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
The Brazilian Job
The extraordinary step up in performance of the new generation of foiling IMOCA monohulls at the front of the Vendee Globe is evident today as Alex Thomson added more miles to his lead in reaching conditions in which his Hugo Boss clearly excels.
Even the British skipper, who has lead the solo round the world race since last Saturday night, admitted today he, himself, is deeply impressed at the speed of his VPLP-Verdier design in the 16 to 19kts trade winds in which he has been fast reaching in today, some 300 miles east of Salvador de Bahia. "I am just looking at the statistics. It is pretty amazing to be on a boat which in 16-17kts of breeze I can average 22kts," said Thomson, today passing the point where he and Pepe Ribes lost their mast during the Barcelona World Race in January 2015 on the previous Hugo Boss.
"It is good for me this. The breeze has finally come left a bit to allow Hugo Boss to lift up her skirts a little bit and go a bit faster. I am enjoying it. I have a bit more breeze for a few hours and then it will lighten up and drop a little bit before tomorrow when we will start a real fast, fast dash for three or four days towards the Cape of Good Hope."
Between midday and mid-afternoon Thomson added 27 miles to his lead over second placed Armel Le Cleac'h to be 83 miles ahead. As the leaders seek to meet the leading edge of a fast moving low pressure, connecting off Cabo Frio, north of Rio, where a fast train ride awaits them south east towards the Cape of Good Hope, will Thomson be able to pull off The Brazilian Job?
As highlighted today by both Thomson and third placed Sebastien Josse, this fast moving low will be the first, big sustained South Atlantic test for the new foiling IMOCAs and the stamina and drive of their skippers
Times to the Equator
1. Alex Thomson: 9dj 07h 02'
2. Armel Le Cleac'h: 9d 09h 56' 2h 54' after the leader
3. Vincent Riou : 9d 10h 24' - 3h 22' after the leader
4. Sebastien Josse: 9d 12h 01' - 4h 59' after the leader
5. Paul Meilhat: 9d 12h 49' - 5h 47' after the leader
6. Jeremie Beyou: 9d 16h 49' - 9h 47' after the leader
7. Morgan Lagravière: 9d 17h 30' - 10h 28' after the leader
8. Yann eliès: 10h 01h 17' - 18h 15' after the leader
9. Jean Le Cam: 10h 10h 17' - 1d 03h 15' after the leader
10. Thomas Ruyant: 10d 16h 15' - 1d 09h 13' after the leader
11. Jean-Pierre Dick: 10d 16h 51' - 1d 09h 49' after the leader
World Sailing Council Submissions
World Sailing's Council worked through submissions and recommendations made from the expert Committees and Sub-committees.
Council approved the introduction of a Sustainability Commission in line with the release of World Sailing's Strategy earlier on in the week. You can find out more about the strategy here
The Sustainability Commission will be a consultative body of global experts to advise World Sailing on the development of its sustainability vision, strategy and practical implementation within the sport, in support of World Sailing's new position of leadership in the sustainable sport movement.
The 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 will have multiple races on the final day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The 49er, 49erFX, Men's and Women's Skiffs will do Theatre Style Racing over a short windward leeward course with lane boundaries constricting the racing area. The Nacra 17, the mixed multihull, will conduct modern America's Cup style racing over a short course that will include a reaching start to a windward mark, then leeward - windward - leeward to a reach finish.
World Sailing Council approved the recommendation from the Oceanic and Offshore Committee to introduce a combined rating World Championship. This will see the IRC and ORC work towards a jointly scored World Championship and team World Championship from 2018 onwards and a new combined Offshore World Championship based on existing offshore events.
Paralympic sailing has been a leading topic of conversation across the week and World Sailing Council voted in favour of the Regional Games Committee including the discipline in their discussions moving forward to further promote growth as the sport aims for Paralympic reinstatement.
The Viper 640 and International One Design were granted World Sailing class status and Council gave the Equipment Committee approval to approve the Nacra 15 and Neil Pryde CR:X at the 2017 Mid-Year Meeting providing the worldwide distribution requirements of regulations are met by that time.
Yacht Racing Forum: Last Opportunity To Join
The Yacht Racing Forum will take place in Malta, on November 28-29.
The industry's key players - sailors, brands, sponsors, technical suppliers, venues, yacht clubs... - have confirmed their participation.
It's not too late to join: we accept late entries.
Don't hesitate: this will be a great event, both informative and fun, and an excellent opportunity to network and do business!
Register: www.yachtracingforum.com
Hawaiian Celestial Navigators Aim To Complete Historic Round-The-World Voyage
Just in time for the release of Disney's new seafaring adventure Moana comes this National Geographic profile of a team of sailors recreating the incredible navigations of Polynesian boats that inspired the animated film.
The crew of the Hōkūle'a sail the ocean with nothing but the sun and the stars to guide them - even watches are banned.
And the Hawaiian team have been doing it since the mid 1970s, on a mission to prove their Polynesian ancestors were master navigators of the vast expanse of the Pacific.
They've since rekindled a long-lost seafaring tradition across the Polynesian islands, and have set their sights on completing an audacious 60,000-nautical-mile round-the-world voyage that they began in 2013, all on an open-deck double-hulled voyaging canoe.
National Geographic has more on the story HERE.
FAST40+ Charter
The 2017 FAST40+ Circuit provides 30 days of thrilling yacht racing, at world famous regattas and new stand-alone FAST40+ events. As the top-of-the-bill class, racing in the FAST40+ fleet is on the wish list of many racing teams.
An exclusive FAST40+ Charter service is now available. The FAST40+ Class is both owner-driver and a mixture of pro-am crew; many teams can not compete at every event. This has created a wonderful opportunity, for teams outside of the class, to race charter and get a proper taste of the FAST40+ action.
Performance Yacht Charter (PYC) has been licensed by the FAST40+ Class Association to organise charter opportunities for FAST40+ owners. Lucy Jones, the owner of PYC has extensive experience over many years, delivering high quality, and well managed, race charters throughout the UK, Europe and the Caribbean. Lucy has competed at prestigious inshore and offshore events and as a Yacht Master Ocean, has completed thousands of sea miles.
The FAST40+ Class has been receiving a lot of enquiries from sailors, and from FAST40+ owners, who are interested in race charter for some events." commented FAST40 Class President, Rob Greenhalgh. "Performance Yacht Charters has been successfully running race charters for many years. Lucy has a reputation for attention to detail and comes highly recommended. The FAST40+ management team will continue to concentrate on delivering professional race management, whilst Performance Yacht Charters has all the skills to manage the charter opportunities. Speaking with several owners, they believe that race charters will hopefully insure the long term success of the FAST40+ Class, by encouraging new teams to join us."
FAST40+ race boats for charter include KER40+ Invictus and GP42 42 South. For full information about all the charter opportunities: www.fast40charter.com
Launchings
Southern African shipyard Southern Wind has launched 27.5m sailing yacht Allsmoke. Reichel-Pugh Yacht Design is responsible for the naval architecture, whilst Nauta Design styled her interior.
The hull and appendages design are the result of multiple performance studies on yachts of this size. The RP90 features a lifting keel that varies from a 5.8m draft down for excellent stability and sail carrying capability considering the lightship displacement of 47,7 tons, to 3,8m up for shallow harbour entry. The ergonomic deck layout is designed for quality lifestyle at anchor and long distance ocean crossings with minimal crew.
The interior design and construction focus on weight optimization without compromising renowned SWS quality. The layout features the master cabin, including a studio and a convertible settee, forward and two en suite guest cabins. Crew quarters aft provide easy access to the yacht's systems and deck without disturbing guests.
--------------------------------------------------
Perini Navi unveils plans for new 47m sailing yacht
This new 47m sailing yacht has been conceived by Perini Navi's experienced team of inhouse designers. Performance and innovation are at the heart of the new evolution 47m with its sleek hull lines and impressive sail plan (2,315 sqm), powered by Perini Navi's proprietary captive reel winches and furling systems. The sailing experience of the 47m is further accentuated by Perini Navi's patented fly-by-wire steering system, which boasts twin rudders and ensures tactile feedback for an unprecedented experience at the helm. While the revolutionary concept keel design offers further improved performance and draught options of 3.9m and 9.5m.
In total, there are 142 sqm of exterior living space on the Perini Navi 47m to be enjoyed by guests. The flush teak foredeck not only houses the yacht's main tender, but also offers a third outdoor living area which has an optional awning, in addition to the expansive flybridge and beach club aft.
LY3 compliant, the Perini Navi 47m has accommodation for eight crew.
--------------------------------------------------
Ludde Ingvall unveiled major modifications to his former 90 foot yacht when it emerged from the boatbuilder's shed in Tauranga, New Zealand earlier this month. The work has been undertaken with backing from Sir Michael Hintze.
Ingvall, a former round the world yachtsman, world champion and record holder, has taken over a year to transform the yacht, from a fairly conventional 90 footer to a striking 100 foot super maxi.
Ingvall is a two-time line honours winner of the Rolex Sydney Hobart race, first in 2000 and again in 2004. The yacht has now been re-modelled and re-named CQS after its principal sponsor.
The distinctive new hull shape features a reverse bow, an outsized bowsprit, 'wings' to spread the shroud base supporting the mast and a wide platform across the cockpit area.
Amongst the innovative features of this re-modelled yacht is a 'Dynamic Stability System' (DSS), comprising an underwater wing, which augments the righting forces of the keel, believed to be one of the largest and most technically advanced of its kind ever used.
Over the next few days a brand new high spec keel will be fitted, and the rig installed, before undergoing sea trials. A programme of international races has still to be confirmed, but the first competitive outing is expected to be the Round White Island Race starting from Auckland on 25th November.
--------------------------------------------------
Cossutti Yacht Design has teamed up with German Bavaria Yachts for the design of Bavaria C57, the new flagship of the shipyard. The new 16.73m sailing boat is scheduled to make her worldwide debt at Boot Dusseldorf 2017.
The new flagship features an upwind sail area of 136sq m and with its two rudder blades, the Bavaria C57 can be kept on course with ease and at the touch of a button.
The new Bavaria Yachts flagship features an upwind sail area of 136sq m
Downwind, the power comes from a 232sq m gennaker, in order to realise the full performance potential of the Bavaria C57.
The cockpit design features two control stations and the sails can be directly trimmed by the helmsman, using four large winches on the steering column.
The steering of the Bavaria C57 is therefore not only extremely easy, but can also be managed by small crews.
Production of the first Bavaria C57 by Bavaria Yachts has already begun at the German shipyard.
--------------------------------------------------
Elan Yachts has announced that its eagerly anticipated GT5 will be unveiled to the world at the Paris Boat Show next month.
The new Elan GT5 is the first in the new Gran Turismo (GT) series from the Slovenian yacht designer.
It will have the E range hull, along with a "true deck saloon and enhanced cockpit".
The 42-foot yacht has been created by the Lymington-based Humphreys Yacht Design and the Elan Design Team.
It is designed for short-handed crew, making it ideal for long term cruising.
Down below, it boasts plenty of space for a yacht in this class with an inverted saloon, up to three cabins and
The world premiere of the new Elan GT5 will take place at noon on 3 December 2016 at the Paris Boat Show.
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 Jo Manser: Andy Burnell, who sailed as a trimmer on Victory 83 in the Americas Cup of 1983 was killed in 1987 in Cannes whilst taking the 6 Metre Scoundrel out of the water after a regatta in Cannes.
His wife Jan had made and presented at the 6 Metre worlds that same year (which Scoundrel won) a trophy to be presented to the winner of the second race of either the Worlds or Europeans.
In the late 80s early 90s the trophy, photo at right (click to enlarge), disappeared and Jan, Tim Russell, Tom Richardson and others of the British 6 Metre fraternity are keen to track it down. It was last seen apparently in Denmark. If any readers know where it is or indeed have it we would be keen to hear from them.
Editor: Send information to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com and I will pass it along. Thanks!
Featured Brokerage
2016 Ker 40+ - Magnum 4. 550,000 GBP. Located in Hamble, UK.
A completely unique opportunity that will NOT last long! MAGNUM 4 The 2016 Ker 40+ is now available. This BRAND NEW BOAT is on the market and offering a HUGE saving for its next owner.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
Central Listing
sampearson@ancasta.com
+442380 016582
+64 2277733717
-----------------------------------------
2011 Salona 41. 199,999 EUR. Located in Hong Kong.
This Salona S41 is a perfect combination of comfort and high performance cruiser.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
info@bachyachting.nl
-----------------------------------------
2001 Carroll Marine Farr 40. 125,000 USD. Located in Portsmouth, RI.
This is hull # 96 and has always been very well maintained by her three owners.She was first built as SAMBA PA TI and then she was named TWINS. Her current owner has not used her for several years, but she is located in Portsmouth Rhode Island, has been under shrink wrap and has a Captain maintain her. In her inventory are many North sails, with several 1st string primary racing sails, having never been out of the bags! If one is in the market for a very nice and lightly used Farr 40, DARKSIDE could be the weapon of choice.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Please contact William Jenkins at 410-267-9419
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
If you don't know where you are going you might wind up someplace else. -- Yogi Berra
Editorial and letter submissions to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: gb@beesonstone.com or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html