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
High Winds, Big Wipeouts and Lost Damage Deposits
Lelystad, Netherlands: High winds tested the 12 teams to the edge of physical and mental control on day two of the Dutch Match Cup in Lelystad. A new event on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT), the event in Lelystad presents the crews with a new challenge, of mastering the small, light Maxfun25s with ridiculously big asymmetric spinnakers.
Every time the teams hoisted, gybed or dropped their gennakers in the strong breeze was a heart-in-mouth moment and led to frequent broaches and wipe-outs, even for sailors of the calibre of four-time World Champion Ian Williams.
Two qualifier teams that could yet make it through to the Quarter Final are Arthur Herreman/ Team Herreman and Philip Bendon/ Glenmar Racing Team. Today the Irish crew took a big scalp, that of Bjorn Hansen from Sweden
There was controversy today with a number of collisions. Matches between Williams and Hansen always have an extra frisson of danger about them, and today didn't disappoint the spectators, with both teams racing within inches of the unyielding harbour wall to try and gain the upper hand on their rival. At start time Hansen controlled the favoured committee boat end of the line and suckered Williams into going for a gap. Williams took the bait, hit the committee boat, and was given a double penalty for barging. Hansen took a vital win, and Williams wasn't happy. "He's not allowed to luff us into the committee boat, which is what I thought he did, but the umpires had a different view. So that's the race."
Williams was later docked a half-point from his score due to boat damage, although Hansen also copped a half-point deduction later in the day after sailing into Bendon. It's rough out there. It will be rough again tomorrow.
Qualifying continues Friday at 1100 (CET).
Stage 5 Dutch Match Cup, Alpari World Match Racing Tour
Qualifying Results after Flight 16
1. Taylor Canfield (ISV) US One 7-1
2. Mathieu Richard (FRA) LunaJets 7-1
3. David Gilmour (AUS) Team Gilmour 6-2
4. Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar 5.5-2
5. Phil Robertson (NZL) WAKA Racing 5-3
6. Keith Swinton (AUS) Team Alpari FX 5-3
7. Björn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Sailing Team 3.5-4
8. Arthur Herreman (FRA) Team Herreman 3-5
9. Philip Bendon (IRL) Glenmar Racing Team 2-6
10. Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) Aschenbrenner Racing Team 2-6
11. Dirk-Jan Korpershoek (NLD) Opportunity Team 1-7
12. Klaartje Zuiderbaan (NLD) Team BSC 0-8
Regates Royales De Cannes - Trophee Panerai
The third day of the 2014 Regates Royales de Cannes - Trophee Panerai, featured the right alchemy that makes sail racing perfect: good weather conditions, excitement and top level crews. The Classics had their course set in the area from Cap Roux to Cap Esterel, but a fading wind forced the race Committee to shorten the course off La Napoule.
The 12Metres and the Dragons sailed just off the Cannes breakwater and in the Golfe-Juan respectively and had three intense races that better defined the provisional overall standings. With only two days left, every single point counts to clinch final victory.
Under a perfectly blue and sunny sky and with a gentle easterly breeze of around ten knots, the seventy some classic yachts crossed the starting line just off the beach heading towards the Lerins Islands and Cap Roux on a long leg, with the coast's red rocks making for a stunning backdrop.
This course had not been used for years, but sailors, photographers and spectators alike enjoyed the show. Unfortunately the breeze faded down, and the Race Committee was forced to shorten the course.
Full results at regatesroyales.com
Le Berre Keeps Winning In Sheboygan
From flat calm to a little breeze, and with a foggy conclusion. Anne-Claire Le Berre handled it all. With her 9 - 0 record the French skipper remains undefeated at the top of Buddy Melges Challenge, the fourth and penultimate stage of the 2014 WIM Series, in Sheboygan, USA
Thursday's fickle conditions on Lake Michigan didn't stabilize until the afternoon. When the breeze finally filled in, the races were held to the north of the North Pier; an area most of the sailors (and many of the locals even) have never sailed. PRO Rich Reichelsdorfer managed to squeeze all the juice out of that lemon, and got four flights completed before the fog rolled in and the wind rolled out
Local hero Stephanie Roble and her Epic Racing Team also went undefeated through Thursday's races in the Buddy Melges Challenge.
The event is planned to be sailed as a triple round-robin, followed by a repechage round on Saturday and then semi-finals and final on Sunday.
Standings in the round-robin after Day 2 of the 2014 Buddy Melges Challenge, the fourth stage of the 2014 WIM Series (skipper name, nationality, wins/losses):
1. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 9 - 0
2. Stephanie Roble, USA, 6 - 2
3. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN, 5 - 3
4. Anna Kjellberg, SWE, 4 - 4
5. Juliana Senfft, BRA, 3 - 6
6. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 3 - 6
7. Madeline Gill, USA, 0 - 9
Don't Miss The Boat!
Click on image to enlarge.
Last chance to enter the Governor's Cup Yacht race before it changes forever
Entries are now open for the unique Governor's Cup Yacht Race from Simon's Town, South Africa to Jamestown, St Helena Island - one of the world's best kept secrets. This exhilarating 1,700 nautical mile downwind race starts on 27th December 2014 and is the last time it will take place in its current format, making it a once in a lifetime race!
Every two years, intrepid sailors take part in the race, which after an 8 - 14 day handicap chase across the South Atlantic, culminates in an activity-filled stay on St Helena - an island currently only accessible by private yacht or on one of the last operating Royal Mail Ships, the RMS St Helena. Following their stay, supporters, family and crews enjoy a relaxing cruise back to Cape Town onboard the RMS St Helena offering an abundance of activities and post race parties.
2014 sees the last time the race will take place in this format as a new airport on St Helena is due to open in February 2016. Following this, the RMS St Helena will be decommissioned, so don't miss the boat and make sure you enter today.
To find out more and to download an entry form for the 2014 Governor's Cup Yacht Race, visit the 'Taking Part' section of governorscup2014.com
To connect with previous race entrants and those already signed up for this year, visit the Governor's Cup Facebook page facebook.com/Governorscuprace or @Governors_Cup on Twitter.
The closing date for entries to the race is 31st October 2014.
The 14's Return To San Francisco Bay
Photo by Erik Simonson, www.pressure-drop.us. Click on image for photo gallery.
It's been some time since the International 14's have held a race of any signifigance on San Francisco Bay, but 2014 marks perhaps a rekindling of interest in the fleet of these fun, developmental skiffs which deserve a lot more love than they have recieved on the bay of late. With well skilled young guns showing interest and the elder statesmen as it were coming together for this years Richmond Yacht Club's Totally Dinghy and International 14 Nationals spending 3 spirited days on the water, things are loking up!
It was decided a couple of years back that the 2014 I-14 US Nationals would be held at the High Sierra Regatta on Huntington Lake. Two years later and we are in a major California drought and Huntington Lake is not looking so good anymore. With historically low water levels unseen before, this put the 2014 National Championship in uncertainty. What to do. Enter the always accommodating Richmond Yacht Club on San Francisco Bay. Great venue, great people, and it was a no brainer. This was the same venue of the wildly successful and windy 1997 I-14 Worlds and host to this year's International Canoe Worlds. With an already packed summer schedule, RYC welcomed us with open arms and it was quickly decided our Nationals would coincide with the RYC Totally Dinghy Regatta and Wylie Wabbit Nationals.
No matter where you were on the course, there was some epic racing whether at the top, middle, or back of the fleet. Make one mistake and it was a mighty big task to get back in it. This was by far the most competitive US I-14 Nationals I have ever seen. RYC showed once again why they are the go to club in NorCal for small boat racing. Congrats to everyone for making this one a memorable event.
Report and photos at www.pressure-drop.us
www.i14usa.org
www.international14.org
Tall Ship Crewed By People With Disabilities Returns From Global Trip
Lord Nelson has arrived home in London after being away for almost two years on her epic Norton Rose Fulbright Sail the World Challenge. where people living with disabilities helped crew the ship.
Sailing down the Thames, accompanied by Tenacious, she arrived to a superb homecoming celebration, organized by the sponsors of this impressive challenge - Norton Rose Fulbright.
Lord Nelson sailed through Tower Bridge at 10:30am. Jubilee Sailing Trust supporters lined the quayside waving her in and the Royal Marines Band played as she came alongside HMS Belfast. Tenacious berthed before Tower Bridge alongside HMS President.
During her Sail the World challenge, Lord Nelson has travelled 51,000 nautical miles, crossed the equator 6 times, served over 2 million meals, consumed half a million apples and called in to over 100 ports, all the while being crewed by over 1000 people - both able-bodied and physically disabled. -- Andrew Cross
www.bwsailing.com/cc/tall-ship-crewed-by-people-with-disabilities-returns-from-global-trip
jst.org.uk/2014/09/lord-nelson-home/
A Sea Of Alternative Energies : The Audi Tron Sailing Series
From 2nd to 5th October Genoa will be hosting the final act of the "Audi tron Sailing Series", travelling sailing series organised by BPSE sportmarketing agency.
Professional sailing will be the main highlight of this 54th Boat Show, infact a Team Race Regatta with all 3 Melges boats (Melges 32, Melges 24 and the Audi Melges 20) will be taking place.
The Audi tron Sailing Series is conveying the message that Audi is aimed to spread with regard to environment, centerpiece of its production chain.
Audi has in this sense equipped all competing boats with electric outboards making the Audi tron Sailing Series the first ever 100% environmentally-friendly sailing circuit trying to change people's approach towards sea alternative energies.
A September Regatta To Remember: Bart's Bash at Royal Southern
Bart's Bash added a unique element to the concluding weekend of the Royal Southern Yacht Club's 2014 Summer Series.
The worldwide yacht racing event held on Sunday in memory of Olympic Gold Medallist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson saw dozens of Royal Southern members swell the numbers taking part in the Club's AVEVA September Regatta in The Solent, as well as join forces with other Hamble clubs in the river itself.
Big and small, a total of 49 yachts raced a short course in sunshine and a solid breeze from a start line near Hill Head. They joined hundreds of clubs and thousands of sailors around the world in an event which will raise money for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation charity - as well as set a Guinness World Record benchmark for the largest sailing event ever held.
'It was an absolutely fantastic event and it was a real privilege to be part of it,' said Rear Commodore Sailing Karen Henderson-Williams.
'Youth sailing is an important part of many of our clubs' futures...'
While overall Bart's Bash results will have to await application of 'The Bart Number' handicap rating system to the thousands of elapsed times, the Club can at least acknowledge its own line.
The overall Summer Series Champion of Champions will be announced at the Club's Annual Prize Giving on November 8.
Full results are posted here: www.royal-southern.co.uk/Afloat/Results
You can contribute at www.bartsbash.co.uk
Sailing Industry Innovator And Sparcraft Founder Passes Away
Longtime sailing industry professional, Terence Hanna, recently passed away due to natural causes. Over his lifetime, Terence was involved in numerous sailing industry innovations including the first bimetallic aluminum and titanium masts and reinforced plastic film sails that he created in his Hanna Sails loft in 1969.
His lifelong sailing career began in England before he moved to the U.S. in 1939 to work as Vice President of Sail Design at Ratsey Sailmakers. In 1959 he moved to Newport Beach, CA, with his family, and founded Hanna Sails and the Sparcraft Corporation. At Sparcraft he designed the first composite type mast using a lightweight titanium top section for the 1964 America's Cup winner, Constellation.
Terence retired to New England in 1979 and is survived by his daughter Christy Pulsifer and son Bill Hanna, who is currently the Vice President of Forespar Corporation. Terence maintained an active interest in the sailing industry throughout retirement.
Industry News
A 70-foot ocean racing yacht which circumnavigated the globe in the latest edition of the famous Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, representing Scottish Whisky brand Old Pulteney, will be centre stage in front of thousands of visitors at the Scotland Boat Show, 10-12 October, being staged on the Clyde, near Glasgow.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to experience life on board the stripped down Clipper 70 yacht Old Pulteney, making its debut at the show and representing the 'maritime malt' distilled in the north of Scotland at Wick.
Having guided the Old Pulteney team over 40,000 nautical miles around the world, skipper Patrick van der Zijden is looking forward to donning his kilt once again for the occasion:
"It will be a really proud moment to sail Old Pulteney to Scotland for its first visit. We sailed around the top of the country in the final leg of the race but never had the opportunity to stop. I very much enjoyed the excellent hospitality of our Scottish sponsors around the world and I'm now excited to experience it in person at the Scotland Boat Show.
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Fortnightly updates on Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team base in Old Portsmouth will be held; the first was on Thursday September 25.
The meetings will be held on Thursdays at Cathedral House, Old Portsmouth, from 5pm to 7pm for residents to find out the latest on the development.
Staff from Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) along with contractors and council officers will discuss the development in more detail and what can be expected on site.
Works to the foundations are continuing and the site will be open on Saturdays from this weekend for two weeks.
Jonathan Goring from Ben Ainslie Racing added: 'We are using these sessions to listen to the views of residents and to work through some of the concerns expressed, such as car parking and access to the Camber.'
Weekly updates on the development can be found at portsmouth.gov.uk by searching 'The Camber'.
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The seventh edition of the World Yacht Racing Forum will take place in Barcelona on December 10-11 with the support of FNOB (Fundacio Navegacio Oceanica Barcelona), the organiser of the Barcelona World Race.
The World Yacht Racing Forum 2014 will take place ahead of the start of the Barcelona World Race, with the support of FNOB (Fundacio Navegacio Oceanica Barcelona). It will be a perfect opportunity to visit the boats involved in this race, and to meet its sailors.
Barcelona is an easy-to-reach and cost effective venue, located in the center of Europe. It is the capital and largest city of Catalonia and Spain's second largest city.
Once again the event will be co-located with the Yacht Racing Design and Technology Symposium which will take place concurrently with the WYRF on December 10th.
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The Last Word
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -- Confucius
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