In This Issue
• Unassisted but not Unaccompanied
• Boatspeed went from 20kts to zero.
• Eileen Ramsay - the Queen of Yachting Photography
• boot Dusseldorf moves to April
• Jules Verne Record: In repair prior to another attempt
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• 1976 Entrant Criloa Is Set To Return For Cape To Rio 2023
• Ian Williams Reflects On The Match Racing World Championship 2020
• Foiled (Not Again?)
• Eight Bells: Kevin Burnham
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Reichel Pugh 60 - Wild Joe
• • X-Yachts X43 - PARALLAX
• • Powerplay
• The Last Word: Hunter S. Thompson
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
Unassisted but not Unaccompanied
Armel Tripon, L'Occitane en Provence "Yesterday morning right at the entrance to the Southern Ocean at 42° by 38 N and 11 09W, I go out on deck to put in a reef, scan the horizon, on the lookout and there, suddenly, downwind, at my height, I see him, noble and majestic, in his gliding flight, as if suspended, he welcomes me, opens the doors of his kingdom, I meet the eyes of my first Albatross. What a joy, I laugh alone, I am moved by this first meeting so long awaited and symbolic. I have seen my first Albatross in my life, it is no longer an image, a dream, something I have read about, no, I enjoy a few moments of watching his flight and then go back to finish manoeuvre I am in the middle of doing... the escort will only last a few moments, but this magical encounter gives true point of entry for this journey into the great south in the most.
Top ten rankings at 04 Dec 2020 - 04h (UTC)
1. Charlie Dalin - APIVIA, 16463.6 nm to finish
2. Louis Burton - BUREAU VALLEE 2, 149.11 nm to leader
3. Thomas Ruyant - LinkedOut, 202.33 nm
4. Damien Seguin - GROUPE APICIL, 383.28 nm
5. Yannick Bestaven - Maitre CoQ IV, 386.27 nm
6. Jean Le Cam - Yes We Cam!, 402.86 nm
7. Boris Herrmann - SEAEXPLORER - YACHT CLUB DE MONACO, 439.89 nm
8. Benjamin Dutreux - OMIA - WATER FAMILY, 449.63 nm
9. Isabelle Joschke - MACSF, 530.67 nm
10. Giancarlo Pedote - PRYSMIAN GROUP, 541.23 nm
www.vendeeglobe.org/en/ranking
Boatspeed went from 20kts to zero.
Having struck something in the water last night Sam Davies this morning is heading out of the worst of the weather and the sea state to further assess the damage to Initiatives Coeur. She spoke to Vendee Globe HQ this morning.
Sam Davies this morning on the audio call, "I was sailing last night I had gybed in the shift in the front, there was 30-35kts of wind for the gybe and that had gone well, and I was happy with where I was. I was sailing on starboard gybe heading east, and obviously the sea state was quite chaotic which it has been for the last two days. And obviously I know I was in these currents and I know these risks are there but I was sailing really nicely, as well as possible given the sea state. So speeds between 15 and 22kts and I was actually just making a hot meal after the gybe and the stack and everything and it was just starting to get dark. I hit something. I did not see anything. I did not know what it was. It was pretty much dark when it happened. But it was as if I had run aground on a rock at the time. The boatspeed went from 20kts to zero. The boat nosedived on the impact with the keel. I knew it was the keel. I heard a crack coming from there. I and everything else flew forwards, including my dinner which has repainted the entire inside of my boat. Everything moved. I went flying into a ring frame, luckily, because that could have been worse. It was really violent. But luckily I have just hurt some ribs. It is not serious but really painful. But I stopped the boat, dropped the main, and went to check around the keel, the bearings and the bulkhead. The bulkhead, the main bearing bulkheads (which support the keelbox) are intact as far as I can see. The keelbearings are intact. The longitudinal structure around the keelbox is all cracked. That has taken the shock of the impact of when the boat moved, that is cracked on both sides.
Eileen Ramsay - the Queen of Yachting Photography
Eileen Ramsay was at the centre of a unique period in yachting history, and this wonderful book, featuring her classic photography, celebrates an extraordinary woman and her extraordinary subjects. Eileen's heyday was between 1950 and 1970 - a time when eccentrics ruled, records were there for the setting, and women weren't often to be found behind the lens. But Eileen established herself as one of the greatest yachting photographers of her time, taking famous portraits of sailing icons like Francis Chichester and Eric Tabarly, Olympians, including Rodney Pattisson and Keith Musto, and historic pictures from the first Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic (OSTAR) Races. She was the only photographer Chichester allowed on his Gipsy Moth yachts, and commissioned to photograph notorious charmers like Uffa Fox and Max Aitken, learned to stave off their amorous advances.
Eileen, now into her 90s can remember just about every photograph she has taken and relate an anecdote or story about each one. Many of these memories are also recorded in the book.
Eileen Ramsay - the Queen of Yachting Photography, is a spectacular celebration of a pioneering photographer and a fascinating time in yachting history.
Order from South Atlantic Publishing
boot Dusseldorf moves to April
boot Dusseldorf 2021 will be held from 17th to 25th April. The original dates from 23 to 31 January could not be used due to the ongoing high infection numbers across all of Europe. Messe Dusseldorf has postponed boot after close consultation with its partners and exhibitors who endorse this decision and have opted in favour of the new dates. Announcing the new dates early on Messe Dusseldorf also gives exhibitors planning security for preparing their trade fair participation and transporting their boats and yachts.
Messe Dusseldorf's CEO Wolfram Diener is convinced that the new dates for boot Dusseldorf send out a positive signal to the water sports industry: "At the present moment in time, we cannot reliably gauge whether a trade fair can be implemented in January 2021. This is due to current infection rates, ongoing travel restrictions and existing legal provisions which do not permit trade fairs to be held currently. In consultation with our boot advisory board and the associations we have selected the new dates in April with caution. Statements from numerous experts have led us to believe that it is highly probable the situation will calm down in almost all European countries by spring 2021 on account of the measures currently in place. With CARAVAN SALON in September 2020 we have already demonstrated that trade fairs can also be held successfully in Corona times while offering all parties involved the greatest possible protection."
Of course, all applications for boot Dusseldorf 2021 remain valid. Companies who would like to register for boot 2021 are welcome to contact the boot Project Team for personal and individual information and advice. The contact person in charge of the segments Boats, Yachts and the Super Yacht Industry is Arne von Heimendahl (heimendahla [AT] messe-duesseldorf [DOT] de). For Diving, Trends Sports and Tourism Viktoria Marx (marxv [AT] messe-duesseldorf [DOT] de) is at your disposal. Questions relating to technical Equipment & Accessories can be addressed to Lena Beckmann (beckmannl [AT] messe-duesseldorf [DOT] de). Caroline Muhl (muehlc [AT] messe-duesseldorf [DOT] de) will assist you in the product categories Underwater Video and Photography as well as Maritime Art.
Stage shows as presented at the Sailing and the Dive Center or join-in activities such as sailing at the boot Sailing School, paddling, diving or surfing offered in compliance with the current Corona Protection Ordinance will also attract water sports fans to Dusseldorf during the new dates of boot 2021. Special shows and activity stages are attended to by Lara Hannappel (hannappell [AT] messe-duesseldorf [DOT] de).
Jules Verne Record: In repair prior to another attempt
Last Friday, after three days at sea on their first round the world record attempt, the crew of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild opted to turn back after damage resulting from impact with a UFO. Franck Cammas, Charles Caudrelier and their four crew managed to make it back to their port of registry in Lorient yesterday evening.
A few hours later, the shore team had already set to work dismantling and repairing the damaged appendages in order to enable the sailors of Gitana Team to set sail again in as short a timeframe as possible, as soon as a favourable weather window opens up.
A long detour for the return journey
The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild had to take a big detour to the west of the Azores before she could point her bows back towards Brittany, a scenario Marcel van Triest had predicted as soon as the decision was taken to turn back last Friday: "We had to quickly make a choice so as not to lose too much time during our return trip, which was already shaping up to be quite long. In 48hrs, a low-pressure system dropping down from the north and stretching up as far as the north of Madeira, generating 6 to 7 metre seas and 50 to 60 knots of wind on its western face was set to sprawl itself across our course. This phenomenon would force us to make a major detour, but it was a lot safer for the boat. Our aim is to set sail again very quickly, but to do that we need to know how to be conservative with regards the boat and the men."
Timeline:
27 November 10:00 UTC - To adjust their trajectory towards the equator, the men of Gitana put in several gybes. During the second, undertaken in the early hours of the morning, whilst they're sailing on port tack, those on watch on deck notice that the port foil is also damaged and the crew find evidence that leaves no room for doubt; it is the result of an impact, likely that suffered the previous afternoon.
27 November 21:00 UTC - Despite the crew being motivated to carry on, there is a series of exchanges throughout the day with Cyril Dardashti, the manager of the team, Pierre Tissier, the Technical Director, and Sébastien Sainson, manager of the design office. Together, they conclude that the appendage can be repaired at sea, but the crew will no longer be able to sail the boat at her full potential, even after the repair. After consulting their weather router, Marcel van Triest, and given the position of the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, namely less than 2,000 miles from the start, the decision is taken to turn back and return to Lorient to effect repairs so they can get back on standby as quickly as possible.
2 December 19:30 UTC - Five days after interrupting their record attempt, the six sailors on the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild make it back to Lorient, welcomed by the members of Gitana Team, who are ready to take up the baton.
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:
Pip Hare (GBR)
Another Vendee racer who is providing commentary to reach far beyond the ranks of the already knowledgeable enthusiasts. Hare's battle to get to the startline was no different from that of half the fleet, but these stories need telling alongside those of racing 'brilliance'. Like King Jean, Hare's fan club will keep on growing the further she gets around the course; but she has already proved to be another skipper capable of bringing this race into the most landlocked living rooms.
Jean Le Cam (FRA)
In the 1997 Whitbread it was Paul Cayard and his brutal talk of firehoses on deck that kept followers of the race locked onto the news coming off the eventual race winner. In this Vendee Globe that mantle has landed with King Jean, who introduced himself to thousands of new fans by hogging the limelight in the opening weeks of the race by refusing to lie down with the other old boats as he 'should'. And then there came prose to turn Moitessier green with envy...
Last Month's winner:
Timothy Long (GBR)
My boys can't cook an egg, never mind navigate around a big island!!!' - Harriet Thame; 'Brilliant job, Tim. Now those boring exams!' - Herbie Knott; 'An amazing achievement for a young man of 15 on his own with no support boat' - Dido Rawlings; 'As the father of a daughter in chemotherapy I was so inspired to learn of Timothy's adventure for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. A credit to his generation and the sailing family' - Lewis Coombes.
View past winners of Sailor of the Month
Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Musto, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!
Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month
1976 Entrant Criloa Is Set To Return For Cape To Rio 2023
Click on image to enlarge.
The Royal Cape Yacht Club & Iate Clube do Rio de Janeiro are proud to announce the arrival of a historic entry for the 2023 Cape to Rio Race. An entry by Carina Magri Seixas, "CarinaJoana" to her friends, has been received to sail the race in the magnificently maintained Impala 35 CRILOA. 2023 will be the 50th Anniversary Birthday for this beautiful yacht which was commissioned in 1973. This anniversary has been a big part of the inspiration behind committing to this entry.
Female led crews are not unfamiliar to the Cape2Rio Race. In the inaugural 1971 race Molly Warr of the Royal Cape Yacht Club led an all-female crew of five to Rio, sailing the 9.7m Sloop Sprinter. They crossed the finish line in 44th position and ended up 27th on handicap.
In 1976 an all-female crew from Italy led by Zara G. Pascoli arrived in Cape Town with the Impala35 Criloa built in 1973 and a crew of 6 to compete in the race. Zara, an accomplished sailor, had previously sailed in The Whitbread Round the World Race 1973/4 with her husband Erik on Tauranga. Looking forward to 2023 we will be able to witness the return of Criloa who will be skippered by CarinaJoana and together with Maritza Oliveira they intend to lead another all-female crew.
Ian Williams Reflects On The Match Racing World Championship 2020
Team GAC Pindar claimed a silver medal at an eventful Match Racing World Championship in Bermuda last month. The event was held during the Bermuda Gold Cup from 25-30 October 2021. Skipper, Ian Williams talks us through proceedings and shares some of his thoughts on our supposedly contactless sport.
Match Racing World Championship 2020"I would like to start by thanking and congratulating the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Government of Bermuda for their extraordinary efforts in making this event happen in the current circumstances. Sport at an international level involving participants from multiple countries and continents has been incredibly difficult to achieve since the start of the pandemic, and it appears to me that Bermuda, with its strong but friendly testing protocols, is almost the only place in the World that could make an event like this happen during these unprecedented times.
I also want to congratulate Taylor Canfield and his Stars and Stripes team for winning Taylor's second match racing World Championship. It is a tough Championship to win once, but very few have been able to come back and win multiple titles.
There has been a lot of focus on one incident in the final where the boats collided, resulting in a further collision with a media boat; both boats and the media boat were damaged. I will address that below, but on reflection I do not believe that incident was the defining factor in the final. The reality is Team GAC Pindar led around mark one in all of the other three races and we were only able to convert that into one win. The main passing opportunity on the race course was the first run and twice Taylor and his team were able to establish the smallest of overlaps into the favoured left bottom gate mark. They were certainly sharper than us on those runs and in particular their positioning was better than ours. Maybe having five people on board was an advantage for them (we were sailing with four as the rules stipulate an overall crew weight) or maybe their three close races with Phil Robertson in similar conditions that morning gave them that extra sharpness. Maybe they would have also beaten us without those factors. What is for sure is that we will learn from it and aim to come back stronger next year.
Foiled (Not Again?)
There's some very interesting analysis coming off the water in New Zealand with one commentator suggesting that Ratty's Rita is off the pace suffering from agricultural foils despite being on the money-ish with the hull design. What we are seeing with the Kiwi boat is once again an absolute devotion to nailing the foil plan with massive efforts gone into this area. Combined with a way-out there hull design that looks half a generation further on from the rest, they are going to be tough to challenge. Unless the boys on Team Ineos are sandbagging, and there's every chance that they are, they look a step behind in the arms race. Are we seeing history repeat itself?
* Magnus is back...
Eight Bells: Kevin Burnham
On the morning of November 27, U.S. Olympic champion sailor Kevin Burnham (born December 21, 1956; Queens, NY) passed away after a long, courageous battle with pulmonary disease. He was 63 years old.
"Kevin's accomplishments as a sailor are extraordinary and his Olympic spirit is iconic," said Cory Sertl, President of US Sailing. "We will remember the energy he had for coaching and teaching sailing. Kevin was an inspiration to so many and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him."
Burnham started sailing when he was eight and through to 18 he and his family went cruising every week and in the summer on a Columbia 22 and then a Morgan 30. Commenting in 2004, when he was nominated for Rolex World Sailor of the Year, Burnham said, "Initially I was not interested in sailing. In fact, when I was 9, I used to sabotage the engine of the Columbia 22 so that we could not get out of the harbour and go sailing! I was more into surfing and tennis."
His focus and passion for sailing started to materialize in 1975 when he met Steve Benjamin at the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, FL. Burnham commented, "At this time, I did not even know that sailing was an Olympic sport. Steve indicated to me that my physique was ideal to be a crew in a 470 and asked if I was interested in going out for a sail with him.
"The next day we went sailing in 15 to 20 knots of breeze in the 470. This was my first day of sailing a dinghy - a lot more exciting than the Sunday sailing days on the Columbia."
Thus began his Olympic journey which led him to be a three-time Olympic sailor and a two-time Olympic medalist for Team USA. He won the gold medal with Paul Foerster in 2004 and a silver medal with Morgan Reeser in 1992. Burnham and Foerster were named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year for their gold medal performance. Burnham also won a gold medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games.
Burnham was a versatile sailor who competed in various boats and different racing formats over his exciting career. In ocean racing events, he competed at the Sydney-Hobart Race, Rolex Transatlantic Challenge, Newport to Bermuda Race, and won the 1989 Worrell 1000 Mile race. Burnham was an 11-time U.S. National Champion.
Burnham is survived by wife Elizabeth Kratzig, son Eddie Burnham, daughter Kyla Burnham, brother Greg Burnham, and his father Bruce Burnham.
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The Last Word
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