In This Issue
• Defi Atlantique
• Ultim 32/23 Class: What Lies Behind Their Schedule
• Royal Thames YC sailing office vacancy
• 50th Anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's Golden Globe Victory
• Cory Sertl Elected President Of Us Sailing's Board Of Directors
• Nigel Irens delivers the Cruising Association's Hanson Lecture
• North Sea Regatta 2019 Schedule
• Industry News
• Featured Brokerage
• The Last Word: John Pinette
Brought to you by Seahorse magazine and YachtScoring.com EuroSail News 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] eurosailnews [DOT] com
Defi Atlantique
Almost a week after his victory on the first stage of the Defi Atlantique, the crew of Aïna Enfance et Avenir is about to start the second and last part of the race: 1300 miles between the Azores and La Rochelle.
The second leg started Monday at 15:00 (Paris time). Aymeric Chappellier, Rodrigue Cabaz and Eric Quesnel, who enjoy a 9 hour lead over their competitors in the standings, will hope to do as well as in the first stretch to win in La Rochelle, the home port of the skipper.
A total of 32 sailors are spread across 12 boats, in teams of either two or four, sailing in Class40 boats.
Top five in leg two
1. AINA Childhood and future, Aymeric Chappellier, 1 213.2 nm to finish
2. Campaign France, Miranda Merron, + 7.9 nm to leader
3. Enel Green Power, Andrea Fantini, + 8.2 nm
4. Made in Midi, Kito De Pavant, + 9.1 nm
5. Scouting spirit, Marc Dubos, + 11.4 nm
Ultim 32/23 Class: What Lies Behind Their Schedule
On Tuesday in Paris, the Ultim 32/23 class unveiled its calendar for the next five years. They will be competing in two round the world races, including the Brest Oceans as the climax at the end of 2023, several transatlantic races, a race around Europe and this autumn, a double-handed 14,000 mile race across the North and South Atlantic.
After the accidents in the Route du Rhum, which led to the postponement of the Lorient-Bermuda Race and the Brest Oceans, the solo round the world race initially scheduled for late 2019, and then the refusal of the Transat Jacques Vabre to allow the maxi trimarans to compete, the Ultim 32/23 class had to respond. After the problems they encountered during the winter of 2018, they are bouncing back with a new, ambitious 5-year programme. "It took a long time," admitted Patricia Brochard, the class president. The programme was supposed to have been announced two months ago, but it took a while for Banque Populaire to sign up again, and to analyse together the accidents in the Route du Rhum, while consulting towns and partners about the right choice of dates. It would seem that the reaction from Brest was the deciding factor: "They could have forced us to organise the solo round the world race in 2021," explained Thomas Coville, whose Sodebo Ultim 3 has just sailed for the first time. "But they were exemplary. The possibility of postponing the race until 2023 meant that the situation became much clearer."
They needed to find a replacement for the Transat Jacques Vabre. That was why Brest Atlantiques was created, a way of thanking the city at the tip of Brittany. This non-stop double-handed triangular race across the Atlantic will go from Brest to Brest with two islands to round near Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town. A voyage halfway around the world on waters they know well (almost 14,000 miles). "It was vital to stay in the Atlantic this year to ensure the safety of the sailors and boats if there is a problem," explained Cyril Dardashti, head of Gitana Team.
It has been suggested that there is not enough upwind sailing to test the trimarans. "At 45 knots in the trade winds, they will be tested in any case!" replied Francois Gabart. "The aim of the Brest Atlantiques is to clock up the miles and get to know the boats, without breaking them. That doesn't mean it won't happen, but the goal is to have a real battle between the boats all the way to the finish."
Royal Thames YC sailing office vacancy
An events management role has become vacant based at the sailing office at 60 Knightsbridge reporting to the Chief Sailing Officer, Richard Ambler.
The role is fast paced and varied managing sailing events both in Cowes and at Queen Mary reservoir and also at the Clubhouse in Knightsbridge. The candidate should have a background in event management and a knowledge and interest of sailing. Some weekend and evening work will be required for which time in lieu will be granted.
Interested candidates should send a CV and cover letter with current salary to sailing [AT] royalthames [DOT] com
50th Anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's Golden Globe Victory
22 April, 2019, marks an astounding 50 years since Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, and his yacht, Suhaili, returned to Falmouth after an epic 312 days at sea, securing him in global history as the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world.
An inspiring story of the underdog who went on to inspire the nation and a generation of ocean racers, he was written off by most before he even started and faced many challenges along his journey. From raising his own funds and building his own yacht, to facing 80-foot waves in the remote Southern Ocean, battling appendicitis, carrying out repairs in shark infested waters, and eventually losing all radio contact. Robin was presumed lost at sea for over four months before being reported by a British tanker vessel just weeks from the finish line.
In celebration of this pioneering achievement in global sailing and adventure history, which took place during the year of the first moon landing; a programme of public celebration events will take place over Easter in Falmouth. These include a special parade of sail on Monday 22 April during which Sir Robin and Suhaili, escorted by a flotilla of supporting vessels, will recreate the historic moment they crossed the finish line, and returned home.
Events schedule:
Thursday 18 April
0800, Gosport Premier Marina:
Sir Robin departs Hampshire for Falmouth on board Suhaili, which he has hand restored to its former glory. Interviews/photos available on departure.
Saturday 20 April
Sir Robin and Suhaili arrive to Falmouth with escorting flotilla: Timing TBD.
Sunday 21 April
1200 midday: North Quay, Falmouth
Sir Robin bronze footprint cast unveiled to mark his first steps back on land after 312 days at sea.
In preparation for the anniversary sail tomorrow, a flotilla of supporting yachts will assemble at St Mawes. There are 40 mooring buoys for boats up to 12m; larger boats should contact the harbour master, Martin Bidmead, on 01326 270553 or email: info [AT] stmawesharbour [DOT] co [DOT] uk
Evening: St Mawes Sailing Club, in conjunction with the Cruising Association, Little Ship Club and Clipper Ventures, welcome flotilla crews to the evening party at the St Mawes Sailing Club from 18:00 - 20:00; tickets are £25 including a donation to charity. For those not attending by boat you can also book a special charter ferry from Falmouth to St Mawes and back.
Monday 22 April
0930 - 1130: National Maritime Museum Cornwall (NMMC): "In Conversation with Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Mike Golding OBE. Opportunity to hear Sir Robin giving first-hand accounts of his epic voyage to one of the world's most accomplished offshore sailors. Tickets available, £18 pp:
The NMMC is also staging an exhibition from April 8 throughout the summer, exhibiting items and photographs from Sir Robin's personal collection as well as a commemorative documentary that is currently in production.
13.00 - 16.00: Falmouth Harbour
On the water spectacle involving Sir Robin and Suhaili, plus a flotilla of supporting vessels to re-enact the exact time (1525) Robin crossed the finish line and returned home.
Supporting vessels are welcome to join Sir Robin and Suhaili on the water, or alternatively you can view the parade from the land, Pendennis being a great spot.
Cory Sertl Elected President Of Us Sailing's Board Of Directors
The US Sailing Nominating Committee named new members of the National Governing Body's Board of Directors who were officially elected on Thursday, October 11, 2018 at US Sailing's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club. Cory Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.) was elected as the next President of US Sailing. Rich Jepsen (Alameda, Calif.) was elected Vice President.
The US Sailing President serves one three-year term. Previous US Sailing President Bruce Burton (Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.) led the organization in this role since November of 2015.
The newly elected members of US Sailing's Board of Directors are Treasurer John Schoendorf (Miami, Fla.), Select Director John Sangmeister (Long Beach, Calif.), and Directors Charlie Arms (Annapolis, Md.) and Jeffrey Johnson (San Diego, Calif.). Ron White (South Bend, Ind.) has also been retained for another term.
Sertl has had an extensive and successful sailing career both on and off the water. Her sailing experience ranges from dinghies and match racing, to one-design keelboat racing at the highest levels of national and international competition. Sertl was a U.S. Olympian at the 1988 Olympic Games as a 470 sailor, and she also launched Olympic campaigns in 1992 and 2004. She is a two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award winner in 1995 and 2001. Sertl is also a certified US Sailing Instructor Trainer and coach.
Sertl has been active on behalf of US Sailing as a delegate to World Sailing since 1995. She currently serves as a representative on the Council for North America and Chairs the Youth Events Sub Committee.
Sailing is a family activity for the Sertls. Cory and her husband, Mark have two grown children, who sailed at the college level - Katja (Boston College, 2016) and Nick (Harvard, 2018).
www.ussailing.org/news/sertl-bod-2018/
Nigel Irens delivers the Cruising Association's Hanson Lecture
Nigel Irens, a leading yacht designer, recently delivered a fascinating 2019 Hanson Lecture entitled "Slippery Boats" to a 60-strong audience at CA House in London.
Irens is well-known in yachting circles for designing Adventurer, a 34.4m (113ft) trimaran motor yacht that completed a record-breaking global circumnavigation in 1998 - the first boat voyage around the world that took less than the 80 days of Jules Verne's classic novel.
He was also the designer of another famous record-breaker, B&Q, the 75ft trimaran in which Ellen MacArthur broke the world record for a solo circumnavigation in 2005.
Expanding on the title of his lecture 'Slippery Boats', Nigel commented, "In the days of sail and oar, or even the early days of the internal combustion engine, building the most 'slippery' hull possible made perfect sense. In the last few decades though, we have seen the development of ever lighter and more powerful engines that can make a boat the shape of an average house-brick go as fast as you want."
He continued, "Unfortunately though the fuel an engine burns is strictly proportional to the power it puts out, so as we enter a world in which the cost of fuel - and concern about emissions - are becoming serious issues the smart response lies in becoming more thoughtful about how to make better use of every litre of fossil fuel burn."
There is a short interview with Nigel which is available to watch on the CA website:
North Sea Regatta 2019 Schedule
This year, the annual sailing event "North Sea Regatta" will kick off on May 28 with the well-known Vuurschepenrace starting in Scheveningen (NL) and finishing in Harwich (UK) followed by the North Sea Race hosted by the RORC, starting in Harwich (UK) and back to Scheveningen (NL). Finally the North Sea Regatta inshore races will take place off the coast of Scheveningen June 8-10.
This year we have three race courses planned. Track A for ORC 1, 2 and 3, ORC Two Handed & IRC 1 and 2, Track B for the sport boats (SB 20, ORC Sportboats, J / 70, J / 80, J / 22 & Yngling) and track C for the catamarans. The catamarans will fight it out over two days. These races are on Saturday and Sunday. Head over to your event website and portal for all the details and registration.
Event Summary
May 28th : start Vuurschepenrace Scheveningen (NL) to Harwich (UK)
May 31st : start North Sea Race Harwich (UK) to Scheveningen (NL)
June 8,9 and 10: North Sea Regatta Inshore Races
* Are you ready for one of the most fun weekends of the season? The North Sea Regatta would not be possible without the help of a large group of volunteers. We are always looking for enthousiastic people helping us both on the water as well as on shore, running races, setting courses, building and dressing the race village etc etc. there is something to do for everyone! Best of all you will have fun, make new connections and walk away with new friends! So hurry and sign up as a volunteer, as we have a special prize to give away. We will pick 5 lucky winners who have signed up before April 15 to be taken on a tour around the race course on a sporty rib. Registration Volunteers North Sea Regatta
Industry News
The European Commission has issued a notice to stakeholders that covers the impact of Brexit on the recreational and personal watercraft industries, with a particular focus on the EU's Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).
To read the notice in its entirety, click here.
Meanwhile, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) says it plans to issue its latest guidance on Brexit soon. ICOMIA members can access its most recent guidance notes, published last month, by clicking here.
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40 years after Fernhurst Books was first formed, and 6 years under new ownership, the watersports publisher has launched its new website
Unsurprisingly, it displays the company's 141 titles, with books written by such people as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Ben Ainslie, Tom Cunliffe, Saskia Clark, Lijia Xu, Jon Emmett, Arthur Ransome and many others (101 authors at the latest count). Physical books can be bought through the website and there are links for buying the 86 eBooks published by Fernhurst Books.
The contents page and other spreads are shown for each book, and many also have videos and other resources. The authors also have their own profile page where you can find out a bit more than them.
The website contains over 100 videos featuring all the authors mentioned above and many others, including Andy Rice, Tom Phipps and Ian Walker. There are also:
- Tests on various subjects
- Forms to complete for celestial navigation
- Checklists for cruisers
- Cruiser Companion updates
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The new charity Portsmouth Harbour Marine was officially launched today (4 April 2019) with a remit of promoting marine businesses, skills and participation around the harbour.
Building on the success of Gosport Marine Scene, Portsmouth Harbour Marine will work with schools and colleges to equip young people with the skills needed for marine sector employment and encourage young people to pursue a career in marine employment and to get afloat for recreation. Its aims also extend to stimulating marine businesses and their networks locally, and promoting Portsmouth's historic harbour as a destination for all forms of competitive and leisure boating.
The launch, held at the top of Portsmouth's Emirates Spinnaker Tower, was hosted by the Chairman of Portsmouth Harbour Marine, Commodore Peter Melson CVO CBE
All present at the launch recognised the potential of Portsmouth Harbour Marine to make a real difference so that Portsmouth Harbour is seen again as a centre of maritime excellence.
www.portsmouthharbourmarine.org.uk
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The newly launched London Yacht Show has been postponed until 2020.
In a statement, organisers Informa Global Events, said the decision had been made to ensure the delivery of a high quality on-water show, with the scale and breadth to attract full participation of the industries it is aimed at.
The event was rebranded and relaunched earlier this year with a focus on the high-end boating and luxury goods market - building on the previous London On Water Show.
"Since an initial burst of interest in the London Yacht Show, take-up has slowed from some segments of the industry and from luxury brands," said Andrew Williams, president maritime group.
"With just over a month to go until the planned launch, overall commitment to the event is not at the level required to deliver a show with the profile, scale and market breadth the industry asked for and deserves in London.
"Following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, we therefore believe it is in everyone's interest to postpone the show until next year."
The London Yacht Show was scheduled to take place at St. Katharine Docks from May 8 - 12 2019.
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The Last Word
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