Sander van der Borch Photography

Terengganu is one of the three East Coast states on the Malaysian peninsula. It has a land area of 12,995 square kilometers and 225 kilometers of coastline. Kuala Terengganu, the state capital, sits on the bank of the Terengganu River. Kuala Terengganu has a population around 1 million, while Malaysia has a population near 24 million. Now in its fourth year the Monsoon Cup has gained prominent status on the World Tour. It offers on of the highest prize purse's on the Tour, MR1 million (approximately $295,000), an increase of more than two and a half times the 2005 purse, with the winner set to earn MR250,000 (approx. $68,000). The Monsoon Cup was created to bring world class professional sailing to Malaysia and Southeast Asia. The inaugural event created an unprecedented economic return for Malaysia and the region of Terengganu. That success prompted the signing of Richard Mille Watches as title sponsor, which has helped increase the prize purse. The Monsoon Cup was also created to help promote Kuala Terengganu and a new property development on Pulau Duyong Island. Ground breaking for the development took place on July 4, 2005, and was attended by an estimated 10,000 visitors. By November 2006 the marina had been completed. The Monsoon Cup figures to be part of the Tour for years to come. There is an eight-year commitment from event organizers, with funding secured. Racing will take place in Foundation 36s, designed by New Zealander Brett Bakewell-White.

In february 2009, ten teams competed in a 15-day event on Auckland's Waitemata Harbor in match races duels that were won by Emirates Team New Zealand. Based on the huge popularity of that event, which was praised for its format and originality, Louis Vuitton has now created the Louis Vuitton Trophy. Louis Vuitton has long been associated with first-rate, professional yachting. The French luggage and handbag maker made its debut in racing for the America's Cup when it supported the 1983 Challenger Selection Series off Newport, R.I. Australia II, led by syndicate head Alan Bond and skipper John Bertrand, became the first yacht engraved on the trophy and then went on to score an historic triumph over Dennis Conner's Liberty, the first challenger ever to defeat the defending New York Yacht Club. Four years later it was Conner who won the Louis Vuitton Cup off Fremantle, Western Australia, this time for the San Diego Yacht Club, before going on to defeat the Australian defender and return the America's Cup to the U.S. The success of the two challengers in the first two Louis Vuitton Cups prompted the phrase, "To win the America's Cup, first win the Louis Vuitton Cup." The Louis Vuitton Cup has been held seven times, and four times the challenger has gone on to win the America's Cup. But following the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup, won by Emirates Team New Zealand, a period of quietness ensued with no future event scheduled. That led Louis Vuitton to create the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series last February.

From the 3rd until the 11th of September the Dutch town Medemblik is the venue for the spectacular Dragon worlds. It is the first time this prestigious championship is to be held in The Netherlands. The anticipated 70 competing teams represent seventeen different countries. All of which had grueling qualification series. This will guarantee a tense battle between word-class sailors. The worlds 2009 coincide with the celebration of 80 years of Dragon sailing. The event is organized by the Dutch Dragon association in collaboration with RYC Hollandia and the International Dragon association. The Dragon is a three sail keelboat which is sailed with a crew of three. From 1948 until 1972 the Dragon was an Olympic class. The boat is still favored with many former Olympic sailors and other big names from the international sailing world. Amongst others Gordon Ingate (America's Cup, Admirals Cup, OG), Ulli Libor (silver & bronze OG), Poul Richard Hoj Jensen (2 x gold OG), but also the Dutch sailor Mark Neeleman ( 5 x OG) will participate during the worlds in Medemblik. In total more than 30 old Olympic sailors compete during this worlds. Medemblik is a small town in the Northwest of the Netherlands on the shores of the Ijsselmeer. Medemblik annually host the ISAF World Cup sailing event, the Delta Loyd Regatta and many other national and international championships. It is also one of the training locations of the Dutch Olympic sailing squad. Medemblik is situated approximately 50 minutes from Amsterdam. More information about the venue, sailing- and social program can be found on: http://www.dragonworlds2009.com.

2009 Cowes week, with mainly images of the new Beau Geste and the IRC super zero fleet.

The Hublot Palma Vela is one of the season starting regatta's in the Med. Most photos in this gallery are from the mini-maxi fleet and the maxi cruisers. The new STP 65 "Luna Rossa" won the mini-maxi class with "Container" a close second.

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