In This Issue
Star Worlds
Four Endeavour Trophy wins in a row for Saxton and Lewis
Future Fibres Official Partners to the Yacht Racing Forum
Team Racing This Weekend - Challenge for the Amorita Cup
GC32 Med Cup: Triumphant in Toulon
Be part of Antigua Sailing Week 2019! 27th April - 3rd May 2019
18ft Skiffs Spring Championship, Race 1
2018 Etchells World Championship - Brisbane AUS
The 34th Pineapple Cup
Fred Espey 1933-2018
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Dr. Seuss
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
Star Worlds
Oxford Maryland, USA: Jorge Zarif and crew Guilherme de Almeida (BRA) are the 2018 Star World Champions. At 26 years of age, Jorge, the son of a Brazialian Srar sailor of the same name, is the youngest winning skipper since Alex Hagen (GER) won the prestigious trophy in 1981.
The final day was challenging with 40 degree wind shifts and up to 25 knots of wind and a very steep, 3 foot, chop. The race committee had their hands full setting the course causing several recalled and postponed starts. In the end, the fleet was on the water from 09:30 to 18:30 to get races and 5 and 6 and the championship completed.
After doing the math Friday night, I realized that Arthur and I had only a very slim, mathematical, chance to win. We would have to beat Zarif In both races and remain in the top 3 in both races.
As we headed to the race course we had every intention of doing just that. In the first race, we got off to the left side and the wind shifted 30 degrees to the right. We came around the first mark in the 20's and headed downwind. Halfway down the run, we swamped the boat. As the boat was now sitting lower in the water, the automatic bailers could not bail the boat before we took another wave over the bow. Realizing this would likely be our discard race, I decide not to risk breaking the mast and retire from that race in order to be able to compete in race 6.
Zarif also sailed his discard with a 14th while Melleby/Revkin finished 7th. Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi (ITA) won this windy and rough race.
Going into the final race no one really was sure of the points as their had been a number of boats disqualified under the black flag at the start of race 5, making the point counting that much more difficult.
Tomas Hornos, with Pedro Trouche crewing, won the final race with Melleby close in second Zarif finished fourth and Arthur and I in 6th.
While we came to Oxford to win, we are reasonably satisfied with our result. I first raced in the Star World championship 40 years ago at my home club, St. Francis, in San Francisco. There as a 19 year old crew, I finished 4th with boat builder Bill Gerard. That experience hooked me on the class of boat that has made me the sailor I am, led me to the career I have had and in which I will sail on for life. Here in Oxford, some more young people have become hooked on sailing thanks to the Star Class.
Next stop for us is the SSL Finals in Nassau in early December. -- Paul Cayard
2018worlds.starchampionships.org
Four Endeavour Trophy wins in a row for Saxton and Lewis
Royal Corinthian YC, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex: Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis have won the 2018 Endeavour Trophy for the fourth time in succession with an impressive scoreline of six wins.
Although Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey representing the Merlin Rocket class were the ones who managed to break Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis' complete domination of the event, they could do nothing to affect the overall standings of the super-fast serial Endeavour champions, and had to settle for second place overall, while Maria Stanley and Alan Roberts (RS200) took third.
After leading at the first windward mark, and winning every race yesterday, on the opening day of the 2018 Endeavour Trophy championship series, Saxton and Lewis were forced to take a third place in the second race of the day (race 6) after a startline error, and consequential penalty turns.
Although it didn't take long for them to work their way up the fleet into third place in today's lighter airs, they were unable to catch, Birrell and Brearey who finished nearly a minute ahead of Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore (RS800) in second. Saxton and Lewis also nearly missed the first race of the day while carrying out running repairs to their gooseneck but again, it didn't seem to affect their speed and they went on to win that one too.
Six-time former Endeavour champion, Nick Craig, sailing with Emma Clarke, who finished fourth overall said they were just a bit off the pace all weekend, even in the windy conditions yesterday. "It was tough because I just feel a bit big for the boat, so we couldn't really get going. In today's conditions I was never hiking but the crews in all the boats around us were. However, it is always great racing and it was good to be racing with Emma who certainly knows how to sail an RS200."
With considerably less wind today, it was ideal conditions for the lighter weight, young teams including William Pank and 14 year old Seb Getto (RS Feva) who scored an impressive fourth and an eighth, and the all-girl Optimist team of Emily Mueller (15) and Flo Brellisford (15). The girls, who sailed well and survived yesterday's big winds, went out today and scored their best result of the weekend - a seventh. -- Sue Pelling
Overall Results (seven races, six to count)
1. Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis, 6pts
2. Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey (Merlin Rocket) 14pts
3. Maria Stanley and Alan Roberts (RS200) 20pts
4. Nick Craig and Emma Clarke (D One) 29pts
5. Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore (RS800) 38pts
6. Jonny and Sarah McGovern (470) 40pts
Full results: royalcorinthian.co.uk/result/2018-11-1047-0/
Future Fibres Official Partners to the Yacht Racing Forum
Future Fibres is pleased to announce that it will be exhibiting at the Yacht Racing Forum next week as Official Partners to the event. The Forum is the leading annual conference for the business of sailing and yacht racing, taking place in Lorient on 22-23 October.
Future Fibres is committed to continued innovation, with a determination to progress the sport of sailing. The Yacht Racing Forum is the perfect platform to connect with the greatest minds and athletes in the industry, who all have this same ambition.
At the conference Jonathan Duval, Future Fibres R&D Manager, will be presenting our latest innovations in composite rigging. You can hear his talk at the Design and Technology Symposium on Monday 22nd. At our stand you can also find our salesmen Miles Amin and Erik Bernstrom as well as Head of the Design Team, Nick Christensen.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Team Racing This Weekend - Challenge for the Amorita Cup
The Amorita Cup is one of the oldest team racing trophies in existence having first been sailed for in 1939 between the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (now Bermuda team) and a United States team. The race was created to take place in the new International One Design boat. Frederick Hoyt, a renowned sailor from the Larchmont Yacht Club, deeded the Cup in 1937. However, it has laid dormant for the past several years and Bermuda is thrilled to start up this competition once again.
The U.S. team comprises of Jim Bishop Jr. and Elliott Wisler (co-skippers), Jennifer Miller and John Evans. Jim Bishop Jr. is the son of legendary IOD and Bermuda Race sailor Jim Bishop Sr.. Jim Jr. has a ton of experience in sailing the IOD as does his co-helm Elliott Wisler who is a past IOD World Champion. Jennifer Miller has been a mainstay in the Long Island Sound Fleet and follows in her father's footsteps in her commitment to sailing the IOD. She has a lifetime of experience in sailing these boats. The final American competitor is John Evans who splits his time sailing in North East Harbor and Long Island Sound. He recently competed in the IOD North American's in Chester Nova Scotia and finished 3rd in the very competitive regatta.
The Bermuda team comprises of veterans of our local fleet led by perennial fleet champion and international competitor Patrick Cooper. He is joined by Kevin Horsfield who will have a mix of youth and experience on his boat. The third boat will be helmed by Ray DeSilva the current Bermuda Fleet President. Ray also has international experience from his youth competing in the 470 representing Bermuda along with Blythe Walker. "The Bermuda IOD fleet is excited about renewing the Team Racing for the Amorita Cup against the Long Island Sound IOD Fleet. As the 2 original IOD class fleets we are continuing the tradition of team racing that started in 1939 when the Amorita Cup was first raced for in Bermuda", Bermuda IOD Spokesperson.
Sailing starts on Saturday Oct.13th and finishes on Sunday Oct. 14th. The race format is 3 boats versus 3 boats and the best 4 out of 7 races will win the trophy. It should be a fun filled and exciting weekend for everyone.
For more information please contact SailingOffice [AT] rbyc [DOT] bm or 441-294-6716
GC32 Med Cup: Triumphant in Toulon
INEOS TEAM UK finished the GC32 Racing Tour 2018 on a high by taking victory at the GC32 Med Cup in Toulon. This, the British team's second title of the season, meant they finished the Tour second overall, despite missing the opening event.
The French coast served up extreme conditions all week and today was no different as the fleet headed out in 20+ kts of breeze and choppy sea state. Unfortunately, with the conditions worsening and the wind strength at racing limit, Principal Race Officer Stuart Childerley made the call to send the fleet back to shore without any races completed.
It was an excellent performance by the British team in Toulon with a 50% race win percentage and no results outside of the top three in the ten races completed.
As the design process continues at the team base in The Camber, Portsmouth the INEOS Rebels with Leigh McMillan at the helm will race in San Diego this week, in the penultimate act of the Extreme Sailing Series.
Overall results
1. INEOS TEAM UK (GBR) 16 points
2. NORAUTO (FRA) 29
3. .film Racing (AUS) 34
4. ZouLou (FRA) 42
5. Argo (USA) 54
6. Frank Racing (NZL) 58
7. Realteam (SUI) 60
7. Metropole Toulon Provence Mediterranee (FRA) 72
Be part of Antigua Sailing Week 2019! 27th April - 3rd May 2019.
As summer draws to a close, what better time to start planning for #ASW52!
Join 1200 crew from 30 countries, and be part of the 52nd edition of Antigua Sailing Week. Registration is open! #RaceChaseCelebrate
18ft Skiffs Spring Championship, Race 1
Click on image for photo gallery.
Sydney Harbour: The Australian 18 Footers League's 2018-2019 Season got off to a great start on Sydney Harbout today when the Sean Langman led Noakesailing team took out Race 1 of the Spring Championship, which was sailed in a 14-17 knot North East wind.
Langman and his crew Ed Powers and Nathan Edwards, came from behind on the first lap of the course to defeat Bing Lee (Micah Lane, Mark Kennedy, Dave Slennett) by 1m35s, with Finport Trade Finance (Keagan York, Matt Stenta, Charlie Gundy) a further 1m21s back in third place.
The early race leader Rag & Famish Hotel (Bryce Edwards) finished in fourth place, followed by Vintec (Kirk Mitchell) and Yandoo (John Winning).
The young Rag & Famish crew continued to pressure the more experienced Noakesailing team but Sean Langman and his team were unstoppably as they completed the final lap of the course to score a clear win.
A few problems on the run home ruined a very good performance by the Rag & Famish team, which fell back to finish in fourth place, behind Bing Lee and Finport.
The racing for the first day of the season was excellent and it is obvious that this is going to be one of the best seasons for some years.
A mixture of experienced and new young teams will make it difficult picking a winner each weekend.
Race 2 of the Spring Championship will be sailed next Sunday. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
2018 Etchells World Championship - Brisbane AUS
Olympian, World Champion and America's Cup living legend, John Bertrand AO, is just one of the stars lining up for the 2018 Etchells World Championship. The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in the Brisbane suburb of Manly will host the 95-boat strong armada, as they tussle it out to see which crew reigns supreme.
Racing begins in earnest on Sunday October 21 and concludes on Saturday October 27, yet many will also take part in the Queensland State Championship that serves as a pre-worlds warm up. This regatta runs from October 14 to 16 inclusive, yet is often the one you do not want to win, for it seems to put a hex on your chances of taking out the big one.
The Etchells are a strict One Design craft for three sailors, or four smaller individuals, with the latter being critical to attracting female and youth athletes to the class. This year they celebrate their 50th year, having been designed by Skip Etchells back in the 60s. Whilst that may be considered old hat by some, the aluminium masts and symmetrical spinnakers that adorn these slipperiest of craft that require superfine tuning, and are so loved by some of the best sailors the world has ever seen.
This year alone the regatta has almost ten former Etchells World Champions amongst the fleet, and then there are best on the planet from other classes like the iconic 18-footers, as well as Olympic Medallists, America's Cup veterans, and winners from the Everest of sailing, the round the world events like the Volvo Ocean Race. Apart from the overall win, crews also compete in the Senior, Master, Grand Master and Corinthian divisions, where appropriate.
The 34th Pineapple Cup
As preparations continue in earnest we're excited to see the entry list continue to grow and with several Class40s, a Volvo Ocean Race winner and the super fast racer cruiser Gunboat 60. The 34th edition of the Pineapple Cup looking likely to be the most exciting yet!
The news that the entry list continues to expand is boosted by the confirmation that Bainbridge International return for their second edition as a Gold Level Race Partner! Read on below to learn more about Bainbridge and how they can help you with equipment, sail cloth and more!
One of the oldest offshore races on the calendar, The Pineapple Cup - Montego Bay Race started in 1961, making 2019 the 34th edition of the venerable 811 nautical mile race.
Immediately after the start, racers cross the Gulf Stream for the Northwest Providence Channel. The middle of the race offers a fetch down the eastern side of the Bahamas Island Chain toward the tip of Cuba. The final stretch is typically a sailor's dream: a 240-mile downwind sleigh ride from Cuba's eastern tip, known as the Windward Passage, to the finish at Montego Bay.
Fred Espey 1933-2018
Fred Espey of Dun Laoghaire, who has died aged 85, was best-known in sailing as Commodore of the Royal Irish Yacht Club from 2001 to 2004, the culmination of many years of service to the club in a variety of roles. Yet while his quiet-spoken charm and ready hospitality enabled him to fulfil the demanding role of Commodore with the complete support of his wife Eileen, these official duties only temporarily obscured the fact he was very much a man of the Dun Laoghaire waterfront, enjoying the company of others who, like himself, were proficient in the ways of boats and their equipment, and in the skills of the sea.
Although the family home of his boyhood was in Dublin where Ringsend is verging into Ballsbridge and he went to school in St Andrew's, he lived for the summers spent in Dun Laoghaire with relatives whose house was next door to the legendary "gentleman boatbuilder" Skee Gray. In Skee's workshop, young Fred was soon acquiring boatbuilding skills which he continued to practice for much of his long life.
The breadth of his knowledge of boats and how they function was further demonstrated when Dublin Bay SC decided to take a pioneering step in acquiring a catamaran for their Committee Boat. This in time became Mac Lir, and one of the prime movers in the project, Fintan Cairns, recalls that a first port of call for advice was an informative and detailed conversation with his friend Fred Espey.
He retired from the animal feeds business while still young enough to develop his interest in diving into an underwater contracts business, but as ever there were unexpected spinoffs. One day in checking moorings in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, he discovered the long-sunken hull of a 19ft Squib keelboat. Nobody was interested in claiming it, so in his spare time, he renovated it completely and then assembled a rig from the remains of a broken Dragon mast.
It was a passion which he has passed down the generations, as his eldest son David is one of the leading figures in the Classic Yachts movement, both in Dublin Bay and internationally. He and his siblings Alan and Helen have also seen the loss of their mother Eileen two-and-a-half years ago. Our heartfelt condolences are with them at this sad time and with Fred Espey's ten grandchildren and his recently-arrived great-grandson James.
In his quiet yet determined way, Fred Espey was a very special one-off, and he will be much missed by his many friends in the sailing community. -- WM Nixon
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 John Burnie:
I write (yet again) to bemoan the fact that one of the UK's greatest single - handed stars is still being given pretty poor recognition on the worldwide stage. In the recent article "Class 40's - An Atlantic Armada" Phil Sharp gets a barely associated mention at the very end of a list of what looks like a group of also-rans. Can they be referring to the same Phil Sharp who in 2006, with a privately funded production yacht, beat the great Gidas Morvan by nearly two days in the Class 40 division to take the overall prize?
2006 was the first year the Class 40s raced as a group. No less than 25 yachts participated in the new monohull class which included some of the best known French single handed sailors of the era. There have been two Route du Rhum events run since then, in 2010 and 2014, with 40+ yachts participating in the 40 class and a record being set in 2014. However - I still find it extremely churlish, if not astonishing, that the recent press release by the event organisers (published in Scuttlebutt #4194) completely fails to recognise one of the race's extremely worthy (and recent) past winners.
And one who has actually taken the trouble to enter the event again - the press release does not even credit Phil as a previous entrant! Is it really that unpalatable to certain people we have an extremely talented "rosbif" on the circuit? Or is its case of requiring the noble words of Lance Corporal Jones where he states "they don't like ********!!"
… and then again! Phil recently "whupped all the local boys" to take the Class 40 Championships for a second year in a row. A not insignificant matter the recent media release considers too trivial to mention.
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The Last Word
I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. -- Dr. Seuss
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