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
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Derry~Londonderry~Doire Diverts To Hobart
Derry~Londonderry~Doire is diverting to Hobart in Tasmania for a medevac of an injured crewman as a precautionary measure.
Skipper Daniel Smith contacted the Race Office at 1030 AEDT today (2330 UTC Tuesday 8 December) to report that round-the-world crew member Michael Gaskin, 54, from the West Midlands, UK, had sustained suspected broken ribs after he fell by the helming position when a wave broke over the back of the yacht in rough seas and 35 knots wind, approximately 130 nautical miles to the southwest of Tasmania.
Team Medics Ali Boeree and Jan Chatzis administered first aid while the Skipper contacted ClipperTelemed+, the Clipper Race remote telemedicine service. Doctors at the Praxes operations centre in Halifax, Canada, confirmed diagnosis and directed the provision of pain relief and anti-nausea medication.
Update: 2200 UTC Wednesday 9 December
Derry~Londonderry~Doire reached Hobart at 0800 AEDT this morning (2100 UTC) and casualty Michael Gaskin transferred to a waiting ambulance at King's Pier Marina to take him to hospital for a full assessment of his injuries. Skipper Daniel Smith and the crew have already left the marina to head back out to the point where they engaged their engine to resume racing to Sydney.
* It's tight at the top of the Clipper Race fleet as the leading boats have rounded Great Mewstone, south of Tasmania, and entered the Tasman Sea in a quest to be one of the first three teams through the Scoring Gate and onwards to the Race 4 finish in Sydney.
LMAX Exchange continues to lead the way and has opened up a 28 nautical mile lead over its nearest rival.
Opti Olympic Bragging Rights
St Kilda Beach hosted a world first this morning - the Opti Olympic Challenge - when five Australian sailing Olympic gold medallists and two Rio 2016 Olympic Games hopefuls plus event ambassadors took on a bunch of angry lightweight Optimist sailors.
The Opti kids had the weight advantage and Queensland's Blake Wilson coolly shook off the carnage going on behind him to take out the two-lapper around a mini course set up off Sailing World Cup host club, Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron at the St Kilda sailing precinct.
While Wilson ran through the line pumping up the crowd the Olympians were puffing from controversially pumping the mainsail and paddling, trying to catch the whipper-snappers as credentialed World Cup race officials and umpires looked on shaking their heads in disbelief.
Beijing 2008 gold medallist in the 470 class, Nathan Wilmot, was the first of the big kids to run up the beach through the finish flags, followed by his 2008 skipper Malcolm Page, who became a dual gold medallist at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
* Today the invited classes, including the international Optimist class, join the Olympic classes out on Port Phillip in a building forecast sea'breeze, potentially up to the high teens out of the south-west.
With the full complement of more than 900 Olympic, Paralympic, invited and youth class sailors racing, every available race official is on water setting up for the two sessions across eight course areas, the first due to commence at midday in the current 9kt SSW and the second schedule to begin at 14:30hrs local time.
There's a strong wind warning for Friday December 13 for Port Phillip, south to south-westerly 10-15 knots becoming westerly and increasing to 20-25 knots in the morning the winds tending west to southwest at 20-30 knots around midday. -- Lisa Ratcliff
www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
45th BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival: Register Now, Drink Free Later
The 45th BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival has officially opened its online registration, which will be held March 28- April 3, 2016.
To celebrate the regatta's milestone anniversary, organizers will reward one crew (registered by Dec. 31), with free drink tickets in the amount of the regatta registration fee.
Warm Water, Hot Racing And Cool Parties capture the essence of the event. On the water, sailors compete in idyllic conditions with windward/ leeward courses and use the stunning islands to race around as well. On land, they are treated to nightly entertainment with dancing on the beach and delicious food vendors all in one location: Nanny Cay Resort and Marina. As part of the anniversary celebrations, fireworks will bring the 2016 regatta to a close after the award ceremony.
The VX One Class has already confirmed 12 boats will be here for their inaugural VX One Caribbean Cup Racing on the One Design Course area. Bare boats and competitive spinnaker race boats have their own course area on the water.
For more information about the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival or to register, visit: www.bvispringregatta.org
Premiere Sailing League Unveils "Made In The USA" Boat Editions
Click on image to enlarge.
The Premiere Sailing League USA, structured after the enormously successful sailing leagues pioneered in Germany and Denmark ( www.segelbundesliga.de and www.sejlsportsligaen.dk), announced today that special-edition J/70s and J/88s will be used for the series. The event starts with District Qualification Regattas using J/70s and moves on to the National Finals to be sailed in J/88s.
The Premiere Sailing League boat editions are 100% made in the USA, starting with their design by J/Boats (Newport, R.I.); spars by Hall Spars & Rigging (Bristol, R.I.); hardware by HARKEN (Pewaukee, Wisc.); lines by New England Ropes (Fall River, Mass.); and hull and sail graphics by Mac Designs (Newport, R.I.)
At the Premiere Sailing League USA introduction during last year's Strictly Sail boat show in Chicago, J/Boats President Jeff Johnstone voiced his support for Klatzka's initiative based on what the overseas sailing leagues have done "to excite and promote grassroots sailing."
Johnstone says the philosophy behind the series is fully convergent with that of J/Boats: "to provide a great platform to promote multi-generational sailing via fun and affordable competition between clubs."
Update From Gryphonsolo 2
Joe Harris checks in from onboard GryphonSolo 2 in his attempt to set a new solo sailing circumnavigation record.
It has been a good week here on GS2- and today is another spectacular sunny day with 14-20 knots of breeze from behind me, so life is good. Getting around that damn Bulge of Brazil was an ordeal, involving many days of upwind sailing, so I am very glad to have that in the rear view mirror.
As we move south down the coast, I see Salvador, Brazil is about 260 miles to the West, which is where Josh Hall and I finished the 2005 Transat Jacque Vabre Race, taking first place in the Open 50 class. I think we sailed the course from LeHavre, France in about 21 days, so I am about to surpass my longest time at sea on a sail boat. The last two weeks have been mainly upwind work, which- after a while- beats up on the boat and its crew, so I am very glad to be going downwind, and I think GS2 is as well! The easy motion of the boat through the water is like being on magic carpet ride- particularly at night- and is a much-needed and welcome relief.
www.sailingworld.com/update-from-gryphonsolo-2
New Job Opportunity At Gill
Northern Area Sales Representative (UK)
If you are looking for a new challenge in 2016 we have a great opportunity to join our sales team, covering the Midlands, North and Ireland. It is a big geographical area but a brilliant experience for the right person to make their mark with a great sailing brand.
A knowledge of sailing would be helpful, but an ambition to understand and sell great technical apparel is essential.
You need to be self-motivated, happy to travel - being away from home on a regular basis, and crucially have an ability to work under your own steam and develop great relationships with our customers. This is a field-based roll, so ideally you will live quite centrally within the territory.
We offer a salary, bonus scheme and company car in return for the highest level of commitment and unrivalled enthusiasm.
Please apply by email with a covering note telling us why you would relish this job and a CV covering your background so far to George Kingsnorth, UK Sales Manager:
Industry News
263 key players from within the yacht racing industry spent two days in Geneva at the Yacht Racing Forum discussing the future of the sport, doing business and exchanging best practice.
The conference saw some inspiring presentations from many big names such as Vendee Globe winner Francois Gabart talking about his plans to race Macif, his 100ft Ultime multihull non-stop singlehanded around the world to Ian Walker, whose Volvo Ocean Races around the planet have opened his eyes to the importance of environmental sustainability, one of the discussion topics in the Forum.
Knut Frostad said sailing should stop trying to be a 'Red Bull' sport and focus on its other strengths. "If there is one thing that sailing does better than anything, football or any other sport, it's corporate hospitality. You can engage big decision makers more effectively, and for much longer, than any other sport is able to, and we should make the most of that."
Advances in composite structures have progressed to where precise engineering is needed to optimize design. So the results from a lengthy and thorough study commissioned for the Volvo 65's was revealed that measured static and dynamic loads throughout the race - this will provide a valuable dataset to help provide important calibration tools for designers, builders, engineers and even classification societies who wish to establish the acceptable structural standards for these designs.
Other subjects also included sustainability solutions for composite construction and methods suggested to mitigate their effects, software integration tools and much more.
The last session of the day focused on the joint efforts being made by designers and rating rule systems to create boats that are fast, fun and safe to race.
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For the second time running, the "International Marine Media Meeting" will be held during the Boat Dusseldorf boat show in January. During this informal gathering of media professionals from around the world, several topics that affect the media and publishing business will be addressed and discussed.
Key speakers include Simon Owen, publishing director at Time Inc., Stefan Gerhard, editor of Bootshandel magazine, Elaine Bunting, editor of Yachting World, the e-book publisher Thomas Kasbohrer or Jon Bramley, News and Media director of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The "International Marine Media Meeting 2016" will be held on Monday, January 25 from 16.00 to 19.00 hrs (cocktails afterwards) and on Tuesday, January 26, also from 16.00 to 19.00 hrs.
Participation is free but subject to prior registration which can be done online, where also the full program will be published within the month.
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Yachting New Zealand is proud to announce a partnership with Melanoma New Zealand, the not-for-profit organisation offering a national network of information and support, with a mission to save lives and support those affected by melanoma.
By sharing knowledge about melanoma prevention and early detection with the sailing community, more people will become aware of the dangers, check their skin regularly and take care in the sun.
2015 ISAF World Sailor of the Year and 49er World Champion Blair Tuke has come on board as an ambassador for Melanoma New Zealand to be the face of the partnership, with the aim of raising awareness of melanoma in the sailing community.
Melanoma New Zealand is a not for profit organisation which offers information around prevention, early detection, diagnosis and management, and provides a professional and caring support service for patients and their families and carers.
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Cowes Week Limited, organisers of Cowes Week, one of the world's best-known sailing regattas and a highlight of the British sporting summer, are delighted to announce MUSTO as a new addition to their family of supporting sponsors.
MUSTO, the British Marine and Country clothing specialists endorsed with two Royal Warrants, have become the official Clothing Supplier of Cowes Week sailing regatta for the next 5 years.
As part of its Cowes Week activities, MUSTO will be developing a new merchandise range with Cowes Week organisers and providing the regatta team with MUSTO clothing. MUSTO will also be running a series of competitions to win exclusive prizes, providing a bag for the competitor packs and offering expert information on the right kit for each type of sailing.
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Gill, the technical sailing apparel brand, is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Bennett to lead International Business Development.
Simon joined the Nottingham-based team in November 2015. He has spent over 20 years in the action and watersport industry, having worked previously Sola Wetsuits, Body Glove International and more recently as a brand manager for Pryde UK, where he launched Neil Pryde Sailing. Simon is a keen sailor, having competed at all levels over many years.
In addition, George Kingsnorth has been promoted to the role of UK Sales Manager. George's experience with Gill, the marine industry and wider outdoor technical clothing sector puts him in a great position to oversee all aspects of the commercial operation and manage the sales team in the UK and Ireland.
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Sperry, the creator of the world's first boat shoe, proudly announces a new partnership with the 35th America's Cup, the most prestigious and technologically demanding sailing competition in the world. Effective immediately, Sperry is the official footwear partner of the America's Cup and the official footwear supplier for ORACLE TEAM USA.
In support of this partnership, Sperry will release a limited edition America's Cup Collection including specialty shoes, apparel and accessories.
Featured Brokerage
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The Last Word
The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. -- Bertrand Russell
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