FEATURES

Case for the defence
We launch our new monthly update from Alinghi with a discussion of ACC build techniques with DIRK KRAMERS, BERTRAND CARDIS, KURT JORDAN and MICHEL MARIE

The 2008 Volvo Ocean Race
- Bowels of the beast - Part II
GREG WATERS talks about the practicalities - and practical limits - of current canting-keel systems... and the price

Heads held high
VINCENT RIOU's new PRB may have lost its rig early in the Route du Rhum but project manager GREG METZ explains why the team's confidence in their new Farr IMOCA 60 design is undimmed

The (new) miracle cure
- Part 1
Is Dyneema's latest incarnation, SK78, the answer to a race sailor's prayers? DOBBS DAVIS

REGULARS

Editorial
ANDREW HURST

Update
TERRY HUTCHINSON is relieved to have got through the winter storms intact, ALEX THOMSON and MIKE GOLDING are relieved to have got through the Southern Ocean (well some of it), the 'Gilmour-MacLeod show' reigns supreme in Malaysia and there is already a high-powered contest brewing for the next Volvo Ocean Race

World news
Phil Sharp flies the flag for the Class 40 (and Pomland), Desjoyeaux and Gautier are go with a new three-year programme, while Bruno stalls, party time in New ZealandÉ and another new star, of Fischer, AbrahamsÉ and cockatoos in Oz, plus the 20th anniversary of Key West Race Week. PATRICE CARPENTIER, CARLOS PICH, ROB MUNDLE, IVOR WILKINS and DOBBS DAVIS

Rod Davis
Now "Transpac Team Cayard" gets underway...

Olympic and small boat news
- Long road back
Team USA continue to score well in the Olympic medal stakes, but not as well as it did a few years ago and definitely nowhere near as well as US Sailing's Olympic supremo DEAN BRENNER is planning

America's Cup
LARRY speaksÉ and IAIN PERCY on the tricky balance of keeping 'everyone' happy

Design - A new big beastie
RUSSELL BOWLER talks to DOBBS DAVIS about the challenging goals of the new Leopard 3

Seahorse raceboat build table
- Simple but smart
How long have we tolerated fiddly-locking winch handlesÉ too long, says MATT JOHNSTON

RORC news
The world according to HAROLD CUDMORE

Seahorse regatta calendar

Sailor of the Month
Two very 'honourable' candidates this month