Rule69blog

Apologies...

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:28:20 GMT

Apologies for lack of posting this week. My wife is ill in hospital and I've had a bit on chasing around and getting things organised domestically.

Good news about Cowes Week signing up AAB...you heard it here first!

Will hopefully be posting by middle of next week. Until then go to Sailing Anarchy for the real gossip, Yachts and Yachting for the news or The Daily Sail for intellectual commentary...and if you have an iPad make sure you look out for the next issue of Sail Racer Magazine - I've had a preview and it's awesome.

Until next week sometime. Magnus

Noodle goes Mothing...

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:07:59 GMT

Is it possible to have a cyber crush? If so, this chick "Noodle" is my secret fantasy. She emailed me with her excellent, if somewhat "out-there" blog and I urge you to click and enter a new fantasy world: www.noodleqt.blogspot.com/

Apparently Noodle's been Mothing in the virtual cyberspace world that is Second Life and if she's half as good looking in real life as her avatar below, then this might be seriously interesting. Does anyone have a picture of the real "Noodle"? Send them to me: magnuswheatley@yahoo.co.uk

Good times...

Aberdeen Angus Cowes Week?

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:39:08 GMT

Now, listen here you lot, some of us have got serious careers to think about so can you please stop making me snigger when I'm sitting in high-level meetings by making puerile jokes that Cowes Week is about to be sponsored by Aberdeen Angus Steakhouses...although Aberdeen Angus Cowes Week has a semblance of hilarity to it...

No, the word on the street is that it's Aberdeen Asset Management who have about £170 billion under management and are big shots in the finance world, are going to be announced as the new headline sponsor and apparently they have absolutely no relationship whatsoever to the delicious steak house...

The Finn Nightmare...

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:40:31 GMT

Golly gosh there's a real headache potentially looming on the horizon for the British Olympic Association as competition hots up the Finn Class for the single berth at next year's London Games. The opening day's results from the Miami OCR sees Giles Scott top the rankings with superstar multiple medallist Ben Ainslie "down" in third place. There's also Andrew Mills knocking on the door currently in 6th place and let's not forget that reigning World Champion Ed Wright has chosen not to attend the regatta.

So we have four very credible candidates vying for that one spot. Would the British Olympic Association and RYA be big enough and bold enough to deny Ben a shot at a fourth gold medal and challenge Elvstrom as the greatest ever Olympic sailor - indeed one of the greatest Olympians of all time? Would they have the guts to elect another...will they go purely on results for the place? Will Ben move up another gear in the next 6 months and be the absolute dominant force of old (hope so) but it's a tricky one. Some would say it's a nice problem to have...

I would hate to be on the committee deciding that one...

Terrible...

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:24:23 GMT

There's a huge hoo-haa in Britain at the moment after a couple of football presenters made sexist comments off air about a female lineswoman and her ability to judge the offside rule...

It's awful when not only did the lineswoman call a very close one bang on but the presenters chose such a humourless, distasteful way of going about it.

I'd never do such a thing....

'Cravendale' Cowes Week?

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:41:45 GMT

Some hilarious suggestions coming in overnight regarding the expected announcement of a headline sponsor for Cowes Week this Friday at the absolutely marvellous Royal Thames YC. "Cravendale" is the stand-out candidate from a number of you although one reader did list his wish-list with highlights including Danepak (free bacon sarnies every morning), Virgin (oh the irony), Hooters! and Oracle. I think it highly, highly, highly unlikely that Oracle will be seen anywhere near Cowes after the debacle of the 1851 Cup but I'm hopeful for Hooters!!

But the stand out name is: Aberdeen Asset Management

You heard it here first.

(And Stretch has opened a book on how long I would last in the foyer of the Royally Transparent Yacht Club....)

Has Cowes Week got a sponsor??

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:31:24 GMT

Lots of emails coming in about what exactly the Cowes Week organisers are going to announce this Friday (28th January). They've sent out a media invite for the lovely sailing press to attend the wonderful Royal Thames YC in London so it must be something interesting and I'm guessing they've bagged a headline sponsor for the event. I can almost hear the collective sighs of relief from the Regatta Centre in Cowes...

So, if it's a new sponsor, who is it? Will it be Artemis? Will it be Brewin Dolphin? Will it be a beer manufacturer (everyone hopes so) or will it be a car manufacturer or telecoms company? Lots of rumours flying...who fancies a guess? Send your guess to: magnuswheatley@yahoo.co.uk

Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Seriously proud Father...

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:52:43 GMT

Apologies for the lack of posting last week but it's been a frenetic time in the Wheatley household as we have been vying with extremely sharp elbows to get young Hurricane Harry into a top West London pre-prep school. My God it's a fraught process but I'm pleased to say that the young man did a sterling job at his interview and has been offered a place at our first choice school for him.

To say I'm a proud Father is an underestimate...he's the business! I just can't believe how quick they grow up. Seems like only five minutes ago I was welcoming him into the world and selling the Mumm 30...

Welcome to school fees hell...!!

An academic response...

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:00:41 GMT

As a failed academic myself (I never really got past writing my name on top of the exam sheet), I do admire those that posess the talents of the brain, so I am deeply indebted to my new friend Will Ricketson from the George Washington University in good old Washington DC who has analysed my flippant remark regarding the AC72's squeezing under the bridges in San Francisco.

As Will explains:
I've been wondering about the Bay bridge too. Some quick googling...

AC72 Class rule:
4.9 No part of the measured area of the Wing shall extend more than 40.000m above MWP.(MWP is the flotation plane in measurement condition; vertical direction shall be defined as an orthogonal axis; the three major orthogonal axes of the AC72 Yacht: are vertical, longitudinal, and transverse related to MWP and to the AC72 Yacht centerplane;)

SF Bay Bridge: Clearance Below: West Bridge: 67m, East Bridge 58m.

Looks like they'll fit just fine! Looking at the bridge from those aerial shots makes it hard to believe at first, however.

How sad am I??

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 15:30:01 GMT

My wife and I have started a "San Francisco 2013" bank account which we will be paying into monthly so that we can go and watch the Cup as a family and introduce young Hurricane Harry to the world of America's Cup. To be honest I see it as an investment. I would have loved to go and see the event when I was 6 years old and I reckon, and secretly hope, it could kick-start a life-long interest...not wishing to be a pushy parent but the Cup is the pinnacle and San Fran will be the greatest show on earth.

Roll on 2013...

Loving these shots of the piers about to be developed...but will the wing fit under that bridge? Low flying aircraft have been warned...

An Open Letter to Larry Ellison...

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:58:22 GMT

Dear Larry,

Please can you fix it for me to sail on your AC45? I'm available absolutely anytime...

Kind Regards

Magnus

Absolutely Fascinating...

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:48:05 GMT

Gilles Marten-Raget has posted some terrific aerial photos of the new 45 down in Auckland and I've just been staring at them like some kind of wild-eyed, crazed loon, mesmerised by the complexity of the wing and the detailing. These are just mind-blowingly beautiful pictures and I'm desperate to see what they are like in the flesh. Literally I'm just blown away by the pictures. If you were a youth sailor today, wouldn't you be willing to just chop your left testicle off and donate it to the local cats home for the opportunity to sail one? Absolutely fantastic stuff...I can't wait for a Seahorse or Sail Racing Magazine analysis and feature on these boats...just brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

Makes me think, if I were a billionaire sitting on a pile of dosh wondering whether to commit to the next Cup, I would see these photos and just go "yes please"...get me to the party and get me there quickly.

Making the right noises...

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 09:18:47 GMT

I'm loving the photos coming back from Abu Dhabi of the world's top golfers yachting with Ian Walker on his Volvo...it's a pretty stellar line-up (with one notable exception Tiger) and is a bit of a coup for Ian's team who are making all the right noises ahead of a full on tilt at the round-the-world crown. I've got very high expectations for this team...

If you crash, they call an ambulance...

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:37:20 GMT

Apparently, if you have a crash in your ice skeeter they don't bother running out to help you, they just call an ambulance, such are the enormous speeds these things generate. Brilliant stuff and I have some great pics of my friend Peter Harken's skeeter below for your enjoyment. However, looking at the Iceboat website it got me thinking. There looks to be a split in the fleet between soft sail and wingsails. I wonder what the iceboat class analysis says? Could be interesting research for the AC teams, although I'm sure they've been down this route. Anyhow email me on: magnuswheatley@yahoo.co.uk

The closest I've come to the ice is below at Broadgate ice rink with the Hurricane...

And the Wheatley family go skating (not a sport that I want to get good at...)

Oracle unleashed...

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:15:44 GMT

You probably thought I was going to eulogise about the new AC45's above but no! I'm going to eulogise about the team that I support - Oracle Racing.

Well, loads of people in the UK support a football team or rugby team or cricket team but I happen to support a sailing team. I'm an unashamed fan of America and I'm even more of an unashamed fan of Oracle Racing. I wear their gear, I read everything, I know some team members and I like hanging out with them - what's wrong with that? Also as a "fan" with a voice I occasionally criticise them but that's nothing compared with how football fans criticise their manager, players or owners. It's all part of being a fan and in sailing there are too few people who have the guts to admit that they support a team...somehow it's embarrassing or "not the done thing". Yah boo sucks to the naysayers, I say...

In the past I've been accused of being in the pocket of Oracle. Well that's just nonsense. Sure, I wrote a few articles for them back in 2003 so that I could afford food and fags down in Auckland but that's as far as it goes, and that was eight years ago...life's moved on a bit from then. No, I'm just a simple fan and I firmly believe in their vision for the AC and the team going forward. The AC is going to be amazing in San fRan, the AC45 circuit is going to be a cut-throat balls-out global circuit and I firmly hope that Oracle sees off the challengers and defends the trophy on its home waters. Nothing would make me happier - until I'm appointed head of a British syndicate and we trounce the yanks in their own backyard (we can all dream). In the meantime, my colours are nailed to the glorious wingmasts of Oracle Racing.

So, top of my favourites list is the new team website: www.oracleracing.com and I'm eagerly awaiting for the "Fanzone" section to be populated. It'll probably have downloads for three year olds to colour in but that'll be me...Note to Oracle, can you please include something for 39 year old, fat, balding fans...??

Lawrie Smooth...

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:38:10 GMT

Sailing's very own Keith Richards, the chain-smoking, hard-living, rolling stone Lawrie Smith has been a bit quiet of late. He bought the Chequers Pub in Lymington, once the unofficial HQ of sailing imbibement in Britain but now gone to the dogs, and disappeared from the yachting scene, counting his millions having done very nicely out of his various Round the World endeavours back in the day and a string of property development.

Legend has it that when he was campaigning Rothmans, the crew had to top up Rothmans packets with his favourite Marlboro Reds - a hero of mine as I'm partial to the reds and have been for a while...

Anyhow, good to see Lawrie top the fleet at the recent Dragon Worlds down in Melbourne where he beat a stellar fleet of 70 in this tricky little boat which I rate as one of the hardest to sail to a high level. Lawrie is sheer talent and it's good to see him back....

Rock 'n' Roll.

Coming at you...

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 09:33:37 GMT

Loving the latest shots of the first AC45 test sail. They look just way too cool...can't wait to see them racing!

And here's the official blurb:

New Cat Class Centerpiece of 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series

Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour showcased a glimpse into the future of the America’s Cup with the debut of the wing-sailed AC45 catamaran. The forerunner to the next generation of America’s Cup boats, the AC45 made its maiden voyage, the first of many sea trials planned over the coming weeks.

“Thanks to the efficiency of the New Zealand boat building industry and a huge effort by our team, the first AC45 is now ready for sea trials just a mere four months after this exciting new multihull class was first conceptualized,” said Tim Smyth, co-construction manager for Core Builders Composites of Warkworth, New Zealand.

The AC45 will be the centerpiece of the 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series, which will start mid-2011. The high-tech carbon fibre catamaran is the first in a fleet of the new 45-foot one-designs that will be tested by America’s Cup teams before racing on the America’s Cup World Series circuit.

The AC45 is an essential element of the vision for the 34th America’s Cup, which will feature 72-foot catamarans raced on San Francisco Bay in 2013. Focused on creating more on-the-water excitement for both the teams and the fans, the AC45 is designed for both speed and close racing. While capable of closing speeds of up to 30 knots, the AC45 was designed to remain nimble enough to handle the tight race courses planned by America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM).

“The biggest challenge with multihulls is learning how much to anticipate. With the AC45 being a big, powerful multihull capable of tripling the wind speed, your reactions and skills are accelerated. It’s all about being ahead of the cycle,” said ORACLE RACING skipper James Spithill. “I think the AC45 will enable all teams to advance to hard-core race mentality very quickly.”

The AC45 was designed by the ORACLE RACING design and engineering team, which developed the catamaran on behalf of the America’s Cup community. At task was designing a boat that would not only meet the racing criteria, but could also fit inside a 40-foot container, which is the shipping vessel for the America’s Cup World Series.

“The boat was designed for all-around performance so it can be sailed in wide range of conditions, and that means the next America's Cup will see races start on time,” said Ian Burns, ORACLE RACING design coordinator. “Plus it’s a regatta boat, meant for lots of racing, so quick assembly and disassembly was a must to accommodate an active competition schedule.”

The AC45 had to be robust enough to sail through a wide wind range, from 5 to 30 knots, as well as survive in the event of collisions, which are foreseen as teams learn to adapt to multihull closing speeds.

Utilizing the same technology used in the aerospace industry, the hulls are built in carbon epoxy with honeycomb cores, making them extremely stiff and light structures. The sandwich construction involves two carbon skins less than 1mm thick laminated over an ultra-light honeycomb core.

“The new America’s Cup is for those who are hungry for a challenge and the AC45 is really a fresh take on the multihull,” said Vincenzo Onorato, President, Mascalzone Latino.

“We plan to run tight race courses that will force boats to engage with each other, creating really close racing situations. Multihulls are very fast boats and will therefore reach the course boundaries sooner, so races will become a true test of skill and strategy, not just speed,” said Iain Murray, CEO, America’s Cup Race Management and Regatta Director. “The AC45 will fast-track teams to state-of-the-art wingsail technology and crew technique in the first season, and will greatly prepare them for the AC72.”

Now we get it...

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:44:20 GMT

I'm speechless...don't these pictures just whet your apetite for what's about to come?

It's the launch of the AC45 down in Auckland and they are quite simply stunning. They look like supercharged grand prix machines and are a terrific credit to the boatbuilders, designers and technicians.

However my biggest plaudit goes to the Oracle team for not only having this vision but for actually nailing it to completion. It's just so exciting for the sport and without people like Larry Ellison in the world we would all still be reading by gaslight and sailing schooners. Can you just imagine what an AC72 is going to look like? If there are any teams out there still dithering about whether to enter or not then these pictures should have the sponsors writing the cheque...awesome stuff.

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. The most exciting thing since the Moth Worlds (last week)...

Sailing is interesting once again.

Grand Master Bertrand...

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 09:05:16 GMT

Congratulations to John Bertrand who added the Australian National, Master and Grand Master titles to his 2010 Etchells World Championships, overnight. Great report here from the organisers;

John Bertrand, current Etchells World Champion successfully defended his Australian title today with the help of crew, Grant Simmer (bow) and Andrew 'Dog' Palfrey (mid boat).

Bertrand who won the America's Cup for Australia in 1983 has been sailing Etchells since 1990 after joining the One Design class, which had been his America's Cup arch-rival Denis Connor's favourite class for a long time.

John Bertrand explained dockside ‘After we won the Cup in 1983, I did not really go near a sail boat for seven years. Then two good friends of mine, Ernie Lawrence and Bill Browne got me into Etchells in 1990 and we raced in the Etchells Worlds of 1993 in Perth and I've been in the class ever since.

'Although this is my fifth Australian Championship win, it's only in the last three years that I've gotten serious about getting organised.

'I'm in the fortunate position of being able to ask some pretty good sailors if they'd like to sail with me. Andrew Palfrey has joined me and we've had Ben Ainslie, (Triple Olympic Gold Medallist) and then for the last year Tom Slingsby (2010 ISAF Sailor of the Year and triple Laser World Champion) sailing with us. We won the last Australian Championships, then the World titles in Ireland.

‘To sail again with Grant Simmer (Australia II Navigator 1983) was terrific because he's been in sailing management roles for quite a while.

‘Last time we sailed together after 1983 was in the America's Cup Jubilee in Cowes (England) in 2001 and to catch up with him was quite a blast. In between racing we talked a lot about the America's Cup, he has done I think nine America's Cups.'

Report from the Final Day

After days of rain, brilliant sunshine and light breezes greeted competitors on the final day of the Rex Gorell Prestige Etchells Australian Championship, being sailed from the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

Bertrand and his Triad team of Andrew Palfrey and Grant Simmer led into the final day but with the big one design fleet set to sail at least one further race, the Championship was still in play.

PRO Greg Sinclair set the course at 250, in middle of the Bay towards Corio Quay.

Race 7 started at 11.00am but the start resulted in a general recall. The Race Committee then gunned the fleet away at 11:15 on a two lap course, with a 1.6 miles first leg length followed by one mile thereafter, out to the west sou-west on Corio Bay.

Cameron Miles (Are We There Yet?) chose the Committee boat end of the line and headed right. Championship leader John Bertrand (Triad) started mid line and was soon the most left of the right hand boats. Damien King (Barry) started close to the pin and came across to join Bertrand.

The boats on the far right at the start looked to be in trouble as the fleet headed up the course to the first mark, in quite shifty conditions.

At the top mark, the Committee boat signalled a new heading at 290.

The boats that sailed along the refinery shore from the mid right were doing well and Hong Kong sailor Mark Thornburrow (Racer X 923) led the fleet round. Graeme Talylor (Magpie) and Cameron Miles (Are We There Yet?) closely followed. Next came Jervis Tilly (Bushfire), Graeme Alexander (Smile and Wave) and Doug Williams (Vertigo). Sixth was Gary Boyd (B Squared), then Ian Johnson (Bananas in Pyjamas), Tom Braidwood (Bad Doll) and Ian Crisp (That's Life).

John Bertrand (Triad) was 14th, with Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance) Bertrand's nearest rival for the championship title, further back in the pack. Damien King (Barry) was also well back.

The breeze was at eight knots and lifting as the fleet started their run to bottom mark.

Towards the bottom mark Bertrand looked to have lost considerable ground against title rival Bulka, who was at least six to eight places ahead of him.

The championship appeared wide open.

With the breeze oscillating up and down, the fluky conditions were testing the skills of the Etchells fleet.

At the top mark, which was set close in towards the shore, Graeme Taylor on Magpie was leading until they de-powered when their headsail came down about one metre. Before the crew could recover, Jervis Tilly (Bushfire) sailed through them. Magpie rounded in second, followed by Gordon Hinds (Grand V), Doug Williams (Vertigo), Cameron Miles (Are We There Yet?), John Savage (Black Knight) and Graeme Alexander (Smile and Wave).

The wind shifted left during the first half of the second run, then went back right, then came hard in from the left.

Jervis Tilly (Bushfire) drifted across the finish line in the old breeze while Mark Thornburrow (Racer X 923) brought up the new pressure.

Third across was Graeme Taylor (Magpie), then Cameron Miles (Are We There Yet?), Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance) fifth, Gary Boyd (B Squared) and Doug Williams (Vertigo). Tom Braidwood (Bad Doll) was eighth, Geelong sailor Brendan Garner (The Moe Szyslak Experience) ninth and Gordon Hinds (Grand V) tenth.

Series leader John Bertrand (Triad) finished 12th.

After Race 7 the Overall Progressive score was John Bertrand (Triad) 34 points, leading Mark Bulka (Perfect Balance) 36 points, Mark Thornburrow (Racer X 923) 37, Graeme Taylor (Magpie) 44, Noel Drennan (Jack's Hut) and Gary Boyd (B Squared) 51, Damien King (Barry) 54.

Bertrand also led the Masters and the Grand Masters Divisions of the Australian Championship.

The Rex Gorell Prestige Etchells Australian Championship Sailing Instructions state that the last race of the final day must commence by 2.00pm. The Race Committee set a course for Race 8 of the series and waited for the breeze to build. Instead it dropped as the fleet waited patiently in the brilliant sunshine out on Corio Bay.

At 13.55 with no breeze and the deadline fast approaching, the Committee had no option but to raise the N over A, sound three toots and abandon racing.

Results are provisional*

Dockside Quotes

John Bertrand commented ‘We went into today's racing well placed. The race was difficult, we rounded top ten and then lost about ten places as boats came in from the other side of the course. We got back, we passed a lot of boats on the final run and that delivered us the regatta.'

Grant Simmer too was happy and just a little relieved. ‘The breeze was very shifty and up and down for the last four races especially. As it was my job to call the breeze and make the tactical decisions it was quite stressful at times.

‘We were not so good after the start a few times and we managed to get back into the races.

‘John and Dog (Andrew Palfrey) were very patient with me but they were definitely sending me a message when one day during the week they left to come to the Yacht Club and shut up the house and put the alarm on, and left me inside. I had to phone them and get them to come back and get me, so that is how important I was' he laughed.

‘Luckily when you sail with the Dog you don't have to think much, he tells you what to do all the time, which is good. Overall it was a great experience and lots of fun.'

Andrew Palfrey had a huge grin. ‘A busy week. I had to look after a couple of old age pensioners, doing my bit for society - you know giving a bit back.

'Seriously it was a really rewarding experience sailing with John and Grant, we just got better all the time.'

Mark Bulka and his Perfect Balance crew, Glenn Ashby and Stewart Nichols, sailed a good series to finish second behind Bertrand.

Bulka said ‘We were nine points behind John Bertrand and his Triad team at the start of the day, and we clawed back seven points and came in second overall.

‘In today's race we went up the middle for a while on the first beat, then I made a call for the left and that went pear shaped and we went round the mark 30-40 and John was well ahead of us, so we figured game over.

‘But he gybed on the inside, we kept going and got a really nice breeze down the right and we got back into 15th, chipped away on the next beat into the top ten and then had another good run to finish fifth.

‘We were starting to have a good time; when you are 40th you think this is no fun, but when you are in the top ten that is pretty good fun.

‘We were disappointed the PRO was not able to get that last race in. It really would have been an all out war.

‘It was obvious the Race Committee was trying hard, but it was very shifty and they just ran out of time.

‘Not a bad hit out for the 2004 Australian Champions, with this lightass (Glenn Ashby) on the bow again. We will do it again.'

Glenn Ashby, one of the leading multihull sailors in the world, was part of Mark's Australian Champion 2004 Etchells crew and was onboard with Bulka again this week.

Waiting for the haul out crane Glenn commented ‘Really enjoyed the change of pace this week.

'Last week I sailed at the A Cat Nationals (he won) and next week I will be sailing at the F18 National titles with Dean Barker (the Team New Zealand America's Cup skipper).

‘The interesting thing is that Etchells, with such a high quality fleet and with such close boat on boat racing, gives you time to really think about what you are doing, look at what works and what does not in terms of making course decisions and this really refreshes the multihull decision making processes.

‘Because you are travelling very fast through the pressure and the shifts, its all split second on multihulls.

‘Cross training really works - a week on the Etchells and I am really refreshed.'

Now it remains to be seen if good mates Tom Slingsby and Glenn Ashby can persuade Nathan Outteridge (the new Moth World Champion and 49er World Champion) that he needs to sail an Etchells at the 2012 Worlds in Sydney!!

Congratulations to all the competitors, the Geelong Etchells Championship Organising Committee and to the Royal Geelong Yacht Club for an excellent 2011 Australian Etchells Championship.

The 2012 Australian Etchells Championship will be held at the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron on Sydney Harbour, ahead of the 2012 Etchells World Championship.

Getting exciting...

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:13:48 GMT

Ooooooh don't they look sexy? Like a mini-shuttle on its way to the launchpad... Yes it's the first of the AC 45's rolling out of town down in Warkworth, New Zealand. Can't wait to see these things on the water, arc'ed up and pedal down in close combat. Very exciting stuff....they've lifted my mood in this miserable, post Christmas, January weather in England.

I have a slight correction to make to my enthusiastic post below regarding the AC and its entry period. I was certain that the deadline was the end of January but Tom "The Chairman" Ehman writes to let me know that the deadline is actually 31st March. Plenty of time for the trickle to turn into a flood then (but we're not holding our breath)....although the unsubstantiated rumour in the AC jungle is that Vincenzo Onorato is about to declare himself out. Sensational if true but I'm sure that would be too embarrassing for words and a deal will be struck.

Maybe Elton will help out?