In This Issue
• Final boat finishes 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart
• The return of the Southern Cross Cup
• Atlantic Battle - Part 2 - Brest Atlantiques
• How the 2020 Puerto Vallarta Race Will Catapult a Team Around the World
• Launceston to Hobart Race - Prize-giving
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• 2020 Round the Island Race
• RS Aero World Championship
• International14 World Team Racing - GBR take victory
• Happy New Year from the Finn Class
• Featured Charter: 1903 Gaff Rig Cutter 'Kelpie'
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Archambault A35R - "Chenapan 3"
• • Vismara V45 Fast Cruiser
• • Botin 65 - High Spirit
• The Last Word: Arnold H. Glasow
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... VOTING IS OPEN FOR THE TOP TEN
Final boat finishes 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart
The final boat to finish the 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, local Tasmanian boat Take Five, has arrived at Constitution Dock.
Skipper Ian Gannon said his crew endured storms and almost exhausted supplies but were elated to make it to the finish line in an elapsed time of five days, 23 hours and 41 minutes
"We spent New Year's Eve trying to get as far south as we could as quickly as we could," Gannon said.
"It handles [the storms] beautifully.
"I think everyone's special for getting here... my heart goes out to those competitors who didn't make it... I'm just happy we made it here with no damage and no breakages.
"Supplies were running low. I did plan for seven days' rations but we've gone through them all... Another day out there would have finished everything, including toilet paper."
Will they do it again?
"Let me have a few rums first, then I might answer that," Gannon said.
A total of 157 boats took to the start line for the historic 75th running of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 628-nautical-mile bluewater classic - with 154 reaching the finish line. Only three boats were forced to retire.
The return of the Southern Cross Cup
The Southern Cross Cup in conjunction with the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has seen victory go to the Australian Yellow team made up of Ichi Ban, Gweilo and St Jude.
With Matt Allen's Ichi Ban winning the race for a second time and Matt Donald and Chris Townsend's Gweilo finishing second overall, the team was always going to be hard to beat. But the win came down to CYCA Vice Commodore, Noel Cornish's finish with St Jude, which finished 39th overall to win Division 3.
Second was the Derwent Sailing Club team of Phillip Turner's Alive, Shaun Tiedemann's Willie Smith's Philosopher and Greg Prescott's 2 Unlimited). Third was the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Black team of Quest (Craig Neil/Bob Steel), Chinese Whisper (David Griffith) and Wots Next (Charles Cupit). There were 19 other teams vying for victory and the perpetual trophy.
Modelled on the Admiral's Cup in the United Kingdom, the inaugural Southern Cross Cup was in 1967 and discontinued in 2001, before a one-off return in 2013 when the team of Wild Rose (Roger Hickman), Victoire (Darryl Hodgkinson) and Patrice (Tony Kirby) won it.
The Southern Cross Cup is open to three-boat teams from Australia, Australian states and overseas, competing under IRC and representing a country, states or yacht clubs.
Teams this year represented Australia, NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, along with five CYCA teams, three from Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (NSW) and two each from the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron (Qld) and Sandringham Yacht Club (Vic). Single teams also represented the Derwent Sailing Squadron (TAS), Middle Harbour Yacht Club (NSW), Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NSW); Royal Brighton Yacht Club (Vic) and Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania (Tas). -- Rupert Guinness, RSHYR media
Atlantic Battle - Part 2 - Brest Atlantiques
The 14,000 mile race around the Atlantic got off to a dramatic start with strong winds and big seas pushing the 100ft trimarans to their limits.
After rounding the first mark of Rio de Janeiro there was even more heavy weather, more gear failures and plenty more tactical conundrums to figure out.
A remarkable race brought to life by the superb footage from the onboard reporters and running commentary from the crews. -- Matt Sheahan, PlanetSail
How the 2020 Puerto Vallarta Race Will Catapult a Team Around the World
For one team, San Diego Yacht Club’s 2020 Puerto Vallarta Race will be the first step towards a journey around the world.
Viva Mexico, a VOR 65 skippered by Erik Brockmann, will be making their racing debut during the 2020 Puerto Vallarta Race as part of their campaign to compete in The Ocean Race 2021. Brockmann’s goal is to bring Mexico back into The Ocean Race almost 50 years after Mexico’s Sayula II competed and won the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973-74. Among the crew we will see Co-Owners Ricardo Brockmann, Loernzo Berho and Yon Belausteguigoitia who have been competing in the PV Race during the past decade in the Vincitore and Peligroso Racing programs. Also involved in supporting the Viva Mexico project is San Diego Yacht Club’s Malin Burnham.
The boat now named Viva Mexico, was previously Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing/Scallywag, and was the overall winner in the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race. The boat was refitted and renamed Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag for the 2017-2018 Volvo Ocean Race.
The 1973-74 Whitbread Round the World Race, the first edition of the Whitbread Round the World Race, started off from Portsmouth, England on 8 September 1973. Seventeen yachts of various sizes and rigs took part. The crew of the Mexican yacht Sayula II, a brand new at the time Swan 65 owned and skippered by Mexican Captain Ramón Carlin, won the overall race in 133 days and 13 hours. In 2016, this adventure was presented in a documentary film called The Weekend Sailor.
San Diego Yacht Club: sdyc.org
Launceston to Hobart Race - Prize-giving
It is official, Victorian sailor Tim Olding and his crew sailing the Summit 35, Vertigo, was this afternoon declared the overall winner of the Riversdale Estate Wines L2H 2019. Official results were announced at today's prize-giving at the Derwent Sailing Squadron with the trophy for overall winner and IRC divisional winner presented by Her Excellency Kate Warner, Governor of Tasmania.
Olding's crew consisted of a Victorian and Tasmanian contingent, which provided opportunity for critical local knowledge. Olding acknowledged the local experience of Tasmanian sailors Greg Rowling's and Stuart Addison was invaluable to their tactical race. Olding's 19 year old daughter, Clare Olding, was also instrumental in the boats success, with Olding saying that she challenged him to the title of captain Araldite.
Vertigo's success continued in the results with Greg Rowlings being awarded 1st Navigator on winning yacht on Overall IRC and Paulina Hryniewiecka 1st Female Competitor on Overall IRC Standings.
Overall:
Vertigo (Tim Olding, RYCV)
IRC:
1st Vertigo (Tim Olding, RYCV)
2nd Heatwave (Matthew Keal, BYC)
3rd Ambition (Michael Jones, PDYC).
AMS:
1st Vertigo (Tim Olding, RYCV)
2nd Talofa (Ron Cawthorn, KYC)
3rd Heatwave (Matthew Keal, BYC
PHS:
1st Ambition (Michael Jones, PDYC)
2nd Rad (Brent McKay, KYC)
3rd Frontline (Ian Snape, DSS)
Line Honours:
Fork in the Road (Gary Smith, RYCT)
First to Low Head: Dream (Robert Green, SYC)
First to Low Head IRC: Lawless (Stephen McElwee, PDYC)
First to Low Head AMS: Frontline (Ian Snape, DSS)
First to Low Head PHS: Frontline (Ian Snape, DSS)
This year's Riversdale Estate Wines Launceston to Hobart has again showcased why this race has become the icon of the Tasmanian summer racing series. Sailing conditions have provided opportunity for the fleet to enjoy champagne sailing, at its best, in the 13th year of the race.
Seahorse January 2020
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Reasons to race
No wonder the Oyster Palma Regatta is so often oversubscribed. A great learning experience, a brilliant party, a stepping stone to far horizons, an essential networking event and a whole lot more...
The end of the adventure
Racing around the world today is not even the same sport as it was when the cockamamie idea first began to take hold. Brian Hancock
Foiling for (almost) all
Widening the appeal... fast yes, but the 69F is also optimised for easy handling
What they're made of
Wessex Resins’ epoxy pushes the performance boundaries even further... just in time for the next America’s Cup
Offshore odyssey
One of next season’s most enticing IRC/ORC events has to be this brand new, non-stop grand tour of the Aegean Sea...
IRC - Behave
On the whole you guys are pretty good but now and again teacher just has to get firm with you. Jason Smithwick
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Be the first to enter the 2020 Round the Island Race and win a bottle of Mermaid Gin
Entries for the world-famous Round the Island Race open at 00.01 on Friday 3 January (#RIR20). The first competitor to sign-up on opening day will win a bottle of Mermaid Gin, and the next 20 will be placed in a draw to win one of four additional bottles of the highly regarded spirit, hand-crafted on the Isle of Wight. Last year there was a record first-day entry total of 151 competitors taking advantage of the early-bird discount to register their entry.
The 2020 edition of the Round the Island Race takes place on Saturday 30 May, a few weeks earlier than usual to accommodate tidal conditions. It truly lives up to its reputation as a Race for All - welcoming sailors from all over the world, with professional sailors, families and first-time racers competing next to one another around the stunning coastline of the Isle of Wight.
This year, organisers are offering Gift Vouchers for the race which are redeemable against the race entry fee, a perfect gift for a skipper. The vouchers, in printed or electronic form, are available to purchase online at giftpro.roundtheisland.org.uk
Early Bird entries are available online until 1st February and competitors are encouraged to get their entries in early to take advantage of the discounts on offer.
For more details and how to register to take part in Round the Island Race 2020, visit roundtheisland.org.uk
RS Aero World Championship
Photo by Lynn Billowes. Click on image for photo gallery.
The 3rd RS Aero World Championship kicks off in Melbourne Australia this weekend at Black Rock YC on the waters of Port Phillip Bay, supported by Rooster Sailing and Sailing Raceboats of Australia.
Eighty RS Aeros from around the world are signed up for the championship over New Year. The Australian summer is now in full swing with their most recent heat wave topping 40’C. However Melbourne is known to be changeable and as the saying goes locally, “if you don’t like the weather in Melbourne, wait ten minutes”. Over the week competitors are likely to see a wide range of conditions. If the sea breeze does come in hard, the Bay is famous for its challenging sea state and there will be a few roos loose in the top paddock as the large chop builds up over the shallow water.
The championships have boosted interest in the Class in Australia and nearly 50 Aussie RS Aeros are signed up from five states to compete, including quite a few new boats. This interest will be further boosted with a good supply of ex charter RS Aeros available after the Worlds as the local dealer, Sailing Raceboats will be selling the charter fleet following the event.
Over 20 Brits are making the long trip down under, happy to escape for a blast of mid-winter sun! The Japanese team are set to make their first international appearance with four sailors signed up in the RS Aero 5 fleet.
www.facebook.com/groups/rsaeroclass
International14 World Team Racing - GBR take victory
Brief reports available have the British team, GBR, winning the CST Composites i14 Worlds Team Racing Finals on Tuesday.
Four teams made it to the semi-final round on Tuesday - GBR, AUS1, AUS2 and AUS3.
AUS2 and AUS3 went out in the semi-finals, leaving GBR and AUS1 to contest the final.
GBR won the first flight in the best of 3 race final.
AUS1 took the second flight, GBR then won the 3rd and final flight to win the i14 Worlds Team Racing Final.
Happy New Year from the Finn Class
Here is a New Year treat for Finn sailors everywhere. The 2019 Finn Gold Cup in Melbourne delivered fantastic imagery and close competition. The conditions for the medal race were everything every Finn sailor dreams about, big wind, wind waves, sunshine and a huge battle between giants. It was an epic end to an epic year of racing.
A new year and a new decade bring a fresh approach and new opportunities. An Olympic year brings new challenges and new battles - as well as some of the same old ones. We will see many battles in Tokyo later this year, but before that there is the North America, European and African continental places to be decided in Miami and Genoa.
Also before Tokyo there is the 50th Anniversary Finn World Masters in Port Zelande, The Netherlands, the Finn Gold Cup and Silver Cup in Palma, and there is the European Championship in Gdynia, Poland. Everything is set for another classic Finn year.
To everyone who takes an interest in Finn sailing; to everyone who follows or helps these heroes of the sailing world; to everyone who has worked with the class throughout the year; or those just enjoys the stories and images of one of the toughest, most challenging, contemporary, popular, physical and most Olympic of all classes, thank you for your support in 2019 and we look forward to making even more great content and even greater stories in 2020.
The video below brings together some of the best footage from the Finn Gold Cup in Melbourne, so sit back, relax and enjoy some great Finn sailing.
Happy New Year. -- Robert Deaves
Featured Charter
1903 Gaff Rig Cutter 'Kelpie'
Kelpie is one of the most beautiful and elegant classic yachts racing today.
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
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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2003 Vismara V45 Fast Cruiser. 150000 EUR. Located in Genoa, Italy
Italian E-Glass rocket ship with carbon wing mast for effortless short-handed sailing. 3-cabin, 2-heads layout for versatile cruising comfort.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Alex Grabau
Tel: +44 (0)1590 673715
Email: enquiries [AT] grabauinternational [DOT] com
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2015 Botin 65 'High Spirit'. 1850000 EUR. Located in Spain.
There were no costs spared in building this magnificent racer, from her design and construction to the addition of high tech equipment. During the winter of 2016, she was intensively prepared for racing. She now has a stable heading in any wind and easily hydroplanes in 10 knots.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
info [AT] bernard-gallay [DOT] com
/www.bernard-gallay.com
Tel +33 (0) 467 66 39 93
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time. -- Arnold H. Glasow
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