In This Issue
• Rolex Fastnet Race will finish in Cherbourg
• Ben Ainslie's INEOS TEAM UK joins Great Britain SailGP Team
• Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar
• Latitude Kinsale's "Origins" Collection
• Revolutionary Thinking shared at the Yacht Racing Forum
• Spindrift 2 Back On Standby for Jules Verne Trophy Attempt
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand puts down a marker on wind limits
• Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta fleet is shaping up nicely
• Sam Goodchild: "The Solitaire Du Figaro Is The Best Race In Town"
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Marten 67 - "Caol Ila"
• • Johan Anker Flush Deck Cutter - Bojar
• • Windquest
• The Last Word: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 1, Scene 1
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
The 11th annual Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar search is on... Send us your thoughts and drink recipes...
Rolex Fastnet Race will finish in Cherbourg
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), organisers of the Rolex Fastnet Race, announced at a press conference today that the City of Cherbourg will host the finish of the Rolex Fastnet Race for the 2021 and 2023 editions of the biennial race. The move encourages and secures the future development of the race and will open it to more competitors; in 2019 the race had a waiting list of 150 boats.
The City of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, The Communaute d'agglomeration du Cotentin, the Conseil departemental de la Manche and Normandy Region have come together to support the race finish with a package that enhances the competitor experience with increased berthing, enhanced shoreside facilities, competitor functions and events in an exciting development for the race.
Speaking about the benefits of Cherbourg as the finish venue, RORC Commodore, Steven Anderson, said: "It is an exciting time for this iconic and extremely successful race. Finishing the Rolex Fastnet Race in Cherbourg will encourage and secure the continued growth of the Club's most prestigious event and provide an enhanced competitor experience. The enthusiasm of the French for offshore racing is legendary, and the City of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, The Communaute d'agglomeration du Cotentin, the Conseil departemental de la Manche and Normandy Region have been hugely passionate and committed partners in this initiative."
"The race has grown steadily over the past two decades and more and more people want to take part. We have had to limit entries in recent years because of berthing constraints, but Cherbourg offers significant additional berthing and improved facilities for competitors, so we will be able to take a larger number of entries and give more sailors the opportunity to compete in this very special race," continued Anderson.
www.rorc.org/news/news-2019/royal-ocean-racing-club-to-finish-the-rolex-fastnet-race-in-cherbourg
Ben Ainslie's INEOS TEAM UK joins Great Britain SailGP Team
Ben Ainslie today joined the Great Britain SailGP Team. Beginning in the global league's second season kicking off in February 2020, Ainslie and a world-class squad of athletes will represent Great Britain in SailGP - sailing's newest and fastest championship that boasts the sport's largest monetary prize of US$1 million.
Ainslie's SailGP team will be fully announced early next year, utilizing a combination of athletes from INEOS TEAM UK - the British challenger for the America's Cup - and existing members of the Great Britain SailGP Team. The crew will pilot the revolutionary F50, which this year eclipsed the 50-knot speed barrier for the first time ever in sail racing, against at least five other national teams beginning in Sydney on February 28-29.
Current Great Britain SailGP Team grinder Matt Gotrel joins Ainslie as the second official team member of the 2020 squad. The 30-year old British Olympic champion rower will also join Ainslie and INEOS TEAM UK in their America's Cup campaign.
INEOS TEAM UK's family of partners - INEOS, Belstaff and Grenadier - will support the Great Britain SailGP Team, while AFEX joins the team as an additional Supporting Partner.
SailGP Season 2 premiers in Sydney (February 28-29), before returning to the U.S. for events in San Francisco (May 2-3) and New York (June 12-13). Cowes on the Isle of Wight in the UK was recently announced as the first European event of Season 2, returning August 14-15, 2020, after a hugely successful event during the championship's inaugural year. The remainder of the Season 2 schedule will be announced in the coming months.
Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar
Tonight we revisit a previous winner, from 2017, the St. Thomas Yacht Club. Thousands of sailors have participated in the St. Thomas International Regatta and your humble narrator is guessing that 99.99% of them tipped a few cold drinks at the yacht club's wonderful bar. The food at the restaurant is restorative, the staff welcoming.
And in a first for our 11 years of drink recipes, this is the first that has CBD as an ingredient. Kids these days!
STYC's version of the Femme Fatale:
Fresh rosemary
Cucumber
CannabaSea CBD
Premium vodka (Wight Vodka if you have it, Grey Goose a decent second choice)
St. Germaine elderflower liquor
... and a splash of cranberry juice.
Know of another mellennial-inspired cannabinoid-infused concoction? Or just a superb version of an old classic?
Send us your story of your favorite bar: eurosailnews.com/sailors-bars
The winner gets a custom 3D map from Latitude Kinsale!
Latitude Kinsale's "Origins" Collection
In January we introduced a new version of the 3D Chart that is specifically designed for the individual gift market, this became known as "The Origins™ Collection". A typical scenario: you are looking for a unique gift for a friend, its a special occasion like a wedding and the budget is important, We have the solution…….. The Origins chart has 5 main attributes:
1: It is hand made to commission and presented in an elegant frame with simplicity in mind - typical of modern contemporary design.
2: The chart content is typically based on a person's origin - hence the name Origins™. So if it is a Christening/Baby gift or a wedding gift then the focal point is Home
3: The Origins™ collection because clients are using them as mementos of their favourite holiday locations. The client will commission a series of charts to show their various "Sailing holidays". Hanging on the wall in a group looks fabulous and it tells it's own story.
4: The Origins™ chart includes the option to customise by including a persons name in nautical flags and their date of birth.
5: The Origins™ chart is created with a budget in mind therefore is cost effective. The size of the framed 3D chart is 380*380mm. Price starting from €299.
Revolutionary Thinking shared at the Yacht Racing Forum
Click on image to enlarge.
Bilbao, Spain: The pace of change in the sport of sailing is moving quicker than ever, was one of the key messages to come out of this year's Forum. One of the sport's brightest minds, Stan Honey opened the two-day conference with an inspiring keynote speech that made a few predictions for the next decade. A winning navigator of the Volvo Ocean Race, the multi-Emmy Award winner has been even more successful in developing technology for sports broadcasting including the Liveline technology that revolutionised coverage of the America's Cup.
The advent of foiling will open up the opportunity to take all the big offshore records, Honey predicted. Smart phones are now becoming so powerful that the kind of Liveline technology that was only affordable by the America's Cup could trickle down to grass roots sailing. "We developed an electronic umpiring system for AC34, but the technology is becoming so affordable that my next prediction is that electronic umpiring will have a big impact across the sport."
Honey's other prediction that the already meteoric growth in doublehanded offshore racing will continue to rise, was echoed by other speakers at the Forum including Rodion Luka, founder of the L30 keelboat which is opening up doublehanded opportunities for aspirants to the new Olympic event for Marseille 2024, mixed doublehanded offshore racing. In similar fashion, Dawn Riley explained how Oakcliff Sailing has repurposed a fleet of Melges 24s for affordable two-up offshore competition.
Professional sailors need to be great storytellers as well as good athletes, was one of the key messages to come out of day one. If anyone can tell a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat it's Don McIntyre, who laid out his vision for the Ocean Globe Race, designed to mirror and honour the tradition of the glory days of the Whitbread Round the World Race. Meanwhile Johan Salen is re-envisioning the round-the-world concept with the Ocean Race, and he described the exciting future that encapsulates the VO65s and the outlandish foiling IMOCA 60s. Builder of the recently launched Hugo Boss IMOCA 60, Jason Carrington, reminded delegates that there is nothing cheap about high-performance, describing the giant foil that protrudes out of each side of Alex Thomson's 60 footer as like "having a Ferrari strapped to each side of the boat".
The Yacht Racing Forum has always been a pioneer and advocate of social and environmental change in the sport.
Next year's Yacht Racing Forum will take place in Portsmouth, UK, on 23-24 November, 2020.
Spindrift 2 Back On Standby for Jules Verne Trophy Attempt
Yann Guichard and his crew are on standby thius week, awaiting a favourable weather window to set sail on their third Jules Verne Trophy record attempt.
Since October 29th, the team had been focused exclusively on repairing Spindrift 2's rudder ever since a problem was detected while training offshore. "We have experienced another race against the clock, here at Spindrift racing. For the past 3 weeks, we have been focused exclusively on finding solutions to fix the multihull's rudder. I would like to thank the entire technical team for their hard work. We're now ready to set sail, and our eyes are turned on the weather forecasts. Our standby is extended until mid December " explained Yann Guichard.
The objective? Beat the existing round the world non-stop sailing record of 40-days, 23-hours, 30-minutes set by Francis Joyon in 2017. If the weather conditions along the route are favourable, it is an achievable goal. "We would like to be a day ahead of the record by the time we reach the Indian Ocean. Francis Joyon crossed this stretch of ocean in a record time and it will be difficult to beat," says Yann Guichard.
Spindrift 2 - Jules Verne Trophy Squad:
Yann Guichard - skipper
Erwan Israel - navigator
Jacques Guichard - watch leader / helm
Jackson Bouttell - helm / bow
Thierry Chabagny - helm
Gregory Gendron - helm
Xavier Revil - watch leader / helm
Corentin Horeau - helm / bow
François Morvan - helm
Duncan Spath - helm
Erwan Le Roux - watch leader / helm
Benjamin Schwartz - helm / bow ---
Jean-Yves Bernot - router
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:
Andrew Pindar (GBR)
The latest of many women's sailing initiatives, working with Dee Caffari and Theresa Zabell, Pindar is the backer of the review of women's participation in the sport presented to World Sailing in Bermuda. The ultimate generous enthusiast, he is immersed in most aspects of sailing, supporting and advising events and sailors such as multiple match race champion Ian Williams and the late quadriplegic record-breaking sailor Hilary Lister
David Raison (FRA)
The French designer, engineer and Mini Transat-winning sailor features heavily in this issue as this month two breakthrough Raison yachts won the Transat Jacques Vabre and Mini Transat on the same day. What is less widely appreciated is that Raison's successful scows are not just the product of a single good idea but many years of refinement using all of the modern design tools including CFD, plus some very smart gut instinct
Last Month's winner:
Takashi Okura (USA)
'My father!' - Riko Okura; 'A super-nice guy, excellent helmsman and a top team' - Will Ryan; 'Mr Okura works very hard to push the sailing team to such great results' - Barny Henshaw; 'Nice and smooth does it' - Ryan Godfrey; 'Well done, Mr Okura!' - Robbie Naismith; 'One of the nicest and most gifted sailors I have had the fortune to race with' - Ray Davies; 'Awesome to work with such a good owner and tight team' - Tammo Baldszun; 'Five wins in a row, enough said' - Brendan Simons; 'It is great to see it all come together for an owner and his team, especially when you've seen the hard work leading up to it' - Rob Weiland.
View past winners of Sailor of the Month
Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Musto, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!
Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month
America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand puts down a marker on wind limits
The unanswered questions on an upper end wind limit for the 36th America's Cup got a partial response from the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand in a training session east of Browns Island, today.
Sailing in SW winds blowing 20-25kts, Sail-World caught the AC75 Te Aihe as she had finished the session and made her way back to her Auckland base, 12nm away.
Her training area, usually well away from prying eyes is known as "The Paddock" and was used extensively in the buildup to the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda, as offered moderately sheltered flat water, reminiscent of Bermuda. The area is designated as one of two heavy air course areas for the 36th America's Cup. The amount of white water in the course was significant - a sea condition known locally as there being "plenty of [white] sheep in the paddock".
Initially Te Aihe sailed in non-foiling mode - heeling as would be expected of a rather tender boat, with her windward wing well above the crew. Surprisingly, given that the AC75 doesn't have a daggerboard, the AC75 seemed to sail better than expected, with sails sheeted wider in the fresh breeze. There was no sign of her staggering in the breeze or likely to capsize as some trolls and pundits had predicted would happen with the AC75.
A team spokesman said afterwards that the session was an "extremely successful day with wind rising to top end - no issues and some good laps".
One could take from that comment that the Defender would be looking to race in that windstrength on that course.
Previously the team response was that the upper wind limit would only be addressed after the AC75 had been sailed in a variety of conditions. -- by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com
Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta fleet is shaping up nicely
137’ Herreshoff gaff schooner Elena of London. Click on image to enlarge.
Changing the dates of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta from the usual second half of April to the very beginning (1-7 April 2020) has enabled various past participants to come and join us again, notably the magnificent 137' Herreshoff gaff schooner Elena of London, the beautiful 86' 1939 Henry Gruber yawl Nordwind and the stunning 203' Andre Hoek designed Athos. Meanwhile we have had a lot of interest from new would-be participants from far and wide, such as the 120' schooner Goleto Gringo, built in 1886 and lovingly renovated in Argentina by its current owner, and gaff cutter Lady Free, a replica of a 1905 Colin Archer design, built in 1983, from Norway. Local owner Don Ward, who has taken part in the Regatta for many years, has a new entry: the 2004 Bill Dixon 40' sloop Freya, a frequent past winner on the Mediterranean circuit. We also welcome back regular competitors, such as Columbia, Rhea, Chronos, Mary Rose, The Blue Peter, Eros, Petrana and Seefalke to name but a few.
The Dragon Class, re-introduced in 2019 to great acclaim, already has two entries for 2020 (six more Petticrows are still available for charter - or bring your own!). Registration fees will be waived in 2021 for the winner of this exciting and highly competitive class, which attracts world-class sailors from all over the world to experience Antigua's superb sailing conditions.
Petticrow Dragon Class
We have strong interest in the Historic Class with new and returning boats. These are yachts designed and built before the end of 1976 of any material with any keel configurations, such as various Sparkman and Stephens designs, Nautor's Swan and Baltic Yachts.
Sam Goodchild: "The Solitaire Du Figaro Is The Best Race In Town"
Through talent, hard graft and building a broad based experience Sam Goochild has forged himself a diverse career, increasingly among the early picks for big multihull projects, IMOCA and Class 40 races. One year ago it was a disappointed Goodchild who had, again, suffered a Transatlantic breakdown - losing the mast of his Class 40 whilst among the leaders of the Route du Rhum. So when he finished the Transat Jacques Vabre on his third attempt in Class 40, second place on Leyton with Fabien Delahaye felt particularly sweet for the sailor who turned 30 on Tuesday, the day that Tip & Shaft caught up with him in Salvador de Bahia. Goodchild, whose career best on the Solitaire was 11th in 2013, confirms he will return to the Figaro for next year, racing in the Leyton colours.
You've had a few disappointments in your Transatlantic races, that must make this second all the sweeter?
It has been a while coming. In Class 40 it is third time lucky. What's nice is to have had the aim, to win and though we didn't quite get there, we sailed a pretty good race and have no regrets. So it's good to have that result under the belt and not to have been worrying about costs again, thinking what could go wrong and what you would do if it did go wrong?
So you move back to the Figaro for next year?
Yes, the Leyton project is finished with the Class 40. They've got a Multi 50 launching in February next year for Arthur (Le Vaillant). I'm going to campaign with the Figaro after they move up to the Multi 50. I am going back to France to get straight into it with preparation and training over the winter. Initially I'll be getting the boat as ready as possible, knowing it it's been a pretty difficult first year for the Figaro 3 class. There have been a few teething problems. We need to get the boat up to speed and then get training at the beginning of next year to go do the AG2R in April and then the Solitaire du Figaro at the end of August.
Who will you do the AG2R with?
I want to get home and have a think about it and decide what sort of profile sailor I want to sail with. I'd quite like to do it with Fabien. He needs to think about whether he's going to try to do it on his boat or whether we do it together on my boat. I'd quite like to pick someone who did the Figaro this year because obviously it's a new boat and they will have learnt a lot in the first 12 months of sailing.
Featured Charter
2010 Laurie Davidson One Off 69 - Pendragon VI
Available: Mediterranean 2019
Pendragon VI is a Laurie Davidson 69, designed to excel in both offshore and inshore racing. This all carbon mini maxi features a hydraulic lifting keel, retracting prop and twin rudders. Off the wind, in the right conditions, she can sail at 30+ knots!
In 2018 she set a new race record for the 151 Miglia of 15 hours, 30 minutes and 45 seconds taking off 55 minutes!
For full details please go to....bit.ly/LVY-pendragon-VI
See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 2392 161272
Email: info [AT] lvyachting [DOT] com
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
2009 Marten 67 - "Caol Ila" 1,500,000 EUR. Located in Sardinia.
Occasionally a jewel of a yacht is built. Coal Ila should be seen and sailed to truly appreciate her exquisite detail and thrilling performance. Simplistic arrangement allows for short handed sailing, as well as competitive fully crewed racing. Lifting keel arrangement, really ticks the boxes.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+64 277733717
+44 2380 016582
sampearson [AT] ancasta [DOT] com
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1937 Johan Anker Flush Deck Cutter - Bojar. 650000 EUR. Located in United Kingdom.
BOJAR is a boat of breathtaking and effortless beauty. She is also an extremely effective sailing boat: rarely off the podium at any classic regatta.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Barney Sandeman
info [AT] sandemanyachtcompany [DOT] co [DOT] uk
+44 (0)1202 330077
33 High Street
Poole, Dorset
BH15 1AB
United Kingdom
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2002 Maxi 86. 700,000 USD. Located in the USA.
WINDQUEST is an immaculate Maxi 86 owned by one of the premier families in our sport. used only a few weekends a year, she lacks for nothing and is always a 1st to finish contender as well as a always in the corrected time hunt Call for her full details
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
William Jenkins
410 267 9419
410 353 7862
bill [AT] tysonline [DOT] com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Lord, what fools these mortals be! -- A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 1, Scene 1
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