In This Issue
• Big Wednesday
• Velsheda claws one back at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Paul Cayard joins Shirley Robertson for her Sailing Podcast
• Premiere Sailing League USA
• Transpac Tahiti at the entrance of the Golden Gate
• Harken Match Racing Youth Championship
• UK Melges IC37 Class
• Cento With 50 Days To Go
• Rassy family donates newly developed rescue boat to the Swedish Sea Rescue Society
• Featured Brokerage:
• • J/122 - "El Ocaso"
• • Prince De Bretagne Trimaran Ultim Maxi 80
• • Mills 41 'Skye'
• The Last Word: John Oliver
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
Big Wednesday
Photo by Ingrid Abery, www.ingridabery.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
20 knots of breeze piping in from the north created full-on battle conditions for the 20 nation fleet on Day Three of the Darwin Escapes 2019 J/70 World Championships. For the third consecutive day, the Open and Corinthian leaders have changed, with teams from nine nations occupying the top ten places. There were thrills and spills as the wind speed reached close to the top end of the wind speed for the class but with flat warm water it was a day to remember for the J/70 fleet.
In the Open Class, Paul Ward (GBR) Eat,Sleep,J,Repeat scored a 1-4-15 to take the overall lead. Pichu Torcida (ESP) racing Noticia has climbed to second after scoring a 5-17-6. Joel Ronning (USA) racing Catapult, drops to third after scoring 14-14-10. Yesterday's leader Alberto Rossi (ITA) racing Enfant Terrible, started the day well posting 9-8 but a 28 in the last race after broaching out drops Enfant Terrible to fourth.
In the Corinthian Class, King & Wilson Soak Racing (IRL) is the new leader after posting 2-34-9 today. Doug Struth (GBR) racing DSP drops to second place. Denis Cherevatenko (RUS) racing Joyfull retains third but is under pressure from a top performance today by Charles Thompson (GBR) racing Brutus. There were race wins today for Eat, Sleep, J, Repeat, Henry Brauer (USA) Rascal, and Carlo Alberini (ITA) Calvi Network.
Velsheda claws one back at Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
Modest 12 knot winds that dropped leaving a severely lumpy sea state, reminiscent to older sailors of the Kenwood Cup, put yet another complexion on the Costa Smeralda for day three of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. This year marks the 30th edition of maxi racing’s premier event, organised by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the International Maxi Association, the World Sailing-recognised body representing maxi boats globally.
With the Wallys sailing windward-leewards, the rest tackled a coastal course clockwise around La Maddalena.
Dario Ferrari’s Maxi 72 Cannonball again won in Mini Maxi Racer 1. However Hap Fauth’s new Bella Mente made a magnificent pin end start and was able to tack and cross the fleet on port. Cannonball pulled ahead on the beat and it was then a case of containing Jethou, not easy with a five foot length deficit.
The tables turned in the heavyweight J Class bout in the Super Maxi class with Velsheda finally prising a point off Topaz. Despite these two being the largest, heaviest, oldest style of boat competing, they are sailed with all the verve and menace of the Maxi 72s. Even before the start today, Topaz was all over her rival. As helmsman Peter Holmberg described it: “We met with them at the start line and we crushed them and we decided to keep crushing them...”
In the Maxi Racer class, it was a tricky day for George David’s Rambler 88 which took a long gybe out to the left of the run towards the entrance to Bomb Alley only to fall into a lull. This ultimately handed victory for a second day to Irvine Laidlaw’s Reichel/Pugh 82 Highland Fling XI.
Thursday is layday with racing resuming on Friday and concluding on Saturday. -- James Boyd / International Maxi Association
www.internationalmaxiassociation.com
Seahorse September 2019
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Update
Why is there still one critical danger to the sport that people refuse to talk about? New Cup class means big sail burn, reflections on a year spent Solitaire and good, bad or irrelevant... another thin cycle for America's Cup teams. Peter Heppel, Jack Griffin, Terry Hutchinson, Will Harris
Days, weeks, months...
Jo Richards spent a while winning the 2019 Round the Island UK classic but - as per usual - getting to the startline was more than half the fun
Airborne (and accessible)
The demise of the long-running Extreme Sailing Series is doing the expanding GC32 Racing Tour no harm at all. Christian Scherrer
Nothing new
Charles Lawrence goes back to where what we call 'composite boatbuilding' really all started
Unstoppable force
Brian Hancock has accepted the inevitable as the last great solo race departs from British shores
Olympians
Matias Capizzano
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Paul Cayard joins Shirley Robertson for Episode 5 of her Sailing Podcast
Episode 5 of Shirley Robertson’s interview based sailing podcast sees her sit down with US sailing legend Paul Cayard, for an honest and truthful hour of chat with one of the biggest names in competitive sailing.
Paul Cayard is a true legend of the sport, a US Sailing Hall of Fame inductee, an Olympian, he’s competed in multiple America’s Cups and was the first American ever to skipper a Whitbread Round the World Race campaign to victory when his 1997/98 ‘EF Language’ won the gruelling predecessor to the Volvo Ocean Race.
His chat with Robertson is a candid and revealing one, discussing several aspects of his impressive career, with tales from both on and off the water. There's audible amusement as Cayard recounts the tale of his meeting with the Disney Corporation in 2006 as they revealed their ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ plans for the Volvo Ocean Race, just months before the scheduled start.
Shirley Robertson’s Sailing Podcast is available to listen to via the podcast page of Shirley’s own website, at shirleyrobertson.com/podcast or via most popular podcast outlets, including iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcast.
Premiere Sailing League USA
In just over a month, the Premiere Sailing League USA will debut its concept for an organized, national fleet racing league during the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Md., which runs from October 10-14, 2019. Modeled after the sailing league in Europe that has taken off globally, the Premiere Sailing League USA (PSL) will supply a fleet of identical RS21 keelboats that will be raced on inshore, short course, stadium style races at select venues across the country. Sailors and fans attending the United States Sailboat Show can experience first-hand the new RS21s in multiple exhibition style races directly in front of the show for free. Look for the PSL on D Dock.
Yacht Clubs and other sailing organizations can join the League as members to enter teams in multiple regattas and to host official League events, with the advantage of not being required to purchase a fleet of boats. The unique PSL leasing model provides the boats, gear and everything necessary for this style of sailing as the concept maximizes the experience for the sailor while minimizing the cost for clubs and competitors.
The boats are not the only equipment that will be provided by the PSL, as their partnership with robotic buoy manufacturer MarkSetBot means that technology will be incorporated into the league package. MarkSetBot remote buoys can be set, retrieved, and held in position by GPS - controlled by a mobile phone App - reducing the need for large volunteer race committees and multiple support boats.
Premiere Sailing League USA is the first national sailing league for America, designed to increase awareness of the sport with an innovative approach to an annual series of regattas that starts with District Qualifications (for districts North, East, South and West) and then progresses to National Finals that determine rankings in the PSL League.
The League’s purpose is to provide a platform where sailors from different backgrounds can compete in a fun, dynamic, fast-paced competition that has been conceived and structured to be easily understood by the media and non-sailing audiences. The format calls for short windward/leeward races with as many as 20 races a day on courses close to shore, providing sensational stadium-style entertainment for spectators ashore.
Transpac Tahiti at the entrance of the Golden Gate
Co-organizers Archipelagoes and the Transpacific Yacht Club were welcomed on August 22nd at St Francis Yacht Club (StFYC) for their latest promotion of the Transpac Tahiti Race 2020.
The evening started with Kimball Livingston, past Commodore of StFYC, sharing with everyone the history of this race which started in 1925. Held at irregular intervals since, the next race in 2020 will be the 16th edition of this longest of the Pacific yacht races. It was in 1970 that this race had the largest number of participants with 16 boats on the start line (including Eric Tabarly's Pen Duick), and so the goal of this next edition is to surpass this record. StFYC retains the beautiful carved wood trophy awarded by the Tahiti Yacht Club in 1961 to the sailing boat ATHENE, the first entry to cross the finish line after 3 weeks of sailing. StFYC has offered this historic trophy to Papeete to be restored and exhibited at the arrival village in June 2020.
With already 9 pre-registered race entries (8 monohulls and 1 multihull), there is a buzz of contagious enthusiasm among offshore sailors, proving the collaboration between Archipelagoes in Tahiti and the Transpacific Yacht Club in Los Angeles is keeping its promise of a dynamic renewal of this historic offshore race. Its timing is also expected to attract interest among those yachts headed to Auckland prior to the next America's Cup in 2021.
The next stop on the Transpac Tahiti 2020 promotion tour will be September 17th at the Eiffel Tower Theater in Paris during the 5th edition of the Tip & Shaft / Connect Paris business meeting event for competitive sailing, the largest in France. . The team will also be attending the Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao, Spain over November 25-26 in Bilbao, Spain.
Harken Match Racing Youth Championship
Seven teams gather in Portland for the annual Harken Youth Match Racing Championships last weekend - with Robbie King taking the crown.
With strong breeze on the Saturday and sunshine and a more pleasant 10-14 knots on the Sunday a double round robin which would pit each team against each other twice was scheduled.
The final was an intense battle with penalties on the water and races run all the way to the finish line but King was able to maintain his composure throughout and claimed two races with narrow wins to secure the crown of 2019 Harken Youth Match Racing champion.
With a quick pack up and prize giving ashore the teams were away in good time to make their long journeys home.
Thanks to sponsors Harken, Marlow Ropes and Moody Decking and Services for their continued support.
www.facebook.com/groups/356553504445646/
www.wpnsa.org.uk/how-to-find-us
UK Melges IC37 Class
With four wins from six races in IRC Class 1 at Cowes Week 2019, the first IC37 to hit the water in the UK has proven its IRC credentials, however attention has now turned to growing a one-design class in the UK, using the proven International Class rule.
An initial season of one-design events is now planned for 2020.
“The UK IC37 Class association is scheduling a five regatta series, utilising class starts at already established events, while fleet numbers build,” says Ian Atkins, a member of the UK IC37 Class Association. Outside of those events, owners will be free to utilize the boat’s obvious rating potential under IRC and other popular rating rules.
Provisional 2020 IC37 Circuit Events:
IC37 Round 1 - RORC Easter Challenge 10th-12th April 2020
IC37 Round 2 - Poole Regatta 23rd-25th May 2020
IC37 Round 3 - RYS/RTYC Open Regatta - TBC
IC37 National Championship (Round 4) - Cowes Week 8th-15th August 2020
IC37 Round 5 - Royal Southern 19th-20th September 2020
The UK IC37 Class Association welcomes any interested parties to come forward to arrange an inspection of the boat. To book an appointment and discuss the concept with the newly formed Association call Ian Atkins on +44 7785 32382 or email ian [AT] crofton301 [DOT] com
Ancasta International Boat Sales, the UK dealer for the IC37 is already in talks with over 20 teams expressing a serious interest, hailing from a variety of backgrounds. Several commitments to the UK Class have already been received. To book a test sail call Sam Pearson at Ancasta Race Boats on +44 7759 424900 or email IC37 [AT] ancasta [DOT] com
Find more information on the Melges IC37 Class and the IC37 at www.melgesic37class.com and ancasta.com
Cento With 50 Days To Go
As this year’s entry reaches three-figures yet again, the island state is more than prepared for the annual ‘invasion’ that accompanies the Rolex Middle Sea Race. 2019 marks the 40th edition of this Mediterranean classic and the organiser, the Royal Malta Yacht Club, is excited by the depth and breadth of the 102 boat fleet committed so far. It is typical for the 606nm offshore race to receive a rush of entries in the final weeks before closing the list, this year on 27 September, and hopes are high for another bumper entry. And, with the race start on Saturday, 19 October, there are 50 days left for crews to be fully ready.
Looking at the current list, some 24 nations will be represented on the start line. There is the distinct prospect of more come October, with 29 countries present among the record 130 boat fleet of 2018. So far, British yachts lead the way with 19 entries, including Tala, David Collin’s IRC 52 and Sam Matson’s Cookson 50, Riff Raff - both sitting in one of the favoured size brackets from the past 10 years. Next, the Italians and French have 15 boats apiece, including some inspiring names: Géry Trentesaux and the crew of Courrier Recommandé (FRA) will look to repeat their magnificent Rolex Middle Sea Race victory of 2018; and Marco Paolucci, a past winner of the Rolex Giraglia, is racing Libertine (ITA). The headline entries both represent the United States: David and Peter Askew’s Wizard, fresh from overall victory at the 2019 Rolex Fastnet Race, and George David’s 27-metre (88-foot) Rambler, odds-on favourite to add a fifth successive line honours title to her enviable record.
The Rolex Middle Sea Race starts on Saturday, 19th October 2019. Entry Registration closes on Friday, 27th September.
Rassy family donates newly developed rescue boat to the Swedish Sea Rescue Society
The Swedish Sea Rescue Society received a newly developed 50 ft rescue boat on the 12 July 2019. The boat is the first of its kind and is donated by the Rassy family.
The new boat is a completely new design, consequently developed for sea rescue. It has the capacity to take 150 persons at a mass evacuation. There is room for up to five stretchers with patients and there is a capacity to drain pump 1 000 liters per minute with several carriers. Furthermore, the boat is equipped with a fire gun to pump and provide water with 1 500 liters per minute and there is also room for having a Rescue runner on the transom with a belonging crane to pick it up and secure the people from breakdowns in tough conditions.
It is the Rassy family who donated not only this boat but also the development costs for this new rescue ship class.
As per the tradition for the Swedish Sea Rescue association, the new series get its name after the first boat. The new boat is named Mai Rassy and the class name is the Hallberg-Rassy class.
Featured Brokerage
2008 J/122 - "El Ocaso". 199000 USD. Located in Antigua.
El Ocaso has been living in the Caribbean for the last 10 years and is very well known on the Spring race circuit, with many wins in the competitive 40’ class. Typically only in the water between March – May each year and then laid up ashore for the other 9 months.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+44 7759424900
+44 2380 016582
sampearson [AT] ancasta [DOT] com
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2012 Prince De Bretagne Trimaran Ultim Maxi 80. 790000 EUR. Located in Brittany, France.
Prince De Bretagne II is an Ultim Maxi 80 trimaran born from an extrapolation of the Orma 60 trimaran Sodebo skipped by Thomas Coville. Prince De Bretagne II is a 24 m long trimaran with the weight of a 18 m long trimaran. Therefore, she is much more seaworthy specially for single handed races.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
BERNARD GALLAY Yacht Brokerage
info [AT] bernard-gallay [DOT] com
www.bernard-gallay.com
Tel +33 (0)467 66 39 93
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2014 Mills 41 'Skye'. 239000 USD.
SKYE is an immaculate Mills 41 that was built using the molds from the Mills 40 and had a scoop added for extra water line at no cost to rating. Interior is perfect, she is the ultimate cruiser racer. Your choice for either the furling headstay, or racing one, she comes equipped with both.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
William Jenkins
Thoroughbred Yacht Sales
410 267 9419
410 353 7862
Bill [AT] tysonline [DOT] com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
I think puns are not just the lowest form of wit, but the lowest form of human behavior. -- John Oliver
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