge, click here . U.S. Laser Radial Youth World Team Headed to The Big TimeUS Sailing and Vanguard are sending a team of top youth sailors to represent the United States at the 2006 Laser Radial World Championship in Los Angeles, California July 23 – August 12. Hosted by the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, just outside Los Angeles, the Laser Radial World Championship consists of three world championships, Men, Women, and Youth. The Youth Championship begins August 5. The five sailors who make up the U.S. Laser Radial Youth World Team are Cam Cullman, Randy Hartranft, Tedd Himler, Kyle Rogachenko, and Jerry Tullo. For more information about the event, click here . Industry News Barton Marine Opens U.S. Facility British equipment accessories manufacturer Barton Marine, taking aim at a bigger share of the U.S. market, has opened a warehouse and distribution center in Guilford, Connecticut. With an inventory covering a wide range of sail hardware and general boat accessory products, the new facility will speed delivery and enhance customer service for Barton’s growing U.S. wholesale and retail customer base. For more information about Barton Marine products, visit www.bartonmarine.com . Swan 131 Will Debut in Monaco Nautor will present its largest ever Swan, the 131 model, at the Monaco Yacht Show in Port Hercules, Monaco on September 20. At 40 meters long and weighing 200 tons, the Swan 131 is the largest design to date from Nautor, the Finnish boatbuilder known for its extensive line of high performance racer/cruisers. With an elegant interior and the capability of cruising in even the roughest of seas, the Swan 131 heralds a new era for Nautor in the construction of superyachts that test the boundaries of yacht design. SkyMate Appoints 16 New Dealers Marine satellite communications systems provider SkyMate, Inc. has added 16 new dealers to its network of resellers in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. SkyMate delivers telematics, messaging, tracking, and weather solutions for recreational boaters, commercial fleets, and the boatbuilding industry. For more information about SkyMate, click here .
