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
Bad Water In Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, Argentina. Day two of the 2015 49er and 49er FX World Championship. Day one proved challenging for most teams out on the waters off San Isidro. Many sailors noted the brown tint to the water makes it extremely difficult to read wind patterns. Even though most sailors were able to train and compete in the recent South Americans, no one boat seemed to figure out conditions without having one very inconsistent finish.
49er FX
The women's fleet sat on shore with an hour postponement before heading out to a light 8-6 knot breeze that slowly died. Races were attempted on a patchy ENE course, but the first race was abandoned on the second leg due to absolutely no pressure to be had course wide. FX sailors all felt the angst and pangs of boredom as they waited roughly an hour and a half for a steadier, yet still very light, southerly to build and only produce one race for the day.
49er
The men's 49er fleet was also in postponement from midday on until about 3:30pm. The breeze at this stage was less variable than the morning and stayed ESE ranging from 8-12 knots.
Other than varying conditions, varying physical states have been seen across both 49er and 49er FX fleets. Many sailors have fallen ill with stomach and gastrointestinal issues resulting in weaker physical performances. Recent thunderstorms and some capsizing into the less than desirable looking brown water have been targeted as the culprits for this mystery sickness that seems to be catching up with sailors as the days progress. Sailors from non-South American countries seem to be affected the most.
The 2015 49er & 49erFX World Championship is in Buenos Aires, Argentina from November 16-21, 2015
Top three, 49er. Five races, one throwout
1. Yago Lange / Klaus Lange, ARG, 10 points
2. Peter Burling / Blair Tuke, NZL, 11
3. Pavle Kostov / Petar Cupac, CRO, 12
Top three, 49erFX. Five races, one throwout
1. Ida Marie Baad Nielsen / Marie Thusgaard Olsen, DEN, 8 points
2. Giulia Conti / Francesca Clapcich, ITA, 10
3. Sarah Steyaert / Aude Compan, FRA, 12
The event website including results is 49er.org/event/2015-world-championship/ and the event is sponsored by Seiko, SAP, and Magic Marine.
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
Last month's winner:
Larry Huntingdon (USA)
'No better shipmate exists' - Robert More II; 'The complete sailor, always upbeat and tough as nails' - Tom Mclaughlin; 'Gentleman, friend and role model' - Morgan Bennett; 'What a fantastic Corinthian sailor' - Tish Walcott; 'As great a seaman as they come' - Lewis Simons; 'I can't think of a kinder, more joyful or more deserving candidate' - Patrick Gavin-Brynes; 'So many races, so many miles... you deserve this one' - Ed Rzeszowski; 'It's hard to overestimate Larry's contribution to this sport' - Ed Cesare.
This month's nominees:
Laurent Lenne (FRA)
Persistence and more persistence. Lenne first launched the GC32 at the end of 2012, then he worked away at developing the boat while building an international circuit on which to use it. All the hard work paid off, the GC32's transition to foiling was a stunning success (current top recorded speed is 39.2kt) while in 2016-17 the boat will be the craft of choice in the Extreme Sailing Series as well as the GC32 World Tour
Hakan Svensson (SWE)
An extraordinary supporter of sailing, both behind the scenes and occasionally front of house. This childhood buddy of gold medallist Freddy Loof has also backed other campaigns including Ken Read's Puma and Ian Walker's original Green Dragon. More recently he took over production of the M32 catamaran and acquired the World Match Racing Tour. And so the M32 match racer was born - outstanding!
Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Musto, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!
Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month
To subscribe to Seahorse Digital £30 for one year with discount promo code SB2 click www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/digital
The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Returns To Portsmouth 21-24 July 2016.
Early bird tickets are on sale now - find out more www.acwsportsmouth.com
What's on offer?
The Race Village - Be part of the action. Part of the crew.
Get under the skin of the 'America's Cup' - see the sailors close-up, learn about the racing and the technology. Experience the exhilarating boats racing, with live commentary and big screens giving a blow-by-blow account as the teams reach incredible speeds.
The 'Race Village' includes:
- Team Zone - see the sailors close-up
- Main stage with world class MC's.
- Dock out/in show with the sailors.
- Large screens and audio commentary
- America's Cup technology zone
- Dedicated kid's zone, retail outlets and food & drink offerings.
The Race Village + Premier Grandstand Seating
Upgrade your 'Race Village' ticket with a dedicated grandstand seat for the day. The Premier Grandstand offers fantastic views of the racing with live audio race commentary.
The Sailors Lounge
A 'pop-up sailing club' dedicated to those who want the full sporting experience. The package includes a dedicated premier grandstand seat, private 'sports' bar, lunch and drinks voucher, 'Race Village' queue jump, special guest speakers and live screen with audio commentary broadcasting the racing.
Transat Jacques Vabre: The Battle For Class 40
The final 24-30 hours of the battle for overall victory in Class 40 on the Transat Jacques Vabre are shaping up to be the closest and most exciting finale of any of the four classes which set off from Le Havre on Saunday 25th October.
After 23 days and more than 5100 Nms of racing this Tuesday afternoon there is only nine miles between leaders Yannick Bestaven and Pierre Brasseur (Le Conservateur) and Maxime Sorel sailing with Sam Manuard on the Manuard designed V and B which is back on the attack.
In the last 24 hours the pendulum swung initially in favour of V and B which had closed to within ten miles then they slid back six miles. This morning Sorel and Manuard have been advancing again from their position to windward and offshore of Le Conservateur.
Bestaven and Brasseur have lead the race since the 27th of October, level with Brest. At one point they were over 330 miles ahead of second place. But a severe slowdown in the Doldrums got V and B back into contention and the last 500 miles have been extremely close.
In tactical terms the advantage is with Le Conservateur who are slightly closer to the finish line, on the inside line. But V and B have a small advantage in being able to bring their bow down and sail a lower, faster course in the short term. But on what looks set to a decent run into the finish Bestaven and Brasseur might be able to cover to the line.
The duel should come to the finish line Wednesday afternoon or evening.
www.transat-jacques-vabre.com/en
FaceOcean IMOCA 60 Dismasted
A spectacular incident .... Sailing in mild conditions with 8 guests onboard plus the Skipper, FaceOcean broke her mast off Cape Sicie. Nobody was hurt and everyone returned to Toulon ... a little later than expected!!
British Sailor Nikki Curwen Finishes The Mini Transat
Nikki Curwen has crossed the finish line in Pointe-a-Pitre at 15:16:59 (UT+1) after 17 days, 1 hour, 6 minutes and 59 seconds. She has sailed 3171 miles at an average speed of 7.75 knots (6.78 knots on the theoretical race). She is the first woman to finish the 2015 race.
"The second leg was hard, long and hard, but very good. The first week was very hard for me, on the first three hours of the race I snap the bowsprit, so I had to fix it, if not it was going to be a very boring race. And then also, before the race I was quite ill, and during the race, it came back, so I felt really bad... the first week was tough, very hard for me. But then the sun came out, and we left the African coast and we head west, and everything looked better. Then was just sailing, I really enjoyed it."
I will come back for sure. They say the first one is for practice, so I need to come back. Maybe with a faster prototype or series... I don't know, but I would love to do it again"
Curwen finished in 12th place in leg 2 in Prototypes.
www.minitransat-ilesdeguadeloupe.fr
Nick Craig Is 'helming To Win' At Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash
Nick Craig is one of the big names lining up to compete at the opening event of the GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series next weekend. Multiple national and world champion, and winner of last season's Winter Series, Craig is set to race his Merlin Rocket at the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash with Sarah Bines against some stiff competition in a wide range of classes.
Mike Lyons won this event last year, and will again be racing his Blaze at Draycote. Craig Williamson was runner-up at Draycote last year in his Laser, while Tom Jeffcoate and former Sailjuice Winter Series winner Rachael Rhodes will be fast in their Scorpion. However, last year's regatta was light and it suited the hiking boats well. With a windy forecast this weekend, the trapeze boats could do very nicely, such as former national champion Kevin Hope racing his Fireball with class veteran Russell Thorne.
On Saturday the plan is to run four average-lap handicap races, with first race not before 11am. Then on Sunday it's a 120-minute pursuit race. Straight after racing, Nick Craig will be doing a book-signing for his Fernhurst Book, 'Helming to Win', published to great accliam earlier this year. Nick will also be doing a 30-minute Q&A session, sharing the tips and techniques that have made him arguably the most successful amateur dinghy racer of modern times.
2016 Rick Tomlinson B2B Calendars
Rick Tomlinson has launched his new 2016 Calendar Range: Rick Tomlinson Business to Business Calendars are an ideal way to promote your business throughout the year. Designed to display your company logo and details on every page they provide an effective all-year-round promotion for your company, and cost less than a lunch!
Both the award winning Portfolio Wall calendar and the practical Desk Calendar are available with your company details on. Call Rick for quote on +44 (0)1983 248512 or
First St Kilda Yacht Race
It is a remote beacon of the British Isles; a group of islands shrouded in mystery which have fascinated generations.
And, for the first time, an organised yacht race will make the windswept St Kilda island group its focus - helping to highlight the UK's only dual World Heritage Site, recognised for both its natural and cultural significance, in what will be the 30th anniversary of it receiving the former designation in 1986.
On June 10 next year, the gun will sound on the first ever edition of the St Kilda Challenge.
Initiated by Comann na Mara - the Society of the Sea, a recognised leader in the creation of community-led events - this unique contest, which will become an annual event, has attracted proud, prime sponsor backing of Caledonian MacBrayne.
Sailing's governing body RYA Scotland and the Scottish Sailing Institute, which specialises in the organisation of national and international events in Scottish waters, are closely involved in the project and CalMac is offering significant support. Collaboration partners on the event advisory board also include Ocean Youth Trust, Sail Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, University of St Andrews, Scottish Natural Heritage, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Harris Tweed and Harris Distillery.
A pre-notice of race, including qualifying criteria, as well as an entry form and other event details can be found at www.calmac.co.uk/stkilda/challenge
Historic Joint Win For Silver Jubilee Edition Of Dame Design Award
The prestigious DAME Design Award has gone to joint winners for the first time in its 25-year history. Jury chair Bill Dixon presented the overall DAME award to the Lume On™ LED light from Spinlock and the Electric Stabilising Fin & Interceptor System from Humphree during the opening ceremony of the METSTRADE show in RAI Amsterdam.
In something of a twist compared to every previous Dame Design Award, the Jury found itself at a stalemate when it came to deciding an overall winner between one of the lowest priced products in the room and one of the more complex entries. In the end there was only one solution - to break the competition's tradition of having just one entry take the top prize and celebrate the 25th anniversary by naming Joint Overall Winners of the DAME Design Awards 2015.
Spinlock's Lume-On™ is a tiny LED light that attaches underneath the bladder of any lifejacket. When activated, it uses the bladder as a diffuser, turning the whole lifejacket into a glowing light. Designed to work alongside existing lifejacket lights and sold in pairs, the Lume-On's cleverness of thought, simplicity of application and very accessible cost was widely admired by the Jury.
The Electric Stabilising Fin & Interceptor System from Humphree was commended by the Jury for several features - the stabiliser's 24V DC servo, its 360° rotating fin (to combat anchor walking), its failsafe fin attachment (designed to preserve hull integrity in case of a strike) and its full integration with interceptor trim devices. Taken as a package the system was judged as a very impressive piece of technology, which involves many design disciplines and promises a step forward in comfort afloat.
Royal Southern Yacht Club Celebrates An Outstanding Year
Hamble, Hampshire, UK: Plaudits & a stunning array of trophies were awarded - including the 'Champion of Champions' prize - at the Royal Southern Yacht Club's annual Prizegiving held on Saturday 14th November.
The Royal Southern Yacht Club and its membership have enjoyed a truly outstanding year of success both in UK waters and on the world's sailing stage.
The annual Prizegiving commenced under the stewardship of the Rear Commodore Sailing Graham Nixon, accompanied by the evening's special guest, Libby Greenhalgh, the navigator on Team SCA in the Volvo Ocean Race, handing out the prizes.
There are over 100 trophies and awards and in a fitting opener to the presentations, it was Cadet, Youth and Academy members being recognised first.
The Royal Southern's Summer Series Regattas are perhaps the most hotly contested of all the Club events and the prestigious 'Champion of Champions' title was once again up for grabs this year. The 'Champion of Champions' award honours performance and consistency across all the classes of yacht that compete in the Royal Southern Yacht Club Summer Series.
The wonderful prize, donated by Barbados Tourism Marketing, comprises flights and hotel accommodation in Barbados for two people for one week in January giving them the opportunity to take part in Barbados Week, enjoy all the legendary Bajan hospitality that surrounds race week on the Island, including the Mount Gay Round Barbados Race.
In presenting the Award to an ecstatic Annie Kelly and Andy Howe with Black Jack II, winner of the hotly contested IRC 3 fleet, former Past Commodore David Mead stood in for Cheryl Carter, the UK Director of Barbados Tourism Marketing, who was regrettably unable to attend owing to ill health.
The full list of Awards: www.royal-southern.co.uk
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Whether you are looking to race across oceans or prefer to sail around the buoys, "Snow Lion" will take you there safely and in style. Call today to get aboard for a personal inspection. She will be stored indoors for the 2015-2016 season.
Contact
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1 Lagoon Road
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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Those of us who leave our homes in the morning and expect to find them there when we go back - it's hard for us to understand what the experience of a refugee might be like. -- Naomi Shihab Nye
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