In This Issue
40 knot knock-down for CQS | Admiral's Cup 50th anniversary regatta | Harken Exhibits at Paris Boat Show - December 2 - 12 | SAP Extreme Sailing Team triumphs in 2017 Extreme Sailing Series | Dennis Conner worried about cost of radical Cup yachts | Team New Zealand hit back at Dennis Conner's $217m America's Cup price tag | Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar Competition | Man pleads not guily to boat manslaughter at Bermuda America's Cup | DRHEAM Cup- Destination Cotentin | Royal Cork preparations for 300th Anniversary | 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
40 knot knock-down for CQS
Ludde Ingvall's CQS suffered a setback in the RORC Transatlantic Race; the westbound leg of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta. "We got caught in a bad squall of probably 40 knots which resulted in a number of issues," Ingvall reported from on board on day 10 of the race. "There has been damage to sails and onboard electronic systems, but we are still progressing towards the finish."
Kenneth Thelen, co-skipper for Australian Maxi CQS confirmed that all of the crew of the 96ft canting keel Maxi were safe and well. Describing the damage he said: "Part of our electronics failed making it hard to sail in the dark. We blew our biggest spinnaker, but it is repairable. As we went into a gybe, the engine stalled and we lay flat on our side for a while which resulted in a diesel spill inside the boat, so the smell is terrible in the heat! We broke the top three battens in the mainsail, but we are still sailing towards the finish at reasonable speed, in pouring rain. We will assess the situation at first light."
At 1100 UTC on December 4th, the race tracker showed that CQS had slowed down to barely a few knots of boat speed to effect repairs. "We are back on track," continued Ingvall. We lost about six hours while sailing slowly and then stopped to repair probably at 90-95%, but we are now doing 14-15 knots average with G1 and a full main."
At the time of the incident CQS was more than 400 nautical miles ahead of Jochen Bovenkamp's Dutch Marten 72 Aragon and Southernwind 96 Sorceress, skippered by Daniel Stump. CQS are fighting all the way to hold onto their grip on the IMA Transatlantic Race Trophy.
Eric de Turckheim's French Nivelt-Muratet 54 Teasing Machine leads overall after IRC time correction and the majority of the record fleet are reaching at double-digit boat speed towards the finish at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada.
Admiral's Cup 50th anniversary regatta
Caprice of Huon at 1967 Admiral's Cup. Photo by Robert Baker. Click on image for photo gallery.
If you love old boats, history and a bit of nostalgia, then the three-day Admiral's Cup 50th anniversary regatta in Sydney starting Friday on Sydney Harbour will no doubt appeal.
It's been 50 years since Australia won the Admiral's Cup in Cowes for the first time. It was 1967, following our inaugural participation in the event two years earlier, when Australia finished second in the Cup which was first held in 1957 off Cowes in England.
In 1965 the Australian team comprised Caprice of Huon (Gordon Ingate), Freya (Trygve and Magnus Halvorsen) and Camille of Seaforth (Ron Swanson). The team placed second from eight nations, spurred us on to greater things in this prestigious competition held every odd year.
Two years later, in 1967, our team comprising Mercedes III (Ted Kaufman), Balandra (Robert Crighton-Brown) and Caprice of Huon (Gordon Reynolds) won the AC, prevailing over eight other nations and beating the second placed British team by 13 points. Hence the 50 year reunion.
All three owners are gone now, but the trio led long and rewarding lives. Kaufman, who in collaboration with Bob Miller (later famously known as Ben Lexcen) designed Mercedes III, died early in 2014 at the ripe old age of 94. Crighton-Brown, knighted in 1972, passed away in London in 2013 aged 93. Reynolds the 1967 team manager, a CYCA Life Member and founding member of Middle Harbour Yacht Club, passed away in 2005 aged 84. There is a lot to be said for sea air.
All three will be represented by their sons at the 50th reunion. Scott Kaufman has flown from New York to represent his late father Ted, co-designer and skipper of Mercedes III, Anthony Crighton Brown has arrived from London to sail on Pacha, in lieu of 1967 entry, Balandra, which is currently undergoing restoration, while Sydney brothers Tony and Rob Reynolds will take their late father Gordon's place on Caprice of Huon, with the boat's 1965 Gordon, Ingate, skippering.
Race 1, on Sydney Harbour, scheduled to start at 1pm, then on Saturday the boats will sail a short offshore racing, starting from 10.30am. On Sunday, one final Harbour race, due to start at 12pm. A full social program has also been organised. -- Di Pearson
Harken Exhibits at Paris Boat Show - December 2 - 12
This year Harken will introduce its line of Element blocks. Element offers all types of sailors (even those who don't race!) Harken quality, durability, and engineering expertise at an affordable price. Element sideplates are forged aluminum for toughness and perfectly shaped to protect their fiber-reinforced sheaves and proven bearing system. Element will be available in early 2018 in singles, doubles, triples, fiddles, and foot blocks in 45, 60, and 80 millimeter sizes.
Also on display in Paris: A new Small Boat Continuous Line Drive furler designed to furl oversized sails on sportboats and multihulls. Harken's Ceramic Mainsheet System will be there. It. features-smooth-running ceramic bearings for efficient power transfer to crew on GP catamarans, ensuring easy, precise trimming.
Plus, Harken Hydraulics has designed new: PLC control boxes, stackable directional valves, and 2 or 3 motor hydraulic power units that are simple to install. A larger Reflex top-down furler and a larger Flatwinder powered pulley for mainsheet traveler adjustment round out the new product introductions.
Stop by Hall 2.1 Stand A60. Harken's friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer your technical questions and show you around. Harken AT THE FRONT.
SAP Extreme Sailing Team triumphs in 2017 Extreme Sailing Series
Danish-flagged SAP Extreme Sailing Team was crowned champion of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series, while Alinghi took home the Act 8, Los Cabos, presented by SAP trophy, in an electrifying season finale.
The wind tantalised the apprehensive teams, only filling in enough to run three scoring races in the final hour of the day. The Danes had victory in the bag by the time it came to the closing double-points race but the heat was still on between Alinghi and Oman Air in the war to win the first-ever Mexican Extreme Sailing Series Act.
For an ecstatic SAP Extreme Sailing Team co-skipper Rasmus Kostner this is a momentous occasion, as it is his first ever victory in the ultimate Stadium Racing championship since he began competing in 2012.
Although the season trophy was out of reach for Alinghi and Oman Air, their fate in Act standings was only decided in the last race of the day. Not deterred by Oman Air's two race wins in the run-up, the Swiss finished ahead of the Omani syndicate to seal the Act 8 triumph.
Standings after Day 4, 20 races (03.12.17)
1. Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothe Lapauw, Nils Frei, Yves Detrey, 224 points
2. Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Ed Smyth, Nasser Al Mashari, 212
3. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Kostner, Adam Minoprio, Mads Emil Stephensen, Pierluigi de Felice, Richard Mason, 209
4. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Hans Peter Steinacher, Stewart Dodson, Adam Piggott, Will Tiller, 191
5. Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) Rob Bunce, Giles Scott, Oli Greber, Sam Batten, Matt Brushwood, 157
6. NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) Graeme Sutherland, Josh Junior, Harry Hull, Andy Maloney, Josh Salthouse, 157
7. Team Extreme Mexico (MEX) Erik Brockmann, Chris Taylor, Alex Higby, Tom Buggy, Danel Belausteguigoitia Fierro, Armando Noriega Negrete, 153
8. Lupe Tortilla Demetrio (USA) John Tomko, Jonathan Atwood, Matthew Whitehead, Tripp Burd, Trevor Burd, 125
Extreme Sailing Series 2017 overall standings
1. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 98 points
2. Alinghi (SUI) 96
3. Oman Air (OMA) 95
4. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 84
5. Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) 70
6. NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL) 70
Dennis Conner worried about cost of radical Cup yachts
Dennis Conner is worried the cost of the radical new America's Cup yachts could prevent some syndicates from entering.
The Cup legend believes a syndicate could require more than $200 million for a competitive challenge with the radical new foiling monohulls planned for the 2021 event in Auckland.
The new AC75 will be complicated, expensive and likely to capsize. But he said on his sailing podcast the new boat ''would be really something''.
"It's a radical new boat. We knew it had to be something special and, boy, they didn't let us down.
"Talk about an engineering nightmare ... or an opportunity. It will be incredibly complex, the operating of this (foils) system. Breakdowns are part of racing ... not only does it have to be complex it has to be totally reliable, which is saying a lot. And these boats will capsize.
"But it's fantastic sailing on the Hauraki Gulf in Auckland and this is going to be really something."
Small teams would struggle to be part of the regatta.
"The costs involved are going to be horrific for a low-budget syndicate. Maybe between US$100-150 million, that's a tremendous amount of money to the folks in sailing. But the best sailor in the world can't win without a good boat and a good team.
Team New Zealand hit back at Dennis Conner's $217m America's Cup price tag
Team New Zealand believe a competitive budget for the next America's Cup is well below the NZ$217 million suggested by Dennis Conner.
Conner, who has won the Cup four times, said in reviewing the new 75-foot foiling monohull concept released by Team NZ he believed syndicates would need to spend between US$100-150m (NZ$145-217m) to be in the hunt for the Auld Mug in 2021.
But Dan Bernasconi, the Emirates Team New Zealand design boss, has disputed that huge figure.
He argued if that was the case then Team New Zealand "haven't got a hope" for their defence set down for Auckland.
"We're not going to be spending that much and I don't think anybody will be," Bernasconi told Sailing Illustrated as he fronted a live chat on Wednesday (NZT) with the specialist American website about the AC75 he helped mastermind.
"If he's saying it is $140-200m then we haven't got a hope as Team New Zealand."
Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar Competition
In support of SailAid UK
Our featured pub tonight is one that's well known to denizens of the Caribbean racing circuit... and a past winner of our annual award, that was in 2012.
St Maarten Yacht Club
Here's what makes it so great...
It's great because ITS STILL THERE! Despite some damage, I understand it's been somewhat damaged, but they are open for business and I can't wait to get back for their legendary Bloody Marys and the wonderful atmosphere.
Is there a special drink they make? Care to share the recipe with us?
Bloody Marys are a feast in themselves. Made of Unicorn's blood and nitroglycerin? Whatever it is, it cures the direst of hangovers.
St. Maarten is home to the VERY popular Heineken Regatta. This spring's dates for the 38th edition are March 1-4 and the event hosts have introduced a FREE concierge service to help visiting yachts with any and all needed logistics:
"We have been attracting local and international talent to this regatta since 1980 with an epic experience both on and off the water for maxi, monohull and performance multihull classes," said Regatta Director Michelle van der Werff. "We plan to continue in that spirit to make everyone's experience next year as seamless as possible when it comes to logistics. The progress of rebuilding following Hurricane Irma has been impressive, and we are confident that the island of Saint Martin will be fully prepared to welcome sailors in March. In the meantime, competitors can visit the regatta website for the most up-to-date news on what hotels, restaurants and marinas are open and taking reservations. We also urge everyone to reach out for any assistance or questions that they may have."
The Princess Juliana International Airport reopened in October and welcomes more flights each day. The French side of Saint Martin already welcomed its first cruise ship and the Port of St. Maarten is preparing to welcome cruise ships next month.
The regatta is well known for its large and competitive charter classes, and charter companies will once again bring their "A" game for the 38th edition, offering an array of different options to accommodate a range of clients. Whether competitors are looking to book a single crew space on a boat or for the full-service "soup-to-nuts" package, regatta organizers can direct sailors to the best fit.
To Register for the 2018 event, visit regattaguru.com/heineken/100237
To help the yachting industry recover from the hurricanes, please visit SailAId UK... if you wish to donate to the St. Maarten Yacht Club and Sailing School: www.smyc.com/sponsor-or-donate
Just 10 days left to send us YOUR favourite bar....
scuttlebutteurope.com/sailors-bars
Man pleads not guily to boat manslaughter at Bermuda America's Cup
A 26-year-old man has denied killing a woman by driving his boat dangerously.
Andrew Lake, of Southampton, pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of New Zealander Mary McKee in Supreme Court yesterday morning.
Ms McKee, 62, died after a marine incident in Hamilton Harbour on June 1 this year.
Mr Lake also denied causing injuries to Mrs McKee's husband, Arthur, and a second man, Charlie Watson, by driving his powerboat in a dangerous manner.
Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons released Mr Lake on bail before his trial on April 3, next year.
DRHEAM Cup- Destination Cotentin
The press conference presenting the second edition of La DRHEAM-CUP-Destination Cotentin will be held on Saturday 2 december at the Salon NAUTIC in Paris, an opportunity to officially open entries. The race will be held from Thursday 19 to Sunday 29 July 2018, it will leave from La Trinite-sur-Mer and arrive in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. One of the courses will be a qualifier for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe.
The start of the race will be given on Monday 23 July, with two courses to Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: the longest, 736 nautical miles via the Fastnet, is a qualifier for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe 2018, and will be open to larger yachts that wish to take part double handed or crewed; the second, 428 nautical miles via Wolf Rock is open to all other yachts, IRC/Osiris, mini 6.50 and "Classics", the aim being to group arrivals over two days to welcome the whole fleet with the same warmth in Cotentin.
The creator and organiser of La DRHEAM CUP-Destination Cotentin, Jacques Civilise, wants this race to be a major sporting event, held every even-numbered year, and hopes it will become a long term favourite in the international offshore racing circuit, bringing together professionals and amateurs. That is why it is "OPEN" to all: all offshore yachts over 6.50 metres can enter and the format is completely free, meaning the race can be run solo, double handed or crewed.
The aim of the organiser is also to attract crews from abroad, who will be welcomed in Brittany and Normandy, as during the first edition, which hosted teams from Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium. Entries are now officially open, crews and skippers who wish to take part in La DRHEAM CUP-Destination Cotentin are invited to register online at www.drheam-cup.com as soon as possible, to ensure they are at the start of the race in July 2018, as places are limited.
2016 Event Rankings:
The podium (all classes):
1. Arkema (Lalou Roucayrol)
2. Le Souffle du Nord (Thomas Ruyant)
3. A Capella Soreal (Charlie Capelle)
Winners by class:
Multi50: Arkema (Lalou Roucayrol)
M2K: A Capella Soreal (Charlie Capelle)
Imoca: Le Souffle du Nord (Thomas Ruyant)
Class40: Colombre XL (Massimo Juris)
Mini 6.50: Raoul Pasteque (Romain Bolzinger)
IRC: Group 5 (Patrice Carpentier)
IRC 1: Team Vendee 192-Les Parrains (Benjamin Dutreux)
IRC 2: Fleur du Sud (Patrick Molitor)
IRC Double handed: Group 5 (Patrice Carpentier)
Royal Cork preparations for 300th Anniversary
A 'Great Ocean Race,' the possibility of the oldest single-handed Transatlantic race, the Transat, having one of its legs into and form Cork; a 'Great Gathering' of cruisers with 'feeder' events form several countries, a 'Water Club Invitational Cup' event that would recall the start of sailing in Cork Harbour by the 'Water Club' - are amongst the plans being developed at the RCYC in Crosshaven to mark its 300th anniversary in 2020.
The Naval Service will be involved, fittingly as the original founders of what has become the RCYC, were based at Haulbowline. A Presidential visit and Salute by Naval vessels visiting during the sailing season of 2020, a Classic Gathering and events to involve the harbour communities are amongst the plans.
"In 1720, interest in the sport of sailing had progressed so much that 26-year-old William O'Brien, the 9th Lord Inchiquin and five of his friends got together to formalise their activities and in so doing established 'The Water Club of the Harbour of Cork.'
This club is known today as the Royal Cork Yacht Club and it is the oldest yacht club in the world," says the RCYC history. As people in Cobh will tell you, they enabled Crosshaven to establish its credentials when the then RCYC in Cobh merged with the Royal Munster YC at Crosshaven. Monkstown has also laid claim to helping the RCYC maintain that long history.
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Greg Elliot is a legend in the Southern Hemisphere where his fast, lean and utilitarian yachts are perfect for making fast passages through the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. They are superb seaboats and there design and execution is simple and robust. ZINDABAR is a good example of his craft and has been substantially updated in this ownership. A big refit in 2009 has been followed by a number of smaller upgrades to ensure that she remains ocean ready.
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