PALMA 2010: A predominantly light wind regatta did not lend itself to ideal speed conditions. Despite this, a number of teams put down some impressive markers.  First up were the French team of Vincent Berthed adn Sebastien Durand with a 14.9 knots.  Simon Hiscocks and Simon Marks then topped that with 15.4 but it was the American team of Peeter Must and Trevor Moore that pushed the mark to just over 16 knots. 

The SEIKO Speed Challenge continues during the ISAF World Cup events as well as the European Championships.  There will undoubtably be many windy days before the final event at the 2012 Olympic venue in Portland, GBR.

To follow the SEIKO Speed Challengers, link through the Events section or here

Manu Dyan and Stephane Christidis of France won the Princesa Sofia MAPFRE World Cup #3 in Palma, Mallorca, Spain.  The British teams of Chris Draper/Peter Greenhalgh and Stevie Morrison/Ben Rhodes rounded out the podium with respective 2nd & 3rd place.  Full results here

Photos and video now uploaded to Channel 49er 

Next stop: Hyeres, France.

SCUTTLEBUTT VIDEO OF THE WEEK

When the 29er and 49er classes went to Freeport, Grand Bahama in January for their World Championship, their high performance boats were a perfect fit for the waters of this island paradise. To insure that the event was recorded, the class brought in photographer Fried Elliott and videographer Chris Love to capture the action.

After chasing the fleet around on the water for a few days, this pair (actually, the Class) decided to rent a seaplane...and video tape the outing. It was from this aerial adventure that brought Fried's shots to grace the recent covers of both Sailing World and Seahorse magazines. This week's video follows these titans of imagery as they go aloft: video  You can also catch this and other videos & photos on Channel 49er.