Scuttlebutt Europe #2795 - 18 March

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

Struntje Light Completes Wire-To-Wire Win In Miami Beach Invite
Photo by Sara Proctor, sailfastphotography.com. Click on image to enlarge.

Miami Beach, Florida, USA: Most Farr 40 regattas comes down to the last leg of the last race on the last day. This one was even closer than that!

The Miami Beach Invitational was decided by two incredibly close finishes that happened just seconds apart. First, Enfant Terrible edged Plenty by a bow length in the battle for first. No sooner had those boats crossed the line than Struntje Light nipped Flash Gordon 6 by less than half a boat length in the fight for third.

Those two results made all the difference as skipper Wolfgang Schaefer and his team on Struntje Light scored a narrow one-point victory over Plenty. Had either of those two head-to-head battles gone the other way, skipper Alex Roepers and the boys aboard Plenty would have been the overall winners.

It was an impressive performance by Struntje Light, which led at the end of racing all four days of the regatta. Peter Holmberg called tactics as Schaefer steered the German entry to a pair of first place finishes and three runner-up results in the 10-race series to post a low score of 31 points.

Enfant Terrible was the clear-cut Boat of the Day with bullets in both races. Skipper Alberto Rossi and tactician Vasco Vascotto sorted out a rig tuning issue that led to some poor placements the first two days of the regatta, allowing the reigning world champions to finish strong by winning three of the last four races.

The Farr 40 class will reconvene for its next event the weekend of May 13-16 in Annapolis with competition being held on the Chesapeake Bay.

Final results:

1. Struntje Light, Wolgang Schaefer, Germany, 31 points
2. Plenty, Alex Roepers, New York, USA, 32
3. Enfant Terrible, Alberto Rossi, Italy, 35
4. Flash Gordon 6, Helmut Jahn, Chicago, USA, 40
5. Barking Mad, Jim Richardson, Newport, USA, 43
6. Charisma, Nico Poons, Monaco, 48
7. Groovederci, John Demourkas, Santa Barbara, USA, 51

farr40.org

Swans Enjoy Caribbean Flight
Photo by Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi, carloborlenghi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.

Virgin Gorda, BVI: The Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean concluded after four days of competition. Over 20 Nautor's Swan yachts representing nearly ten countries and territories provided a dynamic spectacle in idyllic waters and varying wind conditions. The week's triumphant crews and recipients of the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean Trophy and Rolex timepieces were: Stark Raving Mad (USA) in Class A (reserved for yachts measuring upwards of 18.29m/60-ft) and Arethusa (USA) in Class B (yachts measuring less than 18.29m).

Phil Lotz and his crew on Swan 42 Arethusa (USA) used the competition as part of their build up for September's New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex.

In 7 knots of breeze, Stark Raving Mad started the final 11-nm race with intent and quickly mounted an insurmountable lead. Final race victory combined with a second place for closest rival Swan 80 Selene decreed Madden's crew as Class victors.

Victory in today's final race ensured Arethusa won Class B by a single point. "Conditions were perfect for us in the final race," enthused Lotz. "We got a good start at our favoured end of the line. The first beat was clean which was important in a fleet with so many big boats. We wanted to sail as cleanly as possible." Arethusa, like Stark Raving Mad, displayed persistence and harmonious teamwork, seizing the favourable shift in wind conditions as the week progressed. Arethusa's intention is to defend her crown during the next edition in 2015.

The 18th edition of the Rolex Swan Cup in Porto Cervo will take place in September 2014.

www.yccs.com

Ocean Safety's ISO Ultralite Liferaft Gets Around!
When six exhausted but jubilant adventurers landed Alexandra Shackleton on the beach on South Georgia island on 4th February, there was one piece of equipment that remained unused - their Ocean Safety ISO Ultralite Liferaft. The team, which re-enacted Sir Ernest Shackleton's bid to rescue his stranded men by choosing six of them to sail in search of help in 1916, completed their 800 nautical mile expedition to land safely, with a few modern concessions to safety.

Meanwhile, still in the southern hemisphere but firmly in the 21st century, two more Ocean Safety Ultralites made safe haven mounted on the pushpit of super maxi Wild Oats XI. She crossed the finish line of the 2012 Sydney-Hobart Race to set a new race record of 1 day 18 hours 21 minutes and 17 seconds, beating her owner Bob Oatley's own 2005 record by just under 20 minutes, taking line honours and the overall handicap as well.

Wild Oats was spotted carrying the Ultralites, designed specifically for grand prix racing yachts, but as Charlie Mill of Ocean Safety explains, "The replica of Shackleton's original whaling boat is only 22.5ft (6.9m) long so saving weight can count on a craft so tight for space and needing speed."

Saving weight counts too when it comes to finish line position. The Ocean Safety ISO UltraLite Liferaft uses carbon composite technology to achieve an amazing 30% weight reduction compared to standard ISO liferafts.

oceansafety.com

Five J Class Yachts to Race at the St Barths Bucket Regatta
Hanuman, Lionheart, Rainbow, Ranger and Velsheda will fleet race together during the annual St Barths Bucket Regatta, the first time five J Class yachts have lined up together since the 1930's.

The J Class Association today announced that spectators around the world will be able to follow the J Class racing during the St Barths Bucket Regatta via equipment provided by TracTrac Live Tracking.

Results will be calculated using the JCA handicap.

The St Barths Bucket will take place from 28-31 March 2013. It is organized by The Bucket Association, St Barths, which is affiliated with and sanctioned by the Federation Francaise de Voile (FFV). The St Barths Bucket Regatta is a congenial, invitational regatta set in the Corinthian spirit and renowned as one of the best run Superyacht Regattas on the international circuit.

In a departure from tradition, the J Class will have their own fleet start just prior to the pursuit class yachts. "In the interest of safety and fair racing, we intended on having a fleet start for the racing oriented superyachts this year," said Event Director and Race Chairman Peter Craig. "With five J's gracing the same starting line and with St Barthelemy as the backdrop it should make for some spectacular racing and race viewing."

Racing will take place in the vicinity of St Barthelemy and its adjoining islands. The courses are expected to be coastal courses using islands, rocks, inflatable and government buoys as marks of the course.

J Class yachts can be followed at www.tractrac.com Periodic updates and the very latest information on the regatta can be found on the event website: www.bucketregattas.com/stbarths/

www.jclassyachts.com

A Giant Puzzle Comes Together
Hull number one arrived at the Green Marine boatyard yesterday and deck number one is due tomorrow. It's time for the different pieces of the Volvo Ocean 65 puzzle to come together.

After a six-day road trip from northern Italy to southern England, the first One Design hull arrived yesterday at lunchtime at Green Marine.

The 65-foot carbon piece built by Persico was taken off the trailer, uncovered and fitted into its assembly jig. All the systems and complementary internal structure can now be installed.

The second most important component of this giant puzzle, the deck built in France by Multiplast, is due to take the ferry tonight. Once inside the English shed - probably tomorrow - the assembly of the first One Design Volvo Ocean 65 will start.

www.volvooceanrace.com

Melbourne Osaka Cup
The 5,500 nautical mile Melbourne to Osaka Race, first held in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Osaka, Japan is run every four years to celebrate the City of Melbourne and the City of Osaka Sister City and Sister Port relationship.

The race features staggered starts to try and ensure the boats arrive as close as possible together in Osaka. The first start off Portsea Pier was today, there were two yachts on the start line, the Osaka Yacht Club entry, Yasuyuki Nakji's 40 footer Southern Cross and Robert Bradley's Farr 38 Escapade.

A family emergency prevented Eric Marsh's Adams 11.9 Turbulence from making the start line. It is hoped that Marsh and crew Paul Neilson will be able to start midweek.

Race Director Simon 'Slim' Dryden reported 'Victoria's weather did a quick turn around after last week's hot weather we had a big front through Melbourne yesterday, so the wind was blowing 28 to 32 knots for the start today with four to seven metre waves. The fleet are in for a rough wet start.

www.melbourneosaka.com

Inaugural The Inn Challenge Trophy
The Notice of Race for the first edition of The Inn Challenge Trophy, Antigua is now available.

This exciting new contest sees Mariella, the majestic 80-foot 1938 yawl, throwing down the gauntlet to challenge similar classic yachts of traditional rig and appearance, to compete in an 'America's Cup' style match race competition - the Mariella Challenge. The Inn Challenge Trophy will be raced in Antigua between 17th and 18th April 2013 and the deadline for entries is 7th April 2013.

Competing for The Inn Challenge Trophy, a specially commissioned Lalique Victoire crystal statue and a prestigious Cup for the winning yacht, the competition will take place over two days. Starting with registration, inspection and a Skipper's Briefing at the exclusive hotel and resort, The Inn at English Harbour on Wednesday 17th April, followed by the 1st edition of the Mariella Challenge itself, with racing over the 12 mile course on Thursday 18th April. The Prizegiving and Dinner will take place the same evening at The Inn.

Registration is located at Antigua Yacht Club Marina who, along with Antigua Slipway is supporting The Inn Challenge Trophy.

The Inn Challenge Trophy is being run to coincide with the 26th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (18th-23rd April), part of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge 2013 circuit -- Trish Jenkins - J2 Communications

www.theinn.ag

Seahorse April 2013
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

World news
Those Vendee Globe lessons in full, the keel sagas continue, Imoca 60 budgets, young blood on a charge in New Zealand, a new-look Barcelona World Race, TP52s thriving down under and a good night’s fundraising! Blue Robinson, Patrice Carpentier, Dobbs Davis, Carlos Pich, Ivor Wilkins

Seahorse build table - Off to a remarkable start
Stuart Johnstone looks behind the seeming instant success of J/Boats’ new little flyer

ORC column
It all comes down to the fleet splits

Rod Davis
And a fly-on-the-wall America’s Cup insight

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UK Yachts Boost Sovereign's Cup 2013 Regatta Entries
With entries for the Covestone Asset Management Sovereign's Cup 2013, scheduled to take place from 26th to 29th June, well ahead of expectations, a number of highly regarded "rocket-ships" have already declared their intentions of setting the pace next June in the waters off Kinsale. UK-based entries feature prominently, together with a very healthy level of registration from the domestic IRC and White Sail fleets is sure to make this year's Sovereign's Cup a great success. The addition of the 1720 and Quarter Ton Fleets competing for their European and National Championships respectively will ensure a vibrant atmosphere both ashore and afloat.

A number of the entries received to date have registered their interest in and are already eyeing up the 'Triple Crown' Trophy. This novel trophy will be awarded to the boat that achieves the lowest points aggregate score under IRC from results obtained in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race, the ICRA National Championships and the Sovereign's Cup.

Consistent with previous events, entries for this year's Sovereign's Cup will be limited to 100 boats.

Some names and stats that caught our eye among those already entered for the Covestone Sovereign's Cup to date are:

Keronimo - Overall Top Boat 2012 Brewin Dolphin Commodores Cup, Winner Class 1A 2011 Fastnet Race.

Impetuous - 2012 Class 1 ICRA National Champion, Winner 2012 Cork Week, Winner 2012 Corby Week.

Storm II - 2011 Class 1 ICRA National Champion, and too many other titles to mention!

Anchor Challenge- Irish Quarter Ton Champion - 2009, Quarter Ton Cup Winner 2009.

Wet n Ready - 1720 Supremo- Anthony O'Leary.

'EOS' Winner of the Portcullis Trophy at Sovereign's Cup 2011.

afloat.ie/sail/events/sovereigns-cup

Laser Designer Takes Builder, Class Association and ISAF to Court
The most successful sailing boat in history is the single handed Laser, designed in 1969 by Bruce Kirby, launched in 1970 and more than 210,000 Lasers later, it is THE dinghy success story.

But there has been a long running dispute between the designer of the Laser dinghy Bruce Kirby and one of the Laser builders LaserPerformance, the builder and supplier of Lasers into UK, Europe and North America, because of non-payment of design royalties.

On March 4, 2013, Bruce Kirby, Inc., filed a complaint in the U.S. Federal Court District of Connecticut, alleging unlawful counterfeiting of the Kirby dinghy by LaserPerformance principal Farzad Rastegar acting with and through Laser Performance and its associated entities.

This case also names the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) and ISAF alleging they assisted LaserPerformance by continuing to supply ISAF plaques to the builder, after Kirby had given them formal notice to stop.

Full story by Rob Kothe in Sail-World.com: www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=107549

Foxall Onboard French Trimaran for Round Ireland Record Bid
A 60-foot French international trimaran with Ireland's top offshore sailor Damian Foxall and an international crew on board is to attempt to break the Round Ireland speed record this week.

World Speed Sailing Record Commissioner Chris Moore, who is also the vice-commodore of Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) will officiate this latest attempt, possibly on March 20th but subject to weather. The plan, according to Moore, is to start and finish at the Kish lighthouse at the entrance to Dublin Bay using DBSC's new starting vessel Freebird.

This latest record attempt at the 700-mile course is 20 years since Steve Fossett's Lakota set the inaugural Round Ireland record. Back then Irish sailors Con Murphy and Cathy MacAleavey of the National Yacht Club were on board the catamaran.

Afloat magazine: afloat.ie/sail/offshore/

65 Places for the 2013 Demi-Cle 6.50
Due to overwhelming enthusiasm of skippers, the organizer Projet If has opened entries for 15 additional boats, immediately assigned to crews in the waiting list.

It is 65 boats and 130 sailors who will meet April 10th at the port of Saint Catherine at Locmiquelic.

The start of the Demi-Cle, double handed race of 150nm to Pornichet, will be Saturday, April 13th in the morning.

www.demi-cle.com

18ft Skiffs Queen of the Harbour
Sydney Harbour, Australia: Strong southerly winds forced officials to abandon the annual 18ft Skiffs Queen of the Harbour race on Sydney Harbour today.

It is the second time within the past month that an 18ft Skiff race has had to be abandoned due to wind strength.

Administrators are now looking at ways to modify sails to reduce the problems in future.

Next Sunday is the last race of the 2012-2013 Season. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League, www.18footers.com.au

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The Last Word
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. -- Albert Einstein

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