In This Issue
Brunel and Dongfeng in see-saw battle for the lead
Goodison Completes Three-Peat At Bacardi Moth World Championship
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
87-year old Robin Tattersall Sweeps Well Deserved Awards at 2018 BVI Spring Regatta
Monaco Swan One Design
RORC Easter ChallengeL Windless Easter Sunday
CYOA is Partnering with ACYR
Extreme conditions scupper day one of the 2018 Youth Nationals
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Douglas Hofstadter
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
Brunel and Dongfeng in see-saw battle for the lead
Volvo Ocean Race veteran Bouwe Bekking is predicting a photo finish to Leg 7 as his Team Brunel leads Dongfeng Race Team into the final 36 hours of what has been a massively challenging leg.
Less than six miles separate the two boats on Monday, and with 400 miles to the finish line in Itajaí, Brazil, Bekking says they are only going to get closer.
Aside from a small window where Dongfeng passed them temporarily 36 hours ago, Brunel have led Leg 7 for more than 3,000 miles through the Southern Ocean and into the South Atlantic.
Team AkzoNobel remain in a comfortable third place, 200 miles from the leaders but also with a gap of around 240 miles to fourth-placed Turn the Tide on Plastic and MAPFRE in fifth.
The back markers were today both trying to escape the clutches of the high pressure system, whose light winds are slowing their progress towards Itajaí.
The ETA for the leading pair is as early as 1500 UTC tomorrow (Tuesday), although a localised area of light winds in the finish area could push that back by several hours. Team AkzoNobel is forecast to finish 36 hours later, with the trailing pair not arriving until the weekend.
Team SHK/Scallywag continues its progress towards making landfall on the coast of Chile, while Vestas 11th Hour Racing is working through logistical options from the Falkland Islands.
Goodison Completes Three-Peat At Bacardi Moth World Championship
Hamilton, Bermuda: For the third year in a row Paul Goodison of the U.K. has won the world championship of the International Moth Class Association. Goodison, 40, achieved the feat today when the final day of racing at the Bacardi Moth World Championship in Bermuda was canceled due to lack of wind.
Goodison previously won the Moth Worlds in Japan in 2016 and last year in Italy. He became the second skipper in the 77-year history of the regatta to win three consecutive titles, matching fellow British sailor David Izatt from 1979 to 1981.
Along with the three Moth world championships Goodison has also won an Olympic Gold medal in 2008 in the Laser class and the Laser World Championship in 2009.
Francesco Bruni of Italy, a teammate of Goodison's with Artemis Racing, placed second overall and Rome Kirby of the U.S., who sailed with Oracle Team USA last year in the America's Cup, finished third.
Final top ten:
(After 6 races, with one discard)
1. Paul Goodison (GBR) 1-1-(DNC-45)-1-2-1 - 6 points
2. Francesco Bruni (ITA) (13)-7-3-3-3-3 - 19
3. Rome Kirby (USA) (7)-2-6-5-5-5 - 23
4. Brad Funk (USA) 3-3-(7)-7-6-6 - 25
5. Victor Diaz de Leon (USA) 4-6-5-8-9-(10) - 32
6. Ted Hackney (AUS) 14-(15)-2-6-11-2 - 35
7. Benoit Marie (FRA) 8-4-9-10-8-(11) - 39
8. Dan Ward (GBR) 6-5-(12)-11-12-9 - 43
9. Ben Paton (GBR) (45-DNF)-24-8-9-4-7 - 52
10. Iain Jensen (AUS) 5-(45-DNC)-1-2-1-45 DNF - 54
Complete results: www.mothworlds.org/bermuda/results/
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
George David (USA)
Last month's winner:
George David (USA)
‘What an amazing competitor in our sport. From the Admiral’s Cup on Idler decades ago to breaking records on Rambler last month. An example to us all’ - Peter Morton; ‘The harder it blows the happier he is’ - Joca Signorini; ‘I could not think of a better person to win this... all his programmes are slick but he also manages to keep it all balanced... that’s rare at this level’ - Nathan Hislop; ‘He very nearly drowns in the Irish Sea in 2011 and then he’s straight back and right into it again, gutsy guy - Jo Newton.
This month's nominees:
Steve Benjamin (USA)
Long overdue... and not just because he’s recently given young Trevor Davis (son of) a well-deserved break by signing him up to his Etchells programme... nice touch, though. While racking up a seemingly non-stop stream of major trophies, going all the way back to before his 470 Olympic silver medal at LA in 1984, Benj has been giving to the sport in every area from ocean racing administration to junior programmes to grand prix regattas
Susie Goodall (GBR)
This year’s (and next’s!) Golden Globe Race is going to be a huge event for sailing even if sailing doesn’t know it yet and Goodall is the only female entrant after several others fell by the wayside during a rigorous qualifying and preparation period. There can be little direct affinity with the original event that took place more than 20 years before she was born but Susie rates among the best-prepared for this one. And backed by DHL too...
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
87-year old Robin Tattersall Sweeps Well Deserved Awards at 2018 BVI Spring Regatta
Tortola, British Virgin IslandsL On the final day of racing in the 47th edition of the BVI Spring Regatta, which ended on a light note along with plenty of cold beer, sunshine and smiles, the story was really about the fantastic job Nanny Cay and the regatta organizers have done to make this year's BVI Spring Regatta event happen post Hurricane Irma. 70 boats registered to race, or 83% of the number registered in 2017, and the outpour of support from the international sailing community was heartfelt. On the water, typical Caribbean conditions prevailed which made for great racing and happy customers.
Over and above winning his class, beloved 87-year old Robin Tattersall from Tortola took home two of the important Regatta awards: the International Yacht Club Challenge (he wins a free Sunsail charter boat for next year) and the Best BVI Boat award. Today, Tattersall took two more bullets in CSA Bareboat 3 with his crew on Gatos del Sol/Makin' Memories, a Sunsail 41, to win all six races sailed this week.
"We had perfect starts for the first three starts," Tattersall said. "Team Miami was quite competitive - we were mixing it up, but they are much younger than our crew which averages out over 70 years old! Our last three starts weren't great, and we weren't winning until the last legs which we did by cutting some corners - we were perhaps more comfortable going near the rocks which the other guys didn't do."
Racing started in 8 knots from the east, shifting to southeast and dropping to 4 knots by end of the day.
After racing today, the 2018 BVI Spring Regatta Awards Ceremony took place in the Regatta Village where winners from all classes and special prizes were presented by VIP guests, including the BVI Premier Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith.
The Guy Eldridge True Spirit & Enthusiasm award was granted to Nanny Cay and the Regatta Village team. It was accepted by Miles Sutherland-Pilch and Brendan Joyce (Nanny Cay), and Lou Schwartz (Village Manager)
Thanks to every participant in this year's BVI Spring Regatta - see you in 2019! Be sure to save the date: March 25th to March 31st 2019. For more information and to sign up go to: www.bvispringregatta.org
Monaco Swan One Design
The 2018 Monaco Swan One Design finished on a high. The final day delivering races of contrasting conditions, and roundly considered the best of the four days. Three races drew out the tension as the leading pairs in all the classes went head to head to determine the individual class winners and the best-placed nation. If every one of the four events comprising The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League is as close-fought at this one, competitors and fans alike are in for a treat.
With nine races completed the overall standings were as follows: Cuordileone won ClubSwan 50 by one point from Mathilde; Porrón IX stretched away in Swan 45 to win by five points, and, Far Star proved almost as good in ClubSwan 42 winning by four points. In turn, Italy maintained its grip on the Nations Trophy, with Cuordileone and Far Star proving too consistent to be upset by their rivals.
Attention in the Swan One Design fleet now turns to Sail Racing PalmaVela and the second event of The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League 2018.
The next event in the 2018 Nations Trophy Mediterranean League will be Sail Racing PalmaVela from 2 - 5 May, hosted by the Real Club Nautico de Palma.
Monaco Swan One Design 2018 - Results after 9 races
(Position, Team, Country, Owner/Driver, Results, Total)
ClubSwan 50
1. Cuordileone (ITA), Leonardo Ferragamo, 19
2. Mathilde (SUI), Morten Kielland, 20
3. Skorpidi (RUS), Andrey Konogorov, 28
Swan 45
1. Porrón IX (ESP), Luis Senis, 11
2. Ange Transparent (SUI), Valter Pizzoli, 16
3. Miss K Checkmate (ITA), Piermarco Babando, 29
ClubSwan 42
1. Far Star (ITA), Lorenzo Mondo, 13
2. Digital Bravo (ITA), Alberto Franchi, 17
3. Mela (ITA), Andrea Rossi, 25
The Nations Trophy
1. Italy (8) [Cuordileone 5; Far Star 3]
2. Switzerland (6) [Mathilde 4; Ange Transparent 2]
3. Russia (5) [Skorpidi 3; Bronenosec 2]
RORC Easter Challenge: Windless Easter Sunday
Conditions caused racing to be cancelled on the third and final day of the RORC Easter Challenge.
At 0900 when the decision was announced, PRO Stuart Childerley explained: "Currently we have less than five knots on the Solent and we have a lot of flood tide for the next hour and a half which will be very hard for the boats to make over the ground in that wind strength.
"Then as the tide improves for a very short window the wind is forecast to drop to nothing and then the tide will deteriorate. So the long term future for the day is not good and the current conditions are not sailable. In view of it being a training regatta, Easter Sunday and having had two really good days, let's make a decision and move on."
The prizegiving for the Royal Ocean Racing Club's training regatta and domestic season opener was held at their Cowes clubhouse at 1030 .
Coming away most laden with chocolate was Tony Dickin's crew on the FAST40+ Jubilee, which won straight bullets in IRC Zero.
Significantly this was also the first event for the new Performance 40 class. Supported by North Sails, Performance 40s must fall within an IRC TCC rating band of 1.070-1.145 (this compares with 1.210 to 1.270 for a FAST40+), hull length of 11.15m-14.1m, DLR 130-200 and maximum draft of 2.65m.
In third and fourth places were two First 40s, Jock Wishart skippering Rob Bottomley's Adventurer out of Sailplane to third place, finishing six points ahead of RORC Admiral Andrew McIrvine's La Réponse.
Perhaps smartest crew was that of James Chalmer's J/35 Bengal Magic which made the call early not to race Easter Sunday having taken the lead after yesterday's four races in IRC Two.
The most impressive display of consistency was once again Sam Laidlaw and his supreme team on the Quarter Tonner Aguila, which claimed straight bullets in IRC Three to win the smallest class for a fourth consecutive year.
Aguila is currently the Quarter Tonner to beat having won the Coutts Quarter Ton Cup in 2017. One of the reasons for her success is having had a consistent crew for the last seven seasons, comprising Brett Aarons, Dan Gohl, Tom Forrester-Coles and Robbie Southwell.
The next event in the next event in the RORC calendar is the Cervantes Trophy starting on 5 May while the inshore program continues with the Vice Admiral's Cup over 18-20th May.
CYOA is Partnering with ACYR
We've been fans of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta for a long time, and we're thrilled to announce that the Classic Yacht Owners Association (CYOA) is partnering with ACYR. This partnership is in perfect alignment with our goal of helping shape the future of classic yacht racing by cultivating long-term regional cooperation, and this iconic event, now in its 31st year, is the crown jewel of classic yachting in the Caribbean.
CYOA will be presenting the prize to the overall winner of the regatta, and we will be co-hosting, together with the Admiral's Inn, the exclusive Owners' Cocktail Party at Boom! on Saturday evening.
Learn more about the event at antiguaclassics.com
List of expected entries: www.antiguaclassics.com/registration/#2018-Expected-Entries
Extreme conditions scupper day one of the 2018 Youth Nationals
The pursuit of a 2018 RYA Youth National Championship title was put on hold for the eager young sailors in Largs, Scotland, as the full racing schedule was postponed on day one.
For the 227 sailors at the premier youth event, a tilt at a national title will have to wait for another day as PRO Ian Bullock announced that the weather conditions posed too great a risk for racing to take place as multiple forecasts have the winds above 25 knots gusting to over 40 with a wind chill of -5.
"Safety is paramount when it comes to any regatta," Bullock said, "The race committee and local experts all came together to unanimously decide that with the predicted wind and dramatically falling temperatures sending anyone out sailing was too big a risk.
"We appreciate that all competitors are excited to get going, but we want to make sure that is done with everyone's best interests in mind."
Weather forecasts for day two look more promising as the predicted winds begin to drop to racing levels, however Bullock and the race committee will continue to monitor the weather before any further announcements are made.
Day two racing at the 2018 RYA Youth National Championships is scheduled to begin at 10:55 GMT on Tuesday 2 April.
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 Euan Ross:
I am not going to comment on the sad loss of a crewman in the Southern Ocean. It is impossible to understand the tragedy when key information is not yet in the public domain. Others have commented on the design of the Volvo boats, their propensity to mine the swell and their lack of on-deck protection. I do not take issue with this. But I do take issue with the well-known sailors who argue, in this context, that only 'insiders' have the right to voice an opinion.
Well-informed, experienced observers can legitimately take issue with deck-layouts from the displacement era atop planning hulls, despair as keels keep falling off, doubt the reliability of glued-on fastening, discuss the insipient hazards of foiling, question the logistics of solid wing masts, and indeed raise doubts generally about the elitism that bedevils our sport. Of course, we need dedicated specialists, but we also need the checks and balances supplied by the view from outside the bubble. The greater community of 'outsiders' incorporates a reservoir of technical resources, a range of alternative perspectives and a world of common sense. And this applies to every aspect of life, not just yachting.
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The Last Word
Hofstadter's Law: It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstadter's Law. -- Douglas R. Hofstadter
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