Brought to you by Seahorse magazine, 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
Shockwave Wins Overall
With all 60 yachts accounted for, the Royal Ocean Racing Club announces that the winner of the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy for the best yacht, overall in IRC on corrected time, is George Sakellaris' RP72, Shockwave.
"That is what ocean racing should be all about," commented Shockwave tactician, Robbie Doyle. "Beautiful racing between three very tough competitors, all fighting it out the whole way. A heavy-weight battle without a doubt - no question. I have had great moments in sail boats, but that was as much fun as I can remember. For 600 miles we were always in touch with each other, either up a few minutes or down a few minutes, and it all came down to the last beat to finish. It was like an epic tennis match. Every sail change was race critical. Bella Mente is a magic bullet when power reaching; we knew that before the start, so we set about minimising the time lost."
Robbie Doyle continued, "Bella Mente did a nice job getting through the lee of Guadeloupe by going inshore and at that time she had her time on us. All we tried to do was to stay in touch with her because we knew the race wasn't over. The critical point in the race happened just after Barbuda when Bella Mente got under a cloud and literally stopped and we sailed right up to them. After that we knew that if we just stayed in touch, the win would go to Shockwave - that's yacht racing for you, but what a fantastic experience."
"With all of the yachts now accounted for, the racing team can join the competitors at tonight's Prize Giving for a memorable occasion," commented RORC Racing Manager, Nick Elliott. "There have been some retirements, but we are delighted that there has been only minor damage to yachts. Apart from the expected knocks and bruises for a 600 mile race, everyone is safely ashore and looking forward to a great party."
Full results: caribbean600.rorc.org
Tomasini Grinover Wins 2014 Melges 32 Miami Winter Regatta
Photo by Joy Dunigan. Click on image for photo gallery.
The last and final day of competition in Miami brought on classic conditions with top honors going to Roberto Tomasini Grinover's Robertissima. Aboard with Tomasini Grinover was tactician Vasco Vascotto, Federico Michetti, Giovanni Cassinari, Gunnar Bahr, Simone Spangaro, Stefano Nicolussi and Nevio Sabadin - they are 2014 Melges 32 Miami Winter Regatta Champions.
Landing second overall is newly appointed Class President Jason Carroll and his Argo team, while third place went to John Kilroy's Samba Pa Ti.
Joe Woods' Red team had a phenomenal regatta taking fourth overall. The last time Woods competed in the class was more than a year and a half ago. He returned to Miami with some fresh, brand new crew proving that his Red Melges 32 has still got it where it counts.
Tony Buckingham on Ngoni, who only just became active over the 2013 racing season, completed the event nicely in fifth overall making this his best finish yet in the Melges 32 Class.
Up next for the North American fleet is the final stage of the 2014 Miami Winter Series - the Spring Challenge taking place on 4-6 April. More teams are expected to attend as everyone ramps up their programs in an effort to capture the top trophy later in the year, that of World Champion.
Top Five Results (Final - After 8 Races, One Discard)
1. Roberto Tomasini Grinover/Vasco Vascotto, Robertissima, 17 points
2. Jason Carroll/Cameron Appleton, Argo, 19
3. John Kilroy/Paul Goodison, Samba Pa T, 35
4. Joe Woods/Chris Draper, Red, 37
5. Tony Buckingham/John Kostecki, Ngoni, 38
Full results: www.yachtscoring.com
Miami Set To Welcome US 52 Super Series' Strongest Fleet Yet
The strongest fleet of American 52's yet assembled will compete at the second regatta of the two events which comprise the US 52 Super Series starting Wednesday off Miami's famous South Beach next week.
Five US registered 52's are joined by two European boats, Niklas Zennstrom's world champions Ran Racing and the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda's Azzzurra, to form what is considered to be the most competitive fleet of modern TP52's to race together in American waters.
Along with the six boats which opened their 52 Super Series season at Quantum Key West in January when owner Doug DeVos' steered Quantum Racing to win overall, the highly optimised Vesper, with owner-skipper Jim Swartz on the helm and tactician Gavin Brady calling the shots, joins the competition and represents a very potent threat.
Winners in Key West Quantum Racing will be sailing with their 52 Super Series winning line up with America's Cup winning helm Ed Baird on the tiller. Unfortunately team owner Doug DeVos has a prior commitment but will steer again at the TP52 World Championships in Porto Cervo, Sardinia in June.
After the official practice race Tuesday, a full program of windward-leeward races is scheduled from Wednesday before Sunday's prizegiving. The US 52 Super Series aggregates the regatta scores of Key West and Miami.
Rum Jungle Looking For Enthusiastic Graduate Or Intern
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We will offer a case of this fine Rum Jungle to any Scuttlebutt reader who refers a successful candidate.
If you can't wait for that you can console yourself with a bottle bought from the web-site or a large glass in one of the many south coast and IoW pubs already stocking Rum Jungle.
Also watch out for rum promotions from Rum Jungle when she is in London in May & June and on the South Coast for the rest of the summer charter season.
Call us on +44 (0) 1590 676796 or email careers@rumjungle.co.uk
18ft Skiffs 2014 JJ Giltinan Championship
Following yesterday's anti-climax when racing was abandoned after two attempts to complete a full course, Race 2 of the 2014 JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship, proudly presented by Sydney City Marine, went without major incident on Sydney Harbour today.
More poor wind conditions forced the race officer to shorten the course (a sensible decision) when the boats were almost drifting as they went for the windward mark in Rose Bay.
Gotta Love It 7 had led from shortly after rounding the first windward mark and looked certain for victory on the second run to Obelisk Bay, but the lack of wind on the work back to Rose Bay saw a massive turn around.
At the finish, Gotta Love It 7 (Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton, Scott Babbage) took line honours by 48s form The Kitchen Maker but the result came down to just 20 metres in the dying stages.
The fleet produced a magnificent spectacle as the 34 skiffs raced from Clarke Island to Obelisk Bay with most boats racing in tight groups.
After working back to Rose Bay the first time, Gotta Love It 7 was leading from Thurlow Fisher Lawyers, followed by Coopers 62-Rag & Fisher Hotel, Mojo Wine (Chris Nicholson), C-Tech (Alex Vallings, NZ), Asko Appliances (Marcus Ashley-Jones) and Sydney City Marine (David Witt).
The breeze fell away dramatically as the fleet finished the first lap back at Athol Bay. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
Live video at 18skiff.com
Volvo Cork Week 2014
A new chapter is being written for the Volvo Cork Week 2014 Regatta and included here is a quote from Adrian Yeates, Managing Director Volvo Car Ireland Ltd: "Cork Week has enjoyed a long and illustrious history, both on the Irish and international sailing calendar. Volvo Car Ireland, in conjunction with Johnson and Perrott Motor Group, is both proud and delighted to add its name to this prestigious event. Volvo has invested heavily in the sailing arena over the years and Ireland benefitted greatly from the visit of the Volvo Ocean Race to Galway for the last two round the world races. Volvo Cork Week will be the biggest sailing event to take place in Ireland in 2014 and we are looking forward to an exciting programme in Crosshaven in July and welcoming sailors and visitors alike".
Cork Week is recognized as one of the premier regattas in Europe and the Royal Cork Yacht Club is very proud to continue to host this event since its inception thirty six years ago. John Roche, Chairman of Volvo Cork Week, is looking forward to welcoming many old friends who have been coming to Crosshaven for a long number of years and of course also looking forward to welcoming new competitors to this premier event. Racing on Cork Harbour's world famous courses will, as always, be under the direction of Anthony O'Leary, renowned national and international sailor.
In 2014, conscious of the economic environment, there will be a substantial reduction in the entry fees and the format of the event will change from five to four days, Tuesday to Friday inclusive with Monday being a practice day for those wishing to avail of this.
The Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the in the world, looks forward to extending a warm welcome to all sailors who come to visit and would like to extend good wishes to all for a very enjoyable and safe regatta. -- Claire Bateman
Annalise Murphy Makes Irish Sailing History With Hit-Trick Award Win
Annalise Murphy made Irish sailing history Saturday night when she won the most coveted and prestigious Irish sailing award - ISA Sailor of the Year - for the third consecutive year. The award, supported by MGM Boats, was presented at the ISA (Irish Sailing Association) annual Awards Ball in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin before an audience of 270 members and supporters of Irish sailing from all corners of the country.
The 23 year old Rathfanham woman fought off stiff competition from two Corkonians to claim the sought-after award. Philip Bendon; Youth European Match Racing Champion and David Kenefick; Rookie Offshore Racing Champion both had incredibly successful seasons in 2013 but they couldn't reign supreme against the might of the female star of Irish sailing.
Murphy's career to date has spanned numerous international titles and in 2013 she added four more medals to her trophy cabinet.
The Association awarded a total of six awards and praised all 21 winners and nominees for their achievements. Businessman, entrepreneur and Irish Dragon; Bobby Kerr acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening which was attend by Chairman of the Irish Sports Council Kieran Mulvey, Chairman of the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland John Taggart as well as Providence Team IRL Olympic sailors Matt McGovern and James Espey and Paralympic sailors John Twomey, Ian Costello and Austin O'Carroll.
Following in the footsteps of the senior elite athletes are a generation of incredibly talented youth sailors. As they pave the way for our future Olympic successes, it was important to recognise the talents of 102 young sailors in the ISA Olympic Pathway Programme. The Youth Sailor of the Year award, supported by Quantum Sails Ireland, was bestowed to two young sailors; 17 year old Finn Lynch from Carlow and 15 year old Liam Glynn from Bangor, Co. Down.
Kinsale Yacht Club scooped the ISA Mitsubishi Motors Club of the Year award.
Thje ISA Volunteer of the Year award, supported by Dublin Port, was won by Geoff O'Donoghue who has spent the past five decades volunteering in the sport both nationally and for his home club Lough Derg Yacht Club in Co. Tipperary.
The final two categories included Instructor of the Year, supported by Parasol Sun Care, and Training Centre of the Year, supported by MGM Boats, which were won by Graeme Grant from Howth Yacht Club and the Royal Cork Yacht Club respectively.
A Long Lasting Commitment
Click on image to enlarge.
Mirabaud is proud to announce its new relationship as a main partner of Spindrift racing led by Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard, undoubtedly one of the Swiss private bank's most ambitious sporting partnerships to date.
The challenge is very much in keeping with Mirabaud's century old tradition of involvement in local and international sailing. The banking and financial group also contributes to the grass roots development of this sport and is involved in sailing event organisation.
Mirabaud has been title sponsor of Switzerland's Bol d'Or since 2006 and has partnered Swiss sailor Dominique Wavre for the last three years, taking in the Vendee Globe, the Barcelona World Race and the Transat Jacques Vabre. Dominique has since become Mirabaud's ambassador for sailing, and as such will maintain a regular presence at events and projects supported by the financial group.
The private bank is also main partner of the 'Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image', an annual professional photography competition that rewards the most beautiful sailing images of the year.
In recent years, Mirabaud has also partnered with Thomas Jundt's Mirabaud LX, a pioneering wing-masted foiling monohull, the British Olympic women's sailing team, the explorer Mike Horn, the World Yacht Racing Forum and Swiss Sailing Night!
Mirabaud's involvement in yacht racing dates back more than 100 years and is entwined with the company's traditions... the first boat race in the Mirabaud family was back in 1888.
Full article in Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com
8mrR World Cup
The 8mRs are back in La Trinite sur Mer some ten years after the 2003 edition. Indeed the next 8mR World Cup will take place from 5 through September 2014 in the iconic South Brittany port. After Canada, Germany, England then Finland in 2013, France will welcome these mythical sailboats and their crews, originating from more than ten different nations, on the waters of the Bay of Quiberon.
This World Cup will be led by of Tanneguy Raffray (owner of "Hispania IV"), through whom the International Eight Meter Association (IEMA) has assigned the organization of the event with the Societe Nautique de la Trinite sur Mer (SNT).
Thirty to forty of these beautiful units of more than 14 meters in length, all members of the famous international association and coming from the world over are expected. Their participation in these regattas on the Bay of Quiberon promises to be spectacular.
Societe Nautique de la Trinite sur mer : www.snt-voile.org
Industry News
One of the world's top sail makers has been sold in a deal valuing it at $130m (£78m), including debt.
Oakley Capital, the British investment house, has bought a majority stake in North Technology Group, the owner of US-based North Sails. The company makes sails for high-performance yachts, including America's Cup competitors.
Peter Dubens, Oakley's boss, will chair the marine equipment maker and Sir Charles Dunstone, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, will join as a non-executive director. Tom Whidden will continue as chief executive of the business, founded in 1957.
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The All Wales Boat Show will return to Conwy Quay Marina during the Bank Holiday weekend Friday 31st May - Sunday 1st June.. The three day celebration of yachting, boating, watersports and coastal living is set to attract enthusiasts from across the UK.
Centred around Conwy Quay Marina, the event will showcase some of the world's most exclusive boats and yachts, including Fairline, Beneteau, Chaparral, Robalo, Sunseeker and Hanse. The show will also feature sailing simulators, workshops from the Royal Yachting Association, yacht taster sessions and impressive wakeboarding demonstrations.In addition, there will be an opportunity to pick up second hand boats and accessories.
For further details on All Wales Boat Show visit www.allwalesboatshow.com or follow @walesboatshow on Twitter.
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Just four months after Nautic Global Group appointed James Malone as its new CEO, the company has shifted once again.
This afternoon Nautic Global Group announced that Bradley D. Gates will serve as the company's CEO, effective Monday, succeeding Malone, who had taken the helm in October. Malone will continue his role as chairman of the board and Gates will join the board.
The company said in a statement that Malone had been serving as interim CEO.
Gates previously was president of EMEA (Europe/Middle East/Africa) at Capital Safety Group, a privately owned company that makes and distributes fall protection safety equipment. In this role, Gates developed strategic plans to drive growth, customer service enhancements and profitability, successfully turning around the company's EMEA business performance and results.
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Garmin has been appointed by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) as an Official Supplier to the British Sailing Team. As part of the partnership agreement, Garmin will be working with the RYA's Olympic and Paralympic Classes and Youth sailors and coaches up until 2017.
All members of the British Sailing Team's Podium squad will have Garmin's quatix or Forerunner 910XT advanced GPS watches for on and off water training, while Podium Potential sailors, team coaches and members of the RYA UK Youth squads will receive substantial product discounts to aid their effectiveness in training.
The RYA will also be using Garmin's new VIRB Elite action cameras, which allow on board footage to be captured in high definition and overlaid with real-time GPS, speed and compass data, enabling the sailors and coaches to film, review and improve the boat and crew performance.
britishsailingteam.com
rya.org.uk
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The Last Word
I used to jog but the ice cubes kept falling out of my glass. -- Dave Lee Roth
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