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
MAPFRE Snap Up Greenhalgh For Volvo Ocean Race Bid
Spanish team MAPFRE have signed Britain's Rob Greenhalgh as a watch captain for their 2017-18 campaign.
Greenhalgh, who returns for his fifth Volvo Ocean Race and second with MAPFRE, is the campaign's fourth confirmed sailor, following skipper Xabi Fernandez, fellow watch captain Pablo Arrarte, and Ñeti Cuervas-Mons, who will be bowman and boat captain.
The quartet boast 14 races between them - experience that will be key as they bid to win Spain's first ever Volvo Ocean Race trophy.
Greenhalgh knows exactly what it takes to compete in sailing's toughest team event, having won the race at his first attempt, onboard ABN AMRO ONE in 2005-06.
Rob Greenhalgh:
Position: Watch captain
Age: 39
Born: 17.08.1977
Place of Birth: Brighton, UK
Previous Volvo Ocean Race appearances:
2005-06: ABN AMRO ONE (1st)
2008-09: Puma Ocean Racing (2nd)
2011-12: Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing (5th)
2014-15: MAPFRE (4th)
America's Cup:
2007: Team Origin
Champagne Pours In French Fashion At Launch
In an intimate "unofficial" celebration, Elise Bakhoum christened the yacht Groupama Team France in traditional French fashion at Dockyard yesterday.
As the only woman on Groupama Team France's shore team, she poured the champagne over the bow, as the French do, rather than breaking the bottle.
A short time later, Groupama Team France launched their America's Cup Class entry in the competition. All of the AC Class 50 foot catamarans have now been launched, five in Bermuda's Great Sound. The sixth, the "Lone Wolf" named New Zealand was launched in Auckland.
While the French yacht was in the air being prepped for its first splash, everybody got a good look at the L-shaped daggerboards and the T-shaped rudders.
Since foil shape is one of the only free design features of the class, not part of the one-design class rule, Team France and all the teams are focused on that. The class rules limits the number of foil shafts and tips a team can build for the AC Class boat. In their 45s training platform they could build six shafts and 12 tips.
In the 50 footer they get just 4 shafts and 8 tips. The tip, must not represent more than 30 per cent of the foil weight. Its length is not restricted.
The difference between the two daggerboards was noticeable. One is straight 'L' shape while the other has a curved tip.
"The rule does not require the boat to be configured symmetrically when racing," Martin Fischer, a team member, said.
"As a result, our port and starboard foils can be different. This is an interesting element, because when you run the race simulations, you notice that the course is not symmetrical.
"There's more emphasis on starboard tack than port tack. There are two high-speed reaching legs on starboard tack." -- Talbot Wilson in The Royal Gazette
Olympic Performance Manager
The RYA has a mission to be the world’s most successful nation in boating competition, in order to inspire future champions. Having won 58 medals since 1900 with more Golds than any other sailing nation, The British Sailing Team’s pedigree is unrivalled. The goal is clear – to be medal competitive in all 10 Olympic classes, and to convert at least half of these opportunities into medals at Tokyo 2020 and beyond.
The RYA is looking for an accomplished Performance Manager who will be integral to the senior management of the Racing Team. Their remit will be to drive the ambition to deliver annual inspirational successes across all Olympic disciplines including medal targets at Tokyo 2020 and play a critical role in the overall ambition of the RYA to be the world’s most successful nation in boating competition to inspire future champions.
This will include translating the Tokyo 2020 strategy and working with the Director of Racing to create and deliver a strategic performance plan. As the individual tasked with implementing the performance strategy, the post holder will work with Coaches, Head of Science and Medicine and Head of Research and Innovation to drive the ambition to deliver against milestones and targets in the next four years.
The successful candidate will have a track record in Olympic or Paralympic Sailing with international experience as a competitor or professional. They will have experience of managing and developing a multi-disciplinary team of coaches, support staff and athletes. Above all, they will demonstrate the ability to influence and inspire within a high-performance system. Based in Hamble, the role involves significant international travel and attendance at events outside normal office hours for which time off in lieu is allowed.
Attractive salary and benefits package including pension scheme, free life insurance, 25 days annual leave plus public holidays and discretionary Christmas holiday
Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Wednesday 22nd March 2017 Interviews to be held in Southampton 4th or 5th April 2017
For a more detailed job description please visit www.rya.org.uk/go/jobs
To apply please review the job description, complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form.
Applications, or requests for an initial confidential conversation, should be sent to Dawn Brown: dawnbrown@positivedynamics.co.uk
The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity. We would encourage applications from women, candidates with disabilities and ethnic minority groups who are currently under-represented at this level of post.
Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series
Last year the first race of the Helly Hansen Warsash Spring Series took place in unseasonably glorious sunshine, but this year (Sunday 12 March) entrants were faced with drizzle, mist and light winds. Not ideal conditions, however crews were undeterred and some good competitive racing was still enjoyed.
With light fair tide beats and foul tide runs, the latter were always going to a challenge, and both the White and Black Groups boats found that avoiding holes downwind was the main priority of the day.
A challenging day also for line and course setting for the committee boats, as the wind reported on Bramblenet was 7-10 knots South West but Dock Heads was reporting 7-10 knots North West - in the end North West predominated but 10 knots was rarely if ever seen.
On the White Group Race 2 had to be abandoned when the wind switched through 90 degrees or more and dropped below 3 knots - however another two races were completed and as Race Officer Peter Knight noted, the same boats were up at the front.
At the end of the days racing, the J/70 Soak Racing (Marshall King and Ian Wilson) was leading the J/70s and the combined White Group with the J/70 Jenga8 (Andrew Barraclough) in second place and Betty J/80 (Jon Powell) in third place and leading the J/80s.
In the SB20 fleet Bluejay (John Reekie) leads with Wavelength (John Cornish) in second place.
In IRC4 Erik the Red (Mustang 30 Mk2 - Bernard Fyans) consolidated on a good start to lead round the windward mark and held off the fleet to win around "a good varied course", with the beautifully restored Silver Shamrock (Shamrock Prototype - Stuart Greenfield) in second. The IRC4 fleet was wisely shortened as the breeze slowly faded.
IRC1 was won by Jitterbug (J/111 - Cornel Riklin) with Night Owl2 (MAT 12 - Julie Fawcett) second and Kestrel (J/111 - Simon Banford) third.
In IRC2 Sailplane (Beneteau First 40 - Rob Bottomley) was first with J'Ouvert (J/1112e - Peter Symons) second and Stilletto (Beneteau First 35 - John Barrett) third.
IRC3 was won by Scarlett Jester (SJ320 - Jamie Muir) with Quokka (Half Tonner - James Crew), another beautifully restored half tonner, in second place and Xcitable (X-362 Sport - Peter and Sarah Hodgkinson) in third.
The J/109s had an interesting tussle, with many place changes, but the final result was Jynnan Tonnyx (Owain Franks) first and Jago (Mike & Susie Yates)) second.
The J/88 fleet was won by Jongleur (Richard Cooper) with Eat,Sleep, J, Repeat (Paul Ward) second.
Derry-Londonderry Host Port In The Clipper 2017-18 Round The World Yacht Race
The decision that the race will visit the Northern Irish city for the fourth consecutive time, in July 2018, was confirmed today by Derry City and Strabane District Council at its Business and Culture Committee meeting.
Welcoming the city back to the global race route, Clipper Race Chairman and Founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said: "We are very pleased to continue our long-term relationship with the city of Derry-Londonderry.
Since 2011 in the lead up to its title of UK City of Culture 2013, the Clipper Race has been at the centre of the Northern Irish city and its surrounding regions campaign, which has used the global nature of the race as a stage to build its legacy and attract investment to the region through tourism and business.
One of the most highly anticipated Host Ports on the Clipper Race route in the past three race editions, the 'LegenDerry', and award winning, Foyle Maritime Festival, held along the city's iconic river, has provided an exciting programme of diverse events in celebration of the 40,000 nautical-mile odyssey of the race.
To build on the success of the 2016 festival, which experienced a record breaking £3.5 million boost to its local economy, Derry City and Strabane District Council aims to continue to develop the local economy and has identified that tourism, arts and culture are fundamental to promote growth and sustainability in its hospitality sector. The city's ambition is to build on its international status and recognition as a world-class destination and boost tourism and job figures in the region significantly by 2020.
Approximately 700 crew will take part in the Clipper 2017-18 Race, representing over 40 different nationalities. Starting in August, the race will include up to 14 different races across six continents. The race fleet will arrive in Derry-Londonderry in July 2018 during the homecoming leg.
Derry-Londonderry benefits of the Clipper 2015-16 Race:
A case-study highlighting the research has been published online here:
Seahorse April 2017
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
(Noteworthy) trickledown
While as a sport sailing is not sinking beneath the waves under the weight of technological or indeed other broader benefits being spun off from the most specialised America's Cup that has ever taken place, there is one company whose enthusiasm first for delivering innovative - and reliable - AC technology and then developing it for mainstream consumption remains undimmed
Market disrupter?
There's a (slippery) new kid on the block in the 2017 TP52 Super Series... Rob Weiland
The scary time
Now the mystery begins... Ken Read
Foiled again - Part I
Dan Bernasconi and Michel Kermarec talk America's Cup foils and rules with James Boyd
Other classes other titles - Part II
Tim Jeffrey and Dan Ibsen look beyond those four Olympic gold medals at just a few of the other achievements of Paul Elvstrom
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Industry News
Sunset+Vine, the UK-based TV sports production and media company which is part of the Tinopolis Group, has appointed Andrew Preece as Executive Director to oversee all digital, branded content, distribution and news operations within the company.
Preece, who has run S+V's Oxford office for the past nine years, will oversee an operation which already lists within its portfolio the highly successful Gillette World Sport, the world's most watched weekly sports' show; the recently re-commissioned Mobil 1 - The Grid, now in its 9th year of production; extensive programming for CNN; The World Sailing Show; The Henley Royal Regatta; The Longines Global Champions Tour & Global Champions League and a host of sailing programming including the Olympic Games for the BBC and America's Cup for BT Sport.
The appointment begins with immediate effect. He will report into Sunset+Vine chairman, Jeff Foulser and Managing Director, John Leach.
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Spinlock has announced that they are the official technical supplier of personal protective equipment to the Land Rover BAR Academy.
Land Rover BAR Academy find and support talented young British sailors aged between 19 and 24 years old and create a pathway into the America's Cup. The ten-strong team will be wearing their BAR T2 Jackets as they compete for the second year running in the Extreme Sailing Series (ESS) throughout 2017, as well as the Red Bull Youth America's Cup in June 2017, in Bermuda.
In a move that solidifies the relationship between Spinlock and Land Rover BAR, the British Challenger for the 35th America's Cup - the top British designers are now supplying both the senior Land Rover BAR team and the Land Rover BAR Academy with BAR T2 Jacket.
The BAR T2 Jacket has been hailed as the most technologically advanced lifejackets, following wind tunnel testing to maximise aerodynamic wind flow over the PFD and innovative safety features, designed with high-agility foiling in mind. The T2 has been engineered for minimum drag and optimum manoeuvrability with a primary aim of keeping the sailors safe should they end up in the water.
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Cowes Week Ltd, organiser of the world's best-known sailing regatta and highlight of the British Sporting Summer, is delighted to announce another addition to their family of supporting sponsors as TNG joins Cowes Week as the Official Timing Partner for the 2017 and 2018 editions of the famous event.
The range, comprising 15 'Classic' and 'Sport' models, will also feature a new official 'Cowes Week' watch that is being introduced exclusively for the regatta.
Frans Dingerdis, Founder of TNG Swiss Watches added, "Sailing is in our DNA and in our name; TNG is short for Tack & Gybe...
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The Federation Industries Nautiques (FIN) and Reed Expo France have agreed to an interim settlement for their long running dispute as to who owns the rights to operate the Cannes boat show, known as the Cannes Yachting Festival.
The show, which started in 1977, was originally owned by the redoubtable Mme. Bourey, who in her 21-year tenure brought it to prominence as of one of Europe's most important boat shows. It was acquired by the FIN in 1998 and is now celebrating its 40th anniversary.
Following a disagreement concerning the management of the Paris boat show, which surfaced in October last year and was eventually resolved in the FIN's favour, the focus shifted to Cannes at which point the dispute became considerably more acrimonious. The past four months have seen a series of legal actions from both parties as they sought a resolution.
A series of increasingly strident and intemperate press releases and association member notices fuelled the fire before an offer of mediation was proposed in February by the mayor of Cannes.
Apparently, the intervention came to nothing with Reed withdrawing on the grounds that the FIN had failed to send a senior enough representative to the meeting. This did nothing to improve relations, leaving the dispute to simmer and the FIN describing Reed`s actions as an Anglo-Saxon hostile takeover bid.
However, in the past few days a new development has come from the FIN which, in the interests of its members and for the clarity of exhibitors from some thirty countries, has released a statement saying it has granted Reed a licence to operate the show for 2017 without prejudicing FIN's right to seek a judicial ruling on the relative merits of its case concerning future shows.
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Matt Carroll, CEO of Australian Sailing has resigned to take up the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Olympic Committee.
Since joining Australian Sailing in November 2014, Matt has led the organisation through its most important governance and management reforms in the sports' history, which will have far reaching impacts on the growth and sustainability of sailing. He has been instrumental in the planning and delivery of the 'One Sailing' organisational reforms including the delivery of a national management structure, based on the agreements with the State and Territory Member Associations.
President of Australian Sailing Matt Allen said Matt's background in sports management was instrumental in securing the 'One Sailing' organisational reforms.
"We congratulate Matt on his new role, he's been a great leader for us during his time at Australian Sailing and the Australian Olympic Committee are fortunate to have him on their team.
The Board of Australian Sailing will move quickly to secure a replacement for Matt and his departure date is to be confirmed.
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Koris have become the title sponsor of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club's annual Double Handed race series. This series is probably the most popular double handed series in the country.
The series comprises of 8 races, sub-divided into two sub-series (Solent and Passage), of 4 races each. The Solent races tend to be shorter but more frantic races with many sail changes and configurations keeping the crew constantly on the move. Passage races are longer and offshore which introduces different challenges. This form of racing has grown in popularity in recent years, in 2016 there were around 100 yachts entered into the series.
Koris are delighted to be sponsoring this series and will combine it with our own programme of sailing based corporate hospitality in 2017.
Koris helps its clients with their productivity and communication both internally and with their own customers. We do this by partnering with global technology players, combining their market leading platforms with our own consulting and professional services.
Featured Brokerage
2000 Reichel Pugh, Lupa of London. 1,770,000 VAT paid GBP.
Lupa of London is a remarkable Reichel Pugh designed Carbon composite cruiser racer with an outstanding Baltic build pedigree and enviable trophy cupboard.
Built to combine the ultimate in luxury and performance, Lupa of London offers all of the comforts for cruising in a high tech package, She is built for speed and provides a highly rewarding sail.
Built using advanced carbon composite materials in order to reduce weight and enhance performance, Lupa of London boats a canting keel to improve sailing stability. Her flush deck and sleek lines will excite the most moderate of sailor, yet performance will excite the most qualified.
She is the ideal boat to combine enjoyable cruising with exciting racing events - Lupa remains a fast and winning yacht on the regatta circuit.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
brokerage@carrswoodyachts.com
+44 (0)7476 888639
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2002 Grand Soleil 44 - ELEUTHERA. 129950 EUR. Located in Lymington, United Kingdom.
Top drawer IRC weapon with recent rig and sails, fully faired hull and recent performer at the Commodores Cup. Available at a very very low price.
Contact
Ben Cooper
+44 (0) 1590 679222
ben.cooper@berthon.co.uk
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2008 Mills 41 - Ambush. 185000 USD. Located in Hong Kong.
Ambush is a Mark Mills Designed IRC/ORC 41’ built by McConaghy Boats China in 2008. The design concept of this boat was simple...... create the strongest IRC boat possible in the light to medium wind range, with the occasional desire to stretch the boats legs offshore.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Port Hamble
sampearson@ancasta.com
+442380 016582
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
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