In This Issue
• Hempel World Cup Series Genoa
• Soak Racing wins Round One - J/70 UK Grand Slam Series
• Harken® Fly Blocks: Strength Beyond Mass
• Kezenoy-Am Cup 2019
• Solent Sunbeam May weekend
• Royal Thames YC sailing office vacancy
• Patterns and Protests
• AC World Series Schedule Slips to 2020
• International 14 Century Cup
• The sailing scientist conquering the waves
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage
• The Last Word: Bill Bryson
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
Hempel World Cup Series Genoa
Norway’s Hermann Tomasgaard and Croatia’s Tonci Stipanovic picked up the first Laser wins on the second day of racing at Hempel World Cup Series Genoa.
Tomasgaard, winner at Hempel World Cup Series Miami, and Stipanovic, Rio 2016 silver medallist, took hard earned yellow and blue fleet victories respectively in the 111-boat Laser pack.
The Italian city was hit with a light 5-6 knot wind on the second day of competition which meant that the split Laser fleet could only complete one race apiece.
Across the eight Olympic events, that features 676 registered sailors from 58 nations, only the 49erFX blue fleet were able to complete a race alongside the Lasers. Denmark’s Ida Marie Baad Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen claimed the victory. The result has not yet been applied to the overall leaderboard as the 49erFX yellow fleetneed to complete their third race of the series.
Competitors in the Men’s and Women’s 470, 49er, Finn and Nacra 17 remained ashore all day and did not race. The Laser Radial fleet briefly took to the water but conditions were not deemed appropriate.
Racing is scheduled to resume for the 49er, 49erFX, Laser and Nacra 17 at 11:00 on Wednesday 17 April. The remaining fleets all have an additional race scheduled as they aim to catch up on races missed on Tuesday. -- Daniel Smith - World Sailing
Results: sailing.org/worldcup/results/index.php
Soak Racing wins Round One - J/70 UK Grand Slam Series
Warsash Spring Championships 13-14 April - Ian Wilson & Marshall King's Soak Racing started the J/70 UK Grand Slam Series in style, winning the opening round of the nine-regatta Grand Slam Series. Soak Racing scored five bullets out of eight races over the two days, including a hatrick on the last day. Second was Doug Struth's DSP, who scored two races wins, as well as two second places. Paul Ward's Eat, Sleep. J, Repeat was third, just one point ahead of Phil Rees racing Bryn. Ten teams made the top five over the course of the weekend.
Conditions varied dramatically over the two days, with medium wind on the first day, followed by a full on foam up of 20 knots plus on the second day. Air and sea temperature was also a factor, as mid-April is about as cold as the water gets in the Solent, added to a bitter easterly breeze, it was a weekend for wrapping up and keeping warm.
Final top five
1. Marshall King, Soak Racing, IRL, 8 points
2. Doug Struth, D S P, GBR, 16
3. Paul Ward, Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat, GBR, 25
4. Philip Rees, Bryn, GBR, 26
5. Calascione Ripard, Calypso, MLT, 34
Harken® Fly Blocks: Strength Beyond Mass
Harken® Fly blocks were specifically developed for use with today's small diameter low-stretch line. They have incredible working loads for their small size and weight. Fly blocks give sailors the power they need and are increasingly found on foiling dinghies, catamarans, sportboats and suspended in cascade-rigged systems offshore. Their weight savings alone promises an instant uptick in racing performance. Harken Fly blocks offer the strength and efficiency of larger blocks, but are much smaller because new high-tech lines allow for smaller aero profiles.
"Fly Blocks offer the strength previously found only in larger blocks in a much smaller package," said Matt Schmidt, engineering leader of the project. "Taken together, it means increased potential performance."
Fly Blocks are available in 18 mm, 29 mm, and 40 mm sizes. The 18 mm blocks feature an integrated stainless steel inner race and rivet, and stainless steel ball bearings and composite fiber-reinforced sideplates. The 29 mm and 40 mm blocks feature a one-piece titanium sheave that doubles as the outer bearing race for their stainless steel ball bearings. The inner race is stainless. Sideplates are fiber-reinforced composite.
Check them out online or at your favorite dealer.
Kezenoy-Am Cup 2019
The Sailing Federation of the Chechen Republic is honoured to invite you to attend our international regatta, the Kezenoy-Am Cup 2019. The event is to be held on the highest lake in Russia, Kezenoy-Am, with a backdrop of the Caucasus.
Russia will host an international sailing event at the height of 1,870 metres above sea level from 23-28 July 2019.
This regatta will welcome guests and professional crews from all over the world. The Kezenoy-Am Cup 2019 is organized by the Ministry of Tourism, the Chechen Republic and the Chechen Sailing Federation.
The regatta will be sailed on the SB20 sailboats, a modern one-design keelboat, with crew no more than four people. About 24 crews will participate in the regatta. The venue is the unique and beautiful Lake Kezenoy-Am, located in northern part of Caucasus Mountains.
Four racing days and a variety of shore activities are organized for the international participants and guests. The cultural programme includes excursions, national dance shows and an introduction to the history and culture of Chechnya.
Luca Babini (ITA), who is a qualified international umpire with outstanding experience in the America's Cup and 2012 Olympic Games, has been invited to judge the races as the head of the international jury.
All interested participants or delegates who require an entry visa into Russia to attend this regatta, will be assisted by the organizing committee. We can provide an official invitation to the regatta on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism of the Chechen Republic.
Organizing Authority provides boat charter, accommodation, meals, transfers, sightseeing tours and entertainment program for 450 Euro (per team). Prize money fund is 16,000 EUR
More details of the Kezenoy-Am Cup 2019 and entry are available at the Sailing Federation website
To apply for the regatta, please complete the entry form on our website - www.chyf.ru/en/join/
The origins of the Solent Sunbeam May weekend event regattas - the Chisholm Weekend and the Chittagong Cup
As one would expect from a fleet of classic yachts dating back to 1922/23, some of the origins and names of the regattas, cups and events are steeped in history. We take a look at the busy May events for the Solent branch of this very active fleet which sails from Itchenor Sailing Club, on Chichester Harbour.
The 4th and 5th of May 2019 will see an enthusiastic gathering of the Sunbeam fleet taking part in the Chisholm Weekend, which comprises intensive back-to-back races on Chichester Harbour, competing for the Chisholm Weekend Trophy. The event is always well-attended as it is the first weekend of two-day racing for this popular classic keelboat, but what is the origin of the name of this event?
The weekend racing event is named after Sir Henry Chisholm, who was a passionate and enthusiastic sailor in the fleet during the 50s, 60s and 70s. Sir Henry bought Sunbeam V24 Fay in 1957 from a boatyard in Bosham and restored her to racing class condition. He became Class Captain of the Solent Sunbeam fleet in 1964 and held the post for 11 years during which he became a hugely important figure in the revival of the class and the restoration of many of the historic boats we see racing today.
The Chisholm Weekend commemorates the enthusiastic leadership that Sir Henry brought to the class which saw its complete reorganisation and revitalisation. During his Captaincy, Henry rescued many of the fleet from oblivion, finding hulls in obscure locations and 'encouraging' a significant number of new owners and regular racers into the class. It's a fitting tribute to this important character that the first weekend of racing is named after him!
At the end of the month, the class will get together for an open series of racing with the winner receiving the Chittagong Cup. The origins of this event date back to the early 1990's when the then Class Captain, Kirk Webster, presented the cup to the fleet. Kirk had acquired the silverware from another owner, Kenneth Bailey, whose father had been given the trophy to mark his retirement from the Chittagong Railway in Bangladesh! So, although not originally connected with sailing, the name has become synonymous with this active and hugely competitive classic fleet of keelboats!
The Solent Sunbeam Chisholm Weekend will take place on 4th & 5th May 2019, and the Chittagong Cup 25th & 26th May 2019, both from Itchenor Sailing Club.
More information on the class and events can be found at www.solentsunbeam.co.uk
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.
Patterns and Protests
Day Two delivered a Caribbean-perfect easterly 15-17 knots for the 10th edition of Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille for the 1,000+ sailors to complete one distance race between 21 - 34 miles dependent upon their class. While too early to place any bets, patterns are forming across seven of the nine classes with consistent 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes. But as a Maxi collision and a Multhull pre-start protest demonstrated, no lead is safe. Here is today's recap from Les Voiles de St. Barth Richard Mille.
Protests Impact Maxi 2 & Multihull IMRR Classes
Only 40 minutes into Tuesday's race, Selene (Swan 80) and Caro (Botin 65) in the Maxi 2 class called in their retirements after a port - starboard incident that caused damage to both boats.
"It was great conditions and racing out there today," said Tom Burnham, a trimmer on board Selene. "We were with a large group of boats doing a lot of close maneuvers, and in one of them we were on starboard when Caro tacked to port, they attempted to duck but unfortunately hit us on our back-end port side."
Burnham, who is also the coach for the new United States SailGP Team, confirmed they will not be racing tomorrow, as the team needs to further assess the damage. The team is hopeful they can return to finish the regatta later this week. The regatta's signature "day off" mid-regatta on Thursday may help give the team an extra day to make repairs and return to racing for Friday and Saturday.
After placing second yesterday and first today, Windfall, who is last year's winner, now sits first overall in the Maxi 2 class, followed by Sojana.
Alexia Barrier, sailing on board Sojana said the competition is very close between the two boats. "It's impressive to see how Windfall has progressed in recent years; but we on Sojana are fighting a good battle and we know there are no room for mistakes, especially in the maneuvers. We must keep improving if we want to finish ahead of them this week."
In Multihull IMRR, Hallucine skippered by Regis Guillemot and yesterday's leader, ended today disqualified for a pre-start altercation with Arawak - Team Spellbound by Ian Martin, which dropped Guillemot to 4th place overall. Martin is now hoping to capitalize on the opportunity, but will have to overcome Guyader Gastronomie, Rayon Vert and Olmix, who currently sit in the top three spot.
In Multihull ORCmh, Greg Slynstad's Fujin, Stephen Cucchiaro's Flow, and R-SIX began staking claim on the podium with repeat 1 - 2- 3 place finishes today.
www.lesvoilesdestbarthrichardmille.com/us
AC World Series Schedule Slips to 2020
Top America's Cup commentator, Peter Montgomery recently met with Emirates Team New Zealand COO, Kevin Shoebridge on New Zealand's Radio Sport programme, presented by Jason Pine, where they discussed the current state of America's Cup preparation.
With the first AC75 now not expected on the water until the end of July, the opening event in Cagliari, Sardinia, has shifted back from October 2019 to late April 2020.
This schedule allows the Kiwi team a much longer build-up in New Zealand before they have to ship to Europe in early 2020. Also allowing them to get on with their second boat, which is going to be our actual race boat, while they have the first AC75 available for comparison.
Note that the teams are able to launch a second AC75 after February 15, 2020, which is now some two months before the start of the first ACWS regatta in Europe, thus gaining valuable training/development time on two boats, a considerable advantage over those teams going with a one boat programme.
The AC World Series programme now looks like; after Cagliari in April there will be a second event in Europe in June, then one in the USA in late August and then a new, fourth event back in Auckland in October 2020.
International 14 Century Cup
The Century Cup is an International 14 race held at Itchenor Sailing Club with a twist. Both the helm and crew must have a combined age of over 100.
The history of this race goes back to 1961 when Norman Moore and Captain Charles Currey donated the Century Tankard with the deed of gift saying that both helm and crew must have a combined age of over 100. There have been 27 races for the century cup with the oldest pairing winners Alan Laflin & Eric Arens from San Francisco having a combined age of 135. The oldest sailor to win the trophy was Robin Nott at 73.
The event has a handicap system which gives points to sailors with spare years over and above the 100 required to enter. There is also handicapping to enable classic and vintage 14s to compete against the latest generation of boats. It's a great opportunity for older boats and older sailors to compete on a level playing field as well as meeting up with old friends for a party afterwards.
This event brings together everything that we know and love about the I14 class, mixing the fastest boats with a history that goes back years.
The sailing scientist conquering the waves
There was something extraordinary about Sally Garrett's victory in the New Zealand women's keelboat championships last weekend, writes Suzanne McFadden of Lockeroom.
To start with, the nucleus of her crew were old friends from the Royal Akarana Yacht Club who'd first raced together in 1999. And this was their first national title.
But what few of her competitors knew was that Garrett, the crew's skipper - and a scientist who studies waves in the Southern Ocean - was hurting whenever the winds rose out on the Waitemata Harbour.
Her pain stemmed from an accident a month earlier, when Garrett was halfway into her voyage racing around New Zealand. She was just off Stewart Island when her boat slewed onto its side in a 'Chinese gybe'.
Her left arm was flung backwards in the accident - the elbow hyper-extended, and her biceps tendon partially tore off the bone.
But Garrett, 42, kept on sailing with her race partner Rob Croft, and became the only woman to complete the Two-handed Round New Zealand race twice. (In fact, she's the only woman to have ever finished the race, full stop).
The injury flared up again on the final day of the three-day national women's keelboat regatta, when she was steering a 10m Farr MRX boat in gusty winds. But again, Garrett quietly carried on.
In winning, Garrett's crew are invited to sail against male crews in the NZ open keelboat championships at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, later this month.
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 Malcolm McKeag:
I share Alexander Meller's view that our Flat Earther fleet will not find the wall of ice no matter how far they go but would strongly advise them not to return in despair. If they press on and go far enough they will end up back where they started anyway.
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The Last Word
Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old. -- Bill Bryson
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