In This Issue
• World Champs claim the Etchells Victorian Championship
• America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ wins Arb Panel confidentiality complaint
• Dubarry Women's Open Keelboat Championship
• The demise of CG66 is brought forward to end of March 2020
• Round The Island Race In 80 Days
• Coronavirus effect as European sailing season gets underway
• 2020 J/24 European Championship Notice of Cancellation
• 2020 ASAF Asian Championships postponed
• Fresh winds opening for the OptiOrange Valencia 2020
• Steering Without a Rudder
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Gunboat 60 - Arethusa
• • Ker 40+ "Arabella"
• • Alfred Mylne Glen-Coats Gaff Sloop 1926 - Duet
• The Last Word: Steven Van Zandt
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
World Champs claim the Etchells Victorian Championship
The reigning Etchells World Champions, Iain Murray, Colin Beashel and Richie Allanson secured the 2020 Victorian title with a race to spare. After placing second and sixth in the first two races of the day, they headed back to the Royal Brighton Yacht Club to put Havoc back on her trailer for the journey to Sydney.
Finishing in second place overall was Magpie, which is crewed by Graeme Taylor, James Mayo, and Tom Slingsby. They were three points astern of the leaders in the end, whose worst result for the regatta was a sixth place. Interestingly, Magpie's worst was a fourth, it is just that they did not have the string of bullets (firsts) to match Havoc. Chris Hampton, Charlie Cumbley, and Jamie Lea on Tango finished in third place, some nine points further back. Cumbley and Lea also travelled the farthest to be part of it all, from the UK, with others coming from Thailand, and the East Coast of Australia to be part of this vibrant class.
John Bertrand had his new Triad 2020 out racing with Grant Crowle in for Noel Drennan, and Jake Lilley on the bow. They secured two individual race wins, including the last of the nice race series, to finish in eighth place overall, which shows you just how tough it is at this end of the fleet. "Long time in between drinks in this fleet at the moment", was how Bertrand put it. "It is also a good thing too."
"It is all building up to the World Championship in Fremantle, it is clear that the fleet is getting very focussed. Magpie just returned from winning the Mid-Winters in Miami, and then they're second here in this extremely intense racing. It all shows the calibre of the fleet here in Australia. The class is healthy and the top One Design tactical racing in the country. It is just incredible to be involved and the sailors and sailing is impressive, particularly the young people coming through, and it is terrific for our sport on the whole."
Reflecting on the new shorter race format, PRO Ross Wilson said, "I was a little bit concerned when we discussed with the organisers a few weeks ago, as to whether it would work. However, the feedback has been really positive. We targeted 45 minutes, and had all the races fall between 41 and 50, with the majority at 45 to 46. I am not sure if it would work with fleets over 35 boats, as you need to compensate for the longer start line, but this was brilliant for our fleet of 25 here."
Final top ten
1. Iain Murray / Richard Allanson / Colin Beashel, 19 points
2. Graeme Taylor / James Mayo / Tom Slingsby, 22
3. Chris Hampton / Charlie Cumbley / Jamie Lea, 31
4. Mark Thornburrow / Alexander Conway / Mike Huang / Malcolm Page, 38
5. David Clark / Raymond Smith / Ben Obrien, 44
6. Kirwan Robb / Rodney Muller / Brett Taylor, 46
7. Jeanne-Claude Strong / Kate Devereux / Seve Jarvin / Troy Tindal, 48
8. John Bertrand / Jake Lilley / Grant Crowle, 51
9. Jamie Mcwilliam / Willy Roberts / Gray Gibson, 73
10. Damien King / Jeremy O'connell / Eliza Solly / Tom Klemens, 79
America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ wins Arb Panel confidentiality complaint
Emirates Team New Zealand has been exonerated following a complaint that the Kiwi team had breached confidentiality restrictions surrounding the Match Conditions for the 36th America's Cup.
The complaint was lodged by the Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli after it became known that there was a dispute between the Italian team and the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand - who are the two parties who negotiate the rules and conditions for the America's Cup Regattas.
The final sticking point was over the negotiations of the Match Conditions and specifically the wind limits that would apply. The media were tipped off that there was an issue when it became plain that a deadline of December 20, 2019 would not be met for publication.
It emerged that the two parties could not agree on wind limits that should apply when the deadline was missed. Sail-World broke the story on December 22, carrying a quotation from Emirates Team New Zealand's long time and highly experienced rules adviser Russell Green.
It soon emerged that despite a requirement in the Protocol for the Challenger of Record (the first to lodge a Letter of Challenge required under the 19th century Deed of Gift which governs the conduct of the America's Cup) to "represent all Challengers" had not been met in its wider sense when the New York Yacht Club's American Magic stated in an interview with Associated Press that Luna Rossa had not consulted them as to their views on the wind limits that should apply.
That news surprised Emirates Team New Zealand who had apparently assumed that the other three Challengers would be consulted n this vital issue.
Full article by Richard Gladwell:
www.sail-world.com/news/227338/
Dubarry Women's Open Keelboat Championship Moves to Royal Southern Yacht Club
The Dubarry sponsored UK Women's Open Keelboat Championship (WOKC) will be hosted on the 13th/14th June from the beautiful location of the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
Ireland has previously been successful at the event with Howth Yacht Club helmswoman Laura Dillon winning in 2016.
Dubarry returns as title sponsor, having been a generous supporter of the championships since its inception in 2008 and having been the title sponsor for the last eight events.
Participants in the Dubarry Women's Open Keelboat Championships will have the opportunity to win much-admired Dubarry items, which will be available as prizes for class winners and in the overall Championship.
The inclusion of the sportsboat class will allow boats such as J70's, J80's and SB20 enter and race under the Royal Southern's handicap rather than having to get an IRC certificate.
The Women's Open Keelboat Championship was founded in 2008 by a group of passionate female sailors who wanted to compete in challenging racing against other women. Over the years the team behind the regatta has evolved but the vision has remained the same.
The demise of CG66 is brought forward to end of March 2020
The Cruising Association's Regulatory and Technical Service group (RATS) has today been advised by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) that the scrapping of the CG66 Safety Identification Scheme - the name given to the MCA's free and voluntary scheme for registering identification and other details of pleasure craft and vessels - has been brought forward from July to the end of March.
As a result of this latest news, which has come at short notice, the Cruising Association is now advising its members with renewed urgency to sign up to the alternative SafeTrx registration scheme, administered in the UK by the RYA and available to all boat users.
When questioned by Robin Baron, the Chair of RATS, as to what had caused this sudden change to the almost immediate scrapping of the CG66 system, an MCA spokesman responded that the decision has been brought forward to save costs on technology.
Apparently, the data was only being looked at infrequently. The MCA's procedure is firstly to look at SafeTrx and then, if nothing's registered there, they check CG66. The decision does not directly affect SAR (Search & Rescue) but it improves the response the service can provide. After 31 March a vessel registered on CG66 but not on SafeTrx will be treated in the same way as a vessel that has no details registered is currently treated.
RYA SafeTrx aims to provide a similar SAR database to the CG66 scheme with the added advantage of additional methods of adding data and of communication. It is not necessary to be a member of the RYA to use it. Details of vessels, their communications and safety equipment and of emergency contacts are entered in one of two ways.
The first is by using the RYA SafeTrx website which is at: safetrx.rya.org.uk. It is necessary to register in order to enter data. The second way to enter data is by using the RYA SafeTrx App. This is available on Apple iPhones and iPads with iOS 8.0 or later and on Android phones with Android OS 4.2 and above. It is not available on Windows phones or Android tablets.-- Petra Stuart-Hunt
Round The Island Race In 80 Days
The Round the Island Race is one of the most iconic sailing events in the annual calendar and it is only 80 days away. Sailors from around the world are preparing for their adventure around the Isle of Wight on Saturday 30 May, competing to win over 200 trophies.
Dave Atkinson, Race Director, said: "The Island Sailing Club is extremely proud of our flagship event, particularly as it welcomes all types of sailors and boats from first time racers, family cruisers and professional sailors. This is why our ethos of 'A Race For All' really comes alive with all those competitors competing side by side on the same race track. With the Island Sailing Club handicap system (ISCRS), which is a free system for entrants, boats who don't regularly race can be rated to take part."
This year there will be a 38ft Beneteau Oceanis called 'Ellie B', out on the start line with a crew of five visually impaired individuals and three sighted supporting team members. The crew range from mid 30's to mid 60's and will all get involved in helming, winching and trimming.
Rick Smith, Volunteer Skipper for the Visually Impaired Sailing Association (VISA GB) said: "After 28 years of sailing and racing I wanted to give others the opportunity to experience this amazing race. The selected Round the Island crew are all competent sailors but for the majority this is their first ever race. We will be doing two days of training in the Solent and I'm sure by race start they will be comfortably confident. It is so rewarding to hear how their confidence has been boosted after time on the water and consequently translates into their everyday lives, empowering them to do more."
Partners supporting the race this year include Helly Hansen as Official Clothing Partner, MS Amlin as Marine Insurance Partner, Raymarine as Technical Partner and Chelsea Magazines, publishers of Yachts & Yachting, Sailing Today and Classic Boat, as Media Partner. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust also returns this year as the Official Race Charity, raising funds to help young people rebuild their lives after cancer treatment. All Partners will be at the Island Sailing Club Race Village on The Parade, with fun activities and competitions for spectators and competitors, from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May.
Sailors interested in competing in the event will be able to keep up to date with the latest news on social media using the hashtag #RaceForAll and enter via the Round the Island website roundtheisland.org.uk
Coronavirus effect as European sailing season gets underway
As we head into the European sailing season the Coronavirus has captured world-wide media headlines.
The most effected in the sailing community, will be those taking part in the main International championships leading upto the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the end of July.
These include:
470 World Championships, Palma, Mallorca, 13 March
Olympic Classes Princess Sofia Regatta, Palma, Mallorca, 27 March
Olympic Classes Hempel World Cup Series, Genoa, Italy, 12 April
America's Cup – ACWS Round 1, Cagliari, Italy, 18 April
470 European Championships, Hyeres, France, 5 May
Finn Gold Cup, Palma, Mallorca, 8 May
RS:X European Championship, Athens, Greece, 10 May
Nacra 17, 49er, 49erFX European Championships, Malcesine, Italy, 11 May.
This is a problem for the top level competitors as they want to take part in these events, either to qualify for their national team or to maintain their competitve edge before the 2020 Games.
One of the few sailing events likely to attract a large enough audience to fall foul of crowd limits are the America's Cup – ACWS events, so further crowd restriction could jeopardise the events in Italy and England.
2020 J/24 European Championship Notice of Cancellation
The International J/24 Class Association (IJCA) and the Italian Federation of Sailing (F.I.V.) who delegates Yacht Club Adriaco, Triestina della Vela and Yacht Club Porto San Rocco today announced the cancellation of the 2020 J/24 European Championship scheduled for April 29-May 5, 2020 at Porto San Rocco, Muggia (Trieste), Italy.
"After consulting the members of the Organizing Committee and the J/24 Class, cancelling the European Championship is the responsible and wise decision to make at this time," said Roberto Sponza, the 2020 J/24 European Championship Event Chairperson.
The spread of the Covid-19 virus has caused concern worldwide. The Italian government's latest restrictions impede travel within Italy and place prohibitions on sporting events and gatherings. These new restrictions are in place until April 3. "At this time, we must confront the possibility that these restrictions within Italy could be extended or ended," said Sponza, "Other European governments may impose similar restrictions on travel in the near future. All these restrictions have impact on the competitors who have registered for this year's European Championship."
The Organizing Committee and the Italian J/24 Class Association have determined the cancellation will also apply to the 2020 Italian Open National Championship scheduled for May 28-June 2 at Porto San Rocco. There are no anticipated impacts on other IJCA scheduled Championships at this time.
2020 ASAF Asian Championships postponed
The Organising Authority of the 2020 ASAF Asian Championships, which were due to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from 15 - 22 March 2020, have postponed the Championships as a precautionary measure due to COVID-19.
The Organising Authority, UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Sailing & Yacht Club (ADSYC) under the sanction of the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF) informed World Sailing following consultation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.
The Organising Authority has commenced work with all stakeholders to finalise new dates in April.
World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee acknowledged the postponement.
The 2020 ASAF Asian Championships is an Asian Tokyo 2020 Continental Olympic Qualification Event for the Laser, Laser Radial, 49er and Men's and Women's RS:X.
Fresh winds opening for the OptiOrange Valencia 2020
The third edition of the OptiOrange Valencia opened on 6th March, with the only race for all four fleets in up to 25 knots of westerly winds. Nevertheless, the strong conditions provided for high speeds, physical effort and fierce competition. All the fleets have lead changes and the results were far from predictable.
The registration list of the OptiOrange Valencia 2020 reads almost like "who is who" in the Optimist class sailing. Among 345 sailors from 27 countries, there are dozens of national champions and ranking leaders.
Philip Bjorkman of Sweden added a 2, 6, to his scoreline to finish winner of the OptiOrange Valencia on Sunday.
Bjorkman finished 12 points ahead of Marie Mazuay of Switzerland who counting a 3, 5, jumped into second place, 14 points ahead of Sweden's Leo Birgersson.
Russia's Nikita Cherikh recover well to take fourth place, three points ahead of Britain's Santiago Sesto-Cosby who finished the event with his fourth race win.
Also in the gold fleet, Robert Mawdsley of Britain finished 8th, Ella Lightbody 49th, Archie Munro-Price 53rd, Annabelle Vines 62nd and Arwen Fflur 69th.
Final top ten
1. Philip Bjorkman, SWE, 20 points
2. Marie Mazuay, SUI, 32
3. Leo Birgersson, SWE, 46
4. Nikita Chernikh, RUS, 52
5. Santiago Sesto-Cosby, GBR, 55
6. Tom Goron, FRA, 56
7. Kirill Shunenkov, RUS, 57
8. Robert Mawdsley, GBR, 57
9. Floris Schraffordt, NED, 61
10. Thomas Schouten, NED, 62
Steering Without a Rudder
In modern cruising and racing sailboats with fin keels and spade rudders, the most vulnerable part of the whole boat is the rudder. Every year during the fall and spring migration seasons when hundreds of boats sail offshore between winter and summer cruising grounds, a few have rudder problems. Collisions with submerged containers or a whale, can do serious damage to a spade rudder. Getting tangled in a drift net or other fishing gear can cause a rudder to fail. Very occasionally rudder posts break off between the rudder and the hull; this can be caused by work-hardening in stainless steel or aluminum posts or a poor laminate in a composite post. Whatever the circumstances, if you find yourself without your rudder with many miles still to sail, you don't have to call for help because the boat can still be sailed and steered. But, you have to be prepared.
Veteran offshore sailor, skipper and professional Michael Keyworth took it upon himself in 2013 to figure out how to prepare a sailboat to be steered without a rudder. The old ideas of fashioning a rudder with a spinnaker pole and a table leaf really doesn't work for any length of time. What has worked in the past is towing a drogue of some kind behind the boat. But this concept has never been really effective.
Keyworth removed the rudder from his Swann 44 Chasseur and set about doing sea trials with all sorts of different jury-rigged steering systems. What he found was there are several key elements to setting up an effective drogue steering system.
Read the full report here (PDF).
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2016 Ker 40+ "Arabella" FAST 40+. POA GBP.
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1926 Alfred Mylne Glen-Coats Gaff Sloop 1926 - Duet. 39,000 GBP. Located in France.
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The Last Word
The energy that comes when you compel people to dance stays with you your whole career - whether you are playing to 100,000 people at Glastonbury or 1,000 kids in a club. -- Steven Van Zandt
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