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
'Tough, Difficult and Dangerous'
The six Volvo Ocean Race skippers facing their second and final Atlantic crossing spoke on Thursday of how dangerous and challenging Leg 7 to Lisbon is likely to be.
The sailors rarely voice their fears, but Monday (May 18) is the ninth anniversary of the tragic day when Dutch sailor Hans Horrevoets lost his life in the 2005-06 edition of the race. He was swept overboard on the same Atlantic leg.
The 2,800-nautical mile (nm) leg, from Newport, Rhode Island, is considerably shorter than the six legs that have preceded it, but all the skippers underlined the perils of the North Atlantic stage.
Bouwe Bekking (NED), of Team Brunel, summed up the threats to a packed press conference in Newport ahead of Sunday's departure to the Portuguese capital.
"If you just look at history in this next leg, lots of rigs have been broken, a boat has sunk, a person has lost his life and we know we're going to Europe so people will push so hard on this leg," he said.
Bekking knows better than most. His movistar boat sank in the equivalent leg during the 2005-06 race and his crew were rescued by Horrevoets' team-mates on board ABN AMRO
Meanwhile, Team Vestas Wind (Chris Nicholson/AUS) are sitting out a stage for the final time since they ran into an Indian Ocean reef midway through Leg 2 back at the end of November. Nicholson reported they are right on track for a return to the fleet for Leg 8 between Lisbon and Lorient at the beginning of June.
Tom Touber, Race Chief Operating Officer, confirmed that and added that the largely rebuilt boat had been weighed on Thursday morning and was within a kilogramme or two of all the other one-design Volvo Ocean 65s.
The fleet will contest the Team Vestas Wind In-Port Race Newport on Saturday (1400 local time/1900 UTC).
Kistanov Extends While Karpak Wins Only Race At Finn Europeans In Split
Once again only one race was sailed at the Finn European Championship in Split, Croatia. While Deniss Karpak (EST) led at every mark to win the race, Arkadiy Kistanov (RUS) extended his lead at the top to 11 points. Josh Junior (NZL) moved back up to second while Ioannis Mitakis (GRE) drops one to third.
After the finish the wind all but died and just over an hour later the fleet was sent home for the day. With four races sailed, the championship is now valid, but one more is needed before a medal race can be sailed.
The opening series of 10 races concludes on Saturday, before the medal race and the final race for the rest takes place on Sunday.
Results after four races
1. Arkadiy Kistanov, RUS, 25
2. Josh Junior, NZL, 36
3. Ioannis Mitakis, GRE, 37
4. Michele Paoletti, ITA, 40
5. Andrew Murdoch, NZL, 41
6. Zsombor Berecz, HUN, 42
7. Edward Wright, GBR, 43
8. Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic, CRO, 46
9. Milan Vujasinovic, CRO, 52
10. Jake Lilley, AUS, 60
Full results: www.finneuropeans.org
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Dubarry Ultima - Classic Craftsmanship
It's been said of Ireland that it's a lovely country, just needs a roof. True, we get more than our fair share of rain from the storms that barrel in from the North Atlantic, but it's not so bad - it's not for nothing that we're known as the Emerald Isle.
In this part of the world we're also well used to making our living on the sea, in the sturdy Galway Hookers built by hand with traditional tools by local boat builders. These bluff-bowed gaff cutters have plied their treacherous trade on the often vengeful waters of the Bay for over 200 years. If ever there was a place where folk would appreciate a quality traditional sea boot - and had the craftsmanship to make one - it's here.
So it's here, in the town of Ballinasloe, just inland of Galway Bay, that Dubarry started making boots in 1937. We've honed our traditional boot-making virtuosity, found sources of the finest quick-drying, long-lasting leathers, and perfected the technology behind a warm, waterproof classic boot with award-winning grip. What else could we call the world's best traditional sea boot, other than Ultima?
Dubarry Ultima - Where will you go in yours?
Come On Knut Frostad, Come On Russell Coutts. Women's Sailing Needs Strong Male Leadership
Opportunities for women to progress in sailing are in lamentably short supply. A talented handful can make a name and income in the specially ring-fenced area of Olympic sailing. Some scratch out a living and perform well in the unrestricted world of solo and short-handed offshore racing.
But only a tiny handful.
Move to other areas of professional sailing and you'll see the same. You can earn a small fortune sailing superyachts. But only if you're a man.
If you're a woman, you'll be making the sandwiches and the beds. You can be a stewardess but your chances of being captain are about the same as they are of walking on the moon.
Race events and organisations? It's a broadly similar story. Men organise and run, women do the registration and PR.
On the other hand, women are very well represented in marine businesses (regulated of course by employment equality legislation). 'Civilian' racing and cruising also both have a healthy split of participation by gender - 40% of competitors at Cowes Week, for example, are women. It's the same in cruising events.
On behalf of the army of sailors who want, need and deserve a fundamental cultural sea change: come on Knut, come on Russell. Come on Mark Turner, Ben Ainslie, all the others. Open your doors. Lead the way.
Elaine Bunting's editorial in Yachting World: www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting
Harken May Regatta At Royal Southern
The Harken May Regatta began on the Saturday (May 9th) with grey skies and 30-knot gusts from the western Solent, and race officers took the prudent decision to postpone racing in the hope conditions would moderate. In the event, while the solid breeze never eased off enough for racing in White Group, the larger yachts in Black were rewarded for their patience with a single race and even some afternoon sunshine.
By contrast, Sunday saw near ideal conditions which allowed an expanded programme of four races in White Group and the planned two in Black.
As ever there was close racing across the classes, no more so than in IRC 1 where Nick Rawbone's Playing Around took two wins to fend off the challenge from three J/111's, led by Tony Mack's McFly and Chris Jones & Louise Makin's JourneyMaker II followed by Cornel Riklin's Jitterbug,
In IRC 2 a clean sweep gave victory to Robbie and Lis Robinson's Hot Rats, the First 35 holding off the challenge presented by a gaggle of J/88s.
The next Summer Series Regatta will be held at the Royal Southern over the weekend 20-21
Class winners:
IRC 1: PlayingAround, Nick Rawbone, Beneteau 40, GBR
IRC 2: Hot Rats, Robbie and Lis Robinson, Beneteau First 35, GBR
IRC 3: Cor Blimey, Giles Redpath, Corby 29, GBR
Contessa: Blanco, Richard Vanner, Contessa 32, GBR
Cruising: Giuliana, Mike Rowlatte, Grand Soleil, GBR
J/70: Little Louise, Nigel Evans, GBR
J/80: Betty, John Powell, GBR
SB20: Ethel, Alec Russell, GBR
XOD: Mischief, Diana Wilson, GBR
Full results: www.royal-southern.co.uk/Afloat/Results
Seahorse June 2015
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Update
Andy Claughton of BAR is happy to be working on the AC48, Terry Hutchinson is not quite as enamoured with the AC35 changes, Julian Everitt sums ‘things’ up and Blue Robinson talks to SCA’s Sophie Ciszek
Bol d’Or Mirabaud
And the first classic of the 2015 European season
Keeping it in proportion
Rob Weiland asks if the big regattas have not become too dependent upon sponsor largesse...
Less complex than we thought
Burns Fallow and the Emirates Team New Zealand aero team talk to Ivor Wilkins about AC wing design
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Moth Regatta In Works For Bermuda
Bermuda could host a regatta featuring America's Cup sailors competing in the foiling International Moth dinghy.
The Royal Gazette has learned that the groundwork for the regatta has already been laid with invitations sent out to sailors, while various other plans regarding the logistics of the event have also been put in place.
Finer details of the event such as date and venue remain a mystery, however, with organizers declining to comment.
There are presently five International Moths owned by local sailors.
The single handed Moth is the most technically advanced racing dinghy in the world and is designed and built to fly on hyrdofoils at high speeds like the America's Cup Class wing-sail catamarans.
It is why the high performance dinghy has become an integral part of training for America's Cup teams.
"Sailing Moths is a big part of our preparations," Rome Kirby, of Oracle Team USA, said. "We are sailing Moths at this point on our own to kind of stay current.
Peter Burling, who replaced Dean Barker as helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand this year, is the International Moth World Champion. -- Colin Thompson
Industry News
French yard Jeanneau, part of the Beneteau Group, has signed an agreement with Trend Travel & Yachting for the distribution of Jeanneau sailboats in Austria. Trend Travel & Yachting was created in 1989 as a charter and yacht sales company.
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On Thursday 18 June 2015, join teams from Beadles Group, Hendy Group, HPI Check, JCT600, Ridgeway Mercedes-Benz Portsmouth and Volvo Group who will be sailing in the inaugural "Automotive Challenge Cup". Team places are still available and for each entry Sunsail Events is donating £500 to the automotive industry charity, BEN.
This event is open to anyone working within the automotive industry and sailing experience is not required.
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Cowes Week Ltd today announced new sponsorship opportunities for brands looking to align with the Cowes Week regatta and capitalise on the next phase in the event's development. Current Title Sponsor Aberdeen Asset Management will step down after the 2015 event, providing the rare opportunity for a new organisation to partner with the event as Title Sponsor. In addition, CWL are introducing new Presenting Partner and Product Endorsement packages to complement the existing Supporting Sponsor tier.
Companies interested in discussing the sponsorship opportunities available at one of Britain's longest-running and most successful sporting events should contact Kate Johnson, Commercial and Marketing Director for Cowes Week Ltd, on +44 1983 248003 or kate.johnson@aamcowesweek.co.uk
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week 2015 takes place from the 8-15 August.
Cowes Week 2016 takes place from the 6-13 August.
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Organisers of this year's Silvers Marine Scottish Series are delighted to announce that Gael Force Marine Equipment has become its newest sponsor.
Known locally for their Glasgow based chandlery in Hillington, the Gael Force name is well respected in the marine industry and they will supply the ground tackle for the race courses and marks.
The 41st Silvers Marine Scottish Series takes place in Tarbert, Loch Fyne between 22 - 25 May
www.clyde.org/scottish-series/
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Emirates airline today announced its continued support of Emirates Team New Zealand, which is among the challengers for the 35th America's Cup, to be decided in June 2017.
President of Emirates airline, Sir Tim Clark, said the airline's decision was recognition of the success of the team in helping build the Emirates brand globally, as well as signalling further commitment to New Zealand.
Emirates Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said the response to securing funding for the challenge had been encouraging.
"We have made considerable progress because the Emirates Team New Zealand brand is an international leader, well recognised in the sport. Emirates airline has been with the team since 2004 and their decision to stay with us is important. We are fortunate to have such loyal and committed sponsors," said Dalton.
Dalton paid tribute to the many sponsors and suppliers - including Emirates - who have stood by the team in the hard times since the end of the 34th America's Cup in 2013.
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Bremont will bring its core values of precision, reliability and durability to the competition for the oldest trophy in sport as Official Timing Partner of the America's Cup and ORACLE TEAM USA.
As Official Timing Partner, Bremont will be present throughout the international television broadcasts as well as on the race course with the Bremont logo gracing the ORACLE TEAM USA catamarans.
Bremont timekeeping will also embark on a very special project to produce a series of timepieces projected to set a new standard in sporting and luxury watch collections.
As children Bremont co-founders Nick and Giles English lived on a sailing boat built by their father Euan English, an ex-RAF pilot with a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering. He inspired his young sons with his knowledge of aviation, yacht construction and clock manufacture, leading them to form the Bremont Watch Company in 2002.
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Italian yacht-builder Mondomarine has acquired Cantieri di Pisa for an undisclosed sum. Cantieri di Pisa was founded in Limite sull'Arno in 1945. In 1956 the company moved to a new yard in Darsena Pisana, allowing it to produce larger models.
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Ullman Sails announces that Brad Stephens, expert designer and key mind behind the development of the D4® sail membrane, has been named Head of Technical Development at Ullman Sails International, Inc., the licensing company of the Ullman Sails group.
Based in Sydney, Australia, Brad will focus on creating and testing new products for Ullman Sails' customers while simultaneously enhancing the current offerings of the group.
In addition to his work with D4®, Brad has acted as a technical expert and regional agent for SMAR Azure Ltd., a leader in sail and rig design and analysis software. Brad also has extensive experience working with yacht designers, boat builders and naval architects. On the water, his sailing background includes multiple Sydney Hobart Race wins and participation in several Admiral's Cup campaigns.
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Boaters who intend to sail to Corsica are being warned of a new and 'incredibly expensive' swinging anchoring tax in public waters - and the signs are that the tax is being introduced throughout the French coast.
The 20 Euro-per-metre tax has been voted in on Corsican public waters, without any service provided, not even a single mooring buoy.
The tax only applied to marine protected areas managed by public authorities but there are fears it will spread to all areas.
Gilles Archer, UNAPPRO-SNAVPRO secretary-general, contacted PBO to warn readers, saying: 'This new Corsican tax will guarantee that nearly all yachts will flee towards friendlier waters.'
The Cruising Association is also very concerned by the introduction of this law, because there's every chance it will be expanded to cover a large portion of the French coast; some estimates say as much of 50% by 2020.
www.pbo.co.uk/news/new-anchoring-tax-in-corsica-21359
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52 SUPER SERIES, has signed 11th Hour Racing as its exclusive sustainability sponsor. The sponsorship will see the five-regatta 2015 circuit adopt and model environmentally-responsible practices and rethink the way resources are used by competitors and spectators at all 52 SUPER SERIES EVENTS.
11th Hour Racing, a program of The Schmidt Family Foundation, aims to increase the public understanding of the oceans, find solutions to environmental challenges facing marine resources, and promote stewardship of the seas through the platform of sailing.
Derek Davis
Irish Marine minister Simon Coveney TD has led tributes to marine journalist Derek Davis (67) who died today. The former broadcaster and RTE TV presenter and former Afloat fishing correspondent was born in Co Down and began his media career as a news journalist, working with the American network ABC and BBC Northern Ireland before moving to the newsroom in RTE.
'Derek was a big personality, a passionate and talented communicator on both food and marine issues. His love for the sea was so evident whenever I met him. Derek was a much loved figure in so many Irish homes for the connections he created over a lifetime of broadcasting', Mr. Coveney said. 'He will be missed by so many. I'd like to offer my condolences to his family and many friends.' he added.
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