In This Issue
Antigua to Bermuda Race: Common passion, diverse fleet | Oracle capsize AC50 again during practice | Tickets To The 35th America's Cup | A win on the lake secured with a race in hand | GC32 Riva Cup | Golden Globe Race: Antoine Cousot launches his Biscay 36 ketch Goldstar | Seahorse May 2017 | 470 Open European Championship | Love Me Tender | Restored 83ft Fife schooner Adventuress | Irish beach washed away 33 years ago reappears overnight | Letters to the Editor | Featured Brokerage
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
Antigua to Bermuda Race: Common passion, diverse fleet
The Antigua Bermuda Race organised by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in association with Antigua Sailing Week is a new fixture in the offshore sailing calendar. The 935 nautical mile race starting from Antigua at noon on Friday 12th May 2017 will take the 21-boat diverse fleet into the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in plenty of time to experience the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda.
Competitors have now gathered in Antigua and are making final preparations before the start just outside the historic Nelson's Dockyard. Boats representing nine different nations and crews from all over the world are set to compete in the first edition of the race when monohull and multihull race records will be set as target times for future editions. All of the competing yachts will be fitted with YB Trackers and encouraged to blog their story of the race via satellite connection.
"The variety of the fleet shows the wide appeal of the race and bodes well for the Antigua Bermuda Race to grow in future editions," commented Antigua Bermuda Race Chairman, Les Crane who will be competing in his Farr 56, Monterey. "The America's Cup in Bermuda has ignited interest in the race this year, however it is a well-known route for yachts leaving the Caribbean bound for the Eastern Seaboard of the United States as well as destination in Europe. Our intention is that the Antigua Bermuda Race will be an annual event, popular with a wide variety of yachts."
The two smallest yachts racing this year are two Pogo 12.50's; Hermes from Canada and Talanta from Sweden. Both are 40 footers and the expected downwind conditions may well suit the modern planing hull shape of the two minnows in the race. The largest yacht in the race is the majestic 162ft schooner Eleonora, an exact replica of the 1910 schooner Westward.
Oracle capsize AC50 again during practice America's Cup Champions, Oracle Team USA, have capsized their AC50 again during a practice session on the Great Sound Bermuda.
The incident was captured on video by two separate cameramen.
The incident started as the team began putting crew across the boat in preparation for a foiling gybe , with the boat sailing fast.
Just after the actual gybe the AC50 began a high speed roll to the new leeward side as two of the crew had stopped grinding and were about to cross the boat.
The helmsman was also on the new leeward side.
The AC50 just kept turning and spun out with the G-force as she rounded up. In the windward hull only one of the four grinders was working to provide pressure, another crew member was trimming the wingsail and the helmsman was also to windward.
The boat was righted within three minutes and there were no injuries to the crew or damage to the boat.
The video below was shot and produced by Jason Smith, who apparently lives on a bit of shoestring, and has put in hours every day to keep fans up to date with the latest from Bermuda. It's a big commitment. If you wish to make a donation to Jason click here
Tickets To The 35th America's Cup 
The America's Cup is the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport and this summer it is coming to Bermuda for the 35th enactment of the greatest race on water.
From 26th May until 27th June the fastest yachts in the 166 year history of the "Auld Mug" will be raced by the greatest sailors in the world on the beautiful, crystal clear waters of Bermuda.
ORACLE TEAM USA are the Defenders and they are taking on teams from around the world. Great Britain is represented by Sir Ben Ainslie's Land Rover BAR; SoftBank Team Japan are lead by Dean Barker; Sweden's Artemis Racing are skippered by Nathan Outteridge; Franck Cammas and his Groupama Team France squad are flying the flag for France and Emirates Team New Zealand are helmed by Peter Burling, 2016 Olympic Champion.
The events in Bermuda will be one of the world's greatest sports events and will be watched by millions of people worldwide, on TV and live at the America's Cup Village in Bermuda.
To book your place at what many experts are predicting will be the best America's Cup yet go to www.americascup.com/tickets
A win on the lake secured with a race in hand
Having built up a lead over the rest of the field after the first two days of racing in the opening Grand Prix of the D35 Trophy, Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi could afford to sit back a bit, focusing on staying out of trouble and protecting their lead. This, amid the rain and patchy wind on Lake Geneva, they did, finishing mid-fleet in the day's opening four races before stamping their authority with a convincing win in Race 12 that secured the victory even with the final race still to be launched.
Following on from last weekend's GC32 win in China, this D35 performance caps an excellent couple of weeks for the team.
Final Results
1. Alinghi: 34 points
2. Zen Too: 43
3. Okalys: 49
4. Ylliam Comptoir Immobilier : 49
5. Racing Django: 54
6. Realteam: 54
7. Swisscom: 59
8. Mobimo: 65
www.alinghi.com
www.d35trophy.ch
GC32 Riva Cup
With the GC32 Riva Cup on Lake Garda starting tomorrow with teams from eight nations, the GC32 Racing Tour has saved the best for last with today's announcement of a titan of sailing as its eleventh entry.
With a giant, diverse CV, Spain's Iker Martinez is best known for his gold and silver 49er Olympic medals as well for skippering Team Telefónica in the 2011-2012 Volvo Ocean Race and sailing doublehanded round the world non-stop in the 2010 Barcelona World Race with his long term sailing partner Xabi Fernandez.
For 2017, Martinez and his I'M Racing Movistar will be competing on the GC32 Racing Tour with a special focus on Spain's leading regatta, Copa del Rey MAPFRE, to which the GC32 Racing Tour will return for a second consecutive year.
Although he is new to the GC32, Martinez is familiar with catamarans having campaigned a Nacra 17 for the Rio 2016 Olympics. He also has previous experience of flying during the 2013 America's Cup with Luna Rossa, on their SL33 and AC72 foiling catamarans.
GC32 Riva Cup - teams
Team Argo (USA) - Jason Carroll
ARMIN STROM Sailing Team (SUI) - Flavio Marazzi
Team BDA (BER) - Mackenzie Cooper
Codigo Rojo Sailing Team (ARG) - Federico Ferioli
Team ENGIE (FRA) - Sebastien Rogues
Team France Jeunes (FRA) - Robin Follin
Malizia - Yacht Club de Monaco (MON) - Pierre Casiraghi
Mamma Aiuto! (JPN) - Naofumi Kamei
Realteam (SUI) - Jérôme Clerc
Team Tilt (SUI) - Sebastien Schneiter
I'M Racing Movistar (ESP) - Iker Martinez
2017 GC32 Racing Tour schedule
11-14 May - GC32 Riva Cup / Riva del Garda, Italy
28 June-1 July - GC32 Villasimius Cup / Villasimius, Sardinia, Italy
2-5 August - 36 Copa del Rey MAPFRE / Palma de Mallorca, Spain
13-16 September - GC32 Orezza Corsica Cup, Calvi, Corsica
12-15 October - Marseille One Design / Marseille, France
Golden Globe Race: Antoine Cousot launches his Biscay 36 ketch Goldstar
Antoine Cousot, one of seven Frenchman competing in the 2018 Golden Globe Race, saw his gleaming gold Biscay 36 ketch renamed Goldstar launched last week following a major 8-month refit at Falmouth Boat Co.
Cousot (45) is one of 30 yachtsman from 13 Countries to have entered the 2018 Golden Globe Race, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original Sunday Times Golden Globe Race and the success of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the sole finisher in becoming the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world back in 1968/9.
Cousot's Goldstar Golden Globe Race campaign is supported by several French companies including the watch manufacturer LIP whose last brand ambassador to sail around the world was the famed yachtsman Eric Tabarly.
Antoine Cousot is a professional sailor based in Noirmoutier, France, with his wife and three children. He has sailed the equivalent of three times around the world, delivering boats and skippering large luxury yachts. With 15 oceans crossing under his belt, Antoine has extensive experience and skills on boat handling and passage making. In 2015, Antoine sold his 45' steel ketch to participate to the 2018 Golden Globe Race, and purchased the first Alan Hill designed Biscay 36 class ketch built in 1975 at Falmouth Boat Co.
The GGR starts from Plymouth on June 30, 2018 and the winner is expected to complete the 30,000 solo circumnavigation in around 260 days.
www.antoinecousot.com
www.goldengloberace.com
Seahorse May 2017
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World Sailing - The fightback starts here Scott Perry and Betsy Alison are two of the many people working tirelessly to ensure sailing's early return to the Paralympic arena
Trickledown... and up America's Cup cats to superyachts... technology flows both ways
Giant among regattas Yet the organisers of Kieler Woche never rest on their laurels
A race like no other ... or the best alternative to a cold winter at home, you will find!
Don't be a lemon Get ready... Sailors for the Sea has signed up over 1,000 regattas
Update Bill Ficker really was quicker, simpler dinghies and why those bicycles are only one small part of the Team New Zealand story. Tim Jeffery, Jack Griffin, Terry Hutchinson
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470 Open European Championship
Racing wrapped up on day 2 at the 470 European Championship with all scheduled races completed, new series leaders, Carl-Fredrik Fock/Marcus Dackhammar (SWE), in the 470 Men and Portugal's Mafalda Pires Lima/Mariana Lobato retaining their lead in the 470 Women.
It could have been a tense day waiting to see if the breeze would to fill in. But the Yacht Club de Monaco has proved to be a relaxing spot - with chilled sailors' lounge, boatpark overlooking the marina and all-round ambience keeping everyone happy.
The race course delivered a lighter swell than yesterday, but again the unpredictable breeze was evident in the scorecards, with consistency hard to maintain. Racing got underway soon after 1700 hours, in a breeze of around 8 knots.
Two races are scheduled for the 470 Men and Women on Wednesday 10 May, with the first start for the 470 Men gold fleet scheduled at 1300 hours. Wednesday's looks set to be another light wind day, ahead of the forecast big breeze arriving in Monaco on Thursday.
470 Women - Provisional Results after 4 races
1. Mafalda Pires De Lima/Mariana Lobato (POR-14) - 13 points
2. Noya Bar-Am/Nina Amir (ISR-11) - 18
3. Gil Cohen/Stav Brokman (ISR-311) - 21
4. Agnieszka Skrzupulec/Jolanta Ogar (POL-11) - 22
5. Elena Berta/Sveva Carraro (ITA-6) - 22
470 Men - Provisional Results after 5 races
1. Carl-Fredrik Fock/Marcus Dackhammar (SWE-350) - 7 points
2. Mathew Belcher/Will Ryan (AUS-11) - 14
3. Guillaume Pirouelle/Jeremie Mion (FRA-76) - 15
4. Sho Kaminoki/Taisel Hikida (JPN-4600)- 16
5. Deniz Cinar/Ates Cinar (TUR-890) - 18
Love Me Tender
Click on image to enlarge.
The Baltimore Wooden Boat Festival 2017 from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May will feature a remarkable selection of old, restored and new craft - traditional and classic alike - all reflecting the many aspects of the arts and crafts of the boatwright and shipwright writes W M Nixon.
It's the [restoration of the 1927-ketch] Ilen which provides a link to a notable debut at Baltimore by a new small boat in three weeks' time. With both his world-girdling 40ft Saoirse of 1923, and the 57ft trading ketch Ilen which he delivered to her satisfied customers in the Falkland Islands, O'Brien felt that a robust and stable 10ft dinghy - or punt as he would have called it - provided all that he needed in the way of a ship's tender.
Alec Jordan in Scotland is an acknowledged expert in creating laser cut marine ply kits, which are then built into a boat with the "lands" of the lapstrake planks now bonded and sealed with impervious gap-filling epoxy resin. The result of this project was an elegant hyper-light and easily-rowed yet stable 10ft punt which has been the ideal tender for Hal Sisk's classic cutter Peggy Bawn and his innovative motor-cruiser Molly Bawn.
The Valentine Punt is a concept which could have many uses, and when the notion of having one as the tender to the restored Ilen came up, the Ilen Boatbuilding School director Gary MacMahon in Limerick leapt at the chance, as the school is always enthusiastic about testing new methods of wooden boatbuilding to broaden its syllabus.
WM Nixon's full editorial in Afloat: afloat.ie/sail/historic-boats/
Restored 83ft Fife schooner Adventuress
The lovely William Fife-design schooner Adventuress is one of the finest to emerge from the Scottish yard. Designed and built by Fife in 1924.
She was restored and relaunched in 2012 after an extensive two-year refit and return to her original rig at Rockport Marine in Maine. She was brought there by her owner after he bought the boat in 2010.
At that time, Adventuress had gone to Rockport Marine for a new deck, but when the planks came off most of the frames needed to be replaced, and then the ironwork, and bit by bit as the structure was uncovered the project spiralled until it was on such a scale it is comparable with a new build.
After all the work was finished, Adventuress sported a new rig, deck and deck frames, 60 per cent of new planking was new, almost every deck fitting had been custom made, and the interior was completely refitted. The result is spectacular, and the video shows the boat in her full glory, inside and out, shortly after relaunch.
Read more at www.yachtingworld.com
Irish beach washed away 33 years ago reappears overnight
An Irish beach that disappeared more than 30 years ago has returned to an island off the County Mayo coast.
The sand at Dooagh, Achill Island, was washed away by storms in 1984, leaving only rocks and rock pools.
But after a freak tide around Easter this year, hundreds of tonnes of sand were deposited around the area where the beach once stood, recreating the old 300-metre stretch of golden sand.
Sean Molloy, manager at Achill Tourism, said local people were delighted to have the beach back.
Recalling the events of 1984, he said: "Some big storms destroyed the beach. It was completely washed away and 1984 was the last time the beach was there.
"Then in April we had that cold snap over Easter and the wind was coming from the north. It was steady and must have transported sand in from elsewhere."
Alan Gielty, who runs a local restaurant, said the reformed beach was attracting a new influx of tourists.
"We have a beautiful little village as it is, but it is great to look out and see this beautiful beach instead of just rocks," he said.
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 Euan Ross:
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water... "
The Norwegian company Yara are going ahead with a plan to introduce unmanned robot ships by 2020. This is not just a system of remote control like a drone aircraft, but "fully autonomous" container ships. The project is being touted in relation to road safety and environmental benefits and entirely ignores the truism that 'sh** happens' and generally on your watch. So much for bridge watchkeeping being the most important activity conducted at sea.
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