In This Issue
• Quarterfinals On Tap In Bermuda
• Armel Tripon, "The big unknown is how the boat will hold up long term"
• Faster, lighter...and staying dry -A&T Instruments
• It's On - 2021 Newport To Ensenada International Yacht Race
• Latest America's Cup boats explained
• Sail Sydney - Notice of Race and Online Entry now open
• America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction
• Industry News
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: TAJ- 78ft Tri marine Catamaran
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Kinetic Catamarans - KC54
• • X-Yachts X-50 Modern
• • ecoracer769
• The Last Word: Robert F. Kennedy
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
Quarterfinals On Tap In Bermuda
Hamilton, Bermuda: A pair of Scandinavian crews, Jeppe Borch's Borch Racing Team from Denmark and Johnie Berntsson's Berntsson Racing Team from Sweden, advanced to the Quarterfinal Round of the 70th Bermuda Gold Cup and 2020 Open Match Racing World Championship after placing first and second, respectively in today's Repechage Round.
Borch and Berntsson are somewhat on opposite sides of the ledger at this regatta. The upstart Borch, 23, sailing his first Bermuda Gold Cup, is the youngest skipper remaining in the regatta. Berntsson, 48, is one of the event's grizzled veterans: a 12-time competitor, six-time finalist and two-time winner of the King Edward VII Gold Cup. In the lightest conditions of the week, a 4- to 8-knot westerly, they shared one common thread - they won enough races to advance to the quarterfinals.
Berntsson's two losses in the seven-race Repechage Round were to the two youngest skippers, Borch and 23-year-old Matthew Whitfield of Great Britain. But he shook them off and put forth a dominant performance against 25-year-old Jelmer van Beek's Team Dutch Wave in the final race to stamp his ticket to the quarterfinals.
The event’s top-ranked skipper, Chris Poole of the U.S. and his Riptide Racing Team, chose to race Borch’s team in tomorrow’s quarterfinals.
Ian Williams, skipper of Team GAC Pindar, selected Eric Monnin’s Capvis Swiss Match Race Team. Phil Robertson’s China One Ningbo selected Torvar Mirsky’s Mirsky Racing Team, which left Taylor Canfield’s Team Stars+Stripes to race Berntsson Sailing Team.
Armel Tripon, "The big unknown is how the boat will hold up long term"
The skipper of L'Occitane en Provence seems relatively relaxed and ready to go on what will be his first Vendee Globe. He is taking advantage of every moment of this pre-start period, though he and his team are being super careful on the pontoon and around the race village. Tripon, who won the Multi50 class in the last Route du Rhum has already planned his race, breaking it into bite sized chunks and already knows the rhythm he wants to achieve on his radical scow bowed foiler.
When are you going to confine yourself and where?
I will confine myself here in Les Sables d'Olonne this weekend. I won't be far from the boat, I will still be on the phone to the team. And I will be at the computer and will continue working on the weather. But, yes, it's going to be a little weird.
Where are you with your supplies and spare equipment?
It's almost done. In terms of spare equipment, everything is almost finalized too. We still have two days of work on the boat and then we will load everything in race configuration!
How many days of food do you take on board? What is your treat?
I have 75 days of food and my favourite treat is chocolate, I have two bars per week.
What are the strengths of your boat compared to an APIVIA or a Charal?
I don't know their strengths exactly, but we made the choice of a "scow". It's a boat with a very large bow which makes it easier to deal with the waves and the sea. We know for one thing that the boat behaves better, it is less stressful and more comfortable for the skipper, which is a good thing. And for the equipment too, there are fewer sudden stops, fewer brakes. Then we also made the choice of different foils that we can also completely take out and I think that in heavy weather it is not bad to be able to ease off. When I talk to the guys from Banque Populaire, they tell me that on the last race sometimes the boat would literally go too fast even though it had only small foils.
* Closure of the Vendee Globe village
Due to the national lockdown announced on Wednesday evening, the Vendee Globe village will close its doors on Thursday October 29th at 11.59pm.
Faster, lighter...and staying dry - A&T Instruments
With epic amounts of data flowing around today's performance yachts - racing and cruising - it's critical to use the right hardware to keep everything moving
A+T has built a strong reputation for being experts in refurbishing and upgrading instrument systems on a wide variety of yachts, ranging from comfortable yet complex superyachts to high-end raceboats just needing an electronic facelift. They have a proven expertise in turning an old and dysfunctional system into one that operates quickly and efficiently with the addition of the right hardware and software components to become operable in the latest generation digital environment. Success at this has created for A+T a rapidly growing and loyal customer base of both racers and cruisers who are interested in fast, well-engineered and supported, cost-effective solutions to meet their upgrade needs.
What many may not know, however, is that A+T also excels in the design and installation of new systems, where there is an opportunity to start from scratch and lay out the specifications for all the relevant components: sensors, cables, processors and displays.
Full article in the November issue of Seahorse
It's On - 2021 Newport To Ensenada International Yacht Race
Despite ongoing uncertainties on the path to normal following COVID-19 restrictions, the Newport Ocean Sailing Association has announced one certainty - the 73rd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race will start off the Balboa Pier April 23, 2021.
Although still six months before the start of the 2021 race, the board is planning for the best; the historical full fleet sail to Ensenada with courses to San Diego and Dana Point but has prepared alternative routes, parties, and celebrations to ensure that the race, the fun, the camaraderie N2E is famous for, will go on.
"If for any reason Mexico becomes off-limits, we will switch Ensenada entries to the San Diego course," said Commodore William Gibbs. "In consideration of this possibility, we have upgraded the N2SD course from a 60nm drag race into a challenging 100nm race into Mexican waters leaving the Coronado Islands to port. But there will be a race."
Fortunately, sailboat racing is showing great signs of life with many offshore and closed course races getting back on the calendar, with COVID guidelines followed for the safety of everyone. The safety and the well-being of participating sailors and volunteers is a priority for NOSA so all activities will follow concurrent health guidelines.
The success of any race depends on its participants, and NOSA is asking for the sailing community's ongoing support of N2E by entering. "N2E racers, while being safety conscious as always, deserve to have a good time on their boats again," said Gibbs. "There are traditions and institutions, such as the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, that will persevere in the face of adversity."
NORs are now posted on the NOSA Website and registration is open with an early bird gift of 2020 collector hats for entries confirmed by December 15, 2020.
Latest America's Cup boats explained
After months of speculation as to what the next wave of America's Cup boats would look like, we now know as all three Challengers have wheeled their latest creations into the open. Matt Sheahan takes a close look at what characterises each of the new boats.
Sail Sydney - Notice of Race and Online Entry now open
Sail Sydney is Australia's premier regatta for 'Off the Beach' dinghy classes. Held annually on the waters of Sydney Harbour, this year's Sail Sydney will take place from 10 - 13 December.
Woollahra Sailing Club is proud to once again be the host club and official organisers of the event. The regatta began its life as a test event for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and in recent years has grown to become the annual dinghy event with the largest number of participants in the Southern hemisphere.
This year's event will look different to previous Sail Sydney regattas. With a range of COVID-19 precautions in place to ensure the safety of competitors and officials, racing will be limited to Olympic and Youth classes with numbers capped for each class. There will be a waiting list for any classes that do reach maximum capacity, with Woollahra Sailing Club to contact competitors when an opening becomes available.
he event will be a COVID-19 compliant regatta, with an example of the measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of competitors including:
- Only 70 boats allowed to stay at Woollahra Sailing Club
- Competitors to sail from their home clubs where possible
- Techno 293, Techno 293 + and Wind Foiling will be based out of Balmoral
- Competitor briefings via social media
- Registration via email with competitors emailing the OA of any changes to competitor details
- Lodging of protest via the online app and protests will be conducted via video
America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction
Honoring Bryan Willis - Franklin Osgood - Rolf Vrolijk
October 29, 2020 at 1600 EDT (2000 Zulu)
The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame is happy to announce that the 2020 America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held via Zoom videoconference on October 29th.
Emceed by America's Cup Hall of Famer Gary Jobson, the hour-long program will feature video tributes to the inductees, remarks by the inductees and their presenters, Steve Tsuchiya, Brad Butterworth, and Gary Jobson. The event will also include updates from the 2021 AC Teams.
"This is shaping up to be a great event", said Herreshoff Museum President Bill Lynn. "It's unfortunate that we weren't able to execute on Plan A which was an induction at the INEOS Team UK base in June, but this 'new normal' version comes with its own benefits. AC enthusiasts from around the world will be able to participate, and we hope to have record attendance!"
The timing of the event is geared to provide the best opportunity for attendees from the US, Europe, and the Antipodes to tune in. In addition, a limited number of VIP tickets are available for "cocktails" with the inductee of choice - 15 each for Bryan and Rolf. Each VIP ticket comes with a special commemorative glass to contain each attendee's drink of choice.
Tickets for the virtual event are US$25.00
Industry News
America's National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced this evening altered plans for its roster of boat shows scheduled for the first three months of 2021, including cancellation of the bellweather Miami International Boat Show
Canceled for the winter of 2021 only:
Atlanta Boat Show
Baltimore Boat Show
Chicago Boat Show
Louisville Boat, RV & Sportshow
Miami International Boat Show
Minneapolis Boat Show
Nashville Boat Show
New York Boat Show
St. Louis Boat & Sportshow
Proceeding as scheduled: Atlantic City Boat Show - February 24-28, 2021, with the option to delay the show to early April 2021
Northwest Sportshow (Minneapolis) - March 25-28, 2021
Postponed to a later date:
New England Boat Show (Boston) - looking to obtain dates later in the first quarter or early in the second quarter
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IBI is exhibiting for the first time on a 100% virtual stand at the 2020 Virtual Valencia Boat Show which opened today.
The 'entrance' to the virtual event is an aerial view of La Marina de València, giving access to the different exhibition areas, as well as the press house, events and conferences area and even a virtual tour of the historic port of Valencia.
All the Virtual Valencia Boat Show stands have interactive elements that allow the exhibitor to showcase all their products in an engaging way and make the visitor feel that they are inside a real stand. The effect is achieved through the use of a technology based on 360º images that allow an extraordinary level of immersion in the environment and a great interactive capacity.
To visit IBI's virtual stand in Valencia, click here.
The 2020 Virtual Valencia Boat Show claims to be the first 100% virtual boat show in the world, offering a fully immersive and interactive experience. The show has been organised by Grupo Alfatec, La Marina de València and Union de Empresas Náuticas.
Those interested in attending the virtual Valencia show, which runs until November 1, are encouraged to register at www.valenciaboat.com
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HanseYachts is to issue new shares to pay off its existing loans as part of a reorganisation of its finances.
The boatbuilder has also taken out new state guaranteed financial covenants and is allowing smaller shareholders to secure new shares through what it terms contributions in kind.
On 7 September 2020, HanseYachts obtained loans amounting to EUR 17.1m at standard market interest rates.
This corona 'cushion' was extended by a loan of EUR 13m with a 90% guarantee commitment from the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
For the financing of the operating companies in France and Poland, additional loans amounting to around EUR 2.6m were also committed by the respective local banks.
The boatbuilder's majority shareholder, AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA, is committing a further EUR 1.5m to the refinancing through its subsidiaries.
If all the new shares are fully subscribed, the company will receive liquid funds of almost EUR 3.6m. The subscription period ends on November 9.
The group consists of Hanse, Dehler, Moody, Privilege, Fjord and Sealine.
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French boatbuilder Beneteau said the company is benefiting from its global, multi-segment positioning against the adverse environment of Covid 19
Group Beneteau has released results this evening for the 12-month period ending August 2020 while it transitions to a new financial year at the end of December 2020, providing a snapshot of the impact of Covid-19 against prior-year annual results.
Group revenues for the period are €1.15 billion, down -14% compared with 2019 - but higher than the -16% to -18% forecast in early July - due to good activity over the summer once the lockdowns were lifted. Income from ordinary operations came to €30 million, or 2.6% of revenues.
Beneteau has not yet released figures for net income/loss for the period, but has cautioned that the Group's business during the last four months of 2020 will be down year-on-year. "Revenues for the period from September to December 2020 are expected to be down 25% to 30% compared with the same period in 2019, linked primarily to the significant contraction in business for charter firms and invoicing for the Housing Division," it added.
Taking into account the strong seasonality of its activities, the Group said its EBITDA and income from ordinary operations for the period from September to December are traditionally negative. The pro forma figures for this period in 2019 show -€8.1m of EBITDA and -€35.3m of income from ordinary operations, with revenues of €247.8m.
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Gill Marine has released 50 Os2 Jackets using repurposed surplus materials.
With 20% of total sales donated to Plastic Oceans UK, 'The Offcut Edition' is part of Gill's ongoing efforts to constantly reduce environmental impact and improve operations
Fifty OS2 Offcut Edition jackets have been created using surplus materials leftover in the manufacturing process. To celebrate the repurposing of otherwise discarded materials and minimizing waste, Gill has partnered with Plastic Oceans UK and will be donating 20% of total sales to support this critical charity.
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Sea Sure, the Warsash based manufacturer of dinghy transom products like pintles, gudgeons and rudder stocks, has collaborated with Ovington Boats to design and manufacture a lifting rudder to fit to an OK dinghy.
This comes after the OK class requested a lifting rudder option so that launching, and recovery, are straightforward and safe, particularly in shallow areas.
Typically the OK dinghy has a fixed rudder. This works well in sailing areas where boats are launched straight into deep water. However, in locations with shallow launching areas, sailors have to rudderless-sail away from the launching area - which can be quite difficult even for the best of sailors.
Ovington Boats asked Sea Sure to design and manufacture a solution as Sea Sure has previously designed bespoke rudderstock for many classes and boat builders across the world.
The process for the OK dinghy was similar, looking at the bearing surface from top pintle to lower pintle, the rudder pivot point position, tiller length and angle, and blade width.
Key to getting a rudderstock with no 'slop', so that the helm's input is instant, is having a rudder blade to work with, so Chris Turner, Ovington Boats MD, dropped one at Sea Sure prior to the 2020 lockdown.
From that, the sample rudderstock was designed and dispatched. Although the first sample fitted and worked perfectly the decision was taken to remove some weight from the stock while maintaining its stiffness.
Material was removed from the side plates and one was shaped to the OK dinghy logo. A return was added to the lower part of the stock to increase stiffness.
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 Michael Brown:
The article in today's newsletter claims that even the staunchest traditionalists in the RORC are warming to the Fastnet race finishing in Cherbourg. As a member for 54 years I am a very staunch traditionalist & I am ice-cold about the change of course. The RORC was founded to run the Fastnet Race, selling it to La Belle France is selling its soul. Having 11 Fastnets under my belt I was thinking, or perhaps fantasising, about doing another race in my 80's but never the "Frognet". I am not impressed by the reasons argued for the change & I am not alone!
Featured Charter
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Contact
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2008 X-Yachts X-50 Modern. 345,000 EUR. Located in Stockholm, Sweden
2008 X-Yachts X-50 with Modern layout, carbon furling boom and great all-round cruising specification. Lightly Used only in Baltic waters and with just two owners since new and less than 7,800Nm covered since launch
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ecoracer769. POA EUR.
Northern Light Composites is proudly presenting ecoracer769, their first full natural fibers sportboat, combining innovative design and new construction technologies in order to win races in green, sustainable way.
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Length mt 7.69
Beam Max mt 2.80
Depth mt 1.80
Displacement kg 1.100
Upwind sail area m2 42
Downwind sail area m2 100
ORC rating 615 (preliminary)
Yacht Design Matteo Polli YD
Structural Enginnering
Alessandro Pera, Mattia Sconocchia
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The Last Word
Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance. -- Robert F. Kennedy
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