Brought to you by boats.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe 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@scuttlebutteurope.com
Great Britain Wins Race 4 Of Clipper Race
GREAT Britain crossed the finish line into Albany, Western Australia at 13:32:48 local time (UTC+8), just 27 minutes ahead of Henri Lloyd, to clinch its second consecutive win, following a dramatic and close fought 5000 mile race in a challenging leg through the Southern Ocean from Cape Town, South Africa in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race.
GREAT Britain Skipper Simon Talbot celebrated the win with his crew and will also be awarded the Kinjarling Cup by the City of Albany.
The close finish followed a particularly brutal and dramatic Southern Ocean crossing. Early on in the race, two boats had to divert and medevac off injured crew after exceptionally strong wind speeds when gusts in excess of 90 miles per hour lashed the fleet, providing dramatic surfs and towering waves as it headed south through the Indian Ocean's Agulhas Current into the Roaring Forties of the Southern Ocean. Every two to three days, the yachts were hit by new low pressure systems which made for an epic and particularly challenging leg.
Happy To Be The Hunted
Photo by WMRT / onEdition. Click on image to enlarge.
K. Terengganu, Malaysia: Taylor Canfield comes into this year's Monsoon Cup as one of the hot favourites. The US Virgin Islander has come a long way in the past 12 months since last year's event in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Canfield and his USone crew qualified for the 2012 Monsoon Cup through a Wild Card entry and came away winners. This year he returns not only to defend the Monsoon Cup but to see if he can become World Champion for the first time.
The Monsoon Cup is the sixth and final regatta in the Alpari World Match Race Tour, and there are six teams still with a chance of claiming the title of World Champion 2013. From being the hunter, Canfield is now the hunted, although he claims not to be feeling the pressure.
While Phil Robertson has an outside chance of winning the Tour, Canfield sees his other four rivals as the bigger threat: Ian Williams, Bjorn Hansen, Adam Minoprio and Keith Swinton.
Williams was recently nominated for ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year, the British skipper of GAC Pindar having won his fourth match racing world title at last year's Monsoon Cup. This year he has the chance to win an unprecedented fifth title, making him one of the most successful match racers ever.
Along with Williams and Canfield, Adam Minoprio is the only other skipper to have won a Monsoon Cup before, although the Kiwi has to go back to 2009 for that victory.
Tough the conditions may be, but the 12 teams won't be lacking in motivation, The Monsoon Cup offers the highest prize purse on the Tour, MYR 1.475million (approx USD 475,000), with the winner set to earn MYR 310,000 (approx USD100,000).
Among the Qualifiers for this event is Malaysia's top match racer Jeremy Koo, one of the country's rising stars in a sport that Malaysia is really starting to embrace. Taking place at the Ri-Yaz Heritage Marina Resort & Spa, the five-day Monsoon Cup represents the pinnacle of a year-round drive by the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports to get the nation's youth into sailing.
Racing starts on Tuesday at 10am local time (GMT+8) and will be live streamed at https://new.livestream.com/WorldMRT
ARC Sets Sail From Las Palmas De Gran Canaria
The 28th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) set sail Sunday from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, bound for Saint Lucia. A fine NNE breeze provided perfect conditions for a downwind start and a swift departure for the first part of the passage across the Atlantic. In total, 224 boats and 1,204 people, including 26 aged under 16, are sailing in this year's edition of the world's most popular transocean rally.
The first catamaran across the line was Gunboat 62 Zenyatta (USA) the largest multihull in this year's fleet. 24 other multihulls, many with families on board waved farewell to the Vela Latina dock this morning to cross the start line and begin their adventure.
35 boats in this year's the Racing Division were lead across the start line by Gran Soleil 43 Quokka 8 (GBR), closely followed by Oyster Lightwave 48 Scarlet Oyster (GBR), and Knierim 65 Caro (GER). Spinnakers were promptly hoisted as the racers gybed out to seaward and away from sailed the coast of Gran Canaria.
The cruising division is the largest group of ARC yachts, with 161 boats. By their start at 13:00, a large rain squall washed over the boats on the start line, but there will be plenty of sunny trade wind sailing ahead for the next 2,700nm to Saint Lucia.
The weather forecast suggests light to moderate north-easterly trade winds for the first few days, which will mean a relaxed sail south towards the Cape Verdes for the cruisers. A developing low in the mid-Atlantic may encourage some of the racing fleet to try for the northern route in the hope of a faster passage.
The ARC crossing record is 11 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes and 30 seconds, set by Italian maxi yacht Capricorno (Rinaldo Del Bono), in 2006. Several race boats are hoping to beat this, including Volvo 70 Monster Project, Nautor 78 Idea of London, TP52 Balearia and two Pogo 40s given the right conditions.
www.worldcruising.com/arc/event.aspx
Ramsgate Performance Sailing Suit - The Swiss Army Knife Of Sailing Suits
More than 22 years of experience and expertise are behind every functional garment designed by Marinepool. Cutting edge technology, optimized down to the smallest detail. Developed, tested and chosen by some of the world´s finest sailors and worn on the fastest yachts on the planet like giant trimaran Spindrift2, the MOD70 Oman Air and other leading offshore teams.
Marinepool's new Ramsgate performance sailing suit takes fabric innovations to the next level. Ramsgate is entirely made from Dermizax® NX membrane which is renowned for minimum weight, extreme breathability, highest waterproofness and ultimate elasticity. Indeed, the utilization of this NX membrane in sailing clothing is absolutely unique since the creator of the membranes Toray supplies Marinepool exclusively with fabrics made to the innovative NX formula.
Crucially, important but usually contradicting qualities are incorporated in one product without compromise. Despite ultimate breathability and enormous elasticity of the fabric, Ramsgate is extraordinarily durable and robust and indeed the perfect choice for the demanding conditions of ocean sailing when the going gets tough.
Ramsgate jacket and trousers are available in two colours: orange and dark grey. Ramsgate convinces with a very dynamic, fashionable and attractive design that simultaneously meets the demands of professional sailing due to intelligent features. These include for instance highly abrasion resistant reinforcement patches on shoulders and sleeves, reflecive patches by 3M, a high offshore collar, an adjustable hood in signal yellow, smart eyelets and loops to fix equipment as well as a separate intelligent YKK zipper system for the integration of an optional fleece into Ramsgate jacket.
The new Ramsgate by Marinepool. Design. Technology. Passion.
Stamm In. Spanish Flying.
Fourth place in the Transat Jacques Vabre's IMOCA Open 60 class for Swiss skipper Bernard Stamm and co-skipper Pierre Le Gros was secured at 22hrs 14 mins 44 secs local time (00:14:44hrs UTC Monday am) when they crossed the finish line off Itajaí, Brazil, 11h 37m 57sec after winners PRB.
Stamm's emotions were slightly mixed. After his many problems in the last Vendee Globe and having had to retire from the last Transat Jacques Vabre, Stamm was pleased to have finished with his powerful Juan Kouyoumdjian designed 60 in great shape, having had no technical problems. But after having lead and then losing out on the entrance to the Doldrums, there was certainly nagging post race elements of 'what if' or 'if only' regrets
For the remaining IMOCA Open 60s and the Class 40 leaders the conditions are far from easy. For the IMOCA Open 60s, racing between Salvador de Bahia and Cabo Frio the offshore option may yet yield the more settled, consistent breeze.
The Class 40 lead of GDF SUEZ (Rogues-Delahaye) is shrinking slightly as they roll down first into the lighter, and more unsettled winds. But the threat seems now to be from the Botin partners design Tales Santander 2014 which has gained more than 20 miles since yesterday. Spanish duo Alex Pella and Pablo Santurde have taken over second place.
The Botin design seems very quick on this wind angle (120 deg TWA): "When we have heard from the guys they are saying how tough it is now. It should be champagne sailing right now but they are having to work very hard. We are happy to see the boat is fast. Certainly looking at the averages over the race so far it looks the quickest boat. It is faster when the wind is up and upwind. They are going well, but for sure the stop to repair the rudder cost them." Commented Tales Santander 2014's designer Marcelino Botin.
Behind the lead trio, there is a second posse of three all close Watt & Sea (Bestaven - Ducroz) Groupe Picoty (Caso - Chappellier) and SNCF Geodis (Amedeo - Tripon).
Team Ceeref Crowned Rc44 World Champions - Team Aqua Win The 2013 Championship Tour
In a thrilling end to the RC44 season, three races saw the leaderboard at the Calero Marinas RC44 World Championships turn inside out. Going into the final day Ironbound and Team Aqua had occupied the top of the leaderboard. Just nine points separated first from sixth, but after some exhilarating racing from the 15 strong RC44 fleet it was Team CEEREF who were crowned World Champions in Lanzarote. Peninsula Petroleum leapt from sixth to second. Team Aqua finished third and were crowned RC44 Championship Tour winners for the third consecutive year.
Synergy's Tactician Ed Baird described the conditions in Lanzarote as, "the most difficult venue on the tour" and "just crazy". The teams were tested with different conditions in each race, a building breeze reached 15 knots by the series decider. Team Aqua had all but won the 2013 RC44 Championship Tour going into the final day, but they were aiming for the treble; the Match Racing Trophy, Fleet Racing Trophy and the World Championships, a feat not achieved in the RC44 fleet to date.
The RC44 season will start in the Caribbean next February, where the class will be welcomed by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda. The full RC44 calendar will be announced by the end of November.
RC44 Championship Tour Overall Fleet Race Ranking (After five events with one discard)
1. Team Aqua - 7
2. Synergy Russian Sailing Team - 12
3. Katusha - 16
4. Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team - 17
5. Artemis Racing - 21
6. Team CEEREF - 23
7. Ironbound - 25
8. Aleph Racing - 26
9. Team Nika - 31
10. Team Italia - 34
11. Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge - 34
12. Aegir Racing - 39
13. Bronenosec Sailing Team - 52
14. Puerto Calero Residence Club Black - 54
15. MAG Racing - 54
16. Puerto Calero Residence Club Grey - 58
Garmin Hamble Winter Series
Photo by Paul Wyeth, pwpictures.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
The penultimate weekend of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series saw a chilly and gusty breeze that shifted regularly between 002 and 022 degrees, demanding frequent tacks and rewarding tacticians with their heads out of the boat. Despite only reaching 18 knots, the wind was gusty enough to keep trimmers on their toes.
In some classes, boats that have been dominant throughout the series consolidated their overall lead, despite not topping the fleet in Sunday's race. In IRC 0, James Gair's Localletterbox Zero II finished 2nd on the water, but still leads the class by 11 points going into the final weekend. Similarly in IRC 1, Puma Logic holds a 7 point lead over second-placed Passion, and in IRC 2, Mike Bridges' Elaine leads Paul Heys' Jungle Drum by 10 points, despite a great win for Dr Daniel and Dr Susan Anthony on Malaika this week.
In IRC 3, David Greenhalgh's J'ronimo beat Nick Munday's IndjulJence into second place on the water, but InldulJence leads J'ronimo by eight points ahead of the final race. In IRC 4, another strong showing by Toby Gorman's Stan the Boat put them seven points ahead of Erik the Red in second.
Paul Griffiths' Jagerbomb topped the J/109 fleet, which places them in third overall, one point behind second-placed Jynnan Tonnyx, who sit five points behind class leaders, David McGough's Just So.
David and Kirsty Apthorp's J-Dram tops the J/111 class, ahead of Andrew Christie's Icarus, with a healthy lead., while in the ever-close Sigma 38 fleet, Nigel Goodhew's Persephone sits four points ahead of second-placed With Alacrity, who are tied on points with Mefisto with one more race to go in the series.
39270 - The Official Pictorial Record of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011 - 12
The 11th edition of this legendary round the world race was arguably the most visually dazzling yacht race ever. Seldom has photography documented the quest to master the oceans or the ingredients of world-class sporting endeavour better or more vividly than in this Volvo Ocean Race.
From intense racing to the high emotion of life onboard and the festive atmosphere of the race villages, this magnificent fleet captured the imagination of millions through the media.
39270 provides the ultimate hard-copy keepsake of this global spectacle. Published for an international audience with text translations in English, Spanish, French and Chinese, this book documents one of the all-time great adventures by compiling the very best photography from all angles of this global event, to tell a visual story more vividly than every before.
39270 - the official pictorial record of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011 - 12
192 pages
280 x 220mm Hardcover with dust jacket
Text: English/Spanish/ French/Chinese
250 emotive pictures
Official Race Statistics + full crew lists
Price reduced! £ 24.95 + P&p. + postage and packing
Available from www.southatlanticpublishing.com
18ft Skiffs 3-Buoys Challenge Series, Race 6
Photo by Frank Quealey. Click on image for photo gallery.
Sydney Harbour, Australia: The Rabbitohs-Kenwood team of Brett Van Munster, Joel Castle and Kurt Fatouris dominated the fleet for an easy victory in Race 6 of the 3-Buoys Challenge Series on Sydney Harbour today.
Brett and his team sailed a brilliant second windward leg to grab the lead and were never in danger of defeat as they raced away for a 1m56s win.
Marcus Ashley Jones, James Dorron and Jeronimo Harrison finished strongly to take second place, with Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson, Mike McKensey and Greg Dixon) a further 1m3s back third.
Michael Coxon's Thurlow Fisher Lawyers sailed a strong race from the back mark and has also taken a narrow lead in the series with just two more races to be sailed.
Spinnaker halyard problems on Gotta Love It 7 as she approached the rounding mark saw the team drop towards the back of the fleet and out of contention.
When Rabbitohs-Kenwood established her winning lead at the second set of windward buoys, the race for the minor placings took full interest of the spectators.
Race 7 of the 3-Buoys Challenge is this coming Sunday. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
Wight Vodka's 2013 Favourite Yachting Bar Competition
Just seven days left to tell us your favourite bar... why it should be the Top Ten that we'll all vote on. Monday December 2nd is the last day we'll accept submissions... the panel of judges will the choose and voting will start on Saturday December 7 and end on Friday December 27.
Here are some of the best letters from the last two weeks:
Favourite Bar: ONE BAR Playa Blanca SAILORSBAR LANZAROTE (Pictured at right)
Why: ONE BAR is not just a sailors' bar. It's a hidden gem. The place is a beautiful Lighthouse . In the path of the trade winds, it is a must for those who cross oceans, blue water sailors and adventurers. American and European experts says that Lanzarote is one of the best spots in the world for sailing . Good wind and good weather. Usually training area for the Volvo Ocean teams, PUMA ERICSSON , TELEFONICA , SCA, GRUPAMA , Olympic and world champions.
The ONE BAR is the place where you can meet elite sailors and dreamers, drinking togheter.
No other bar in the world…with this characters. It is not a commercial and artificial sailorsbar, you can be having a beer surrounded by world champions, single handed sailors or all types of navigators, all in the same bar line. The record is 14 different countries' sailors in 6 meters.
Over 15 beers brands, 35 rums , 60 gins, 30 whiskey, best frencha, russian and worldwide wodkas. Martini Italy has chosen it as the best dry Martinis place in the Atlantic. A spectacular and tasteful decoration, thousands of dedicated photos and memories ... make this place simply different.
Favourite Bar: Pier 23, right on the water in downtown San Francisco
Why: It was always the place to go after work in the early 90s when I worked downtown SF, and almost 20 years later was just as good as the "gateway" bar to the 34th America's Cup. Great Margaritas.
Favourite Bar: Mahogany Shoals, Payne's Wharf, Block Island, Rhode Island USA
Why: The best Mudslide (liquid heroin)ever made at a dockside bar that can serve hundreds during Block Is. Race Week without delay! It does not get much better than that, now does it?
Favourite Bar: Maddie's Sail Loft, Marblehead, MA
Why: A tradition for Marblehead's sailors for years, Maddie's is known for their bracing cocktails, warm atmosphere, and (occasionally) edible fare. I have been going to Maddie's for over 20 years, and have come to know and love the joint, even as it has passed from owner to owner. I note that Maddie's and me inspired a scene/character in a NY Times Bestselling novel.
Favourite Bar: Classic Cafe, Seabrook Texas, USA
Why: It's a sailor's bar attended nightly by true racers, owned by an America's cup sailor. Used to be a marine store.
Great food and bartenders.
Send your submission to us here...
scuttlebutteurope.com/sailors-bars.html
Letters To The Editor - editor@scuttlebutteurope.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: Kenny Poulson: In response to Rees Martin:
Since you mentioned The Independent i assume you are located in UK.
Instead of crying out loud towards Greenpeace, who try to secure you and your family´s future, you should primarily focus your attention on your Prime Minister.
That person, the Prime Minister of UK, ask Russia to "handle the Greenpeace crew with care". What kind of message is that? Why so vague? What do he think he will endeavour related to the Russian government by asking politely? Do he really believe that the Russian government would act as supposed, following the internal laws, or to cancelling their ridiculous lawsuit claims, just by asking them to "handle with care"?
What if the PM actually required that the Russians follow the international laws, the few who actually are there? What if he actually and wholehearted supported the lawsuit of Russia by the Dutch government, and what if he required the Russians to respect the court, say even to show up in the courtroom?
Why is Russia allowed to do whatever they want without any of the bigger country leaders to say no? Let me guess.....money? Naaa....can´t be so easy, could it ?
In the end....what is the most dangerous to a person´s health, a trip to the Arctic or a stay in a Russian prison?
Direct the anger where anger need to be directed....
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The Last Word
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