http://lamp5.ocvision.co.uk/index.php en Rustam.Ismailov@teamrussia.org Copyright 2009 2009-06-25T09:15:14+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/kosatka_will_sail_to_russia2/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/kosatka_will_sail_to_russia2/#When:08:15:14Z Team Russia примет участие в заключительном этапе кругосветной регаты Volvo Ocean Race. Team Russia примет участие в заключительном этапе кругосветной регаты Volvo Ocean Race, но пройдет его вне официального зачета. Команда напряженно трудилась, чтобы подготовить яхту к старту десятого этапа, но некоторые технические проблемы не удалось решить из-за недостатка времени. “Кажется, что последние два месяца были самыми сложными в моей жизни, была проделана огромная работа. Сейчас наша цель: выйти на старт (команда, идя вне зачета, пересечет стартовую линию через несколько минут после остальных яхт) и пройти этап в режиме гонки, соревнуясь с остальными участниками,” – говорит шкипер Team Russia Стиг Вестергаард. Помимо Стига Вестергаарда, из прежнего состава Team Russia в гонку пойдут: Олег Жеребцов (глава синдиката и баковый), вахтенный капитан Ник Бабб, Владимир Кулиниченко, Сергей Богданов (репортер на борту “Косатки” – media crew member) и Саймон Розье. Среди новых членов команды – серебряный призер Олимпийских игр и трехкратный чемпион мира в классе “Солинг” россиянин Георгий Шайдуко. Напомним, что Team Russia приостановила свое участие в гонке после финиша третьего этапа в Сингапуре, по причине недостаточного, для продолжения кампании, финансирования. Участие в нынешней регате Volvo Ocean Race, на том или ином этапе, приостанавливали все команды, за исключением Ericsson 4 и Puma. Team Russia пришлось это сделать на наиболее продолжительный период. Из Сингапура “Косатка” отправилась через Индийский и Атлантический океаны к Канарским островам и обратно в Европу. Старт заключительного этапа Volvo Ocean Race состоится 25 июня в Сандхамне (в 30 м. милях к востоку от Стокгольма). Финиш ожидается 27 июня у маяка Толбухин (у западной части о-ва Котлин). Затем флот регаты пройдет под Благовещенским и Дворцовым мостами, специально разведенными для этого в дневное время, и ошвартуется у Петропавловской крепости. 2009-06-25T08:15:14+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/kosatka_will_sail_to_russia/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/kosatka_will_sail_to_russia/#When:06:38:04Z Team Russia will sail with the fleet to St Petersburg but will not be a formal part of the racing proceedings after being unable to overcome their rule compliance issues. Team Russia will sail with the fleet to St Petersburg but will not be a formal part of the racing proceedings after being unable to overcome their rule compliance issues. Westergaard has spent the last six months trying to get the boat back in the race, but, despite reaching the leg 10 start port, acknowledged yesterday that he faced an enormous task to bring the boat and crew back in line with the class and race rules by the Thursday restart. Ultimately, the scale of the operation was too large and the boat, which was in need of much maintenance after six months inactivity, was unable to comply with the all of the regulations. The team will now join the fleet on the 400-nautical mile trip to St Petersburg, where Westergaard believes it belongs. “We all owe it to Russia to come back to St Petersburg and show the flag,” he said. Team founder Oleg Zherebtsov added: “We have put a tremendous amount of work into bringing Kosatka to Stockholm in race-ready mode and compliant with the event’s rules with the aim of racing for the first time into Russian waters. Regrettably we realise there are too many issues to overcome. “Our intentions are go to the start line together with the other seven yachts competing in the Volvo Ocean Race from where we will shadow the fleet in racing mode all the way to the finish line and to the final mooring spot with all other VOR yachts in front of St Peter and St Paul Island.” In explaining the decision, Race Director Jack Lloyd said: “We were thinking that they might make it this morning. They had one measurement issue that was weighing the boat, which we were looking about taking it to the Jury, but hadn’t made up our mind. Then we found another issue when the guys started checking the boat. There’s a safety mechanism on the keel canting system; you need a button that you can press that will mechanically put the keel back in the centre. If you are pinned down by the keel, you can mechanically crank it back up to the middle and help get the boat up. “We have been strong all along that we will not compromise on safety and this is a safety aspect. We could maybe request something from the jury on a measurement issue, but we cannot do that with safety. It is impossible for them to get it done so we can’t go to the jury so they cannot race. “But they are still part of our race. They deserve to take their place at the finish.” Westergaard added: “We have run out of time. We put our guts into this and we knew it was going to be hard. We went for it and we basically didn’t have enough time to get the boat into race mode. “We want to see if we can beat the other guys anyhow. We will be starting just after the other boats and seeing if we can catch them up.” © http://www.volvooceanrace.org 2009-06-25T06:38:04+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_10_volvo_ocean_race2/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_10_volvo_ocean_race2/#When:15:05:44Z Team Russia are on their way to Stockholm with the intention of taking part in the leg 10 sprint to their home port of St Petersburg, Russia. The team suspended racing in Singapore after leg three as a consequence of insufficient funds, and have since been trying to source funding to resume. In the meantime, they have largely changed their management and crew - Stig Westergaard has taken over from Andreas Hanakamp as skipper and, along with founder Oleg Zherebtsov, is the only returning member of the sailing team - and they now face a difficult task in being declared eligible to race. Westergaard is excited to be back. “Everyone on the team had a feeling that we had unfinished business. We all felt like we stopped in a way that none of us was really satisfied with. I think closing the door in St Petersburg is the right way to finish off Team Russia.” Race Director Jack Lloyd said: “We haven’t seen the boat since Christmas time when they left Singapore so we have no idea of the state of the electronics or the measurement condition of the boat. She just has to comply with the rules, like any other boat. All other boats have to maintain the boat in measurement trim and their crew have to qualify. They just have to go through that process. “Their old crew has disbanded so probably about eight of them - if they want to take a full crew - have to take a safety course. We have got to do medicals and a little bit of other training, plus we have to get the boat back into measurement trim and get all the electronics done.” It amounts to a race against time for the team, who are currently at sea en route from Gothenburg and expect to be in Stockholm by Tuesday afternoon or evening. The leg 10 start is on Thursday. Lloyd added: “There’s an outside chance that they will make it and I think we will have to put an application to the jury for them to race just under their measurement certificate and that’s the only thing that’s negotiable really. It could be that they will start with some penalty.” Under the race rules, a team can suspend racing and return provided they meet the set criteria that govern the event. The practice is most usually used during a leg, whereby a team can receive outside assistance to help effect repairs in return for a time penalty (all the teams except Ericsson 4 and PUMA have taken this option at one stage or other during the race so far). © http://www.volvooceanrace.org 2009-06-22T15:05:44+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_10_volvo_ocean_race/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_10_volvo_ocean_race/#When:14:54:33Z “Косатка” направляется в Стокгольм, чтобы стартовать в заключительном этапе Volvo Ocean Race. “Косатка” направляется в Стокгольм, чтобы стартовать в заключительном этапе Volvo Ocean Race. После финиша третьего этапа регаты в Сингапуре, Team Russia приостановила свое участие в гонке по причине недостаточного для продолжения кампании финансирования. Новый шкипер команды Стиг Вестергаард считает, что финиш в Санкт-Петербурге будет достойным завершением кампании: “После Сингапура у каждого из нас осталось чувство незаконченного дела, и мы приложили массу усилий, чтобы вернуться в гонку и финишировать в Петербурге”. По правилам регаты команда может приостановить свое участие в соревновании и возобновить его на любом этапе, при условии, что лодка и экипаж полностью соответствуют регламенту гонки. В нынешней регате участие, на том или ином этапе, приостанавливали все команды, за исключением Ericsson 4 и Puma. Team Russia пришлось сделать это на наиболее продолжительный период. Гоночный директор Volvo Ocean Race Джек Ллойд так прокомментировал возможность Team Russia стартовать на последнем этапе: “Мы не видели лодку после того, как она покинула Сингапур. Для допуска к гонке необходимо убедиться, что яхта соответствует обмерному состоянию и удовлетворяет правилам регаты. Так же понадобится установить необходимое электронное оборудование. Поскольку большая часть команды обновлена, им придется пройти курс по безопасности, медицинское обследование и некоторые другие тренировки. Мы рассмотрим возможность допустить лодку к регате со старым обмерным сертификатом, что поможет команде сократить время на подготовку”. “Косатка” должна прибыть в Стокгольм во вторник 23 июня. Старт 10 этапа состоится в четверг 25 июня. 2009-06-22T14:54:33+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_suspends_racing_in_singapore_ru/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_suspends_racing_in_singapore_ru/#When:13:09:31Z Сегодня, после финиша 3-го этапа Volvo Ocean Race в Сингапуре, Team Russia объявила о том, что прерывает свое участие в кругосветной регате по причине недостаточного для продолжения кампании финансирования. Team Russia прерывает участие в регате Volvo Ocean Race Сегодня, после финиша 3-го этапа Volvo Ocean Race в Сингапуре, Team Russia объявила о том, что прерывает свое участие в кругосветной регате по причине недостаточного для продолжения кампании финансирования. На протяжении нескольких месяцев, команда активно занималась поиском спонсоров и партнеров, чтобы обеспечить собственное участие в регате. Но, поскольку, на сегодняшний день не заключено ни одного спонсорского контракта, Team Russia вынуждена объявить о приостановлении участия в регате до тех пор, пока не будет найдено необходимое финансирование. «С самого начала нашей целью было привлечь коммерческого партнера для участия в проекте, – говорит глава синдиката Олег Жеребцов, – До сих пор я осуществлял финансирование команды за счет собственных средств, с надеждой на привлечение спонсоров. Мы были близки к достижению поставленной цели, но добиться положительного результата помешал экономический спад на мировых рынках». Прекращение участия в регате так же означает, что Team Russia будет не в состоянии продолжить совместную программу с Обществом охраны китов и дельфинов (WDCS), столь успешно реализованную на протяжении первых трех этапов кругосветной регаты. 2008-12-23T13:09:31+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_suspends_racing_in_singapore/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/team_russia_suspends_racing_in_singapore/#When:12:33:07Z Team Russia today announced it has suspended racing upon arrival in Singapore at the end of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race due to insufficient funds to continue the campaign. Team Russia today announced it has suspended racing upon arrival in Singapore at the end of Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race due to insufficient funds to continue the campaign. The team has been actively approaching sponsors in recent months to secure enough financial support to continue the Volvo Ocean Race onto Qingdao (China) and beyond.  However no sponsorship has been forthcoming and the team has no alternative but to suspend racing until further financial support can be secured. “From the outset, it was always a goal to bring commercial partners into the project,” explains Oleg Zherebtsov, the Team principal. “Until now, I have financed the team with my own money, in advance of anticipated sponsorship funding.  By this stage in the Volvo campaign we had intended to find sponsorship, but this process has been impacted by the global economic situation.” Cessation of racing also means that Team Russia is unable to continue its partnership with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS).  The team was proud to “Sail For The Whale”, during the first three legs of the Volvo Ocean Race and was instrumental in spreading the call for safe habitats for whales and dolphins around the globe. WDCS is very proud to have been a part of this race and will continue to work for the creation of 12 large marine protection areas by the year 2012 and will find new ways to work with the international sailing community as well as the general public to achieve this goal. http://www.teamrussia.org 2008-12-23T12:33:07+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/finish_sigapore/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/finish_sigapore/#When:03:52:23Z Сегодня, 23.12.2008 в 00:08 по Гринвичскому времени, «Косатка» пересекла финишную линию, заняв седьмое место на третьем этапе кругосветной регаты Volvo Ocean Race (Кочина – Сингапур). Сегодня, 23.12.2008 в 00:08 по Гринвичскому времени, «Косатка» пересекла финишную линию, заняв седьмое место на третьем этапе кругосветной регаты Volvo Ocean Race (Кочина – Сингапур). Последние сутки гонки прошли в напряженной борьбе за 6 место между Green Dragon и Team Russia. «Косатке» удалось быстро нагнать соперника и сократить отставание до одной мили, когда Green Dragon попал в полосу встречного течения при слабом ветре. «Последние 24 часа были невероятно напряженными, мы приложили максимум усилий чтобы обойти Green Dragon, но в решающий момент они оказались ближе к берегу и на несколько минут раньше нас получить утренний бриз, что обеспечило их преимущество на финише, – сказал шкипер Team Russia Андреас Ханакамп, – Этот этап вновь продемонстрировал плотную борьбу и насколько близки возможности всех команд. Я бы хотел поблагодарить свою команду за отличную и самоотверженную работу, особенно в последние 24 часа». 2008-12-23T03:52:23+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/an_equator_for_christmas/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/an_equator_for_christmas/#When:13:22:35Z Christmas is approaching and as to our Russian cold New Year with its new year tree, it is simply impossible to imagine it here 250 miles off the equator. Everywhere around you see a huge amount of ocean water and the sky and the scorching sun, and the white A1, which covers half of the horizon and small fishing boats of Indonesian fishermen in the distance. Light 6 knots breeze, calm water, there is no cloud in the sky. December 21st. The Volvo Ocean Race fleet is sailing The Malacca Strait somewhere between Sumatra and Indonesia. Christmas is approaching and as to our Russian cold New Year with its new year tree, it is simply impossible to imagine it here 250 miles off the equator. Everywhere around you see a huge amount of ocean water and the sky and the scorching sun, and the white A1, which covers half of the horizon and small fishing boats of Indonesian fishermen in the distance. Yesterday, December 20th, we were the seventh to cross the control point and entered the Malacca Strait. About 30 miles behind us Delta Lloyd was slowly moving in the direction of the third finish in Singapore. Sumatra’s coastline was dimly seen in the distance to starboard. There was good wind in the Strait and we were sailing at a pretty nice pace of 12-15 knots. As usual the boat was sailing forward jumping up and down the waves with sprays loudly beating against the sprayrails. At night our speed luckily did not slow down though the sea became quiet and we sailed under Cassiopeia and Southern Cross while the ocean was sparkling with the myriads of strange tropical stars. As we were moving forward at a good speed yesterday we planned to reach Singapore on December 22nd. Today our speed is not as good as we have hoped it to be and the finish is expected to be on the 23rd. But the good news is that we are catching up with the rest of the fleet because the sea is calm and the boats are practically not moving and we pray that our wind should not stop. Our everyday schedule is usual: keeping watch, sails changing, going to bed, meals, stacking parties above and below decks, no matter whether the see is calm or rough. But neither the stormy see nor the calm tropical waters can stop us or change our forward movement to the finish. And let luck be WITH US! MCM Sergey Bogdanov from “Kosatka” 2008-12-21T13:22:35+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/diary_of_an_mcm/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/diary_of_an_mcm/#When:12:49:23Z Sergey Bogdanov brings us his diary of his first experiences as a Volvo Ocean Race media crew and life on board Kosatka. 13 Dec 2008 - In the first line As interested as the citizens of Cochin were in events taking part in the race village, visiting it in many thousands every day, they seemed to become indifferent to the racing itself. As the yachts left the dock and took part in the start of the promotional race, all spectators disappeared and left us to race on our own. We set C0 from the start and then changed it to A1. Wind and boat speed were around 10-12 knots at this time. After few hours in the sea our competitors still were around. It was the closest start in the regatta - I bet. Life on board set up very quickly. In an hour after the start there were only 3 on deck and others went to sleep to prepare themselves for the night watches. After the sunset, yachts become invisible in the dark, and then later appeared on the dark horizon with the first stars being the top mast lights. We’ve got first position report after 3 hours from the start. We’re in second after Puma! Crew taking news with calm: we just going forward and trying to do this better then others. 14 Dec 2008 - First blood Believe me its not an easy job being MCM on board VO70. Waves running over the deck every 15 seconds, crashing over the mast, deckhouse and winches and with the powerful flood dropped back into the ocean from the leeward side of the boat. Today I was flying! I choose the place for filming, but didn’t get to push the REC button as was thrown by the next wave from the board. I flew a few meters towards the stern and landed in the cockpit near the grinder. There was no pain, but I smacked blood in my mouth. I cut my nose, injured hand and leg. But it ends well for me. “It’s the price for being MCM” – Stig joking, and I hope that already paid my price now. 15 Dec 2008 - Faster then the wind Have you ever tried to wash the dishes with olive oil? I was sure that in this pocket should be gel for washing the dishes. Took it and put some on the plate. Washed carefully and can’t understand why its still so fat. Washed another 3 times – without any result again. Despairing - I took the napkin from the same place and found the bottle with the sign Olive Oil on it. And the gel was laying next to it… May be somebody consider it as common, but I’m delighted with our boat and crew. We’re going 18 knots upwind in the 12 knots true wind! There no waves in such conditions and the boat just slides through the oceans. Faster then the wind, in the literal sense of the word. 16 Dec 2008 - In the light breeze Today we passed Sri Lanka island and took the course to the Malacca straits. Now it’s all about tactics. If you go to the North then we could gain with the wind speed but meet the strong current in the opposite direction. And to the South there’s less current but also much less wind. Today we meet with a fishing boat. First time on this leg. In the binoculars we saw some boats coming to us. Everyone was joking that I have enough cigarettes for pay them off. When it was about a cable length to the boat all our crew was on deck. “They have no weapon” – said Andreas with a sense of relief. We just waved to each other. “They are very friendly,” said Mikey, “because of Christmas may be”.  It was a huge relief for all of us. We just passed 1000 miles on this leg. 19 Dec 2008 - Half way We experienced very different conditions on the left side of the course. From 5 knots breeze, with calm seas, up to 18 knots and 3 metre waves. In such wind, we’re going 12 knots under the reefed main and jib. It’s very easy to find out what happening on board, I have just to open the stern hatch behind my head at the MCM desk (to speak with the afterguard). But, to get up or move is not so easy. The boat is always throwing from the waves with the deafening bang in the foot of each wave. And, it’s impossible not to slip on the smooth black and slippery carbon. Against our wet and bumpy ride, the team feels pretty comfortable. This is because we’re in the Indian Ocean, with the warm sea and warm wind. Not as it was in roaring forties of the Southern Ocean. The only thing that makes us bothered is that we have food only for 10 days without any reserve. That’s why Rodion starts to cut our daily allowance and set up emergency stocks in the media station. 2008-12-21T12:49:23+00:00 http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/upwind_ru/ http://www.teamrussia.org/en/site/upwind_ru/#When:05:17:22Z Всего в 20 милях впереди идет яхта Green Dragon, и на «Косатка» прикладывают максимум усилий, чтобы отвоевать еще одну или несколько позиций до финиша в Сингапуре. Переход через Индийский океан оказался непростым испытанием для команды. Неустойчивые по силе и направлению ветра и встречные течения вынуждали постоянно искать наилучший курс, способный быстрее привести лодку к цели. Многочисленные повороты и смены парусов лишили экипаж полноценного, на сколько он может быть таковым в условиях 4-х часовых вахт, отдыха. При каждом таком маневре необходимо перетащить около двух тонн различного груза (паруса, запас провизии, личные вещи, спасательное оборудование) на наветренный борт. Чтобы поддерживать максимально возможную скорость в узком Малаккском проливе, где яхты пройдут около 400 миль перед финишем в Сингапуре, команде придется так же интенсивно работать с парусами и выбирать верные тактические решения, чтобы использовать изменчивые погодные условия в свою пользу. За прошедшие сутки, российской команде удалось сократить отставание от лидирующей группы вдвое (до 70 миль). Всего в 20 милях впереди идет яхта Green Dragon, и на «Косатка» прикладывают максимум усилий, чтобы отвоевать еще одну или несколько позиций до финиша в Сингапуре. Замыкает флот яхта Delta Lloyd, которая получила повреждение гидравлического механизма наклона киля и не в состоянии полностью использовать скоростной потенциал яхты, отставая с каждым часом все больше. До финиша 3 этапа в Сингапуре остается около 300 морских миль. Ориентировочная дата прибытия – 23 декабря. 2008-12-21T05:17:22+00:00