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

Brilliant Bronenosec The Master Of Marstrand
Further impeccable sailing from Vladimir Liubomirov and the crew of his light blue RC44 saw Bronenosec Sailing Team claim the RC44 Marstrand Cup for the second year running. This came after a challenging fourth day of fleet racing off Marstrand Island on Sweden's west coast with a light 10 knot wind and a 'boat disappearing' sized swell that dropped off over the final three races.

Bronenosec's overall victory was helped by their winning today's second race, largely the result of an excellent start. This left them six points clear of arch-rivals Vladimir Prosikhin's Team Nika in second with Nico Poons' Charisma a further two points back in third. For the last race the strategy was clear, as Italian tactician Michele Ivaldi explained: "We needed to be in the same piece of water at Nika and Charisma. Luckily we managed to do that."

In the final race Bronenosec came home sixth with Charisma fifth and Team Nika seventh, enabling Bronenosec to win by seven points.

The next event is the RC44 Cascais World Championship on 30th September until 4th October.

RC44 Marstrean Cup Results:

1. Bronenosec Sailing Team (RUS 18), 40 points
2. Team Nika (RUS 10), 47
3. Charisma (MON 69), 47
4. Artemis Racing (SWE44), 49
5. Team Aqua (GBR 2041), 59
6. Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team (GBR 1), 60
7. Katusha (RUS 21), 81
8. Artemis Racing Youth (SWE 4), 82
9. RUS - 7 Anywayanyday (RUS 7), 91
10. MAG Racing (POL 44), 106

Overall RC44 Championship Tour Results (After 3 events)

1. Team Nika (RUS 10), 8 points
2. Bronenosec Sailing Team (RUS 18), 10
3. Team Aqua (GBR 2041), 10
4. Charisma (MON 69), 12
5. Peninsula Petroleum Sailing Team (GBR 1), 15
6. Artemis Racing (SWE44), 20
7. TEAM CEEREF (SLO 11), 21
8. Katusha (RUS 21), 22
9. RUS - 7 Anywayanyday (RUS 7), 27
10. Artemis Racing Youth (SWE 4), 29
11. Aleph Racing (FRA 17), 31
12. MAG Racing (POL 44), 33

www.rc44.com

HY Time At The 48th Transpac
Honolulu, Hawaii: "Aah - loooh - haaah!" is how the final awards ceremony began for the 48th Transpac in celebration of not only the achievements of the winners in this 2225-mile ocean race, but the dozens of beautiful perpetual trophies that symbolize the deep heritage and traditions in the 111-year history of this classic ocean race organized biennially by the Transpacific YC.

The evening's opening act of Hula dancing celebrated the strong influence and richness of Hawaiian culture integral to this race, which was born of an idea by Hawaii's King Kalakaua in the late 19th century to enhance his nation's ties to the mainland.

The program then proceeded with help from emcee Chuck Hawley to bring to the stage the skippers, crews and navigators to receive 31 divisional awards in ORR, HPR and multihull handicap scoring, along with four specialty size awards, 11 navigator awards, 4 overall elapsed time awards, three overall corrected time awards, and 15 specialty awards to teams and individuals who made outstanding contributions and accomplishments to the race. In all, an impressive total of 68 awards and trophies were recognized in the ceremony.

Boyan Slat from the Ocean Cleanup took the stage to thank and congratulate all those who participated in the Transpac and provide reports of sightings of debris. He also thanked the 20 boats from the race who will be participating in the Mega Expedition over the next few weeks in what is being described as the largest scientific experiment in history: simultaneous logging of trash and debris sightings on their return trips to the West Coast. Slat explained how invaluable this data collection will be to help rid the North Pacific of 1000's of tons of trash in the Ocean Cleanup's efforts over the next decade.

Final results

transpacyc.com

Hudson Wight Affiliates Reap The Rewards
Hudson Wight Hudson Wight Performance Sailwear is offering new and its existing Affiliates two sets of its best-selling HW1s - either an HW1 Jacket or HW1 Smock teamed with HW1 Salopettes branded with your Club or corporate logo - for just £600.00 inc. VAT while stocks last. Just email: with 'Affiliate Promo' in the Subject line and we'll get right back to you with details of how to reap the rewards!

An added bonus of joining the Hudson Wight Affiliate Scheme is that members and friends of Affiliates also receive discounts off all HW products including special promotions.

Spread the good news! Yacht Clubs, Sailing Clubs, Class Associations, Charter Companies and Sail Training and Sailing Schools can all apply to become Affiliates. We will also consider applications from other marine-related organisations or individuals as appropriate.

Affiliates that actively promote Hudson Wight products to their members and friends will earn up to 15% commission on the value of orders placed using their Affiliate code excluding any delivery charges and VAT. Accumulated commission can be redeemed against orders placed by the Affiliate for Hudson Wight products or Hudson Wight gift vouchers. Vouchers can then be used against any purchase on the Hudson Wight website or can be given away as event/regatta/rewards or prizes. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue.

If you're in the market to try something new and innovative on the clothing front, your first port of call should be Hudson Wight Performance Sailwear - either online www.hudsonwight.com or if you're in Cowes, Isle of Wight, do pop into our showroom at One The Parade.

Ocean Sailing Forum In Southampton
World Cruising Club's popular Ocean Sailing Forum will take place on 12 September, the first Saturday of the Southampton Boat Show. This two hour panel discussion is a must for anyone considering making a long offshore passage; crossing the Bay of Biscay, the Atlantic or further bluewater cruising. 

During the discussion the panel of experienced cruisers and marine professionals will cover topics like preparing your boat, selecting equipment, sails and sail handling, life onboard, crew management, route and weather. In addition to industry experts, this year's panellists will include Mike and Liz Downing who recently completed a circumnavigation in their Hallberg Rassy 42E, Aurora B.

Also available for advice will be representatives from World Cruising Club's supporters, including Admiral Marine Insurance, Professional Yacht Deliveries, MailaSail and Ocean Safety. The objective is to share their knowledge and experience in a friendly and informative way.

It only costs £15 per person to benefit from all of this advice, and the price includes a ticket for the Southampton Boat Show. After the Forum, participants can visit the boat show and look at the equipment and boats mentioned during the discussion.

Attendees are requested to register in advance at tinyurl.com/OSForum15

The Definition Of Refined
Seahorse Magazine Project manager Micky Costa talks to class manager Rob Weiland about the detail developments that have gone into this year's latest crop of Super Series TP52s.

Having managed the construction of so many racing boats in the past decades I look at the TP52s not just with a passionate eye. But being out of construction manage ment for over seven years has taken its toll. Often I have to look more than once to assimilate function and detail. Sometimes I just ask.

SH: What layout developments do we see looking at this generation of TP52s?

Micky Costa: The biggest change is brought about by the removal of the rule on cockpit volume, allowing us to shape the cockpit as we wish. We try to create more cockpit space while keeping the trimmers in a comfortable position, not too far outboard so they can see the jib properly. Then we aim to lower the centre of gravity of the cockpit, which translates to a large and low as possible floor and narrow side decks aft... without losing longitudinal stiffness.

Then we pick and position the equipment matching the specific requirements of the team in question.

Full article in the September issue of Seahorse magazine:

www.seahorsemagazine.com

Dubarry Ultima - Quality Always Lasts
Dubarry Ultima It’s amazing to think how sailing has changed since Dubarry started making boots in 1937. The first marina arrived in the 1930s but there were no plastic boats to park in it before the 1940s. There was no yacht radar before the 1950s, nor auxiliary diesel engines before the 1960s, also when polyester sailcloth ousted linen and cotton. The 1970s brought instrumentation and the 1980s saw Decca come and go as GPS stole the show. Oiled canvas gave way to PVC, which yielded to GORE-TEX. Much indeed has changed, yet one thing has stayed the same: nothing signifies a confident, experienced, discerning yachtie like a pair of Dubarry boots.

Developed as a more luxurious, classical and traditional interpretation of the legendary Shamrock, on which the company’s reputation was built, the Ultima is Dubarry’s flagship boot. Its sole delivers award-winning, sure-footed grip. Its GORE-TEX liner is waterproof and breathable to keep you warm, dry and comfortable. Its Dry-Fast-Dry-Soft water-resistant leather weathers with grace and distinction, recording every nautical mile of your experience in the gentle, tanned folds of its sumptuous hide. It’s clearer than ever that, though times may change, quality always lasts.

Dubarry Ultima - Where will you go in yours?

dubarry.com

Going "Virtual": How Do You Want Your Aids To Navigation?
Alexandria, Virginia, USA: For recreational boaters, the waterway signposts known as aids to navigation are critical for a safe journey. But what if an aid to navigation (ATON) such as a floating buoy marking the edge a deep-water channel could only be seen on an electronic screen and not by the naked eye? Will recreational boaters benefit from these new "eATONs"? That's the question the US Coast Guard wants to find out with a 25-question online survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/21stCenturyWaterways

A full look at the issue is found in the August/September issue of BoatUS Magazine at BoatUS.com/virtualnavigation

On March 12, 2014 the USCG began operating 25 fully functioning "virtual" and "synthetic" eATONs in San Francisco waters with a goal to improved safety and efficiency. Some of these electronic waterway signposts mark the ship-traffic lanes outside the Golden Gate Bridge. The eATONs are only "visible" to vessels equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology that's currently found on large commercial vessels and a small portion of recreational boats.

Boaters are encouraged to take the short survey before the end of the year. www.surveymonkey.com/s/21stCenturyWaterways

Teasing Machine Wins the RORC Channel Race
Eric De Turkheim's French A13, Teasing Machine. Photo by Paul Wyeth, www.pwpictures.com. Click on image to enlarge.

Channel Race Despite a light and shifty forecast, the Royal Ocean Racing Club provided a cracking race for a magnificent fleet of 87 yachts taking part in the Channel Race. Effectively the 130 nautical mile course featured two windward leeward sections. The course took the fleet from the Squadron Line upwind into the Western Solent and up to the DZB Buoy off Anvil Point. The second leg was downwind, south of St Catherine's Point, past Owers and onto the Rampion Met Mast. The fleet then raced upwind, back to Owers, before a tight reach past Horse Sand Fort and a finish in the Eastern Solent at Darling Associates Buoy. During the race, the wind speed varied from zephyrs up to 20 knots, producing a tactical race, where sail choice, manoeuvres, trimming and driving skills, were the keys to optimum performance. Class leaders and the overall lead changed hands on many occasions during the race with yachts enjoying skirmishes right through the IRC and Class 40 fleet.

Tony Lawson was on board his British MOD 70, Concise 10, taking Line Honours for the Multihull Class and completing the course in just over nine hours, hitting a staggering top speed of 37 knots. In IRC Canting Keel, Mikey Ferguson's British IMOCA 60, Artemis Ocean Racing, had a full on 15-hour match race with Andy Budgen's British Volvo 70, Monster Project. Artemis Ocean Racing finished just over seven minutes ahead of Monster Project to win after time correction by just six seconds.

In IRC One, Eric De Turkheim's French A13, Teasing Machine scored the best corrected time under IRC to win IRC One and The Channel Race overall. -- Louay Habib

Full results and championship standings at www.rorc.org

IMOCA 60s To Test Their New Foils In Rolex Fastnet Race
The IMOCA 60s' participation this year will be particularly special as it will be the first time some of the newest generation boats destined for next year's Vendée Globe will line up. Of the 13 IMOCA 60s racing, four are new, built to the latest iteration of the IMOCA rule requiring one design masts and keels. But their most discussed feature is their giant new L-shaped foils, designed to not only to in prevent leeway, but also to operate like Dynamic Stability System-style foils, ie protruding from the leeward side of the boat to create vertical lift, added righting moment and ultimately enhanced performance

All four boats are VPLP-Verdier designs: Banque Populaire and Hugo Boss, of Armel le Cleac'h and Alex Thomson respectively, who finished in second and third place in the last Vendee Globe; St Michel-Virbac of two time Barcelona World Race winner Jean-Pierre Dick and the latest Safran, sailed by the team's new skipper Morgan Lagravière.

A number of turboed older generation IMOCA 60s are racing including PRB of 2004 Vendee Globe winner Vincent Riou, Maître Coq (ex Banque Populaire) of three time Solitaire du Figaro winner Jeremie Beyou and the former MACIF (winner of the last Vendee Globe and defending Rolex Fastnet Race champion), now called SMA and skippered by Paul Meilhat.

www.rolexfastnetrace.com

Mini Transat: 48 Days To The Start And Four Decades Of Research
The 2015 Mini Transat îles de Guadeloupe will be no different to previous editions in being a true laboratory for the latest developments in yacht design whose adoption will depend on how well they work and how practical they are. We look back on a race that is continually evolving.

Twin daggerboards, planing hulls, asymmetric spinnakers, carbon masts... These innovations were all tested for the first time on the boats of the Mini Transat. There is endless discussion on how the race and its technology have evolved – some innovations are adopted immediately while others get left by the wayside.

Contrary to popular belief, there have been true prototypes on the start line since the first Mini Transat in 1977. Mini sailors have always  been obsessed with designing boats that sail well downwind because of the Trade Winds and particularly in the early races when only the second leg counted towards the results.

With this in mind, Kasimierz Jaworski came up with a rig that included two genoas on two different stays, imagining this might be more efficient than the traditional headsail and mainsail arrangement. While this option was soon abandoned when the elapsed times for both legs of the race began to count towards the overall results, the twin headsail arrangement was subsequently adopted on a number of boat whose adventurous skippers found that they were a good way of negotiating the trade winds efficiently.

Similarly, since the very first Mini Transat, many of the boats adopted twin rudders, which today is the norm.Movable ballast, considered mandatory today, was first used in the second Mini Transat. The winner, American Express, used this, causing great debate at the time as many felt it was not in line with the race ethos.

Today we see many cruising yachts using asymmetric spinnakers with bowsprits, an innovation that Michel Desjoyeaux pioneered in 1981 on the Faroux design he had customised with the help of the CDK boatyard.

www.minitransat-ilesdeguadeloupe.fr

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The Last Word
No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up. -- Lily Tomlin

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