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

First Athletes Selected To Team GB For Rio 2016 Olympic Games
The British Olympic Association (BOA) today announced the names of the very first athletes to officially join Team GB for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

A total of eight athletes have been selected across six of the ten sailing events, who between them have won four Olympic medals and seven World Championship golds.

Giles Scott's is the first name to appear on the Rio teamsheet, with the 28-year-old, unbeaten in almost two years, set to make his Olympic debut in the Finn class.

London 2012 silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are paired together again in the 470 Women's class while Luke Patience, who also won silver three years ago, teams up with two-time World Champion Elliot Willis in the 470 Men's event.

Bryony Shaw, who became Britain's first female Olympic medal-winning windsurfer with bronze at Beijing 2008, is set to contest her third Olympic Games next year in the RS:X Women's event.

London 2012 Olympian Alison Young returns in the Laser Radial while 2015 Laser World Champion Nick Thompson earns his first Olympic appearance to round off the first wave of sailing selections for Rio.

British sailors have established a proud tradition of excellence in Olympic competition, having won 55 medals - including 26 golds - since sailing made its debut at Paris 1900 with Team GB topping the overall Olympic sailing medal table.

www.teamgb.com
www.rya.org.uk

ISAF Match Race Rankings
The ISAF Match Racing Rankings for 9 September 2015 have been released.

Ian Williams (GBR) and Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN) have regained World #1 in the Open and Women's Rankings after they were overhauled on the 17 June 2015 release.

Making the most significant move in the Open Rankings is Sam Gilmour (AUS) following his victory at the International Match Race for the Detroit Cup 2015 as well as the Baltic Match Race 2015, both ISAF Grade 2 regattas. By taking maximum points in Detroit, USA and Tallin, Estonia, as well as finishing third at the Grade 2 Oakcliff International 2015 and Chicago Match Cup Grand Slam, the young match racer breaks into the top five for the first time in his short career.

Moving up from World #13 to World #5 Gilmour is a narrow 13 points ahead of compatriot Matthew Jerwood, the sailor he beat in the final in Detroit, and over 600 behind Bjorn Hansen (SWE) at World #4.

Top ten Open Rankings

1. Ian Williams, GBR
2. Taylor Canfield, ISV
3. Eric Monnin, SUI
4. Bjorn Hansen, SWE
5. Sam Gilmour, AUS
6. Matthew Jerwood, AUS
7. Johnie Berntsson, SWE
8. Chris Steele, NZL
9. Tomislav Basic, CRO
10. Reuben Corbett, NZL

The ISAF Grade 3 Finnish Women's National Championships took place from 5-6 September 2015 in Helsinki, Finland with seven competitors aiming for the spoils.

Finland's Marinella Laaksonen took the honours to claim maximum points. As a result the Finnish racer moves up to World #11 from World #21. Victory for Laaksonen at the Finnish Women's National Championships was her best result in her short career of Women's Match Racing and as a result her World #11 spot is a personal best.

Martina Karlemo (FIN) finished as runner up in Helsinki but moved up ten places in the Women's Match Race Rankings. She sits at World #19 with points from three regattas. Karlemo's highest ranking position of World #14 came in 2005 following a string of solid results at ISAF Grade 3, 4 and 5 regattas.

Top ten Women's Rankings

1. Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN
2. Anna Kjellberg, SWE
3. Stephanie Roble, USA
4. Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA
5. Pauline Courtois, FRA
6. Caroline Sylvan, SWE
7. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, DEN
8. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED
9. Milly Bennett, AUS
10. Katie Spithill, AUS

www.sailing.org/rankings_table.php

Extra Hudson Wight Rewards for RYA Members at Southampton Boat Show
Hudson Wight At the Southampton Boat Show (11-20 September), RYA members buying from direct from our Stand B012, will be given an additional 10% off all products in our range. Just show your valid RYA membership card before you pay for your goods. We look forward to welcoming you to our Stand B012, opposite the Show Press Office.

RYA members already receive a 20% discount and Gold members a 25% discount off any item in the current Hudson Wight product range, including the popular HW1 range of foul weather gear for offshore and coastal/inshore racing and cruising. RYA instructors benefit from a 35% discount.

To order and claim our normal discounts online, RYA members need to log into the Members section of the RYA website, and click on the Hudson Wight offer links from there.

Hudson Wight Performance Sailwear and OceanVent Technical Laminated Fabrics make sailing clothing made with 3-layer fabrics far more affordable because we sell our products direct to you with no distribution costs and no retail mark up.

Our mission is to offer the very best quality, high specification foul weather gear, using the most waterproof, durable and breathable fabric technology available at sensible prices. Satisfied customers include seasoned offshore racers, long distance cruisers, competitive day racers and family coastal cruisers.

Their unanimous feedback is that Hudson Wight sailing gear performs better than any other kit they have used previously... and they love our prices. Have a look at our website's testimonial page.

www.hudsonwight.com/testimonials

A Class World Championship
Punta Ala, Italy: Glenn Ashby and Mischa Heemserk lead after 3 races at the A-Class World Championships. Two races held in each fleet Wednesday, but only one race computed for each group on a cancellation and a protest for each fleet respectively.

Mischa Heemskerk got 30 minutes ahead of the 2nd place so their 4th race was cancelled. In the other fleet Manuel Calavia filled a protest after the 4th one in his group.

Glenn Ashby and Mischa Heemskerk are leading with three race wins each. Followed by Manuel Calavia in 3rd, Jacek Noetzel in 4th and Jason Waterhouse in 5th place.

A-Class - World Championship Leaders after 3 races (154 entries)
1= Glenn Ashby, Aus, 3 points
1= Mischa Heemskerk, NED, 3 3. Manuel Calavia, ESP, 8
4. Jacek Noetzel, POL, 13
5. Jason Waterhouse, AUS, 15

From Gerald New in Sailweb.co.uk

Event site: www.aclassworlds2015.it

SSL Lake Grand Slam
Challenging racing conditions produced a tactical first day of racing at the Star Sailors League Lake Grand Slam hosted by Cercle de la Voile de Grandson, Switzerland. Clouds rising above the Jura Mountains signified that the arrival of the chill northerly wind, known as La Bise, translated as 'the kiss' which funnels down the valley between the Jura Mountains and the Swiss Prealps. The first two races were held in a gusty 12-16 knots of breeze but it wasn't a lingering kiss, the last two races were fought out in a lighter flukier conditions, which tested the concentration and will power of the 68 teams from 22 different countries.

There were numerous general recalls disciplined by Black flag starts and notable offenders included Torben Grael & Guilherme De Almeida and Johannes Polgar & Markus Koy, both were adjudged to be on course side in Race 2. However the Brazilian duo scored two bullets today, and after counting a discard, are placed fourth after the first days racing.

After 4 races 21 teams have scored top ten finishes, showing the strength in depth of this magnificent field, up to four races are scheduled for tomorrow. Action continues tomorrow with Race 5 scheduled to start at 09:30 (EST). With expert commentary from special studio guests, including Dennis Conner. On the water, the latest in hi-tech camera technology, as well as Virtual Eye 3D Graphics, will provide thrilling viewing. Armchair sailors can also join the race with Virtual Regatta.

swissopen.starsailors.com
Results: swissopen.starsailors.com/results-2/

*|YOUTUBE:[$vid=cTilNjd1uQc, $max_width=500, $title=N, $border=N, $trim_border=N, $ratings=N, $views=N]|*

Monaco Classic Week
Photo by Carlo Borlenghi, carloborlenghi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.

Monaco From 9th to 13th September, Monaco will once again be the venue of a privileged rendezvous for a whole range of beautiful classic boats, from the smallest steam launch once tender to the prince's yacht to the stunning race yachts and motor-yachts, decked out in exotic wood and collectable items, the epitome of luxurious floating residences.

Launched in 1994 in the YCM's old clubhouse on Quai Antoine 1er, this year Monaco Classic Week promises an even finer spectacle in its new location. Over a hundred yachts of every hue will be moored in the YCM Marina and along the quays of the Club's new building.

As this year marks the 20th anniversary since the gaff cutter Tuiga arrived to take up her role as the Yacht Club's flagship, the four International Rule 15M Class yachts, Mariska(1908), Hispania (1909), The Lady Anne (1912) and Tuiga (1909), skippered by Pierre Casiraghi and Bernard d'Alessandri will be the first on the water to race on Wednesday 9thSeptember. They will be greeted by some of the world's finest yachts, including two three-masters: Creole (1927) and Croce del Sud (1923), the schooner Elena (replica of the 1911 original) and Lulworth (1920), the largest gaff rig cutter still sailing today.

www.yacht-club-monaco.mc

Too Good To Miss
Seahorse Magazine Bill Canfield and the irresistible lure of a Caribbean race programme

The Caribbean racing season is rapidly approaching and it is not too soon to pick the events for your 2015-2016 winter programme. The islands offer an ever-expanding and moveable feast of 11 regattas in a 12-week period from mid-January through April.

One thing we can almost guarantee is perfect sailing conditions in our wonderful trade winds and crystal clear water. That alone should have you buying your tickets and packing your bags but there is far more to our racing season that you will enjoy.

The Caribbean Sailing Association employs its own handicap rule and it is extremely easy to get measured in the water and obtain your certificate the same day. The CSA rule is now over 50 years old and it has been constantly tweaked to keep up with trends and changes in raceboat design. The CSA rule is well accepted by our visiting yachts and is now used at every Caribbean event. IRC and ORC are also on offer in St. Thomas but most boats choose CSA. This is also one of the few rules that accommodates catamarans. For more info go to Caribbean-Sailing.com or email a measurer and make an appointment to get measured when you arrive.

Full article in Seahorse magazine:
www.seahorsemagazine.com

Clipper Race Fleet Competing In Honour Of Lost Crew Member
Close competitive racing in the first leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race from London to Rio has been overshadowed this week by the death of a crew member in what appears to be a tragic accident.

Andy Ashman, a paramedic from South East London was an experienced sailor and described as being typical of the 'Corinthian' Clipper Race spirit. He was an inspiration to the rest of his team of amateur sailors from all walks of life.

While the team aboard IchorCoal went ashore at Porto, in northern Portugal, the Clipper Race fleet paid their respects, flew their Red Ensigns at half mast, and raced on as the most fitting tribute.

At the front of the fleet the duel continued between GREAT Britain and LMAX Exchange. But the two have now split with LMAX Exchange taking a clear lead of more than 160 nautical miles closer to the finish in Rio after taking better winds further east, racing through the Canary Islands and then close to the West Saharan coast.

The leaderboard has seen some considerable changes over the last 24 hours, as the teams made their tactical decisions on whether to pass between the Canary Islands and take more of an inshore route, or leave them to port.

As a lasting tribute the Atlantic Ocean Sprint, a short section of the race track off the Brazilian coast where extra points are awarded for the fastest team between two points, will be named in Andy's honour. The fastest team will receive a special trophy, the 'Andy Ashman Memorial Plate' in Rio and it will continue to be awarded in future editions of the Clipper Race.

As at 1400 UTC (1500 UK/BST) the fleet positions were as follows:

1. LMAX Exchange - 3542 nm to finish
2. GREAT Britain
3. Derry~Londonderry~Doire
4. Garmin
5. Qingdao
6. Da Nang - Viet Nam
7. ClipperTelemed
8. Unicef
9. PSP Logistics
10. Visit Seattle
11. + Mission Performance
12. IchorCoal

www.clipperroundtheworld.com

2016 J/111 World Championships To Be Hosted By The Island Sailing Club, Cowes
The J/111 class is pleased to announce that the 2016 J/111 World Championships will take place 1st to 4th August, hosted by the Island Sailing Club in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK.  The Championships dove-tail perfectly with Cowes Week, an enormously popular regatta with J Boats teams.

The regatta will make a welcome return to Cowes, where the first ever edition was held in 2014. On that occasion it was British team Shmokin Joe, owned by Phil Thomas and Duncan McDonald who took the title. This year the Brits lost out to US team My Sharona, skippered by George Gamble.

The Island Sailing Club are well accustomed to the J Boats family, having hosted the J-Cup 2015 and numerous J Boats owners' social events. The club are renowned for creating an extremely welcoming atmosphere and delivering excellent race management.

Regatta information will soon be available at www.islandsc.org.uk

j111class.org

Letters To The Editor -
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 John Burnie: I have just returned from Porto Cervo where the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup is underway - with 40 yachts competing the event seems to be robust and healthy - so it was good to see a big group of older style yachts participating in their own classes among the high budget grand prix racers. What was astonishing however was to note the top quality crew racing on some of the older / lower performance yachts. In particular I spotted internationally renowned AC sailors competing on a vessel that really can only be perceived as an older performance cruiser.

We have seen that at events like the Bucket before - but at the Maxi Worlds? With a paucity of crew slots in the AC teams, only 6 maxi 72's and established Wally Teams already in place it seems owners / participants with "less glamorous" boats are now be able to attract an increasing number of top sailors "out of work". Perversely I believe this is a very good thing for the sport - slightly underperforming older yachts are often where the future grand prix owners lie - and from there new relationships and programs can emerge. Message to the guys - don't screw it up or put any new / potential owners off!!!

Featured Brokerage
Raceboats Only 2010 Davidson 70. 895,000 USD. Located in Italy.

PENDRAGON is our latest central listing,that we have been asked to market and sell due to her current owner realizing that a larger boat would suit his needs better. She is a Franklin built, Lauri Davidson designed mini maxi that is presently located in Italy. She is an imaculate yacht from her three spreader Southern spar rig down to her lifting keel. No expense was spared to make her the fastest and prettiest girl at the prom. Her interior is luxurious, with maple colored floor boards, satin white finish, with a full galley, refridgeration, and in inclosed head.

Further aft along each side are rows of pipe berths with very comfortable cushions as well as a sit down navigation table with a full array of the latest and up to date electronics package. The term, no stone left unturned is applied through out this fine yacht. Call us to be sent the full package with her details, as her asking price shows that she is seriously for sale and her owner is willing to listen to offers! Her most recent distance race was the 2014 Miglia rock race in Italy where she placed very well and for the Spring of 2015, her owner has lowered her asking price and all offers will be submitted.

Details

Contact
William Jenkins at 410-267-9419

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
I'd rather die standing than live on my knees. -- Stephane Charbonnier

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