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
Katie Spithill Takes Her First Busan Victory
As one of the most experienced match racing skippers in the world, Australian Katie Spithill has been to every Busan Cup Women's International Match Race since the inaugural event in 2008, except for the single year she had her daughter. But not until Saturday the 29th of October 2016 did she go all the way through to winning in Korea; over previous two-time Busan champion Lucy Macgregor of Great Britain.
The waters just outside the beautiful Haeundae Beach of Korean city Busan offered the most challenging of sailing conditions, as the Busan Cup Women's International Match Race came down the wire with semi finals and final Saturday. In incredibly shifty, puffy and gusty winds, Spithill won her semi 3 - 1 over round-robin winner Claire Leroy
Previous double World Champion and 2007 World Sailor of the Year, Claire Leroy, defeated Ostling 2 - 0 to take the petite final
Results in the Busan Cup Women's International Match Race, the 4th and penultimate event of the 2016 WIM Series
1. Katie Spithill, Alessandra Angelini, Jessica Eastwell, Kate Lathouras and Stacey Jackson, AUS, 25 points
2. Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush, Mariana Lobato, Elodie Mettraux and Mary Rook, GBR, 22
3. Claire Leroy, Marie Riou, Claire Pruvot, Julie Gerecht and Morgane Gautier, FRA, 20
4. Anna Ostling, Hanna Klinga, Linnea Wennergren, Marie Berg and Annika Carlunger, SWE, 18
5. Trine Palludan, Lea Richter Vogelius, Josefine Boel Rasmussen, Laerke Ilso Norgaard and Joan Vestergaard Hansen, DEN, 16
6. Stephanie Roble, Maggie Shea, Aimee Famularo, Elizabeth Shaw and Janel Zarkowsky, USA, 14
7. Pauline Courtois, Maelenn Lemaitre, Berenice Delpuech, Sophonie Affagard and Juliette Le Friec, FRA, 12
8. Caroline Sylvan, Malin Holmberg, Anna Norlander, Frida Langenius and My Karlsten Sfiris, SWE, 10
9. Renee Groeneveld, Annemieke Bes, Lobke Berkhout, Claire Blom and Marcelien de Koning, NED, 8
10. Diana Kissane, Jane Butler, Clara Hynes, Tara Flood and Jennifer Andreasson, IRL, 7
11. Milly Bennett, Alice Tarnawski, Rosie Lee, Stephanie Doyle, Carrington Brady and Tara Blanc-Ramos, AUS, 6
12. Gyeong Jin Lee, Ji A Kim, Min Ju Kim, Da Eun Yang and Da Som Park, KOR, 5
Results in the final:
Katie Spithill, AUS - Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 3 - 2
Results in the petite final:
Anna Ostling, SWE - Claire Leroy, FRA, 0 - 2
Semi final results:
Katie Spithill, AUS - Claire Leroy, FRA, 3 - 1
Anna Ostling, SWE - Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 0 - 3
Standings in the 2016 WIM Series after four events out of five (skipper, country, WIM Series points):
1. Anna Ostling, SWE, 93
2. Pauline Courtois, FRA, 60
3. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 58
4. Stephanie Roble, USA, 54
5. Camilla Ulrikkeholm Klinkby, DEN, 54
6. Renee Groeneveld, NED, 49
7. Katie Spithill, AUS, 25
8. Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 22
9. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA, 22
10. Marinella Laaksonen, FIN, 21
11. Claire Leroy, FRA, 20
12. Lotte Meldgaard, DEN, 18
13. Samantha Norman, NZL, 14
14. Sanna Hager, SWE, 14
15. Diana Kissane, IRL, 14
16. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 12
17. Rikst Dijkstra, NED, 12
18. Nicole Breault, USA, 10
19. Johanna Bergqvist, SWE, 10
20. Antonia Degerlund, FIN, 10
21. Elizabeth Shaw, CAN, 8
22. Susanna Kukkonen FIN, 8
23. Milly Bennett, AUS, 6
24. Gyeong Jin Lee, KOR, 5
25. Sanna Mattsson, SWE, 5
18ft Skiffs: NSW Championship - Race 1
Photos by Frank Quealey. Click on image for photo gallery.
Sydney Harbour: Coopers 62-Rag & Famish Hotel won a dramatic Race 1 of the NSW 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today after a brilliant performance by her crew in the fresh North East wind conditions.
The win was completely unusual as the skiff used a borrowed mainsail from the Appliancesonline.com.au skiff and two of the appliances crew sailed on The Rag.
Tom Clout skippered the winner with Mark Kennedy and Tom Anderson in the team. Clout and Anderson are usually the crew with David Witt on Appliancesonline.
Compassmarkets.com (Keagan York, Matt Stenta and Angus Williams) finished in second place, 44s behind the winner, with Noakesailing (Ash Rooklyn, Ben Robinson and Rhys Mara) a further 1m51s back in third place.
The brand new Line 7 skiff, skippered by Jonathan Whitty, was christened only minutes before the race and did remarkably well to come home in fourth place.
Race 2 of the NSW Championship will be sailed next Sunday. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
Time To Register For The Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 30 Jan - 4 Feb 2017
For those who register online and pay by 30 November 2016, the fee is only US$90, after that it goes up to US$130, so register online at www.yachtscoring.com asap.
Either way, the Grenada Sailing Week is one of the most reasonably priced Caribbean regattas - great value for 4 days of challenging sailing and 6 nights of parties on the welcoming island of Grenada. Yachts from the UK, the USA, Trinidad, Barbados, Martinique, Antigua and Grenada are already registered, with all classes represented, especially the Racing Class.
Peter Morris, owner and skipper of the regularly campaigned Frers 43, Jaguar, says: "2017 will be our 12th consecutive year racing in Grenada. The regatta has always been well organised and friendly with competitive racing in a wide range of sea and wind conditions. It remains our favourite Caribbean regatta. Whatever kind of boat you sail, there is a class in which you can race competitively and the conditions are some of the most beautiful to be found anywhere in the world."
Racing and support crew flying into Grenada from other Caribbean islands are reminded to take advantage of the 20% discount available if you book during the month of November 2016 with LIAT The Caribbean Airline, regional air partner for this regatta - see full details on our website.
Check our website: www.grenadasailingweek.com and sign up for our newsletter, email us at info@grenadasailingweek.com, find us on Facebook at GrenadaSailingWeek, or Twitter @grenadasailweek
Remembering Admiral Archie O'leary
This year Royal Cork Yacht Club will present the 'Archie O Leary' perpetual trophy for the best boat of the series in class under IRC in its Winter League starting next month.
The new trophy commemorates the late Admiral Archie O'Leary who died in May.
The O'Leary Insurance Group winter League is an open to all Keelboats.
All races will be run from a boat start in the vicinity of RCYC's grassy walk line.
Schedule of races in the O'Leary Insurance winter league for Classes 1, 2, 3, 1720's & WS:
Sunday the 06th of November F.G. 12.25
Sunday the 13th of November F.G. 12.25
Sunday the 20th of November F.G. 12.25
Sunday the 27th of November F.G. 12.25
Sunday the 04th of November F.G. 12.25
Sunday the 11th of December F.G. 12.25
Sam Hollis To Hold Dual Roles At America's Cup Event Authority
Following the departure of Harvey Schiller, who held the position of Commercial Commissioner for the America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA) until August 31, that role is now filled by Sam Hollis.
Schiller held the position for two years, which was a new role introduced for the 35th America's Cup. The Commercial Commissioner's position was said to be responsible for the supervision, management, and protection of the commercial interests connected to the America's Cup, and in that position work closely with all of the competitors, the Regatta Director, and the America's Cup Event Authority.
Hollis will hold the dual role of Commercial Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer for the ACEA, the commercial rights holder tasked with the organizing of the 35th America's Cup. Hollis joined the America's Cup in 2010 and has been at the center of the planning, structuring and delivery of AC34 previously, and now AC35.
Red, Orange, Green
French and international race skippers are returning to sun drenched Les Sables d'Olonne after taking a their final rest at home before what is always a frenetic, highly charged last week before the Vendee Globe solo non stop around the world race starts next Sunday, 6th November. The warm weather and summer like temperatures on France's Vendee coast belie what is ahead over the next 70-80 days but continue to draw big crowds to the town.
The young French based skipper Conrad Colman, who holds dual nationality of both New Zealand and the USA, would prefer to be spending time with the thousands of interested visitors, discussing his bid to become the first solo skipper to complete the Vendee Globe using only 100% Natural Energy sources.
But he still has the final pieces of a complicated financial jigsaw to put in place. Colman will be the first Vendee Globe skipper to use his primary electric motor - in place of a diesel engine - as a power generating source as its turning propeller becomes a hydrogenerator. His programme - relatively late and seeking primarily to validate the natural technologies and deliver a strong message - contrasts with that of Vincent Riou.
The only skipper in the race to have won the Vendee Globe before, in 2004, is relaxed, ultra ready and - entering the final countdown to his fourth attempt at the solo round the world race - needs only to concentrate on the new long term weather outlook as it evolves this week.
Seahorse December 2016
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World news
They're ready to roll in South Brittany, it's a maybe for Spindrift, 100-footers popping out everywhere, Dalts and Ashby6 make up for lost time (and cash), Santiago Lange is still enjoying the moment (but may go again!), Terry Kohler's fine legacy... plus 'we're tacking too'. Ivor Wilkins, Blue Robinson, Patrice Carpentier, Dobbs Davis, Carlos Pich
Forever young
It's not easy to break into the grand prix circuit - and that's bad for everyone. Rob Weiland
Do they (still) make them like this?
Patrice Carpentier looks back at the first Vendée Globe and an extraordinary rescue at sea
End of an era
The passing of Jim Kilroy severs another link with a remarkable time for yacht racing. Dobbs Davis and Barry Pickthall
ORC column - (at last) a proper scandal
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ISORA (Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association)
Has just completed an on-line survey of past present and future members, to help model the format of racing for the 2017 season which will discussed at the AGM, to be held at the National Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire on the 12th November, followed by the annual dinner and prize giving event where ISORA Hon Secretary Stephen Tudor and the J109 "Sgrech" team from Pwllheli, North Wales will be awarded the "Wolfs Head" trophy for the overall win of this demanding offshore series.
More information about the association at www.isora.org
The 2017 programme should be published by the end of the year
Wanhang Longcheer Crushes It Again In China
Shenzhen, China: They said that the level of competition in the Beneteau 40.7 fleet has never been tougher, yet Wanhang Longcheer won the 10th China Cup International Regatta by a country mile. Of the 10 divisions racing in Shenzhen, the 25-strong Beneteau 40.7 attracts the most international entries and is widely considered the most competitive.
Last year Steve McConaghy and his Australian/Chinese crew on Wanghang Longcheer had to match race Emirates Team New Zealand on the final day of competition. This time helmsman Seve Jarvin, multiple world champion in the 18ft skiff, steered the boat to another inch-perfect start off the busy start line and in the light 6 to 7 knot breeze Wanhang sailed away to win the first race of the day. With scores of 2,1,1,1, McConaghy and Co. were able to sit out the final heat and sailed back to the race village for an early pack-up and a well-earned Tsingtao beer.
Meanwhile Guy Pilkington's crew were struggling to make inroads and Yiihua & Pocket Team New Zealand's final-day scores of 4,8 saw the Kiwis miss out on the podium by a single point. Instead it was Ellian Perch's South African crew who sailed My Side brilliantly in the fickle conditions to score 2,1 on Sunday, lifting them to second overall ahead of Tim Davis and Beijing Sailing Center.
In the big boat division, Tiffany Koo's Hero Racing repeated last year's IRC Division A victory even if their final race was their worst. In IRC B, perennial winner, Shawn Kang's Lighthorse picked up yet another China Cup trophy, but there was a new winner in IRC C as Sanya Yomovo Sailing Team beat defending champions Whiskey Jack. -- Andy Rice
Overall Class Winners
HKPN Division A: 16 Trader Tornado (Hong Kong)
HKPN Division B: Crystal (Hong Kong)
ASAF Class: Singapore (Singapore)
FarEast 28R: Southern Cross Racing (New Zealand)
IRC A: Hero Racing (Malaysia)
IRC B: Lighthorse (Hong Kong)
IRC C: Sanya Yomovo Sailing Team (China)
Beneteau 40.7: Wanhang Longcheer (Australia)
Bavaria 37: 2Kilo Sailing Team (China)
J/80: J-Boats Racing Team (USA)
Flying Car Could Make Debut At America's Cup
A hi-tech flying car could make its world debut in Bermuda to coincide with next year's America's Cup.
The makers of the three-wheel PAL-V, which converts from a road vehicle into an aircraft in minutes, said the island was the perfect place to launch the vehicle.
Special launch models, with unique paintwork and luxury trim, are expected to cost around $600,000 while the standard version will sell for about $400,000.
And Andre Voskuil, the North American vice-president for Dutch-based PAL-V, said that Bermudian potential customers had expressed an interest in buying a PAL-V.
He added that an influx of super-rich tourists for the America's Cup and the island's international make-up made it the ideal launch pad for the PAL-V. -- Raymond Hainey
Letters To The Editor - editor@scuttlebutteurope.com
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From David Munge: I hesitate to disagree with my friend Andrew Hurst on the subject of allowing positive discrimination in selecting mixed male and female crews to compete in Olympic classes. However, to succeed at the Olympics means you are the best of the best. Almost by definition by allowing positive discrimination into crew selection you are implying that you are not able to select the best of the best. That is not the Olympic spirit.
There is already too much discrimination in sailing, which means if you are over 105 kilos in weight, you can't sail in the Olympic Classes.
As an ex prop forward, Finn sailor, and Star crew, I am sure that Mandy Rice-Davies would say about me, "he would say that wouldn't he", however I don't suppose Miss Rice-Davies, or her clients, would have welcomed positive discrimination in her profession.
* From Malcolm McKeag: Err... don't want to be picky or anything but... that Russian aircraft carrier does not run on diesel engines and does not have dirty injectors. It is powered by steam turbines and runs on (probably heavy) fuel oil. Hence the black smoke. Bit of an obliging give away for submarine commanders of course, but before any more Brits get too superior about standards of Russian machinery maintenance it is perhaps worth remembering that at least they've got one. Which is more than can be said for our so sadly depleted navy.
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The Last Word
The worst thing about Halloween is, of course, candy corn. It's unbelievable to me. Candy corn is the only candy in the history of America that's never been advertised. And there's a reason. All of the candy corn that was ever made was made in 1911. And so, since nobody eats that stuff, every year there's a ton of it left over. -- Lewis Black
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