In This Issue
• Chandler Macleod Moth Worlds / Australian Moth Championships
• HMS Prince of Wales commissioning ceremony held in Portsmouth
• Robline in a nutshell...may we introduce the brand
• Smoke On The Water
• Sir Ben Ainslie blasts America's Cup costs
• Wight Vodka Best Sailors' Bar
• Foiling for (almost) all - Wilson Marquinez
• Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race 2020 start date confirmed
• Jimmy Spithill given ambassador role for new trans-Tasman yacht race
• Industry News
• Featured Charter
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Gieffe 53
• • BoatTwo
• • BoatThree
• The Last Word: Daniel Berrigan
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...
Chandler Macleod Moth Worlds / Australian Moth Championships
Mounts Bay Sailing Club -Perth, Western Australia: Well it has finally arrived, after all the by play and preparations it was time for the 120-strong Moth fleet to flex its muscle on the Swan River with yesterday's opening races of the Australian Moth Championship.
The racing on day one was delayed as the sea breeze took a while to fill in, with Perth's summer living up to all expectations with hot weather and pumping sea breezes.
Race 1 started in about 12-15 knots and the breeze started to kick from there. On an absolutely ideal race track for foiling the boats were ripping along at speeds of up to 25-30 knots.
The Australian SailGP boys had a solid start to the event with Kyle Langford recording a 2, 1, 2, 2 score card and Tom Slingsby having a great start to his campaign with a 1, 2, DNF, 3 scoreline in the yellow fleet, while Scott Babbage charged into contention with a 3, 3, 1, 1 to round out a day that was dominated by Australians.
In the blue fleet Matt Chew and Rob Greenhalgh were duking it out trading wins all day, however they certainly didn't have it all their own way with names like Tom Burton, Josh Mcknight, Joe Turner and Will Boulden all snapping at their heels.
The most amazing thing about the racing at the moment is that any sailor, on any platform, with any number of set-ups could win a race, with Bieker, Exocet and Mach2 manufactured boats all scattered through the top 10, and all running a variety of different set-ups.
It really has become a refined art to personalise your boat to your strengths and all platforms are providing similar attributes to each individual in order to make them work.
This puts the Moth class in an exciting place as many older boats are becoming competitive again with some upgrades and good sailors at the helm.
Today's racing is an early start time with a race to beat the heat and it will be interesting to see what the breeze does with easterlies forecast.
Post racing it is into the Opening Ceremony with December 12 a rest day before the Chandler Maclod Moth Worlds cranks up on December 13.
HMS Prince of Wales commissioning ceremony held in Portsmouth
Our favorite knight, Sir Robin Knox-Johnstone. Click on image to enlarge.
The Royal Navy's £3.1bn new aircraft carrier has been commissioned at a ceremony in Portsmouth attended by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
They inspected a royal guard made up by the ship's company, as part of the event at the city's naval dockyard.
The Duchess of Cornwall, who is the ship's sponsor, told the gathering of about 3,000 people that it is "the beginning of an exciting new era in our long naval history".
The hoisting of the white ensign officially designated the ship as part of the Royal Navy's operational fleet.
The carrier, which is taller than Nelson's Column and has a flight deck the size of three football pitches, will have at least 700 people serving on board and the capacity to hold around 1,600 personnel.
A service was conducted by the chaplain of the fleet, with music from the Band of the Royal Marines.
The carrier is the eighth Royal Navy vessel to bear the name HMS Prince of Wales.
The 65,000-tonne warship was united with its sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth earlier this month, when the older of the pair returned from the US, where it had been carrying out trials of its F35B Lightning jet fighters.
The two 919ft (280m) long aircraft carriers are expected to be in service for the next 50 years and are the largest and most advanced warships ever built for the navy.
Robline in a nutshell...may we introduce the brand:
R...like Rebellious
Breaking out of used habits. Breaking ground with innovative, pioneering Robline ropes. The colours of the new Robline logo illustrate and emphasise this spirit. We wanted to break out of the “Blue” in sailing and in general the watersports industry. We wanted to make a statement using cucuum and monsungrey as our new colours - Standing out of the mass with both our products and our spirit.
Read more soon!
Smoke On The Water
Photo by Andrea Francolini, www.afrancolini.com. Click on image to enlarge.
Grinders Coffee SOLAS Big Boat Challenge abandoned due to safety concerns
For the first time in the 26-year-history of the Big Boat Challenge, the race has been abandoned due to safety concerns following the settling of thick smoke from the Australian bushfires over the Sydney basin and a serious lack of visibility.
"It was really suggested to us from harbour control that perhaps we shouldn't be racing" said Race Officer, Denis Thompson.
"The smoke haze has been in most of the morning - it's coming from bushfires north-west of here" a harsh reality of the situation at present for the Australian's currently under threat from the fires.
Now known as the Grinders Coffee SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, the race was set to have six entrants, including The Oatley Family's Wild Oats XI, 11-time-winner of the race, miraculously back after three weeks of repairs following the CYCA's Cabbage Tree Island Bluewater Pointscore Race in November. -- Nic Douglass
Sir Ben Ainslie blasts America's Cup costs
Sir Ben Ainslie has hit out at the costs of contesting the America's Cup, saying it is hindering the spread of the sport's glamour event.
Ainslie, heading the British syndicate for a second time as they navigate towards Auckland 2021, speaks from a position of strength as he enjoys the backing of Britain's wealthiest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, for his Team INEOS UK challenge.
But having such financial security doesn't stop Ainslie's concerns with Auckland 2021 having just defender Emirates Team New Zealand and three, possibly four, challengers.
"We should be looking at 10 teams - that would be ideal," Ainslie told The Financial Times, pointing the finger at the highly technical new foiling 75-foot monohulls introduced for the next edition.
"If you ask any of the team principals, they would agree this particular boat is too expensive. For a new team looking to get involved, it is quite daunting."
Sir Ben says, however, it is a "common misconception" that the biggest budget wins. That is borne out by the success of Team New Zealand, founded in 1993 and three-times winner of the cup. It is backed by commercial sponsors rather than a wealthy individual. Sir Ben says big budgets allow teams to try out "some crazy design ideas, because you can test so many different parameters". However, "having a budget to stick to means you can focus on where you are going to get bang for your buck".
https://www.ft.com/content/cfc0d884-f004-11e9-a55a-30afa498db1b
Wight Vodka Best Sailors' Bar 
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, this time of year evokes seasonal flavors. Apple, cinnamon, pumpkin.
I, for one, have had quite enough of pumpkin spice, and putting that in coffee is a sure sign of the impending apocalypse. Adding it into a cocktail is marginally permitted in my opinion.
But apples and cinnamon? Bring it on.
This drink recipe combines some great fall flavors. Best accessorized with a fireplace, a big yellow dog and a good book.
Spiced Apple Martini
2 parts Wight Vodka
1/2 part fresh lemon juice
2 parts sparkling apple cider
1 tablespoon cinnamon sugar
Dried apple slice
Rub a lemon wedge on the outside lip of a martini cocktail glass, then roll in the cinnamon sugar.
Add the first two ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a martini cocktail glass.
Top with sparkling cider and garnish with an apple slice.
Sip a few... and then tell us your tall tale about your favorite bar, help them win all the prizes this year in our 11th Annual Wight Vodka best sailor's bar competition.
Foiling for (almost) all - Wilson Marquinez
Widening the appeal... fast yes, but the 69F is also optimised for easy handling
The thrill of foiling above the sea under sail need not be limited to America's Cup or Open 60 boats sailed by professionals. One perfect example of this "foiling for everyone" is the 69F concept developed by the yacht designers Wilson Marquinez (MW Naval Architecture, Buenos Aires), with the initial idea going back to 2016: a foiling monohull sportsboat that should be as simple as possible so that it can be enjoyed by a wide spectrum of sailors; young or old, advanced or beginners.
These ideas were discussed with Luca Dede from One Sails and pro yachtsman Maciel Cichetti. The emphasis was on safety and slow "take-off" speed, so that this boat can foil even at low true wind speeds. What they created was a performance design using the latest technology for a monohull one-design class with a sleek hull that already sails fast in conventional mode, without foils.
Despite this, the desired low takeoff speed was a real challenge.
Full article in the January issue of Seahorse
Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race 2020 start date confirmed
Following the success of the inaugural Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race in 2019, Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in association with Hamilton Island Yacht Club have set the 2020 race start from Brisbane's Moreton Bay for July 31.
Prominent ocean racing yachtsman Gavin Brady and the international crew on Karl Kwok's MOD70 trimaran, Beau Geste (Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club), set a blistering multihull race record time of 1 day 2 hours 11 minutes 43 seconds for the debut event. Their course time and average speed of just over 20kts for the 530 nautical mile stretch is an awesome benchmark likely to stand for many years. At the finish, Brady said: "It's a really nice racecourse and Hamilton Island is a great destination to sail to. This event has a bright future."
The Oatley family's RP66 Wild Oats X, skippered by Hamilton Island CEO Glenn Bourke, also rode the wild south-east tradewinds from start to finish, clocking a time of 1 day 10 hours 46 minutes 53 seconds and establishing a monohull race record that will be equally tough to beat.
Owner/skipper of the IRC division 1 overall winner Ichi Ban, Matt Allen, recapped at the finish: "It was a really quick, exhilarating race - a navigator's delight. We had a lot of water over the deck and helming a tiller Botin 52 downhill doing an average 19 knots was a challenge. The guys are pretty sore."
Feedback from competitors on the first ever Hamilton Island Race Week feeder out of Brisbane was overwhelmingly positive and organisers are confident of the event's place alongside other bluewater events of note listed on the Australian racing calendar. "It's great to see Queensland putting on a race with a bit of distance; it's definitely a winner," said the skipper of the Beneteau First 45 Banter, Mark Jacobsen.
RQYS is committed to providing the option of the Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race or the shorter, coastal Club Marine Brisbane to Keppel Tropical Yacht Race which starts at the same time.
The Notice of Race for the second annual Category 2 race (with AS Special Regulations Part 1), which feeds into Hamilton Island Race Week August 15 - 22, will be available early 2020.
Jimmy Spithill given ambassador role for new trans-Tasman yacht race
Jimmy Spithill has been named an ambassador for the new Sydney to Auckland yacht race to be sailed in the run-up to the 2021 America's Cup.
Now he joins New Zealand round the world sailor Bianca Cook as the two people fronting the trans-Tasman race that departs Sydney on January 30, 2021 and should finish in time for sailors to be part of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's 150th celebrations.
The club is the holder of the America's Cup and has organised the Sydney to Auckland race with the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Australia's biggest city
"I think for a lot of competitive sailors between the two cities, we have flown over that piece of water many times. However, I imagine very few have actually sailed it, or ever had the chance to race Sydney to Auckland," Spithill said as his ambassador's role was revealed.
"Having raced up and down the coast of Australia in the Sydney Hobart and Sydney Gold Coast races, along with New Zealand's Coastal Classic, both coastlines offer really challenging, tactical racing. Combining a bit of both will make it a really fascinating event, with a great ending of watching the Americas Cup.
"I hope to see a lot of Aussies on the water in New Zealand come 2021."
Industry News
Oyster Yachts is to take on 150 additional tradespeople across its yards in Southampton, Wroxham and Ashmanhaugh.
The additions will increase the boatbuilders' headcount to more than 420 staff and will include laminators, boat builders, joiners, electricians and engineers.
"This represents a hugely exciting time for Oyster," said owner and CEO Richard Hadida. "It is wonderful to see the brand returned to its former glory, with a full order book and a dedicated team of people in Wroxham, Southampton and Ashmanhaugh building beautiful sailing yachts, using the best of British craftsmanship.
"We look forward to welcoming many more onboard in the coming months."
The company currently has a full order book, a transformation since it was bought by Richard in March 2018. One of the latest models is the 565 60ft yacht that is designed for a couple or young family to easily sail.
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After a reasonably well-attended weekend, the prospects for weekday visitors look less promising if disruption continues
Despite the difficulties caused by widespread transport strikes across France and in the capital over the weekend, organisers of the 2019 Paris Nautic Boat Show were surprised to welcome a large number of visitors over the opening two days.
According to the Federation des Industries Nautiques (FIN), the attendance figure for Saturday and Sunday was down by only 10% compared with last year as visitors showed determination to get to the exhibition by one means or another during the weekend. However, Monday was less well attended and if the strikes continue through the week the adverse impact on attendance is likely to be considerable.
The industrial action is being supported by various major national unions in response the government's proposed pension reforms. Another statement is expected from the government tomorrow and it is hoped this might help to end the strikes and get more public transport moving again.
The Paris show is one of only two consumer boat shows in the world counting more than 200,000 visitors (under normal conditions). Dusseldorf ranks number one, with a reported 250,000 visitors in 2018, followed by Paris with 204,000. Genoa comes in third with 188,000 reported visitors last year.
The nine-day Paris event runs through Sunday, 15 December.
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ELG Carbon Fibre has recycled more than 1.2 tonnes of waste from British America's Cup challenger INEOS Team UK.
The waste comprised of pre-impregnated and cured parts from the current campaign which ELG has reprocessed into thermoset and thermoplastic compounds and non-woven mats.
The mats have been used to produce two cradles for the race boat Britannia and moulds for the hull regions of the team's test boats have also been manufactured using the same technology.
"As an America's Cup team, we hope to lead the way showing other manufacturers you can avoid putting materials in landfill, close the loop and reuse the fibres with stunning results. This is a game changing approach to marine manufacturing that we are delighted to be part of."
Britannia was officially launched last month at the INEOS Team UK's headquarters in Portsmouth. The 75ft foiling monohull represents a new type of race boat that requires a stable cradle to support the boat in transit.
The cradle was manufactured using vacuum infusion, although ELG materials can also be used in prepreg and liquid compression moulding processes.
ELG's products were also incorporated into the hull mould, which again was made using a vacuum infusion process.
Featured Charter
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Barbados Sailing Week / 16th - 24th January
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St. Maarten Heineken Regatta / 5th - 8th March
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See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Andy Budgen
email: budgenandy [AT] me [DOT] com
Tel:+44( 0) 7866 589824
monstermarine.co.uk
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
2008 Gieffe GY 53. 290,000 EUR. Located in Rosignano, Italy.
Stunning E-glass rocket ship from 2008 with an almost total refit in 2016 to bring her totally up to date. Ultra-stylish, yet ultra-practical and set up for effortless short-handed fast cruising.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
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Lead broker - Alex Grabau
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2014 Archambault A35R - "Chenapan 3". 170000 EUR. Located in France.
"Chenapan 3" is an A35R, or "mk 2" version of the very successful Archambault 35 design. Built and launched in 2014 she is the only epoxy build to date. Many upgrades. New carbon mast and boom, foil changes, deck layout changes, interior upgrades and construction changes make her the boat to have
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
sampearson [AT] ancasta [DOT] com
+447759 424900
+442380 016582
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2019 Oyster 565. 1,450,000 GBP.
The Oyster 565 is a yacht for all oceans; a sub-60-foot sailboat that will go places and show you something new about the world. It’s a yacht for people who want to own their adventures; choose their destination, set their course and their sails, pick their anchorages and then bring her safely home.
The At just short of 60 feet overall length, our Oyster 565 blue water sailing yacht is perfectly set up for a couple or young family to easily sail and maintain together. It’s designed to circumnavigate the planet (should you want to) in comfort and style, all thanks to Oyster’s design and engineering brilliance.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Richard Gibson
SALES DIRECTOR - UK
richard [DOT] gibson [AT] oysteryachts [DOT] com
+44 (0) 7590 183240
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
You have to struggle to stay alive and be of use as long as you can. -- Daniel Berrigan
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