In This Issue
Early advantage to Dongfeng Race Team on critical final leg
51st Newport Bermuda Race Winners Named
Fastsailing.It: Race Yacht Charter Italy And Mediterranean Sea
Beautiful 5.5 Metre racing on beautiful Lake Como
Two Weeks to End of America's Cup "Challenging Period"
Dalton wins Magnus Olsson Prize 2018
First steps (always) are exciting
Luna Rossa Stand Firm, Platoon Applying the Pressure
The Superyacht Cup Palma gets the party started as the full fleet goes into action
Three Frers generations at Argentario Sailing Week
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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
Early advantage to Dongfeng Race Team on critical final leg
The Chinese-flagged Dongfeng Race Team grabbed the early initiative on the decisive final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, ahead of overall race victory rivals Team Brunel and MAPFRE...
Three teams started the final leg of the Volvo Ocean Race on Thursday afternoon in an unprecedented dead-heat on the overall leaderboard.
And in the winner-take-all sprint from Gothenburg to The Hague, it was Charles Caudrelier's Dongfeng Race Team taking the early advantage over their rivals for the overall title, Team Brunel and MAPFRE.
While Dongfeng Race Team found a clean lane to windward for the race start, Xabi Fernández's MAPFRE and Bouwe Bekking's Team Brunel were entangled at the leeward end of the line. In fact, MAPFRE was boxed out at the line and needed to circle around before starting behind the fleet.
As the boats lined up for the early reaching stage of Leg 11, Caudrelier was in pole position for the win, vying with team AkzoNobel for the early leg lead, well ahead of his competition for overall race victory, Brunel and MAPFRE.
The race course for Leg 11 takes the boats west out of the islets dotting the entrance to Gothenburg before turning north to head to a turning mark just off the coast of Norway. Then, it's a dive south to round a mark near the Danish city of Aarhus, followed by a return north around the top of Denmark before racing south to The Hague. Numerous tactical options are in play throughout the leg, with the weather forecast promising strong winds early, and lighter conditions near the finish on Sunday.
51st Newport Bermuda Race Winners Named
The division winners of the 2018 Newport Bermuda Race were finalized today with the arrival of the remainder of the fleet, after a slow but strategically challenging race. Of the 169 boats that started in Newport on June 15th, 166 completed the 635-mile race in two to six days time (there were three retirements). After making very slow progress in the middle of the racecourse in light to non-existent winds, most of the fleet finished quickly on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
The divisional awards, as well as many other special awards, will be presented on Saturday evening by His Excellency, the Governor of Bermuda, John Rankin. Assisting will be the commodores of the clubs that co-organize the race, Brad Willauer, of the Cruising Club of America, and Jonathan Corless, of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.
The yacht Grundoon, a Columbia 50 skippered by Jim Grundy of Doylestown, Penn., will receive the St. David's Lighthouse trophy, the main prize awarded to the first finisher on handicap corrected time among the 85 entries in the St. David's Lighthouse Division. Grundoon completed the course in 112:12:19. Grundy sailed with his daughter and two sons in the crew; his father purchased Grundoon as a new boat 50 years ago, in 1968, and first entered it in the Newport Bermuda Race in 1972.
Proving that the Newport Bermuda Race is for sailboats and crews of many sizes, speeds and styles, Orca, an Island Packet 38 skippered by Harold Guidotti, of Westport, Conn., won the Finisterre Division—a 40-boat fleet for amateur entries using cruising sails—and Wizard, a Volvo Open 70 owned by brothers, Peter Askew of Riderwood, Md., and David Askew, of Sandy, Utah, won the 22-boat Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division, for high-performance, professionally crewed boats. Orca completed the course in just over five days, finishing in the early hours of Thursday morning with a time of 123:19:13. Wizard made the trip in 55:37:02, finishing on corrected time ahead of New Yorker George David's Rambler 88, which was the first boat to cross the finish line, just before sunset on Sunday night, in a time of 50:31:51.
Topping the 15-boat Double-Handed Division was Yankee Girl, a Morris Justine 36 sailed by Zachary Lee and Leif Counter, of Vineyard Haven, Mass., and Pelham, N.Y., respectively. Yankee Girl sailed the racecourse in 116:30:12 and finished first on corrected time by less than eight minutes ahead of Corvus, another Morris 36. This was Lee's second consecutive Newport Bermuda Race aboard Yankee Girl.
Multihulls were invited to join the race for the first time in 2018, with three boats competing. New Yorker Jason Carroll on Elvis, a Gunboat 62, not only won the division but completed the course as the fifth finisher in a time of 63:25:32.
Two superyachts competed, with the 112-foot Kawil, skippered by Harold "Spook" Stream of Lake Charles, La., winning on corrected time by more than five hours. The satisfaction of crossing the line six minutes ahead of Kawil on elapsed time was had by Daniel Van Starrenburg, of Bedford Hills, N.Y., who sailed his 110-foot Aurelius in an elapsed time of 104:27:32.
First of the two boats in the Open Division was Maverick, an Infiniti 46R DSS skippered by Quentin Stewart of Guernsey, GBR. The light conditions did not favor the radical 46-footer, which is outfitted with lifting foils that provide extra stability and speed when the wind is up, but the sleek British boat nonetheless completed the course 10th fastest, in 97:03:56.
Fastsailing.It: Race Yacht Charter Italy And Mediterranean Sea
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Beautiful 5.5 Metre racing on beautiful Lake Como
The combined Swiss/Italian Open began on Lake Como, Italy on Thursday 22 June with two great races in a building southerly that topped out at 12-15 knots. SUI 228, Marie Francois (Jurg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Christoph Wilke) leads from current world champions BAH 22 John B (Gavin McKinney, Mathias Dahlman, Bjorn Hansen) with SUI 213 Pengouin (Hans-Peter Schmid, Gilbert Ryf) in third.
While it is not the first time that the class has held the Swiss Championship in Italy, this event marks the first time that the Swiss and Italian championships have been combined into one event. The objective was to boost numbers on the water by attracting the largely classic Italian fleet to race against the larger Swiss fleet. And it seems to have worked with 19 boats taking part including five beautiful classic 5.5 Metres.
At the briefing at the Marina di Domaso, the event began with moment of remembrance for Swiss 5.5 sailor Rolf Kellenberger, who recently passed away.
The course area was a long way to the south with the racing run run by the Gravedonna based club, AVAL CDV.
The championship continues Friday with three races scheduled from 12.00.
Top 5 from 19
1. Marie Francois (Jurg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Christoph Wilke, Modern), SUI, 3
2. John B (Gavin McKinney, Mathias Dahlman, Bjorn Hansen, Modern), BAH, 7
3. Pengouin (Hans-Peter Schmid, Gilbert Ryf, Modern), SUI, 9
4. New Moon (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov, Modern), SUI, 10
5. Nina (Heinz Saurer, Thomas Saurer, Michael Beyeler, Modern), SUI, 10
Two Weeks to End of America's Cup "Challenging Period"
The "Challenging Period" ends on 30 June. Three challenges have been submitted and accepted:
Circolo della Vela Sicilia Luna Rossa, Challenger of Record
New York Yacht Club American Magic
Royal Yacht Squadron Racing INEOS Team UK
Other potential teams have been in the news, but none is known to have submitted a challenge:
France: Team France
USA: US One
Italy: Adelasia di Torres
China
Norway
Challenges can be accepted until 30 November 2018 with a $1 million "Late Entry Fee Payment." -- Jack Griffin
Dalton wins Magnus Olsson Prize 2018
The Mange Olsson Foundation has today announced Grant Dalton (NZL) as the winner of its prestigious award. The Magnus Olsson Prize is given annually to an individual who has made an indelible contribution to the world of sailing and previous recipients include Torben Grael (BRA), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Stan Honey (USA) and Santiago Lange (ARG).
Dalton from Auckland (New Zealand), is a leader who has showcased an ability to consistently skipper and manage successful world class teams in the sport of sailing.
Grant Dalton first started sailing at the age of eight and has raced around the world seven times - six times in the Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Race which he won twice, and the seventh lap as the winning skipper of the maxi catamaran Club Medin The Race. A keen motorcyclist, he has competed in the Isle of Man's Classic TT and GP races, in 2003 he was brought in to revitalise New Zealand's campaign for the 2007 America's Cup. He has been an instrumental leader in all subsequent challenges, including the magnificent Emirates Team New Zealand victory in the 2017 America's Cup.
"My memory of Magnus will be similar to many, many people - that huge laugh and smile, always funny, always ready for a chat and a story as well as a bit of banterabout the next coming leg of the Whitbread, and then Volvo Ocean Race.
"The fantastic part of the award is the opportunity to mentor some young up and coming sailors, which is something that no doubt I will get as much out of as they will from me. Sailing is a sport that offers so much, and it really is a privilege to impress this onto the next generation in Manges' name." Comments Grant Dalton
The Magnus Olsson Prize and the Scholarship Awards will be presented at a ceremony in Stockholm in early September.
First steps (always) are exciting
Close and intriguing start to the TP52 year. Less tight for the Fast40...
Seven of the nine new TP52s had their first racing at the PalmaVela in a 10-boat fleet in which they were joined by Paprec (Rán 2015), Phoenix 2014 and Tony Langley's Gladiator (2017).
In Palma Ado Stead replaced Ben Ainslie, probably just for the event, and the Gladiator team clearly needed time to find a new balance and motivation after Sir Ben's sudden switch to a new Cup sponsor who stipulated that a shared TP52 programme was not part of the plan. Speaking to Tony Langley, he said he could understand, given the bigger picture of the money needed to have a fair stab at winning the old mug, but nevertheless what has taken place clearly did not match how he planned his sailing for the coming year…
With six of the seven new boats racing in Palma designed by Botín Partners, there was no surprise to see these potentially appear very even in performance… but gosh are they different in detailing both on deck as well as down below.
So many ideas how the perfect TP52 shall be equipped and operated - yet almost every one of them functioned in battle from the word go with very few hiccups. Truly remarkable and a feast for the eye. I hope one of these days a photographer gets the chance to show the reader the interior of these boats; systems everywhere, like a Panamarenko artwork but in this case it all has function… and it works. A picture says more than a thousand words but I understand why the teams are not so keen on publicity right now.
Full article in the July Issue of Seahorse
Luna Rossa Stand Firm, Platoon Applying the Pressure
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
Zadar, Croatia: Tina Plattner won her first 52 SUPER SERIES race today steering Phoenix and Takashi Okura and crew on Sled triumphed for the second consecutive coastal race of this 2018 52 SUPER SERIES season but it is Luna Rossa which still lead the Zadar Royal Cup in Croatia. The Italian team which wear the Prada colours posted a solid fifth and third from a long, hot and challenging day of light winds to lie three points clear of an ominously consistent Platoon team.
The pair of second places from Harm Müller-Spreer's German flagged crew, the current world champions, were especially impressive for their steady, patient tactics in the light going, coupled to very good boat speed. Platoon's one sticky moment was when they struggled to lay the first windward mark of the coastal race during a very busy, tight rounding.
Of their first win in their first season on the 52 SUPER SERIES Tina Plattner said:
"I am a little bit lost for words that we have done so well so quickly here, I have to thank the team for getting where we have got to. Everyone on the team is really upbeat and excited. For me it is going a lot better than I expected but it is very shifty and that makes it easier if you are not right up there immediately. But we are taking it a day at a time."
Standings after four races:
1. Luna Rossa (ITA) (Patrizio Bertelli) (1,2,5,3) 11 p.
2. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) (5,5,2,2) 14 p.
3. Phoenix (RSA) (Hasso/Tina Plattner) (3,7,1,6) 17 p.
4. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) (6,4,7,1) 18 p.
5. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) (11,3,4,5) 23 p.
6. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andres Soriano) (2,9,9,4) 24 p.
7. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) (9,6,3,7) (2 penalti) 27 p.
8. Gladiator (GBR) (Tony Langley) (7,1,11,11) 30 p.
9. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto Roemmers) (4,10,10,9) 33 p.
10. Paprec Recyclage (FRA) (Jean Luc Petithuguenin) (8,8,8,10) 34 p.
11. Onda (BRA) (Eduardo de Souza Ramos) (10,11,6,8) 35 p.
The Superyacht Cup Palma gets the party started as the full fleet goes into action
Photo by Ingrid Abery, www.ingridabery.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
Following a spectacular curtain raiser to Europe's largest and longest-running superyacht regatta with the J Class yachts Svea and Velsheda in what amounted to match racing action yesterday, the entire 16-strong Superyacht Cup fleet took to the water.
Class winners last year and Superyacht Cup victors in 2016, Win Win got the party started, crossing the line bang on her allocated 1300 timeslot as part of a staggered starting sequence, heading out to the left-hand side of the course. The rest of the superyacht fraternity followed suit, starting at two-minute intervals in a light but steady breeze.
Saudade was next up, opting for the right side to the first windward mark, with Highland Fling following in Win Win's wake to complete the Class A contingent.
Bliss was the first of the seven-strong Class B - the largest at the regatta - to start racing, swiftly followed by the J Class twosome, uniquely starting together to maintain their race-within-a-race wrangle.
Class C and then the Corinthian Class D duo of Q and Scorpione of London joined the action, all heading for the first mark of the course, Silver Fern, so named in recognition of 100% New Zealand's support for the Superyacht Cup.
While the staggered starts might eliminate the drama of a crowded start line, it does nothing to detract from the intensity and focus of the racing, with all the crews aiming to wring every ounce of performance from their yachts.
The ORCsy handicapping system aims to smooth out differences in size and design. So it proved in Class A with Highland Fling demonstrating her racing pedigree to win by almost a minute and a half on corrected time ahead of Saudade after two and a half hours of racing, with Win Win only 23 seconds further back.
Racing at The Superyacht Cup Palma continues tomorrow and Saturday.
Three Frers generations at Argentario Sailing Week
Photo by Fabio Taccola. Click on image for photo gallery.
The Argentario Sailing Week 2018 regatta that wrapped up last Sunday offered 3 generations of the Frers family - grandfather German, son Mani and grandson German Jr. - a much awaited opportunity to sail together on lovely Fjord III, owned by Scott Perry and designed by German Frers Senior in 1949. On the last day of racing, 4-time Italian Olympic Medal Champion and current member of the Italian Olympic Committee Alessandra Sensini also joined the all-star crew to share her knowledge of local weather and racecourse expertise.
Mani Frers recalled how he got the idea to take part in the Tuscan leg of Panerai Classic Yacht Challenge with his father and his son. “I was sailing on Folly and I realized that we, as a family, had never sailed together so I proposed a family reunion of sorts. Argentario Sailing Week seemed like a perfect opportunity to come together and race.” Each of the three Frers then shared what the family values and heritage of the previous generation had passed on to them.
German Frers was the first to talk about his father’s legacy, “German Frers Senior was a very good man with a great heart. He talked lot and sailed even more. His yachts have been studied from every angle and his defining trait was harmony. My father’s gift to me was teaching me to be passionate about what I do and the magic he put into his drawings is what has inspired me over the years. I have seen great changes, just think of the transition from pencil drafting to computer-generated design. But one aspect that has not - and will not - ever change is that of creating connections with everyone putting boat together; and respecting the people who work for and with us is at the heart of our vision. I am proud of the fact that as a family we have managed to carry on the magic,” he concluded.
Next, son Mani Frers spoke of his father’s life lessons. “My father German is a man of very few words, who leads by example. If you go into any marina you can immediately identify the yachts he has designed; they just stand out for their elegance. As a child, I remember my dad would bring home wood scraps from the boatyard and let us use his tools to build anything we could imagine, encouraging us to be creative. We are used to doing things together and enjoy it. For many years, we had a family cruising boat and my son German first sailed on her when he was just 6 months old. Her name was Heroina, in memory of the original frigate Heroina that fought in the Falklands War in 1841 and that belonged to my great-great-grandfather. My father has taught me to embrace the passion and fun of sailing while relentlessly striving to improve. At all times.”
Finally, the youngest of the Frers - 18-year-old German Junior, also contributed to the discussion “I have lived on boats for most of my life and sailing has taught me to live fully in the moment. However, what my father and grandfather have taught me is that boat lines need to be good for sailing but that at the same time lines must be sweet on the eyes.”
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The Last Word
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