Alamitos Bay Yacht Club

In This Issue
Record fleet sets off on record pace | Ludde Ingvall's CQS Retires From Race | 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 In For 2024! | Harken Element Blocks - Coming Soon to a Dealer Near You | Glory for Goodwin at the Oxford Blue | New Caledonia Groupama Race | What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine | World University Sailing Championship is coming to Cherbourg | Double-handed racing debuts at Lendy Cowes Week | Featured Brokerage

Brought to you by Seahorse magazine, Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Record fleet sets off on record pace
A record 84 yachts started the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600 in Antigua today; the largest fleet assembled in the ten-year history of the race. The impressive armada set off in unstable conditions with squalls producing a wind range of over 20 knots, and as little as 10, with some big shifts in direction. High seas and strong trade winds are expected for the race, with the anticipation of record breaking pace. At 1600 AST Rambler 88, Proteus and Warrior were ahead of the monohull race record.

Peter Aschenbrenner's Irens 63 Paradox was launched at the start and led the 11-strong multihull fleet, reaching Barbuda in just two hours. George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 got away well at the outer end of the line, tacking immediately to smoke upwind in a halo of spray. Rambler 88 took under an hour to round Green Island before unfurling reaching sails to blast towards Barbuda at well over 20 knots of boat speed. Ludde Ingvall's Australian Maxi CQS developed a technical problem shortly after the start and returned to Antigua to effect repairs, as per the rules of the race.

"It's incredible that the weather for the start of the 10th edition was exactly the same as the first race in 2009," commented Eddie Warden Owen, RORC Chief Executive. "Today's start is probably the windiest that we've had for some years, with rain squalls coming through during the start sequence, then sunshine; typical Antiguan conditions. We have a fantastic fleet of 84 boats setting off in this record-fleet."

George Sakellaris' American Maxi72 Proteus was just four minutes behind Rambler 88 at Green Island, lying just east of Antigua. USMMA Sailing Foundation's American Volvo 70 Warrior and Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 56 Varuna were all in hot pursuit. Two Superyachts enjoyed a close battle at the start which is likely to rage for the whole of the race. The Dixon 100 Danneskjold was just 13 seconds ahead of the Southernwind 102 Farfalla at Green Island.

Catherine Pourre's French team racing Eärendil leads the Class40s after a tough beat to Green Island. Eärendil has stretched out a one mile lead ahead of Louis Burton's BHB and American John Niewenhous' Loose Fish.

In IRC One, Christian Kargl's Austrian More 55 Pixel, skippered by Michael Gilhofer is provisionally leading the class under IRC. Philippe Frantz's French NM43 Albator is second, with Olivier Rapeaud's Capo Di Fora in third.

In IRC Two, Scarlet Island Girl, owned by Ossie Stewart and skippered by Ross Applebey got a great start and provisionally lead the class. A tense battle is expected for the race and the start was indicative of this. Ballytrim, EH01, Avanti and Quokka are all fighting for the lead.

In IRC Three, Conor Fogerty's Irish Sunfast 3600, Bam got away to an impressive start, as did Jonty and Vicki Layfield's Swan 48 Sleeper X. Richard Palmer racing his British JPK 10.10 Jangada Two Handed with Jeremy Waitt also got a great getaway.

caribbean600.rorc.org

Track the race: caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/

Ludde Ingvall's CQS Retires From Race
English Harbour, Antigua: Ludde Ingvall and his CQS team have taken the very difficult decision to retire from the RORC Caribbean 600 race, this was due to an undiagnosed problem with the engine that runs the hydraulic systems on the boat.

Explaining the situation they found themselves in before the start Ludde said, "we found out fairly quickly that we had an electronic issue with the software, which on our boats the engine drives hydraulics, hydraulics runs every winch, our canard which is the rudder in front, it runs the DSS board, and runs the keel as well as propulsion.

"The problem we had was that four times the engine cut out in the middle of what we were doing and we didn't understand why."

As always, Ludde's main concern was safety, and if the engine cut out during a critical manoeuvre lives could be at risk. After discussing the situation with his watch captains and safety officer it was decided to retire from the race.

Continuing his explanation Ludde told the race control, "we started with the keel in the middle, which is why we were so slow, and with little sails. We decided to go to the top of the island and if by the top of the island we haven't got things sorted, we won't continue."

Ludde expressed his huge disappointment, particularly for the young sailors who had travelled a long way to take part in the race. However with the nature of the Caribbean 600 having a course that goes close to a lot of island, and through some restricted channels, if the engine problem re-occurred they would find themselves in a very difficult situation.

www.bigboatracing.com

49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 In For 2024!
World Sailing announced today that it has put up for review the events represented by the 470 M/W, Finn, and RSX M/W. By choosing not to review the other 5 events; Laser/Radial, 49er/49erFX, and Nacra 17, these events and the current equipment will remain for the games in Paris.

The decision itself was very close, with 21 for and 17 against, showing how divided World Sailing Council is on the future of the sport. Just a few months ago, Theatre Style Racing format was defeated 20 to 21 by the same body, which was in some ways a precursor to this vote. How sailing comes together over the next two phases of this process will have a major impact on the strength and stability of Olympic Sailing for years to come.

The impetus for reviewing events derives from two IOC initiatives:
The IOC now reviews events, not just sports - each event must stand up to that level of scrutiny.
World Sailing has agreed to both participation and event gender equaility - since the 2020 events do not balance, change is required to comply.

Putting events up for review is the first part of the process World Sailing has agreed to in order to make the change. There are three major sections of work:

Phase 1 - Decide what to review, and by default what would remain. The minimum number of boats up for review, by rule, was 4. The decision today is to review 5.

Phase 2 - Decide the Events (high level description of what the racing should be) for the balance of the 5 events. This begins in Mid-March and concludes in a vote at the World Sailing mid-year meeting on May 15th in London.

Phase 3 - Decide which equipment should be used by the nominated events. This vote can occur at the November 2018 meeting, with provisions to extend for an additional year if new boat designs are required.

Of the ten events and 350 athletes destined for Paris 2024, half are now known. The work begins to select both the Events and Equipment to fill the remainder of the slate.

The next step is the high level phase, where sailing will decide what to aim for while balancing a huge variety of factors. As we enter a phase of uncertainty for many current and aspiring Olympic sailors, and sailing as a whole, the task was outlined beautifully by Athlete Representative, Yann Rocherieux: "We trust in council to select events for 2024, where all sailors can have an opportunity to chase their dreams of becoming an Olympian, even if some sailors will have to change those another event than the one they are sailing now." -- Ben Remocker, 9er Inc.

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Glory for Goodwin at the Oxford Blue
Photos by Tim Olin, olinphoto.co.uk. Click on image for photo gallery.

Alistair Goodwin has steered his Laser to glory at the Oxford Blue, the final of seven events in this season's GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series. The light winds, which barely blew over 8 knots, suited Goodwin's Laser although in race one it was Nick Orman from Castle Cove who helmed his Phantom to handicap victory ahead of Ian and Gemma Dobson's GP14 from SMVC and Charlie Sansom from Bowmoor in his RS Aero 9.

Goodwin only managed 7th in the opening race but then the Haversham sailor hit his stride in race two, winning on handicap with Andrew Snell piloting his K1 keelboat to second place ahead of another Laser, Ben Flower in 3rd. Ben Schooling managed a 4th place in this race, although this would prove to be the high point for the Musto Skiff sailor from Stokes Bay, who really needed more breeze to stretch his legs over the hiking boats.

In the final race, Goodwin again took the corrected time victory, this time ahead of Lawrence Creaser's Solo and the Wayfarer sailed by Andrew and Tom Wilson who placed third.

A huge turnout of RS Aeros meant there was a big class battle going on, making it very hard for anyone to break clear and score a consistent set of results. A trio of Aeros finished very close on points in 11th, 12th and 13th overall, with RS Aero 9 National Champion Pete Barton just pipping arch rival and reigning RS Aero 7 World Champion Steve Cockerill by a point, with Charlie Sansom a point behind Cockerill.

Goodwin's two race wins gave him the overall prize by a comfortable margin, with Creaser second, Snell third and the Wilsons' Wayfarer first of the doublehanders in fourth overall. As is often the case, many classes had a sniff of the front at some point during the day, with eight different types of boat in the top 10, the Laser and Solo being the only classes to get two finishers in single figures.

GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series Prize Giving
RYA Dinghy Show (Sat 3rd March - 10.30)
The official prizegiving takes place on Saturday 3rd March at the RYA Dinghy Show. Series organisers Andy Rice and Simon Lovesey will present the highlights from this Winter, with a vast array of prizes to be awarded across the numerous categories. The prizegiving will start promptly at 1030am on the Saturday, soon after the doors open. It takes place at the Class Association Stage, which you can find by heading in the direction of the big organ. Book your RYA Dinghy Show tickets now.

www.SailJuiceSeries.com

New Caledonia Groupama Race
The 2018 New Caledonia Groupama Race around the South Pacific's island gem will see the return of Sean Langman's multiple speed record-setter Team Australia, the giant ORMA 60 trimaran. Team Australia is the holder of the World Sailing Speed Record Council's fastest time between Sydney and Auckland and between Sydney and Hobart. As well as setting speed records, Langman was tackling some of Australia's medium distance eastern seaboard races until the multihull was dismasted when leading the 2015 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race.

For two years the tri sat idle as the skipper sorted through the logistics of a new rig and kept himself busy with an 18-footer campaign and multiple Sydney Hobarts on board his beloved Ranger called Maluka. Now the Sydney based Langman and his core crew are planning their long-awaited comeback knowing that Simon Hull's Groupama Race multihull record time of two days 33 minus 12 seconds set in 2016, with what was Team Vodafone Sailing, now Frank Racing, is ripe for the taking, given the usual tradewinds were largely absent in the record-setting year.

"We considered entering the last Groupama but the boat was in re-fit," Langman said. "Now we have a new mast and we are planning to enter the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron's Brisbane to Noumea feeder race to bring us to New Caledonia. My boat has a strong French flavour as she was French owned, as Banque Populaire V, and won the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre from northern France to Brazil."

Four feeder races delivering yacht fleets from three Australian capital cities and Auckland, New Zealand, will be a key component when it comes to the ultimate 654 nautical mile New Caledonia Groupama Race starting June 17.

The fleet leaves Noumea and sails counter-clockwise alongside reefs, past the compulsory waypoint at the Grand Passage and inside the UNESCO World Heritage listed turquoise lagoon. Warm waters and tradewinds are key selling points for the giant windward/leeward course from the east to west coast.

Nineteen crews took on the Groupama adventure in 2016 and record times were set in both the monohull and multihull class. Encouraging early numbers in the feeder races and 17 Groupama Race entries representing Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia point towards a great sixth edition. -- Lisa Ratcliff

groupamarace.nc

Seahorse March 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Boulevard of broken dreams
To create a first-class grand prix omelette you do have to break some quite expensive eggs... Peter Harken

Cold light of day
Rob Weiland bravely goes where most would fear to tread: the cost of racing a grand prix yacht

Linked by but a thread
The song remains the same... but it’s a very different band playing it. Brian Hancock

Square peg round hole
We’ve moved beyond subtle tweaking. Hugh Welbourn

RORC - Lifeblood
Getting out the youth vote... and the passing of the dragon. Eddie Warden-Owen

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World University Sailing Championship is coming to Cherbourg
The northwestern French city of Cherbourg welcomes the world's finest university sailors for the 2018 FISU World University Sailing Championship this summer, from the 1-5 September. The Organising Committee is ready to welcome a maximum of 40 teams competing on one of the 20 J80 regatta boats.

Following two very successful events in the sailing hotspots of Ledro, Italian and Perth, Australia, this will be the first ever WUC Sailing event to be held with the fleet racing format. Competitors will race six windward-leeward courses a day in the world's largest artificial harbour.

Sailing event organisers look to welcome over 200 high-level sailors from around the world to share their sporting passion and to have the opportunity to discover the French culture, visit the Mont Saint Michel and the nearby WWII Normandy landing beaches.

www.fisu.net/news/sailing/

www.wuc-sailing2018.com/index.php/en/

Double-handed racing debuts at Lendy Cowes Week
Cowes Week Ltd, the organisers of Lendy Cowes Week, the world's largest regatta, is delighted to announce that in a new and exciting development the 2018 regatta will see the introduction of a new Double-handed class.

Double-handed racing has recently become incredibly successful worldwide, both inshore and offshore and this new class reflects the demand for, and interest in, Double-handed sailing. Entries are invited for boats with IRC ratings between 0.900 to 1.085.

Racing will be held as part of the Black Group and courses will be about 3½ hours long with an interesting range of wind angles, but somewhat fewer legs than for the standard IRC classes. The courses will, however, be challenging and we expect a highly competitive fleet. The class will be offered its own start every day and, if there is enough demand going forward we would be delighted to offer two class starts, enabling a wider range of boats to compete, including some of the smaller boats.

Entries can be made online through the Lendy Cowes Week website. For further details please contact the regatta organisers on (01983) 248002 or email laurence.mead@LendyCowesWeek.co.uk .

The updated Advance Notice of Regatta is now available online. Lendy Cowes Week 2018 takes place from the 4-11 August.

www.lendycowesweek.co.uk

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The Last Word
It's here, where absolute evil was perpetrated, that the will must resurface for a fraternal world, a world based on respect of man and his dignity. -- Simone Veil

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Guts and a glimmer of glory | Fujin crew rescued in RORC Caribbean 600 | Marlow Ropes present Gold-medal winning Dinghy range at their 15th RYA Dinghy Show 2018 | Wellington International Youth Match Racing Championship | Observations on Sailing in the Olympics from the UK | Industry News | Letters to the Editor | Featured Brokerage

Guts and a glimmer of glory
The strong conditions experienced at the start of the RORC Caribbean 600 continued through the first night.

At 06:00 AST on 20 February 12 yachts have officially retired from the race. Reports of wind speed in the region of 30 knots, with gusts of up to 40 knots are being reported by crew in the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands.

Peter Aschenbrenner's Irens 63 Paradox is blasting along at the front of the fleet, but in their rear virtual view mirror provided by the YB Race Tracker, George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 is hunting the multihull down. Paradox is currently behind record pace for the multihulls, but only by 42 minutes. Rambler 88 continues at record pace for the monohulls and is expected to cross the finish line before midnight on Tuesday 20th February, well inside the race record.

Rambler 88 is blasting around the course hitting speeds of close to 30 knots. At Tintamarre, the most northerly point of the course, Rambler 88 was nearly an hour ahead of the race record. At 06:00 AST on 20 February, Rambler had completed half the course and was blast reaching past Montserrat on the way to Guadeloupe. Peter Aschenbrenner's Irens 63 Paradox is enjoying a thrilling reach towards Guadeloupe, leading the multihull fleet by a handsome margin. Last night, the American trimaran sustained a boat speed of 30 knots or more for several hours

In IRC One, the provisional top three boats are Philippe Frantz French NM43 Albator, Kevin McLaughlin's American J/44 Spice, and Lombard 46 Pata Negra sailed by Michael Wright with a team from the Howth Yacht Club, Dublin Ireland.

At the top of the leaderboard in IRC Two a battle is ranging between three British charter boats, all skippered by close friends. Andy Middleton's Beneteau First 47.7 eH01 is estimated to be just five minutes ahead on corrected time from Ossie Stewart and Ross Applebey's Dufour 45 Scarlet Island Girl. Grand Soleil 43 Quokka 8 skippered by Christian Simpson is third.

In IRC Three, Richard Palmer's JPK 10.10 Jangada, racing Two Handed with Jeremy Waitt is the provisional leader

caribbean600.rorc.org

Fujin crew rescued in RORC Caribbean 600
Greg Slyngstad's American Bieker 53 multihull Fujin has capsized during the RORC Caribbean 600. All eight crew are safe.

Stephen Cucchiaro's Gunboat 60 Flow stood by until Dutch/ French authorities organised a rescue vessel. Preparations are now underway to transfer all crew to the safety of Port Saba.

RORC Race Manager Chris Stone issued a statement on behalf of the race organisers, The Royal Ocean Racing Club:

"On Monday 19th February at 20:20 AST, Fujin capsized close to Saba Island and the eight-man crew were observed standing on the up-turned hull. All of the crew are now safe. Stephen Cucchiaro's Gunboat 60 Flow stood by while rescue agencies co-ordinated the rescue efforts.

Jens Kellinhusen's German Ker 56 Varuna altered course to assist, but has now continued racing. The Coastguard at Fort De France Martinique has been co-ordinating the rescue."

The highly experienced crew on Fujin from Seattle, Washington, USA include the skipper Greg Slyngstad, the boat's designer, Paul Bieker and Olympic Gold medallist Jonathan McKee.

Fujin's Crew: Greg Slyngstad, Bradley Baker, Peter F Johnston, Paul Bieker, Gina Borza, Fritz Lanzinger, Michael Leslie, Jonathan McKee.

caribbean600.rorc.org

Marlow Ropes present Gold-medal winning Dinghy range at their 15th RYA Dinghy Show 2018
Far from being the little brother to yacht racers, Marlow understands that not only does Dinghy Sailing offer up some of the most exciting and closest racing, it is also the origin for the next generation of Grand Prix Racing superstars. There is no better proof of this than being the official rope supplier to the multi gold medal winning RYA British Sailing Team since Sydney 2000, and more recently (since the opening of the US office in 2013) the US Sailing Team in 2016.

Marlow has become the rope choice for countless international class champions, with products developed in conjunction with the world's best sailors. The excel Dinghy series is constantly updated with new products, improved specifications and the latest colours. In 2017-18 the excel R8 Is the latest innovation in this range and offers outstanding strength and durability with a Dyneema SK78 core and a Technora and polyester mixed cover. Available from 4-8mm, it excels both as a halyard working on cleats and as a high performance sheet performing well in ratchet blocks. Used already by members of the BST and USST, it has been well received and Marlow are looking forward to introducing it further at their 15th RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra palace on 3-4 March this year. Stand G42.

For further information about the Marlow excel Dinghy Series visit  www.marlowropes.com/leisure-marine-ropes-excel-dinghy

Wellington International Youth Match Racing Championship
The CentrePort Wellington International Youth Match Racing Championship took place over the latter part of last week and the weekend with skippers from NZL, AUS, JPN and GBR representing teams from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, joining two local teams from the Wellington Youth Sailing Trust.

Sunday was Finals Day of the CentrePort Wellington International Youth Match Racing Championship. With the forecast for another day of strong winds (40 knots forecast for the south coast) the Race Committee decided to progress straight into the semi-finals and finals.

The first semi-final (first to 2 points) was decided in just two races with Callum Radford's crew winning 2 races on the trot. The second semi-final was taken to three races with Leonard Takahashi prevailing.

The sail-off for 3rd and 4th place was decided after three races with Finn Tapper from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia finishing in 3rd Place.

The CentrePort Wellington International Youth Match Racing Championship final was decided after two races in the predicted increasing strong north westerly breeze. Leonard Takahashi's Pacific Rim Racing (crew - J Wijohn and T Balogh) took out first place with Callum Radford and crew (P. Wright, M. Winsley and B. Bennett) representing the Wellington Youth Sailing Trust's Under 23 Squad taking out 2nd place.

Takahashi has had a fantastic season so far, winning the NZ Youth Match Racing Nationals (also run by the Wellington Youth Sailing Trust), the Harken Youth Match Racing Championship (held at Pittwater, Sydney), Musto International Youth Match Racing Regatta (held at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sydney), the Nespresso International Youth Match Racing Regatta (held at Royal NZ Yacht Squadron, Auckland) and now the CentrePort Wellington International Youth Match Racing Regatta.

www.scoop.co.nz/stories/

Observations on Sailing in the Olympics from the UK
I have read with interest the letters from both Roger Vaughan and Will Parkes and can only agree.

The concept that sailing in the Olympics is the height of skill, expertise and competition is a complete nonsense. With only one competitor for each country, the competition is nowhere near the level it will be for an equivalent World Championship, where it is likely there will be many competitors from a few countries who would dominate and be far better than most of the Olympic competitors.

The impact of "squads" and intensive so called "elite" athletes on our sport is pervasively corrupt and leads to the impression that these are actually the best sailors in a given Country. This is clearly no so as the majority of sailors wouldn't be seen dead in Olympic class boats - with the possible exception of the ancient and poorly designed Laser (stupid mainsheet system, silly small rudder blade, dreadful sail design, hopeless rig that cannot be softened or hardened to suit crew weight). In the UK competition at the top in the UK, of say, the Merlin Rocket, International 14, 505 Fleets is at a far higher level than in the Olympic Classes.

The overwhelming majority of sailors choose to race boats that suit their waters, their wallets and that give them most fun - look at the large fleets such boats as the SB achieve regularly, even older designs like the enterprise, Squibs etc manage to put out on a regular basis, I am certain the same holds true for the US, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Australia etc etc.

The biggest issue is that youngsters are continually put into squads then graded, coached and over-trained to death and funnelled in such a way that ultimately most leave the sport.

Normal average young sailors, are put off, find they cannot compete with parents and sponsors spending fortunes on new kit, so go away and do another sport that is just plain more fun.

Recently in the UK an Olympic Gold Medallist was beefing that since she has won her Gold Medal and had given up Olympic sailing, that she was struggling to get a job and that no one was interested in the fact that she was an "elite athlete" - well it took her ten years, but eventually the penny dropped, no one was interested at all, even the media were not, now she wasn't going to win any more Olympic medals.

The more quickly sailing is out of the Olympics, then our sport will recover and once again become challenging fun for all ages and for all the family. After all racing is only part of the fun, just going out sailing as a bunch of teenagers, generally messing about in boats, is infinitely more rewarding. Being yelled at by coaching boats and being subjected to hours of in-depth video analysis when one gets ashore, isn't fun in any way.

Sailing as a sport is dying because it is not fun for youngsters. Mixed age sailing is what is needed, I recall as a young teenager nearly 60 years ago hanging on every word in the sailing club bar from older competitors as they advised on how to do it better, what I had done wrong, how to set my boat up better, these older guys (and girls) became life-long friends and examples of not only how to sail well, have fun whilst doing it, but also life long examples of how to behave and conduct oneself both on and off the water! -- David Evans

Industry News
The professional skippers Servane escoffier and Louis Burton who manage Archambault by BG Race since 2015 announced last October , the sale of the entire business of their shipyard to Jean-Charles Thomas, industrial expert who shares their passion for sail. The Saint- Malo couple decided to concentrate all their efforts on the offshore racing team which takes the name of Be Racing (formerly BG Race). At the end of this operation, Servane escoffier and Louis Burton retain a minority stake in the new entity and a role as technical advisors to Jean-Charles Thomas.

A long-time friend of the Burton family and the two skippers, and passionate about sailing, the new owner and president of the BG Race yard is also an expert in industrial management. "It's a very exciting project. We worked for many months in this operation, I am delighted that it was born "says Jean-Charles Thomas, whose career in major global industrial groups have played a major role in the decision of the Saint-Malo couple to sell the whole boatyard. "The project involves the takeover of the entire business, including the staff, brands, as well as tangible and intangible assets," says Jean-Charles Thomas.

While retaining a minority stake in the new entity and a role as technical advisor, Louis Burton and Servane escoffier can now focus fully on their offshore racing team, renamed Be Racing (formerly BG Race). "Our goal is to develop the Be Racing sports projects, starting with the one supported by Bureau Vallée for seven years," explains Louis Burton. Indeed, after a first 4-year campaign on the IMOCA Bureau Valle 1, the acquisition of the IMOCA winner of the last Vendee Globe, renamed Bureau Vallee 2, has tipped Be Racing's sports project into a new dimension: "It's a war machine, with which I hope to meet successes for the next 4 years, until the next Vendée Globe, with Servane who remains the Team Manager of this project," explains Louis Burton.

With a capital of 130,000 euros, the new structure BG Race is a company creating emotions and performance, established in Saint Malo, which designs, builds and markets racing boats, fast cruising and ocean racing. BG Race has in its range the M7.50 dayboat, the prestigious Archambault boats (Surprise, Grand Surprise, A35R, A13 ...) and the very fast Tizh40, class40 on plan G. Verdier. In search of continuous improvement, and thanks to the performance of its teams, BG Race guarantees its customers the best cost / pleasure / performance ratio.

About Jean-Charles Thomas Coming from the industrial world, Jean-Charles Thomas has held, for more than 25 years, various financial, commercial and general management functions, in large international groups such as Sagem, Johnson Controls, Jenoptik, in France and in France. foreign.

bgrace.fr

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OC Sport, owner and organiser of the extreme Sailing Series has announced an extension of their technology sponsorship with German software giant SAP, for a further four years. The renewal of the sponsorship will see the partnership reach a decade, as together the Series and SAP continue to push the boundaries to transform the sport of sailing for fans, media and sailors.

Since 2012, SAP has provided the Series with cutting-edge business software and analytics solutions that have transformed the sailing experience. SAP sailing solutions offer fans and broadcasters insights to enable them to decipher exactly what is happening on the water through the use of live leaderboards and 3D and 2D visualisations taking place in real-time. Post-race, SAP provides teams with tools to analyse their performance and optimise their strategy helping them sail like never before.

SAP is also a title partner to the reigning extreme Sailing Series champion, SAP extreme Sailing Team, who will return to defend their title when the global Stadium Racing circuit kicks off in Muscat, Oman for the opening Act on the 14 March.

extremesailingseries.com

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Doyle Sails announced today breaking new developments for its presence in the evolving Palma market. Doyle Sails International is owned and led by the team of Mike Sanderson, Richard Bouzaid and David Duff.

Chris Sherlock, world renowned superyacht Captain and Skipper of the many famous Leopard campaigns, has invested into the co-ownership of the Doyle Palma business together with Doyle Sails International, and will lead the Palma business as Managing Director, along with other industry leaders soon to be announced.

Chris Sherlock started working in the sail making industry at the age of 15 working in Fremantle, Australia, before he moved to the UK in 1992 for the Round Britain and Ireland race and never left! He worked for 25 years continuously with superyacht owner Mike Slade running all of their maxi yacht 'Leopard' programmes, racking up an impressive 300,000 nautical miles and over 30 transatlantics, as well as leading an operations and sailing team of 30 people across race events, charters and corporate guest management programmes.

doylesails.com

Letters To The Editor - editor@scuttlebutteurope.com
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Michael Brown:

Maybe I'm just too old but the winning boat in the greatest regatta in 2017 is won by bicycle power & now one of the leading contenders in a 2018 classic ocean race retires because of a broken engine. What is happening to our lovely world of SAILING? \aa

* From Butch Dalrymple Smith:

Sailing is a competitive sport practiced by thousands, weekends and Wednesday evenings all over the world. It seems unjust that the sailing community has to struggle so hard to keep their events in the Olympic Games. Why is sailing treated so badly when in the winter Olympics they allow such absurdities as medals for two different sports and another set of medals for both together; four man and two man bobsleigh (what difference do the two in the middle make?) and no less than 12 biathlon (skiing and shooting) events, including one which gives medals for a pursuit race and again for a mass start over virtually the same course?

Why can't they add more sailing events to reflect the number of people who actually race? If it is a cost issue, they can save by eliminating the expense of putting on events that have no relevance to the public and the ones that are so similar that they test the same skill set, generally ending up with the same contestants on the podium for several minor variations of the same sport.

* From Jean-Charles Thomas:

I have read with great interest, your article about Nivelt and Muratet, that will be published in the March edition of Seahorse.

However, there is some inaccurate information in your article.

You write about the "defunct Archambault Shipyard"". I would like to correct this point which is wrong. The company does not exist anymore, since 2015, but the assets, including brand, molds and equipments have been taken over by a shipyard located in Saint Malo named BG RACe, and production has restarted for some boats, like the very well know Surprise, the A35R, and soon the A31, and we still work closely with Bernard Nivelt for new boats development.

I have attached the press released that was issued in November 2017, when Louis Burton sold me the majority of the shares of the Boatyard. Today, I am the new Chairman and CeO of BG Race.

We do not intend to let Archambault disappear. On the contrary, we are working on bringing back the Archambault spirit, with the existing product range, and new boats.

* Editor: portions of the release in the first story in Industry News above.

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2010 Davidson Custom 70. 850000 EUR. Located in East Coast, Italy

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See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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Ben Cooper
+44 (0) 1590 679222
ben.cooper@berthon.co.uk

-----------------------------------------

2017 Ker 33 - New Build. 189,000 USD. Located in China.

The first dual-purpose cruiser/racer from the McConaghy/Ker partnership. Huge promise whilst on the race track as usual, but some proper interior comfort.

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Sam Pearson - Ancasta Port Hamble
sampearson@ancasta.com

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2005 Swan 100-201 Aquarius Alfa. 5,150,000 EUR. Located in Athens, Greece.

Aquarius Alfa was built for a passionate yacht owner who implanted his extensive knowledge gained during the construction of several previous yachts to help Nautor achieve the perfect blue-water performance cruiser.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Jeremy Peek
brokerage@nautorswan.com
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nautorswanbrokerage.com

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
Anytime four New Yorkers get into a cab together without arguing, a bank robbery has just taken place. -- Johnny Carson

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Paradox and Rambler 88 celebrate in Antigua | 470, Finn, & RSX Classes Will Be Reviewed For Olympic Sailing Regatta 2024 | Harken Element Blocks - Coming Soon to a Dealer Near You | Sailing Events in the Olympics | Hot stuff (but very cool) | Alinghi Join M32 Series as Valencia Racing Hots Up | Sailors' Society mourns loss of regional superintendent in India | Letters to the Editor | Featured Brokerage

Paradox and Rambler 88 celebrate in Antigua
In the early hours on the third day of the 2018 RORC Caribbean 600, Paradox, Peter Aschenbrenner's American 63' Trimaran crossed the finish line in Antigua completing the 600-mile race in an elapsed time of 1 day, 13 hours 5 minutes and 16 seconds taking Multihull Line Honours. George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 crossed the finish line just under half an hour later to take Monohull Line Honours and to set a new monohull race record of 1 day 13 hours 41 minutes and 45 seconds. Rambler 88 eclipsed the time set by Rambler 100 in 2011 by nearly two and a half hours.

"It was a hard race with good strong trades; 20-25 knots the whole way around the track. The whole boat was loaded up and we had to take extreme care," commented Rambler 88 owner George David. "We sailed a good race and didn't leave much out there. Nobody got hurt and we didn't break anything, all of which is good. Why did we beat the record? I think it might come down to evolution in design. Six years ago the conditions were similar, yet we are two and a half hours ahead of a 100ft boat. Boats just go faster; we made some modifications over the winter to Rambler 88. We draw 7 metres now and we took a ton and a half of displacement out of the boat. Its lighter and livelier and gets up and going quick. I want to thank the RORC and the people locally who are extremely welcoming. It is a nice place to come."

"The ride down from Tintamarre to Guadeloupe was at night, very fast, very wet and very intense," commented Paradox owner, Peter Aschenbrenner. "All-in-all, the conditions were just perfect for Paradox she loved it. This is what we dream about doing in the boat, and the combination of cruising the boat for two weeks before the race gives that great juxtaposition (hence the name Paradox). The conditions we had in those big reaches was intense; the wave state was really big and there was a lot of wind. When you hit the wave crest with the cross-beam at 30 knots, it makes a kind-of explosive sound; the boat is moving around a lot and there is spray everywhere. Eleven is a great fleet of multihulls, and this is a great place to race them; you are going to be wet and it might as well be warm. It is a combination of great wind and great scenery, it is a wonderful course."

The USMMA Sailing Foundation's American Volvo 70 Warrior, skippered by Steve Murray, finished the race shortly after dawn, just four hours after Rambler 88. "Mr. Toad's wild ride! A lot of fun and what the boat was made for. It's a great boat, but an incredible team. We have been sailing together since our first race, the Antigua to Bermuda Race and we have really jelled as a team, anticipating each other's moves. Good boat handling on this boat is impressive to watch."

caribbean600.rorc.org

Tracker: caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/

470, Finn, & RSX Classes Will Be Reviewed For Olympic Sailing Regatta 2024
Reports today from the International 49er class say World Sailing will put up for review the events represented by the 470 M/W, Finn, and RSX M/W. By choosing not to review the other 5 events; Laser/Radial, 49er/49erFX, and Nacra 17, these events and the current equipment will remain for the games in Paris.

Of the ten events and 350 athletes destined for Paris 2024, half are now known. The work begins to select both the Events and Equipment to fill the remainder of the slate.

afloat.ie/sail/olympic-sailing/

Harken Element Blocks - Coming Soon to a Dealer Near You
Wisconsin winter is in full swing with the usual snow, sub-zero temps, and cars in ditches. But in Pewaukee, the Harken crew has YOU on their minds. We're is getting ready to ship the first Element blocks to dealers around the world. When designing Element, Harken engineers decided a new approach was imperative. They rejected the status-quo methodology of plastic blocks with internal stainless load-carrying straps. Element blocks introduce sideplates that combine forged, hardcoat-anodized aluminum with compound curves for strength. That forged metal protects the composite sheave and pairs with a proven bearing system. The result is a Harken-designed and engineered value-priced block that is contemporary, durable, and built without compromise. Whether cruising the bay, competing in a weekend race, or embarking on an extended passage-making adventure, Element blocks will get you there without eating into your wallet. Available in singles, doubles, triples, fiddles, and footblocks in 45, 60, and 80 mm; accept line from 8 – 16 mm. Learn more. Harken At The Front.

harken.com

Sailing Events in the Olympics
I have been reading this debate in 'Butts on both sides of the pond for several Olympic cycles and have a proposal for 2028 onwards which could pretty much solve a whole stack of issues regarding Sailing (and other water sports) in the Olympics with their perceived cost compared to viewing figures on TV.

Back in the day there was only one Olympics. It took all year and incorporated events now split between the Summer and Winter Olympics. With the increased popularity of Winter Sports a trial was run in France after the Paris Olympics in 1924 of a separate Winter Sports event with this becoming a full separate Olympiad in 1928.

The reason to split was done on practical grounds - you cant ski in Paris in the Summer - but the Winter events while run in a different place were run in the same year. Moving the Winter events to a separate year (done since 1994) hugely increased the overall revenue take.

So an obvious thought is:

Split the Summer Olympics into the Wet and Dry Olympics, or Stadium and Outdoor Olympics... or some other combination. This cuts the cost of the Summer (dry) Olympics down and makes it possible for landlocked countries to bid for it

To take a Wet Olympics (someone please come up with a better name!) the sports to move from the current Summer Olympics to the Wet Olympics would be

Canoe Slalom
Canoe Sprint
Diving
Marathon Swimming
Rowing
Sailing
Swimming
Synchronised Swimming
Water Polo

What unites a lot of these sports is, like Winter Sports, they have less of an international spread at at the top level than many of the other Summer Sports. They are perceived, when compared to other Summer Olympic sports, to have a smaller following on TV (apart from Swimming) and to be costly to run. Removing all of these sports from the Summer Olympics - to make it the Dry Olympics - reduces the cost of that competition. Putting them into a package still creates sufficient TV viewing figures and allows event restricted sports - like Sailing, Rowing and Canoeing and I am sure many others - to be expanded, both in terms of participation and events and also makes this a competition that many smaller Nations could be interested in running due to its smaller cost... Even Hong Kong could host a Wet Olympics - or Singapore, or Malta maybe.. Bermuda? Think small places which have a lot of water!

In a four year cycle we have then have the five big international events:

Year 1 (2028) Land/Summer/Dry Olympics
Year 2 (2029) Water/Wet Olympics
Year 3 (2030) Football World Cup/Commonwealth Games
Year 4 (2031) Winter Olympics

In fact I cant really see a down side: historical evidence of the split of Winter sports from Summer sports says this is worth doing, and indeed additional sports can be added (Canoe Polo, Waboba, Dragon Boating etc) to the mix to make it more attractive.

Sailing can keep the Finn - but two events, one male and one female, bring back the Star, add Kite Boarding, add an offshore event.

Rowing could bring in Sprints (anyone remember the Crash-B Sprints?) and expand its lightweight program - critically important in Asia. Rowing Six? Octuple Sculls?

Canoeing could bring in open water Kayaking events and I am sure a host of other events (sorry - dont follow Canoeing much).

Olympic Paddle Boarding anyone? Hows about Surfing? Water Ski-ing? Scuba diving?

Simon Boyde, Hong Kong

Hot stuff (but very cool)
When the Solaris team applied their 44 years of high-end boatbuilding experience to upping the game in the mid-sized performance cruiser market the result was something rather special… Italian, of course!

Looks good, doesn't she? Easy on the eye. It's difficult to know exactly why but she just looks… right. A sort of understated elegance that whispers style, comfort and control, while at the same time suggesting performance, an unspoken promise of power. The new Solaris 55 was developed by Solaris Yachts' in-house technical team with naval architecture input from Argentinian designer Javier Soto Acebal.

Since being founded in 1974 in Aquileia, moments from the lagoons of Venice, the Solaris shipyard has successfully mastered the blend of studied, elegant comfort with the sort of performance that reminds us that it's good to be alive and here at the wheel. In its long story Solaris has worked with many top designers including the late Franz Maas, Sparkman & Stephens, Doug Peterson, Bill Tripp and now Soto Acebal.

One of the other designs currently in build at Solaris is a new light-displacement Maxi72-styled Wally 93, which also perhaps explains some visible aesthetic parallels between the two houses.

Full article in the March issue of Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com

Alinghi Join M32 Series as Valencia Racing Hots Up
Valencia, Spain: 14 epic races were sailed this past weekend over the three-day event which was the penultimate in the M32 Valencia Winter Series. Valencia again delivered on its promise of warm weather and glamorous sailing conditions, even throwing in a strong swell for the final day of racing.

Arnaud Psarofaghis skippered Alinghi to victory at this event, their debut M32 regatta. With their long history of success in multihull racing it seems that this is a crew who can pick up any boat and win. "With such a rich and successful sailing history, it is a great pleasure to have this team join the M32 Series and we hope to have them back at more events this year." Remarked Pieter-Jan Postma, event organiser and skipper of Sailing Team NL. Before continuing, "Even if they turn up and beat us all they are a fantastic group of guys to sail with, learn from and relax with after racing."

As seems to be the story at each M32 Series regatta, whether in the Mediterranean, North America or in Scandinavia, it was down to the final race to decide the podium positions. At his first regatta back at the helm for 2018, Section 16 skipper and M32 International Class Association President Richard Davies commented, "The first regatta of 2018 went pretty well. As always in M32 racing after multiple races it all came down to last race. We didn't quite pull it together and dinged below the fold into 3rd place. Congratulations to Alinghi and Sailing Team NL, great racing."

After back-to-back podiums, Section 16 and Sailing Team NL top the podium for the overall series leaderboard, with Cape Crow Vikings just behind them. The top three positions have just two points between them. It really will come down to the final regatta to decide. The M32 Valencia Winter Series concludes 16-18th March.

Results:
Arnaud Psarofaghis, Alinghi (SUI) - 25.8pts
Pieter-Jan Postma, Sailing Team NL (NED) - 32pts
Richard Davies, Section 16 (SUI) - 37pts
Håkan Svensson, Cape Crow Vikings (SWE) - 47pts
Dirk-Jan Korpershoek, Team DMTRA (NED) - 59pts

m32world.com

Sailors' Society mourns loss of regional superintendent in India
International maritime charity Sailors' Society is mourning the loss of its regional superintendent in India, Pastor Joseph Chacko who died earlier today (21 February) in a traffic collision in Gandhidham along with his wife Leena and Meru Kaku, a driver at the Deendayal Seafarers' Centre.

Joseph, who was 54, joined Sailors' Society in 2012 and was instrumental in the foundation of the Deendayal Seafarers' Centre.

He was also responsible for setting up ear and eye testing within the centre, which has helped hundreds of seafarers by identifying medical issues before they became potentially career threatening.

In 2016, Joseph was nominated for the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network's (ISWAN) Dr Dierk Lindemann Welfare Personality of the Year, for his outstanding contribution to seafarers' welfare.

Stuart Rivers, Sailors' Society's CEO, said: "Joseph was a true friend to seafarers and a champion of improving their health and well-being.

"He worked tirelessly to better seafarers' welfare not just in India but beyond.

"He and Leena, who was a great support to her husband in his welfare work, are a great loss to the Society and the wider maritime community and our thoughts and prayers are with their family."

Joseph and Leena's funerals will take place on Friday (23 February).

www.sailors-society.org

* From Bengt O. Hult:

David Evan wrote yesterday about what is wrong with sailing to-day. I have been an IJ for 25 years and I do have some experience from visiting clubs all over the world. I could not agree more with him. I remember some years ago when I came down to a club where a dozen Optis were standing on the beach with sails up and ready to go to sea but the sailors were playing football. I asked why. The reason was that their coach had not come! And just sailing around having fun was not an alternative to them. Obviously it was not FUN sailing, it was a job that had to be done when the coach came. Poor children.

* From Adrian Morgan:

David Evans spoils his argument somewhat by his attack on the "ancient and poorly designed Laser" with its "(stupid mainsheet system, silly small rudder blade, dreadful sail design, hopeless rig that cannot be softened or hardened to suit crew weight)." It is precisely because of the strict [sic] one-design rules that govern the class that it is so incredibly successful, at all levels, despite numerous attempts to design something better. Laser sailors know that they will be competing on a level footing with other Laser sailors in their ancient and poorly designed boats. There is a measure of tweaking that will make them easier to tune, and polishes to make the hull slippery. But that's it. The aluminium pole could so easily be replaced by something in carbon costing trillions, and a sail made to match it, at similar cost. But why? It has become a style icon. It is no wonder that some of the greatest sailors cut their competitive teeth in these ancient and, I would argue, brilliantly designed boats. Any boat can be improved, but surely it is because they have not been, and because those who sail them best need to overcome those limitations that, paradoxically, they have survived so long.

So, ancient and poorly designed, stupid mainsheet, silly rudder, dreadful sail, hopeless rig; 50 years later, 200,000 plus sold, thriving fleets in scores of countries, second-hand boats for sale for a song, Olympic status and also a strong club presence, a devoted following, where did it all go wrong?

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Contact
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+44 (0) 1590 679 222
ben.cooper@berthon.co.uk

-----------------------------------------

1994 Mumm 36. 90.000 EUR. Located in

For sale ABSOLUTELY MUMM 36 – 1994 Formerly Thomas I Punkt three time Mumm 36 world champion.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
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+ 33 673 31 11 59
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-----------------------------------------

2011 TP52 - SPIRIT OF MALOUEN VIII. 600000 EUR. Located in Lorient, France.

Super Series Specification TP52. Fully kitted out and ready to play. Has IRC sail configuration as well as class. Designed by Judel/Vrolijk in 2011. Formerly RAN racing and hugely successful in the TP class. Built by Green Marine to exacting standards and in excellent condition.

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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
In the coursse of my life, I have often had to eat my words, and I must confess that I have always found it a wholesome diet. -- Winston Churchill

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Vive la France!
Morticia (AUS) receives hero's welcome in Antigua
Maserati Multi 70 The Arrival In London Is Scheduled For Friday Morning
Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series starts on 18 March
PSP Logistics Celebrates First Clipper Race Victory In Sanya
European Match Race Tour 2018 Sibenik
Challenging Start for Youth Olympics' Qualifiers as Dakhla's Reliable Breezes Refuse to Build
When the going gets tough, the turf boat gets going
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Dean Barker at the helm for New York Yacht Club in major monohull regattas
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word

Vive la France!
French skipper Catherine Pourre, racing Earendil has won the Class40 division for the RORC Caribbean 600, setting a new record for the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands. Philippe Frantz French NM43 Albator has finished the race and is the provisional winner of IRC One.

Catherine Pourre's French Class40 Earendil sets a new Class40 race record in the RORC Caribbean 600 © RORC/Tim Wright/Photoaction.com

Earendil took line honours for the eight-strong Class40 Division in an elapsed time of 2 days 13 hours and 15 seconds, breaking the previous record set by Gonzalo Botin's Spanish Tales II in 2016 by over three hours. Earendil, with a French, Spanish and Italian crew won the Class40 division for this year's race by just under three hours. Louis Burton's BHB was second in class and Arnt Bruhns racing his German Class40 Iskareen was third.

In IRC One, Philippe Frantz's French NM43 Albator is the winner, and whilst four yachts are still racing, none can better Albator's corrected time under IRC. The all-French team finished the race accompanied by a huge range squall as they moored up in Falmouth Harbour.

caribbean600.rorc.org

Morticia (AUS) receives hero's welcome in Antigua
Shaun Carroll's Australian modified Sea Cart 30 Morticia is the smallest yacht to finish the tough 2018 RORC Caribbean 600. The team of four Aussies from North Queensland and New South Wales came a long way to Antigua, with one intention - to finish the race. Last year, gear failure stopped them from competing. Looking at this year's forecast, you would not have given Morticia any chance of getting around the 600 mile course. After detailed scrutineering by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Morticia team, their safety equipment and their tiny trimaran was deemed to be safe to take part in the race.

After three days and nights at sea, blasting around 11 Caribbean islands, Morticia crossed the finish line to a hero's welcome in Antigua. Morticia had taken everything the weather could throw at them; huge rain squalls, big confused seas and strong trade winds. Living off chocolate bars and biscuits and getting soaking wet with virtually no sleep, it was a tough ordeal.

Morticia's skipper Dale Mitchell spoke about their awe-inspiring achievement:

"We had some pretty heavy conditions for a boat like this, with some gnarly squalls. We just had to back off and take it easy. This race was just about making it to the finish line. We got very wet, very hungry and we haven't had much sleep. It is definitely one of the toughest races we have done. All the boys put in a massive team effort; looking after the boat, trusting what we have done, and what the designers have done for us. This is a fantastic race but you have to come prepared, and expect to have a very good time in Antigua with some good hospitality after a great sail on the ocean. It is one to put in the book."

Tracker: caribbean600.rorc.org/Race-Information/Tracking/

Maserati Multi 70 The Arrival In London Is Scheduled For Friday Morning
Maserati Multi 70 entered the English Channel before dawn. After a very fast night thanks to the wind which veered to the East and allowed the crew to conclude the crossing of the Bay of Biscay on the direct route to the tip of Brittany, at 6.34 UTC ranking, the Italian trimaran was located a few miles north of the island of Ushant. Of the remaining 344 miles to the finish line, 300 are the distance between Ushant and the Strait of Dover: all the Channel to sail upwind with important tidal currents and a very dense maritime traffic. These are the last 300 miles before turning left and start the last part of the route, climbing the estuary and the river Thames up to London.

Giovanni Soldini comments: "Here we have a wind that blows from the east and forces us to go up the Channel tacking upwind with a freezing cold. We expect the wind to increase up to 22/25 knots in the evening. We will pass Calais next night at around 4 in the morning. Navigation is very tough in the Channel, there is a lot of traffic and rules that we have to respect. Everything is all right on board, morale is high".

After almost 35 days of navigation, at the 9.34 UTC rankings, the advantage of Maserati Multi 70 on the record holder is roadmap is 1.564 miles. There are 302 miles left (of the initial 13.000 nm) to the finish line in London. The arrival is currently scheduled for the morning of 23 February.

maserati.soldini.it

Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series starts on 18 March
Come and join us at the premier early season event. Easy online entry.

Great racing and prizes including 50 trophies - 100 bottles of champagne - valuable goodies from Helly Hansen and Crewsaver.

The Spring Series is on six Sundays: 18 March to 29 April (excluding Easter).

There are 4 IRC classes + J/109, J/88 in Black group. White Group comprises Sportsboats (J/70 - SB20 - J/80 - Mixed). Other one design classes or extracted results are possible on request.

Crewsaver Spring Championship starts on 21 April

The Spring Championship is on the last two weekends of the Spring Series: Saturdays & Sundays 21-22 + 28-29 April. Up to 14 races over the four days.

Black group has 4 IRC classes + J/109, with the Performance 40 class racing within IRC 1. White Group is for J/70 - SB20 - J/80 Mixed Sportsboats -Quarter Ton Class.

Warsash Sailing Club - The first place to race in 2018.

www.warsashspringseries.org.uk

admin@warsashspringseries.org.uk

Warsash Sailing Club, Shore House, Shore Road, Warsash SO31 9FS. 01489 583575

PSP Logistics Celebrates First Clipper Race Victory In Sanya
PSP Logistics, Skippered by British sailor Matt Mitchell, has marked the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race's first visit to Sanya in China by claiming a maiden win and fourth podium of the 2017-18 edition of the race.

After spending the past 23 days racing 4,300 nautical miles from the Whitsundays in Australia to Sanya, PSP Logistics crossed the finish line off the Sanya Serenity Coast Marina ion Thursday 22 February at 20:41:20 local time (12:41:20 UTC).

PSP Logistics overtook Qingdao for the lead in the final four days of the race. But light winds saw the fleet compress, with all of the teams expected to finish within 24 hours of each other.

This is the first win and fourth podium of the Clipper 2017-18 Race for PSP Logistics. The team was second across the line in the opening race from Liverpool, UK, to Punta del Este, Uruguay, and third in Fremantle and second in the Whitsundays in Australia.

With the Race 7 victory, PSP Logistics picks up twelve points, which will see the team move up in the overall standings although its position will depend on how the remaining teams place.

Race 8, which will see the teams head approximately 1,700 nautical miles to Qingdao starts on 4 March. From there, teams will head across the mighty Pacific Ocean to Seattle, before racing to Panama, New York, Derry-Londonderry, and Liverpool, where the Clipper 2017-18 Race will finish on July 28, 2018.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

European Match Race Tour 2018 Sibenik
Current World number 19, the Slovenian Dejan Presen won the first event of this year's European Match Race Tour held in Croatia's Sibenik with an impressive performance while compatriot Jure Jerkovic finished second ahead of local match race star Teo Piasevoli.

The traditional opening event of the European Match Race Tour is organized by the Wave Sailing Centre at Sibenik, nestled in one of Croatia's most beautiful bays which provides a spectacular sailing arena, open to the public to watch the races close from the city's promenade. The Slovenian skipper showed his outstanding performance right from the beginning as there was never doubt on his superiority in the light and medium winds of Dalmatia.

The European Match Race Tour will continue with event #2 from 16. 18 March in Montenegro's Tivat, a perfect opportunity to explore the waters of the Grand Final 2018, before heading to Austria's Lake Neusiedl just 40 km from Vienna in April. -- Helmut Czasny-Bonomo

Final results
1. Dejan Presen, SLO
2. Jure Jerkovic, SLO
3. Teo Piasevoli, CRO
4. Marko Smolic, CRO
5. Emil Kjaer, DEN
6. Igor Cupic, CRO
7. Filip Miroic, CRO
8. Jan Winkler, GER

The European Match Race Tour 2018
Tour Stop 1 - 16-18 Feb 2018. Sibenik, CRO
Tour Stop 2 - 16 - 18 March 2018 - Tivat, MNE
Tour Stop 3 - 6-8 April 2018. Podersdorf, AUT
Tour Stop 4 - 5-6 May 2018 - Gothenburg, SWE
Tour Stop 5 - 26-27 May 2018. Copenhagen, DEN
Tour Stop 6 - 22-24 June 2018 - Swinojuscie, POL
Tour Stop 7 - 31 Aug-2 Sept 2018. Ravenna, ITA
Grand Final 2018 - 13-16 Sept 2018, Tivat, Porto Montenegro, MNE

europeanmatchracetour.wordpress.com

Challenging Start for Youth Olympics' Qualifiers as Dakhla's Reliable Breezes Refuse to Build
Dakhla, Morocco-Young kiteboard riders from Europe and Africa hoping to open their account to claim a spot at the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games (YOG) suffered a day of frustration when the breeze failed to build sufficiently to allow racing. On the first of five days of competition on Morocco's Dakhla lagoon -a favored kiteboarding spot because of its consistently steady winds- the light, shifty breezes toyed with race officials who continually altered the slalom course in the hope it would steady and fill in.

But in the end, the direction was neither consistent enough, nor strong enough to allow racing. The Twin-Tip: Racing (TT:R) format specially developed for the Youth Olympics in Argentina in October restricts racers to inflatable tube kites and traditional twin-tips to encourage participation. Four places for the Games in Buenos Aires are up for grabs at the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) qualification event in Dakhla. The winners of the boys and girls divisions from Europe and Africa will each automatically earn an Olympics spot.

One boutique brand that has pushed the TT:R slalom envelope is Upeksha. Its carbon fibreGawa board has been specially designed for the downwind format, to the delight of some and the dismay of others. Four of the 11-strong Italian team, which is backed by the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), have opted to deploy the Upeksha board in the hope it will give them an edge.

Italian team coach, Simone Vannucci, has no qualms about his team members seeking any advantage they can. "Upeksha was the only brand to put in some extra effort," said Vannucci. "No one else was asking the question about pushing TT:R. All the youngsters racing here are serious, and once you go up a level you naturally look for any advantage."

Polish team coach, TomekJaniak, sees the appearance of the Upeksha board differently; at odds with the spirit of the TT:R format, if still within the rules. "When I saw the UpekshaGawa my reaction was, it's the 'arms race' again. The idea of the TT:R was to be as close as possible to ordinary kiteboarders to encourage youngsters to participate."

icarus-sports.com

When the going gets tough, the turf boat gets going
The design of Sally O’Keeffe was neatly judged to provide the maximum on-board space Photo by W M Nixon. Click on image to enlarge.

Though it may not look it on a map which emphasises the extensive low water limits, at high water the Loop Head Peninsula in southwest County Clare is almost an island writes W M Nixon.

Only a couple of small roads lead into it from the main road between Kilrush and Kilkee, and once you're into the Loop, you're in a different country, a distinctive place with its own strong sense of identity.

It was here in Querrin that a voluntary group got together some years ago to build a boat to commemorate the small Shannon sailing hookers which were once the Loop Head Peninsula's most important transport link for goods coming down the long estuary from Limerick.

This local community group only had some ancient photos and sketches - and some vague old memories - to go by. But, guided by shipwright Steve Morris of Kilrush, they had naval architect Myles Stapleton of Malahide to bring his considerable talents to the task, and he created a wonderfully characterful 25-footer which looks good from any angle, sails well too, and can carry significant numbers to avail of Seol Sionna's enthusiasm for spreading seagoing awareness. They've fresh plans afoot for 2018, and have sent us this cheerful message:

"Sally O'Keeffe, the traditional wooden sail training vessel based on the Shannon Estuary, is currently gearing up for her seventh season on the ocean, and is putting a shout out to any and all who would wish to sail on her. The 25-foot gaff rigged cutter was built by community group "Seol Sionna" under the guidance and tuition of local professional shipwright Steve Morris from plans drawn up by naval architect Myles Stapleton. Launched in Querrin in 2012 just 200 metres from where she was built, this craft has become one of the busiest and most capable sailing vessels on the Estuary.

WM Nixon's piece in Afloat: afloat.ie/port-news/shannon-estuary

Seahorse March 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

World news
Incredible incredible incredible, Patrice Carpentier welcomes ashore Francois Gabart, a compact challenge in Kiwi, Nico shakes off the rust, that Sydney Hobart howler and getting the Caribbean back to business. Blue Robinson, Dobbs Davis, Ivor Wilkins

Paul Cayard - Inexpensive?
A cheaper America’s Cup... don’t kid yourself

IRC - An end to rule bandits
Convergence should mean just that. James Dadd

Seahorse build table - New for old(er)
The re-emergence of an old friend...

Sailor of the Month
Inspirational is probably the best (only) word

Special rates for Scuttlebutt Europe subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2

1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/

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Discounts shown are valid on a one year subscription to Seahorse magazine.

Dean Barker at the helm for New York Yacht Club in major monohull regattas
Dean Barker has strengthened his links to the New York Yacht Club's America's Cup challenge with confirmation he will be at the helm of their Congressional Cup bid and TP52 Super Series campaigns this year.

Barker will be at the wheel with NYYC challenge executive director of sailing Terry Hutchinson calling tactics alongside him.

The TP52 Super Series, the world's premier monohull racing environment, confirmed Barker's involvement with Quantum Racing, declaring: "Welcome back Deano."

Quantum Racing make up one half of the New York challenge along with the successful Bella Mente monohull team.

They are looking to continue their success in the Super Series as the basis of their lead-in work to their return to the America's Cup scene in the 36th edition set to be sailed in Auckland in 2021.

www.stuff.co.nz/sport/

* From Talbot Wilson Re: Sailing Events in the Olympics

Interesting idea for another set of Olympics...

This would give sailing more exposure.

Maybe stage one in the Northern Hemisphere's Summer and the other in the Southern Hemisphere's Summer of the same year.

Olympic Aquatic Games
Olympic Summer Games

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2006 Spirit 54 - 007 Yacht - SOUFRIERE. 630000 EUR. Located in Howth, Ireland.

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The Last Word
Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles. Charlie Chaplin

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Maserati Breaks the Tea Route record
Team AkzoNobel push the pace towards Cape Reinga
Meeting of Minds
Points on the scoreboard for the new Barcelona World Race
18ft Skiffs Australian Championship, Races 9 & 10
2018 Hong Kong Race Week
Optimist US Nationals
First round of Sail Aid UK grants
Two men have died after a yacht overturned off the coast of WA during a race
Featured Brokerage: K36 - Samurai, 2017 Libertist 850, Donovan GP26 Speed6
The Last Word: Ken Campbell

Maserati Breaks the Tea Route record
Click on image to enlarge.

They have done it. At 13h20'26" UTC, Maserati Multi 70 crossed the Tea Route arrival line between Hong Kong and London passing under the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Giovanni Soldini and trimaran's crew composed of Guido Broggi, Sebastien Audigane, Oliver Herrera Perez and Alex Pella took 36 days, 2 hours, 37 minutes and 2 seconds to cover the 13.000 nautical miles of the theoretical route between the Chinese port and the capital of the United Kingdom. They have improved the record by almost a week (5 days and 19 hours) that previously belonged to Gitana 13, the 100-foot maxi catamaran that completed the route in 41 days in 2008. On the ground, the Italian trimaran travelled 15.083 nautical miles at an average speed of 17.4 knots.

Just after the finish line, the skipper Giovanni Soldini comments: "We are super happy but also very tired. The last 48 hours have been very tough. Sailing in the Channel upwind with a lot of breeze, a lot of sea and a terrible cold. The record went very well, we are very happy with our route. The most difficult part was the last one: with more favorable weather conditions in the Atlantic we could have gained another 3 or 4 days, but that's okay. Indeed it could not have been better, technically the boat is perfect. From the last time we put Maserati Multi 70 in a yard, we have sailed more than 19,000 miles and everything is fine onboard, surely there is the work of preparation by Guido and the whote team. An excellent crew".

We are currently waiting for the ratification by the World Sailing Speed Record Council, the organization that validates the ocean records.

maserati.soldini.it/

Team AkzoNobel push the pace towards Cape Reinga
The race is on to slip around Cape Reinga and North Point, the northern tip of New Zealand, ahead of the dash down the east coast of the North Island and into the finish of Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race.

On Sunday afternoon at 1300 UTC, it was team AkzoNobel as the pacesetters, leading a southern grouping of three boats who eased out of the doldrums ahead of the chasing trio earlier this week.

AkzoNobel, Turn the Tide and Plastic and Scallywag have held the advantage for days, getting into the new pressure first. Although they are sailing a greater distance to the finish, sweeping in from the west, the extra speed more than compensates.

"The current picture to Auckland doesn't show the pain we thought we were going to see," said Turn the Tide on Plastic skipper Dee Caffari.

"The light airs that we thought we were going to have to deal with - that might have formed a re-start - are getting pushed out of the way. It looks like we'll come in with pressure and it will stay with us. Fingers crossed that does happen."

The wildcard on the leaderboard at the moment is Scallywag, who engaged Stealth Mode earlier this morning. They won't return to the position report for another 12 hours (0100 UTC, Monday morning). At the time they went in, they had a narrow 4-mile advantage on current leaders AkzoNobel. A

If the weather news is good for the leading group, it's not as favourable for the trailing trio.

"They are going three or four knots faster than us. I don't think there is anything we can do to come back," said Dongfeng skipper Charles Caudrelier. Instead he has his sights on winning his southern group, over Brunel and MAPFRE.

With just over 500 miles to go for the leaders, time is running out to make a move.

volvooceanrace.com

Meeting of Minds
North Sails' year-end debrief generated a tech-fest of ideas, from Super Series TP52s, complete with 3Di RAW 880 sails, to AC50s in Bermuda

Over the last 12 months sailors have broken new ground and set incredible new performance benchmarks in many different parts of the sport. From the recordbreaking round-the-world endeavours of French heroes such as Thomas Coville, Armel Le Cleac'h and, most recently, François Gabart, to LDV Comanche taking line honours in the 2017 Sydney Hobart in a new record time - the common thread between all these achievements is that North Sails 3Di technology has provided the power behind the headlines.

Aside from the news-grabbing offshore successes, 3Di continues to be first choice for the majority of grand prix inshore campaigns, particularly in the TP52 class, arguably the most competitive of all inshore racing circuits. This year the TP52 is attracting America's Cup talent such as Sir Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR and Patrizio Bertelli's Luna Rossa Challenge. More than ever the battle for TP52 glory will come down to a game of inches that demands every last drop of performance from sailors and their equipment.

North Sails responded to the unceasingly high demands of the TP52 class by developing 3Di RAW; the latest iteration of that product is a high-carbon 3Di tape called RAW 880.

Full article in the March issue of Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com

Points on the scoreboard for the new Barcelona World Race
The fourth edition of the Barcelona World Race, which sets off on the 12th January 2019, will have two legs (Barcelona - Sydney - Barcelona) and teams will be able to change co-skipper for the second leg. These two significant new features seek to enhance competition, to open up ocean sailing to a broader group of sailors and to expand the international horizons of the regatta. In the recently-published Notice of Race, the Barcelona World Race unveiled further tweaks to the format: the rankings for the race would now be calculated using a points system, in the place of finishing times across the two legs.

According to Jacques Caraes, the Race Director, this system, which has already been tried and tested in other regattas divided into legs such as the Volvo Ocean Race or the Tour de France à la Voile, means a more balanced and intense sporting challenge along the length of the entire course. "The chance to fight back is still there in the second leg. Both legs, with a coefficient rating of 4.5 for the IMOCA World Championship, are worth more".

Caraes also says that the scoreboard with ranking by points will also intensify competition: "Teams, who for example have lost a considerable amount of time during a leg because of technical issues, will have more of a chance to fight back on the leader-board and it means skippers will have more freedom to stop for repairs and maintain their competitive edge". The Notice of Race stipulates that teams are allowed a technical stopover on each leg, with a minimum duration of 12 hours and maximum of 48 hours. The head of the Race Management Team for the Barcelona World Race also highlighted the suitability of the system for the characteristics of today's IMOCA fleet: "The fleet is made up of boats from many different generations, with varying speeds. The points system evens out the playing field somewhat and will make it easier for the public to understand the scoring. Where teams are joint on points, the Race Committee will be able to decide on the rankings based on racing times. The organisers will also be able to uphold the additional awards for the best times for each leg".

www.barcelonaworldrace.org

18ft Skiffs Australian Championship, Races 9 & 10
Click on image for photo gallery.

Sydney Harbour: Lee Knapton, Mike McKensey and Ricky Bridge were superb in the strong Southerly winds on Sydney Harbour today when they steered Smeg to become the Australian 18ft Skiff champion team for 2017-2018 Season.

The champion team scored six wins in the 10-race championship to finish with an overall score of 16 points, and now head into next week's JJ Giltinan (woerld) Championship as one of the top two chances.

Yandoo (John Winning, Mike Kennedy, Cam McDonald) proved consistent in all conditions and finished second overall with a total of 35, followed in third place by Finport Trade Finance (Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Angus Williams) in third place on 44 points.

Today's racing was a final hit out for the major championship, starting on Sydney Harbour next Saturday, and crews revelled in the strong 25-knot Southerly which battered the harbour.

Misty conditions made viewing difficult for spectators but the action as the fleet raced downwind in the strong breeze made up for the visibility.

Next week's JJ Giltinan (world) Championship has a fleet of 25 set to face the starter, with entries from New Zealand, USA, UK, Germany and Hungary ready to take on the locals.-- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League

www.18footers.com

2018 Hong Kong Race Week
After a cool day on the water yesterday, sailors were relieved with the jump in temperature and blue skies for Day 3 of Hong Kong Race Week. There was 'champagne sailing' (or should we say 'sparkling soda sailing' due HKRW being a predominantly youth regatta) for the whole fleet across four race tracks in a 10 to 15kt easterly breeze.

The windsurfers were the last to launch and the first to finish; getting in three quick races for both fleets in Repulse Bay. In the Techno 293 Class, Hong Kong's Lok YEUNG had a cracking day with a significant lead in all his races putting his grand total of firsts for the regatta to an impressive seven out of nine. There will be some tight racing in the RSX Youth Class tomorrow between Siu Wing HO in the lead and Patrick LEUNG who are both sitting on 17 points.

In the 2.4mR fleet which sailed by both able and disabled sailors, Chi Yeung PUK is currently winning the regatta with top two places throughout the week. Yuen Wai FOO a bronze medalist from the Asian Para Games and who recently placed 7th overall in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club Around the Island Race is close on his heals only one point behind.

On the same track, the leading two RS Fevas had a significant tussle all day, with the all-female team of Sam SHARP and Hannah CRAWFORD taking two out of the three firsts today. This however was not quite enough to pull ahead of Will STORK and Julian HILL who are currently three points ahead.

In the 79-strong Optimist fleet, Hong Kong's Duncan GREGOR had three firsts today putting him two points in front of his rival Douglas LEUNG going into the final day of racing.

With a light forecast for the final day of racing, fingers are crossed for blue skies and big breeze!

Keep up to date with next week's racing by following the links below!

The official website is at www.hongkongraceweek.com
Provisional results: www.hongkongraceweek.com/results

Optimist US Nationals
Pensacola, Florida: Registration is now open online at www.usoda.org for the three-event 2018 Optimist Nationals scheduled for July 13-22 at Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) in Northwest Florida. A separate Notice of Race for each of these three national events is also posted on the site.

All qualified Opti sailors, not just sailors from the USA, are invited to come to beautiful North West Florida for great sailing on Pensacola Bay in the four-day Optimist National Championship, the one-day Optimist Girls National Championship, and the three-day Optimist Team Race National Championship. Check out PYC's event site usoda2018optinationals.com and on Facebook at USODA Nationals for updates and details.

Pensacola Yacht Club is waiting with warm water, warm hospitality, lots of cool fun and big plans for a fantastic regatta. This will be a week-long sailing spectacular on Pensacola Bay showcasing the nation's best and some of the world's best young International Optimist Dinghy sailors aged 8 to 15 years old. Beginners can gain regatta experience in Green Fleet racing, too.

All registration is online at www.usoda.org. Check-in and measurement for these strict one-design eight-foot prams will be July 13-14. Racing is scheduled for July 15-22, 2018.

This year, in a change from previous years, the overall Optimist National Championship leads the schedule on July 15-16-17-18. The Optimist Girls National Championship will be sailed July 19 and the Optimist Team Race Championship wrap up the action July 20-21-22. Prizes are awarded after each event. -- Talbot Wilson

First round of Sail Aid UK grants
The Trustees of Sail Aid UK (SAUK) are delighted to announce approval of the charity's first three grants, totalling GBP £15,000, to the Anguilla Sailing Association, the Virgin Islands Sloop Foundation and Adopt a Roof BVI.

Sail Aid UK, now operating as a fully-fledged charity, was set up in the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Jose that swept through the Leeward Islands leaving entire island communities devastated in September last year. The six Trustees have since organised and hosted a high-profile gala fundraising evening for the UK sailing community, held at the Land Rover BAR HQ in Portsmouth, which raised an astonishing £50,000.

The business of spreading this positive news, combined with being in a position to invite Grant Applications from relevant organisations, is the on-going focus for the Trustees. Their remit is to continue to promote the work of the charity and, with the awarding of grants, to fulfill its Mission Statement, "To help those Islands and their communities that were so tragically affected by the hurricanes to rebuild, restore and regenerate their communities, be it through educational, health and welfare or building projects."

Anguilla Sailing Association
The overall objective of the Anguilla Sailing Association is to 'preserve the art of sailing through youth and adult programmes accessible to all'. What particularly caught the eye of the SAUK Trustees was the need to replace some boats and repair others, specifically four Lasers and eight Optimists, enabling 38 young people and two instructors to get back on the water in the coming season.

VI Sloop Foundation
The Virgin Islands Sloop Foundation is dedicated to preserving the traditional sailing heritage in the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). Prior to Irma they had five traditional sloops that had been refurbished to a condition where they could be sailed and even raced. These five represented the entire remaining fleet of authentic traditional BVI sloops left anywhere. They were all very severely damaged in Irma with three of them sunk and a future hanging in the balance.

This link takes you to a site reporting on the 10th annual sloop shootout!
www.facebook.com/VirginIslandsSloop/

As these five sloops represent a very important part of BVI maritime history, the VI Sloop Foundation is now raising funds to endeavour to salvage and repair them once more. The fund will be administered through the online fundraising platform One Love BVI.

Adopt a Roof/BVI
Meanwhile, Adopt a Roof BVI was established specifically to provide shelter for poor and vulnerable families in the BVI following the hurricanes. The roofs are constructed to the highest building code standards and to withstand future hurricane storms.

You can donate to the Sail Aid UK Action Stations Fund directly through their website:

www.sailaiduk.com/page/how-to-help

Two men have died after a yacht overturned off the coast of WA during a race
The sailors, aged in their 60s and 70s, were taking part in the 70th Bunbury and Return Ocean Race when their yacht, Finistere, capsized off Mandurah with six people aboard.

Crew from two other yachts reached the overturned vessel and pulled five sailors from the water, including one man who died.

Another man remained missing for hours until a helicopter spotted his body and it was recovered by police.

It is not yet known what caused the yacht to capsize.

The race began at 5.30pm on Friday (WST) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) received a distress call just before midnight after a crew member on board activated a personal locator beacon.

The Bunbury and Return Ocean Race is organised by the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club.

Racing was cancelled as a mark of respect, and Commodore Dean McAullay said support would be offered to family, crew and race competitors.

Rescue helicopters, water police, volunteer marine rescue crews and two other yachts from the race were involved in the extensive search for the man who was missing.

Surviving crew members were taken to shore for medical treatment.

The 15-metre yacht Finistere was about 11 nautical miles southwest of Mandurah when it raised the alarm and attempts to contact it via radio were unsuccessful.

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2017 Libertist 850

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K36 - Samurai

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The Last Word
The mother of all answers is... 'paint.' -- Ken Campbell

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
America's Cup: Mayor insists all three base options are still alive
Another day, another America's Cup plan
Four plans for the America's Cup and now a mystery report
Kru Sport Pro lifejackets from Ocean Safety set the new standard for extreme sailing
Volvo Ocean Race: Auckland leg set for thrilling finish
RORC Caribbean 600 - Coming of age
Safety first for Nagel in Caribbean
World Sailing Show
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image rules and schedule updated
Ian Proctor Centenary Rally
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Charles Bukowski

America's Cup: Mayor insists all three base options are still alive
Former Mayor and Councillor, Christine Fletcher has queried the Minutes of the meeting of the Governing Body (full 21-member Council). Her stance prompted the Council CEO to say he was foreshadowing a two-week extension to the period to be allowed for Submissions on the Resource Consent currently underway.

Councillor Fletcher opened her comments by querying whether the Minutes of the December 14 Meeting which approved the proposal known as Wynyard Basin, were incorrect, or if the Mayor had exceeded his delegated authority around the America's Cup base proposal approved by Council.

Fletcher has strong credentials, being the only member of the current Council to have visited an America's Cup outside New Zealand, attending the 2013 Match in San Francisco. She also worked in the family business Lees Marine earlier in her career, and lived through the dark days of the 25% Boat Tax in the mid-eighties. The former MP was Mayor of Auckland during the development of the Viaduct Harbour project and the 2000 America's Cup.

www.sail-world.com/news/202320

Another day, another America's Cup plan
A fourth option modelling what an America's Cup Village in Auckland might look like has arrived today as a planning deadline nears with no agreement in sight.

Waterfront land owner Viaduct Harbour Holdings wants most of the eight team bases built on Wynyard Harbour, without the wharf extensions needed in other plans.

Chief executive Angela Bull told Nine to Noon that while it would benefit from not having a series of rowing team buildings on wharves, public spaces would gain the most.

"Public parks, promenades and walkways have all been very carefully planned over the last 20 years, and those are views that would be disrupted by having a wall of 15m-high buildings and new structures into the harbour," she said.

The company will submit its views to the Environment Court hearing due to consider an application for a Resource Consent to build a village.

Public submissions were due to close next Wednesday on a plan for the America's Cup bases, agreed in December between Auckland Council and Team New Zealand.

However those were likely to be extended because there was yet to be final agreement between the council, government and the cup defender on whether changes would be made.

A "hybrid" proposal driven by the government's lead minister David Parker was released jointly with Auckland mayor Phil Goff last week, but its final status was not yet clear.

www.radionz.co.nz/national/

Four plans for the America's Cup and now a mystery report
A mystery report has been written into the latest options for the America's Cup in Auckland, which are driving a wedge between Team New Zealand, senior politicians and some of the city's wealthiest businessmen.

The Weekend Herald has learned about the existence of the report, which is believed to assess plans put forward in the past 10 days by Team NZ and a "hybrid" option agreed between Economic Development Minister David Parker and Mayor Phil Goff.

It is understood the report does not assess a new plan announced on Thursday by Viaduct Harbour Holdings (VHH), owned by businessmen whose families have a combined wealth of more than $1.5 billion, according to the NBR Rich List.

The four options:

Wynyard Basin option:

Locates the bases around Wynyard Basin from Hobson Wharf to Wynyard Point. Involves a 75m extension to Halsey Wharf for four bases, a 75m extension to Hobson Wharf for the Team New Zealand base and a small extension on Wynyard Wharf for three bases. Agreed by the council in December with support from Team New Zealand and publicly notified in January. The only option with any legal status.

Hybrid option:

Incorporates elements of the of the Wynyard Basin option with more land-based bases on Wynyard Point and reduces the proposed extension to Halsey Wharf from 75m to 35m. The Team New Zealand base stays on a 75m extension to Hobson Wharf. Economic Development Minister David Parker and Mayor Phil Goff agreed on this option last week.

Team New Zealand option:

A variation on the "hybrid" option with seven bases on a 75m extension to Halsey Wharf and the Team New Zealand base on a 75m extension to Hobson Wharf. No bases on Wynyard Point.

Viaduct Harbour Holdings option:

A variation on the "hybrid" option that moves the Team New Zealand Base from Hobson Wharf to a 30m extension on Halsey Wharf. Five bases on Wynyard Point and two bases on Beaumont St. -- Bernard Orsman

www.nzherald.co.nz

Kru Sport Pro lifejackets from Ocean Safety set the new standard for extreme sailing
The new Kru Sport Pro 170N lifejacket from Ocean Safety has been truly tested in the most demanding of ocean racing challenges. Featuring the latest 2018 technology, it's available as standard or as an ADV model, which has even more advanced features including a lifejacket light, sprayhood and UML Pro Sensor Elite operating head.

Ergonomic shaping makes it barely noticeable to wear even for long periods of time. A low profile scoop neck design sits away from the neck to increase movement and comfort. The front zip waistcoat has easy side adjusters. Clip a handheld VHF radio on to the new utility belt loop.

An interlock bladder delivers superfast turning speeds and keeps a wearer's airways free from channelled water, reducing the risk of secondary drowning. The bladder is simple to repack after use. The jackets are AIS ready for personal recovery system. There's more - a storage pocket for PLB and safety knife, viewing window for cylinder checks and kill cord loops.

The Kru Sport Pro is available at all major retailers in a range of colours from mid-March.

www.oceansafety.com

Volvo Ocean Race: Auckland leg set for thrilling finish
The leading Volvo Ocean Race boats are duelling for the leg win as they make their way down the east coast of the North Island.

Team AkzoNobel and Scallywag are bow-to-stern off the Karikari Peninsula, north of the Bay of Islands, around 150 nautical miles from the finish of the sixth leg in Auckland.

They're just eight nautical miles clear of Turn the Tide on Plastic. Both boats are expected to finish the leg between midnight at 2am.

There are two Kiwis onboard Team AkzoNobel and one on Turn the Tide on Plastic, but there's no New Zealand presence on Scallywag.

The leading three boats are scheduled to arrive in Auckland around midnight, with Dongfeng Race Team, overall leaders MAPFRE and Team Brunel expected to finish in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

America's Cup winner and MAPFRE crewmember Blair Tuke told the Mike Hosking Breakfast show that they caught sight of the Three Kings Islands at day break and were not far away from mainland New Zealand.

"We should see mainland New Zealand in a couple of hours and be at North Cape within four hours. Pretty excited to be honest," the America's Cup and Olympic champion said this morning.

www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/

RORC Caribbean 600 - Coming of age
The RORC Caribbean 600 has grown up to become a 'must do' offshore classic. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the 600-mile race around 11 Caribbean islands is on the bucket list of any serious offshore sailor. This year, any remanence of its stature as a Caribbean cruise was totally extinguished. 25 knots of solid trade winds with gusty squalls and a confused sea state delivered a challenge to over 800 sailors from six different continents. The 2018 edition of the race was the coming of age of the RORC Caribbean 600.

The importance of the race to Antigua & Barbuda was recognised at the prize giving where guests of honour included: The Governor General Deputy, Sir Clair Roberts and his wife, The Hon E.P. Chet Greene, Minister for Sports; Shirlene Nibbs, Consultant to the Ministry of Tourism; Shamoy Richards, Cruise marketing manager for the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority; Admiral of Antigua Yacht Club, Sir Hugh Bailey, and Commodore of Antigua Yacht Club, Franklyn Braithwaite GOH. The RORC Admiral, Andrew McIrvine, RORC Chief Executive, Eddie Warden Owen were both in attendance along with most of the RORC Committee. RORC Commodore Steven Anderson, who took part in the race with his family on board Gemervescence, was quick to praise the army of volunteers and the race committee for their hard work, as well as all the competitors - pointing out that the vast majority were passionate corinthians, the heart and soul of the Royal Ocean Racing Club.

George David's American Maxi Rambler 88 scorched around the 600-mile track to set a new monohull course record of 37 hours 41 minutes and 45 seconds, beating the record set by David's previous boat, Rambler 100 in 2011. After setting the best corrected time under IRC, Rambler 88 remained unbeaten, winning the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy. George David commented. "In 10 years the '600 has gone from a handful of boats in its first edition, to 84 on its tenth anniversary. It's a great race all around; congratulations to the RORC and everyone involved. We're delighted to have won overall in IRC and better yet to have broken our own record at the same time."

Ron O'Hanley's American Cookson 50 Privateer came the closest to beating Rambler 88 for the overall win, finishing the race in just under 52 hours, but falling short of the best IRC corrected time by just over one hour. This was an excellent result for a 50 footer in what was regarded as a big boat race because of the epic weather conditions.

Third place overall was shared by two boats - Stephen Murray's Volvo 70 Warrior and Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 56 Varuna. Warrior's corrected time gave her third overall and Varuna was awarded time allowance for the assistance she gave in the successful rescue of Greg Slyngstad's Fujin crew after she capsized on the first night, and this equalled Warrior's corrected time. A special mention should go to the crew of Stephen Cucchiaro's Gunboat Flow, which also assisted in the rescue.

caribbean600.rorc.org

Safety first for Nagel in Caribbean
Emily Nagel has cited safety concerns as the primary reason for her team retiring from the ongoing Royal Ocean Racing Club Caribbean 600 offshore race.

The Bermudian sailor and her team-mates, that included America's Cup winner Shannon Falcone, were forced to drop out less than 24 hours into the 600-mile classic after the DNA F4 foiling catamaran they were competing on encountered electronic issues in challenging conditions that have taken a heavy toll on the racing fleet.

"It was in the early hours of Tuesday morning when our wind gear failed and we lost all our numbers," Nagel told The Royal Gazette. "While normally in a monohull this wouldn't be the end of the race, as the conditions were so bad it was decided it would be safer to head back to Antigua. Going downwind without instruments in these conditions could have had serious consequences.

"The Caribbean 600 was an awesome experience, with over 25 knots and a messy sea state it was a wet and wild ride.

"The first day went really well for us, we were able to get the F4 up and going quickly, keeping up with bigger boats. It was very squally and so had the full crew on deck for the duration of the day, making multiple sail changes and constantly being ready to ease the sails if needed."

The DNA F4 is a new carbon 46-foot foiling One Design catamaran designed and built to push the boundaries of long-distance racing, with Nagel using her naval architect expertise to help improve its design platform. -- Colin Thompson

www.royalgazette.com/sailing/

World Sailing Show
If you thought the Middle East was all sand and skyscrapers, think again. The scenery for the new style 1,000km Sailing Arabia The Tour was spectacular.

From the start in Salalah to the finish in Muttrah, from jaw dropping landscapes, to challenging weather, the new look 14 day event provided plenty to take onboard for crews as they got to grips with their new fleet of Diem 24 trimarans. The World Sailing Show was there.

Also in this month's show, what life is like aboard a miniature offshore racer - the current Mini Transat champion gives us the tour. And what's the latest in the Volvo Ocean Race and how do crews change gear aboard a Volvo 65 and select the right sail? Race guru and Mapfre team member Rob Greenhalgh explains in our World Sailing Show exclusive. Plus, how a pumped up idea could be the future for sailing

- The new look Sail Arabia The Tour
- Mini Transat: Life aboard a small boat on a big ocean
- What's in a Volvo 65's sail wardrobe
- The inflatable wing sail: The future?
- Europe's hot ships
- World Cup Series Miami

Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image rules and schedule updated
The international photo contest Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image announces updates to its rules, designed to respond to the evolution of the profession and the latest technologies.

The ninth edition of the competition will take place one month earlier than usual, due to the dates adopted by the Yacht Racing Forum (22-23 October 2018, Brittany, Lorient), shortly before the start of the Route du Rhum.

Photographers are invited to submit their best image, taken between 13 October 2017 and 12 September 2018.

Photos must be submitted by 12 September 2018 at midnight.

The 80 best images will be pre-selected by a panel of three international photographers and published on the competition website on 18 September. Public votes will be open between September 18 and October 10.

The twenty best images chosen by the international jury will be announced on 1 October, then exhibited at the Yacht Racing Forum in Lorient, France, on 22-23 October, in the presence of the main personalities of the sailing world.

The competition rules have also been adapted following a consultation process with some of the biggest names in sailing photography. Here is an excerpt from the main updates (the detailed rules can be found here):

- Photographs taken from a helicopter, drone or selfie stick are accepted.
- Photos extracted from videos are not accepted.
- Photos can be digitally superimposed (...)
- The subject of the photograph must have a direct and obvious link with yacht racing.

No fewer than 137 photographers representing 27 nations submitted an image for the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image competition in 2017. The award was won by German photographer Soren Hese.

www.yachtracingimage.com

Ian Proctor Centenary Rally
The Bosham Classic Boat Revival is now recognised as the premier annual event for classic dinghies in the UK, and as a result it has been chosen to host a very special event on 2-3 June this year - the Ian Proctor Centenary Rally.

One of the undisputed greats of sailing dinghy design, Ian Proctor was a driving force in creating the huge growth of sailing interest throughout the second half of the 20th century.

The Ian Proctor Centenary Rally seeks to showcase the finest examples of Proctor designs. Bosham Sailing Club is working with owners and class associations to identify suitable participants from across the country. It already has interest from Wayfarers Nos1 & 3, Minisail No1, Gull No1, Kestrel No1, plus some Bosuns, Ospreys, Merlin Rockets, National 18s, Toppers, and Wanderers.

However, it is on the lookout for more examples of the classes identified above plus some more of the lesser known designs including Adventuress, Alpha, Beaufort, Blue Peter, Eclipse, Firebird, Firecrest, International 14, International Canoe, Marlin, National 12, Nimrod, Peregrine, Pirate, Reedling, Rocket, Seagull, Seamew, SigneT, Tempest, Typhoon, Wildfire and Zenith.

The event starts on Saturday 2 June with a Concours d'Elegance, followed by a gala dinner in the evening. On Sunday 3 June, the Centenary Rally will take place in Chichester Harbour finishing at Bosham Quay in the afternoon.

The event is being sponsored by Hartley Boats and Topper International.

If you have a fine example of any of these boats, please visit the Bosham Sailing Club stand (B19) at the RYA Dinghy Show 2018, 3-4 March, or visit www.boshamsailingclub.com or twitter #IanProctorCentenary or email proctor100@boshamsailingclub.co.uk

* From Ginny Jones:

This is a fascinating video if you are interested in the ocean, life boats, maritime stuff, farming, pubs, music, beautiful scenery or perhaps an exhibitions of pure courage tempered by skill and a well trained crew. Look at the seas from the lifeboat which are daunting but watching the helicopter winching folks up is even more so. While you are watching don't forget a quiet prayer "For those in peril on the sea.

If anyone can figure out how to get rid of the German over dubbing, please let me know as I want to watch it again with just the Scottish narrative. The combo of Scottish narrative, German over dubbing and the English sub titles is a bit confusing!

www.arte.tv/en/videos

Featured Brokerage
2004 Swan 62-103 Vega. 875,000 EUR. Located in Mallorca, Spain.

Named “Vega” since she was launched, delivered July 2004, second owner who has maintained her in very good condition by a full-time captain.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Jaap Havenga
brokerage@nautorswan.com
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

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1997 Volvo 60 (modified) - Bou Dragon. 230000 EUR. Located in The Hague, Netherlands.

Launched originally as "Silk Cut", she quickly established herself as the fastest ocean racer on the water and held the 24hr record for a number of years. In more recent times, she was known as “SEB" and now "Bou Dragon", where she has been meticulously maintained and modernised by her current owner.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Auckland
sampearson@ancasta.com
+44 2380 016582
+64 277733717

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1973 Tartan 41 - AURORA. 65000 USD. Located in Jamestown, RI - USA.

Classic S&S Tartan 41, from 1973, with experienced owners who have shown her to be a competitive offshore racer. With many recent upgrades, she has been well loved and family cruised, as well as hitting the race circuit. Now seriously for sale.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Ben Cooper
+44 (0) 1590 679222
ben.cooper@berthon.co.uk

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us. -- Charles Bukowski

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Team AkzoNobel wins Volvo Ocean Race Leg 6 in Auckland
Snakes and Ladders
Nick Jerwood wins Viper 640 World Championship
New international children's regatta in Optimist class OptiOrange
2018 National Sonata Inland Championship March 10th -11th Windermere
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Industry News
Featured Brokerage: Oyster 825 Maegan, Oyster 82 Raven, 2006 Swan 100-202 Virago
The Last Word: George Whitman

Team AkzoNobel wins Volvo Ocean Race Leg 6 in Auckland
Team AkzoNobel has won the sixth leg of the Volvo Ocean Race after nearly three weeks of racing on the 11,000-kilometer passage from Hong Kong, China across the equator to Auckland, New Zealand.

The victory is the team's first offshore win in the 2017-18 edition of the eight-month round the world race and comes on the back of a third place in the last offshore leg - Leg 4 from Melbourne to Australia - and a first-place performance in the in port race on Hong Kong Harbor.

The result moves teamAkzoNobel from sixth to fourth in the overall rankings with five legs left to race before the finish at The Hague in the Netherlands in June.

As the two most western boats, team AkzoNobel and Sun Hung Kai Scallywag (HKG) reaped the benefits of consistently stronger winds and a better wind angle and the pair gradually pulled away from the rest of the fleet.

The tit for tat battle between the leading duo raged the entire way to Auckland with the two boats racing neck and neck down the New Zealand coastline and into the Hauraki Gulf on the final day.

In the end team AkzoNobel was able to prevail and crossed the Leg 6 finish line off the Auckland Viaduct at 12.17.26 UTC (13.17.26 CET) completing the 11,000-kilometer course in 20 days, nine hours, 17 minutes and 26 seconds.

Scallywag finished just two minutes and 14 seconds later.

Team AkzoNobel crew list for Leg 6:
Simeon Tienpont (NED) - skipper
Brad Farrand (NZL)
Justin Ferris (NZL)
Martine Grael (BRA)
Cecile Laguette (FRA)
Luke Molloy (AUS)
Chris Nicholson (AUS)
Jules Salter (GBR)
Nicolai Sehested (DEN)

Results Leg 6
1. Team AkzoNobel (NED) - 8 points
2. Sun Hung Kai Scallywag (HKG) - 6 points
3. Mapfre (ESP) - 5 points
4. Dongfeng Race Team (CHN) - 4 points
5. Turn the Tide on Plastic (UN) - 3 points
6. Team Brunel (NED) - 2 points
DNS - Vestas 11th Hour Racing (USA/DEN) - (did not start)

Overall results after Leg 6 of Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18
1. Mapfre (ESP) 39 points
2. Dongfeng Race Team (CHN) 34 points
3. Sun Hung Kai Scallywag (HKG) 26 points
4. Team AkzoNobel (NED) 23 points
5. Vestas 11th Hour Racing (USA/DEN) 23 points
6. Team Brunel (NED) 20 points
7.Turn the Tide on Plastic (UN) 12 points

volvooceanrace.com

Snakes and Ladders
Leg 6 of the Volvo Ocean Race was one of snakes and ladders and it all came down to a nail biting finish in the dead of night in Auckland, New Zealand. The final shootout was between the Dutch entry AkzoNobel and the Hong Kong entry Team Sun Hung Kai Scallywag with AkzoNobel gliding across the finish line a scant two minutes ahead. These two boats have shadowed each other since they took a bold gamble on a tiny weather window soon after the start of the leg. Their move paid off and they led the fleet for most of the grueling 6,300 miles from Hong Kong to Auckland.

The fleet battled strong upwind conditions for the first half of the leg, and then endured mind numbing calms for the second half. Cyclone Gita, rampaging through the South Pacific, literally sucked the wind out of a thousand mile area leaving the whole fleet searching for puffs. Most sailors will tell you that the gales are tough, but calms can make an average person go mad and all the boats floated on a glassy ocean for days. In conditions like this you need to send a person up the mast to search for darker patches on the water that might indicate wind and a good breeze spotter is worth their weight freeze dried food.

The leaders rounded Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand and sailed down the east coast toward the finish. The scenery is stunning but it's likely no one was paying attention to it. Darkness fell and the cat and mouse game between the front two boats continued, but unlike in Hong Kong where the Scallywag team pulled out a surprise win, this time even their lucky Dubarry Crosshaven boots could not help them pass AkzoNobel.

www.dubarry.com

Nick Jerwood wins Viper 640 World Championship
Applecross, Australia: Australians Nick Jerwood, sailing with Brian DeVries and Matt Jerwood, completed their victory today at the Schweppes Viper 640 World Championship 2018, conducted by Western Australia's South of Perth Yacht Club on the Swan River.

The Jerwood/de Vries family combination is well known at Australian Sailing headquarters, where Nia Jerwood and Monique de Vries are Australian representatives in the 470 class. They jumped back to 420's in January to claim the World Women's title in that class, and this time it is their parents in the spotlight. Nick, Nia's father and a former world champion in the Flying Fifteen class, teamed up with her brother Matt and Monique's father Brian for the win.

Justin Scott (USA) repeated his success at last year's Worlds by finishing second with two third placings in the last two races today. The American stated at the start of the campaign that he came to Perth expecting a top five finish, so he would have been delighted with his performance. Sailing with young local guns Conor Nicholas and Luke Elliot, the combination improved steadily throughout the regatta, with no worse than a third place in any of the final six races.

Match racer Keith Swinton, originally from Perth but resident these days in the USA, held down second place until the final day, bombing out with an early start in the last race of the series and allowing Scott to relegate his team to third.

Racing at the 2018 Viper 640 World Championship was from February 19 to 23 with a layday on February 21.

Top five
1. Nick Jerwood, Brian DeVries, Matt Jerwood, AUS
2, Justin Scott, Conor, Nicholas, Luke Elliot, USA
3. Keith Swinton, Arlyn Mattinson, Ben Marler, Bruce Mattinson, AUS
4. Lawrence Crispin , Hector Cisneros, Luka Crispin, GBR
5. Murray Howson, Jorman Mears, Mark Lovelady, Sue Howson, AUS

Full results:
www.topyacht.net.au/results/sopyc/

www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

New international children's regatta in Optimist class OptiOrange
The new sailing project, organized by Sailing Academy of Saint Petersburg Yacht Club and Real Club Nautico de Valencia, with the support of Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Valenica Region and AMICS Association, will take place on March 7-11, 2018 in the premises of Valencia Training Center.

The children's regatta will be called OptiOrange International Regatta.

The invitations to participate in the sailing regatta were sent to young athletes from Spain, Russia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Estonia, and Finland. The organizers are waiting for participants from all European countries. You can send your application for participation to info@optiorange.com until March 3.

Within the framework of sports battles on water, the organizers haven't forgotten about entertainment as well. On one of the days, the sportsmen will visit a famous museum – The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències), and there will be sweet prizes and presents for young athletes on the shore

info@optiorange.com

www.instagram.com/optiorangeregatta

2018 National Sonata Inland Championship March 10th -11th Windermere
The first of the 2018 Sonata Area Championships, the "Inlands", will be held on Lake Windermere over the weekend of 10th – 11th March. A strong turn-out is expected with, in addition to the local Windermere fleet, owners from as far afield as the Clyde and the NE coast competing against the current Sonata National Champion, Steve Goacher for the Inland Area Trophy. Competition will be fierce with some of the top UK Sonata sailors participating.

The event is being run by the Windermere Cruising Association and will consist of up to six short windward/leeward races per day. The WCA has extended a warm welcome to the Sonatas as part of their other class racing over this and the following weekend.

The National Sonata Association holds Area events throughout the UK every year in addition to their National Championships which rotates around the country. Last year, the Nationals were held at Strangford Loch, NI. In 2016, Poole, Dorset. The Inlands are the first of the 2018 Area Championships. More Area events are planned for the North, South and East coasts. Scotland will hold the Scottish Championships over the Bank Holiday weekend of 25th – 28th May on the Clyde.

www.sonata.org.uk

Seahorse March 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Hot stuff (but cool)
A new racer-cruiser emerges one side of the yard, from the other side appears a new carbon Wally

Meeting of the minds
When some of the world’s smartest sailmakers get together in Nevada the ideas soon flow

Don’t follow the pack
Australia’s high-performance sailing clothing innovators were never going to do that, were they?

Not just boatbuilders
From high-pressure hydraulic tanks to high-performance skis for the Winter Paralympics...

Dog days
America’s Cup cold war... Andy Claughton

Special rates for Scuttlebutt Europe subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2

1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/

1yr Digital Sub for £30: www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/digital

Discounts shown are valid on a one year subscription to Seahorse magazine.

Industry News
The RS Tera Sport has been made an official British Youth Sailing recognised class after impressing with its potential for progression at junior level.

The RYA's Youth Racing Committee voted overwhelmingly to add the 9ft single-hander to its list of recognised classes that also includes the 29er, the Topper and the Optimist.

Recognised classes are those deemed important to British Youth Sailing's aims and ambitions to develop young racing talent towards a lifetime in the sport.

The single-sail RS Tera has become a hit at sailing clubs around the country thanks to its blend of simplicity and performance.

The Sport version of the dinghy boasts a smaller rig and soft dacron sail, making it ideal for youngsters whether they are beginners or experienced racers.

It will play a key part in British Youth Sailing's mission to develop the best young racing sailors in the world through its Junior and Youth pathways.

The class boasts an established programme of racing in the UK and around the world that will culminate in 2018 with the RS Tera World Championships held at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy from 4-10 August 2018.

uk.rstera.org

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As the demise of the UK sailing yacht brand Oyster continues, two further events have unfolded. Firstly, the yard's administrators, KPMG, have set a deadline for expressions of interest in buying the assets of the brand. Secondly, an account of what happened to the Oyster 825-02 sailing yacht, Polina Star III, has been published online by the yacht's owner, Alexander Ezhkov. The sinking of Polina Star III in 2015 is what eventually led to Oyster entering administration earlier this month.

In its statement, KPMG invites interested parties to come forward. The joint administrators, Neil Gostelow and Mark Orton, are calling for initial offers by Friday 2 March.

Interested parties should contact Andrew Stone at andrew.stone@kpmg.co.uk or Will Lewis at william.lewis@kpmg.co.uk.

Oyster Marine Ltd is the primary trading company of the group, operating out of two sites in Southampton and Wroxham. The joint administrators are marketing the following assets for sale:

Brand name and trademark
Technical designs and drawings and associated IT hardware
Build manuals
The hull and other production mouldings
Shares in subsidiary companies
The plant and machinery

As to the sinking of Polina Star III, an account of what allegedly happened can be found at oysterstory.info. The website contains the history of the yacht and the events that led to her sinking, in July 2015, off the coast of Spain. There is also information regarding insurance claims. The website was devised by the yacht's owner, Alexander V Ezhkov, and includes input from the captain of Polina Star III, Alessio Cannoni, and from professional yacht surveyors Ward & McKenzie.

David Tydeman, CEO of Oyster, issued a statement regarding oysterstory.info as follows: "This has been a long and distressing story for all parties. I flew to Moscow after the incident as soon as I could obtain a visa and in a personal capacity, apologised sincerely to Mr Ezhkov for the incident and the distress that I was sure that he had suffered.

"During the following months," the statement continued, "Mr Ezhkov and I tried to find a solution to build him a new Oyster 885 although that proposal failed to develop. I was personally pleased to see that Mr Ezhkov was paid out by his insurers and, in my capacity as CEO of Oyster, we were waiting for those insurers to present their subrogated claim against Oyster."

Tydeman adds: "The fact that this was not presented was outside Oyster's control, but at no point did Oyster seek to avoid its liability or legal responsibilities. I again express my apology in a personal capacity to Mr Ezhkov for all that he has experienced. I am unable to comment on Oyster's behalf since the Company is now in administration."

plus.ibinews.com

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Newport, Rhode Island - The Sailing Yacht Research Foundation (SYRF) is pleased to announce the addition of offshore multihull sailor Larry Rosenfeld to the organization's Board of Directors.

Rosenfeld is an experienced software entrepreneur and has a strong sailing resume, having been the Navigator n many successful offshore racing boats, including Team Adventure, a 110-foot, 44-knot Multiplast catamaran in The Race, a non-stop, no-limits race around the world held in 2001. He is also Executive Director of the Team Adventure Educational Foundation which sailed the Route of Discovery, a transatlantic odyssey with school teachers on board. Both voyages form part of Team Adventure's educational curriculum which integrated sailing, history and education in a dynamic program of interactive learning.

More recently Rosenfeld has been working closely with the Offshore Multihull Association (OMA), an organization that seeks to increase regatta participation by promoting fair and accurate ratings for purposes of scoring race events. He led the development of the MultiRule, a new handicap system that seeks to use large performance data sets, modern polar curve refinement methods and Performance Curve Scoring to establish ratings and scoring across multihulls of varied performance characteristics. He has been working on technology for the MultiRule and has developed both a mobile app for PCS and a highly accurate immersion measurement system for calculating the weight of large boats quickly and inexpensively.

sailyachtresearch.org

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Groupe Beneteau president and CEO Herve Gastinel today revealed ambitious plans to develop the group's activities in the Middle East. On the opening day of the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), with 12 Groupe Beneteau boats on display - the largest display ever by the group in Dubai - Gastinel and business development director Francois Rodrigues spent time with IBI to outline the team's strategy to grow the brand in the region.

"Our display at the Dubai International Boat Show is designed to show our serious intent to enter the Middle East market and build our brand identity in the region, which is currently not strong," said Gastinel. "When I took over my role as president and CEO with Beneteau in 2015, I established transformation committees with the objective of thinking out of the box. I have termed this 'Transform to Perform'.

"My team, including Francois Rodrigues who also takes the role of international sales coordinator, identified the Middle East as a key market to focus on and felt that we should launch our strategy by exhibiting as a group at DIBS rather than a collection of different brands. Our intention is that we are in the Middle East market for the long haul and this will include modifying our boats to meet the local market requirements where necessary."

plus.ibinews.com

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Garmin Ltd has reported fourth-quarter sales of US$888m, up 3% compared to the same period a year ago. Net income for the quarter was US$138.8m compared to US$136.6m a year ago.

Its Marine division had sales of US$83.6m, up 24% compared to the same quarter a year ago. The company said in a statement that growth came from its updated line of chartplotters and fishfinders as well as its recently acquired Navionics product line. "We expect marine to be a growth segment in 2018 as we focus on market share gains and new product innovations,"said Garmin CEO Cliff Pemble in a statement.

Garmin reported US$3.08bn in sales for fiscal 2017, up 2% compared to fiscal 2016. Its Marine division had sales of US$374.0m for the year compared to US$331.9m in 2016.

The company expects 2018 sales to be about US$3.2bn, with an 18% sales gain in Marine. It expects that division to be its best sales performer this year.

plus.ibinews.com

* From Cam Lewis:

The RORC 600 Report once again ignored the fastest boat around the course. It is a grand insult to all involved in the sport and especially Paradox.

Paradox started behind Rambler 88 and finished in front and first. Paradox is not a Grand Prix racing machine, she is a fast racer cruiser and her owner cruises thousands of miles every year on her.

I bet also that Elvis set a new catamaran course record as well. A slightly different way to look at Multihulls.

Featured Brokerage
2006 Swan 100-202 Virago. 5,250,000 EUR. Located in Antigua.

This is the first time this Swan 100S, VIRAGO, has been presented for sale on the brokerage market. Still under original ownership, in recent months, a new set of ECsix standing rigging was fitted plus a B&G H5000 upgrade, new Furuno chart plotters and much more.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Jeremy Peek
brokerage@nautorswan.com
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

-----------------------------------------

2012 Oyster 82 Raven. 2,925,000 GBP. Located in West Med

Absolutely stunning 82 with black hull and spars. Five cabins finished in exquisite maple joinery with contrasting walnut fiddles and cabin soles. Her push button hydraulic furling rig makes her easy to handle, and she is ready to go sailing.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
brokerage@oysteryachts.com
T: +44 (0)23 8083 1011

-----------------------------------------

2015 Oyster 825 Maegan. 4,000,000 GBP. Located in Palma.

Maegan is Hull #3 of the incredibly successful 825 built by Oyster in Southampton, UK. Winner of the 2016 International Yacht & Aviation Sailing Yacht Interior Design Award.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
brokerage@oysteryachts.com

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise. -- George Whitman

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Volvo Ocean Race Leg 6 Highlights
World Sailing Presidential Update
Don't follow the pack
Andalusia Olympic Week - Closed by weather
Laureus World Sports Awards 2018
2018 Youth Sailing World Championships
Karl Kwok returns to the Rolex China Sea Race
24-hour America's Cup 'Grind-athon' for Sport Relief
Ron Holland has Former Shipmate Johnny McWilliam to Help Him in Australian Launch of Memoirs
Australian Sailing offers condolences to Thomas and Owen families
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Tartan 41 - AURORA, Nautor Swan 68 - SEA EAGLE OF SHIAN III, 2007 Oyster 655 - ROULETTE
The Last Word: Gary Snyder

Volvo Ocean Race Leg 6 Highlights
Leg 6 had everything from wet, high-speed dashes to drifting in soaring temperatures of the Doldrums in the 6100 nautical miles to Auckland.

World Sailing Presidential Update
World Sailing President Kim Andersen offers an overview of the process that will select the 2024 Olympic events along with a look forward to other issues World Sailing is working on.

Recently, I read an article by Craig Leweck at Scuttlebutt where he quoted Charles Darwin. Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most adaptable to change." Both Darwin and Leweck were right!

While change has never been easy, I believe that as sailors we cannot sit back on our accomplishments. But rather, we must force ourselves to evaluate our events and ensure they in turn keep our Olympic status intact, develop our sport and continue to attract new sailors.

Make no mistake, the process at hand is not about the International Olympic Committee but rather about sailing and our ability to adapt and remain a relevant and exciting sport – now and in the future.

Why is a new decision process being done?
In November 2014, at the World Sailing Annual Conference, a submission was approved to introduce a new Olympic Events and Equipment decision process. The reason for this new process was to improve the predictability and continuity of World Sailing Olympic decisions.

What is the decision process based on?
The decision process is based on Regulation 23 in the World Sailing Statutes which states that a minimum of four events need to be reviewed for the 2024 Olympic Games. As per the regulation, World Sailing will make two important decisions in the coming months: deciding on the event types and the equipment used for the 2024 Olympic Games by May 2018 and November 2018, respectively.

However, should new equipment be recommended, then the decision for new equipment should be selected no later than November 2019 following equipment trials.

Full article in Scuttlebutt:
www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

Don't follow the pack
It is no great surprise that when fast-growing Australian performance clothing innovators Zhik turned their attention to the creation of a new high-performing offshore seaboot the result would be a little different...

It wasn't the best of legs for Team AkzoNobel. Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race was a 6,500-mile sleigh ride through the Southern Ocean from Cape Town to Melbourne. Things went wrong for the Dutch crew when they mistimed a gybe in strong winds and big rolling seas. Laying the boat on its side out of the gybe led to damage to the mainsail battens and the mast track and forced the crew to make running repairs while trying to maintain as much speed as they could.

It's at times like these that you want everything working in your favour, which is why Team AkzoNobel – as well as Dongfeng Race Team, who finished second on this leg – opted for Zhik as their technical apparel partner. Recently voted Best in Class by Yachting Monthly magazine in the UK and Dutch sailing magazine Waterkampioen, Zhik's ZK Seaboots don't look like anything else on the market. In fact, Zhik's design team started with a blank slate to come up with something that looks and performs quite differently in several key respects.

Full article in the March issue of Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com

Andalusia Olympic Week - Closed by weather
The Andalusia Olympic Week in Cadiz, Spain, was wrapped up Tuesday due to the very poor weather forecast for the rest of the week.

In the 470 event, overnight leaders Hannal Mills and Eilidh McIntyre did not race and the event went to Spain's Silvia Mas and Patricia Cantero.

In the Finn class, Alican Kaynar of Turkey was the overall winner. Britain's Callum Dixon finished in 16th and Cameron Tweedle in 18th.

The Finn European Championship will take place here in ten days time.

In the men's RS:X, winner was Piotr Myszka was the winner three points ahead of Britain's Tom Squires after six race. Pavel Tarnovski pf Poland was third.

In the women's RS:X, Spain's Blanca Manchon was the winner with second Zofia Noceti-Klepacka and third Malgorzata Bialecka, both of Poland. Emma Wilson of Britain finished in fourth place.

In the 49er Diego Botin and Iago Lopez of Spain won all nine races.

The women's 49erFX was won by Patricia Suarez and Julia Ritaof Spain. Vikki Payne and Alice Masterman GBR finished fourth.

In the women's Laser Radial the winner was Anne-Marie Rindom of Denmark. Filip Ciszkiewicz of Poland won the men's Laser Standard. -- Gerald New in SailWeb

www.sailweb.co.uk

Event site: www.facebook.com/carnavalrace/

Laureus World Sports Awards 2018
The annual Laureus World Sports Awards honor individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year. The 2018 Awards Ceremony, held February 27 in Monaco, recognized Vendee Globe winner Armel Le Cléac'h in the Action Sportsperson category.

The Awards presented included best Sportsman, Sportswoman, Team, Breakthrough, Comeback, Disabled Sportsperson, Action Sportsperson, plus Lifetime Achievement and Spirit of Sport Awards, both of which are given at the discretion of the Laureus Academy.

America's Cup winner Team New Zealand had been nominated in the Team category but lost out to Four-time F1 Constructors Champions Mercedes-AMG Petronas.

www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

List of winners

awards.laureus.com

2018 Youth Sailing World Championships
The entry deadline for the 2018 Youth Sailing World Championship, which will be held in Corpus Christi from 14 to 22 July, is fast approaching.

Entries made before the 15 March 2018 can benefit from lower entry fees. All entries made after this date will have to pay the late entry fee and equipment cannot be guaranteed for these entries.

Member National Authorities (MNA) shall enter competitors, team leaders and coaches by following the entry process set out in the Entry Guide and paying the required fees.

Full information, including eligibility and entry details can be found in the Notice of Race.

www.worldsailingywc.org

Karl Kwok returns to the Rolex China Sea Race
One month until the start of the 2018 Rolex China Sea Race and two-time Rolex China Sea Race Overall and Line Honours winner Karl Kwok is set to return to the event on his newest edition of Beau Geste, a MOD70 one-design trimaran.

Hong Kong native and successful businessman, Karl Kwok is the only owner in Rolex China Sea Race history to have won both Overall and Line Honours in two editions of the race. Kwok started competitive sailing when he joined the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in 1975 and embarked on his first Rolex China Sea Race on a Dubois 37 HINYUAN II with partner Gaston Chan in 1982.

In the 2000 edition, Kwok bested his own Farr ILC40' Beau Geste 1996 record by an incredible 28h 10m 49s on his Whitbred 60 Beau Geste. He held this epic Rolex China Sea Race record of 47h 43m 07s for an incredible 16 years until Alive, a Reichel/Pugh 66, broke it by a mere 11m 59s in the 2016 edition.

Joining Kwok on board will be his regular team of experienced world class sailors who have been on the MOD over the past six month including tactician (New Zealand America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race sailor) Gavin Brady, navigator (British five time Volvo Ocean Race sailor) Matthew Humphries as well as RHKYC sailors Margaret Chan and Patrick Kong.

This year Beau Geste will be sailing under the HKPN rating (Hong Kong Performance Number) instead of IRC and will be in contention for the race record and line-honours.

MOD Beau Geste will join the already 32-strong entry list with boats hailing from six territories including Australia, Philippines, Singapore, Mainland China, USA and Hong Kong. Among the 2018 lineup are Alive, the 2016 Line Honours and 2nd Overall winner; the famous classic yacht Dorade, built in 1929 and which recently completed the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race; several China entries including Seawolf, Shanghai 141237, Tong Ran and UBOX; and a father-son double-handed team on AYA.

The Notice of Race for the 2018 Rolex China Sea Race starting on 28 March 2018 is available online at www.rolexchinasearace.com

24-hour America's Cup 'Grind-athon' for Sport Relief
Britain's America's Cup Challenger, Land Rover BAR, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, is supporting Sport Relief by hosting a 24 hour America's Cup 'grind-athon' and 12-hour disco 'Spin-athon' led by Bestival Founder Rob da Bank and Longplay founder, Tim Weeks at the team's Portsmouth HQ.

The challenge starts at 2200 on Thursday 22nd March, with team members keeping the grinding going for 24 hours non-stop. The 'spin-athon' will come into play from 1000 on Friday 23rd and both activities will finish at 2200 Friday evening. Throughout the challenge the team will be looking to 'power the tower'; Portsmouth's iconic Emirates Spinnaker Tower will light up blue over the 24-hour period, as the clock counts down to 2200 on Friday.

The Portsmouth based team has also partnered with the 1851 Trust, the official charity of Land Rover BAR, as well as Pompey in the Community, to invite community groups, local businesses and sailing and sport clubs, to take part and get involved.

Sport Relief is a nationwide campaign to encourage the nation to get active alongside raising money to help vulnerable people in both the UK and the world's poorest countries. The team has set a fundraising target of £18,510k. 1851 is a significant date for the team, the year America's Cup first started with a race around the Isle of Wight. A British Challenger has never won the America's Cup.

Support the team and donate to their Sport Relief efforts HERE You can follow the team's journey to Sport Relief on the @landroverbar social media pages. On Friday 23rd March, Lady Georgie Ainslie will be documenting the activity with live updates. Interested in getting involved email us at media@landroverbar.com.

Ron Holland has Former Shipmate Johnny McWilliam to Help Him in Australian Launch of Memoirs
International yacht designer Ron Holland of New Zealand became renowned in 1973 when he won the Quarter Ton Worlds in England with the 24ft Eygthene, which he'd designed himself and then skippered to success writes W M Nixon. The first of hundreds of winning designs, the original Eyghthene is now lovingly-maintained and sailed in Poland, but Ron's success has been such that today you'll find Holland designs of all types and lengths up to super-mega-yacht size in every corner of the world where special boats gather.

Ron's own career saw him based for many year in the Cork area, first in Crosshaven and then in Kinsale, while more recently he has operated his worldwide design business from Vancouver in Western Canada. It has been a long and complex story, involving many remarkable people and hundreds of fabulous boats - it would take a book to do it justice. So most appropriately, the man himself has been giving some time in recent years to put his multiple memoirs in order, and they recently appeared in book form: All The Oceans, intriguingly sub-titled "Designing by the Seat of My Pants".

It's intriguing because Ron and his notable team were pioneers in the use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), yet despite that use of the latest technology, you can nearly always tell a Ron Holland design by some sixth sense. Like all great designers, he has his own individual trademark style which shines through the potentially anonymising effects of computers.

WM Nixon's feature article in Afloat: afloat.ie/resources/book-review

Australian Sailing offers condolences to Thomas and Owen families
Australian Sailing and Yachting Western Australian, on behalf of the sailing community, offer our sincere condolences to the families and friends of Rob Thomas and Paul Owens, who passed away during racing off the coast of Western Australia.

Matt Allen, President of Australian Sailing expressed the feelings of many sailors saying, "I'm sure I speak for all of our members in offering our sympathies to the families and friends of Rob and Paul, who were lost on the weekend. Our thoughts are also with their four crew and to all those who assisted in the rescue, particularly fellow competitors who were quickly on the scene.

"We also express our thanks for the outstanding work of the many volunteers from the local Clubs, emergency services, search and maritime authorities who worked tirelessly over the weekend", Matt added.

President of Yachting WA Mark Fitzhardinge said both men were experienced and respected sailors, "Rob and Paul were great friends to many here in the west, and will be sorely missed. At Fremantle Sailing Club, Rob was Vice Commodore and had been an engaged member of the Club and contributed over many years. Paul has been sailing for many years and we mourn his passing. Sailing is a strong community and will pull together to help the Clubs and their members during this sad time".

Australian Sailing and Yachting WA are assisting Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and the relevant authorities with their investigations into the incident.

www.sailing.org.au

* From Gordon Davies, Bray, Wicklow, Ireland

Re: "Water Olympics"

I am delighted that this idea seems to be on to the agenda at last.

A huge advantage of running a Water Olympics is that there is a real logic in providing infrastructure for all the events on one site, which would remain as a functioning watersports centre for all water sports. Marina, rowing and canoeing basins, pools are all equipment that would be put to real use after the games. The slalom course might require some imaginative engineering - using wind, solar and tidal enrgy to pump water on to the course perhaps.

The holding of a Water Olympics could also be used to solve another recurring problem for the Summer Olympics. An event held at sea level and at a coastal venue with a climate tempered by the proximity with the sea would also be ideal for the equestrian events. These event, which have along Olympic tradition are often difficult to stage at some of the Summer Olympic venues.

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The Last Word
Three-fourths of philosophy and literature is the talk of people trying to convince themselves that they really like the cage they were tricked into entering. -- Gary Snyder

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Day 1 RC44 Calero Marinas Cup
Liverpool 2018 Wins Inaugural Clipper Race Sanya Serenity Coast In-Port Regatta
Vestas 11Th Hour Racing Ready To Rejoin Volvo Ocean Race
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
IMOCAS Disembark In Monaco
Not just (any old) boatbuilders
Charged filed in Cheeki Rafiki deaths
Google to map South Florida waterways in partnership with marine industry
Gilberto Nobili Joins Team Luna Rossa
Vale Marianne Middelthon
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Oyster 655 Matawai, Oyster 655 Larette, Oyster 655 Blue Horizon of London
The Last Word: Ken Kesey

Day 1 RC44 Calero Marinas Cup
The opening day of the 2018 RC44 Calero Marinas Cup indicated firstly how close the season for the Russell Coutts-inspired one designs is set to be and how to win, it will be vital to make zero mistakes.

Following the cancellation of yesterday's practice racing as a gale battered the Canary Islands, the wind and sea state remained brisk as the RC44s departed Marina Lanzarote this morning. By the time the first of today's three races started the southwesterly wind, blowing parallel to Lanzarote's south coast, had dropped to 10-12 knots. However it subsequently built with occasional gusts up to 20 knots. Throughout race officials were forced to reset the course on almost every windward leg.

Three races saw three different winners. Torbjorn Tornqvist and Artemis Racing romped away to claim race one following a winning call to claim the left on the first beat. Next up it was the turn of Vladimir Prosikhin's Team Nika to take race two. This left the Russian team ahead overall going into the final race. Sadly, while they were second at the first top mark rounding on the transom of John Bassadone's Peninsula Petroleum, a ripped gennaker put paid to Team Nika's chances and lost her the overall lead at the close of play on this opening day.

Winner of race three was the nearest the RC44s have to a local team here in Lanzarote (three are from this island) with Peninsula Petroleum leading overall after day one from Artemis Racing, but by a slender point. With three days of racing left to go and with all the teams most capable of claiming races, the outcome of the RC44 Calero Marinas Cup remains anyone's guess.

Tomorrow racing is scheduled to start on time at 1130 UTC, but with the southwesterly wind at the top of the range, gusting into the mid-20s.

Full results: www.rc44.com/results

Liverpool 2018 Wins Inaugural Clipper Race Sanya Serenity Coast In-Port Regatta
The inaugural Clipper Race Sanya Serenity Coast In-Port Regatta has been one to remember, with Liverpool 2018 leading from start to finish to take victory.

Hundreds of thousands of people all over the world were able to watch the first ever Clipper Race Sanya Serenity Coast In-Port Regatta live, with the race also broadcasted live on television in Sanya.

The broadcast demonstrated the fantastic sailing destination of Sanya and the fantastic facilities of the Sanya Serenity Marina, a Marina Industries Association Platinum Level Five Gold Anchor marina, which is the highest level of accreditation and the only one of its kind found in Asia.

It was the first time in the Clipper 2017-18 Race that all eleven Clipper 70s took to the water at the same time for an in-port regatta. Against the city backdrop and azure waters of the Sanya Harbour, the bright pink of Liverpool 2018 was the first across the line, followed by Dare To Lead and Visit Seattle.

PSP Logistics made a move late in the race to jump from the back of the fleet to second by the final mark. The team crossed the finish line two minutes and 36 seconds behind Liverpool 2018, whilst Nasdaq was third, the team's first time on the podium.

The Clipper Race fleet will remain at the Sanya Serenity Marina until Sunday 4 March when the teams will depart for Race 8, a 1,700 nautical mile race from Sanya to Qingdao in northern China.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Vestas 11Th Hour Racing Ready To Rejoin Volvo Ocean Race
When Vestas 11th Hour Racing rejoins the Volvo Ocean Race for the grueling Leg 7 - from New Zealand, across the Southern Ocean, past Cape Horn and into Brazil - the crew will do so with a mixture of heavy hearts and anxiousness.

The team hasn’t raced since the collision in the latter stages of Leg 4, during the final approach to Hong Kong.

Just after 0100 hours on the morning of January 20 (local Hong Kong time), Vestas 11th Hour Racing was involved in a collision with a fishing vessel. Shortly after the accident, nine Chinese fishermen were rescued, however, one other very sadly perished. The Vestas 11th Hour Racing crew were not injured, but the VO65 race yacht suffered significant damage to its port bow. See Q&A with Mark Towill, skipper of Leg 4 for additional information on the incident.

The loss of a life still weighs heavily on the minds of Mark Towill and Charlie Enright, the co-founders of the team, and every other team member. “On behalf of the team, our thoughts and prayers go out to the deceased’s family,” said 29-year-old Towill. Out of respect for the process, the deceased and his family, the team has remained silent throughout the investigation.

Towill was skipper on Leg 4 because Enright had to sit out due to a family crisis. During Leg 3, from South Africa to Australia, Enright’s 2-year-old son had been admitted to the hospital with a case of bacterial pneumonia. Immediately before the end of Leg 4, Enright traveled to Hong Kong to greet the crew at the finish line, but instead had to play an active role in the crisis management process from the shore.

The Vestas 11th Hour Racing VO65 was shipped to New Zealand from Hong Kong on January 28. A new port bow section was laid up over a VO65 hull mold at Persico Marine in Italy and then sent to New Zealand, where it was spliced to the hull of the team’s VO65 in the past two weeks.

The team hopes to relaunch their VO65 in the coming days and will then spend some time practicing and possibly complete an overnight sail.

Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race, approximately 6,700 nautical miles to Itajaí, Brazil, is scheduled to begin March 18. Prior to that the New Zealand In-Port Race is scheduled March 10.

volvooceanrace.com

Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
Last month's winner:

Montel Fagan-Jordan (GBR)
'I was in the Fastnet team, Montel is a great sailor and also a great skipper' - Espoir Mazambi; 'A fantastic young man who worked his guts out' - Paul Hodge; 'The whole Grieg Academy deserve this award' - Colin McDonald; 'I am so proud also for his teachers and his school' - Dolores William; 'Wonderful!' - Dennis Earle; 'Everyone this young man comes into contact with is impressed' - Nick Ferrier; 'Trailblazer!' - Jon Holt; 'A superb example of what can be achieved with dedication and hard work' - Katina Read.

This month's nominees:

Michael Boyd (IRL)
Overdue but we chose not to stir things up while he was still the man in charge… Boydy to his friends, Michael got his sea legs in J/24s back in Ireland in the 1970s. As well as being joint winner of the 2017 RORC Championship through his three-year tenure as commodore he was there to present prizes after every RORC race (including when racing). Plus not every club commodore is such a 'worthwhile' addition to a party: Irishman, you see

George David (USA)
Back in Antigua after taking the line honours and handicap monohull double in the Caribbean 600 must have felt a long way from floating around, probably terrified, in the Irish Sea after his previous maxi capsized in the 2011 Fastnet. Many others would have been put off by that experience - Larry Ellison gave up ocean racing after the stormy 1998 Hobart - but David was back at sea within months and soon hard at it again

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Henri Lloyd, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!

Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month

View past winners of Sailor of the Month

IMOCAS Disembark In Monaco
With IMOCA class and Race Committee representatives and skippers in Monaco to see the facilities, the Yacht Club de Monaco took full advantage to unveil details of the Monaco Globe Series, a qualifier for the next Vendée Globe.

Being organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco from 1-8 June 2018, it is the first non-stop double-hander offshore race around the Western Mediterranean and will depart 3rd June.

As these boats rarely come to the Med, the event will start with a two-day prologue in the form of runs or fleet races on an inshore course so sailing fans can see them in action.

On a 1,300nm course round emblematic landmarks in the Western Mediterranean (Sardinia, Sicily and Balearic Islands), the Monaco Globe Series offers a sprint comparable to the 110m hurdles, with obstacles like the Strait of Bonifacio, not to mention all the vessels from fishing boats to pleasure boats and cargo ships, always very numerous at this time of year. Teams will need to be extra vigilant, with back-to-back manoeuvres likely, and expect a range of weather conditions.

Although the closing date for registrations is not until 1st April 2016, six boats have already confirmed their participation.

Women will also be on the start with Alexia Barrier (4myPlanet), a newcomer to the IMOCA class, and Isabelle Joschke, represented by Alain Gauthier.

Provisional programme:

Friday 1st June 2018
Exhibition day for teams and their sponsors
Runs and courses in Monaco Bay
Globe Series Opening Ceremony
Gala Dinner

Saturday 2nd June 2018
Exhibition day
Runs and courses in Monaco Bay

Sunday 3rd June 2018
Start of 1,300 nautical mile race

Friday 8th June 2018
Prize-giving ceremony

www.ycm.org

Not just (any old) boatbuilders
There must be something in the air in Michigan as the 'new kids' at Composite Builders add their name to the grand prix sailing directory.

Building with advanced composites is no longer a simple matter of combining cloth and resin in a mould, pulling a vacuum and post-curing the laminate, followed by filling, fairing and finishing. The demands of the grand prix marketplace are relentless, with pressure to improve on design and shave off every gram of weight while retaining strength, durability and appearance in the ultimate challenge to marry form and function.

There are surprisingly few practitioners who combine modern high-tech composite fabrication with hands-on experience of sailing at the top level. Similarly, some of the greatest build talent is rarely seen in 'daylight', spending whole careers hidden in America's Cup programmes, pushing their skill sets to the edge in this ultra-competitive arena. Now some of that elite-level composites - and sailing - talent has been unleashed to offer high-end composite solutions for any application in grand prix sailing.

Founded by Brian MacInnes in Holland, Michigan, Composite Builders have been perfecting what MacInnes (now CEO) has learnt over two decades from sailing and project management of the Windquest race programmes in the Maxi, 1D48 and 50ft classes of the 1990s, through six cycles of the America's Cup and two of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Full story in the March issue of Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com

Cheeki Rafiki deaths
A yacht firm director carried on drinking after receiving an "urgent" warning that one of his vessels was taking on water, a court heard.

All four men on board died when the Cheeki Rafiki sank hours later.

Nigel Lickley, prosecuting, told Winchester crown court: "Despite what was happening at sea, he didn't call the UK Coastguard to alert them at that time, but he went to another pub nearer to his home and carried on drinking."

He talked to the crew later, went home and rang the Coastguard, but "didn't report any urgency".

"He said the pumps were coping," Mr Lickley told the jury.

Andrew Bridge, 22, of Farnham, Surrey; James Male, 22, of Southampton; and Steve Warren, 52, and Paul Goslin, 56, both from Somerset, were lost at sea.

The 40ft Cheeki Rafiki sank after its keel fell off in bad weather as it returned from Antigua to the UK in May 2014.

Bolts holding the three-tonne keel to the hull had failed, said Mr Lickley.

He said Innes had neglected the vessel for years, by not maintaining it or having it inspected, and chose an unsafe route across the Atlantic.

Innes, of Southampton, Hants, had a "duty of care" to the four men, Mr Lickley said.

The trial continues.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/

Google to map South Florida waterways in partnership with marine industry
Tech giant Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) is partnering with the Marine Industries Association of South Florida to create a water version of its popular Google Street View maps that would cover the region's major waterways.

Not only will this create a detailed visual map covering 143 nautical miles along the Intracoastal Waterway and Biscayne Bay from the Palm Beach County line in Jupiter through Ocean Reef in Key Largo, it will provide the opportunity for nearby businesses to reach customers on their boats.

"This is an incredible opportunity to add another tool to the toolkit of the marine industry in South Florida, which employs 136,000 people and produces an annual economic impact of $11.5 billion," said Phil Purcell, CEO and president of MIASF. "Just as Google Street View is a valuable instrument and a trusted way for businesses to connect with customers, Waterway View has the potential to be the most exciting new resource for the boating lifestyle, connecting boaters with restaurants, marinas, fuel docks, service and sales centers, and all the other resources they may need."

The Google Waterway View should launch as a mobile app by June when the mapping is completed. A web browser version will be available sooner. Businesses will be able to buy a listing to be promoted on the map, or provide a 360-degree view inside their business. MIASF will work with local businesses that want to utilize the new maps with Google.

www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/

Gilberto Nobili Joins Team Luna Rossa
Cagliari, Italy: Gilberto "Gillo" Nobili, joins team Luna Rossa Challenge with the double role of Operations Manager and Crew Member.

Gillo, winner of the last three editions of the America's Cup (2010 and 2013 with Oracle Team USA and in 2017 with Emirates Team New Zealand as crew member and system developer) is now at his sixth participation.

He also took part in several international events onboard TP52s, Maxi yachts and Extreme40s and sailed four years (2004-2008) as Star Class crew.

www.lunarossachallenge.com/en/home

Vale Marianne Middelthon
It is with regret and deep sadness that World Sailing announces that Marianne Middelthon passed away on 27 February after a long fight with cancer.

An International Judge and Umpire since 1993, serving Racing Rules and Race Officials in many capacities since the turn of the century, Marianne was greatly admired by her peers and sailors'.

Marianne was a member of the International Jury and Umpire team at no less than five Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games and the America's Cup while always finding time to help her fellow Norwegians and many others.

Through her work as an International Umpire Instructor, Marianne provided support and guidance to many, enabling others to achieve their dreams within the sport.

Over the past 25-years, Marianne dedicated an extensive amount of time and energy to World Sailing and the sport and in recognition of her services, she was awarded a World Sailing Gold Medal in 2017, one of the very few non-committee chairs or Board members to be recognised.

Through her work and dedication to the sport, Marianne touched the lives of many and World Sailing are inviting tributes to be sent to marketing@sailing.org

* From Daniel Charles:

All this talk about renewing some Olympic classes is very good - but what are we trying to achieve? What is the problem with sailing in the Olympics? This problem is twofold:

1) Supply the general public with a show which holds the same attraction than other sports. Of course the traditional regatta format does not do that. To compete against the attraction of - say- 50m breaststroke swimming, one would need not a regatta course, but a 500m WSSRC-format straight run. Do that on foiling Moth? OK this wouldn't be sailing as we know it, but then a circus show is not the life as we know it either!

2) Let the Olympics represent the real sailing community. Right now the Olympic classes are only dinghies, while the HUGE majority of sailors sail keelboats. Just to give an idea: in France, the number of dinghies sold annually to individuals represents less than 1% of what that number was in the late 1960s. Yes, that's a 99% reduction. In everyday practice, dinghies are out...

Of course these two precepts are contradictory. Maybe that is the sign of the falsity of the problem, and that sailing would be better off without the Olympics. I certainly believe that the Olympics are a nuisance. They help finance Federations which, in return, spend an inordinate amount of money and attention on competition, while the real problem is the not-so-slow abandon of pleasure sailing at a rate of 6-8% a year - imagine that over 20 years...

Too much sport kills the sport.

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The Last Word
People don't want other people to get high, because if you get high, you might see the falsity of the fabric of the society we live in. -- Ken Kesey

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship
Swedes Take Charge at Valencia Double Header to Kick Off 2018 WMRT Season
Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series
Day 4 RC44 Calero Marinas Cup
Clipper Round The World Yacht Race Starts All China Race From Sanya To Qingdao
Volvo Ocean Race initiate independent report
2018 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta
12 Metres
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: WHAT
The Last Word: WHAT

18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship
Click on image for photo gallery.

New Zealand's domination of the 2018 Winning Group 2018 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship continued on Sydney Harbour today when Honda Marine proved too good for the 25-boat fleet of the world's best 18 Footer teams.

David McDiarmid, Matt Steven and Brad Collins grabbed the lead soon after the start and led for most of the course before going on to a 2m6s win from a determined Asko Appliances (James Dorron, Paul Montague, Harry Bethwaite) team.

Race 1 winner, and overall points leader, Maersk Line (Josh Porebski, Jack Simpson, Dave Hazzard) battled all throughout the race with Asko Appliances and finished a further 32s back in third place.

While the top three teams broke away from the rest of the fleet, the battle for the minor placings was intense in the 25-30-knot Southerly which battered the harbour course.

Brett Van Munster's Appliancesonline.com.au finished fourth, followed by Knight Frank (Riley Dean), Yandoo (John Winning), Ilve (Oliver Hartas) and Triple M (James Ward).

After the two races sailed so far, Maersk Line leads with a total of four points, followed by Honda Marine on5, Asko Appliances on 7, Finport Trade Finance (Keagan York) on 11, Knight Frank and Appliancesonline on 13 and Harken (Riley Gibbs) on 15.

Race 3 of the JJ Giltinan Championship will be sailed on Sydney Harbour on Tuesday 6 March -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League

Race dates for the rest of the championship are:
Race 4 - Wednesday - March 7
Race 5 - Thursday - March 8
Race 6 - Saturday - March 10
Race 7 - Sunday - March 11

www.18footers.com

Swedes Take Charge at Valencia Double Header to Kick Off 2018 WMRT Season
Valencia, Spain: With 8 teams registered for the Valencia Match Cup and a fully stacked 10 entry lineup for Malvarrosa Match Cup, both WMRT regulars mixed in with new special guests, the Valencia WMRT double-header was set to provide an action filled start to the 2018 match racing season.

Valencia Match Cup, running 20-22nd February, began in style with 15-20 knot breeze in a good swell, catching some of the less experienced teams out by testing boat handling skills in these tough conditions, up against strong competition.

The hugely experienced catamaran racer, Arnaud Psarofaghis with his team Alinghi, progressed through he Round Robin Qualifying stage and into the Semi Final stage at their first M32 era WMRT event. As early leaders, winning the Round Robin series unbeaten, the team picked Daniel Bjørnholt's Youth Vikings Denmark to face in the Semis. Although finishing lower down the leaderboard after the initial stages, Bjørnholt proved himself at the WMRT Miami qualifiers last spring and this experience helped him to get past Psarofaghis in an enthralling 3-2 victory over the Swiss which secured himself a place in the final and the all important qualification spot to a Championship level event.

The other side of the draw saw an all-Swedish affair as Nicklas Dackhammar with his Essiq Racing Team took on fellow Gothenburg rival Mans Holmberg of Holmberg Racing Team.

The battle of Scandinavia was set for a final with Dackhammar flying the flag for Sweden and Bjørnholt for Denmark. Due to a lack of time the final was shortened to a sudden death, one-race-take-all to decide the winner. In the end it was Dackhammar who showed his experience on the Tour and in the M32 and took the race, winning the Valencia Match Cup.

Up next was the three day Malvarrosa Match Cup - take two for some teams who used the first three days as a warm up. Polish Team Delphia Sailing Team left the group and made way for 3 new entries - Denmark's Jonas Warrer, Sweden's Johnie Berntsson and The Netherland's Pieter-Jan Postma.

Holmberg cruised to victory at the Malvarrosa Match Cup, leaving both himself and Nicklas Dackhammar as the favourites for the start of the 2018 season. Perhaps they were aided by the surprisingly cool winds sweeping Valencia to make them feel at home, but these two young Gothenburg teams both showed strong match racing prowess over the six days of racing in Valencia and set themselves up as strong contenders for the new season ahead.

Final Standings - Valencia Match Cup
1. Nicklas Dackhammar (SWE), Essiq Racing Team
2. Daniel Bjørnholt (DEN), Youth Vikings Denmark
3. Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI), Alinghi
4. Mans Holmberg (SWE), Holmberg Racing
5. Markus Edegran (USA), E11even Racing
6. Vladimir Lipavsky (RUS), OST Legal Sailing
7. Kim Kling (SWE), Caprice Match Racing Team
8. Lukasz Wosinski (POL), Delphia Sailing Team

wmrt.com

Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series starts on 18 March
Come and join us at the premier early season event. Easy online entry.

Great racing and prizes including 50 trophies - 100 bottles of champagne - valuable goodies from Helly Hansen and Crewsaver.

The Spring Series is on six Sundays: 18 March to 29 April (excluding Easter).

There are 4 IRC classes + J/109, J/88 in Black group. White Group comprises Sportsboats (J/70 - SB20 - J/80 - Mixed). Other one design classes or extracted results are possible on request.

Crewsaver Spring Championship starts on 21 April

The Spring Championship is on the last two weekends of the Spring Series: Saturdays & Sundays 21-22 + 28-29 April. Up to 14 races over the four days.

Black group has 4 IRC classes + J/109, with the Performance 40 class racing within IRC 1. White Group is for J/70 - SB20 - J/80 Mixed Sportsboats -Quarter Ton Class.

Warsash Sailing Club - The first place to race in 2018.

www.warsashspringseries.org.uk

admin@warsashspringseries.org.uk

Warsash Sailing Club, Shore House, Shore Road, Warsash SO31 9FS. 01489 583575

Day 4 RC44 Calero Marinas Cup
Nico Poons' Charisma proved today that there is a new player in town in the one design fleet, as they clung on to their lead from yesterday to win the RC44 Calero Marinas Cup, the opening event of the 2018 RC44 championship. But it came down to the last run of today's last race when a final curved ball cut the Monaco-based team's overall lead to just one point ahead of arch-rival, Team Nika.

With no awkward frontal systems to complicate matters today, Lanzarote reverted to her usual summery self for the final day of competition. Until the last run the winds remained reliably in the southwest at around 15-16 knots, which with flat water and a scorching sun that made it seem like June in the Mediterranean.

After their outstanding Saturday, defending 2017 RC44 champions Igor Lah's Team CEEREF were still in the groove and led today's opening race from start to finish.

After posting a couple of deep results, Vladimir Prosikhin 's Team Nika was back on song for race two. The Russian team and John Bassadone's Peninsula Petroleum opted early for the right on the first beat where they struck gold. The two boats were respectively first and second at the top mark, positions they maintained until the finish.

In the third and final race it was for the first time Hugues Lepic's Aleph Racing, steered here by former Farr 40 World Champion, Jim Richardson that rounded the top mark in first. However on the run Torbjörn Törnqvist's Artemis Racing overhauled the French team and went on to lead for the remainder of the race. However this was despite an almighty right hand shift on the final leg that forced those on port gybe to finish under jib.

Despite a disappointing fifth place for Nico Poons' Charisma in the final race, this was still enough to secure her first RC44 regatta victory in four years, just ahead of Team Nika. Team CEEREF made the best of the final dramatic shift to finish third leaving her third overall, three points behind Team Nika.

Competition now returns to Portoroz, Slovenia, birthplace of the Russell Coutts-inspired RC44 for the second event of the 2018 championship.

www.rc44.com/results

Clipper Round The World Yacht Race Starts All China Race From Sanya To Qingdao
The final section of the Asia-Pacific Leg 5, officially known as Race 8: The Sailing City Qingdao Cup, has got underway following the inaugural Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Stopover in Sanya, China.

Using the first ever Sanya Serenity Coast In-Port Race, which was held on Friday, as a springboard for further success, Nasdaq crossed the Race 8 start line in first place and was followed closely by Visit Seattle and Dare To Lead. Tactics were at play from the off, with the fleet immediately splitting into two packs as teams headed for the windward mark.

It was Dare To Lead and PSP Logistics, which both opted for the Westerly route, that rounded first but Visit Seattle, which took the Easterly route, took third place and pipped Sanya Serenity Coast around the mark.

After completing a short inshore route, which passed the Nanshan statue, the Clipper Race fleet raced away from Sanya and will navigate the Kuroshio Current as it heads north, where the scorching heat will be replaced by freezing conditions.

The race to Qingdao is expected to take between ten to twelve days, with the fleet expected to arrive into the Wanda Yacht Club between the 13 and 16 of March.

This will be the seventh time the Clipper Race has included Qingdao on its global racing route, with the city the longest serving partner of the race. For the first time, Clipper Race crews will berth at the newly constructed Wanda Yacht Club, a state of the art facility in western Qingdao which demonstrates how the sailing industry continues to expand in China's Sailing City in the ten years since hosting the Beijing Olympic Games Sailing Events.

Following the Qingdao Stopover, the Clipper Race fleet will depart again on March 23 for the Mighty Pacific Leg 6, a 5,600 nautical mile race across the world's biggest and remote ocean to Seattle. From there, the teams will race on to Panama, New York, Derry-Londonderry, and Liverpool, where the Clipper 2017-18 Race will finish on July 28 2018.

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

Volvo Ocean Race initiate independent report
Following the collision between Vestas 11th Hour Racing and a non-racing vessel in the final stages of the racing leg into Hong Kong, the organisers of the Volvo Ocean Race have commissioned an independent report into ocean racing at night in areas of high vessel traffic density, to establish what steps race organisers may take to mitigate risk going forward.

The report will be conducted by an Independent Report Team (IRT), chaired by Rear Admiral Chris Oxenbould AO RAN (Rtd) and assisted by Stan Honey and Chuck Hawley.

Rear Admiral Oxenbould is a former deputy chief of the Australian Navy and an experienced ocean racing yachtsman with a particular expertise in navigation. He is also the former chairman of Australia Sailing's National Safety Committee.

Renowned current sailor and ocean navigational expert, Stan Honey, who won the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-06 as navigator onboard ABN AMRO ONE, and Chuck Hawley, who is the former chairman of the U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea Committee, will assist Rear Admiral Oxenbould on the report.

The IRT will examine all the issues associated with racing a Volvo Ocean 65, or similar racing boat, at night in areas of high vessel traffic density, drawing on the experiences in recent editions of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Any findings from the report that could benefit the wider sailing community will be released. It is intended that the IRT will make its report available to Volvo Ocean Race by June 2018.

www.volvooceanrace.com

2018 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta
What started out as a 3-day event with less than 10 boats in 1927 in Cuba, now attracts more than 200 sailors each year from 20 countries and the attention of international media in Miami.

For nearly one century, the Bacardi Cup continues to attract the world's top sailors and fans alike with its popularity and international intrigue. The event is celebrating its 91st anniversary in 2018 and for 56 straight years has called the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay home.

Started as a regatta for Star Class boats in Havana, Cuba in 1927, the Bacardi Cup has continued to evolve and change with the times, giving the one-design class invitational continued growth and popularity in a sport and an international city that has seen numerous regattas come and go.

For 2018, the Bacardi Cup organizing committee has decided to refocus the series on the original idea of an invitation-only regatta where the best small-boat sailors in the world come together to compete in tight, competitive, thrilling racing for six full days with an emphasis on quality instead of quantity. Still sponsored by the venerable Bacardi Rum brand and the Bacardi family, who have been active patrons since the inaugural Bacardi Cup was presented in 1927, the series in 2018 will be called The Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta. Only one other one-design class has been invited to compete in the Bacardi Cup in 2018: the exciting J/70 class, the fastest-growing one-design fleet in the world.

Racing gets underway in Biscayne Bay on Monday, March 5th for the Star Class. Racing for the J/70 Class commences the following Thursday. The Star fleet will compete in a single daily race, in what many today would call "endurance" style racing, which is exactly what the sailors' relish. The J/70 fleet face 9 races scheduled across 3 days.

bacardiinvitational.com

12 Metres
Onawa (US-6) to Sail with New Syndicate

In January of 2018, Onawa was acquired by Onawa 12 US 6, LLC, a Rhode Island company managed by McMillen Yachts. She is currently at their facility in Portsmouth, RI and she is race ready! No firm plans have been made, but they are entertaining the idea of forming a new syndicate of five 20% partners. McMillen Yachts would remain a partner and would maintain the yacht for the partnership. She would be based out of Newport and be available for the southern New England classic yacht circuit. When not being sailed by the partners, she would be made available for charter with the Newport 12 Metre fleet to supplement her income. If a new syndicate is not formed, offers for a sale will be considered

Easterner's (US-18) Proud New Owner

Scott Bernard of Annapolis purchased US-18 in January (2018) and plans to race her in Newport and Annapolis going forward. Scott has a sentimental tie to this iconic 12 as it was moored in front of his family's home in Newport Beach, CA during the 1970s - 1980s. Then known as Newsboy, Scott tells us that that she was the "belle of the bay" and he is trilled to now own her. Easterner is undergoing a refit scheduled to be completed in time for summer races in Newport and then be sailed to Annapolis for the fall 12 Metre Onawa_ US-6and winter. Scott intends to keep the hull bright, bottom white, and will likely offer Easterner for charter in coming years when not racing.

* From Euan Ross:

Interesting to see the Volvo fleet lined up after service, shrink-wrapped in single-use plastic covers. Seems we are no more turning the tide than King Cnut at the Hamble?

* From David Evans: Re Daniel Charles in his letter 02/03/18

I thoroughly agree with every word in Daniel Charles' letter (02/3/18), as they say he hit the nail precisely on the head!

* From Don Street: re: Canaries:

As I have been saying for forty years despite what tourist boards and many yaching authors say, the Canaries are not in the NE trades as is proved by cancellation of the RS44 racing yesterday.

How many times has the ARC started out with boats beating to windward for a number of days until they get down to the trades.

Look at the back of Imray Iolaire transatlantic passage chart, at the weather boxes for 12 months of the year.

The reliable trades reach the Canaries in June and depart in September.

.The rest of the year wind can come from any direction.

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The Last Word
Fitting people with books is about as difficult as fitting them with shoes. -- Sylvia Beach

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Etchells Biscayne Bay Series
Bacardi Cup
Harken Exclusive Worldwide Distributor of Ropeye Rigging Products
Vintage Yachting Games 16 - 22 September 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Hall of Famer Randy Smyth rescued
International calendar challenging for the Medemblik Regatta
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
A Flying Start For The Martinique Flying Regatta
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: 2017 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3200 R2, 2004 Ker 32, Donovan GP26 Speed6
The Last Word: Baba Rum Raisin

Etchells Biscayne Bay Series
The 2017-18 Etchells Biscayne Bay Regatta Series wrapped up with the 3-day Midwinters East Regatta for the Schoonmaker Cup on March 2-4 in Miami, FL. Forty-four boats came out to beautiful Biscayne Bay for the scheduled 8-race regatta, under the auspices of Etchells Fleet 20 and Biscayne Bay Yacht Club.

The regatta serves as the last opportunity to win the coveted series championship. The scoring for the overall series crown is comprised of a boat's best two finish places in the first three regattas of the series plus her score in the Midwinter Championship Regatta.

Going into the finale, three teams were separated by two points. Jim Cunningham on Lifted was sitting on top with two points. British Olympic Medalist Lawrie Smith, on Alfie, was in second with three points. Reigning Etchells World Champion, Steve Benjamin on Scimitar sat in third position with four points. They were all primed to duke it out for the crown.

Peter Duncan won the Midwinters Regatta and the Schoonmaker Cup while the award for top Corinthian team went to Craig Mense and his crew of John Harford and Fred Strammer who finished a 22nd overall. Jose Fuentes was awarded the Dr. Steve Horowitz Memorial award for most improved team.

Winning the overall Etchells Biscayne Bay Series was Steve Benjamin on the strength of two seconds in the second and third regattas of the series, and a second in the Midwinter Championship. He was followed by Lawrie Smith in second and Peter Duncan in third.

Final top five, Midwinters Regatta:
1. Peter Duncan/ Andrew Palfrey/Victor Diaz de Leon/ Sasha Ryan, USA, 31
2. Steve Benjamin/ Michael Menninger/ Ian Liberty/ Johnny Goldsberry, USA, 47
3. Kevin Grainger/ Mark Mendelblatt/ Chuck Norris, USA, 58
4. Andrew Cumming/ Brian Kamilar/ William Felder/ Nikki Medley, CAN, 65
5. Scott Kaufman/ Lucas Calabrase/ Austen Anderson/ Jesse Kirkland, USA, 66

Full results

Bacardi Cup
Diaz and Prada took the first winners gun at the 2018 Bacardi Cup Invitational Regatta on Biscayne Bay, Monday.

They finished ahead of Eivind Melleby and Joshua Revkin of Norway with Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi of Italy in third place.

Paul Cayard and Mark Strube USA finished fourth and fifth were Eric Doyle and Payson Infelise USA, with sixth Ireland's Peter and Robert O'Leary.

Britain's John Gimson and Chris Brittle finished 11th, with Maxwell Treacy and Robert Shanks of Ireland 12th. -- Gerald New, www.sailweb.co.uk

Top ten after the first race:
1. Augie Diaz / Bruno Prada, USA
2. Eivind Melleby / Joshua Revkin, NOR
3. Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi, ITA
4. Paul Cayard / Mark Strube, USA
5. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise , USA
6. Peter O'Leary / Robert O'Leary, IRL
7. Robert Scheidt / Brian Fatih, BRA
8. Thomas Allart / Arthur Lopez, NED
9. Peter Vessella / Phil Trinter, USA
10. Luke Lawrence / Pedro Trouche, NED

* This year this epic race begins with a much deserved tribute to one of the heroes of this legendary class, a man who wrote history for his Country and for the sailing world: Sir Durward Knowles passed away at age 100 on February 24th at Doctors Hospital in Nassau, Bahamas. Today the whole Bacardi Cup Fleet saluted him with a special memorial.

Bahamian and Star class flag were hoisted by the ISCYRA President Hubert Merkelbach joined by past presidents Lars Grael and Jack Rickard, the two times Star class Gold Medalist Mark Reynolds and Paul Cayard at 9am before the competitors started docking out towards the racecourse. A touching moment for a past Star class commodore who won the first Olympic medal (bronze) for his country, Bahamas, in 1956, who then succeeded and won gold eight years later, in Tokyo. Sir Durward is also a Star World Champion, winning the title in 1947 in Los Angeles, and his name is written on the Bacardi Cup as he won it in 1951 with Ding Shoonmaker as crew.

starclass.org

Harken Exclusive Worldwide Distributor of Ropeye Rigging Products
Harken is the exclusive distributor for Ropeye, worldwide. In the four years since its founding, Ropeye has developed a reputation for using advanced technologyimage003.png to reimagine how sailboats can be rigged. The result is a collection of 'gadgets' that blur the distinction between traditional rigging elements - often eliminating unnecessary parts and always minimizing weight. Ropeye made its first splash with a superbly designed soft-attach termination for blocks; padeyes; fairleads or rings. Unbelievably, those first waterproof, single-point composite attachments are three times stronger and five times lighter than the conventional stainless steel alternatives. Ropeye products are right for any sailor who hates lugging extra weight.

Ropeye perfectly complements Harken's range of free-rolling blocks. Products are easily installed and perfect for managing highly-loaded areas that require minimal adjustment. As exclusive worldwide distributor, Harken's network includes offices in 48 countries. This is great for sailors because they have access to more Ropeye products in more locations, and in more markets. Customers receive the best customer and technical service in the industry.

Harken and Ropeye - At the Front.

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Vintage Yachting Games 16 - 22 September 2018 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Olympic Sailing material development has also been impressive. The boats, hundred years ago, then state of the art, were made of wood or steel with cotton sails and without joystick, spinnaker or trapeze. The designs of then are now considered slow and heavy. In a world of Olympic plastic and skiffs some predecessors might look dated. However, many former Olympic classes are still active as international classes sailed at high level by sailors, from all around the world.

For example, the 12' Dinghy, active at the Olympics in 1920 and 1924, is still today active in regattas in twelve different countries on three different continents. More recent, the in 1910 designed Star, the primary Olympic keelboat from 1932 through 2012, may have lost its Olympic status but not its Olympic reputation! Still this keelboat is raced by the some of the best sailors worldwide.

The Olympic history has produced many of these beautiful designs stills fit for sailing at high level all around the globe. Besides the two classes mentioned earlier the Europe, 2.4 Metre (active at the Paralympics), Olympiajol, 12m2 Sharpie, Flying Dutchman, Yngling, Soling, Dragon, 5,5 Metre, 6 Metre, are all internationally active and racing at high level.

Apart from their shared Olympic heritage, they have more in common. The boats are sailed by a large group of regatta sailors from all over the world. Most classes have developed and improved and are still modern racing machines. With modern materials and equipment and sailed by the best, sometimes professional sailors.

Specially developed for these classes the first Vintage Yachting Games was organized in 2008 in Medemblik, the Netherlands. A multi-class sailing event for former Olympic and Paralympic classes.

The 2016 edition at Weymouth, the 2012 Olympic sailing arena, unfortunately had to be cancelled at the latest moment. Therefore, this led to a new Olympic schedule, the Vintage Yachting Games will now be raced coinciding with the Winter Olympics. The 2018 Games will bring the fleet of the former Olympic and Paralympic Classes to Copenhagen, Denmark. The Vintage Games will take place between September 16 and 22 (first day of racing Sept. 18th). -- Rudy den Outer

www.vintagecup2018.dk

Hall of Famer Randy Smyth rescued
Randy Smyth, one of North America's top multihull sailors and a member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame, was rescued by the Coast Guard last night when his 20-foot trimaran capsized during the WaterTribe Everglades Challenge, a 300 nm Florida race from Tampa Bay to Key Largo.

At 9 p.m., Coast Guard 7th District Command Center watchstanders received a personal locator beacon activation connected to annual race for kayaks, canoes and small boats.

The Coast Guard's St. Petersburg station verified the owner of the beacon was Smyth, 63, of Fort Walton Beach, and contacted him via VHF-FM marine band radio. Smyth stated his sailboat had capsized 12 miles south of Sanibel Island and was in need of emergency assistance.

Smyth is one of nine Americans to have both been on a winning America's Cup crew (1988) and win an Olympic medal in sailing (1988, 1992).

The Everglades Challenge, which started March 3, is an unsupported, expedition style adventure race with check points and a time limit of eight days or less.

www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

International calendar challenging for the Medemblik Regatta
The Medemblik Regatta, formerly known as the Delta Lloyd Regatta, is being held from the 22nd to the 26th of May. The regatta celebrates it's 34th edition this year. For all those years, sailors have praised the location for it's sailing conditions and the regatta as a well organized event. Seeing the names on the registration list so far, the 34th edition will have some strong competition again.

The regatta used to be a World Cup event, but is now named a World Sailing Classic event by World Sailing, the international sailing federation. This means the regatta is kept in her legacy of one of the world's biggest Olympic regatta's over the past 34 years. The regatta is well-known for its innovations towards the Olympics. Wind wise the location is good for sailing and everyone coming to Medemblik knows they can expect great competition in tough conditions, and a well organized event.

World Sailing promises to build on such strong existing major Olympic Class International Events. This way they establish a stable and long term World Sailing global calendar. "This should be done by strengthening the cooperation with the Olympic classes, World Championships and Regional Championships," said Kim Andersen, World Sailing President.

For the last two years they've failed in this promise towards the Medemblik Regatta. In 2017 the World Cup Santander was planned close to the event, this year the World Cup Marseille is scheduled just a week after the regatta in Medemblik. The World Cup is a big event for all sailors aiming for the Olympics 2020, so many sailors and coaches chose to go to the World Cup and skip Medemblik. Although the Medemblik Regatta is now a Classic Event, it doesn't get the support that's promised by World Sailing.

The Medemblik Regatta has a strong history and the professional organization won't just let the regatta disappear from the international calendar. For the Dutch sailors it's a great opportunity to compete in their own country and invite family, friends and sponsors. The structure of the event for this year is already set and they're already looking for next years event. Keeping the great courses on the water and a welcoming venue around the regatta center.

The Medemblik Regatta is held from the 22nd to the 26th of May 2018 at the Regatta Center Medemblik.

Online registration for the Regatta is open:
medemblikregatta.org/registration/

Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
Last month's winner:

This month's nominees:

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Henri Lloyd, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!

Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month

View past winners of Sailor of the Month

A Flying Start For The Martinique Flying Regatta
Debuting at the International Paris Boat Show in early December 2017, the Martinique Flying Regatta passes a new milestone today with the publication of the Notice of Race to trigger the sporting countdown to the event.

Aiming to become the Caribbean's major foiler meet, the event showcases the very latest technology, which is the future of competitive sailing. A particularly favourable spot for it, the Baie de Fort de France is a vast marine space spanning 70km2 and ranked as one of the most beautiful bays in the world with its steady medium winds and its continuously flat seas protected by the mountains. The perfect playing field for foiling craft then, particularly given the balmy average air temperature of 28°C in November.

From 17 to 24 November 2018, there are now 7 guest series set to represent nearly all the existing foilers. These range from the ultra-modern, fun craft like the Kitefoil and the Windfoil, to the individual Onefly and the famous Moth foilers, the double-handed Flying Phantom and the 3-man Easy to Fly, culminating with the 5-man GC32 inspired by the America's Cup.

The course will comprise both nautical arena courses in the Baie de Fort de France to put on a show for the locals in Martinique and long-distance courses around the bay with the backdrop of the stunning shores of Les Trois Ilets, Anse Mitan and Anse a l'Ane.

To support the racers, the organisation is setting up sizeable logistics facilities: transport of craft in containers included in the entry fees, special rates for air transport thanks to the partnership with the Corsair International company and special rates for accommodation.

Organised by the Comité Martiniquais du Tourisme and the Sirius Evénements company, the event has also already received the support of the Grand Port Maritime in Fort de France and the Ligue de Voile de Martinique, which represents the island's clubs and will make up the offshore organisation. -- translation by Kate Jennings

www.martinique-regatta.com

* From Darren Burns, Farr 30 Class President:

2017 has come and gone and the 2018 season is quickly approaching. Over the last year we only managed to host one class OD event: Canadian Nationals. As we look to the future of the class the council has determined that the likely event of our fleets being able to host another world's event is unlikely. Our 2016 international regatta in Sweden came as close as we have come to qualifying in the last 5 years. Given that we have mostly transformed into a regional fleet class the executive has taken the decision to no long support the class as a World Sailing one design yacht. This has been a difficult decision however we feel that supporting this classification is no longer financially viable and for reasons noted is likely to not produce another world championships in the foreseeable future.

The council has reduced class fees three times over the last 5 years and continues to only see membership support at the class sanctioned events. These events have seen 100% of the membership fee go back to the event in the form of a class sponsorship to support the implementation of the class rules. Over the last three years we have made minor modifications to the rules to allow the removal of the stove, cushions, and toilet during class racing and we will continue to look to the fleet for recommendations on further modifications that we can find consensus from the fleet on.

Looking at the 2018 season, we are finalizing/supporting three OD events: North American Championships, European Championships, and Canadian Nationals. These three class sanctioned events will continue to follow the full class rules as they stand with the modifications noted above. The class will continue to financially support these events until we have exhausted the class resources.

Out of the 200 plus boats built we have a small cluster of fleets on the north west and north east coasts of North America, Northern Europe, and the Middle East. These fleets continue to hold one design fleet racing though out the season and have seem some fleet building over the last two years. The longevity of this class is a testament to how great the Farr 30 is as mixed fleet boats. Many new sport boats have come and gone over the years and most have not been able to match the boat for boat agility of the Farr 30.

In the next few weeks we will be posting the dates and locations of the 2018 OD events on the web site along with results updates and any other news the fleet would like to share. Please use this as a resource for your own local fleet racing and send any other posting along to be shared with the class.

farr30.org

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2004 Ker 32. 54995 GBP. Located in Ashore Greenock, Scotland.

Ker 32 CR 'Wildebeest' (ex. Raygun/Kimanche Eve) built in 2004 by RF Compisites (Hamble, UK) and refitted extensively in 2013/2017.

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Donovan GP26 Speed6

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The Last Word
Do I experience the Almighty differently from you? We both go nameless between births?!. -- Baba Rum Raisin

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship, Race 3
Luke O’Connell back in OK Dinghy World top 10 after double victory down under
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
New Course Record While Fleet Passes Cabo
Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka Yacht Race start
LEGO Technic 42074 Racing Yacht
Patrice Carpentier appointed Golden Globe Race Director
For the Record
Oldest-known message in a bottle
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Cookson 50, Swan 78 Custom, Maxi 79' Racer
The Last Word: Meher Baba

18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship, Race 3
Click on image for photo gallery.

The Australians fought back after an previous domination by the New Zealand teams when Finport Trade Finance took out Race 3 of the Winning Group JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today.

Finport Trade Finance (Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Angus Williams) had a race-long dual with the winners of the two earlier races in the championship (Maersk Line nad Honda Marine) before crossing the finish line an 18s winner.

Honda Marine (Dave McDiarmid, Matt Steven, Brad Collins) finished secong, just 4s ahead of third pl;aced Maersk Line (Josh Porebski, Jack Simpson, Dave Hazard).

Although finishing behind Finport today, the two New Zealand teams share the lead with a total of seven points, followed by Finport on 12 points.

Harken, of the USA, (Riley Gibbs) finished fourth today and is also in fourth place overall on 19 points.

Two more New Zealand teams, Knight Frank (Riley Dean) and C-Tech (Alex Vallings) round out the top six overall on 20 and 25 points respectively.

Once again, the strong Southerly wind gave all teams some great rides but was also respensible for some capsizes during the first half of the race.

It was a great credit to all teams as 23 of the 24 starters managed to complete the course.

The only non-finisher was Triple M which lost a crewman just before the race and had to substitute a last minute replacement, then had a collision only a few secs. after the start.

Today's Result Sheet and Progress Points are attached, together with photos from today's race.

Race 4 of the JJ Giltinan Championship will be sailed on Sydney Harbour tomorrow, Wednesday 7 March.

www.18footers.com

Luke O’Connell back in OK Dinghy World top 10 after double victory down under
The first release of the OK Dinghy World Ranking List in 2018 is much the same as the last one in 2017. Greg Wilcox, of New Zealand, still leads from Tomasz Gaj, of Poland and Henrik Kofoed, of Denmark.

While most of the top places stay the same, there are 18 new sailors on the list, which now includes 519 sailors from 13 countries. All four events counted for this list were in New Zealand and Australia, before the European circuit begins next month.

The first event was the Go for Gold Regatta at Black Rock Yacht Club, Melbourne, in November 2017. Michael Horvath won from Folkert Jansen and Brent Williams. The Australia Nationals, held at Southport Yacht Club, on the Gold Coast in January 2018 attracted an impressive 42 entries, with Rob McMillan sailing a recently imported Ovington hull, from the UK, to a dominant victory over Wilcox and the defending champion Mark Jackson.

A few weeks later the New Zealand National and Interdominion titles were held at Wakatere Boating Club in Auckland. Luke O’Connell won a shortened series from defending champion Dan Slater and Ben Morrison. The event was viewed as practice for next year’s World Championship, which will be hosted by the club in February 2019.

The final event, at Turangi, was also won by O’Connell with straight wins from Alistair Deaves and Steve McDowell.

O’Connell’s results means he is back in the top 10 again, while Jackson drops out, from 10th to 12th. The biggest climber though is McDowell, up 17 places to 15th.

The European circuit opens, as usual, with the Spring Cup in Medemblik at the end of April. The next release will be after Kieler Woche in June and just before the 2018 World Championship in Warnemünde, Germany, where pre-entry closed at 99 boats. A huge fleet is expected at what is one of the class's favourite venues.

OK Dinghy World Ranking List - March 2018 (Top 20 from 519) Full list can be downloaded here.

Top ten rankings:
1. Greg Wilcox, NZL
2. Tomasz Gaj, POL
3. Henrik Kofoed Larsen, DEN
4. Martin von Zimmermann, GER
5. Pawel Pawlaczyk, POL
6. Jim Hunt, GBR
7. Oliver Gronholz, GER
8. Ralf Tietje, GER
9. Andreas Pich, GER
10. Luke O'Connell, NZL

okdia.org

Seahorse March 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Update
It’s not an easy time to be a wannabe America’s Cup challenger, the extraordinary CV of that Mapfre navigator and the complexities of modern campaigning. Plus modern real-time performance analysis... think again. Jack Griffin, Joan Vila, Carlos Pich, Terry Hutchinson

Design - Plenty (more) to come
Bernard Nivelt And Alexis Muratet have no intention of turning back the clock...

The game of life
Blue Robinson talks America’s Cup and an extraordinary career with Tom Whidden

What does it take...
A big picture hunt for the commonalities of a successful Olympian. Carol Cronin

Special rates for Scuttlebutt Europe subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2

1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/

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New Course Record While Fleet Passes Cabo
San Diego, CA: Mighty Merloe (Orma 60, HL Enloe) flew across the Sea of Cortez Monday and crossed the finish line to set new multihull and overall record for the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta Race. The previous record was set in 2014 by Tom Siebel’s MOD70 trimaran Orion, sailing 1209 miles in 56 hr 55 min for the 1000 mile rhumbline course. Mighty Merloe was three hours behind them that year, but suffered from a broken centerboard on one of the hulls, sailing 1160 miles that year.

The new 2018 record now stands at 51 hr 58 min set by Mighty Merloe, sailing 1136 miles, for an average speed of 21.8 over the 1000 mile rhumbline course.

Mighty Merloe is nearly 15 years old now, and recently she has been getting some much deserved work to ‘tighten up’ the hull. You can only imagine the stress placed on various features of the outboard amas, cross beams, and mast components. With a new record in hand, it seems to have been worth it.

For the rest of the fleet... they are punching their way through that lee, and perhaps thinking back to Peter Isler’s competitor briefing where he described the nuances of a ‘in close, out wide’ approach to the wind shadow in the lee of Cabo, and the third ‘leg’ of the race. Racers will be working most of today to pace themselves to the other side and ‘reattach’ to the northerly flow pumping out of the Sea of Cortez.

www.pvrace.com

Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka Yacht Race start
With the first of multiple starts for the Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka Yacht Race just eight days away, both excitement and pressure are tangible at Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC), where most boats are berthed and the double-handed crews continue to beaver away as they make final preparations.

“All but five of the 24 boats have arrived,” says Melbourne-Osaka committee chair, Martin Vaughan from the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria. “Most are now berthed at Sandringham Yacht Club, where their crews are undertaking final preparations. You can definitely feel a buzz and nervous tension in the air,” he said.

The countdown is on and first away will be Joanna Breen and Peter Brooks on Joanna’s S&S 34, Morning Star, on 15 March, at 12pm. The next start will take place on 18 March, followed by the main start for the bulk of the fleet on 25 March, then the last, larger boats will leave on 1 April, the idea being for the fleet of 24 to finish close together. All starts will take place from Portsea Pier.

One of the last away will be Rupert Henry’s JV62, Chinese Whisper, from Sydney. Henry says he and his friend Greg O’Shea are prepared: “We had to turn an 18-handed boat into a double-handed boat in a fairly short time, because I only got the idea to enter in October. I was looking for something to do and this race was perfect, it gives us something to aim for.”

Henry has previously effectively done a bit of single-handed sailing. “For years I cruised my J/65 in Rhode Island with my family, which was really sailing the boat on my own. I have literally copied systems off that boat to Chinese Whisper.

A total of seven Melbourne Osaka double-handed yacht races have been conducted in the past, held approximately every four years from 1987 to 2013. The race record of 26 days 20 hours 47 minutes 6 seconds, has been held since 1995 by Grant Wharington and Scott Gilbert with Wharington’s 50ft Wild Thing.

melbourneosaka.com

LEGO Technic 42074 Racing Yacht
Unlike the charming LEGO Ideas 21313 Ship in a Bottle, the new LEGO Technic 42074 Racing Yacht, despite also being a ship, doesn’t come inside a brick-built bottle. Instead, this bright and vivid ship was designed for high-speed regattas. Even though its playability is rather limited, the set can give a young builder the very basic idea of a modern racing vessel’s mechanisms. The set is just 330-pieces big, but its retail price of £24.99/$39.99/29.99€ can make it a pretty good addition to your collection if you can deal with the model’s flaws…

Once finished, the yacht leaves a dual impression. The model’s design deserves a solid “A”, but that can’t be said about its playability. The set has only two basic features, and even these are as limited as possible; get ready to constantly hit your fingers with the boom any time you try to adjust it. And there’s no way you can make the yacht stand upright: it will always heel over. You’d need a proper display stand if you’re planning to exhibit the model on a shelf.

www.brothers-brick.com

Patrice Carpentier appointed Golden Globe Race Director
Les Sables d'Olonne: Don McIntyre, founder of the 2108 Golden Globe race, is proud to announce the appointment of Patrice Carpentier, the well-known French sailor, author and editor of Course au Large Magazine as Race Director.

Patrice, who has been sailing since the age of 12, and is multilingual, brings a wealth of experience to this leadership role, having completed five circumnavigations. These include the first two Whitbread Round the World Races aboard Grand Louis and Gauloises 2, and two Vendée Globe solo non-stop races. He also finished 2nd overall in the 1991 Mini Transat despite suffering a broken mast during the first leg. He competed successfully with standard production yachts in two Route du Rhum races in 1982 and 1990 and was still winning in 2017 with victory in the 2-handed IRC/UNCL championship. All told, Patrice (67) has clocked up more than 300,000 sailing miles and crossed the Atlantic 35 times.

With 4 months to the start of the 2018 Golden Globe Race from Les Sables d’Olonne, France on July 1, the number of entrants now stands at 20, representing 13 countries.

These skippers have a remarkable range of backgrounds. Professional sailors and adventurers dominate, but they also include an engineer, foreign exchange trader, hydrographer, pilot, tailor and university lecturer. All have considerable short – and single-handed sailing experience, one having logged five solo circumnavigations. They hail from Australia (2), Estonia (1), Finland (1), France (4), Ireland (1), India (1), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), Norway (1), Palestine (1), Russia (1), UK (3), and the USA (2). Their average age is 47. The youngest, Britain’s Susie Goodall is 28; the oldest, French solo veteran Jean-Luc Van Den Heede is 72.

www.goldengloberace.com

For the Record
The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record:

Record: Hong Kong to London
Yacht: “Maserati”. Multi 70 ft
Name: Giovanni Soldini ITA and 4 crew
Dates: 18th January to the 23rd February 2018
Start time: 10;43;24 UTC on the 18;01;18
Finish time: 13;20;36 UTC on 23;02;18.
Elapsed time: 36 days 2 hours 37 minutes and 12 seconds
Distance: 12948 NM
Average speed: 14.94 kts
Comments: Previous record: “Gitana 13” Lionel Lemonchois. FRA. Sep 08. 41d 21h 26m 34s

John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council

sailspeedrecords.com

Oldest-known message in a bottle
A Perth family has made an extraordinary historical discovery after becoming bogged on a West Australian beach.

Tonya Illman was walking across sand dunes just north of Wedge Island, 180 kilometres north of Perth, when she noticed something sticking out of the sand.

"It just looked like a lovely old bottle, so I picked it up thinking it might look good in my bookcase," she said.

But Mrs Illman realised she had likely uncovered something far more special when out fell a damp, rolled up piece of paper tied with string.

The message was dated June 12, 1886, and said it had been thrown overboard from the German sailing barque Paula, 950km from the WA coast.

Discovered 132 years after it was tossed overboard, it is the oldest-known message in a bottle in the world.

The second oldest was just over 108 years old.

www.abc.net.au/news/

* From Bruce Kirby:

How wonderful to have the tuned in Adrian Morgan rush to the defense of he Laser design after someone named Evans had disparaged the design of my little vessel. Mr.Evans doesn’t like the “stupid mainsheet system” which was made necessary by the fact that a center lead system would have been too far forward of the center of the boom. This is true because there is a nifty little secret about the Laser hull design which, as far as I know, has been ferreted out only by a vastly experienced New Zealand / American sail maker. This feature helps to make the wee yacht manageable by good sailors even in extreme conditions. Designers of the most recent rip offs have missed this aspect of the Laser hull and must wonder why their boats handle as they do in heavy air.

Mr. Evans would not know that I sailed International 14s for decades and enjoyed looking aft to see most of my competitors, or that I raced the Finn in two Olympic Games. It was with a thorough knowledge of both of these boats that I designed the Laser. So the sheet was very much as used in the 14s before 1958 when Roger Hewson of Montreal and I began using the center boom system as in the Finn.

Mr. Evans doesn’t like the Laser rudder. Many years ago I designed a slightly deeper and more modern rudder for the little boat but the class and builders turned it down because they thought the original blade was just fine for those willing to learn how to control the boat with it. Maybe Mr. Evans was not one of these, but apparently a couple of hundred thousand others mastered it.

As to the “hopeless rig design” the Laser was not the first boat to use the two-part mast with great success and having taken this route the sail maker (in the case of the Laser, the late double Olympic medal winner Hans Fogh, disciple of Paul Elvstrom) was faced with making the mast/sail combination wor ; and all those hundreds of thousands of sailors seem to have been happy that it works just fine.

Thank you again Adrian for your defense of my offspring; and as to Mr. Evans, if I were not in my 90th year and a bit unsteady on my feet I would fly off to England , throw down my glove, and challenge him to a duel with Laser extension tillers at a distance no closer than10 yards.

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2007 Swan 78 Custom Valkyrie. 1,850,000 EUR. Located in Genoa, Italy.

Delivered in 2007, Valkyrie is a 78 ft custom yacht built by Nautor’s Swan. VALKYRIE fills the role of Bill Tripp’s concept of a Café Racer, a fast, sleek and comfortable yacht.

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2005 Cookson 50 - "Lee Overlay Partners". 350000 EUR. Located in Antigua.

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The Last Word
Forgiveness is the best charity. -- Meher Baba

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Star World Champions Control The Fleet
John Merricks Sailing Trust Announces New Keelboat Awards
Celebrating International Women's Day
18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship, Day 4
Final countdown to Finn Europeans in Cadiz
Prominent Aucklanders enter America's Cup base row
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Wally 80 Tonemai, Oyster 82 Raven, Oyster 72 Solitaire of Bosham
The Last Word: Basil Fawlty

Star World Champions Control The Fleet
A keen Star Class fleet pushed the starting line, forcing the Race Committee to signal two general recalls before race day 2 at the 91st Bacardi Cup got underway on Biscayne Bay today.

Superb weather conditions in a breeze up to 15 knots kept the frontrunners close together, with intense head to head fights concluding in a virtual photo finish between the leading three boats.

On the first upwind leg, the majority opted to take the left side of the track which paid off particularly well for Italy's Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi who claimed the mark rounding first, chased by a rowdy fleet crowding around the mark behind.

The Italians held their position in the leading pack for the next legs, almost keeping their advantage to the finish line, as a battle of wills unfolded. Three boats crossed within moments of each other with the advantage going to the Norwegian pair of Eivind Melleby / Joshua Revkin. A reversal of fortune compared to yesterday when they lost their lead in the final leg, but today they accelerated ahead of the Italians to take the win by half a boat length. A scorecard of 2,1 now puts Melleby/Revkin in the overall lead, sitting 2 points ahead of Negri/ Lambertenghi in second overall.

Top ten after 2 races:

1. Eivind Melleby / Joshua Revkin, NOR, 3.0 points
2. Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi, ITA, 5.0
3. Robert Scheidt / Brian Fatih, BRA, 10.0
4. Paul Cayard / Mark Strube, USA, 10.0
5. Augie Diaz / Bruno Prada, USA, 11.0
6. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise , USA, 16.0
7. Arthur Anosov / David Caesar , USA, 21.0
8, Peter O'Leary / Robert O'Leary, IRL, 21.0
9. Xavier Rohart / Sebastien Guidoux, FRA, 26.0
10. Peter Vessella / Phil Trinter , USA, 29.0

starclass.org

John Merricks Sailing Trust Announces New Keelboat Awards
Jim Saltonstall (left) and Ian Atkins. Click on image to enlarge.

The Ian Atkins Keelboat Awards have been set up by the John Merricks Sailing Trust thanks to a contribution from Dominion Enterprises / Yachtworld.

Dominion Enterprises, the previous owners of Dominion Marine Media, now Boats Group, has marked the occasion of Ian Atkins' retirement with a significant donation to the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) in support of youth keelboat sailing. The Award was announced at Atkins' retirement celebration at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble, by Courtney Chalmers, Vice President of Marketing, Boats Group, on behalf of Dominion Enterprises.

Jim Saltonstall MBE was in attendance and expressed his gratitude for the gift on behalf of JMST.

The Award was a surprise to Atkins, who was visibly moved and deeply honoured at the donation being made in his name in the presence of family, friends and industry colleagues from his extraordinary career in the marine industry, which spans over 40 years.

Ian Atkins is an enthusiastic, active, keelboat sailor with an outstanding record of success in yachting, both in Great Britain and beyond. Ian's particular forte is racing small keelboats, which many young sailors aspire to after serving their apprenticeship in dinghies. He has had a very successful business career and his knowledge of the commercial side of the sailing industry is well respected both at home and abroad.

The JMST will promote and manage the Ian Atkins Keelboat Awards, which consist of a series of cash bursaries for young people to aid their transition from racing dinghies to keelboats. These bursaries, awarded annually, will be given on the basis of track record, future potential and financial need.

Youth sailors can apply for the awards from 1 November to 1 January each year. The JMST Trustees will then consider all applications in January and successful applicants will be awarded grants by the end of the month. All applicants will be notified by the end of February whether their applications were successful or not.

Typically the monies will contribute towards a young sailor's expenses when looking to further their keelboat sailing through the British Keelboat Academy, British Keelboat league, Student Yachting, Offshore Academy or any other similar keelboat progression. The expectation is, that the scheme would hand out bursaries amounting to a total of £3 - £5k per year.

The John Merricks Sailing Trust has been in operation for twenty-one years and has helped many young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals. The charitable trust was set up by those closest to John to do some good in his name and further the memory of such a remarkable person. Many people gained from all that John gave and many also helped John to achieve all that he did in such a short time. Indeed if it were not for this help John may have fallen short of his aspirations, culminating in an Olympic silver medal in 1996. The Trust's aim is to provide help to those young people who display similar drive, talent and commitment to sailing as John, but who perhaps themselves need support to set them on their way to fulfilling their dreams. -- Suzy Hamel

www.jmst.org.uk

Celebrating International Women's Day
This international Women's Day, Marlow Ropes is celebrating the success of the many inspirational women in sailing they are proud to work with and support as official supplier.

- Dame Ellen Macarthur OBE, sailor and world record holder
The long relationship between Marlow Ropes and Dame Ellen Macarthur started more than 17 years ago with Marlow supplying the running rigging for all of Ellen's voyages and record achievements, including her record breaking entry in the 2000-2001 Vendee Globe.

- Susie Goodall, Golden Globe Race 2018 Skipper
Marlow is the official supplier to pioneering GB yachtswoman Susie Goodall who will compete in the solo and unsupported non-stop Golden Globe Race starting in July.

"There's a mutual understanding that we're all just sailors and gender doesn't come into it and this is thanks to the incredible female sailors such as Tracy Edwards and Ellen Macarthur who paved the way for us." Susie Goodall

- Marie Gendron, French Mini Transat Engineer & Sailor
French engineering student Marie Gendron designed and built her ground-breaking boat, Le Mini 930, a 6.3m Mini Transat; whilst preparing to sail it solo across the Atlantic in 2019 using Marlow's DM20.

- Clementine Thompson, Laser Radial sailor for the British Sailing Team
Laser Radial sailor Clementine Thompson was the recipient of Marlow's British Sailing Team Podium Pathway Award in 2017, working with Marlow along with other members of the British Sailing Team, to test new products including the new Excel R8 Dinghy line.

- Steph Roble and Maggie Shea, 49erFX sailors, US Sailing Team
Steph Roble and Maggie Shea combine to make a formidable 49erFX team, rigged by Marlow, with notable success ahead of their Tokyo 2020 campaign.

It is also fitting that in advance of this year's International Women's Day, Marlow Ropes has been announced as title sponsor of the RYA Women's Match Racing Championships.

"Marlow have been privileged to work with a succession of talented female sailors and athletes over the years, and this International Women's Day we want to pay homage to their ambition and achievements. These inspirational women demonstrate the skill, determination and tenacity required to sail at the very top of the sport. We look forward to seeing where their ambition takes them next." Emma Donovan, Marketing Manager

marlowropes.com

18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship, Day 4
Click on image for photo gallery.

Day 4 of The Winning Group 2018 JJ Giltinan International 18ft Skiff Championship was held on Sydney Harbour today when two short-course, windward-return races were sailed towards the overall championship pointscore.

The first of the two races was sailed in an 11-knot South-East wind and resulted in a win for Triple M (James Ward, Adam Gillson, Tom Anderson) by 11s from the Australian champion Smeg team (Lee Knapton, Ricky Bridge, Mike McKensey), with New Zealand's Honda Marine (Dave McDiarmid, Matt Steven, Brad Collins) a further 47s back in third place.

In the latter race, which was sailed in a flukey 8-14-knot South-East breeze, New Nealand's Maersk Line (Josh Porebski, Jack Simpson, Dave Hazzard) took the lead only a few hundred metres from the finish to defeat the UK's The Time Genie (Graham Bridle, Eddie Bridle, Ed Gibbons) by 2s, with Finport Trade Finance (Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Angus Williams) another 10s back in third place.

After the day's racing, Maersk Line leads the points table with 13 points, followed by Honda Marine on 14, Finport Trade Finance on 28, Knight Frank on 40, Asko Appliances (James Dorron) 40, and NZ's C-Tech (Alex Vallings) on 44.

The course for both races was set between the start in Taylor Bay to a windward mark in Rose Bay.

The lighter wind conditions and nature of the course didn't produce the excitement, spectacle or spinnaker/two-sail reaching we saw in the previous three days and the erratic results reflected the uncertainty of the short course racing.

Day 5 of the JJ Giltinan Championship will be sailed on Sydney Harbour tomorrow, Thursday 8 March. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League

Race dates for the rest of the championship are:
Day 6 - Saturday - March 10
Day 7 - Sunday - March 11

www.18footers.com

Final countdown to Finn Europeans in Cadiz
Ninety-six Finn sailors from 33 countries are counting down the days to next week's Open and U23 Finn European Championship in Cadiz, Spain. Many have been training for months at the venue for the first big test of the year as the fleet gears up for the first Olympic qualifier in Aarhus, Denmark in August.

The high-calibre fleet includes 12 Rio Olympians, three former world champions and three former European champions. The defending champion is Jonathan Lobert, from France, the London 2012 bronze medalist, who took the gold in Marseille last year, the sailing venue for the 2024 Olympics.

Some of the biggest threats for Lobert's title defence are likely to come from current World Champion, Max Salminen, from Sweden, last year's second and third placed, Ed Wright and Ben Cornish, from Britain, Rio bronze medalist Caleb Paine, from the USA, Australian, Jake Lilley, and Alican Kaynar from Turkey.

Kaynar won last week's Andalusian Olympic Week and has shown steady improvement since the Rio Games, including a bronze in Miami earlier this year.\

The championship opens on Friday 9 March, with a series of 10 races from Monday 12 to Friday 16 March, followed by the medal race for the top ten on Saturday 17 March.

Follow the event through the event website 2018.finneuropeans.org and the various Finn class social media channels

www.facebook.com/InternationalFinnClass/
twitter.com/Finn_Class
www.instagram.com/finnclass/

Prominent Aucklanders enter America's Cup base row
Prominent architects, academics, legal figures and resident groups have entered the America's Cup base row in an open letter published in today's Herald.

Distinguished academic Dame Anne Salmond, retired Court of Appeal judge Sir "Ted" Thomas and many of Auckland's top architects are calling on the Government, Auckland Council and Team New Zealand to adopt a land-based solution for the cup bases.

Resident groups from the CBD, Devonport, Herne Bay, Northcote, Parnell and St Marys Bay have also signed the letter.

The letter comes as talks between the main parties drag on with no sign of an agreement in sight. It is nearly four weeks since Economic Development Minister David Parker, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton last met.

The 100 or so individuals plus residents groups and architectural groups to sign the letter are calling for five syndicate bases on Wynyard Point, moving the Team New Zealand Base from a 75m extension on Hobson Wharf to a small extension on Halsey Wharf, and two contingency sites on Beaumont St.

It is very similar to the option put forward by Viaduct Harbour Holdings - a company owned by some of New Zealand's richest businessmen who own 20ha of prime waterfront land around Wynyard Quarter.

No one from Viaduct Harbour Holdings has signed the letter, but company chief executive Angela Bull said it supported the letter and "believed the Wynyard Point proposal will deliver a world class America's Cup event which is cheaper without encroachment into the Waitemata Harbour". -- Bernard Orsman

www.nzherald.co.nz

* From: Andrew Hurst, Seahorse International Sailing Magazine

I think my good friend Bruce Kirby is perhaps being uncharitable in his response to Mr Evans' observations about the Laser. Surely Mr Evans was being ironic… no one would set out to upset tens of thousands of past, present and future happy Laser customers...

The Laser is the most brilliant, significant and successful design in dinghy racing history (sorry Opti parents, it's good but now it's time). I am one of hundreds of thousands, probably millions over the years, of enthusiasts for whom the Laser made an extraordinary contribution to my sailing life and to my simple enjoyment of the sport. I still have my last Laser (Tallinn, No147092) which is on permanent loan to any keen sailor who wants to sail it. I race it myself on occasion when it's blowing so hard that the mere sight of my lovely Finn scares the pants off me.

By the way, a similarly perfect keelboat in my view is the Mumm 30, now called the Farr 30 but forever the Mumm 30 to me and many others. The perfect small fast racing yacht in every way; I am pleased to see a steady stream of examples now being optimised for new lives as ORC and IRC racers (as was its predecessor the Mumm 36).

And Mr Evans, you're welcome to borrow my Laser anytime… I'm sure Tom Burton will relish the challenge.

The sun's out so a little praise where it's due. And a little adult supervision.

Keep up the good work.

* From Adrian Morgan:

Gosh, blimey and other British expressions. To have Bruce Kirby mention me in Scuttlebutt Europe. I'd say that was an honour.

However on the day I had my defence of the Laser published I received a call from an eminent sailor who took me to task, pointing out that the really serious faults in the boat, Mr Evans had ignored: among them the variations in hull weight; the differences in mast characteristics, daggerboard quality and so on, which meant Olympic and championship sailors having to pick through many hulls and masts and boards to find the "good" ones. That was surely not the fault of the design, however. How many other classes face the same problems? Compared to the cost of any development class, a Laser looks pretty good value. To make a one design that will suit the long, short, tall, and the heavy, is a tough order and Bruce's Laser comes closer to that ideal than most. It has stood the test of time and, until someone designs a better ironing board, will continue to do so. Mine, yellow, sail number 132322, certainly did from 1988, when I collected it from the factory near Oxford, until I sold it two years ago.

* From Eddie Mays:

A voice from the past (complaining again) popping my head above the parapet

I have just watched the first day's video highlights from the Bacardi Cup and I would like to congratulate Icarus Sports. In a 2min 56sec video they managed to condense the Star class sailing to 15 secs. Perhaps in tomorrow's video they will get it down even further.

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Wally
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2012 Oyster 82 Raven. 2,925,000 GBP. Located in West Med

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
brokerage@oysteryachts.com
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2008 Oyster 72 Solitaire of Bosham. 1,485,000 GBP. Located in Palma.

Built with a breathtaking attention to detail by experienced owner, Solitaire boasts sleek modern lines and a clutter-free feel. Class-leading, beautifully proportioned and practical interior. Performance wise the 72 is hard to beat. Currently used for family cruising and some charter.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
Basil Fawlty: Always reminds me of somebody machine-gunning a seal.
Major Gowen: The heat?
Basil Fawlty: No, no. My wife's laugh.

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Bacardi Cup
New Race Director for 2018 Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race
Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series starts on 18 March
Free money? No, but there is FREE coaching at the RORC Easter Challenge
Leigh McMillan back at Land Rover BAR
New route for ARC Channel Islands Rally 2018
Rouxel and Curtis join Team Brunel
Int. 5.5 Metre Class returns to its roots for 70th Anniversary
Howth Sailing Life Resumes After Storm Emma
Industry News
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Oyster 72 Crazy Horse, Oyster 825 Maegan, FB35 - "Young Guns"
The Last Word: Ivan Stang

Bacardi Cup
After yesterdays race was postponed due to thunderstorm activity in the area, today featured a double header. The wind was 12-18 knots from the northwest, which is always shifty here and makes for challenging racing.

In race one of the day, there was a big left shift off the line and Mark and I were not out in front enough to tack on it. That lasted three minutes and then the wind shifted back to the right. The boats that were able to play that first shift were the race leaders. Robert Scheidt and Brian Fatih held the lead at mark one and stretched on every leg. Jim Buckingham and Craig Moss had a great race as did Elvind Melleby and Josh Revkin. Mark and I had a great first downwind leg to get back in touch with the top group and even had a shot at 2nd in the last quarter mile of the race. Unfortunately for us, the pack to our left surged ahead in the final meters and we came away with a 7th.

In race 2, I really couldn’t do anything right. We went the wrong way on every leg and just got further behind. We finished 24th. Hopefully that will be our discard. I had a bad day today and sometimes that happens. We just have to shake it off and come out firing on all cylinders tomorrow.

Eric Doyle with Payson Infelise crewing led at the first mark followed closely by Jack Jennings and Frithjof Kleen and then Diego Negri. In the end, Jennings Kleen took the win followed by Doyle and then Negri who is putting together a very consistent regatta. Lars Grael is also coming on strong after a 37 in race one, he has 3 fourth place finishes. Yesterday’s second place team of Diaz/Prada had a tough day and dropped to 13th overall. Melleby Revkin still lead with a 3, 8 today.

Mark and I now lie in 7th place. After tomorrow’s race, the discard will come into effect. This will tighten up the scores and may shuffle some of the positions.

Two more races are on the schedule so still room to move up and down the board. -- Paul Cayard

Top ten after four races:
1. Eivind Melleby / Joshua Revkin, NOR, 14.0
2. Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi , ITA, 19.0
3. Robert Scheidt / Brian Fatih, BRA, 26.0
4. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise , USA, 30.0
5. Xavier Rohart / Sebastien Guidoux, FRA, 35.0
6. Peter O'Leary / Robert O'Leary, IRL, 41.0
7. Paul Cayard / Mark Strube, USA, 42.0
8. Arthur Anosov / David Caesar , USA, 46.0
9. Lars Grael / Samuel Goncalves, BRA, 50.0
10. Peter Vessella / Phil Trinter, USA, 51.0

Full results: yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=4517

New Race Director for 2018 Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race
Wicklow Sailing Club's Volvo Round Ireland Committee has announced the appointment of Hal Fitzgerald as Race Director following the decision of Theo Phelan to stand down from the role, as Afloat.ie reported yesterday.

Fitzgerald is an ex-commodore of Wicklow Sailing Club and has been closely involved with running the race in previous years.

With 16 weeks until the 20th edition on 30th June 2018, entries continue to grow. 27 boats are currently entered for the race. Interest in the race once again extends far beyond Ireland and Great Britain, with entries from across Europe, including Team Jolokia from France aboard Libertalia. See the entry list here.

The largest boat confirmed to date is the Swan 65 Desperado of Cowes entered by Richard Loftus.

Dun Laoghaire's Ronan O’Siochru, will be competing in his fifth Volvo Round Ireland in a row.

Early bird entries closing date is 30th March.

afloat.ie/sail/

roundireland.ie/wp/

Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series starts on 18 March
Come and join us at the premier early season event. Easy online entry.

Great racing and prizes including 50 trophies - 100 bottles of champagne - valuable goodies from Helly Hansen and Crewsaver.

The Spring Series is on six Sundays: 18 March to 29 April (excluding Easter).

There are 4 IRC classes + J/109, J/88 in Black group. White Group comprises Sportsboats (J/70 - SB20 - J/80 - Mixed). Other one design classes or extracted results are possible on request.

Crewsaver Spring Championship starts on 21 April

The Spring Championship is on the last two weekends of the Spring Series: Saturdays & Sundays 21-22 + 28-29 April. Up to 14 races over the four days.

Black group has 4 IRC classes + J/109, with the Performance 40 class racing within IRC 1. White Group is for J/70 - SB20 - J/80 Mixed Sportsboats -Quarter Ton Class.

Warsash Sailing Club - The first place to race in 2018.

www.warsashspringseries.org.uk

admin@warsashspringseries.org.uk

Warsash Sailing Club, Shore House, Shore Road, Warsash SO31 9FS. 01489 583575

Free money? No, but there is FREE coaching at the RORC Easter Challenge
There are many ways to improve your yacht racing: You can practice more, get a better boat and equip it better, with better sails. You can round up more talented crew, maybe even a pro or two. Frequently absent from this list though is coaching: The single feature of a campaign that can consolidate all its parts; the independent set of eyes that can identify where mistakes are being made, plus the advice on how to fast track their correction.

Held over the Bank Holiday weekend (30th March to 1st April), the RORC Easter Challenge is open to all, not just Royal Ocean Racing Club members, and available to all entrants is FREE COACHING.

This comes from several of the most respected coaches including the guru himself, Jim Saltonstall, whose 'ferrets' have included several of Britain's most successful Olympic sailors including Ben Ainslie and Iain Percy, etc. Then there is RORC Chief Executive Eddie Warden Owen, a former professional sailor and coach to leading America's Cup teams, notably Team New Zealand. Also back for the umpteenth year is Mason King who aside from his three decades in the Met Police, has for 20 years also been one of the UK's leading Yachtmaster Instructors. Mason is a regular coach for Sailing Logic, which has its First 40, Arthur Logic entered in the RORC Easter Challenge sailed by a crew from J.P. Morgan.

In addition, several top professional sailors and sailmakers from North Sails UK will be on the water to offer the benefit of advice, with of course special focus on sail set-up and trim.

This free coaching is available to all; the RORC's aim simply to help raise the level of UK yacht racing. "This is not something that is just focussed on the sharper end of the fleet - it is focussed on all the fleet regardless of their level," confirms Stone.

However the coaching is optional. To receive it crews competing must register for it with the RORC beforehand, when they can also specify anything they need the coaches to address.

To enter and for more information go to: www.rorc.org

Leigh McMillan back at Land Rover BAR
Ahead of the start of this year’s Extreme Sailing Series, Land Rover BAR have secured leading British sailor Leigh McMillan to be part of their 36th America’s Cup campaign.

McMillan will take on a joint role, working as design and sailing team liaison for the critical first development phase of the new AC class, whilst also helming the Land Rover BAR Academy team’s GC32 in the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series alongside the pivotal role of mentoring the Land Rover BAR Academy.

McMillan is a three-time winner of the Extreme Sailing Series making him the competition’s most successful ever helmsman. He will be reprising a role he undertook when the Land Rover BAR Academy first competed in the Extreme Sailing Series at Oman in 2016. The young British team secured third place on that occasion, and will be looking to have a positive start to the season.

The Academy has had another big intake of triallists for 2018, now narrowed down to just 13 ambitious and driven young male and female sailors. Those that make the final cut will become the 2018 intake. They will support the Extreme Sailing Series team to get experience of the professional circuit, and will have the opportunity to sail with the senior team in the PAC52 events that Land Rover BAR will contest, with Tony Langley’s Gladiator sailing team in 2018.

land-rover-bar.americascup.com

New route for ARC Channel Islands Rally 2018
Following two successful editions ARC Channel Islands, entries are now open for this summer's rally which features a new route for 2018 with Dartmouth as the start port.

Run in association with RYA Active Marina, the Rally is popular with cruising sailors for its unique mix of preparation advice and support from a lead boat, combined with a cruise-in-company and social activities ashore.

The aim of ARC Channel Islands is to give cruisers the impetus and encouragement to extend their cruising horizons, whether as a first offshore voyage; perhaps a first time double-handed cruising; or sailing with young children, or experiencing crossing the Channel at night.

2018 will see the first 'South West Edition' of ARC Channel Islands, starting from Darthaven Marina, Dartmouth with a social programme as well as boat safety checks, passage planning guidance and a Skippers Briefing. The Dartmouth Yacht Club are supporting the new South West edition, which will run in alternate years with the South Central route from Gosport, offering the chance for West Country cruisers to benefit from the rally organisation.

The route of this summer's rally has been modified to suit the course from Dartmouth, with landfall after the Channel crossing at Guernsey replacing Cherbourg. This new route also allows for the inclusion of Jersey to the route, before heading back across the Channel from Alderney.

www.rya.org.uk

Rouxel and Curtis join Team Brunel
French offshore sailor Thomas Rouxel and Olympic winning medalist Nina Curtis will join Team Brunel for Leg 7 from Auckland (NZL) to Itajai (BRA). Rouxel returns to the Volvo Ocean Race after competing for Dongfeng Race Team in the previous edition. Curtis makes her debut in the race. Next, to them, boat captain Abby Ehler returns after a well-deserved rest in the last Leg.

Thomas Rouxel is looking forward to going into the Southern Ocean from Auckland to Itajai, all the way around Cape Horn. Rouxel: “I think Team Brunel is a very great and very strong team. I'm very excited to be back in the Volvo Ocean Race. Unfortunately, the result was not the one we hoped for in the last leg but I’m sure we can do a lot better. So I hope that will happen and I can do my part in it.”

For former Olympic sailor Nina Curtis (AUS), a silver Olympic medalist in London 2012, this will be her first Volvo Ocean Race. Curtis: “I’m very excited. Most of my sailing has been done in the Olympic circuit. I’ve done two Olympics campaigns, making it to London where we won the silver medal. Then sailing in the Nacra and the 49erFX in the last four years. While I was match racing, I have done two Sydney to Hobarts and for that lots of ocean racing. Mostly along the East coast of Australia."

"I’ve known Kyle Langford for a while and I have actually sailed with Abby a few times while I was very young. I don’t even know if she remembers that or not.”

Crewlist Team Brunel - Leg 7
Bouwe Bekking - NED - skipper
Andrew Cape - AUS - navigator
Carlo Huisman - NED
Kyle Langford - AUS
Alberto Bolzan - ITA
Thomas Rouxel - FRA
Peter Burling - NZL
Abby Ehler - GBR
Nina Curtis - AUS

teambrunel.com

Int. 5.5 Metre Class returns to its roots for 70th Anniversary
The Rule of the International 5.5 Metre Class was written in 1948 and the first boat, K-1, The Deb, was designed in 1948 by Charles E. Nicholson. The boat was first sailed in the Solent in 1949.

Seventy years after The Deb was designed, the 5.5 Metre fleet is returning to the same waters where she was launched. The 2018 International 5.5 Metre World Championship in Cowes, UK, will be the highlight of the class's 70th anniversary year.

With enthusiastic fleets and devoted sailors in many countries, the International 5.5 Metre remains one of the most numerous Metre classes, and is still very popular around the world.

The 2018 international circuit begins with the Alpen Cup in Torbole, on Lake Garda and ends with the Herbstpreis on Lake Thun, Switzerland in October, with visits to Glücksburg, Lago di Como, Midland, Canada, Travemünde, Copenhagen and Cannes along the way, in addition to two weeks in Cowes for the famous Scandinavian Gold Cup and 5.5 Cups, followed by the World Championship.

www.5.5class.org

Howth Sailing Life Resumes After Storm Emma
In Howth, sailing life goes on after the destructive shock of Storm Emma on Friday, with its Force 12 onshore east to northeast winds, and the serious damage to the roof of the end-of-pier shed in which the classic gaff-rigged Howth 17s have been stored since their foundation in 1898 writes W M Nixon.

In that first winter of 1898-99, there were just five boats in the Long Shed, but as the long-lived class have now expanded to a fleet of 20, there was only space for seven down the pier, while the rest are wintered elsewhere. But fitting-out together in the Long Shed was in itself one of the ancient and much-loved rituals of the class. Yet whether it will ever be enjoyed again remains to be seen.

However, the spirit of the class and of Howth sailing in general is such that there’s no doubt the fleet will soon be back to full and growing strength afloat, as new boats are being built to the 121-year-old Walter Boyd design.

As for the seven boats damaged in Friday’s mayhem, this morning Class Captain (and HYC Vice Commodore) Ian Byrne quietly confirmed that five of them will be sailing again this year, and of the other two, Rosemary (built 1907) may make it afloat again before the 2018 season is finished, though the worst-damaged boat, Anita of 1900 vintage, will take a little longer.

afloat.ie/sail/

Industry News
Mast manufacturer Sparcraft Masts South Africa is expanding its facility on the back of strong growth in the country's catamaran export business.

Sparcraft Masts owner Craig Hulbert told IBI the business would also be investing in a new rigging division, a 12m in-house anodising plant, and a large CNC router for faster production times.

Hulbert acquired Sparcraft last year from Southern Spars, merging the aluminium mast production with his own Durban-based firm G-Wind Spars. The amalgamated business, based in Cape Town, is now southern Africa's only mast manufacturer since Southern Spars closed their carbon mast factory in December last year.

Hulbert said he hoped to further consolidate his business in the wake of the current world recovery in yacht sales. “The increased export business of production catamaran builders in South Africa, due to the world recovery in yacht sales in America and Europe, translates into a growing business where more than 80% of our production is exported,” said Hulbert, who closed down his Durban facility to concentrate on the new Cape Town operation.

plus.ibinews.com

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UK marine electronics distributor SMG has added Navico’s Lowrance brand to its product portfolio. SMG will now distribute all three Navico brands: Lowrance, which is aimed at fishing – particularly in fresh water and near coastal areas; Simrad, which focuses on powerboating – cruising and sportfishing in particular; and B&G, which serves the sailing market.

“We’ve had a lot of success with Navico’s B&G and Simrad brands but our customers have also been asking us for Lowrance, as it has long been a favourite of fisherman in the UK. We’re therefore delighted to add the brand to our 2018 range,” says Ray Badminton, SMG’s managing director.

Established in 1972, SMG is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest value added distributor of marine electronics. The company offers all major brands including Garmin, Raymarine, Simrad, B&G, Lowrance, Furuno and ICOM. SMG also distributes and provides third party channel development for over 50 other brands within the marine, watersport, fishing and outdoor sectors.

plus.ibinews.com

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The International 49er Class and International Nacra 17 Class are delighted to announce their partnership with renowned sailing apparel manufacturer Magic Marine.

Magic Marine is a favourite of numerous top sailors across the entire spectrum of the sport, and the partnership will see the Magic Marine brand appear at the upcoming European Championship and Junior World Championship venues, on Championship websites, social media, communications and across video distribution channels.

The resumption of the sponsorship, which was initiated in 2013, comes after the 49er Class spent a year away, but reaffirms Magic Marine as a family member of the 49er Class. Additionally, the sponsorship extends to the Nacra 17 class for the first time. Together, these three classes and Magic Marine bring together these spectacular sailboats and wonderful sailing apparel.

As well as promoting its partnership through branding and associations with sailing’s top Olympic athletes, Magic Marine will provide the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17 sailors and our fans with a range of apparel and equipment at discount prices. The sponsorship support includes on-site Championship merchandising and online availability.

* From Alessandro Castelli (Happy Laser sailor since 1982):

The Laser will forever be the most sailed boat in the world for one main reason.

It’s the only sailboat that allows you to sail with no time and money hassle.

The easiest way to go out sailing.

And the easiest way to race (even locally) in crowded fleets.

No matter how little time and money you can dedicate to sailing, you’ll always find a day to quickly rig your Laser, without any maintenance, and go out having fun.

And when you sail it as a Master, the fun is even bigger!

* From Cam Lewis

Laser 4314 - “ROCK” is still going strong and based on Vinalhaven Island, Fox Islands Maine - I have this boat since @1973 - it is Orange

Strong and solid and still has a mahogany daggerboard and rudder

Plus its available for anyone to come and sail in the warm waters of Fox Island Thorofare from May through October

PS: Named after first salt water sail on a Sunday early in the spring out of Padanaram Harbor - my friend Ted Scott provided local knowledge on how to sail in and out of the gut between the USA and the Breakwater - worked perfectly outbound, yet on our return - we met the Rocks full tilt with the dagger board and both got launched in the frigid waters”

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2015 Oyster 825 Maegan. 4,000,000 GBP. Located in Palma.

Maegan is Hull #3 of the incredibly successful 825 built by Oyster in Southampton, UK. Winner of the 2016 International Yacht & Aviation Sailing Yacht Interior Design Award.

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2005 Oyster 72 Crazy Horse. 1,250,000 EUR Located in Gibraltar

Unique carbon Oyster 72. Designed for fast, comfortable cruising plus occasional racing. Extensive refit in 2015 adding double forecabin, new decks and more. Viewing recommended to understand quality of refit of this intriguing yacht.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
We all know how stupid the average person is. Now realize that, by definition, fifty percent of the population is dumber than that. -- Ivan Stang

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Kiwis win The Winning Group 2018 JJ Giltinan International Championship
Bacardi Cup
Indomitables from the East win 5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
Dongfeng win challenging New Zealand Herald In Port Race
Chinese team may be entering the America's Cup
Clipper Race 8 Day 7: Highs And Lows As Chase For Podium Heats Up
Finn European Championship storms open in Cadiz
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Davidson Custom 70, Ker 33 - New Build, K36 - Samurai
The Last Word: Malaclypse the Younger

Kiwis win The Winning Group 2018 JJ Giltinan International Championship
Click on image for photo gallery.

New Zealand's Honda Marine (David McDiarmid, Matt Steven, Brad Collins) became the first Kiwi team to win the 80-year-old JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour when the team completed the championship with a total of 21 points to defeat fellow-kiwi team Maersk Line by just one point.

The final race of The Winning Group 2018 JJ Giltinan International Championship was sailed in a brilliant 12-15-knot North East wind on Sydney Harbour today in front of a large spectator fleet and the cheering crowds aboard the two Australian 18 Footers League's Spectator Ferries.

Australia's Finport Trade Finance (Keagan Yord, Matt Stenta, Angus Williams) finished strongly to take line honours by 13s from an unlucky Asko Appliances (James Dorron, Paul Montague, Harry Bethwaite) which led for almost the entire race.

The championship runner-up, Maersk Line (Josh, Porebski, Jack Simpson, Dave Hazzard) finish in third place today,1m54s behind Asko Appliances.

It was an emotional moment for Dave McDiarmid, who has tried for a number of years to take the title.

As he brought Honda Marine alongside the spectator ferry to receive the coveted Blue Ribbon from former Giltinan champion David Porter, McDiarmid jumped onto to ferry to cuddle his great family supporters Jana, Viktor andhis mother Susan.

NSW champion The Kitchen Maker (Scott Babbage) finished behind the placegetters today, followed by Smeg (Lee Knapton) and Honda Marine.

Top six placings on the overall points table: Honda Marine 21 points, Maersk Line 22 points, Asko Appliances 35 points, Finport Trade Finance 42 points, Smeg 44 points and Harken (Riley Gibbs, USA) on 59 points.

Asko Appliances and Honda Marine shared the lead early on the spinnaker run from the Beashel Buoy, but Asko Appliances led the fleet once the fleet reached the bottom mark off Clark Island.

From that point Asko Appliances led the fleet over the nest three long legs of the course before coming under cahllenge from Finport Trade Finance.

This pair staged a great race from the Beashel Buoy, around the wing mark off Shark Island and the final run between Shark and Clark islands.

www.18footers.com

Bacardi Cup
The final race of the 91st Bacardi Cup was held today in 14-18 knots of wind from the south east.

Mark and I got off the starting line well and were amongst the top teams approaching the first mark. We rounded second behind Robert Scheidt, with series leader Diego Negri in 6th. All the top teams were in the top 8 so no big shuffling of positions, overall, was going to happen.

Negri who got forced to gybe right at the top mark, layed the bottom mark due to the windshift and moved into third place and safety for the overall. Ian Percy also gybe early and moved into second. I misjudged the layline to the first bottom mark and we slipped back to 6th.

We were fighting with Xavier Rohart of France and Luke Lawrence up the second windward leg. At the final mark before the run to the finish, Sheidt still led followed by Doyle, Percy, Negri, Lawrence, ourselves and then Rohart.

We played the right side of the run with Percy/Ekstrom while the others gybed away to the left. We had more wind and ended up 3rd and Percy caught Scheidt to win the race.

In the end, Mark and I tied for fourth with Lars Grael but lost the tiebreaker to finish the regatta in 5th. That’s not a bad result in this fleet. 7 out of the top 10 are Star world champions. I made a few too many mistakes this week and that costs points. I felt our speed was good and we got better together as the week went on. There definitely is something to sailing with the same team mate.

Negri and Lambertenghi won their first Bacardi Cup, Scheidt/Fatih second, current World Champions Melleby/Revkin we’re third.

A big part of this week for me was honoring my good friend Sir Durward Knowles. I sailed with 4789, the number of his Gold Medal boat Gem IX, from the 1964 Olympics and with bow number 64 in honor of 1964. I want to thank Bacardi and all the competitors who helped honor Sir Durward on Monday. -- Paul Cayard, cayardsailing.com

Final top ten:

1. Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi, ITA, 14 points
2. Robert Scheidt / Brian Fatih, BRA, 16
3. Eivind Melleby / Joshua Revkin, NOR, 22
4. Lars Grael / Samuel Goncalves, BRA, 24
5. Paul Cayard / Mark Strube, USA, 24
6. Eric Doyle / Payson Infelise , USA, 28
7. Iain Percy / Anders Ekstrom, GBR, 28.4
8. Xavier Rohart / Sebastien Guidoux, FRA, 33
9. Luke Lawrence / Pedro Trouche, USA, 47
10. Jack Jennings / Frithjof Kleen, USA, 51
11. Peter O'Leary / Robert O'Leary, IRL, 77/BFD

Full results: yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=4517

bacardiinvitational.com

Indomitables from the East win 5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series
Click on image for photo gallery.

The 5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas from October to March ended today with Act V for the J/70s. Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with technical clothing supplier SLAM, the meetings give teams an opportunity to establish their winter training base in the Principality. Led by the talented Russian Valeria Kovalenko, Art Tube has set the bar high for next season, winning all Acts, including this weekend’s in this 5th edition to bag the series by a clear 84 points, ahead of the YCM’s Stefano Roberti (Piccinina). In his first J/70 outings, winner for the season in the Corinthian category was Remi Piazza, a young sailor from the YCM’s Sports Section. Indeed, this class has momentum behind it in the Principality with 20 boats flying the YCM burgee, and an eye to the future. Monaco class president, Michel Boussard, announced that the YCM will host the 2021 World Championship.

The final Act for the Melges 20 was at the last Primo Cup - Trophee Credit Suisse (February). At the end of 28 races, it was the Russians on Alex Team who triumphed for the season, ahead of stage local, Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda). Maxim Titarenko (Leviathan) was 3rd.

The 6th season starts 8-11 November 2018 for this Winter Series. Meanwhile, one-designs again take centre stage on 27-31 March 2018 for the Monaco Swan One Design, followed by the IMOCA Monaco Globe Series 1-8 June. The latter is a double-hander 1,300nm offshore race, and qualifier for the Vendee Globe 2020.

Results

J/70 - Final ranking - Act 5
1st: Valeria Kovalenko - RUS (Art Tube) - 7 points
2nd: Federico Leproux - ITA (Alice) - 15 points
3rd: Jean-Marc Monnand - SUI (CdE.Ch) - 23 points

J/70 - Final ranking - 2017/2018 season
1st: Valeria Kovalenko - RUS (Art Tube) - 33 points
2nd: Stefano Roberti - MON (Piccinina) - 117 points
3rd: Germano Scarpa - ITA (Sport Cube) - 148 points

J/70 - Final ranking - Act 5 - Corinthian
1st: Alain Stettler- SUI (Quarter2Eleven) - 29 points
2nd: Thomas Studer - SUI (Jerry) - 30 points
3rd: Mario Rabbio - ITA (Caim2) - 38 points

J/70 - Final ranking - 2017/2018 season - Corinthian
1st: Remi Piazza - MON (Levante) - 344 points
2nd: Pawel Tarnowski - POL (Apotex) - 372 points
3rd: Loic Pompee - MON (Allo 3) - 375 points

Melges 20 - Final ranking - 2017/2018 season
1st: Alexander Mikhaylik (Alex Team) - (RUS) - 47 points
2nd: Ludovico Fassitelli (Junda) - (MON) - 59 points
3rd: Maxim Titarenko (Leviathan) - (RUS) - 83 points

www.yacht-club-monaco.mc/en/home-en/

Dongfeng win challenging New Zealand Herald In Port Race
Dongfeng Race Team showed great concentration and resilience in winning the New Zealand Herald In Port Race in Auckland, New Zealand on Saturday.

Conditions were extremely light, shifty and patchy on the Waitematā Harbour, making for plenty of lead changes over the course of the one hour race.

Team AkzoNobel finished in second place, while early leaders MAPFRE completed the podium to retain the overall lead in the In Port Race Series.

On the nominally downwind second leg, AkzoNobel and Dongfeng found a vein of pressure to grab the lead, and on a shortened two-lap course, it was Dongfeng who were able to ease ahead and hold on for the win.

“It was a good team win,” said Caudrelier. “Very good for the mood of the team."

The results mean MAPFRE retains the overall lead in the series, with Dongfeng reducing the gap to second place and team AkzoNobel leapfrogging Brunel to take third.

Results Auckland In-Port Race
1. Dongfeng Race Team (CHN, Charles Caudrelier) - 7 points
2. Team AkzoNobel (NED, Simeon Tienpont) - 6
3. MAPFRE (ESP, Xabi Fernandez) - 5
4. Vestas 11th Hour Racing (USA/DEN, Charlie Enright) - 4
5. Team Brunel (NED, Bouwe Bekking) - 3
6. Sun Hung Kai Scallywag (HKG, David Witt) - 2
7. Turn The Tide on Plastic (Naciones Unidas, Dee Caffari) - 1

Overall In-Port Race Series
1. MAPFRE (ESP, Xabi Fernandez), 37 points 2. Dongfeng Race Team (CHN, Charles Caudrelier), 34
3. Team AkzoNobel (NED, Simeon Tienpont), 27
4. Team Brunel (NED, Bouwe Bekking), 26
5. Vestas 11th Hour Racing (USA/DEN, Charlie Enright), 16
6. Sun Hung Kai Scallywag (HKG, David Witt), 15
7. Turn The Tide on Plastic (Naciones Unidas, Dee Caffari), 11

volvooceanrace.com

Chinese team may be entering the America's Cup
Sailors working with the Chinese Volvo Ocean Race team have confirmed to Newshub Team China is in talks to enter the America's Cup.

Officials there have turned to a former Team New Zealand winning sailor to help expand their sailing ambitions, and he says we can expect to learn more in the next few months.

Liu Xue goes by the nickname "Black". He's a sailing star in China with a Kiwi star in his sights.

"We want to be here to do the America's Cup with the China team, and we want to win. We want to battle with Peter Burling," he says.

He already is. Black's Dongfeng team in the Volvo Ocean Race are beating Burling's Team Brunel.

Three of the sailors on board were in China's last attempt at an America's Cup campaign in 2013. Since then, former Team New Zealand grinder Craig Monk has advised Chinese officials as they've developed more than 30 new marinas and yacht clubs.

He says a proposed animation of the Auckland America's Cup village, which featured a Chinese team, wasn't just based on rumour.

"There's some truth at it - they'd certainly have what they need to do a Cup programme and we'd love to see them here.

"I can't say too much but that's definitely what I'm working towards."

He says all will be clearer after China sees more specifics around the monohull boat design in the next few months. Their planning would also need to allow time for some overseas crew to get Chinese residency to comply with new nationality rules.

www.newshub.co.nz

Clipper Race 8 Day 7: Highs And Lows As Chase For Podium Heats Up
As the fleet pushes north up the Taiwanese Coast, a real contrast in wind and conditions have been reported over the last 24 hours, resulting in a vast range of fortunes and emotions for the teams. One thing for certain is that the air temperature may be dropping but the competition level in this race to Qingdao is properly starting to heat up.

PSP Logistics has extended its lead and is now around 50 nautical miles ahead of nearest competitor, Visit Seattle.

Behind the leaders, five teams are spread from east to west with less than 25 nautical miles separating them, making for an intense chase to reach the podium. Visit Seattle has moved up into second place and Skipper Nikki Henderson has detailed the change in conditions that the fleet has experienced over the last 24 hours, saying: "We could not have had a more dramatic change of scene.

Relief has been reported across the fleet that the gale force headwinds are over for now and that life has returned to more normality in the flatter waters but now crews will have to battle hard again as they look to avoid wind holes. The good news is that they are at least aided by the Kuro Shio current, also called Japan Current, a strong surface oceanic current, which flows between Luzon of the Philippines and the east coast of Japan and provides a natural push, which should keep teams from standing completely still.

The eleven Clipper Race teams are expected to complete the 1,700 nautical mile Race 8: The Sailing City Qingdao Cup between 13 - 16 March 2018, arriving into Qingdao Wanda Yacht Club.

Full Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint Results
1. Garmin - 21:01:00
2. Sanya Serenity Coast - 21:11:40
3. Dare To Lead - 22:02:00
4. Liverpool 2018 - 22:04:00
5. Nasdaq - 22:40:00
6. Visit Seattle - 22:53:56
7. GREAT Britain - 23:03:37
8. Qingdao - 24:24:57
9. HotelPlanner.com - 47:55:23
10. PSP Logistics - Did not declare
10. Unicef - Did not declare

clipperroundtheworld.com

* Qingdao and Nasdaq have both been awarded race redress following a rendezvous on March 6 between both boats in order to transfer an essential watermaker spare part from Nasdaq to Qingdao.

The spare part was a bleed screw that should have been replaced during the Sanya stopover but unfortunately got omitted. Therefore, this was not the fault of either crew and redress can be awarded to both teams by the Clipper Race Committee as per Sailing Instruction - Redress : 24c and 24d.

Both yachts ceased racing at the same time and made best speed towards each other in order to facilitate the transfer in the quickest time possible. Qingdao ceased racing at 1105 LT (0305 UTC) and resumed racing at the exact same position at 1300 LT (0500 UTC) and so will receive 1 hour 55 minutes redress. Nasdaq also ceased racing at 1105 LT (0305 UTC) and resumed racing at the exact same position at 1250 LT (0450 UTC) so will receive 1 hour 45 minutes redress.

Finn European Championship storms open in Cadiz
You have to admire the enthusiasm and dedication of Finn sailors. It is a long journey to Cadiz from almost anywhere, but coupled with the extreme bad weather across Europe over the past few weeks, it is nothing short of miraculous that nearly 100 boats and sailors have gathered in this far flung corner of Europe to contest the 2018 Open and U23 Finn European Championships.

One of the Swedish teams thought they had it rough with a 52-hour drive from Uppsala, stopping only to change drivers and top up with gas. But that was relatively benign compared to the four days by Norwegian, Anders Pedersen, who also had to contend with several snow storms, sleeping in the car in -15 degrees in Berlin, picking up a new boat in Poland, and an 11 hour traffic jam in France caused by snow and high winds. He arrived just in time to witness the first ever tornado to strike Puerto Sherry, the damage of which is still evident in the marina.

Rafa Trujillo sold this venue to the fleet on the basis of great winds and great weather, even in March. While the wind conditions so far during training have been exceptional, sometimes they have been too exceptional, and combined with weather normally reserved for Weymouth, it has been a breezy but damp start to the event.

So the championship was opened Saturday evening with almost every kind of weather battering the venue, and another storm raging outside while the sailors enjoyed the Andalusian hospitality inside. The only thing missing so far has been the sunshine, and that has been promised by the start of racing of Monday.

The first points race is scheduled for Monday at 11.05.

2018.finneuropeans.org

* From Euan Ross:

It is clear that the Weekender/Laser/Torch still inspires great loyalty among former owners. I can understand that. I still love my old steel Pinarello road-bike, although to be honest it seldom sees the light of day; and I retain a soft spot for the Hobie 16 - another masterpiece of junkyard engineering, well past its sell-by date. It’s human nature to be blind to the faults of our loved ones - indeed it’s the only way to enjoy a happy married life.

David Evans was perhaps undiplomatic, but there was a lot of truth in what he wrote and I guess he didn’t expect the 90 year old designer to be reading Scuttlebutt Europe - I’ve been there too. If it does come down to tiller extensions at dawn, I’d be happy to hold David’s coat and have a blether with Adrian while the principal protagonists are knocking three kinds of stuffing out of each other.

However, more pertinent today is whether the Laser is still ‘fit for purpose’ as an Olympic class, with many aspects of assessment being unrelated to design. No matter how much we love it, the boat is blighted by anti-trust issues, whatever outcome maintains its status in the meantime.

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2017 Ker 33 - New Build. 189,000 USD. Located in China.

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The Last Word
The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The pessimist is afraid that it is. -- Malaclypse the Younger

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Big waves for big sailors on opening day of Finn Europeans in Cadiz
McKnight To Take Flight - Targeting Win and Podium Crown in Grand Final
Southern Spars and the next generation of mast
A youthful approach from Ireland
Belfast's Great Light & Titanic Walkway Open to Public
2018 Women's Match Racing Worlds Notice of Race released
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Industry News
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage: Swan 70, Nautor Swan 68, Oyster 655
The Last Word: Hunter S. Thompson

Big waves for big sailors on opening day of Finn Europeans in Cadiz
Nicholas Heiner, from The Netherlands, won the only race possible on the opening day of the 2018 Finn European Championships in Cadiz, Spain. Caleb Paine, from the USA, and Facundo Olezza, from Argentina are joint second.

With 30 U23 sailors, it is the largest youth fleet at the Europeans for some time. 2015 Junior World Champion, Ondrej Teply, from Czech Republic leads from Joan Cardona Mendez, of Spain and Guillaume Boissard, of France.

A three metre swell, left over from the storm that caused Sunday's practice race to be abandoned, made for an interesting day in the Bay of Cadiz, but the light and patchy winds meant that only one race was completed, with the second race abandoned near the end of the first upwind.

Defending champion Jonathan Lobert said, "It was a tricky day with big waves and light winds. The waves were much bigger then the wind. I had a wonderful start and was leading by miles on the left side of the course and I don't know what happened but fifty metres before the top mark I suddenly lost all my lead, but then I managed to survive to finish fourth, so not too bad for a day like today."

Three races are scheduled for Tuesday, with the forecast showing stronger winds and rain. The first warning signal is scheduled for 11.00

Results after one race:
1. Nicholas Heiner, NED
2. Caleb Paine, USA
3. Facundo Olezza, ARG
4. Jonathan Lobert, FRA
5. Oliver Tweddell, AUS
6. Josh Junior, NZL
7. Alican Kaynar, TUR
8. Piotr Kula, POL
9. Edward Wright, GBR
10. Ondrej Teply, CZE

2018.finneuropeans.org

McKnight To Take Flight - Targeting Win and Podium Crown in Grand Final
World Champion Josh McKnight is eyeing off a regatta win in the final SuperFoiler event in Sydney and knows that could thrust his team onto the series podium.

The former moth World Champion, who sails alongside London Olympic silver medallist Olivia Price and 29er World Champion Harry Morton on the Kleenmaid SuperFoiler, had his best result in Busselton – finishing third in the West Australian regatta - and believes his crew are peaking at just the right time.

It has been an astounding turnaround for the New South Wales based crew who by their own admission initially found it hard to find their groove on the world- first machines.

"We are loving the series and the concept, it has evolved even since we started the series and it's exciting to contemplate what is going to happen in future years. I think we are all looking to sign up again," said the World Champion. The Expr3ss! SuperFoiler Grand Final - Sydney will reach its epic conclusion on Sydney Harbour across Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th of March 2018.

Championship Standings following the Busselton Regatta - Euroflex (19), Tech2 (17), Pavement (16), Record Point (12), iD Intranet (11) and Kleenmaid (10).

superfoiler.com

Southern Spars and the next generation of mast
The production of the next generation of TP52 masts is well underway by Southern Spars, ready for the TP52 Super Series, which begins in May.

With the Series at the forefront of the Grand Prix racing arena, Southern Spars were the obvious choice to provide the rig and rigging package to the TP52 fleet. As the leaders in innovation themselves, providing the rigs to a purely performance-driven class such as the TP52 allowed Southern Spars to push the limits of technology again. The masts are the stiffest TP52 masts that they've ever built, using the highest modulus pre-preg fibre available, which is custom made from their supplier to their desired specifications.

The rigging has likewise been updated with Future Fibres RAZR rigging, which is marginally lighter and smaller in diameter, delivering great mast tune and windage performance for minimum weight.

From their facility in Auckland, Southern Spars have already produced six of the TP52s masts, whilst another three are still in production. Manufacturing each of these masts takes a total of 16 weeks, which includes the global design process, laminating, curing and assembly production. Most recently, Azzurra's mast was delivered to Valencia where it will be stepped this week along with her RAZR rigging, whilst Onda and Quantum Racing have also recently been finished and sent out for delivery.

Soon every TP52 new build, of which there are nine this year, will sport the newest in Southern Spars mast technology, helping them to reach maximum performance during the Super Series this summer.

southernspars.com

A youthful approach from Ireland
The Irish Dragon fleet recognises the need to encourage young blood into the class and legendary Irish Dragon sailor, restorer, author and adventurer Don Street has introduced two interesting initiatives to support that goal.

Recycled Dragons to attract youth sailors

Don Street, patriarch of the Glandore Dragon Fleet in Ireland, has launched an appeal for National Dragon Associations everywhere to find old or unused GRP Dragons and make some funding available to restore them cheaply so that youth sailors can race at local fleet level.

The scheme is open to under-25-year-olds and the idea is to get them racing at minimal cost. Any young person or group who undertakes to recommission an older fibreglass Dragon should be provided with some financial assistance (and advice) from their NDA, and owners with boats at the top end of the fl eets will be asked to donate their no longer used sails. Each NDA should commit to providing some funding to pay for mooring/ parking for a period of three years as long as the boat completes a minimum number of local fleet races.

For further details: contact Don Street at www.streetiolaire@hotmail.com

Belfast's Great Light & Titanic Walkway Open to Public
Belfast Lough's offering as a maritime heritage destination has been given a major boost today as two iconic attractions – the Great Light and Titanic Walkway – officially opened to the public in Titanic Quarter.

The opening event was also selected to launch The European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 in Northern Ireland.

The Great Light gave Mew Island Lighthouse on the Copeland Islands its traditional revolving light and guided mariners to and from Belfast Lough until 2014. It is the world's first and largest hyper-radial Fresnel lighthouse lens, installed in Tory Island Lighthouse in 1887 then reconfigured and moved to Mew Island in 1928.

The optic was removed from Mew Island in 2014 as the lighthouse was modernised and converted to solar power.

The Great Light project from Titanic Foundation, the charity committed to preserving Belfast's maritime and industrial heritage, in partnership with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, will see the optic given a new role bringing to life the story of lighthouses, their technological developments, their light-keepers and their role in the maritime and industrial history of Belfast and beyond.

From Friday, 9 March, visitors will be able to walk the new 500 metre Titanic Walkway on Victoria Wharf, which connects the Titanic Slipways to HMS Caroline and the Thompson Dock, learning about the maritime and industrial heritage of the area on their way to the Great Light. This iconic waterfront walkway has been delivered by Titanic Quarter Limited.

The projects have been funded by Tourism NI, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council, Ulster Garden Villages and the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

afloat.ie

2018 Women's Match Racing Worlds Notice of Race released
The 2018 Women's Match Racing World Championship will be held in Ekaterinburg, Russia and will run from 13 - 18 August 2018.

Twelve skippers will be invited to compete in the Ricochet-747 with a crew of four or five members. The defending champion plus two skippers, selected by the organizing authority and World Sailing, will receive a direct invitation to attend the Championship. The remaining invitations will be based on the 15 March 2018 World Sailing World Match Racing Ranking list.

Skippers will be seeded into a round robin or divided into two groups based on the World Sailing ranking list 30 days prior to the event.

The winning team at the World Sailing Women's Match Racing World Championship are crowned World Champions and presented with the Francoise Pascal Memorial - Women's Match Racing World Championship Trophy. The trophy is named in honour of the late Francoise Pascal, a former Vice-President of the Fédération Française de Voile and a hugely influential figure in the growth of women's match racing.

The first, second and third place overall team receive World Sailing Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively. In addition, the first-placed skipper following the round robins is presented with the World Sailing Nucci Novi Ceppellini Memorial Trophy. The trophy is named after Nucci Novi Ceppellini, World Sailing Vice-President from 1998-2008, who passed away in February 2008 after many years dedicated to the sport, with women's match racing one of her particular passions.

Great Britain was crowned recent 2017 Women's Match Racing World Champions, sailed by; Lucy Macgregor, Silja Frost, Rosie Watkins, Imogen Stanley, Charlotte Lawrence.

The NOR is available here.

www.sailing.org/news/

Seahorse March 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Design - Plenty (more) to come
Bernard Nivelt And Alexis Muratet have no intention of turning back the clock...

The game of life
Blue Robinson talks America’s Cup and an extraordinary career with Tom Whidden

What does it take...
A big picture hunt for the commonalities of a successful Olympian. Carol Cronin

Special rates for Scuttlebutt Europe subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2

1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/

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Discounts shown are valid on a one year subscription to Seahorse magazine.

Industry News
Yelken Dünyası, one of Turkey's oldest and best-known yacht magazines, is to close this month. First launched in 1984, the publication faced economic difficulties stemming from the growing trend towards digital media.

Yelken Dünyası provided sailing information and advice to its followers, and has made a significant contribution to the sailing community in Turkey by increasing the skills and awareness of Turkish sailors.

The magazine says that its team is currently working on a new platform to meet again with its readers.

News of the closure was met with much surprise and disappointment amongst the local sailing community in Turkey.

plus.ibinews.com

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Days after Cantiere del Pardo said that the Italian courts had decided in its favour regarding its dispute with HanseYachts, the German manufacturer of the Fjord line has issued a statement directly contradicting the del Pardo statement.

HanseYachts had filed a lawsuit against Cantiere del Pardo, alleging that the Italian manufacturer has directly copied the Fjord 42 for its Cantiere del Pardo 43 design. It said that the Court of Genoa has ordered Cantiere del Pardo to stop manufacturing the 42 and that injunction is still in effect. HanseYachts said that on the 7th of March, the court confirmed its preliminary injunction.

"As a consequence they are still 'forbidden to further manufacture, advertise, hold, exhibit, promote, sell or transfer the Pardo 43, limited to economic relations already existing or that will be instituted in the future in the Italian territory.'"

HanseYachts said it would "take all legal measures necessary in order to enforce this order".

Cantiere del Pardo said last week that the same court had essentially completed the case by judging that its boat was not a direct copy of the Fjord 42. IBI has requested that both companies provide original court documentation.

plus.ibinews.com

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Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club have been named RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2018 at the RYA Dinghy Show where the awards were presented by double Olympic medallist Saskia Clark.

Beating off stiff competition, the Midlands club were recognised for their efforts in Facility Development and were announced as overall winners.

After a strategy to rejuvenate the club, over £250,000 including grants was invested in expanding and upgrading the clubhouse and facilities including updated changing rooms, expanding the boat park and renovating the clubhouse.

This has enabled Nottinghamshire County SC to maximise participation and increase membership by 27% with currently over 1,200 members.

Commodore Ross Ryan said: "It's fabulous and we're delighted! The hundreds of members who volunteer all year- it's what it's all about. The award included a public vote this year so we're really grateful to the boating community who voted for us".

All five shortlisted sailing clubs were recognised for their achievements of across five categories: Increasing Participation, Innovation, Communication, Inclusivity and Facility Development.

Dartmouth Yacht Club were presented with the 'Communication' award for their successful campaign which welcomed everybody in their town to get involved and out on the water at their club.

The Increasing Participation award was given to London Corinthian Sailing Club. The club has recently made significant progress with major initiatives to increase participation in both dinghies and offshore sailing, offering a wide range of activities for all ages, all levels of experience and all aspirations.

Whitefriars Sailing Club were back for a second year and this time as the winners of the Inclusivity Category. The club's Sailability group grew from just a few sailors in 2012 to over 90 in 2017 with weekly sessions often attracting over 40 participants.

Finally Marconi Sailing Club were named winners of the Innovation Award. They had an increasing number of new members who wanted to learn to sail yachts while participating in racing, so they invested in a small keelboat to increase capacity.

www.rya.org.uk

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Thousands of dinghy sailing enthusiasts from across the UK and even further, flocked to Alexandra Palace for the 67th RYA Dinghy Show presented by Suzuki in association with Yachts and Yachting and Gill.

"It was great to see the support that the sailing community has shown for the RYA Dinghy Show. We were delighted to welcome just under 8,000 people this year despite the wintery conditions outside." said RYA Director of Sport Development Alistair Dickson.

Hosted for the first time this year by Rio 2016 470 champion and double Olympic medalist, Saskia Clark, and two-time 49er class Olympian, Stevie Morrison, the theme was #dinghysailingforlife celebrating a lifetime sport for all.

Expert talks on the Suzuki Main Stage and Knowledge Zone attracted large audiences with speakers including double Olympic medalist and Volvo Ocean Race winning skipper Ian Walker, foiling expert Alan Hillman and Paralympic Gold medalist Helena Lucas.

Visitors also enjoyed the brand new stages, the Class Association Stage and the Women's Sailing Hub as well as getting close to members of the British Sailing Team including Olympic Gold Medalists Giles Scott and Hannah Mills.

The show also celebrated 100 years of Ian Proctor with a historical exhibition showcasing some of his earliest designs including the Gull, Minisail, Osprey and the Wayfarer.

Ten of the UK's most promising young sailors were recognised with the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards and David Ward from Essex was announced as the winner of the RYA Dinghy Show Suzuki Safety Boat competition winning a brand new Suzuki powered safety boat and trailer for his club.

The RYA Dinghy Show 2019 will take place on 02-03 March at Alexandra Palace.

www.dinghyshow.org.uk

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The Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 has added 96.2 million euros to the Spanish Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an increase of 7.6% over the 2014-15 edition. The race also generated the equivalent of 1,700 full time jobs in Spain, according to an economic impact study delivered by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) measuring the impact of the Volvo Ocean Race on the Region of Valencia and Spain.

Antonio Bolanos, Managing Director of the Volvo Ocean Race, said he was pleased, but not surprised to learn about the positive impact of the event.

"In addition to the numbers that reinforce the success of the event for another year, in this edition we have grown exponentially in many areas:

"The first is the business, due to the remarkable growth of corporate guests;

"The second is social due to the success of the Comunitat Valenciana pavilion, which hosted innumerable local representatives, as well as the open, integrated approach of the Race Village itself;

"The third is in the area of sustainability, and here I'm not only talking about the message that has been transmitted and amplified to the public about Ocean health, but also the concrete commitments secured from businesses and government to adopt sustainable practices."

The mayor of Alicante, Gabriel Echávarri, stated the importance of the Volvo Ocean Race for his city: "It is a bet that affects the city enormously. We will continue defending it with data ".

Jordi Esteve, of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, who conducted the study, put the results in context: "This study shows the great economic benefits that the Volvo Ocean Race can bring to a city, a region and a country. The impact of the Volvo Ocean Race compared to other major events, whether sporting or otherwise, is a good measure of its value and importance."

* From Adrian Morgan:

Lasers in the Olympics? Better an old boat with known faults, than a new boat with unknown faults. No names; no pack drill. As for Bruce reading Scuttlebutt Europe at 90, let's hope he's still reading it at 100 and beyond, by which date I'd like to bet his Laser will still be sailing, and selling, and being enjoyed by hundreds of thousands who are happy, as Euan says, to remain blind to its shortcomings, whether or not it's been replaced as an Olympic class.

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1993 Nautor Swan 68 - SEA EAGLE OF SHIAN III. 575,000 GBP Located in Scotland, UK.

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2007 Oyster 655 - ROULETTE. 1175000 GBP. Located in Lymington, UK.

Performance Oyster from the board of Humphreys with carbon rig and sailors' set up. Stunning maple innards and has the kerfuffle for blue water.

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The Last Word
I am a generous man, by nature, and far more trusting than I should be. Indeed. The real world is risky territory for people with generosity of spirit. Beware. -- Hunter S. Thompson

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
Nicholas Heiner holds Finn Europeans lead after light winds in Cadiz
Jimmy Spithill Joins Team Luna Rossa
Yacht Racing Forum, Lorient, October 22-23: Bigger & Better!
Red Bull Sailing Team and NZ Extreme Sailing Team complete the line-up for Act, 1 Muscat
J Class Appoints John Craig as New Class Secretary
Royal Thames Yacht Club wins the 2018 Gstaad Yacht Club Ski Yachting
Newport Bermuda Race - Safety Top of Mind
The Cruising Association launches the CAP Series of Cruising Podcasts in South-West of England
Lobster Pot Campaign
Submissions close on Cup Village plans
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Tuvia Bielski

Nicholas Heiner holds Finn Europeans lead after light winds in Cadiz
After another light wind day at the Open and U23 Finn European Championship in Cadiz, Nicholas Heiner, from The Netherlands, continues to hold the overall lead from Brit, Ed Wright, and Facundo Olezza, from Argentina. It was a high scoring day for many, with race wins going to Wright and current world champion, Max Salminen, of Sweden.

Three races were scheduled to try and catch up with the programme, but the light conditions meant the race team only inflicted two on the fleet before calling it a day. It was painful for some, but gave chances to a lot of sailors to make a name for themselves at the front. And many took advantage of that.

The previous forecast of strong winds disappeared overnight to leave a slightly flatter sea than Monday, and a grey and wet sky. A large cloudbank rolling down the course in Race 2 of the championship shuffled the fleet and left those on the right with a nice lead at the top.

With strong winds forecast to build during Wednesday, the start time has been brought forward to 9.30.

Results after three races:
1. Nicholas Heiner, NED, 10 points
2. Edward Wright, GBR, 15
3. Facundo Olezza, ARG, 41
4. Nils Theuninck, SUI, 44
5. Henry Wetherell, GBR, 46
6. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 47
7. Ondrej Teply, CZE, 49
8. Max Salminen, SWE, 50
9. Andy Maloney, NZL, 51
10. Milan Vujasinovic, CRO, 51

2018.finneuropeans.org

Jimmy Spithill Joins Team Luna Rossa
Cagliari, Italy: Two time America's Cup winning skipper, Jimmy Spithill, with wins in 2010 and 2013 and previous helmsman in the Valencia challenge in 2007, returns to Luna Rossa.

With multiple World titles in a number of classes and match racing, as well as two Sydney to Hobart victories on Comanche, Jimmy started competing at a very early age when living in a small town North of Sydney only accessible by boat.

With his huge sports and technical experience on high-performance sailing boats, Jimmy brings additional strength to team Luna Rossa.

lunarossachallenge.com

Yacht Racing Forum, Lorient, October 22-23: Bigger & Better!
The annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing will take place in one of the sports' most dynamic venues for the sports' industry and for offshore sailing : Lorient, France, home of more IMOCAS, Ultimes, Class 40 and Minis than anywhere else in the world.

The Forum is open to anyone involved or simply interested in yacht racing. It reassembles the sports' leading personalities from all over the world for two days of conferences, presentations and social events.

Sailing's leading brands, events and classes take up the opportunity to showcase their latest products and events.

The conference programme and speakers list will be drastically renewed, with a focus on "the future of sailing" : Youth sailing, new classes and events, as well as computerized systems, digital sailing, new materials, designs and technologies.

Programme:

Monday October 22:
- Design & Technology Symposium (all day)
- The Future of Sailing (morning)
- Regatta and Teams Management
- Evening Reception at the Cite de la Voile Eric Tabarly
- Mirabaud Sailing Video Award prize giving

Tuesday October 23:
- Marketing & Media (morning)
- Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image prize giving (afternoon)
- Top of the Sport (afternoon)

Wednesday October 24 (optional):
- Guided Tour of the leading companies, industries and actors involved in yacht racing (all day)

Early Bird discount valid for the top 80 registrants.

For more information and registration: www.yachtracingforum.com

Red Bull Sailing Team and NZ Extreme Sailing Team complete the line-up for Act, 1 Muscat
Led by double Olympic gold medallists Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher, Austrian challenger Red Bull Sailing Team introduces some impressive new faces for the first Act of the Series. Two-time America's Cup sailor Chris Draper takes the helm in the team's ninth season on the circuit, with hopes of leveraging his superior knowledge of foiling to propel the team through the ranks.

Backing him up is a new crop of young pros. Scottish sailor Neil Hunter joins the team on the foils, following a stint in the America's Cup with Land Rover BAR and a win in the 2017 Red Bull Youth America's Cup. He's accompanied by British sailor and fellow Land Rover BAR America's Cup competitor Ed Powys. The team looks to be a tough competitor, with Hunter and Powys both boasting prior Extreme Sailing Series experience. The line-up is completed by former 49er sailor Rhys Mara (AUS) and 2016 World Match Racing Tour winner Dan Morris (USA).

Steinacher, who is suffering from a shoulder injury, hopes to be back on the hydro-foiling GC32 at the second event of the season at the World Championships in Riva del Garda, Italy, 24-27 May.

Kiwi opponent NZ Extreme Sailing Team is also hoping to take the Omani waters by storm. Having sailed with Red Bull Sailing Team on the circuit in 2015, Jason Waterhouse is now racing with the Kiwi challenger, taking up post as skipper. Waterhouse is looking forward to the battle for the top spot: "We're fresh blood. It's a cool new challenge and we're raring to go. I think we're going to come out swinging."

A seasoned Extreme Sailing Series pro with experience with past teams GAC Pindar and Gazprom as well as Red Bull Sailing Team, Will Tiller (NZL) trims the Kiwi mainsail. He's expecting some tough competition for a podium finish in Muscat: "The standard is constantly improving each season. This year you have the likes of Chris Draper, Phil Robertson and Adam Minoprio. There's more experience in the class - it's all ramping up."

Aussie sailor Luke Payne returns to the battle with NZ Extreme Sailing Team this year, having sailed on the Australian Wildcard team in 2015 and CHINA One in 2016. The team's line-up is completed by strong Kiwi sailors Harry Hull and Guy Endean - an America's Cup winner.

The Extreme Sailing Series opener will commence tomorrow, 14 March, on the azure waters of Muscat, Oman. GC32 racing begins at 14:00 local time (UTC+4) - it's all to play for.

extremesailingseries.com

J Class Appoints John Craig as New Class Secretary
Internationally renowned John Craig has been announced as new secretary of the J Class Association and has started in the role in early March. Previously Mr. Craig served as Principal Race Office for the 34th America's Cup in San Francisco as well as Race Officer at the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda. Between 2013 and 2015 he also served the Olympic sailing classes as Director of the Sailing World Cup.

As the new secretary of the J Class John Craig describes his excitement and hopes for the future of the J Class. "I was very fortunate to run one exhibition race for the J Class on Bermuda's Great Sound last year and it was truly breath taking. At that point I had done a lot of 'flying' events and race management and it was just so cool to be involved with the J Class. That was the catalyst which made me want to be a part of this great and historic class."

He pays a tribute to the outgoing Secretary: "On behalf of the Class I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Louise Morton for her dedication to the J Class organization over the last six years. The J Class would not be where it is today without her."

After the founding of the J Class Association in 2000 the Class has enjoyed a revival and grown steadily with nine boats on the water today. With the addition of aluminium the Class got an extra boost. Although the boats must be built according to the original lines plans the replacement of steel with aluminium for the hull construction is allowed.

The J Class has grown from the three original boats to the historic record fleet of eight J Class Yachts mustered in Bermuda.

The first J Class regatta is this week in St Barths March 15-18, 2018, as part of the St. Barths Bucket, where three boats will be competing.

2018 J Class Regatta Dates
15 - 18 March 2018 | St. Barths Bucket
20 - 23 June 2018 | Superyacht Cup Palma
02 - 08 September 2018 | Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup Sardinia
29 September - 06 October 2018 | Les Voiles de St. Tropez

www.jclassyachts.com

Royal Thames Yacht Club wins the 2018 Gstaad Yacht Club Ski Yachting
In a thrilling final race against the last year's winner, the YCM - Yacht Club de Monaco, the Royal Thames Yacht Club with J. Archer, J. Clark, A. Waxman & N. Williams won the prestigious Interclub Ski Yachting event in Gstaad. The team from London finishing last in the skiing made its way up from the repechage to the final race, taking home the trophy for the first time in 19 years.

The 2018 edition, which was held in the world famous mountain resort, brought together 19 teams representing 15 different yacht clubs from nine different countries. Past winners include the Royal Yacht Squadron, Bayerischer Yacht Club, Societe Nautique de Geneve and Gstaad Yacht Club.

The by invitation only event, which consist of giant slalom Friday night ski races, followed by match racing with remote control carbon fibre yachts in Gstaad's semi-Olympic indoor pool, powered by state-of-the-art wind machines on Saturday, welcomed again a huge number of 19 teams from all over the world, including the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and every year participant, the Royal Yacht Squadron.

The next Ski Yachting will take place on the first weekend in March 2019.

Winner: Royal Thames Yacht Club
(J. Archer, J. Clark, A. Waxman & N. Williams)
Runner Up: Yacht Club de Monaco
(R. Suhner & J. Richner)

Semi-Finalists:
Gstaad Yacht Club - Team One / Real Club Nautico de Palma

Quarter Finalists:
Nylandska Jaktclubben, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Royal Swedish Yacht Club, Star Fleet Basel

www.gstaadyachtclub.com

Newport Bermuda Race - Safety Top of Mind
Last weekend, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee met in Newport for a planning update as we began the final countdown to the race—94 days from today. I'm pleased to report that we have 180 entry applications to date and appear likely to have a similar number of entries to the 2016 race.

As always, safety was very much top of mind, with fully subscribed classroom and hands-on safety at sea seminars also held over the weekend, hosted by the Cruising Club of America. In this Race Bulletin, we bring to your attention that registration is open for an additional seminar on June 13 in Newport, two days before the race, and we encourage you to not only meet the training requirements for your race crew but to train as many of your return delivery crew as possible.

The seminar will include dual tracks. One track will offer the traditional US Sailing-sanctioned Offshore Safety at Sea Seminar moderated by Ralph Naranjo, the NBR race safety officer. This will support race entries needing to fulfill the 30-percent requirement.

The second track will involve hands-on training to complete the International Offshore Safety at Sea course with hands-on training certificate. It requires either a prior Classroom Offshore Safety at Sea Seminar in the past 12 months (such as the CCA's March 10 seminar in Newport) or the International Offshore US Sailing Online Supplement completed prior to June 6. This will provide an option for those who need to meet the requirement to have two aboard with a World Sailing Personal Survival certificate or US equivalent. Register here.

Another option for crews seeking training before the Race is the Safety at Sea seminar offered in Throggs Neck, NY, on May 19 by the Storm Trysail Club at SUNY Maritime .

The Cruising Association launches the CAP Series of Cruising Podcasts in South-West of England
The Cruising Association (CA) is launching the first in a series of Podcasts covering popular sailing areas around the South-West of England. The CAP Series (Cruising Association Podcast Series) will form practical guides featuring experts imparting detailed knowledge of the local areas.

CA Members will be able to download the Podcasts that can then be listened to offline, whether ashore or afloat. These will become valuable guides covering not only the pilotage aspects of a cruising ground but also places of interest including pubs and restaurants.

The first in the CAP Series covers the River Dart in Devon and titles covering Padstow in Cornwall and Plymouth in Devon are currently in production. More Podcasts will be added regularly to grow into a valuable library of guides to sailing in the South-West. Trevor Taylor says that, "The beauty of the online system is that they can be easily updated as information changes so they can always be bang up to date."

The Podcast Series is just one in a number of new initiatives created for the recently re-launched South-West Section of the CA. In addition there is SWNet, a forum specifically for those who cruise the waters of the South-West, as well as rallies, meetings and events.

In addition to this new Series being of great benefit to its members, the CA is also pleased to offer non-members the opportunity to hear a sample podcast.

www.theca.org.uk

Lobster Pot Campaign
The Cruising Association (CA) campaign to improve small craft safety by securing the better marking of lobster pots, goes from strength to strength.

The petition, on the Parliamentary Petitions website, closed at midnight with 10,767 signatures.

Having successfully passed the 10,000 mark, there is now a requirement upon the Government to give a written reply.

The CA will now be pressing for the consultation that the petition demanded. The strong relationships that have been built up with the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, British Ports Authority, and many other stakeholders during the campaign will be sustained and increase the likelihood of finding a long-term solution.

Everyone is being urged to report incidents this summer to the Cruising Association via lobsterpots@theCA.org.uk and to the RYA via their online incident report form.

The CA knows that there are many such incidents, but acknowledges that it now needs to convince those beyond the boating community. The Cruising Association's Campaign video, introduced by Tom Cunliffe, can be viewed here:

Submissions close on Cup Village plans
The original plan for an America's Cup Village in Auckland is still in question, even as public submissions on the proposal close.

The planning process will continue for the deal agreed in December between the Auckland Council and Team New Zealand, while talks on a possible alternative roll on.

The submission period, which closes tomorrow, had been extended by a fortnight, in the hope that any changes could be accommodated within the same resource consent application.

"If agreement is reached on a different option, it will be publicly notified and open to submissions," the council said in a statement.

That raises uncertainty about the timing of the cup village project, and whether an alternative could be consented and built in time for teams arriving a year ahead of the 2021 regatta.

www.radionz.co.nz

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The Last Word
Our revenge is to live. We may be hunted like animals but we will not become animals. We have all chosen this - to live free, like human beings, for as long as we can. Each day of freedom is a victory. And if we die trying to live, at least we die like human beings. -- Tuvia Bielski

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
America's Cup: No Australian challenge for 'The Auld Mug' in 2021
Grant Dalton says Jimmy Spithill will need to watch his words
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
17 National Sailing Leagues Competing in Europe
French Father and Son Double-handed Entry to Take on the Rolex China Sea Race
Jeanne Baret Disguised Herself As A Man To Circumnavigate The Globe
400 European sailors are already in Mallorca for the Sofia Iberostar
2018 Para World Sailing Championships
Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka start
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Stephen Hawking

America's Cup: No Australian challenge for 'The Auld Mug' in 2021
Australia will not be among the challengers when Team New Zealand host the America's Cup in 2021.

A source close to the proposed syndicate has confirmed to Newshub that it hasn't been able to secure the funding needed for a competitive challenge.

According to Newshub's source, the Australian venture ran into a funding roadblock and the challenge failed to get off the ground.

Team New Zealand's Blair Tuke told Newshub that it is unfortunate there won't be an official trans-Tasman clash on the waters of Auckland.

"It would have been nice if Tommy [Slingsby] could have pulled it off and got a team together for the Cup," Tuke told Newshub.

It is unclear if former America's Cup-winning skipper Jimmy Spithill was a part of Australia's planned challenge.

On Wednesday, the 38-year-old confirmed he would re-join Luna Rossa for the 2021 edition, after spending close to 10 years with Oracle.

Spithill was at the helm of the Italian syndicate when they challenged unsuccessfully for the 'Auld Mug' at Valencia in 2007.

Despite a strong indication that Luna Rossa would be joined by a Ben Ainslie-backed British challenge, the only other official entry has come from the New York Yacht Club.

www.newshub.co.nz

Grant Dalton says Jimmy Spithill will need to watch his words
Grant Dalton warned Jimmy Spithill to watch his words in order to maintain the strong relationship between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa.

Spithill was at the helm of Luna Rossa's Louis Vuitton Cup loss to Team New Zealand in the 2007 America's Cup, before he made the switch to join Oracle Team USA where he won the event in 2010 and 2013.

But Dalton said the addition of thier rival to Luna Rossa wouldn't affect Team New Zealand's relationship with the Italian syndicate, provided he "kept his gob shut".

"The relationship between us and them won't falter via that he keeps his gob shut basically! But I think they will have that in control," Dalton told Radio Sport.

"We have a really strong relationship with Luna Rossa and it goes back in history now, and particularly now with them as challenger of record for the next Cup, that relationship has only got stronger."

In light of Spithill's move, Oracle's potential to compete in the 2021 regatta has become increasingly unlikely.

Yachting commentator Peter Lester said that Spithill's decision to jump ship has "significantly signaled the end of Oracle".

"It really signals the end of Oracle for this next America's Cup," Lester said. -- Cheree Kinnear in the New Zealand Herald

www.nzherald.co.nz/sailing/

Seahorse March 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Boulevard of broken dreams
To create a first-class grand prix omelette you do have to break some quite expensive eggs... Peter Harken

Cold light of day
Rob Weiland bravely goes where most would fear to tread: the cost of racing a grand prix yacht

Linked by but a thread
The song remains the same... but it’s a very different band playing it. Brian Hancock

Square peg round hole
We’ve moved beyond subtle tweaking. Hugh Welbourn

RORC - Lifeblood
Getting out the youth vote... and the passing of the dragon. Eddie Warden-Owen

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Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2

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17 National Sailing Leagues Competing in Europe
Five years after the first National Sailing League kicked-off in Germany, 16 other sailing leagues were founded in Europe. The newest "family members" are Croatia and Lithuania, starting in 2018.

The wave of success is still running strong and sailing leagues are taking over Europe. Each country that has sailable waters within its borders has sailors that are crazy about the league format; most of them are getting prepared to start their own National Sailing Leagues.

Besides the Premiere Sailing League in the USA as the only non-European sailing league, Greece hosts its kick-off event of "Hellas Sailing League" in July 2018.

Spain already sent tracking operators to the latest training session by SailTracks even though there is no sailing league founded- yet. The organizers of SAILING Champions League were also contacted by Estonia. So, the "sailing league family" of International Sailing League Association continues to grow…

Of note, of the 17 leagues to date, a dozen of the largest leagues have all standardized on the wildly popular J/70, the world's fastest growing and largest sportboat class. Its popularity stems from its tremendous ease-of-sailing by all ages (young and old alike), as well as by its attractiveness for speed and one-design competition by all levels of competitive sailors, from beginners to Olympic Medallists.

sailing-championsleague.com

French Father and Son Double-handed Entry to Take on the Rolex China Sea Race
With just under a month to go before the start of the 56th Anniversary of the Rolex China Sea Race, 30 entries have been received from eight territories, including one double-handed entry.

Philippe Grelon, an experienced offshore sailor, has raced in all of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's blue water classics, since arriving in Hong Kong, including the 2014 and 2016 Rolex China Sea Race on board Krampus an Anteros 36. Krampus placed 2nd in IRC 2 and 7th Overall in both editions. In a challenging 1993 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, he placed 10th overall and 3rd in division on board an Adams 50 Collex Onyx and 2nd in division with famous French skipper Lionel Péan on Kyote French Line a Beneteau 53f5 in the 2014 race. In December 2006, Philippe broke the Taipei to Hong Kong record set by Dame Ellen MacArthur's 23m trimaran B&Q by 1h 5m 50s on Tuatahi (Ex Johan II) a Sun Odyssey 47.

Philippe will challenge himself with his first double-handed China Sea, crossing with his 23 year old son Cosmas on board. The last double-handed entry was in the 2016 edition when Nick Southward and Barry Hayes raced their way to 3rd in IRC 2 and 21st Overall on board Nick's J109 Whiskey Jack.

Cosmas is an experienced dinghy sailor who learned to sail in Hong Kong waters with the Hebe Haven Yacht Club and Aberdeen Boat Club. During his teens, he racked up impressive results including the 2011 Youth World Champion in RS500s and 2012 Asian Sailing Champion in 29ers. Cosmos has not shied away from offshore racing either, he was a trimmer on board Primitive Cool a Reichel Pugh 51 that took 4th overall in the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. He is now the racing coach of Vanhang Sailing Academy in Shenzhen.

Adding to their experience, both father and son have been in some tricky situations. During the 2013 Hong Kong to Vietnam Race, they assisted in the successful rescue of the ten crew off of Steve Manning's Sydney GTS43 Walawala 2, when she lost her rudder and began taking on water.

The father and son will race on tbs-Aya a Pogo 10.5. Philippe Cotillon's Aya previously raced in the 2010 Rolex China Sea Race but had to retire, due to lack of wind close to the finish.

www.rhkyc.org.hk

Jeanne Baret Disguised Herself As A Man To Circumnavigate The Globe
Nearly 255 years ago, Jeanne Baret, a French botanist, became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Her journey started at the age of 26, when she disguised herself as a man. However, it wasn't intentional. In fact, she didn't set out to become a pioneer at all. When she stepped onboard the Etoile, one of French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville's two ships that left for round-the-world expedition in 1766, she was only there to accompany Philibert Commerson, a well-known botanist, who was selected to be a part of Louis's journey around the world.

About 18 months later, when they halted at Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia, the islanders recognised what Jeanne's fellow expedition peeps had missed - she was a woman. Now, this is what one version of this centuries-old story says. The second version, however, said that a Tahitian, Aotouru, boarded the ship and called Jeanne a mahu. The word was referred to someone who lives as a gender different to the sex that was assigned to him or her at birth.

Bougainville and his team decided to get rid of the illegal member. So, when the ship reached a French colony in Mauritius, the couple was left behind.

But, Philibert and Jeanne weren't discouraged by this. They continued their expedition from there. A few years later into this exploration, Philibert died, leaving his love stranded miles away from home. The strong-willed woman that she was, Jeanne took up a job in a small tavern and eventually married another Frenchman, an army officer, who helped her return home.

Her accomplishments went unnoticed until the 2010 publication of "The Discovery of Jeanne Baret"

www.idiva.com

400 European sailors are already in Mallorca for the Sofia Iberostar
The Trofeo Princesa Sofia Iberostar will kick off on 30 th March but a large number of teams are already in Mallorca getting ready for the event and starting their sailing seasons. A total of 438 sailors from 27 nations are already based at the Club Nàutic s'Arenal (CNA) and Club Maritimo San Antonio de la Playa (CMSAP) venues and their sails fill the bay of Palma.

The conditions offered by Mallorca for the practice of water sports throughout the year as well as the services offered by the Sofia Iberostar organising clubs have encouraged another year the visit of the major European teams to the island.

The hosting of so many teams for such a long period is a challenge faced with enthusiasm by Arenal and Can Pastilla: "It is good for Mallorca to have people here the whole year. And the Sofia Iberostar contributes to having so many people; we all win", points out Muniesa who acknowledges that having two venues and the beach areas "is of great help as far as logistics and organisation are concerned".

This year the Spanish pre-Olympic team has also decided to organise a training camp in Mallorca and warm up for both the Sofia Iberostar as well as the World Cup Series in Hyères. The Race Manager recalls that "in some editions only part of the national team attended the regatta and they were missed"; that is why Muniesa adds that the Organisation "is very pleased to have the full national team training in Mallorca".

Organised by Club Nàutic S'Arenal, Club Maritimo San Antonio de la Playa, Real Club Náutico de Palma and the Balearic and Spanish Sailing federations, the 49 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Iberostar is sponsored by Iberostar and the event collaborators are Trasmediterranea, Marine Pool and Europcar, besides the Balearic Islands government through the Balearic Tourism Agency, Palma and Llucmajor City Councils.

www.trofeoprincesasofia.org

2018 Para World Sailing Championships
The Notice of Race for the 2018 Para World Sailing Championships, in Sheboygan, USA, is now available to download. The Para Worlds will take place from 16 - 22 September.

The Worlds is the ultimate annual event for the best-of-the-best in Para World Sailing and showcases the development of the discipline. This year will have new formats including "Heat style" racing for the RS Venture Connect and medal races in all disciplines.

World Sailing is supporting the participation of new and emerging nations, in the Para World Sailing Championships, by providing economic support, free charter boats and training, including on-water sessions. Interested nations should contact - para.worldsailing@sailing.org for further information.

The disciplines and racing format at the 2018 Para World Sailing Championships are: Single Person Keelboat (Technical) - Open Gender - 2.4mr Norlin One Design (OD) - fleet racing with a Medal Race Single Person Keelboat (Non-Technical) - Male - Hansa 303 - Short course fleet racing, shared charter boat with a Medal Race Single Person Keelboat (Non-Technical) - Female - Hansa 303 - Short course fleet racing, shared charter boat with a Medal Race Two Person Keelboat - Open Gender - RS Venture Connect - Short course fleet racing, shared charter boat with late stage knockouts. The winner of the final race will win the event

The all new RS Venture Connect two-person dinghy will be included in the Para Worlds for the first time ever. The two-seat standard configuration on the RS Venture Connect was recommended to the Para World Sailing Committee by RS Sailing and has been vetted for safety and classification for the 2018 World Championships.

NOR on YachtScoring

Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka start
Last evening, a Civic Reception was attended by over 150 competitors, officials and guests at the Town Hall, including Councillor Philip Le Liu, representing Melbourne City Council, who presented competitors with a special flag for each yacht - celebrating the 40th anniversary of Melbourne and Osaka becoming sister cities. Kazuyoshi Matsunaga, Consul-General of Japan in Melbourne was also in attendance.

"Today our first competitor, Morning Star began their long journey to Osaka with the rest of the fleet to start over the next couple of weeks."

"Everyone associated with the race is keenly anticipating the event getting underway after two years of planning and preparation."

STS Young Endeavour will act as start vessel for the 5500 nautical mile race. The Tallship was a gift from the United Kingdom to the Government and people of Australia to mark the Bicentenary in 1988. Australia's sail training flagship, it participates in major events in Australia and worldwide to provide young Australians with a unique and challenging sea experience.

The Brigantine, with 22 young Australians currently embarked as part of the youth crew undertaking a 10 day voyage from Melbourne to Eden, is also carrying two very special guests for the start. Jessica Watson and Ken Gourlay will view the start of this iconic event while meeting the young crew members and regaling them with their individual adventures.

Watson was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for completing a southern hemisphere solo non-stop circumnavigation in 2010 at the age of 16, then in 2011, the Queenslander was named Young Australian of the Year.

Gourlay completed a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the world in 2007, the only Tasmanian to achieve this feat and the oldest and fastest Australian to do so. Along the way he raised over $127,000 for the Tasmanian-based Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust for eyesight disorders ad diseases in children.

Joanna Breen and Peter Brooks were the lone starters today. At 1215.pm, after a delayed start due to light and wafty airs, Breen's S&S 34, Morning Star, was off and running in 3 to 5 knots from the south west, on an overcast day.

The next start is to take place on 18 March, ahead of the main event one week later.

Away on the 18th is the Japanese crew of Keiichirou Morimura and Masakazu Omoto on Bartolome. The pair will be accompanied by their own personal cheer squad - 31 Japanese officials and supporters will be in Portsea for one day only, to farewell one of two international competitors. The other, Steve Ho and John Bankart on Surfdude from Hong Kong, is in the main start.

The largest boat in the fleet, Rupert Henry's Judel/Vrolijk 62, Chinese Whisper, will be the last boat away, when the Sydney skipper and Greg O'Shea depart on 1 April.

melbourneosaka.com/en/home/

* From Martin Adams:

Having watched the Winter Olympics where people trudge moles through snow carrying a rifle, then lie down in the snow and try to shoot at small targets and curling where they employ a couple of people with brooms to help a granite stone into a circle in the ice, surely ski yachting is the next logical sport for the Winter Olympics: skiing followed by model boats on a pond with a wind machine. What more could you ask?

The next Olympic meeting is scheduled for 1st April I gather

Featured Brokerage
2012 Swan 60 Racer Cruiser. Price on application. Located in Spain.

New to the brokerage market, this Swan 60 has been optimized for competitive racing and is offered as a turn-key regatta program including sails, rigging, equipment and storage/shipping cradle. Contact our office in Monaco for additional information about pricing and location

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage
brokerage@nautorswan.com
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

-----------------------------------------

2006 GP42 - Wan Ma Rang. 200000 USD. Located in Thailand.

"Wan Ma Rang" is a well optimised and cared for GP42 design, that offers huge potential under IRC and ORC racing, through a wide range of wind conditions. Continually upgraded throughout her life.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
sampearson@ancasta.com
+44 2380 016582

-----------------------------------------

2008 Landmark 43 - Min IDE H. 220000 EUR. Located in Nyborg, Denmark.

One of the most competitive ORC boats on the market today, with a sister ship having recently won the 2016 World Champs. Get in touch to learn more and be on the podium in Poland 2017!

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
sampearson@ancasta.com
+44 2380 016582
+64 2277733717

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. -- Stephen Hawking

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
A Very Long Leg
Epic Day 4 at Finn Europeans in Cadiz
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Veterans And Victors Given A Run For Their Money
Visit Seattle Steals Clipper Race Victory Into Qingdao
Dream Double is the Perfect St Barths Bucket Debut for Svea
New challenges for iconic Merlin
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Michio Kaku

A Very Long Leg
Seven Volvo Ocean Race teams will embark on one of the most classic legs in offshore racing on Sunday afternoon from Auckland, New Zealand.

Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race is an iconic Southern Ocean challenge; a 7,600 nautical mile race through "Furious Fifties", the inhospitable, remote waters south of 50-degrees latitude that circle Antarctica, around Cape Horn and up to Itajaí, Brazil.

Leg 7 is a double-point scoring leg, with an additional bonus point awarded to the first boat to pass Cape Horn. With so many points on offer, this classic Southern Ocean leg, a return to the roots of the race, has the potential to be decisive on the leaderboard.

MAPFRE is the overall leader following six legs, but after a fourth place finish and late charge to get on the podium on the leg into Auckland, the team's position at the top doesn't appear as secure as it was early on.

Re-joining the fleet is Vestas 11th Hour Racing after missing the last two legs with damage sustained in a collision near the end of Leg 4. Skipper Charlie Enright says his team is eager to get racing again and resume challenging the leaders.

"The team has come together great, the repair has come together great," he said. "There are 16 points available to the winner and to put that into context, we have 23 points now, so it's going to be a big move and shake. We had a successful Southern Ocean leg last time and we're looking to repeat that performance."

Leg 7 will start at 14:00 local time in Auckland, 01:00 UTC on Sunday, 18 March.

www.volvooceanrace.com

Epic Day 4 at Finn Europeans in Cadiz
Ben Cornish schooled the Finn fleet in Cadiz on Day 4 of the Open and U23 Finn European Championship with two emphatic race wins in conditions that developed during the day from awesome to epic with huge waves, 20+ knots of wind, as well as something almost unseen so far in Cadiz, the much promised Spanish sunshine. Unfortunately the second race was later abandoned after extensive jury hearings because the first mark was out of position.

At the top of the Open leaderboard, Nicholas Heiner, from The Netherlands, still leads the Briton, Edward Wright, though now just by two points, while Josh Junior, from New Zealand, is some way back in third. Defending champion Jonathan Lobert from France holds third place in the European Championship

Defending U23 champion, Henry Wetherell, has also extended his lead from Nils Theuninck, from Switzerland and Ondrej Teply, from Czech Repubic.

Cornish said, "It was quite a changeable day. The first race was quite weather dominated with some quite big swings in the wind which came with the rain clouds. For the second race the skies opened up and we got the gradient come down, as forecast and quite a steady breeze for the afternoon."

On the testing conditions, "It was full on. On the back of yesterday's three races, where everyone was hanging on by the end just to get round and then straight back into it today. It was just as hard today with the conditions and I think there are a few broken people around here, so let's see what tomorrow brings."

With Race 8 being abandoned, three races are now scheduled for Friday.

Results after seven races:
1. Nicholas Heiner, NED, 28
2. Edward Wright, GBR, 30
3. Josh Junior, NZL, 52
4. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 53
5. Max Salminen, SWE, 60
6. Jorge Zarif, BRA, 60
7. Caleb Paine, USA, 65
8. Ioannis Mitakis, GRE, 65
9. Henry Wetherell, GBR, 70
10. Ben Cornish, GBR, 79

Full results here.

2018.finneuropeans.org

Seahorse April 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Update
The flying Banque Populaire IX in detail; don't buy it use it; let's ditch the (damn) triangle; running a Cup campaign is some kind of a job. Plus be in no doubt... we are going to capsize. Jack Griffin, Scott Dickson, Peter Heppel,Terry Hutchinson

On to the next one
It won't be there in Japan but it may very well be there when you get to Paris. Rob Kothe

The multihull era
The time of the monohulls has passed. Now it is the time of the multihull... or it was. Eric Hall

Tech Street: Power

Tech Street: Huge ask

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Veterans And Victors Given A Run For Their Money
Series veterans and victors were given a run for their money today, Thursday 15th March, in day two of the 2018 Extreme Sailing Series Act 1, Muscat.

The young pros on board Land Rover BAR Academy, as well as the newly formed crews NZ Extreme Sailing Team and Red Bull Sailing Team, chased their experienced counterparts around the racecourse with tenacity.

An array of strong results from some of the new kids on the block peppered the leaderboard by the end of racing. The Kiwi challenger NZ Extreme Sailing Team also proved tough competition on the glistening Omani waters. Starting and finishing on a high, the team took second place in the first and last races of the day, demonstrating their skill, determination and potential. Australian Skipper Jason Waterhouse was particularly happy with their flying start.

Racing on the powerful foiling GC32 catamarans continues Friday 16th March at 14:00 local time (UTC+4). Continuing off Al Mouj, Muscat, the event will host a free public access Race Village at Al Mouj Golf on Friday and Saturday, offering a close-up view of the race course. Racing will be broadcast live on the official Extreme Sailing Series Facebook and website.

The Flying Phantom Series saw Team France Jeune emerge victorious once again. Having flown around the course to a first day victory yesterday, the team stole the show for the second time today, consistently demonstrating their incredible abilities on the water.

Red Bull Sailing Team finished second in today's racing on the Flying Phantom course.

Flying Phantom Series racing continues tomorrow in Muscat from 10:00 local time (UTC+4).

2018 Extreme Sailing Series Act 1, Muscat standings after Day 2, 10 races
1. Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothe Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 108 points
2. Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Stewart Dodson, Nasser Al Mashari 100 points.
3. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Kostner, Adam Minoprio, Julius Hallstrom, Pierluigi de Felice, Richard Mason 95 points.
4. Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Will Alloway, Leigh McMillan, Oli Greber, Adam Kay, Mark Spearman 89 points.
5. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Chris Draper, Ed Powys, Neil Hunter, Dan Morris, Rhys Mara 87 points.
6. NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) Jason Waterhouse, Will Tiller, Harry Hull, Luke Payne, Guy Endean 85 points. .

Flying Phantom Series Act 1, Muscat standings after Day 2, 12 races
1. Team France Jeune (FRA) Solune Robert, Antoine Rucard 231 points.
2. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Olivia Mackay, Micah Wilkinson 225 points.
3. Idreva Zephyr Foiling (FRA) Charles Hainneville, Pierre-Yves Durand 214 points.
4. Culture Foil (FRA) Nicolas Ferellec, Theo Constance 208 points.
5. Flying Frogs (FRA) Pierre Le Clainche, Arnaud Vasseur 187 points.
6. EVO Visian ICL (GER) Raphael Neuhann, Elias Neuhann 180 points.
7. UON (POR) Jose Cladeira, Helder Basilio 175 points.
8. Masterlan (CZE) David Krizek, Zdenek Adam 158 points.

www.extremesailingseries.com

Visit Seattle Steals Clipper Race Victory Into Qingdao
Visit Seattle, Skippered by 24-year-old British sailor Nikki Henderson, has pulled off a sensational victory in Race 8 of the thirteen stage Clipper 2017-18 Round the World Yacht Race, stealing the victory from PSP Logistics in the final few miles of the race to Qingdao, China

Visit Seattle crossed the finish line off the coast of Qingdao at 00:04:11 local time on Thursday 15 March (16:04:11 UTC 14/03/2018) to complete the 1,700 nautical mile race stage from Sanya, in 10 days, 9 hours, 34 minutes and 11 seconds.

The Clipper Race competitors have once again proved that the race is never over until that finish line is crossed as anything is possible. PSP Logistics, which had led for eight successive days and were 25 nautical miles (nm) ahead at 0900 UTC, succumbed to a wind hole just 30nm from the finish line, allowing Visit Seattle to sneak up on their eastern side to take the win in this race stage, The Sailing City Qingdao Cup.

This is the third podium in eight races and a second victory for Visit Seattle, which went into Race 8 in third place in the overall standings, just four points behind the race leader, Sanya Serenity Coast. The team is also yet to play its Joker Card, a bonus tactic, which each team has the ability to 'play' for one of the thirteen race stages, doubling the number of race points earned in that particular race..

The current overall race leader is Sanya Serenity Coast, which finished in second place behind Visit Seattle, followed by Liverpool 2018 which completed the podium positions, whilst PSP Logistics continued to be becalmed in the wind hole it found itself in.

Visit Seattle will become the first Clipper Race team to arrive at the newly constructed Wanda Yacht Club in the West Coast New Area of Qingdao, with the Skipper and crew to be given a full taste of the famous Qingdao welcome at their arrival ceremony set to take place at 0900 local time (0100 UTC) on Thursday 15 March. The following teams will arrive in order every hour throughout daylight in Qingdao.

This will be the seventh time the Clipper Race has included Qingdao as a Host Port on its global racing route, with the city the longest serving Host Port Partner of the race.

Five of the eight Clipper Race legs have now been completed. Since starting in Liverpool, England on 20 August last year, the eleven strong Clipper Race fleet has raced to; Punta del Este, Uruguay; Cape Town, South Africa; Fremantle, Sydney, Hobart and the Whitsundays, Australia; Sanya and now Qingdao, China.

Teams will depart for Seattle, USA, on 23 March, and continue via Panama, New York, Derry-Londonderry, before returning to Liverpool on 28 July 2018, where one team will have the honour of being crowned the Clipper 2017-18 Race Winners.

clipperroundtheworld.com

Dream Double is the Perfect St Barths Bucket Debut for Svea
Svea may be the J Class' 'newcomers' launched last year and racing at their first St Barths Bucket, but their two hard won first places from today's two windward-leeward races is a perfect opening to the popular Caribbean regatta.

Racing remained typically close and Svea had to battle hard and sail smart for their first day double. On the finish line of the second race, Topaz crossed first ahead of Velsheda by only one single second, and eleven seconds separated first from third.

All three boats lead at different stages of the second race. Svea corrected out from third across the finish to win by a slender three seconds on handicap from Topaz, with Velsheda in third just nine seconds shy of victory.

It is the first time in the short history of the Svea team that they have won two J Class races on one day. In the first race they only briefly ceded their lead to Velsheda through the leeward gate, but they showed good upwind speed and, more particularly, stuck to their avowed strategy of staying away from boat for boat dogfights, trying to sail their own races and let the powerful, newest J Class yacht in the fleet do its thing. Tactician Charlie Ogletree is backed up by Kenny Read sailing as strategist here. Read won the J Class one year ago at 'The Bucket' as skipper-helm of Hanuman.

J Class Results Day 1
Race 1 1. Svea 1h 5m 42s 2 Velsheda 1h 7m 18s 3 Topaz 1h 8m 26 s
Race 2 1 Svea 1h 20m 16s 2 Topaz 1h 20m 19s 3 Velsheda 1h 20m 25s
Overall after two races 1 Svea 2pts (1,1) 2 Topaz 5pts (3,2) 3 Velsheda 5pts (2,3)

bucketregatta.com

New challenges for iconic Merlin
When the fleet of competitors begin the 635 nm course out of Narragansett Bay toward Bermuda, within their midst will be a legend of Pacific Ocean racing. Merlin, the 68-foot Transpac Race trend-setting, record-breaking Bill Lee design has come east for the 2018 Newport Bermuda Race, fulfilling a lifelong dream held by, coincidentally, Chip Merlin.

Chip's father, Bill, is the reason Merlin was trucked to St. Petersburg, Florida, last fall and is being refit for the legendary boat's first Bermuda Race.

A retired Coast Guard admiral, Merlin senior was a recent graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in 1956 when he led a team of cadets in that year's Bermuda Race. The boat was in a pack of three in contention for a class victory when a final squall flushed the Coasties to third by the finish.

"My dad's 83 and I thought this would be the last chance to do a race like this, with him," says Chip, who found out Merlin was for sale last fall while browsing the internet for a Bermuda Race charter. "I called Bill Lee that night, and the next day I had my boat captain fly out to meet him and see the boat."

The deal was easily made. Now Chip wants to make Bill Lee proud, with a goal of sailing all the rest of the major ocean races of the world, too. Merlin had a triumphant comeback in the 2017 Transpac, where Lee himself skippered the 'sled,' as the type was dubbed after the '77 race.

Merlin won line honors and her class on corrected time in her first ocean race with Chip and team in the 2018 St. Petersburg to Habana] Race. Next is the Isla Mujeres Race from Tampa Bay, then up to New England Boatworks to prepare for Bermuda.

www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

* From Chris Brown Fastwave V:

Martin makes an excellent suggestion for the ski sail Olympics. I would like to add the track based sailing Olympics. Based on the annual Ayers Rock desert regatta, water is superfluous and the boats are held up and moved by athletes, in conformance with full racing rules. Life jackets are not required.

Featured Brokerage
Extreme 40. 65000 each GBP.

2 EXTREME 40s For Sale
Between the 2 boats have an amazing race track record!
Both boats had a major refit at the start of 2015 .

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Peter Greenhalgh
Tel: (+44) 07515 635669
Skype: peterngreenhalgh
Email: peterngreenhalgh@googlemail.com

-----------------------------------------

2004 Marten 49 - "Vineta" 345,000 EUR. Located in Hong Kong

"Vineta" is the most competitively priced boat on the market and incorporates an upgraded 3-spreader mast configuration from Southern Spars, which makes her a real bandit on the rating game, as well as unrivalled performance cruiser.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Port Hamble
sampearson@ancasta.com
+442380 016582

-----------------------------------------

RP 78 maxi "Capricorno". Located in La Spezia, Italy.

Reichel-Pugh design, McConaghy carbon construction, Sydney Hobart and Cape Town-Rio winner as Morning Glory.

Reinvented as the ultimate cruiser racer by the team at Nauta Yachts with new deck, interiors and rig.

After winning the ARC, she sailed and explored remote areas around the world such as Patagonia, Cape Horn, Polynesia and Eastern Australia.

Now back in the Med, she is in pristine condition with brand new carbon rigging, engine, genset, electronics, water maker and A/C system.

Ready to go for the next blue water cruise or maxi regatta.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nauta Yachts
+39 335 53 487 27
francescovitale@nautayachts.com

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The Last Word
It's pointless to have a nice clean desk, because it means you're not doing anything. -- Michio Kaku

Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

In This Issue
MAPFRE leads the Volvo Ocean Race fleet to start Southern Ocean leg
Alinghi crowned champions of 2018 Extreme Sailing Series Act 1, Muscat
St. Barth's Bucket
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Ed Wright snatches Finn European title after spectacular medal race
Andrew Simpson Foundation to Unite Cyclists & Sailors!
Warrior Perpetual Trophy Announced
Sunday 18 March Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series race cancelled
ORC Sportboat European Championship
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: P. G. Wodehouse

MAPFRE leads the Volvo Ocean Race fleet to start Southern Ocean leg
It was a spectacular start to Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race on Sunday afternoon, as the fleet left Auckland in perfect conditions.

The sun was out, the wind was near 20 knots, and as they have for 10 stopovers, the Auckland fans took to the water by the thousands to farewell the fleet. It wasn't a surprise - over the course of the Auckland stopover, over 500,000 fans came through the Race Village at the Viaduct Basin.

On Sunday afternoon the Kiwi spectator armada consisted of foiling kite-boards, windsurfers, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, sailing dinghies, as well as hundreds of power and sail boats, along with the former Whitbread Round the World Race winner, Steinlager 2.

It was MAPFRE, the overall race leader, who made the best start to lead the fleet around a loop of the Waitematā Harbour and out into the Hauraki Gulf, with Dongfeng, Team Brunel and Turn the Tide on Plastic in close and giving chase.

In a return to the heritage of the event, Leg 7 of the Volvo Ocean Race will take the teams on a 7,600 nautical mile journey into the Southern Ocean, and around the iconic Cape Horn, before returning to the Atlantic Ocean towards the finish in Itajaí, Brazil.

The initial ETA for the finish in Itajaí, Brazil is between April 4th and 6th.

www.volvooceanrace.com

Alinghi crowned champions of 2018 Extreme Sailing Series Act 1, Muscat
Three-time Extreme Sailing Series champions Alinghi were crowned winners of the opening Act of the 2018 Series today, their first win in Muscat in their eight-year history in the event.

After four days of consistently strong sailing in Oman, the Swiss team extended their lead on the fleet of super-fast foiling GC32s, closing the Act with a six-point lead.

Consisting of experienced Series sailors Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey and Timothe Lapauw - the team sailed unchanged from last year. It proved a magic formula that saw the Swiss squad finish second in the Act's final race, worth double points.

Following their collision with NZ Extreme Sailing Team on the Act's penultimate day, Red Bull Sailing Team charged into day four, determined to claw back some points after an incident that took both boats off the water. Top-three finishes in four consecutive races saw them climb one place on the overall leaderboard.

There was little change to the overall rankings on the Flying Phantom racecourse today. Zooming around the racetrack, Team France Jeune maintained their lead and took the Act victory, finishing first for the fourth time in Muscat.

The Flying Phantom Series will rejoin the Extreme Sailing Series in Barcelona from 14-17 June, following their second Act in Quiberon, 18-21 May.

Extreme Sailing Series 2018 Act 1, Muscat standings after Day 4, 25 races (17.03.18)
1. Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothe Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey 277 points.
2. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Kostner, Adam Minoprio, Julius Hallstrom, Pierluigi de Felice, Richard Mason 271 points.
3. Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Stewart Dodson, Nasser Al Mashari 253 points.
4. Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Will Alloway, Leigh McMillan, Oli Greber, Adam Kay, Mark Spearman 244 points.
5. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Chris Draper, Ed Powys, Neil Hunter, Dan Morris, Rhys Mara 215 points.
6. NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) Jason Waterhouse, Will Tiller, Harry Hull, Luke Payne, Guy Endean 210 points.
7. Team Mexico (MEX) Erik Brockmann, Tom Buggy, Alex Higby, Tom Phipps, Danel Belausteguigoitia Fierro 177 points.

Extreme Sailing Series 2018 overall standings
1. Alinghi (SUI) 12 points
2. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN)11 pts
3. Oman Air (OMA) 10 pts
4. Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) 9 pts
5. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 8 pts
6. NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) 7 pts
7. Team Mexico (MEX) 6 pts

Flying Phantom Series Act 1, Muscat standings after Day 4, 24 races (17.03.18)
1. Team France Jeune (FRA) Solune Robert, Antoine Rucard 483 points.
2. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Olivia Mackay, Micah Wilkinson 474 points.
3. Idreva Zephyr Foiling (FRA) Charles Hainneville, Pierre-Yves Durand 446 points.
4. Culture Foil (FRA) Nicolas Ferellec, Theo Constance 426 points.
5. Flying Frogs (FRA) Pierre Le Clainche, Arnaud Vasseur 397 points.
6. UON (POR) Jose Cladeira, Helder Basilio 365 points.
7. EVO Visian ICL (GER) Raphael Neuhann, Elias Neuhann 357 points.
8. Masterlan (CZE) David Krizek, Zdenek Adam 314 points.

Flying Phantom Series 2018 overall standings
1. Team France Jeune (FRA) 20 points
2. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 19 pts
3. Idreva Zephyr Foiling (FRA) 18 pts
4. Culture Foil (FRA) 17 pts
5. Flying Frogs (FRA) 16 pts
6. UON (POR) 15 pts
7. EVO Visian ICL (GER) 14 pts
8. Masterlan (CZE) 13 pts

www.extremesailingseries.com

St. Barth's Bucket
Three days of racing here in the Caribbean, for 25 Super Yacht's, concluded today with a 8-10 knots race, clockwise around the island.

For us on Rosehearty, it was quite a different week. Many of our usual competitors like Seahawk and Perseus were not in attendance this year. Zenji and ourselves ended up grouped in class D with three yachts who weigh 1/3 of our weight. There was no contest. The winner was Hap Fauth's Whisper. Whisper and Blue Too beat us on average by 20 minutes each day. A bit of a change for us as we had won our class that last two years here.

Four years on with the same core team on Rosehearrty and our crew work and manouvers just keep getting better. Today we actually started a drop, in a super yacht, when the bow was at the mark. That's a first. Hats off to the crew of Rosehearty!

In other classes, Svea won the J class while Nilaya won Class A over Visione. The Class B winner was Sojana, Class C Farfalla, and Class E Missy.

Sailing in St. Barth's is truly a special priviledge. -- Paul Cayard, cayardsailing.com

bucketregatta.com

Seahorse April 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

World news
Armel Le Cleac'h is a happy man, the Class40 is still nuts, a lot of truth in the Kiwi legend, Bill Macartney's latest TV spectacular gets underway. Plus this time we will to make it to Bermuda (really). Patrice Carpentier, Blue Robinson, Dobbs Davis, Ivor Wilkins

Essential staff
Peter Harken has few doubts about the identity of some of the most important contributors to the ongoing Harken story

The great Victorian
... and a gentleman yachtsman with a very, very long name. John Rousmaniere

Tech Street: The genie's out the bottle

Tech Street: Standby

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Ed Wright snatches Finn European title after spectacular medal race
Ed Wright won his second Finn European title on Saturday, in Cadiz, after a spectacular medal race in high winds and huge waves that nearly resulted in the race being cancelled. Nicholas Heiner, from the Netherlands, had led all week, but several capsizes and a last place left him with the silver, while Max Salminen, from Sweden did enough to take the bronze, after winning the race.

The Final Race for the rest of the fleet was cancelled with sustained gusts well over 30 knots and huge seas. This meant that Nils Theuninck, from Switzerland, won the U23 European title, from last year's winner, Henry Wetherell, from Britain, and Ondrej Teply, from Czech Republic in third.

The medal race started with an average windspeed of 24 knots gusting to 29. With the huge waves it was on the limit, but the Finn sailors wouldn't have it any other way. The race was on and they loved the extreme challenge of survival against the elements.

On his second European title, 12 years after the first, Wright said, "It was a crazy race. I saw Heiner capsize at the five-minute so then I realised everyone was having a hard time with the conditions not just me."

It has been a great week in Cádiz, with the venue finally living up to the promises over the past three days. Now the sailors can rest and in two weeks time the battle for supremacy will continue at the Princesa Sofia Regatta in Palma.

Results after medal race (medal race in brackets)
1. Edward Wright, GBR, 57 (5)
2. Nicholas Heiner, NED, 60 (9)
3. Max Salminen, SWE, 71 (2)
4. Josh Junior, NZL, 73 (1)
5. Caleb Paine, USA, 73 (3)
6. Ben Cornish, GBR, 92 (6)
7. Jorge Zarif, BRA, 97 (DSQ)
8. Josip Olujic, CRO, 99 (4)
9. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 101 (7)
10. Ioannis Mitakis, GRE 110 (8)

Full results

2018.finneuropeans.org

Andrew Simpson Foundation to Unite Cyclists & Sailors!
Andrew Simpson Foundation: The Sailing Charity is to unite sailors and cyclists with a brand-new fundraising and cycling event in memory of Olympic Gold Medallist and America's Cup Sailor Andrew 'Bart' Simpson. Bike4Bart will take place on Sunday 2nd September 2018 from Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Dorset.

Cycling inland from the Isle of Portland and the home of the Andrew Simpson Foundation, the three different route options will head into Dorset's Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering a real treat of a ride whatever your ability level. With a mixture of spectacular views, leg-pumping climbs and historical scenery the route will always have something to keep everyone interested.

Alongside the Cycling event, the Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre - Portland, (also based at the National Sailing Academy) will throw its doors open to the public offering a variety of free sailing and water-based activities, culminating in a great fun day for all the family.

Bike4Bart aims to help raise awareness of the amazing work that is currently carried out by the Andrew Simpson Foundation around the world, and to raise funds, allowing the sailing charity to continue both increasing participation in the sport and improving the lives of disadvantaged young people.

To sign up to Bike4Bart as an individual or as a team please visit ukcyclingevents.co.uk

andrewsimpsonfoundation.org

Warrior Perpetual Trophy Announced
The 2018 Antigua Bermuda Race is organised by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in association with Antigua Sailing Week, and supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum.

The second edition of the 935-mile oceanic race will start off Fort Charlotte Antigua on May 9th, 2018 and will have a new trophy. The Warrior Perpetual Trophy will be won by the boat scoring the lowest corrected time under IRC.

The Antigua Bermuda Race holds a special place for the American Volvo 70 Warrior. Skippered by Stephen Murray Jnr, Warrior was the overall winner under IRC for the inaugural race and set the outright race record of 3 days 20 hours 32 minutes 41 seconds. Warrior was in fine form in last month's RORC Caribbean 600, finishing runner-up for monohull line honours and taking joint third overall under IRC in a fleet of 84 yachts.

"Warrior's first race was the 2017 Antigua Bermuda Race, so most of the personnel have been together for a year now and we have gelled together as a team," commented Stephen Murray Jnr. "Warrior is sponsored by my family for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and for the benefit of Warrior Sailing which assists wounded veterans in their recovery through the sport of sailing. As any sailor knows, sailing is very therapeutic but also there is a teamwork element to sailing that many of the wounded warriors miss."

For the 2018 Antigua Bermuda Race, Warrior will face stiff opposition for the new trophy. Jens Kellinghusen's Ker 56 Varuna tied with Warrior for third place in the RORC Caribbean 600 after the German yacht was awarded redress, and Eric de Turkheim's French Nivelt-Muratet 54 Teasing Machine, overall winner of the 2017 RORC Transatlantic Race will also be a top contender. Two young German teams will renew their friendly rivalry, Andrews 56 Broader View Hamburg, winner of IRC One for the 2017 RORC Transatlantic Race, will be skippered by Joachim Brünner and JV52 Haspa Hamburg, skippered by Sebastian Ropohl will also be competing.

The 2018 Antigua Bermuda Race is also open to multihull and monohull yachts racing with a valid Caribbean Sailing Association rating certificate. As well as Superyachts under the ORCsy Rule and classic yachts with a valid ISYR Rating. Boats in all but the IRC Divisions may elect to use their engines during the race, subject to a time correction. Among the early entries in CSA Cruising are Edgar Rumble's American Oyster 625 Black Lion and Louis Goor's Irish Oyster 575 Irene III.

For all classes the entry fee is just US $500 per boat and $50 per crew member payable on or before April 11, 2018. With great parties in both Antigua and Bermuda and close to a thousand miles of warm ocean racing, the Antigua Bermuda Race is not to be missed.

www.antiguabermuda.com

Sunday 18 March Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series race cancelled
This Sunday's - 18th March - Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series race was cancelled.

The race officers, having discussed the forecasts for Sunday, believe that the conditions would be unpleasant and possibly unsafe for competitors and the volunteers running the racing.

For Black Group we hope to recover the lost race on one of the following three Sundays; details of this will be communicated to competitors. White Group already have three races a day and we will not be adding to that.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday 25th March in British Summer Time.

The Warsash Spring Series is sponsored by Helly Hansen, with race partners Crewsaver and Doyle Sails.

For more information go to www.warsashspringseries.org.uk

ORC Sportboat European Championship
Portopiccolo, Italy: Following on the success of last year's ORC Worlds Trieste 2017, the Upper Adriatic and Gulf of Trieste are once again the site of another important event in the ORC calendar: the ORC Sportboat European Championship 2018. Held over 29 May - 3 June, this is one of the three most important championship regattas on the 2018 ORC calendar of events, and is open for entry to boats from any country ranging in length from 6.00 - 9.15 meters and meeting other criteria for defining an ORC Sportboat.

The venue for this regatta will be Portopiccolo, Italy, an exclusive marina resort that has its own innovations in design and technology with its avant-garde architecture and structures surrounded by the sea cliffs of Sistiana, similar to the Sportboat entries competing at this event. Organizers are expecting a strong turnout of boats and teams that will be divided into three divisions based on boat types for a series of races that vary from a coastal race to several buoy races held in the Gulf of Trieste.

The event will be organized by Yacht Club Portopiccolo, based at the resort, and by the Diporto Nautico Sistiana, one of the most active marine sports organizations in the Upper Adriatic. The event is now open for entries to be made online at the event website www.orcsportboat2018.eu. The schedule of events includes two days of measurement and inspection from Tuesday to Wednesday, 29-30 May, with seven races scheduled (including a coastal race) between Thursday 31 May and Sunday 3 June.

Entries are limited to be no more that 30 from one country in each division, and a 30% discount on the entry fee will apply if received by 31 March...more information can be found on the Notice of Race available on the event website.

www.orc.org

Featured Brokerage
2005 Swan 100-201 Aquarius Alfa. 5,150,000 EUR. Located in Athens, Greece.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Jeremy Peek
brokerage@nautorswan.com
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

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2009 Mills 43 - "Windpower". 180000 EUR. Located in

Top performing IRC boat in South Africa over recent years and with sister ships dominating the ORC circuit too, shes a complete package. Very tidy and high spec sail inventory included.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+64 277733717
+44 2380 016582
sampearson@ancasta.com

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2011 TP / IRC 52 "Viento". 800000 USD. Located in Auckland.

Originally launched as "Container", this boat has always been a front runner in any regatta its entered and is arguably the most competitive TP/IRC 52 on the market today. Inshore and offshore capability, refined by the best that NZ has to offer. An absolutely turn-key, regatta winning boat!

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+44 2380 016582
+64 277733717
sampearson@ancasta.com

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
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