In This Issue
• At the Sharp End: Cowes Week
• Indecision hurts Cup
• Countdown to Sailstice! June 20
• Sailing back in time, in style
• 2020 J/22 North American Championship Cancelled
• Congressional Cup is cancelled
• AC9F undergoes successful sea and foiling trials in Auckland
• Crewsaver Advises To Carefully Check Safety Equipment
• Industry News
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage:
• • FarEast 28R - NEW BOAT
• • Reichel Pugh 45 - "Katsu"
• • Gunboat 57 - VAI VAI
• The Last Word: Michael McClure
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
At the Sharp End: Cowes Week
I take my hat off to Lawrence Mead and the Cowes Week Limited team for staying on the trajectory for Cowes Week until this week. It is no doubt with sadness for many thousand corinthian and pro sailors alike as well as enthusiastic shoreside fans that the famed regatta has had to slip her lines for this year.
Flagship of the 'English season' the tradition has been going since 1812. It is ingrained in the British spirit that resilience will prevail and Cowes Week 2021 will surely come back bigger and stronger. In the meantime the Royal Southern Yacht Club Charity regatta will delight sailors in the early August sailing calendar.
A look back through the last ten years of my Cowes Week archive has brought back entertaining memories. From an unusual spinnaker hoist ("nothing wrong with that coz we're going for an inversion"), trawling whist finding the right tide, the IACC fleet sharing a race course with the 505 class to going for a grand prix finish on the mighty Love Shack. -- Ingrid Abery
More images from the Cowes Week archive can be enjoyed at: ingridabery.com
Indecision hurts Cup
It seems hard to believe that another ten days have elapsed without any signoff from the Coalition Government over the entry process into Auckland for the America's Cup Challengers.
Sail-World understands that some Challengers have had their immigration applications before the NZ Ministries since March.
That's given NZ Immigration three months to think about permits for crews to come into New Zealand, and how they undergo the mandatory 14-day supervised quarantine process.
The teams will stand all quarantine cost instead of the Kiwi taxpayer - who has been standing the cost of those who have been in supervised COVID9 quarantine to date.
It is easy to understand the frustration of New York Yacht Club's American Magic who have been off the water since late February when they started packing their AC75 to travel to Cagliari, on a ship that was due to leave on March 16.
On March 8, the team filed with the Arbitration Panel to have the COVID19 declared a force majeure, and for the team to be excused from the Protocol requirement to compete in the first two America's Cup World Series Regattas.
The ACWS matter became moot when on March 13, the organisers of the Cagliari regatta conceded that the regatta could not proceed. The Arbitration Panel confirmed that with a decision five days later. The second regatta scheduled for Portsmouth was called off by organisers, Emirates Team New Zealand, on March 24.
In a decision that he said could make or break their Challenge, Executive Director of American Magic, Terry Hutchinson ordered their first AC75 Defiant to be shipped to New Zealand. He was obviously hopeful that a "coming ready or not" call to the New Zealand authorities might get some urgency into their decision-making process.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen as the mesmerised kiwi officials counted down to the perfect COVID19 score - Zero new Positive cases, Zero COVID19 patients in Hospital, and Zero Transmission by contact for over 28 days or two infection cycles.
In fact, there were no new Positive Cases for 17 consecutive days - a strong indication to those running the NZ's immigration and economic strategy that they should be using the time to plan potential next steps, and allow the economic recovery to accelerate very quickly into at least third gear.
That didn't happen, and now the superyachts, who were expected to provide the bulk of the NZ's economic benefit from the America's Cup, are in the same queue outside the NZ Immigration Office as the Challengers - and with a few more options as to what happens next.
Richard Gladwell's full editorial in Sail-World.com
Countdown to Sailstice! June 20
The final countdown to the 20th Anniversary of Summer Sailstice is upon us. With just eight days left, we have events popping up all over the world, and people are celebrating in all types of ways. We don't care how you do it, we just hope that you will join us by celebrating sailing on the longest day of the year.
As sailors, we are all connected by a love of wind in our sails and sun on our cheeks. Summer Sailstice was founded to get more people sailing and to connect sailors to start their summer of sailing 'together' on the solstice.
Sailing back in time, in style
Click on image to enlarge.
At Stofberg Shipyard, the Netherlands' rich maritime history stares you in the face.
Since its founding in 1793 - that was the year Marie-Antoinette died on a Paris guillotine - the yard has built classic boats, work vessels that typically hauled potatoes, fish, peat, people, animals, manure and whatnot across shallow Dutch waters.
Today, Stofberg Shipyard's halls hold about 50 boats for maintenance and storage. Many are flat-bottomed wooden or steel craft with port and starboard sideboards instead of keels. The oldest - the Dolphijn, a 7m fishing boat built in 1868 - is getting a refit that includes the heat-bending of 1.5-inch (4 cm) thick planks of Danish oak into matching skin strakes.
In the Netherlands, classic sail and motorboats are pure nostalgia.
The country boasts official registries of many hundreds of them and their history. Classics aficionados make serious investments to preserve the character, style and materials of old boats. But Stofberg also builds new classics, a trend that took off in the Netherlands in the middle of the 20th century.
More at www.jachtbouwactueel.nl/stofberg-shipyard-sends-you-sailing-back-in-time-in-style/
2020 J/22 North American Championship Cancelled
The International J/22 Class Association (IJ22CA) and CORK in Kingston, Ontario Canada have determined, because of the varying levels of infection and disruption across the world, that the 2020 J/22 North American Championship scheduled for August 6-9 is cancelled. The Executive Committee has been closely monitoring the worldwide developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. They understand the huge commitment of time and money it takes to participate in a major Championship, as well as the enormous resources that our hosts dedicate to such events.
The Class intends to hold the 2023 J/22 North American Championship at CORK in Kingston, following the 2021 J/22 World Championship in Corpus Christi, Texas (July 18-24) and the 2022 J/22 North American Championship in Tawas Bay, Michigan (September 13-17). In the meantime, the Class wishes all J/22 sailors and their families the best in these difficult times. We look forward to resuming sailing as soon as we can.
Trevor Collins, J/22 Canadian Class President, said, "It was important to the organizing group that we would be able to offer competitors an event complete, memorable and worthy of a North American Championship title. We hope all J/22 sailors get on the water soon, and we look forward to inviting you all back to CORK in the near future."
Congressional Cup is cancelled
Long Beach Yacht Club has canceled the 2020 Congressional Cup regatta, which had been slated to begin April 2020 and postponed to mid-October. The 56th edition was to be the opening event of the 2020 World Match Racing Tour season but could not overcome the issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.
"The myriad of challenges to offering healthy and enjoyable world class events proved insurmountable, and after a lengthy effort by our volunteer organizers we regrettably determined we must cancel both the Grade One Congressional Cup and Grade Two Ficker Cup," announced Congressional Cup Chair Cheri Busch.
As a Grade One match race, the Congressional Cup hosts an international field of top-ranked sailors and race officials, and ongoing travel restrictions, in part, forced the abandonment of the event.
Organizers had also explored other platforms and venues, LBYC Commodore Charlie Legeman explained, including the possibility of holding the matches aboard a fleet of Solings.
AC9F undergoes successful sea and foiling trials in Auckland
Click on image to enlarge.
Built by Yachting Developments Ltd, the AC9F is the new class that will be sailed in the 2021 Youth America's Cup.
As of early March there were only a handful of entry spaces left available for the 2021 Youth America's Cup after the initial early entry period closed on the 29th of February.
Pre-Lockdown 15 teams from twelve nations had already officially entered into the 2021 Youth America's Cup. Currently RNZYS advise that currently there are 17 entries from 12 nations. Since the Lockdown extra teams have entered from Australia and The Netherlands had entered. It is expected that entries will top out at 20 teams - which is capacity for the event.
Nations with their representative yacht clubs who have entered teams are as follows:
New Zealand (2)
Australia (3)
Switzerland (2)
Netherlands (2)
Russia
Argentina
Hong Kong
China
Denmark
Germany
Spain
USA
It is important to note that entry is still open for this event right up until the 30th September 2020; although subject to any space still available at that point. Due to such high demand early on the RNZYS are encouraging any other clubs who are considering an entry to get this in as soon as possible.
Entries can be emailed to challenger [AT] youthamericascup [DOT] com
Applications for RNZYS Youth America's Cup team to Reuben Corbett, email rcorbett [AT] rnzys [DOT] org [DOT] nz
www.sail-world.com/news/229259/Americas-Cup-Youth-foiling-monohull-sea-trials
Crewsaver Advises To Carefully Check Safety Equipment
Crewsaver, the leading lifejacket and safety equipment supplier to the global leisure marine industry, has advised boaters to ensure they carry out rigorous equipment checks before they put their vessels on the water following an easing of coronavirus lockdown rules.
With many marinas and boat yards beginning to open following the three-month restriction on movement, an increase in water-based leisure pursuits is expected as boating enthusiasts look to reunite with their craft.
Matthew Bridge, Commercial Director, of the Survitec brands Crewsaver and Yak, said: "It is fantastic to see a recent easing of lockdown rules meaning that people can get back on the water. Our message is do get out on the water but be safe and keep to the government guidelines to protect the emergency services. Before you head out, we strongly advise you to give your boat a good inspection and check your safety equipment.
"Lifejackets, flares, fire extinguishers, first aid supplies, and liferafts, in particular, should be thoroughly checked before putting to sea to ensure they are damage-free and equipment is still in date."
To locate an approved Crewsaver service station, visit: crewsaver.com/uk/find-a-stockist/
To learn more about how to ensure you remain #LifejacketSafe, visit: crewsaver.com/uk/lifejacketsafe/
To view the CrewSaver series of 'how-to' videos, click here: crewsaver.com/uk/how-to-guides/
Industry News
The Dutch superyacht lobby has bought the Holland Yachting Group (HYG) name and slogan from the HISWA watersports lobby it left last December to join the Netherlands Maritime Technology trade group.
Since January 1, the 400-member NMT has been crafting a superyacht unit but its name - Dutch Yachting Society - proved to be unpopular.
NMT says it has acquired the rights to the Holland Yachting Group name and its slogan, 'Think Yachts, Think Holland'.
The HYG name served Dutch superyacht makers well for 50 years. It and its slogan have gathered much marketing and recognition value.
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The Cruising Association confirms its support for Cowes Week 2021
After the excitement of announcing its first-ever sponsorship of Cowes Week 2020, sponsoring the trophy for the newly introduced Club Cruiser Class, the Cruising Association (CA), although saddened at the news that this iconic regatta has been cancelled this August, has nonetheless pledged its commitment to supporting the event in 2021.
The CA's General Manager, Lucy Gray, said, "Of course it's a shame for everyone that this year's regatta won't take place as planned but we're realists and wholly sympathetic to the reasons for cancelling. We're already looking forward to next year knowing it will be a regatta to remember, and even more exciting and welcoming for everyone."
Next year's Cowes Week Regatta runs from July 31 to August 7.
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In view of the severe economic crisis linked to Covid-19, France's Groupe Beneteau said it is accelerating reorganisation of its boat business
In view of the severe economic crisis linked to Covid-19, Groupe Beneteau revealed in a weekend statement that it has reorganised the key management structure of its Boat Division to become more responsive and efficient. Jean-Paul Chapeleau will assume the duties of Deputy CEO in charge of the recently formed Unified Industrial Operations and Development Department.
Among other roles at Jeanneau, Jean-Paul Chapeleau was instrumental in the development of brand's production in Poland from 1992 to 1999.
In future, under Jean-Paul Chapeleau's direction, the new department will cover all activities in all countries where the group operates, confirming the commitment to manage the group based on regional core functions rather than around legal and brand entities. Company Chairman and CEO Jérôme de Metz announced his intent to move the company in this direction in Februray in a drive to maximize synergies and consistency.
Chapeleau is a company veteran, having held numerous roles within the group in his forty-year tenure. Since 2009 and until March 2020, he was the General Manager of Jenneau (which he joined in 1980) and Prestige until April 2020.
With the just-announced changes, Deputy CEO of Operational Excellence Christophe Caudrelier, who has been with the company since 2014 and had previously served as the Chief Financial Officer, has left Groupe Beneteau.
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The Italian Sailing Federation (FIV), sailing regatta Barcolana at Trieste and the Genoa Boat Show are working together to create an exceptional October for yachting and sailing.
At a meeting organised by the president of FIV, Francesco Ettore, in which the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic was noted, it was decided to focus on making the most of the similarities between the two events, capitalising on the fact that they will now take place back to back.
"For us the boat show and the Barcolana are two of the most important moments for the growth of our industry," said Francesco. "It is important to capitalise on them by combining forces, accelerating the desire to begin again that we all have."
Key areas of discussion were promotion and communication and the search for potential economies of scales through joint work and shared initiatives between the events. In particular the exchange of know-how from technical and scientific experts will be promoted to find the best application of COVID-19 guidelines.
"The activities of the Boat Show and Barcolana are complementary," said Dean Bassi, in charge of operations for Barcolana. "From this it is possible to reap benefits, to become in some way a single widespread event to amplify communications on the 'Made in Italy' of boating."
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Two major on-water boat shows in Sweden - the Marstrand Boat Show and Allt pa Sjon in Gustavsberg - have been cancelled due to Covid-19. The show in Marstrand on Sweden's west coast and in Gustavsberg outside Stockholm on the east coast were planned for the end of August.
This is a big setback for show organiser Sweboat, as the floating shows are kick-offs to the autumn boat sales season and are also important for yards producing larger boats. Both events attract around 20,000-25,000 visitors each year.
"Sweboat's Board of Directors has made the heavy but logical decision to suspend the floating fairs on the west and east coasts this autumn," says Mats Eriksson, Sweboat CEO. "There is a continued ban in Sweden on large gatherings of over 50 people. With respect for all partners and exhibitors' planning for the fall, we do not want to wait any longer with a decision and thus this information."
With a good summer for domestic boating expected in the coming months, Sweboat says it will be back with an alternative online event during the same period that the two fairs were planned. That means both visitors and exhibitors will get a good grip of the coming news and attractive offers.
During the spring, Swedish boat dealers saw record-high demand for boats, new as well as used. Boating will definitely see an upturn during the summer holidays in Sweden and other Nordic countries with Covid-19 regulations still in place.
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Italy reopened its international borders last week, allowing trips between Italian regions and travel to and from abroad.
Visitors from the EU, Schengen countries and the UK are now permitted to enter the country without having to undergo 14 days of self-isolation - a requirement for arrivals from all other nations until June 15 at the earliest.
Some Italian regions such as Sardinia, Sicily, Apulia and Lazio are asking visitors to their territory to register their presence in order to monitor entries. Visitors will have to register online or by app, providing their personal data.
Confindustria Nautica, the Italian boating industry association, welcomes the new relaxed measures, adding that the 2020 edition of the Genoa International Boat Show will go ahead from October 1-6 with extra safety precautions.
In Italy, the use of masks is generally compulsory in public spaces, when using public transport, when the 1m social distancing is not possible, and in private cars for non-cohabitants (maximum three persons per car).
Self-isolation is requested with a body temperature above 37.5C.
In terms of marine activities, boating is permitted with the following new guidelines issued by Italy's Ministry of Transport:
Recreational boating and bareboat charter
- Users' individual responsibility remains the key factor in the application on board of the general social distancing measures (1m between non-cohabitants persons)
- Individuals can share the same cabin if they live in the same home
- Personal protection equipment must be used during docking procedures and dock assistance, bunkering, setting sails, etc
- For charter boats the sanitisation of the craft after each change of guests is compulsory
Crewed charter
Additional measures include the regular sanitisation of the crew areas and the obligation for the crew to be tested for Covid-19 before boarding and to check their body temperature daily. Third parties are not allowed to access charter boats.
Letters To The Editor - editor [AT] eurosailnews [DOT] com
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From Derek Paterson, Auckland NZ.
The letter from Euan Ross is a fair comment about the state of C-19 in NZ. However, the Govt. is somewhat duplicitous. They have granted entry to 50+ Avatar film crew, and an unknown number of other film people - mainly from USA. On the other hand, they have denied entry for a Tuna boat for engine repairs from American Samoa (no C-19) with a quaratine period to get here. We don't know what other "under the counter" deals have been done (yet) to breech the Border closure. The fluffing around with AC visas just reflects the chaos this Govt operates in.
I too am in the "at risk" age group. I say, bring it on now, or delay a year, but at least make a decision.
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The Last Word
When you co-operate with an injustice, then a little bit of your spirit dies. -- Michael McClure
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