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Brought to you by Boats.com Europe, 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 Third Time Lucky? On Saturday, the Swiss team Alinghi, owned by billionaire America's Cup winner Ernesto Bertorelli, is expected to become the fourth team to enter the race while a team from Lithuania are rumoured to have placed an order for one of the identical new Volvo One Design (VOD) 65s. "We don't know who is racing so it would be foolish to declare ourselves pre race favourites but we are in a strong position carrying forward from the previous race," said the recently unveiled Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing skipper. "I would not have done this race again if it wasn't one design - because I would not have put myself through going round the world in a slow boat again. Abu Dhabi want to win and so do I, but there will be six or seven teams with the same idea." Having identical boats is a radical departure for the 40 year-old race and has transformed it by reducing campaign costs and shifting the emphasis from technology to personnel. -- Kate Laven in The Telegraph: 86th Bacardi Cup Regatta Headlining the week-long regatta, headquartered in Coconut Grove, is the 86th BACARDI Cup. Among the 62 Star teams registered are some of the storied class's most notable. Leading the lineup are 2012 Star World Champions Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot (France), who are also the BACARDI Cup defending champions. They will face, among others, 1992 Finn Silver medalist Brian Ledbetter (Medina, Wash.) who has teamed with Canadian 2012 Olympian Tyler Bjorn; 2009 Star World Champion George Szabo (San Diego) sailing with Miami's Magnus Liljedahl, the 2000 world champion and Olympic Gold Medalist; two-time ('08, '12) Olympian Peter O'Leary (Ireland) with Rodney Hagebols (Australia); Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Augie Diaz (Miami, Fla.); and two-time ('88, '96) Tornado Olympic Medalist Lars Grael (Rio de Janeiro, BRA). Racing for the Star class gets underway on Monday, March 4. Starting on Thursday, March 7, the Stars will be joined on Biscayne Bay by sailors in the Viper 640, Audi Melges 20, and Melges 24 classes, along with the J/70 class which makes its event debut. Racing, for all classes, will conclude on Saturday, March 10. www.MiamiSailingWeek.com Taylor Canfield Wins Budget Marine Match Racing Cup Runner-up Thompson took the second-place prize of $2,000. In the petit final, last year's Budget Marine Match Racing champion Colin Rathbun of the B.V.I. beat Russian Eugeny Nikiforov to earn the third-place check of $1,000. The fifth edition of the event, which kicks off a festival of sailing culminating with the 33rd running of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, attracted the strongest fleet of match racers in the series growing history. The eight skippers included Ukrainian sailor Rodion Luka, a 2004 Olympic silver medalist; professional sailor Anthony "Tonks" Kotoun, another Virgin Islander; Lorenz Mueller of Switzerland; and Thomas Mallindine from the U.K. The event was contested in identical 20-foot Jeanneau SunFast sloops in shifty, challenging winds ranging from 8-18 knots in the Simpson Bay lagoon. Despite the world-class field of competitors, the day belonged to Canfield, the former Boston College star who is currently ranked 8th in the ISAF Match Race Rankings and serves as the director of the Chicago Match Race Center. Tornado 5.4m High Performance
More stable and with better sea keeping capabilities than any other coach boat. With its 5.55m length and 2.35m width the Tornado 5.4m has enough space to carry sails and lots of gear - and as with all Tornado's you get to choose between numerous options, down to the exact positioning of the elements. The Tornado 5.4m has the power to tow boats for miles, and you will always feel confident that your Tornado will bring you and your gear safely home. Tornado boats are highly appreciated for their maneuverability and seaworthiness by sailors around the world! Tornado aims for safety and comfort! - Safety in having predictable handling and exceptional sea keeping capabilities. Did you know that Tornado Boats; For more information please visit: www.tornado-boats.com/en NORLYS Partners With ORC "This is a great step forward in the accuracy of the Norwegian NORLYS system," said Sverre Ellingsen, Chairman of NORLYS. "The ORC VPP is annually updated by the aero and hydro-dynamic experts in the ITC (International Technical Committee), and is tested for its fleet of some 1800 different boat designs, so there is no better VPP available for handicapping in the world today." The decision to use the ORC system is in part because of the compatibility in measurement data used by NORLYS to the ORC's International Measurement System (IMS). Measurements needed for most NORLYS boat types will therefore not change, as they are nearly complete for processing by the ORC VPP. However, when more data may be required then the NORLYS will make the necessary arrangements with owners to complete this process. "We are very happy to assist the large fleet in Norway with the tools we have at ORC," said Bruno Finzi, Chairman of ORC. "This should also help with those boats who decide to compete at the ORCi level to upgrade their certificates for racing at the National championship and international levels." Marion Bermuda Race Hosts Ocean Navigator's Celestial Navigation Seminar Marion, Massachusetts, USA: It's time to improve your fundamental seamanship skills. Join the Marion Bermuda Race Team for an Introduction to Celestial Navigation Seminar Presented by Ocean Navigator School of Seamanship at the Sippican Women's Club in Marion, MA on May 4 - 5, 2013. This seminar is a hands-on course covering basic celestial theory, sight reduction of sun, moon, planets, stars, and specialty sights of certain bodies, like the noon sun sight and latitude by Polaris. The seminar goes hand in hand with the Celestial Navigation Division of the Marion Bermuda Race starting June 14th and is perfect for any sailors contemplating an ocean crossing or a cruising adventure. The class covers related topics such as time and time zones, sight planning, sextant accessories and offshore navigation plotting techniques, especially dead reckoning. Practical plotting of each kind of sight, as well as celestial running fixes, is covered in detail. Sextant use is discussed during one session, but no sights actually are taken during the class. The cost is $295 per student, $450 per couple payable by April 22nd by check or credit card. Navigators under the age of 19 may attend for half-price. -- Talbot Wilson To register contact David P. Jackson, dpjackson@roadrunner.com Spinnaker Tales The Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron member has not rested on his laurels since representing Australia at the Volvo World Youth championships while gaining valuable experience on the physically demanding ocean racing circuit. He already has the distinction of being a winning crew member in Queensland's premier blue water classic the Brisbane to Gladstone Race and has successfully completed three Rolex Sydney Hobart races. On Good Friday Morning he will pack his sea bag onboard the Bill Wild owned and skippered Wedgetail along with a group of high profile sailors including Hobart race veterans Ian Davis Kevin Costin, Ashley Deeks and highly experienced New South Wales yachtswoman Vanessa Dudley As expected Billl Wild has made no secret about his ambition to win his second Brisbane to Gladstone Race and has the crew manning the important sail handling on deck to produce the required boat speed to allow the exciting Wedgetail to outpace her handicap rating. Their line honours win in the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race in January suggests Wedgetail will be on the pace to pose a threat when they go head to head with the equally impressive 2012 Qantaslink Brisbane to Gladstone winner the Mark Bradford skippered Black Jack. The Black Jack crew fresh from their outstanding corrected handicap class win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race last December understandably enter the 308 n/ml 'Drag Race' to Gladstone full of confidence. However there is a strong indication that the high profile Black Jack crew will need to reproduce their 2012 race form to ward off the challenge from the equally aggressive Wedgetail racing team. This will be the first time that both crews have placed their respected reputations on the line in what promises to become a tactical dogfight for the honour of having the name of their yacht engraved on the 65 year old Courier Mail Cup. The form of Black Jack who became the first yacht in history to record a class win in the Rolex Sydney Hobart and a Gladstone Race victory in the same year deserves to be the pre-race favourite. But they will be drawn to respect the equally determined Wedgetail crew who will be determined to give the popular owner skipper Bill Wild the chance to emulate his win in 2010. This also embraces a challenge for Curtis Skinner who will man the navigators nook to become tactically with the race strategy to allow Wedgetail to produce the required handicap rated boat speed to win a boat on boat mate against mate arm wrestle over the race favourite Black Jack. -- Ian Grant Mandurah Ocean - The New Ocean Sailing Suit By Marinepool Mandurah is the new highlight of the Marinepool Ocean Line. Made entirely from 3-layer stretch fabric it has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a suit designed for the rough conditions of ocean sailing. The jacket features a tuck away hood in the collar with 3 point adjustment, reflective bands from 3M Scotchlite™ on shoulders, chest and hood for better visibility, waterproof zippers on all pockets, double cuffs, an adjustable hem as well as reinforced elbows and pockets with drainage. The ocean height collar is lined with warm fleece and the articulated sleeve construction guarantees ease of movement. With a waterproofness of 20.000mm water column and a breathability of 20.000 g/m²/24hrs the high cut trousers feature the same technical specifications like the jacket. Hard wearing reinforcements on knees and seat guarantee longevity of the garment. The articulated leg and seat construction results in an excellent fit, ease of movement and high comfort. Marinepool's XPU membrane offers perfect protection from wind, water and cold. It regulates the body climate and keeps your body warm and dry while letting dampness escape. The membrane was specially designed for use in salt water and its innovative structure prevents clogging with salt crystals. Both trousers and jacket are available in yellow and anthracite. Fresh New Talent Set To Shake-Up The Curtain-Raiser The new and existing sailors have an impressive combined CV - 18 Olympic campaigns, 30 America's Cup campaigns, 33 World Championship wins and six Olympic medals. In one week they will come together in Muscat, Oman, for the opening Act and, once again, sports fans around the world can follow the action online. Two Oman Sail teams will be on the start line in Muscat and defending champion, Leigh McMillan will bring his 2012 winning experience to the crew of The Wave, Muscat, with the addition of new crew member Musab Al Hadi, a national F18 sailor. The second Omani team, making it eight Extreme 40s on the start line, will be announced on the 4th March. Twenty-three year-old Will Tiller (NZL) will take the reigns of GAC Pindar, alongside his 'Full Metal Jacket' match racing team mates who only yesterday (25th February) were selected to represent New Zealand at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup after winning their selection trials. Tiller is joined by Matt Steven, Stewart Dodson, Harry Thurston and Shaun Mason, all talented youth sailors hungry for success as GAC Pindar expand their ongoing commitment to developing youth talent. Team Korea, one of two completely new team entries for 2013 will have Olympic silver medallist and the youngest skipper in the fleet at the helm, Peter Burling. Twenty-two year-old Burling is joined by his Olympic silver medal winning 49er crew Blair Tuke and Korean national match-racing champion Sungwok Kim, as part of the teams overarching aim to develop Korean sailing talents. The second new entry, and no stranger to multihull racing, hails from Switzerland. Realteam and their skipper Jerome Clerc won the D35 championship in 2012 fending off competition from Swiss rivals Alinghi. A 'ready formed team' of Bryan Mettraux, Arnaud Psarofaghis, Cédric Schmidt and Thierry Wasem will benefit from having extensive race experience together, and will be looking to turn that into a podium result in Muscat. Olympic Talent Joins Artemis Racing Jensen and Gimson will provide sailing and training support for the team including maintenance and logistics for the team's AC45 and F18 fleet, while Simpson will provide weather and tactics support to the afterguard. Iain Jensen, as crew for Nathan Outteridge, won the Gold Medal in the 49er class in last summer's games in London. Iain is a 49er world champion in 2009 and 2011 and a 49er European champion in 2011. His accolades include winning "Sail for Gold" in '09, '10, and '12. John Gimson is campaigning to represent Great Britain in the Nacra 17 in the Rio 2016 Olympic games. He has received many podium finishes ranging from the TP52 and Extreme 40 class to the Star, Etchells and Melges 24s. Andrew Simpson medaled in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics in the Star Class as crew for Artemis Racing Sailing Team Director Iain Percy winning a gold and silver medal. Simpson brings his experience from +39 Challenge and Team Origin America's Cup teams to his role with Artemis Racing. Industry News On hearing of the continued support UKLA Chairman Ken Falcon said "The Crewsaver series proved very popular with the youth sailors last year as I am sure it will do again this year for the younger helms." Greg O'Brien - UK Sales & Marketing Manager said "Crewsaver are delighted to continue with the Youth sponsorship for 2013 Qualifiers and to be associated with the UKLA. Crewsaver are extremely committed in supporting young sailors and the grass roots of our sport. -- Eddie Mays ------------------------------------------- National Boat Shows (NBS) has launched what it claims is a world first interactive tool for the global exhibition industry that will benefit exhibitors and visitors alike. The digital online platform will provide show exhibitors with the opportunity to extend engagement with visitors and add further value to the investment of exhibiting. NBS says the nine day show now becomes an open platform for exhibitors to continue to reach thousands of visitors with direct links, promotions and post event sales. Visitors will be able to take a tour that will enable them to go on a virtual site visit of the whole show from their desks, tablets or mobiles. The 360° web based tool incorporates the expanse of the 2013 show including all exhibitors, attractions, Used Boats Marina and the Luxury Brand Show. The interactive stand viewer designed by Visualise, creators of immersive experiences including London 2012 and the Westfield shopping centre, will provide NBS' sales account team with a key tool to further promote stand space and highlight the success of the 2013 show layout. ------------------------------------------- Key Yachting have been appointed official North Sails One Design agent for the J/80 and J/70 classes in the UK. This will enable Key Yachting, who are the sole agent for J Boats in the UK, to offer their customers some fantastic deals on suits of sails for these successful sportsboats. Throughout the design stages of the first J/70, North Sails in the States had the opportunity to be in on the 'ground floor' of the project. Working closely with J Boats, North One Design were able to develop the rig and sail plan for the boat using only computer generated measurements. The new partnership is headed up by Paul Heys, Managing Director at Key Yachting, North designer Ruairidh Scott and North's European Salesman Hugo Rocha, who is based in Spain. The new J/70 has become one of the fastest growing one design classes in the world, and is already the fastest selling J Boat ever. Featured Brokerage Built in 2008 Brokerage through De Valk Yacht Brokers: www.yachtworld.com/devalkyb/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com The Last Word |
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Scuttlebutt Europe #2788 - 27 February
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