|
|
|
| NEW RULES – NEW RULES QUIZ PROGRAM |
UK-Halsey is taking pre-orders for our Updated Rules Quiz program, the ideal holiday gift for the racing sailor. The new program offers more than just an update to the new rules.
Yes, some of the quiz answers have changed because of the 2009 rule changes.
Yes, some of the animations have been redone to reflect such things as the change from a two-boatlength zone to the three-boatlength zone.
Yes, we have included all of the new rules of Part Two of the rule book.
And yes, advances in programming have made using the quizzes easier.
But “there’s more” as the late-night TV commercials would say, and two are HUGE changes.
First, we have done away with the physical CD: the Rules Quiz program will now be downloadable immediately – no more waiting for the postman to show up. Updates will be automatic each time you go on line.
Second, the updated Quiz Program comes as part of a one-year subscription to The Rules Group. The Rules Group is a membership organization open to all racing sailors, judges, PROs, instructors and others for the fee of $55 per year. Membership allows access to a private rules and race management forum that will have continually updated commentary by experts like Rob Overton, one of the authors of the new rules, Bryan Willis, author of his own book on the rules, International Judge Mary Savage, America's Cup PRO Peter Reggio and Butch Ulmer, our own in-house rules expert The forum will provide a broad array of rules-related benefits, interpretations of the game-changes and explanations of the resulting tactical implications.
Perhaps the most significant benefit will be the access members have to these and other international experts to respond to their individual questions. Members of The Rules Group will be able to profit from in-depth discussions of the rules and to receive group as well as individual advice. This has been described by some as “having your own sea lawyer on retainer.”
Information posted to The Rules Group forum will only be available to members. If you want to have the upper hand rules-wise, this is the group to be a member of. As UK-Halsey’s Butch Ulmer says, “A good understanding of the rules is worth two or three places in every major regatta you sail in.” For $55, this is be a “no-brainer.” For owners of the Rules Quiz CD, the upgrade price is $40. The Rules Group forum will be launched January 1st, but the updated quiz download will be ready sooner.
HOLIDAY RULES GIFT PACKAGES
The Ultimate Rules Package: The Updated Rules Quiz Download with a one year subscription to the UK-Halsey Rules Group, Dave Perry’s new book, “Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012,” and Bryan Willis’ book “The Rules in Practice, 2009-2012". The books will be shipped out right away along with a gift certificate for the Quiz Download so that you can wrap this bundle and put it under the tree. Cost is $100; $85 for owners of the Rules Quiz CD.
Just the Books: For half the price of the Ultimate Rules Package, you can have the two best books on the new Racing Rules of Sailing -- Dave Perry’s new book, “Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012,” and Bryan Willis’ book “The Rules in Practice, 2009-2012.” (See the UK-Halsey Rules Blog for reviews of each book, they both teach the rules from complementary perspectives.) Cost is $50 for both books.
Given the far-flung places where our members reside, shipping costs for the books must be added individually; we will confirm this prior to closing your order. Standard shipping in the USA is Priority mail and the cost is $7 for one or both books. International Airmail is $16. Overnight shipping is available, just e-mail adam@ukhalsey.com for a quote.
|
|
|
| TAPE-DRIVE TAKING THE ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT IN THE VENDEE GLOBE |
The Vendee Globe is one of the toughest ocean races in the world. This is singlehanded, non-stop, 23,000-mile race that is sailed in 60-foot rocket ships. All the sails, rigging and gear on the boats are pushed to their limits as the sole sailor tries to keep these machines under control while. One can only imagine sailing a 60-footer at speeds over 20-knots while surfing down Southern Ocean waves. Many times sails get abused because the singlehanders are unable or too tired to control the flogging acres of cloth.
ALGIMOUSS-SPIRIT OF CANADA is being sailed by retired Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman Derek Hatfield. He is the only Canadian in the race and he is the only boat sailing with all Tape-Drive upwind sails. Not only is his Spectra/Carbon Tape-Drive mainsail lighter than the paneled Spectra main that it replaced, but it is more durable. The solent jib and Code Echo roller furling genoa are all Tape-Drive as well. Derek will be holding us to our word that our Tape-Drive sails are guaranteed not to fail catastrophically. UK-Halsey Toronto’s Brian Chapman designed the sails and made sure that not only would the sails be light, but that they would be strong enough to finish the race. “No matter how good a sail is, it’s not good enough if it does not make it to the finish line.”
Derek is 1500 miles behind the leaders because his boat – not sails – suffered damage in the severe weather that hit the fleet in the Bay of Biscay just after the start. Repairs that included pulling the rig, took four days, but he is quickly making up time since restarting. The following is from Derek’s December 3rd posting on the Vendee Globe website http://www.vendeeglobe.org/en/.

Great sailing for the last 24 hours, a personal best in mileage at around 368 miles. Knock on wood (carbon), the weather forecast is still showing the possibility of cutting the corner on the St. Helena High and making some miles on the leaders. I'm watching this very closely as I don't want to get caught in the high pressure system that is coming, it will be brutally windless in this area for a few days on the weekend. The temperature is still very warm and daytime it's shorts and t-shirt and night time a fleece. I can feel the coolness in the air as I head south and it won't be long until the full layers of long underwear and fleece are required. Of course, on deck, it's foul weather gear all the time due to the spray and waves breaking over the boat. Top speed last night was 22 knots with sustained surfs on 18 knots for long periods of time; it was fantastic sailing. Today I've had to back off a gear from the genoa to the solent as the wind is getting up to high 20's. The boat is on the very edge of control and I felt it better to save the genoa to fight another day, given that it's the only one I have on board."
Derek Hatfield ALGIMOUSS-SPIRIT OF CANADA |
|
|
|
| SURFING TO VICTORY |
 |
|
With five firsts, one second and one fifth, AQUARIUS dominated the 2008 French National Beneteau First 31.7 championship in Hyères. Sporting sails made by UK-Halsey France, the winner was simply out of reach for the rest of the fleet. Congratulations to Jean-Claude and Nicolas Pietra, Gilles Bérenger and Sylvain Chtounder! |
|
|