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
A-Class World Championships
Takapuna, New Zealand: Day Two of the A Class World Championships started in more wind than predicted, and certainly more than expected; today the breeze averaged 13 knots with puffs into the seventeens.
Emirates Team New Zealand crew had a perfect start to the day with race one delivering a clean sweep from first to fourth, Glen Ashby (1), Peter Burling (2), Blair Tuke (3) and Ray Davies (4).
The challenging conditions led to many withdrawals and retirements, with several breakages, some spectacular crashes, and for some contestants the conditions were just too rough.
Most notable was Glenn Ashby who won the first race, but then went on to break the bolts securing his starboard rudder at the top mark, forcing him to withdraw from the second race of the day. As one might expect the Emirates Team were planning to change all the bolts securing both rudders for the race tomorrow.
The first boat over the line in the second race was Mischa Heemskerk, former world champion from the Netherlands, followed by Andrew Landenberger (AUS) and Adam Beattie (AUS) in third place.
Peter Burling (ETNZ / NZL) currently sits at the top of the table after a second and a fifth placing today leaving him with 21 points. Second on the table is Andrew Landenberger (AUS) with 23 points and the Great Grand Master Scott Anderson (AUS) lies in third place with 28 points.
Perfect Match Race Day at the RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup
Photo by Nico Martinez, www.martinezstudio.es. Click on image for photo gallery.
Defending match race champions Team Aqua, with tactician Cameron Appleton at the helm, made sure they stayed at the top of the leaderboard, losing just one of their eight matches to Synergy Russian Sailing Team, with Ed Baird driving.
Swedish team Artemis Racing, with owner Torbjorn Tornqvist at the wheel and triple Olympic medallist Iain Percy calling the shots, lost their first race to Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge; with Russian Olympic match racer Ekaterina Skudina at helm for the day, but quickly found their form winning the next four races.
In the penultimate match of the day, a collision with the Lunajets Aleph Racing saw Tornqvist's Swedish team black flagged; handing victory to Aleph Racing, who limped back into port for overnight repairs, Artemis finished the day on four wins and four losses. Not able to compete in the final race of the day the French Aleph team still managed to finish fourth overall with five wins and three losses.
The RC44 Virgin Gorda Cup continues through to 18th February, with four days of fleet racing where only the amateur owner helms can take the wheel.
RC44 Championship Tour Overall Match Race Ranking (After one event)
1. Team Aqua - 7 wins - 1 loss = 7
2. Synergy Russian Sailing Team - 5 wins - 3 loss = 5
3. Katusha - 5 wins - 3 loss = 5
4. Lunajets Aleph Racing - 5 wins - 3 loss = 5
5. Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team - 4 wins - 4 loss (1*) = 3
6. Team Nika - 3 wins - 5 loss = 3
7. Artemis Racing - 4 wins - 4 loss (3*) = 1
8. Bombarda Racing - 1 win - 7 loss = 1
9. Gazprom Youth Sailing Challenge - 2 win - 6 loss (2*) = 0
*Penalty points
Race Line, New Modern Range From Sail Racing
The concept of having Sail Racing designers collaborate with Marco Trapella was initiated with the goal of creating modern sportswear that incorporates details and materials from the most technical garments in the Sail Racing 50KTS Race Edition.
"The relationship we formed with Marco gave us lots of ideas for incorporating the values of our 50 KTS Race Edition garments into our sportswear," says Henric Vikestam, Design and Production Manager at Sail Racing. "I really believe we have now realized our common goal of creating a collection that fuses aspects of technical racing together with sportswear appeal," Vikestam continues. "As the Race Line is launched, it will be exciting to see how our concept impacts the market."
The Race Line includes technical outerwear in GORE WINDSTOPPER, as well as shorts, polo shirts, sweatshirts and t-shirts in cotton and stretch materials that function well and comfortably fit.
Race Line products are available at authorized Sail Racing dealers and online at sailracing.com from February 15, 2014.
Dave Porter - The Unluckiest JJ Giltinan Champion
Click on image for photo gallery.
Dave really was a great 18 Footer sailor, but having met him for the first time you soon realize he is an even better man.
When asked about some of the bad luck which plagued him during the Giltinan Championship regattas, he refused to make excuses and simply said how ecstatic he was to win the 1975 championship.
While Dave was reluctant to say he had bad luck, the fact remains that on at least two occasions it was a matter of how he lost. On both occasions to Iain Murray's Color 7 in 1977 and 1978.
With a lead of 5 1/2m over Iain Murray at the final rounding mark in 1977, Porter and the rest of the fleet elected to sail a safety first course to the finish in a 20-knot northerly wind and big seas. Realising he had nothing to lose, Murray pulled off the 'impossible' when he elected to sail the direct course to the finish and grabbed the title away from Porter.
If that defeat wasn't bad enough, the following year Porter was incredibly unlucky before losing to Murray in a sail-off on the Brisbane River.
(This was one of the most controversial Giltinan Championship regattas in its 75-year history. The New Zealand team went as far as threatening a walk out following some controversial rulings by the Board of Control).
After taking a strong grip on the series with wins in each of the first two races, Porter's KB suffered a broken mast in Race 5 and was forced to use a borrowed rig in the sail-off.
KB took an early lead, but when Murray set a brand new super-lightweight spinnaker on Color 7, the KB crew could do nothing but watch as Color 7 sailed past to victory.
It's fair to say, Dave Porter was the 'King of Sydney Harbour' during most of the 1970s. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League
Hobart Hosts Final Farr 40 Grudge Match
The Australian Farr 40 fleet is two regattas off declaring its national champion for 2013-14 and the season-long grudge match between defending title holder Transfusion and Voodoo Chile is set to peak in Hobart.
The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania will host the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 Tasmanian State Title comprising a twilight race this Saturday evening, February 15, then two days of up to four windward leeward races per day on Sunday 16th and Monday 17th on the Derwent River.
Crews will have a day to catch their breath before the series climax, the John Calvert-Jones Trophy Nationals, February 19-22, 2014.
It will be a battle to the end for the two top of the points table teams, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis' Transfusion from Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney and the local favourite, Lloyd Clark and Andrew Hunn's Voodoo Chile representing RYCT. The Taswegians led the series until the feisty NSW State Title in January when the scales tipped in the Sydney crew's favour.
Entries for the Aberdeen Asset Management Farr 40 Tasmanian State Title:
1. Edake - Jeff Carter, Middle Harbour Yacht Club
2. Estate Master - Lisa & Martin Hill, MHYC
3. Local Mocean - Trevor & Steven Richardson, Royal Geelong Yacht Club
4. POW - Michael Cooper, Craig Clifford and Richard Fader, RYCT
5. Transfusion - Guido Belgiorno-Nettis, MHYC
6. Voodoo Chile - Andrew Hunn and Lloyd Clark, RYCT
7. War Games - Wayne Banks-Smith, RYCT
8. Wired - Stephen Boyes, RYCT
ISAF Match Racing Returns to Royal Cork Yacht Club
The ISAF Women's Match Racing Worlds Circuit arrives in Cork Harbour from June 3rd to 8th, 2014 and will be hosted by Royal Cork Yacht Club.
The event is part of the tour for the Women's International Match Racing Association www.wimra.org
Race Officers tasked with the running of racing for the sixteen teams in this event are Peter Crowley (IRO) assisted by Alan Crosbie (IRO) who incidentally also officiated at the 2006 Nations Cup Grand Final. The event is being run in the Sailfleet J80's.
Numerous detailed site inspections and high level consultations took place before Cork was chosen ahead of all other venues such as such as Long Beach California to host the competition. Both Cork County Council and the Port of Cork have agreed to be joint title sponsors of the world rated event.
Test Engineer - Southampton, UK
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Your role will require specifying and managing of static and accelerated fatigue tests, liaison with the testing and certification organizations, test supervision and results analysis and reporting. You will be also responsible for ensuring HS&E, by carrying out tests in a controlled way, assessing and mitigating potential risks.
Candidates will have a degree in wind, aerospace, mechanical, structural or civil engineering.
Requirements
- Excellent understanding of structural mechanics including analytical and numerical methods (FEA).
- Ability to perform classical hand calculations and develop spreadsheets for design and analysis purposes.
- Some experience using CAD tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, etc.
- Understanding of experimental stress analysis (traditional strain gauges, displacement sensing, fiber optics and DIC (digital image correlation).
- Ability to travel to testing labs to oversee test setup and progress.
Knowledge in one or more of the following areas will be considered as a plus:
- Structural dynamics.
- Experience designing and working with composite materials (FRP).
- Fatigue and fracture mechanics analysis.
- Experience working following design codes and liaison with certification bodies.
In return Blade Dynamics will offer a competitive salary package and the opportunity to be part of an exciting young company, working in the new and dynamic field of wind turbine technology.
If you would like to be a member of the Blade Dynamics Team, please submit your resume and covering letter to: making sure 'Test Engineer' is the subject line of your email.
San Diego Will Submit America's Cup Bid
Port commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to submit a bid to host the next America's Cup on San Diego Bay in August 2017.
The commissioners, two of them sailors, spoke enthusiastically about the prospect of hosting sailing's marquee regatta. The commissioners directed the port's staff to respond to a request for information from America's Cup officials by March 3.
It was originally believed that a venue would be picked by May, but a statement posted Tuesday on americascup.com said the process is likely to stretch into the summer.
San Diego hosted the America's Cup in 1988, 1992 and 1995, with racing on the Pacific Ocean off Point Loma.
Protocol And Class Rule Expected In March
The new version of the America's Cup Class Rule, which will produce a foiling, wingsailed catamaran in the 60-65 foot range, is on schedule to be released next month.
Several potential America's Cup teams are cooperating in the rule writing process with the design firm Morrelli & Melvin
"An overriding theme of both documents is an effort to reduce costs and increase media exposure, so that teams can provide a better return to their sponsors for significantly less money than was required last time."
The selection of the venue for the 35th America's Cup is likely to stretch into summer. Several venues are under consideration.
Sydney - Mooloolaba Race Is Back
After nearly a decade absent from Australia's major sailing event calendar, the Sydney-Mooloolaba Yacht Race is back with the first edition boasting a new race format.
The race will start on Sydney Harbour on Saturday April 12, but for the first time the race will be open to both monohull and multihull craft.
The revitalisation of the 469nm (870km) race and the inclusion of multihulls in the event is being led by Sean Langman, owner of the 60ft speed machine trimaran, Team Australia.
Sydney-Mooloolaba is a race that many within the Australian sailing community lamented the loss of from the sailing calendar. Now with Langman's enthusiasm and with the support of his fellow sailors, the race is back on and likely to stay on the calendar.
"From the outset I have had a commitment from Grant Wharington with Wild Thing. So we already have a super-maxi and an ORMA 60. That's pretty exciting.
"I am hopeful we will at least get five multihulls to make division and a similar number with the monohulls, with an open invitation to compliant vessels.
"The Sydney-Mooloolaba is an iconic race, a challenging race that we have all enjoyed over the years."
Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta
The Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta is the pinnacle of racing on the superyacht circuit attracting a striking and competitive fleet.
Hosted in conjunction with world-renowned Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, the fleet will take to the waters of Sardinia from 3-7 June, 2014. The regatta, set against the region's spectacular coastline, presents four days of sailing with a full race programme organised by the highly experienced YCCS international race committee.
Pre-registration of this popular event boasts a notable list of advanced performance vessels including new build yachts Inoui (108ft) and Ganesha (128ft), both built by Vitters, Holland Jachtbouw's Athos (203ft), the world's largest privately-owned two-masted schooner, the award-winning Twizzle (188ft) from Royal Huisman and a selection of high-tech yachts built by the event's Silver Sponsor, Southern Wind Shipyard.
loropianasuperyachtregatta.com
Race The RORC Caribbean 600 On A Volvo 70!
This could be you!
Monster Project, Team Russia's boat (Kosatka) in the 2008 Volvo Ocean Race, is the only Volvo Open 70 available for charter - a unique opportunity for amateur sailors to experience these amazing racing machines!
The RORC Caribbean 600 is the headline offshore racing event in the Caribbean. With a 600 mile course around 10 islands, it's an epic race to rival the Fastnet - but much warmer!
Join us on Monster Project for our RORC Caribbean 600 program:
- Tuesday 18 through Saturday 22 February: pre-race training at Falmouth Harbour in beautiful Antigua
- Saturday 22 February: Welcome Party, Antigua Yacht Club
- Sunday 23 February: final boat preparations / rest day
- Monday 24 February: RORC Caribbean 600 starts at 1050h
- Friday 28 February: Prize-giving Ceremony, Antigua Yacht Club
Monster Project's RORC Caribbean 600 package includes:
- Race entry
- Berthing fees
- Pre-race training
- Professional Racing Skipper and Crew
- Food and bottled water during sailing
- Monster Project race clothing
- Safety equipment (loan)
- Wet-weather clothing (loan)
Can't make it to the RORC? Monster Project also operates Caribbean, UK, European and Trans-Atlantic Racing and Adventure Sailing charters for groups, corporates and individuals.
See the Calendar on our website:
www.volvo70charter.co.uk
email:
Industry News
Elaine Bunting has been appointed as the new editor of Yachting World, succeeding David Glenn who retires in April.
Elaine says: "'I am delighted to have been asked to edit the one of most respected yachting magazines in the world, one with a rich 120-year history, and I'm excited by the prospect of developing what we do in print and digitally. I'd like to thank David Glenn for his great work. He will be very much missed, but with an absolutely first rate editorial team I'm confident we can provide both continuity and innovation to take Yachting World to new levels."
Simon Owen, publishing director says: "I'm very much looking forward to working with Elaine, she knows the brand inside out and has an extremely clear vision for its development across a range of platforms. Yachting World is at the forefront of global sailing media and I'm very excited about the opportunity we now have under Elaine's leadership to build on David's considerable legacy."
Elaine takes up her new position on April 7th.
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The International Topper Class Association and Clwb Hwylio Pwllheli Sailing Club have announced that local chandlery company, Firmhelm are supporting the World Championship 2014.
Over 700 sailors, coaches and their families are expected to visit Pwllheli for this championship that is to be held between August 8-15 2014.
Jane Butterworth of Firmhelm Ltd says "Our daughter Chloe has been sailing a Topper competitively for the last four years and is a member of the RYA National Intermediate and Welsh National Squads, she is really looking forward to seeing all the Nations coming to her doorstep to compete for the International Topper Class Association World Championships 2014 and is keen to do well herself on her home waters in her last year in the Class.
Afloat magazine: afloat.ie
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The 2014 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference added several new features and has already sold 90 percent of the exhibit space in its new Tampa (Fla.) Convention Center venue.
The new features include boats, which will occupy dock space, engine manufacturers and 500 exhibiting companies. The show will take place Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
For the first time, IBEX will feature manufacturers, including Mercury Marine, Volvo Penta, Torqeedo Inc. and Honda Marine, which will be exhibiting in the dock space adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center. The exhibit hall also will feature the Composites Pavilion and the Education, Standards and Compliance Pavilion.
The IBEX Education Program, produced by Professional BoatBuilder magazine and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, will offer several new features, including an exhibitor workshop theater on the show floor, on-the-water demonstrations and dozens of relevant sessions focusing on hot topics and issues.
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The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee has named Hinckley Yachts as the Official Sponsor of the Captains Meeting before the June 20, 2014 start of the next Newport Bermuda Race. In addition, as it has for the past several races, Hinckley Yachts will provide the on-water check-in boat and two other boats at the starting area for official observers.
Founded in Maine in 1928 to build and care for boats for local lobstermen, the Hinckley Company pioneered in fiberglass construction in the early 1960s. Many Hinckley-built Bermuda 40s and Sou'Westers have sailed "the Thrash to the Onion Patch." Also well known for its Picnic Boats, Talaria 48s, and other powerboats, Hinckley will soon launch its first Bermuda 50 performance cruising sailboat, whose designer, William H. Tripp III, is the son of the Bermuda 40's designer.
The Captains Meeting will take place at the Jane Pickens Theater in Newport on the afternoon of June 19, the day before the race start. The check-in boat will be stationed at the mouth of Newport Harbor. Each entry in the race is required to pass by the boat and check in.
The 2014 Newport Bermuda Race will start on June 20, 2014, off Castle Hill, Newport R.I.
bermudarace.com/sponsor/hinckley-yachts/
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The 55th Gothenburg International Boat Show closed on Sunday with optimistic reports from exhibitors
After last year's drop in visitor numbers, the 55th Gothenburg International Boat Show saw a return to growth and closed on Sunday with optimistic reports from exhibitors.
"There's a very clear trend with more hope for the future and optimism in the marine business," says Bengt Wallin, project manager of the show. "People want to enjoy watersports and boating again."
Most exhibitors of boats and boat-related equipment reported good sales directly at the show.
"It's the first time we've attended the show and we really don't regret it," says Tobias Rosen at West Gear, a Swedish importer of Alumacraft aluminium sportfishers from the US. "Our goal was to sell one boat, but we sold 10." -- Lars-Ake Redeen, IBI News
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SpeedDream, in conjunction with their technology partner Yandex (NASDAQ: YNDX) have refined the Stage II Offshore Prototype design by completing an extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program administered by Tyler Doyle (Doyle CFD). The success of the CFD analysis had been in large part due to the extensive computing power offered by Yandex, as well as the addition of some of the most talented and respected yacht designers and engineers to the SpeedDream design team.
SpeedDream's skipper Mike Golding, along with two other well known naval architects, both of whom have been very active in IMOCA and Class 40, will join lead designer Vlad Murnikov and co-designers Rodger Martin and Ross Weene to work together to refine the hull and deck lines, rig configuration and most importantly flying keel and appendages. Merfyn Owen, co-founder of Owen Clarke Design and David de Premorel from the Finot-Conq Group will bring their collective design experience to the project along with Mike Golding's practical hands-on sailing experience.
In addition to Merf Owen and David de Premorel from Finot Conq, the SpeedDream team have once again secured the services of Gurit, the world's leader in composite engineering. Gurit played an instrumental role in the Stage 1 prototype by engineering the hull and deck to precise tolerances resulting in a very light, strong and stiff boat. They will work closely with the expanded design team to engineer the larger Stage II Prototype.
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KRYSALID has proven herself to be an extremely fast and competitive racing trimaran.
She can maintain average speeds of around 12/13 knots and reach maximum speeds in excess of 22 knots.
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1st in the Multi 2000 Class out of 19 boats in the au Tour de Belle-Ile a la Trinite sur Mer - May 2011
2nd in the Multi 2000 Class in the Armen Race a la Trinite sur Mer - June 2011
2nd in the Multi 2000 Class in the Record SNSM Saint Nazaire - June 2011
2nd in the Multi 2000 Class in the l'Estuaire Challenge Multi Port Medoc - August 2011
Joint 1st in the Multi 2000 Challenge - October 2011
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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
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The Last Word
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