For a fascinating insite into the work that Shark and Philippe Kahn have put into their sailing programmes in recent years go read Scuttlebutt's interview with Dave Ullman
Further to our story from earlier in the week we have just been advised that the Yacht Club de France has launched a web site for the Coupe de France from which you can obtain all the information about the event, register on line, etc. Visitwww.ycf-club.fr
A full information pack for the 2004 Coupe de France, to be held in Saint-Tropez from March 19-21, is now available. After the huge success of the 2003 Coupe de France you are recommended to register your interest with the organisers asap as the number of teams will be restricted in 2004.
URGENT - We have just received notification that the dates for the US Nationals have now been put back to May 6-8 2004 (with a practise race on May 5). This change is due to the strong likelyhood that Santa Cruz Harbour may be closed because of problems with shoaling from winter storms.
An unusually large number of people have been contacting me asking for an update on the proposed rule changes to allow Kevlar sails, so to keep everyone in the picture here is a quick update.
Chrystel Durand reports from Hyeres. At the beginning of the century, in the Victorian era, Hyeres used to be the favourite resting place for the Brits.
Fourteen year old Samuel "Shark" Kahn sailed into the record books today becoming the youngest person ever to win a Melges 24 World title and probably the youngest open international class world champion as well. Today's final race proved to be a real nail biter.
The last ranking event was sailed in the archipelago of Turku. Base harbour was at Airisto approximately 30 kilometers south from the city of Turku. The weather was a typical autumn weekend in Finland - rain, sunshine and losts of wind. During the two days wind velocity varied from 4-15 m/s!
If you'd told us six days ago that a fourteen year old kid would have Harry Melges on the ropes going into the final day of the Audi Melges 24 World Championship in San Francisco we'd have politely laughed you out of court.
