In This Issue
Quantum Racing, World Champions On Song in Scarlino | Warrior Takes Antigua to Bermuda Line Honours | Wanted: Racing Manager - Royal Ocean Racing Club | Dongfeng Race Team unveil full crew | Land Rover BAR Crash Into Emirates Team New Zealand In Practice Racing | Cowes United: A new Race Committee Boat for Cowes | Normandy Channel Race: Class 40 Imerys takes control | What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine | Transpacific Record Attempt | 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
Quantum Racing, World Champions On Song in Scarlino
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
Scarlino, Italy: After a long and challenging day on the waters off Scarlino, Tuscany, Quantum Racing - the defending champions - lead the Rolex TP52 World Championship by virtue of winning the one and only race sailed.
The planned two-race programme was curtailed by a tit-for-tat battle between a promising NE'ly breeze and the usual thermal SW'ly winds. One initial race track, set up in the NE'ly had to be moved when the SW'ly gained supremacy and came in. A race was started and ran through to the second beat before a huge shift and drop in pressure rendered the course unfair.
But when the NE'ly re-established itself, racing finally got under way two hours and 45 minutes after the projected first start, it was in 9-11kts of shifty, hard-to-predict breeze.
Quantum Racing, with Bora Gulari on the helm, made a solid start mid-line with air and time to breath, and so could accelerate quickly while Azzurra were sharp launching from nearer to the committee boat end of the line. They both worked the middle left of the upwind and were able to lead around the first top mark, the slightly better layline of Quantum Racing making the critical difference, gaining the edge thanks to the final ten degree windshift. The 2016 champions lead Azzurra with Sled a very close third and Platoon fourth.
Wednesday's schedule of windward-leeward racing is planned to start from 1130hrs CEST.
Rolex TP52 World Championship Scarlino 2017
Standings after Day1, 1 race sailed
1. Quantum Racing USA (Doug DeVos, USA), 1pt
2. Platoon GER (Harm Muller-Spreer GER), 2pts
3. Azzurra ITA (Roemmers family ARG), 3 pts
4. Sled USA (Takashi Okura, USA), 4 pts
5. Alegre GBR (Andy Soriano USA) 5 pts
6. Gladiator GBR (Tony Langley, GBR) 6 pts
7. Sorcha GBR (Peter Harrison, GBR), 7 pts
8. Bronenosec RUS (Vladimir Liubomirov, RUS), 8 pts
9. Provezza TUR (Ergin Imre, TUR) 9 pts.
10. Ran Racing SWE (Niklas Zennstrom, SWE), 10 pts.
Warrior Takes Antigua to Bermuda Line Honours
Stephen Murray Jr.'s Volvo 70, Warrior finished the 2017 Antigua Bermuda Race on Tuesday 16 May 2017 just after 08 hrs 30 mins ADT, taking Monohull Line Honours and setting the new race record for the Antigua Bermuda Race.
Warrior is operated by the non-profit US Merchant Marine Academy Foundation for the benefit of the Warrior Sailing Program, which helps wounded veterans to maximize their potential through the sport of sailing.
Warrior crew for the Antigua Bermuda Race: Stephen Murray, Jr, Ben Bardwell, Jackson Benvenutti, Dann Cahoon, Jesse Fielding, Karl Funk, Christopher Lewis, Ben Lynch, Jan Majer, Will Oxley, Tony Pearce, Ralf Steitz and Chris Welch.
Allegra, the Nigel Irens-designed 78ft catamaran is due to be the next yacht to finish and is expected to cross the finish line at St. David's Light at about 2100 ADT tonight, Tuesday 16th May, setting the Multihull Race Record for the Antigua Bermuda Race.
Whilst light conditions early on in the race suited some of the smaller yachts, Warrior finished the race in good breeze, but that is fading as a windless hole is opening behind them. Warrior is one of the favourites for the overall win under IRC. Don Macpherson's American Swan 90, Freya was going well, but has now run out of breeze about 150 miles from the finish and hopes of winning under IRC are fading. Simon and Nancy De Pietro's CNB 76, Lilla is having a great race, but with 250 miles to go. Tim Wilson's Australian 1978 classic ketch, El Oro and Jeremi Jablonski's American Hanse 43, Avanti are going well and have over 350 miles to the finish.
Racing Manager - Royal Ocean Racing Club
The Royal Ocean Racing Club is inviting applications from suitable candidates for the post of Racing Manager to direct a small but energetic race management team based in Cowes.
The RORC is an international members' club with clubhouses in London and Cowes. It has a very busy race programme organising up to 20 races per season in the UK and abroad. RORC's signature event is the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race which has over 300 boats taking part and the RORC Season Points Championship is a much-coveted series of offshore races running at regular intervals from February to November. RORC also runs a series of inshore events including the RORC Easter Challenge, Vice Admirals Cup, IRC National Championships and Commodores' Cup. Recent expansions of the annual programme include European and World championships
The successful candidate will have first-hand experience of yacht and keelboat racing both inshore and offshore and a network of contacts within the professional yacht racing community. A proven record of managing people, projects and budgets is essential plus good communication and interpersonal skills. An understanding of commercial sponsorship and experience in marketing and communications would be valuable to the role.
The role will involve travelling to events within Europe, America and the Caribbean and weekend work for which time off in lieu will be given.
Salary is negotiable according to experience but a range of benefits include a pension scheme, life and travel insurance and 25 days' annual leave. An annual performance bonus may be awarded.
A full job description can be sent upon application. Closing date for applications is Thursday 1st June 2017.
Send covering letter and CV's by post to:
Royal Ocean Racing Club
20 St James' Place
London SW1A 1NN
Or by email to: nf@rorc.org
Dongfeng Race Team unveil full crew
With 158 days to go until the start of the 2017-18 edition, Dongfeng Race Team have announced their full crew in Paris.
The squad - led by skipper Charles Caudrelier - features 12 sailors from six sailors, and combines youth with experience.
With five Volvo Ocean Race wins, five Olympic campaigns and 32 Solitaire du Figaro campaigns, including five wins, between them, the crew knows exactly what it takes to win the toughest test of a teamwork in professional sport.
In addition to Caudrelier, the crew includes Figaro and Transat Jacques Vabre winner Pascal Bidegorry, who returns as navigator. The French offshore all-rounder Kevin Escoffier, another pillar from the last campaign, is also back in the squad.
Already announced are Kiwi Race veterans Stu Bannatyne, who will compete in the race for the eighth time, and Daryl Wislang who won the last edition with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Jeremie Beyou, the French Vendee Globe podium finisher and one-design offshore specialist, also joins the team - competing in his debut Volvo Ocean Race campaign.
Bannatyne, Wislang and Beyou will share watch captain duties on Dongfeng.
The team's two female stars are Marie Riou of France, a four-time world champion in the Nacra 17 class, and Carolijn Brouwer from Holland who has already sailed the race twice with all-female crews and is a previous ISAF Sailor of the Year.
On the bow and also helping with helming duties is the up-and-coming Australian/British sailor Jack Bouttell, a veteran of three Figaro campaigns.
As before, Dongfeng Race Team remains committed to helping to establish offshore ocean racing in China and the sailing crew includes three young Chinese pioneering sailors - Yang Jiru (Wolf), Xue Liu (Black) and Jinhao Chen (Horace) - originally selected and trained for the 2014-15 race.
Land Rover BAR Crash Into Emirates Team New Zealand In Practice Racing
The second practice race day today in Bermuda, ended in a heavy pre start collision when Land Rover BAR collided with Emirates Team New Zealand after they had been comprehensively shut out in last stages of the pre start sequence.
Peter Burling on the helm of Emirates Team New Zealand had done a good job securing the favoured leeward end of the line and shutting out Sir Ben Ainslie and the Land Rover BAR boat.
"It was a bit of a shame in the last pre start we had the leeward end of the line pretty locked down, Ben was quite late and just ran straight into the back of us." said helmsman Burling. "Just unnecessary a week out from the America's Cup we are all here to learn and it's a shame we have a pretty big metre dent now in the back of our nice boat."
As for the damage:
"It went straight in under the media pod with his windward bow and right down the inside of the leeward hull, so there is a pretty good dent there. You can definitely see if has punctured right into the cockpit right around where my steering wheel is." continued Burling
Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton upon assessing the damage, "We know Ben well, he is a good guy but frustration is obviously getting to him and the red mist came down and it's a lot of damage in a time we can't afford it."
Other than the damaged sustained it was a positive day for Emirates Team New Zealand, winning both of the races it sailed against Land Rover BAR earlier in the day and Groupama Team France after both Oracle and Softbank Team japan refused to race against the kiwi team.
Cowes United: A new Race Committee Boat for Cowes
The official launch of Cowes United, a brand new Committee Boat for Cowes, took place on 13th May on Trinity Landing opposite the Royal London Yacht Club. Ben Rouse, High Sheriff of the Island, made an amusing speech and dedication.
This purpose-built catamaran is a state-of-the art Committee Boat, and is fully equipped to a very high standard; it is made available by the generosity of David & Patsy Franks. David's speech disclosed his dream that Ben Ainslie representing Britain and the Royal Yacht Squadron would bring the cup home and then select this new boat as the Committee Boat for the 2019 competition in the Solent. The six clubs which together form Cowes Combined Clubs (Royal London, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Royal Thames, Royal Yacht Squadron, Island Sailing Club and Cowes Corinthian) have already booked the boat for some of their racing this season.
It will be used at many major events including Cowes Week, Charles Stanley Direct Cowes Classic Week, IRC Nationals, Telegraph Bowl, Silicon Cup, and Royal Thames Etchells Invitational for the Gertrude Cup.
The boat is supported by help from the Cowes Harbour Commissioners. Joliffes Chandlery in Cowes, B&G and Spinlock have been particularly generous as sponsors. Cowes United will be used for many youth sailing events supported by Cowes Yacht Haven and Red Funnel, who have both been very generous in their support.
Graham Sunderland of Winning Tides fame has masterfully navigated the project through to completion making over 35 modifications, and ably assisted by Kevin Downer and Steve Coles. Bob Milner's experienced eye and contributions from Stuart Childerley, Peter Taylor and Cowes Week Director Phil Hagen have also been very significant in achieving the success of this project.
Cowes United is available to all clubs which use the Solent, for racing and for corporate events. -- Jan Ford
Normandy Channel Race: Class 40 Imerys takes control
In the early hours of the morning Imerys took back control establishing a 19 nm lead at Tuskar Rock, one of the most emblematic points of the race.
Since race start on Sunday afternoon four boats have retired and the fleet have spread out over a 115 nm distance. Currently, Phil Sharp and Pablo Santurde racing Imerys are flying ahead in 1st place and experiencing tough upwind conditions as they head for the infamous Fastnet Rock mark.
As the duo eat into the 134 nm journey west to Fastnet Rock they will be on the hunt for every breath of wind to keep the latest Mach 40's from snapping at their tails. The 8th edition of the Normandy Channel Race started on Sunday 14 May at 16:30 (GMT +2) offshore of Ouistreham. Follow the team throughout the race:
Seahorse June 2017
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Update
Luca Devoti does not wholly agree with Hutchinson worries the America's Cup is being turned into just another regatta and Jack Griffin tries (hard) to explain what is about to happen with the scoresheets in Bermuda!
(Taking it) in the right order
With the launch of the ClubSwan50, Nautor has rewritten the book on how to ensure the best possible one-design racing with a new offshore class
A bad mix - wolves and sheep
Which is why we must work hard to keep them apart. Rob Weiland
Flying fever
Mini sailing (flying) at 28 knots, anyone? Frederic Augendre jumped at the invitation...
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Transpacific Record Attempt
In the darkest hour of Tuesday morning, Lloyd Thornburg and his crew aboard Phaedo^3 swopped past Diamond Head Lighthouse buoy at 4:32:18am local time. Looking like they shaved just on hour off the previous record. The total elapsed time was 3 days 16 hours 52 minutes and 03 seconds (all times still to be ratified by the WSSRC)
As Lloyd stepped onto the dock he said... " An unbelievable trip! Can't believe we actually broke the record! This was the most difficult sail of my life. Everything went our way and the team put out a super human effort in order to keep the boat moving at nearly 30 knots through the entire trip. We are all excited for a well deserved rest and some sight seeing in Hawaii..."
Crew on board for the race were: Lloyd Thornburg, Brian Thompson, Fletcher Kennedy, Justin Slattery, Pete Cumming, Henry Bomby and David Swete.
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 Adrian Morgan:
As one of many barely-informed, and even more numerous ill-informed snipers from the hills, I suggest it's time to lower the rifles and let the America's Cup unfold.
It will be a parade; thighs will trump biceps; there will be a capsize; speed will soon pall; speed will be exciting; someone will fall overboard; there will be a scandal of some sort; Oracle will win; New Zealand will win, BAR will win, and so on. Who knows?
It's time to put speculation aside, stop worrying about how many Kiwis are sailing on Oracle, or whether this is really a test of the best sailors [sic] in the world, and start rooting, in a purely visceral way for your favourite team.
Personally I have nearly forgiven Sir Ben for selling himself to Oracle last time around, and have huge respect for the Kiwis, who from a small island, showed them the way to foil last time, and this year are seriously rattling their cages once again with their cycle power.
In short, Grant and his all-Kiwi-team, to mind, thoroughly deserve to win (but then so do Artemis, and if were a Swede I might be waving a blue and yellow scarf in a few days time).
So, it's BAR for me, until such time as they are eliminated, then it'll be ETNZ, Artemis, Groupama and Softbank, in that order.
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