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
Transatlantic Race Second Start Wednesday
Since passing the exclusion zones yesterday - around Nantucket Shoals and, further to the east, the Northern Right Whale Critical habitat - the 13-strong first wave of boats competing in the Transatlantic Race has entered the Atlantic proper now, where it has divided in two groups.
The twin-masted schooner Mariette of 1915, which at 138 feet is the largest yacht competing, picked up the breeze and surged ahead on the first full day of racing. She has been leading the charge to the southeast ahead of a cold front, chased by two of the world's most famous classic ocean racers, Dorade and Carina, plus the more modern British Lightwave 48, Scarlet Oyster.
The aim of spearing off to the southeast is to key into a band of stronger southwesterly winds that are currently spinning around a giant area of high pressure situated in the mid-Atlantic.
Tomorrow those already out on the race course will be joined by a further 21 boats, representing the bulk of the Transatlantic Race 2015 fleet.
TR 2015 Roster of Entries Starting on June 28
Aphrodite, Christopher Otorowski, Seattle, Wash./Newport, R.I., USA
Arrowhead, Steve Berlack, Franconia, N.H., USA
Carina, Rich du Moulin, Larchmont, N.Y., USA
Charisma, Constantin Claviez, Hamburg, GER
Dizzy, Paul Anstey/Craig Rastello, Melbourne, Fla., USA
Dorade, Matt Brooks, San Francisco, Calif., USA
Jaqueline IV, Robert Forman, Bay Shore, N.Y., USA
Kiva, Mark Stevens, New Castle, N.H., USA
Mariette of 1915, Charlie Wroe, Falmouth, GBR
Scarlet Oyster, Ross Applebey, GBR
Shearwater, Dan & Gretchen Biemesderfer, Guilford, Conn., USA
Solution, Carter Bacon, Hyannis Port, Mass., USA
Zephyr, Micky St. Aldwyn, Lymington, GBR
www.facebook.com/TransatlanticRace
Tracking: yb.tl/transatlantic2015
transatlanticrace.com
Age Is Just A Number
The world's most recognizable single-handed sailor, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, will sail with four others on his Open 60 Grey Power in that same class.The 76-year-old is quick to point out that two others in his crew have sailed around the world singlehanded as well: India's Dilip Donde and France's Bernard Gallay. "If you include me, that's 60 percent of our crew and 1.5 percent of the 200 people in the world who've ever done it," he said, adding that, by comparison, 680 people have gone into space.
Filling the final two Grey Power crew spots are Monaco's Joshua Warren and the UK's David Aisher, who happens to be the Past Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club,
"The boat is designed for one person so I think we'll manage to do all right (laughs),"he said, "but we aren't expecting to win overall. We have a terrible rating. If Rambler 88 (a boat in the third start trying to break the race record) crosses in 6 1/2 days, we have to do it in eight - that just isn't going to happen. The priority is to get across safely, and after that, as fast as we can."
Meeting Sir Robin at registration was a thrill for the youngest sailor in the fleet, 14-year-old Breana Rath, the youngest competitor in the race, who will sail with her father Colin Rath and 12 others aboard her family's cruising boat Persevere in IRC Racer/Cruiser class.
"I'm mostly nervous about doing well with all these professional sailors and keeping my part up, because I know I just want to be equal with everyone else." She explained that she handles the running back stays on the boat, because "I'm strong with upper body muscles, and no one else wants to do it."
transatlanticrace.com
greyprogress.blogspot.in
The MOB Light
The MOB light is a floating personal searchlight with unique Man Overboard Technology (MOBT). It can be taken anywhere, used for everything and re-charged globally.
Features:
- Pocket sized and supplied with a holster to ensure the MOB is easily accessible for general work or an emergency
- Transparent window in holster ensures MOBT strobe will illuminate your life jacket and the surrounding water
- High powered searchlight for quick and easy sail trimming, spotting of markers or debris, rapid location of casualties
- Compact size makes MOB functional in any situation, land or sea
- Water activated strobe which can be thrown or worn to aid in fast rescue
- Cable free search light allows freedom of movement at sea or on land
- USB charging for global compatibility
Contact Ocean Safety for dealers or visit exposuremarine.com
If you're heading to Cowes week or for the Panerai British Classic Week, Jolliffes chandlery based in Cowes, has a full selection of Exposure Marine Lights.
Ondrej Teply Opens Finn Silver Cup In Valencia With Perfect Score
Ondrej Teply (CZE) has started the 2015 Finn Junior World Championships for the Silver Cup in the best possible way, after winning both races on the opening day. Stig Steinfurth (DEN) is second with Andre Hojen Christiansen (DEN) in third.
The breeze built during the first race and early in the second from 9 knots to around 12-13 knots, before dropping slightly on the final downwind. The weather of the past few days continued with very hot conditions taxing the sailors as they tried to find the shortest route around the course.
One of the favourites here, and a former champion, Arkadiy Kistanov (RUS) made hard work of his first day to round deep in both races before recovering to sixth in each.
Racing continues in Valencia until Sunday. In total, 11 races are scheduled in the series. -- Robert Deaves
Top ten after two races
1. Ondrej Teply, CZE, 2 points
2. Stig Steinfurth, DEN, 6
3. Andre Hojen Christiansen, DEN, 12
4. Arkadiy Kistanov, RUS, 12
5. Lars Johan Bordtkorp, NOR, 13
6. Facundo Olezza, ARG, 13
7. Simon Gorgels, GER, 14
8 GBR 96 Hector Simpson, GBR, 21
9 USA 91 Luke Muller, USA, 23
10 RUS 7 Anatoly Korshikov, RUS, 24
Ladies Day In Largs
Largs, UK - The opening day of the 2015 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust Edinburgh Cup in Largs certainly lived up to the Clyde's reputation for being able to deliver almost every weather condition within a matter of moments.
The weather gods threw everything from less than three to almost thirty knots at the twenty strong International Dragon fleet in rapid succession and Race Officer Chris Hadden and the Scottish Sailing Institute's Race Committee did an excellent job of keeping up with the conditions to provide two terrific opening races.
By the end of the day it was no surprise to see that experience counts for a lot and in the overall standings Julia Bailey, sailing GBR720 Aimee, and Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, sailing GBR761 Jerboa, lead the regatta on equal points with Aimee just edging ahead on count back thanks to her win in the opening race.
The winner of the second race by a handsome margin was Bocci Aoyama's JAP50 Yeavis, which puts him into third overall, three points behind the ladies and two points ahead of Martin Payne in GBR789 Bear. In fifth place overall and just a single point behind Bear is Patrick Gifford sailing GBR515 Basilisk, who is also the leading Corinthian (all amateur) boat.
With three more days and four further races still to come the regatta is wide open. The forecast promises further very varied conditions
edinburghcup.britishdragons.org
Qualification Series At 470 Europeans
Aarhus, Denmark: Stunning racing conditions on day 2 at the 2015 470 Open European Championships in Aarhus, Denmark wrapped up the qualification series. The breeze ranged between 6 to 10 knots, swinging round to keep teams on their toes, under a mainly blue sky. From Wednesday 1 July, teams will race in gold and silver fleets for the 6-race final series.
Another inspirational day of racing from Gil Cohen/Danielle Maman (ISR) sees them hold firm at the front of the 470 Women fleet. A short lived dip to 2nd on the leaderboard for Stuart McNay/David Hughes (USA), as Russia's Pavel Sozykin/Denis Gribanov overtook, was soon reversed by a strong third place finish in race 5 and the pair end qualification holding the yellow leader bibs.
470 Women - Top five after 5 Races
1. Gil Cohen/Danielle Maman, ISR, 4 points
2. Jo Aleh/Polly Powrie, NZL, 5
3. Akiyo Yamaguchi/Eri Hatayama, JPN, 13
4. Anne Haeger/Briana Provancha, USA, 15
5. Camille Lecointre/Helene Defrance, FRA, 16
470 Men - Top 10 five after 5 Races
1. Stuart Mcnay/David Hughes, USA, 9
2. Pavel Sozykin/Denis Gribanov, RUS, 11
3. Tetsuya Matsunaga/Yugo Yoshida, JPN, 16
4. Paul Snow-Hansen/Daniel Willcox, NZL, 16
5. Ferdinand Gerz/Oliver Szymanski, GER, 18
Six Wins For Berntsson At Stena Match Cup Sweden
Marstrand, Sweden: Local favourite Johnie Berntsson (SWE) and his Berntsson Sailing Team took full advantage of the champagne sailing conditions in Marstrand today with six wins out of seven races in Qualifying at Stena Match Cup Sweden, the third World Championship Event of the 2015 World Match Racing Tour (WMRT). Berntsson joins Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar and Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing with seven points at the top of the leader-board. Defending event champion Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Nautiksa Racing lies in fourth position with six points.
Competing in his first World Championship Event this year, Johnie Berntsson seemed comfortable on his home waters relishing the support from spectators lining the famous Marstrand rocks;
Racing resumes tomorrow at 1300 after a morning of Pro-Am racing where VIP's and sponsors get to experience what it's like to sail with professional teams. The forecast is for sunshine and light winds from the southwest.
Qualifying Results After Flight 16
1. Ian Williams (GBR) GAC Pindar 7-0
2. Keith Swinton (AUS) Black Swan Racing 7-3
3. Johnie Berntsson (SWE) Berntsson Sailing Team 7-4
4. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Nautiska Racing 6-2
5. Eric Monnin (SUI) Team SailBox 6-4
6. Taylor Canfield (ISV) US One 5-3
7. Simone Ferrarese (ITA) Ferrarese Racing 5-4
8. Reuben Corbett (NZL) Corbett Racing 5-4
9. Nicklas Dackhammar (SWE) Essiq Racing 5-5
10. Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) Aschenbrenner Racing 4-4
11. Phil Robertson (NZL) Team TREFOR 3-5
12. Sam Gilmour (AUS) Neptune Racing 2-9
13. Rasmus Viltoft (DEN) Team Viltof 2-6
14. Anna Ostling (SWE) Team Anna 0-11
Seahorse August 2015
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Improving the breed
Little is heard these days of Dick Carter, one of the most influential offshore designers of the modern era. But life still offers plenty of interest, as Carter explains to John Rousmaniere
A lateral question
There's more to foiling than meets the eye... as Kevin Ellway and Alan Smith explain to Andy Rice
Sailor of the Month
Mighty achievements... plenty of significance
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RS200 Confirmed as 2015 Endeavour Championship Boat
Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex: The RS200 has replaced the Topper Argo as the Endeavour Championship boat for the 2015 event to be held 9-11 October at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.
The generous support of Topper Sailboats, suppliers of a brand-new fleet of Xenons and Argos for the annual Endeavour Championship for nine years, has come to a natural end, leaving the RS200 to take the role as the new Endeavour boat.
Unlike the Topper Xenons and Argos that Topper Sailboats supplied as ready-to-sail fleets however, competitors for this year's event will need to source their own boat on a charter basis.
To ensure the racing for this Champion of Champions event remains as fair as possible, RS Sailing will supply each boat with identical suits of new sails and spinnakers, which will be offered at a significant discount to the owners of the boats following the event. In addition, Kingfisher will provide mainsheets and jibs for each boat.
For charter assistance, contact Sally Campbell (UK Secretary) at sally@rs-association.com
Although the Endeavour Championship is by invitation only for the national champions of the UK's most popular dinghy classes, the organisers are keen to hear from any class association that would like to be considered.
royalcorinthian.co.uk/endeavour/
Melges 24 World Championship
Middelfart, Denmark: The first day of the 2015 Melges 24 World Championship has finished in Middelfart, Denmark with a ninety-five boats on the starting line. The event is organized by Match Racing Denmark along with the Middelfart Sailing Club in cooperation with International Melges 24 Class Association.
Light winds and strong current did not prevent the Principal Race Officer Hank Stuart from complete=ing three races, exploited by Czech Martin Trcka to bring his ICZ/Rodop CZE-704 (2-9-5) to the top spot of provisional standing with eleven point margin on EFG SUI-684 (6-2-19), helmed by Chris Rast from Switzerland winner of the Audi tron Sailing Series event in Porto Venere, and fifteen on Italian Maidollis ITA-822 (26-1-4) owned by Gianluca Perego and helmed by former Melges 24 World Champion Carlo Fracassoli, penalized due to an OCS under the Zulu flag.
Also in the top five we have Italian Marrakesch Express ITA-636 (5-29-2), with a former Italian Olympian and reigning Melges 24 European Champion Matteo Ivaldi at the helm, and the 2014 leader of the Melges 24 world ranking, Italian Audi tron ITA-840 (18-12-7), with Riccardo Simoneschi and Gabriele Benussi in the cockpit.
Racing will resume tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.; wind will blow around 8-10 knots, with some puffs. Race Committee plans to have three races (the first discard will enter after the race number six).
For the full results please visit www.melges24worlds15.dk/results-new
#Thisboatcan - Can Yours? RORC Rating Office Photo Competition!
Lucky monthly winners in the Spinlock and RORC photo competition have received a free Spinlock Personal Flotation Device (PFD) after posting photos of IRC racing tagged with #ThisBoatCan on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The global competition highlights IRC's ability to allow all types of boat to race competitively and runs until September 2015, so why not join in? We'd love to see your photos of boats enjoying their summer racing!
For more information and details of the April and May winners see the Spinlock website.
Letters To The Editor - editor@scuttlebutteurope.com
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* From Jock Wishart: Winner of Queen's Cup 2014 and 2015 and owner of newest Rater "Adventurer" and just beating Vagabond (well over 100 yrs old)!!!!!!!
We may not be "ONE design" but surely the oldest dinghy class in the World is the Thames A Rater of which boats over 100 years old are still winning!!!
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1994 Nautor Swan 60 - HIGHLAND FLING. 399,000 EUR. Located in Kiel, Germany
Iconic racer cruiser as Nautor Swan can. This Swan 60 is little used in this ownership and stored undercover awaiting her new owner. Can also cruise in comfort.
Contact:
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ben.cooper@berthon.co.uk
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
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