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
Finn Europeans Finally Gets Going
Giles Scott (GBR) leads the 2014 Finn Europeans in La Rochelle from defending champion Vasilij Zbogar (SLO) and Tapio Nirkko (FIN) after two great races on the second day of the competition.
It was about as tough a day as it was possible to have for both sailors and organisers (not to mention the media). The fleet went afloat at 10.00 and didn't return to the beach until gone 18.00 having done 10 starts and two and a half races.
It took 11 starts to get race 1 away, and that took the best part of two days. Three starts on Monday were followed by another eight in total today including a race that was abandoned at the gate because of a major wind shift. As soon as the sailors arrived on the course area it was clear there was going to be a delay. The first few starts took their toll with another 23 sailors picking up a black flag to add to the 11 from Monday. These 34 sailors just had to sit and wait for the rest to finally get a race in before they could rejoin the fleet.
Eventually a race got away and everyone thought the curse had been lifted. Gordon Lamphere (USA) led round the top mark from Zsombor Berecz (HUN) and Laurent Hay (FRA). But the wind had shifted so far to the left that the run became a reach and the race was abandoned as the leaders passed through the gate.
Three more starts later and the wind had finally swung to its forecast direction and was beginning to build. Oscar was raised at the first top mark and stayed up for the remainder of the day as the wind built to 14-15 knots before easing off in the early evening.
In the Junior Championships, McCoy leads Philip Kasuke (GER) who is 15th and Anders Pedersen (NOR) in 19th.
Racing continues on Wednesday at 11.00.
Results after two races (provisional)
1. Giles Scott, GBR, 20 points
2. Vasilij Zbogar, SLO, 50
3. Tapio Nirkko, FIN, 12
4. Andrew Mills, GBR, 14
5. Pieter-Jan Postma, NED, 22
6. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 23
7. Deniss Karpak, EST, 26
8. Andrew Murdoch, NZL, 28
9. Bjorn Allansson, SWE, 29
10. Giorgio Poggi, ITA, 31
ww.finneuropeans.org
finnclass.org
Great Britain Claims Line Honours In Clipper Race 11
GREAT Britain claimed top spot last night in Race 11 of the world's longest ocean race - The PSP Logistics Panama 100 Cup from San Francisco to Panama, following another tense final few days tussle with Henri Lloyd.
Following more than two weeks racing in challenging light and variable winds, intense squalls and soaring temperatures, GREAT Britain and Henri Lloyd started the final days racing neck and neck. GREAT Britain found the better winds to take a commanding final margin and crossed the Farallones Finish Line off the coast of Central America at 17:16 UTC, ahead of Henri Lloyd which finished second at 19:53 UTC.
Jamaica Get All Right also fought a rousing finish line pursuit, finishing just two miles behind Henri Lloyd in third at 20:44 UTC.
The Clipper Race Committee shortened the Race 11 course in line with the sailing instructions, and announced the new Farallones Finish Line on Sunday morning. The decision was taken after it was advised of maintenance work that is being undertaken on the Panama Canal locks over the coming weeks, the lighter than expected wind strengths on this section of the race and then need to maintain the overall race schedule.
Team Garmin narrowly missed out on its first podium spot, finishing in fourth place at 21:59 UTC, to record its joint highest race position since Race 1 to Brest, France in September 2013. Old Pulteney finished fifth this morning at 05:16 UTC.
While the rest of the fleet pushes on to the Farallones Finish Line, the teams who have completed Race 11 have now started motor sailing to the Panama Canal. Teams are expected to start transiting the canal from May 10th before starting Race 12 - a 590 mile sprint race to Jamaica on May 14th.
www.clipperroundtheworld.com/race-standings
Onboard & Onshore With Hudson Wight
The Hudson Wight Performance Sailwear brand will be very evident both afloat and ashore throughout the season, supporting a variety of events as the official clothing sponsor and supplier to a number of high profile yachting regattas and events around the UK.
We are delighted to be supporting Sail 4 Cancer by donating Raffle and Auction prizes for 11 significant regattas. Competitors at all events will either win or bid for a high-value Hudson WIght voucher enabling them to choose or redeem against key items such as the much-lauded HW1 'oilies'.
As Official Clothing Sponsor to the Poole Regatta (24-26 May), Race Officers will be kitted out in event branded HW1 oilies, and top value prizes are being donated for class winners and the overall regatta winner.
The Hudson Wight pop-up-shops are proving really popular and there will be one up and running for the duration of the Poole Regatta.
Looking ahead to June, Hudson Wight is racing in the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race on 21st June with solo offshore sailor Lizzy Foreman on the helm of Hudson Wight, her Mini 6.50. She's one of the great British hopes for next year's gruelling Mini Transat and Hudson Wight is on board for the duration of her campaign as her title sponsor.
Balestrero and Ivaldi Pull Away From The Pack
Photo by Pierrick Contin, pierrickcontin.fr. Click on image for photo gallery.
The second day of racing at the MKB Bank Melges 24 European Championship 2014 on Lake Balaton saw two more races sailed in bright sunshine but light and flukey winds.
Both races took place in the afternoon after the race committee wisely held the fleet ashore in the morning awaiting the arrival of enough wind to race fairly. Around 1300 the race committees'patience was rewarded when a 10 knot southerly breeze materialised and racing could get under way.
The second day of racing produced two new winners. Hungarian Akos Csolto on HUN 579 'Nondiremai'reversed his poor fortune from the previous day when he scored 63, 39, by winning the first race of the day in some style.
Corinthian sailor Tonu Toniste on EST 790 'Lenny'turned in a consummate performance in the second race of the day, easing into the lead on the first downwind leg and then pulling away to win by over 30 seconds at the finish. Overnight leader Matteo Balestrero on ITA 693 'Giogi'added to his consistent scoreline from the first day with a third and a fourth today. This extends his advantage at the top of the overall leaderboard to eight points and four races.
Racing at the MKB Bank Melges 24 European Championship 2014 continues tomorrow when stronger breezes are expected and up to three races may be sailed. When six or more races of the scheduled 10-race series are sailed the competitors can discard their worst score. The championship series runs through until Friday May 9.
Top five provisional after four races
1. Matteo Balestrero, ITA, 11 points
2. Matteo Ivaldi, SUI, 19
3. Geoff Carveth, GBR, 33
4. Franz Urlesberger, AUT, 41
5. Tonu Toniste, EST, 42
Top five Corinthian provisional
1. Tonu Toniste, EST, 11
2. Peter Warrer, DEN, 20
3. Vasyl Gureyev, UKR, 36
4. Jan Hossermannn, GER, 38
5. Michael Good, SUI, 40
Full results: melges24europeans14.com/results/
Formula Windsurfing World Championship
Click on image to enlarge.
Ross Williams has been crowned the 2014 Formula Windsurfing world champion, at Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island, Azores.
The 2014 Formula Windsurfing World Championship was one of the most competitive battles for the highest places in the podium of the decade.
Windsurfers showed nerves of steel, as they waited for the wind to pick up in last day, in the beautiful Azores. Only two points separated first and second.
Ross Williams took five out of 12 bullets to claim the world title. The Australian danger Stephen Allen finished runner-up and Gonzalo Hoevel, from Argentina finished third.
"It's over! Final day was super stressful. Thanks to everyone who has supported me and inspired to achieve my goals. Massive shout out to everyone in the UK", says Williams.
Top five final results:
1. Ross Williams, UK
2. Stephen Allen, AUS
3. Gonzalo Costa Hoevel, ARG
4. Amon Dagan, ISR
5. Casper Bouman, NED
www.surfertoday.com/windsurfing
azoreangateway.com/index.php/en/
Delta Lloyd Regatta
Strong competition for 2014... In the Finn class, the winner of the ISAF World Cup Hyeres Pieter-Jan Postma is present. In the 470 women class we take a look at the ISAF World Ranking list and we can announce that Tina Mrake & Veronika Macarol (SLO) the numbers three and Afrodite Kyranakou & Anneloes van Veen (NED) already registered for the Delta Lloyd Regatta 2014.
If we take a look at the always popular Laser class we have number two and three at Hyeres, Andy Maloney (NZL) and Rutger van Schaardenburg (NED), at the starting line in Medemblik. In the superfast Nacra 17 class we can proudly announce that there are already 5 teams from the top 10 ISAF World Ranking present at the Delta Lloyd Regatta, with sailors like Ben Saxton & Hanna Diamond( GBR), Iker Martinez & Tara Pacheco (ESP) and Pippa Wilson & John Gimson (GBR).
The organizing committee has decided to postpone the early entry fee with another week until Friday the 9th of May. This means that all of sailors who missed out on the first deadline of May 1st now have the opportunity to register and benefit from the early entry fee.
Enter here: register.deltalloydregatta.org
Complete list of entrants: register.deltalloydregatta.org
Henri Lloyd - Sales Support Assistant
With the restructuring of the UK Marine Sales Team a new and exciting opportunity has been created at Henri Lloyd Ltd. The role is Uk Marine Sales Support Assistant designed to assist both with corporate and wholesale marine sales, based in Lymington Hampshire.
This is a full time position, with an element of week end work along with boat show and event cover.
The successful candidate would need to have a good knowledge of the Marine Industry, from a Corporate, wholesale and/ or retail base. Also due to the variety of tasks, excellent time management and organisational skills will be required, along with a good ability to communicate at all levels. An expectation of being able to supply exceptional customer service with professionalism and integrity will also be required.
Knowledge of Illustrator would also be advantageous and a clean driving licence a necessity. Good remuneration package for the right candidate.
To register your interest please email your C.V with references and personal profile to:
Pauline Nolan
UK Marine Sales Manager
pnolan@henrilloyd.co.uk
EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup
The 7th May, sees the beginning of Garda Trentino Olympic Week, the first of four major European regattas to make up the EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup in 2014.
This is the second year this series has been organised jointly by EUROSAF and their partners, which, in addition to Garda, includes the Delta Lloyd Regatta, Sail for Gold, Kieler Woche and the Semaine Olympique Française.
The EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup extends the European summer season for Olympic sailors beyond the ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas in Palma and Hyeres and provides a highly competitive series of well-organized and well managed regattas in the build up to the Olympic Regatta in Rio 2016.
In conjunction with the beginning of the 2014 series, EUROSAF also announces the launch of the new EUROSAF Champions Sailing Cup series website, which will be found at http://www.championssailingcup.org
In 2013 and again from 2015, the final regatta in the series will take place at La Rochelle, in the late summer, providing a thrilling end to the summer sailing season in Europe. For one year, however, in 2014, the series will conclude at Kieler Woche, due to the ISAF Sailing World Championship in Santander this September. The dates for each of the 2014 regattas are:
Trentino Garda Olympic Week, Lake Garda, Italy 7th - 11th May
Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, The Netherlands 20th - 24th May
Sail for Gold, Weymouth & Portland, United Kingdom 2nd - 6th June
Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany 21st - 25th June
Entries remain open for the three remaining regattas after the Garda Trentino Olympic
Further information is available from the website, or my contacting John Friend from EUROSAF at john.friend@eurosaf.org
www.championssailingcup.org
www.eurosaf.org
Live Online Race Tracking
For high-profile races, like the Olympics and Volvo Ocean Race, we have got used to sitting in front of our screens and being able to follow live as the yachts battle it out. It does wonders for the interest in the competition and sailing in general. However, a lot of race organisers have limited budgets plus serious time constraints. Live tracking is therefore out of reach and a lot of the fun and interest for the public is lost - until now.
A key requirement behind BoatLogger is low cost for both the organiser and the boat. Therefore, the live positions have to be collected and sent ashore with already available technology. The easiest is to use smartphone BoatLogger apps which can be downloaded for free from Play Store or iTunes.
While GPS position logging on phones works accurately even when far from ashore and beyond cell coverage, positions will not be sent ashore until close to the coast again. For offshore races that means that the 'live' is tainted. Therefore BoatLogger also supports feeds from SPOT and deLorme inReach satellite loggers. For yachts that have these installed we get live tracking also during all offshore passages.
Download the Apps: www.boatlogger.com
More in Seahorse magazine:
www.seahorsemagazine.com
2014 RS:X Class Annual General Meeting
July 1st, 2014 at Cesme, Turkey. The 2014 AGM of the International RS:X Class Association will be held during the RS:X European and Youth European Championships at Cesme, Turkey.
The exact location and time of the meeting will be published on the Class website later.
Download the Agenda and the Submission Template
Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation Hisc Mayday Pursuit Race
116 boats took to the water yesterday, in support of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, and enjoyed glorious sailing conditions in the annual HISC Mayday Pursuit race, albeit with lighter winds than were forecast.
Poignantly the course took the fleet down the Thorney Channel to round the 'Star' racing mark, in memory of Andrew Simpson. The course involved a fair share of beating against the tide up the edges of the Emsworth and Thorney channels, some tight reaching around the harbour together with some exciting short tacking and mark roundings just off the club beach.
Unfortunately the majority of the 18 strong RS200 fleet started early thus missing out on the podium places, but the leading Solos of Nick Peters and Ross Harvey started to look strong as the race neared the final 10-15 minutes. With less than 5 minutes to go the Solos managed to overhaul Angus and Fraser Hemmings in their Mirror Dinghy, but eyes were also on the leading Merlins who were coming through the fleet, fast and perilously unimpeded.
And so in the way of many HISC pursuit races, the finish was exciting and frenetic with Nick Peters hanging on to win in his Solo, followed by Russell Peters and Graham Williamson closing in fast in their Merlin and Ross Harvey (Solo) holding off a couple of 200s for third place. The Hemmings in their Mirror managed fourth just holding off the chasing fleet before the finish line.
The full results list can be found here:
www.hisc.co.uk/sailing-racing/
In the Youth Pursuit race a 25 strong fleet saw exceptionally close racing to the finish with an Optimist sailed by Raulf Berry managing to keep the lead throughout, followed by Freddy Wood in an RS Tera Sport and third place going to Ellie McDonald in an RS Tera Pro.
Full details of Youth Pursuit results can be found here:
www.hisc.co.uk
Featured Brokerage
2005 TP52. USD $499,000. Located in Acapulco, Mexico.
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BVI Registered Yacht built by Green Marine in Southampton (UK) and launched in 2005. Since her launch the yacht has competed in the most prestigious regattas in the UK, Mediterranean and the US scoring top results.
Patches is a high performance racing yacht that has been professionally maintained and has a proven offshore and inshore track record. This fully offshore capale racing yacht is a turn-key solution that will allow her new owner to compete to a high level in both inshore and offshore regattas around the world.
Details: seahorsemagazine.com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
I do not feel obliged to believe that same God who endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect had intended for us to forgo their use. -- Galileo Galilei
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