In This Issue
• Antigua Classics: Ready About
• Weston Grand Slam Set For Champagne Sailing At Easter
• 21st Jersey Regatta
• Another light day causes delays and cancellations at Genoa World Cup Series
• Classic Yacht Racing Guidelines
• Bluewater Weekend: 22-23 June 2019, Lymington UK
• Safety Preparation for the Mini Transat
• Skipper Line-Up Announced for WMRT World Championship Final
• Tall Ships Youth Trust New Flagship Appeal
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage
• The Last Word: Alan Watts
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
Antigua Classics: Ready About
The 2019 fleet is in, representing thirteen nations with oceans of blue water between them. Every boat making its way to the contest has a story, some of which we've yet to hear.
The stunning Herreshoff ketch, Arrluuk, has been sailing her family of four around the Caribbean for the past 14 months. 49' Spirit of Tradition sloop, Blackfish traveled from the US on the deck of a ship. 70' converted fishing ketchVendia limped in from Grenada with a broken gaff, currently being repaired, and 115' staysail schooner Eros culminates a charter season at this action packed week
72' Fife ketch Eilean returns to her former home after cruising Jamaica, Cancun and Cuba. Upon completion of a stunning refit at the Fife yard in Italy, she stole the ACYR show in 2012 with infamous guests Duran Duran aboard. 59' Henry Gruber yawl Peter von Seestermuehe, a biennial contender since 1995, crossed the pond from Germany for a trade wind winter.
Thursday begins with the judging of the Concours d' Elégance followed by the Single-Handed Race. Prize Giving ceremonies for both contests are celebrated with the Dark and Stormy giveaway. For those with musical talent, a sense of humour, or a locker full of theatre costumes, don't miss the Sea Shanty Contest and the chance for singing stardom. -- Jan Hein
Weston Grand Slam Set For Champagne Sailing At Easter
Online entry closes on Thursday evening for the Weston Grand Slam, the Great British Sailing Challenge event which takes place this Easter weekend. The forecast looks glorious, with sunny, moderate breezes in store for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Already a host of different craft have lined up for the three-day event, ranging in scope from the RS Aero and D-Zero to the Nacra Carbon 20 high-speed catamaran.
As part of the Great British Sailing Challenge, there are some small changes to the setup of what has already proven a very popular and successful event over the years. As a preview to the average lap handicap racing on the Saturday and Sunday, on Good Friday there is a chance to race against the clock in the Rooster Time Trials. Using GPS trackers provided by SailRacer, the race course will be open between 12.00 and 15.00, where you will be timed over as many laps as you wish to race, with the winner decided on the best average lap, adjusted to dynamic handicap according to the wind conditions experienced. Rooster have provided some great prizes for the top 3 and winners across GBSC divisions, with class prizes for those with three or more boats competing.
There is flexibility within the event for classes to run their own favoured format, and the Hadron singlehanders have opted for a one-day open meeting taking place on the Saturday only.
For the Saturday and Sunday, there will be three back-to-back races per day with the racing run under the tried-and-tested Great Lakes handicap numbers.
Camping will be free to visiting competitors who are welcome to camp and park their cars and boats in the large field adjacent to the club, overlooking Southampton Water. The camping field will be open from Friday morning until Sunday evening. The bar will be open during the day and on Friday and Saturday evenings. The galley will be open for breakfast, lunches and snacks. And everyone is welcome to attend the evening meal on Saturday night. Tickets can be booked and paid for (cash only) at registration.
For a great weekend's sailing over Easter, come and sail at the Weston Grand Slam. Online entry is open at www.sailingchallenge.org
21st Jersey Regatta
Scheduled for 6th to 8th September, this year sees the 21st edition of the renowned Jersey Regatta, the Island's 'flagship' sailing event.
As ever, the Regatta is open to local and visiting boats, alike, with racing for sportsboat, cruiser/racer, Quarter Ton, dayboat, dinghy, sport catamaran and windsurfer classes. The 6th Spinlock IRC CI Regional Championship is included in the programme and will, undoubtedly, be a major attraction for the cruiser/racer fleet.
The Regatta gets under way on the Thursday evening with an ice-breaking reception and skippers' briefing. A distance race for the sportsboat and cruiser/racer classes opens the programme on Friday whilst Saturday and Sunday feature back-to-back racing with boats competing over distance, round-the-cans and/or Olympic-type courses. The 'small boat' classes race separately over Olympic-type courses in the beautiful confines of St Aubin's Bay. Trophies and prizes are awarded for each day and overall prizes are awarded for the best boats in each class.
Jersey Marinas will be providing complimentary berthing whilst Condor Ferries is offering discounted fares for those wishing to transport their boats to the Island for the event.
The closing date for entries is 29th August but why not take advantage of the attractively low entry fees that are made even more enticing with an 'early bird' fee for those entering no later than 12th August. The Notice of Race and entry form are available on the Regatta website, jerseyregatta.com
For further information, please contact the Regatta office, info [AT] jerseyregatta [DOT] com, or call 00 44 (0)1534 732229.
Another light day causes delays and cancellations at Genoa World Cup Series
Another poor day weather-wise at the Hempel World Cup Series - Round 3, with race officials forced to cancel all racing in the Laser and for the 470s, which are yet to race, while the Laser Radial sailors started their campaign with just one race and the 49er Blue fleet also got one race in.
In the 49er skiff Blue fleet, where one of two scheduled races was held, Australian Sailing Squad members David and Lachy Gilmour came away with a second place. They are provisionally in third overall. The three remaining Australian 49er teams are in the Yellow fleet; their races were cancelled, so are one race behind the Blue fleet.
"We were pretty lucky to get a race in; the breeze was just above the limit of too light. It was around 3-4 knots," Lachy said. "As we were finishing, it went to custard and that was the end of the day for us.
"It was another day of waiting for breeze. Unfortunately when it came, it didn't hang in. We'll have to go out again tomorrow to get to the qualifying four races stage. The Yellow fleet will have to try for two races. It is a bit frustrating - but it is what it is - everyone is in same position.
"At the front of the fleet where we were, you were getting more breeze than the guys at the back, so we felt like we were in 4 knots, they probably sailed in 2 knots. It wasn't that shifty, it was more pressure dominated today. If you sailed into a dead spot, you got penalised for it. We managed to pick our way through the course avoiding the glassy spots," he said.
"We were pretty happy with how we sailed. The boat felt good and we had superior boat speed," he ended.
In the Laser Radial fleet, the Squad is represented by West Australian athlete Elyse Ainsworth, who sailed in the Yellow fleet today. After a delay, she was away in a 4-knot breeze and came in 15th overall. Officials started a second race for the Blue fleet, but were forced to abandon it as the breeze petered out.
There was no racing for the 49erFX class. The Yellow fleet is still to have a third race to catch up with the Blue fleet.
Once again, and as forecast, conditions were too light to start racing at the appointed times. The 49ers, Laser Radials and 470s left the beach for the racetrack shortly after midday, as race officials were hopeful winds would lift over the 3 to 4 knots range. However, they were forced to hoist the AP flag for many classes before allowing some to race.
Racing at the Hempel World Cup Series - Round 3, Genoa, continues Thursday local time and closes on Sunday 21 April with the final Medal Races. -- Di Pearson for Australian Sailing, www.australiansailingteam.com.au
Classic Yacht Racing Guidelines
One of the great features of classic yacht racing is the diversity of events and sailing venues. The event can have different philosophies and traditions, but the organizers and the owners all share a common interest in fair racing and increasing participation. The CYOA Technical Committee has long believed that a common set of regulations that event organizers could use while also maintaining the unique character of their events was needed, and with an eye toward consistency, simplification and fairness, they worked together to draft a set of guidelines for the management of classic yacht regattas.
Event organizers can use these guidelines in total, or they can omit components that may not work for a particular event. While the use of the CRF MkII rating rule doesn't require the application of the guidelines, we hope that they will help foster better racing and a better owner experience.
Download the 2019 Classic Yacht Racing Guidelines
Bluewater Weekend: 22-23 June 2019, Lymington UK
Rally organisers World Cruising Club, best known for the annual ARC - Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, have joined together once again with leading offshore yacht broker Berthon International, to host a weekend of conversation about bluewater cruising at Berthon's Lymington UK base in June 2019. This popular weekend is designed to encourage visitors think about all aspects of living their bluewater dream, providing the opportunity to view a wide range of offshore cruising boats and meet experts in refits, sails, communications and boat equipment, all whist mixing and chatting with experienced offshore cruisers in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
The two day event is free to attend, but prospective bluewater sailors will need to pre-register. During the weekend, a selection of fine examples of bluewater boats will be open for viewing, hosted by experienced offshore skippers, many of whom have sailed the ARC or around the world. Mix, mingle and chat about bluewater sailing is the aim of the weekend.
Balancing out the dockside chat will be a series of seminar presentations and discussions about how to embark on your bluewater dream. For those in the market, Berthon's brokerage team will share the story of a boat purchase and refit, drawing on their years of experience guiding purchasers through the process.
For those setting sail with the ARC in 2019 or beyond, a briefing session is also included on the seminar line up. The session will cover rally specific information including the route, ports, and programme, led by World Cruising Club with previous ARC sailors on hand to share their own experiences. Members of the ARC Safety Team and equipment specialists Ocean Safety will highlight key equipment considerations for offshore voyages including liferafts, lifejackets, EPIRBs and other items needed for crossing oceans with the ARC.
The annual Bluewater Weekend is hosted at the Berthon Marina, Lymington over the weekend of 22 and 23 June. Visitors can attend for either or both days and admittance is free. For those wanting to make the most of a delightful weekend in Lymington, there is an optional Sailing Supper on the Saturday evening at Lymington Town Sailing Club a short walk from the marina.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged as capacity is limited. For more information and to register, please visit www.worldcruising.com/training or contact World Cruising Club on mail [AT] worldcruising [DOT] com
Safety Preparation for the Mini Transat
Six months from now might seem a world away, but it's never long enough to prepare for an epic trans-ocean yacht race especially when the yachts in question are the diminutive Mini 6.50ms and each skipper is alone at sea. The Mini Transat, which starts on 22nd September, is the culmination of the annual Mini circuit, 4050 nautical miles, in two legs, the first from La Rochelle to Gran Canaria and then onwards to Martinique in the French West Indies.
Ocean Safety has just specified their safety inventory for the class, with the delivery of a comprehensive kit to the first up to 100 Mini 6.50 skippers that are preparing to be on the start line. Alistair Hackett of Ocean Safety comments "Safety preparation, for what is the smallest ocean racing yacht in the world, is of paramount importance."
The intrepid men and women competing in the race must meet the exacting Cat One Offshore Special Regulations, which include the mandatory carrying of a marine radio transceiver, first aid kit, SOLAS/ISO liferaft and a host of other equipment. Ocean Safety has already supplied a wide range of products including radio equipment, the Kru Sport 170ADV advanced lifejacket, man overboard retrieval systems, fire-fighting equipment and much more.
While not an exclusive supplier to the race the company's decades of race safety planning, equipment provisioning and training puts Ocean Safety out in the lead in terms of expertise for ocean-going fleets.
Skipper Line-Up Announced for WMRT World Championship Final
The World Match Racing Tour has announced the skipper line-up for the 2018-2019 WMRT Championship Final from 3-7 July in Marstrand, Sweden hosted by the GKSS Match Cup Sweden. The list of world class sailors features three former match racing world champions including defending champion Torvar Mirsky (AUS), six-time world champion Ian Williams (GBR) and 2016 world champion Phil Robertson (NZL).
The 2018-2019 WMRT Championship Final will conclude the extended 2018 WMRT season as announced last month. The winner of the event will be crowned 2018-2019 Match Racing World Champion as sanctioned by World Sailing, and will have their name engraved on to the WMRT Championship Trophy made by Royal Jewellers Garrard & Co.
Eleven of the top twelve teams from the WMRT leaderboard have accepted invitations to the Championship Final including French multihull maestro Yann Guichard and his Spindrift Racing team. After finishing on the podium at the 2017 WMRT Finals in Shenzhen China, the team have their sights firmly set on a win in Marstrand.
Confirmed skippers for the WMRT Championship Final are as follows;
Nicklas Dackhammer (SWE) Essiq Racing Team
Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar
Yann Guichard (FRA) Spindrift Racing
Harry Price (AUS) Down Under Racing
Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team
Mans Holmberg (SWE) Holmberg Match Racing Team
Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team
Markus Edegran (USA) Team Torrent
Phil Robertson (NZL) China One Ningbo
Pieter-Jan Postma (NED) Sailing Team NL
Daniel Bj0rnholt (DEN) Youth Vikings Denmark
To be announced
Tall Ships Youth Trust New Flagship Appeal
The Tall Ships Youth Trust has launched an appeal to raise funds for a new flagship to help the next generation learn valuable life skills.
The charity hopes to raise £5m for a new 24-berth schooner-type vessel which it will use to give disabled and disadvantaged young people physically and mentally challenging sail training adventures.
Five million pounds will enable the charity to buy a vessel on the open market, re-engineer the internal layout to take groups of young people and buy the equipment needed to ensure she meets Maritime and Coastguard Agency standards.
All donations are welcome with £20 allowing the purchase of a safety harness and £1000 providing a full medical kit. Commercial sponsorship opportunities include naming the ship or a voyage, sponsoring a berth and having the company logo worn by staff, supporters and voyagers together with a mention on the charity's website.
Former director of BAE Systems, Sir Richard Olver, is giving his backing to the charity's latest endeavour. "I want as many young people as possible to have an opportunity to sail with us, particularly those who have had a tough start in life," he said. "In a world that can exclude young people, sailing as part of a Tall Ships Crew makes for an inclusive and truly empowering few days."
www.tallships.org/appeal/the-new-flagship-appeal
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 Philippe Serenon
Past President UNCL during the Areva Challenge
Although I agree with the fact that our sport, like all others, needs to improve its marketing for a better visibility and attractiveness, for several past editions, the America's Cup got it wrong in trying to adapt too much to the constraints of TV, at expense of its authenticity.
The America's Cup has built part of his legend on secrecy: When Australia II took away the AC from America, it was because their famous winged keel was hidden before taking the boat out of the water after races. Talking a couple of years later at Paris Boat Show with Ben Lexcen, he had told me that the true innovation was rather in the rigging than in the keel which was more of a lure, a bait.
This why I think that , considering the incredible amount of innovation of the AC75 including new ways of sailing, organizing ACWS ahead of the Cup itself is a big big mistake: Not only time flies and being ready in January 21 is a challenge in its own right but it kills the tension that media would convey to the public should he be invited to discover the boats only when in Auckland for the Cup. Even for sponsors, if the Cup is a success, then it makes sense to do the ACWS after its legend is built. It is a bit like inviting the public in a theatre to see the decor and costumes prior to the actual play...
At least each syndicate can train separately (look at the media success of the Mule), hiding what it wants until meeting other boats at the first race in Auckland. And it would give work to spies!
The general public does not really care if boats hit 40 or 45 knots, what interests is the battle between 2 boats. Let's not be biased by our internal technically orientated judgements. Rod Davis says it better than I do in the last Seahorse Magazine.
* From Frank Newton ( Sorebones)
re: Flat Earthers
We must not assume that these intrepid sailors intend to go round the globe East to West or West to East. They may decide to go North to South or South to North . On finding a wall of ice they will assume their case proven .
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The Last Word
The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. -- Alan Watts
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