FEATURES

Case for the defence
As we inch towards an unprecedented 33rd America's Cup Alinghi returns to our pages with an update on their plans for an 'unusual' season

(Really) high speed sailing
- Part II
What Buddy Melges (inset) does on his days off... landsailing record holders BOB DILL and PHIL ROTHROCK look behind those tales of the frozen north

More than skin deep
- Part I
Little attention is paid to recent developments in surface finishes but a lot has happened in the last few years. DOBBS DAVIS brings us up to date

REGULARS

Commodore's letter
DAVID AISHER

Editorial
ANDREW HURST

Update
BLUE ROBINSON savours tea with a king, TERRY HUTCHINSON reports on an impressive and turbulent third consecutive success for the latin rascals, a look at Jim Swartz's glorious new Moneypenny and a chance to meet one WILLIAM HARDESTY

World news
The America's Cup family moves to Lorient, GAUTIER and DESJOYEAUX compare notes, CLAIRE LEROY goes back to back in New Zealand, as the Stewart 34s continue to roll, SYD FISCHER contemplates building again, DADDO and MCKEON watch their record dreams fade and the Olympic debate rumbles on. PATRICE CARPENTIER, CARLOS PICH, ROB MUNDLE, DOBBS DAVIS and IVOR WILKINS

Rod Davis
The 2008 programme devised for Yachting New Zealand was created to win medals... not friends

Olympic and small boat news
– Step up
Sydney's 18-Foot skiff fleet has been the setting for some intense and successful rig development over the last 18-months. ROB BROWN

Rules, rules
– 2008/9 Volvo Ocean Race
JUAN KOUYOUMDJIAN has once again been in 'talks' with the VO70 measurers, plus an update on Russia's latest race challenge. TIM JEFFERY

America's Cup 33
– It's only a matter of time
There will be a boat race and it will take place in multihulls. GRANT DALTON does not fancy the Swiss chances (hmm - ed), plus LUCIEN MASMEJAN explains Alinghi's legal position and another reversal for SIMON DAUBNEY

Design
– Designing to the rule
MARK MILLS gives his interpretation of IRC 2008 plus a look at some of his new designs

RORC news
– Well worth (all) the effort
He's done the miles and now EDDIE WARDEN OWEN speaks out in support of offshore racing

Seahorse raceboat build table – Less swimming more sailing
The Dragon class is making renewed efforts to stay afloat... SUE PELLING

Seahorse regatta calendar

Sailor of the Month
Beauty and the beast (sorry Mateusz... joke!)