In This Issue
Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - the Mono Rhum Class
Exciting new 18ft Skiff Season
RigPro re-launches its service offering
Fleet Gathers for 2018 Farr 40 World Championship Oct 6-9
Australian wins Farr 40 Pre-Worlds Corinthian trophy
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Figaro Beneteau 3, 2019 Boat of the Year
RS Elite Association 2019 National Championship
Nab Tower Race
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Baba Rum Raisin
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 [AT] scuttlebutteurope [DOT] com
Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - the Mono Rhum Class
One month to go until the start of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe. On November 4, 124 skippers will be leaving St Malo in Brittany to take on the 3,542-nautical mile course to Point-à-Pitre on the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.
For the first time since the creation of the Route du Rhum, all the monohulls that are not in the IMOCA or Class40 divisions are grouped together: the Rhum Mono class consists of 17 solo skippers who come to St Malo to sail in the footsteps of Kriter V, the famous "black cigar" of Michel Malinovski who came so cloe to winning the first edition of the race in 1978.
Among these monohulls are three celebrity boats that have made their mark: Kriter V which was beaten by 98 seconds at the finish in Guadeloupe in 1978 after 23 days, 7 hours and 1 minute; Kriter VIII sailed for a second time this year by Wilfrid Clerton and on which Malinovski surrendered again against an armada of multihulls in 1982 after 19 days, 16 hours and 15 minutes; and the "red cigar," the ex-Helvim sailed by Jean-Luc van den Heede in the 1992 Vendée Globe, skippered this time by Jean-Marie Patier.
And this category also includes legendary sailors like Luc Coquelin (Rotary-Sea for All) who will line up for the sixth time on the same boat – a yacht with a fastest time of 20 days, 3 hours and 59 minutes in 2002 . Or the Italian Andrea Mura (Vento di Sardegna), winner in 2010 and second in 2014 aboard the same Open 50. There are also three other 50-footers raced by Eric Jail (The Voice of the Ocean), Nils Boyer and the West Indian regular competitor Willy Bissainte (C 'La Guadeloupe).
All these skipper-boat partnerships have chances to aim for the podium, but the faourites for the top step are two experienced pairings: Sebastien Destremeau (Alcatraz IT FaceOcean), a veteran of the Vendee Globe aboard his 60ft IMOCA and Sidney Gavignet (Happy Coffee) on a particularly quick 52-footer.
Exciting new 18ft Skiff Season
New teams, existing teams, and a return of some of the world's best 18ft skiff sailors of the past decade, will highlight the Australian 18 Footers League's exciting 2018-2019 Season, which begins on Sydney Harbour, on Sunday, 14 October.
The opening race of the season is Race 1 of the seven-race Spring Championship, with a fleet of 17 teams lining up for the challenge.
The Spring Championship will be conducted each Sunday from October 14-November 18 (inclusive) over the Australian 18 Footers League 3-buoy courses.
A spectator ferry will follow all the racing, leaving Double Bay Public Wharf, alongside the clubhouse and rigging area, at 2pm.
After the result of each race in the series, the 'handicap' allocation changes, with the final result usually coming down to the final race in the championship.
Highlight of the 2018-2019 Season will be the JJ Giltinan Championship, which will be sailed on Sydney Harbour from March 2-10, 2019.
Following the win by the New Zealand 'Honda Marine' team in 2018, the locals are determined to grab the championship trophy back and this season's fleet is the strongest for a few years.
Three-time Giltinan champion Michael Coxon returns to replace Lee Knapton as skipper of 'Smeg' while seven-times winning Giltinan skipper Seve Jarvin is also back in the 'Winning Group' team with John Winning Jr., and Sam Newton.
Last year's runner-up in the Giltinan Championship, 'Asko Appliances', skippered by James Dorron, will again be at the head of the challenge as will some of the younger teams who will gain from their experience in 2017-2018.
The fleet for the 2018-2019 Season is:
Smeg / Michael Coxon, Ricky Bridge, Mike McKensey
Yandoo / John Winning, Mike Kennedy, Cam McDonald
Asko Appliances / James Dorron, Harry Bethwaite, tba
R Marine / Simon Nearn, Cam Gundy, Brandon Buynik
Appliancesonline.com.au / Brett Van Munster, Phil Marshall, Kurt Fatouris
Rag & Famish Hotel / Bryce Edwards, Rory Cox, Jacob Broom
The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines / Arom Everett, Courtney Maher, Geoff Little
Lumix / Tom Anderson, John Walton, Nick Daly
Vintec / Kirk Mitchell, Daniel Barnett, Tim Westwood
The Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone / Jordan Girdis, Lachlan Doyle, Tom Quigley
Dal Zotto / Jack Sprague, Tim Narborough, Josh Feldmann
Noasesailing / Sean Langman, tba, tba
Finport Trade Finance / Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Charlie Gundy
Ilve / Jono Whitty, Pedro Vozone, Tim Lake
Winning Group / John Winning Jr, Sam Newton, Seve Jarvin
Bing Lee / Micah Lane, Peter Harris, Mark Kennedy
Tba / Yvette Herirage, Richard Heritage, Daniel McLachlan
Frank Quealey
Australian 18 Footers League
http://www.18footers.com
RigPro re-launches its service offering
RigPro, the Southern Spars, Future Fibres and Hall Spars service organisation, announces the launch of its new service offering and brand, underpinned by a new business strategy with customer experience at its core.
Through this re-launch, RigPro aims to become the number one choice rig and rigging service and engineered solutions provider with a strong commitment to having the highest standards of customer care and service.
RigPro plans to expand to more locations through a global franchise, introduce a 24/7 emergency response service, strengthen its presence at regattas and expand its service design engineering practice – all with the goal of becoming more responsive.
Building upon their already superior technical expertise, a new and unique three-tiered rigger certification will be launched as well as an apprenticeship programme to develop the next generation of riggers.
As an integrated part of the North Technology Group´s mast businesses, RigPro has 24/7 access to their global database of yachts, as well as their superior engineering design capabilities. This will give RigPro and their franchisees the unique ability to provide engineered solutions above deck, upgrades and modifications.
Commenting on the re-launch Stefano Scarpa, RigPro Director of Service, said:
"This is an exciting change for RigPro and marks a strategic milestone in our future direction. It confirms our commitment to a superior level of service for which there is high demand within the sailing community."
To read the full press release please go to: bit.ly/2O919aE
Fleet Gathers for 2018 Farr 40 World Championship Oct 6-9
Chicago, IL USA: Alex Roepers is extremely proud of each and every one of the three world championships he's captured as an owner-driver within the prestigious Farr 40 Class Association.
If Roepers and his top-notch team aboard Plenty can secure another world title this year off Chicago it might mark their crowning achievement. That's because the talent and depth of the fleet gathered in the Windy City is perhaps the most formidable in recent class history.
Five past world champions are among the 14 entries representing five different countries that will compete in the 2018 Farr 40 World Championship, being hosted by Chicago Yacht Club. Roepers, the two-time defending world champ, knows Plenty is the pre-regatta favorite based off past performance only.
"This is the largest fleet we've seen in a while and the caliber of boats here is extraordinary," Roepers said. "It's going to be an extremely competitive event and there are no clear favorites, in my opinion. We are looking forward to a great regatta and know the winner of this world championship will have really accomplished something special."
Renowned professional and two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Terry Hutchinson is once again serving as tactician aboard Plenty, which claimed its first world crown in 2014 on San Francisco Bay.
Main trimmer Skip Baxter, headsail trimmer Morgan Trubovich and bowman Greg Gendell are the other pros aboard Plenty, which won the 2016 worlds held off Sydney, Australia and the 2017 worlds contested in Porto Cervo.
Australian wins Farr 40 Pre-Worlds Corinthian trophy
The final day of pre-worlds racing was cancelled this morning due to strong winds in excess of 25-30 knots and 7 foot waves, leaving Gordon Ketelbey and the Zen crew in fourth position overall and Corinthian winner.
Dockside in the windy city, the Zen skipper was modest about the result. "It's a shame we didn't get to race today but we are pleased to walk away with the Corinthian trophy. We will go into the Worlds with the same game plan and hopefully one of the Australian teams can take the Corinthian trophy back home."
Zen Tactician David Chapman is now focussing on the main event. "We've won the Corinthian pre-worlds two years in a row. With ten Corinthian teams this year, it's the most competitive worlds to be held. We don't consider ourselves the favourites going into next week, however, we are here to win."
When asked about the Zen crew camaraderie, Chapman added, "The crew is gelling very quickly. We had a nice team bonding session at the Chicago Cubs v Colorado Rockies baseball game on Tuesday night and everyone is enjoying Chicago and looking forward to day 1."
The Farr 40 World Championships will commence on Saturday, 6 October 2018 and the forecast is predicting an average of 12-15 knots over the four days of racing on Lake Michigan, Chicago.
Seahorse October 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Transparency
It's easy to describe your latest design as a cruiser-racer but that often just means a boat that sits somewhere in between the two categories. Elan are taking a rather more scientific approach to their own product descriptions...
World news
SAM'S got several good reasons to smile, like Russell Coutts in his new life, but not like young Iker Martinez... Scott Donaldson is basically nuts, bumpy battles in Oz and a fruitful vacation in the Netherlands. Gavin Brady, Ivor Wilkins, Carlos Pich, Blue Robinson, Dobbs Davis
Rod Davis - Mood shift
You just have to treat them differently
ORC - A step in the right direction
And Matteo Polli is broadly encouraged
Seahorse build table - A (real) new boat is coming
Sebastian Carlini's gift for designing stylish but very clever sailing boats has delivered again
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.
Figaro Beneteau 3, 2019 Boat of the Year
Designed and purpose-built for solo sailing's proving ground, the Figaro Beneteau 3 puts offshore sailing trickledown into the hands of aspiring soloists and double-handers everywhere.
There is no such thing as the right boat for everyone, but there is the right boat for the right time. For today's fervent offshore racing soloists and doublehanded teammates, that boat - right here, right now - is the Figaro Beneteau 3.
This pint-sized ocean racer isn't just another cruisy crossover from Beneteau, the powerhouse of production boatbuilding. There is zero intent of comfort below its low-slung deck, unless your idea of luxury is a white, wet and noisy fiberglass cavern. It's not just a beastly Class 40 type, either. For righting moment and power, it doesn't rely on hundreds of pounds of seawater sloshing ballast tanks. For Figaro Beneteau 3, there are two unmistakable arcing carbon side foils projecting from slots in its topsides. The foils are no gimmick. Beneteau, nor Figaro face fanatics, don't do gimmicks. -- Dave Reed
Dave Reed's full review in Sail World:
www.sailingworld.com
RS Elite Association 2019 National Championship
In 2019 the RS Elite fleet will travel to Ireland to hold its National Championship as part of the popular and prestigious Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta. The regatta has been held biennially since 2005 and is the largest regatta in Ireland and the second largest in the British Isles. This is a new departure for the RS Elites which have traditionally held championships as standalone events in RS Elite clubs.
The Dun Laoghaire Nationals is anticipated to be a very popular event with high quality racing and race management combined with the traditional RS Elite social scene but with the addition of the facilities provided by Dun Laoghaire's four waterfront clubs. Friends and family can enjoy the tourist attractions of Dun Laoghaire and the rest of the Dublin area. A large attendance is expected from RS Elite sailors from mainland Britain as well as the fleets in Northern Ireland.
The Notice of Race is due to be published in the first week of November with a Super Early Bird Entry (where 10% of those entered are in with a chance of having their full entry fee refunded) and an Early Bird Entry which normally runs to 31 March – the full entry fee applies thereafter. Entry fees are expected to be similar to 2017 when the Early Bird fee was €160.00 (approx £140.00) with standard entry €225.00 (approx £200.00) including lift in and out, event berthing and race fees.
Dun Laoghaire is a town rich in history and culture with a host of different things to do – with Dublin city centre less than half an hour away, it is undoubtedly a spectacular venue.
Nab Tower Race
Very light winds at the start with only 4 knots from the north, but a fair tide towards the tower helped boats clear the line.
Sadly 3 boats failed to start south of the Outer Distance Mark. One got back within the 25 minutes starting time limit, one gave up and one kept trying for 2 ½ hours only to be scored DNS.
With the light airs proceeding all the way down the Eastern Solent Crakajax radioed race control to ask if the race might be shortened!
Around 1045, just as the wind picked up to 11knots in the Eastern Approaches the first retirement was heard.
The race team (watching on the internet) noted that Cora, Lutine and Jellyfish were the first AIS tracked boats around the Tower at 1130hrs and saw that boats were now moving at an average of 6.5 knots in the Eastern Solent. At the same time the race team were entertained by model powerboats racing just inside the safety of Trinity pontoon.
The first finisher receiving line honours was Pegasus in the IRC Class. A good stream of finishers followed her. By 1530 the strong ebb tide was helping the last few boats get back to Cowes. By 1650 all IRC entered boats had made it back and just 7 ISCRS boats were still racing. Only 4 boats were out of time at 1730, most radioing their retirements.
The sell-out Nab Tower (indoor) BBQ and prize giving took place at the club. Chris Thomas the Sailing Secretary presented prizes to the race and series winners. -- Tony Taylor
Letters To The Editor - editor [AT] scuttlebutteurope [DOT] 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 Rich Hayes:
I was hoping that an expert would answer Malcolm's question about these two floating hazards from the Golden Globe Race (4188) and also the similar questions asked by John Quigley in U.S. Scuttlebutt #5174.
I heard that the French Authorities on the scene advised that a deliberate scuttling would be an offence under International Maritime Law. (Presumably an accidental one would be OK?) Should they have been burnt? That would still create a pollution problem in the ocean.
The only news I have found is: Re: Thuriya the Indian Navy hope to recover the vessel and bring her home for restoration. This is from the Hindustan Times: '[Indian Warship] Satpura is now charting course towards Tomy's badly damaged sail boat Thuriya that is around 180 km from the island [Île Amsterdam]. "The warship will check the condition of Thuriya. Some equipment has to be retrieved. We also have to see if and how we recover the sail boat," the official said';
Re: Hanley Energy Endurance the reports were that she was secured as best as possible from the elements and her AIS was left on, running on solar power.
It would be nice to have some updates from the GGR organisation.
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Grand Soleil 34. New Boat.
GS 34, the legend's return The mythical Grand Soleil 34 is a true legend: designed by Finot in the 1970s, has remained in production until the 1980's, with over 300 hulls made. Today, past and future meet in this restyling, based on the same concept as a small-big boat.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
CANTIERE DEL PARDO SPA
via Fratelli Lumiere, 34 - 47122 Forlì (FC)
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1997 CHESSEA Volvo 60. 390,000 EUR. Located in Sete, South of France.
Ex CHESSIE RACING, ex ASSA ABLOY, ex BIG ONE, this Volvo 60 was refitted with new deck giving a higher headroom of 1.93m. She has fantastic performances (up to 30 knots). She successfully entered the 1997-1998 Whitbread Race and came second at the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
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The Last Word
Beer here now. -- Baba Rum Raisin
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