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
Australia Threatening A Rio Sailing Whitewash
Australia moved to the top of every fleet at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition thanks to a thrilling finish in the final race of the day in the One Person Keelboat (2.4 Norlin OD). Already sitting very pretty at the top of the Two Person Keelboat (SKUD18), the Australian Three Person Keelboat (Sonar) team sailed consistently again to hold on to top spot before a determined Matt Bugg made it a clean sweep for his nation at the end of race day four.
With world champions galore in the 2.4 Norlin OD fleet, Bugg can mix it with the best calling upon a wealth of competition experience. But it wasn't until April 2016 that the Aussie sailor won his first international regatta. Now he is threatening to take the biggest prize of all from under the noses of a high calibre fleet.
The racing continues at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Sailing Competition on Friday 16 September with all fleets scheduled for two races. The Sonars are on the Escola Naval course at 13:00 local time with the SKUD18 and the 2.4 Norlin OD fleet on the Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain) area at 13:00 and 13:10 respectively. -- Richard Aspland - World Sailing
Top three:
2.4m
1. Matthew Bugg, AUS, 16
2. Helena Lucas, GBR, 17
3. Damien Seguin, FRA, 23
SKUD18
1. Daniel Fitzgibbon / Liesl Tesch, AUS, 8
2. John McRoberts / Jackie Gay, CAN, 23
3. Alexandra Rickham / Niki Birrell, GBR, 23
Sonar
1. Colin Harrison / Russell Boaden / Jonathan Harris, AUS, 15
2. Alphonsus Doerr / Hugh Freund / Bradley Kendell, USA, 26
3. Paul Tingley / Logan Campbell / Scott Lutes, CAN, 35
Full results: sailing.org/paralympics/rio2016/results/
Team Sach Wins The Centomiglia
Click on image to enlarge.
The sailing team of Helge and Christian Sach, from the eastern Holstein area in Germany, has pulled off a surprising win in the Centomiglia regatta on Lake Garda. The four-man crew, which included Herbert Vogel and Gerd Schmitzer, beat three larger Extreme 40 cats in their ten-metre M32 catamaran "itelligence" during the legendary 100 nautical mile regatta. After 7 hours, 38 minutes and 17 seconds, the northern Germans were cheered at the start and finish harbour of Bogliaco.
The course took the yachts right across the lake, via Torbole, to Brenzone and from there back to a transit gate abeam the start and finish harbour of Bogliaco. The Cento however, also took its toll. The crew of the Libera class boat "Raffica", which had competed successfully in the Gorla Trophy the previous week, capsized and had to abandon. Between Riva and the surfer's mecca of Torbole the event organisers had also included a speed challenge. The fastest boat sailing under gennaker was the "itelligence", which reached an average speed of 21.25 knots.
But catching up with the apparently all-powerful opponent proved to be a slow process. At the Bogliaco gate the Italian "North West Garda Sailing" team under Enrico Zennaro was still eleven minutes ahead. Even at the final turning point at Desenzano the Extreme 40 and Stimpfl still held a lead of up to four minutes. But by this time the Vento - as is typical for these waters - has almost completely subsided. The Ora, a light south wind, had now taken over.
"Initially, the Ora always blows strongest close to shore", remembered Helge Sach from bad experiences in the past. Christian Sach pushed his brother to sail an extreme course along the shoreline of the lake. "That was our only chance to still intercept Stimpfl downwind", explained the tactician. The Extreme 40s had already miscalculated.
The Sach team completed 99 tacks and gybes on Lake Garda; 35 more than their nearest rival. The previous week of training had clearly paid off. Their fast manoeuvres also helped Herbert Vogel, Gerd Schmitzer and the Sach brothers to win the race. Overall, they covered a distance of 140.42 kilometres, a comparatively direct course significantly shorter than the 100 nautical miles which gave the Centomiglia its name.
www.Sach-Team.de
www.centomiglia.it
Something For Everyone - St. Thomas International Regatta - March 24-26, 2017
There's nothing like feeling the wind through your hair and sailing through crystal clear water when you're riding the rail around island courses in the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR). Set for March 24 to 26, 2017, STIR is the most user-friendly sailing competition in the Caribbean. Register in CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association); IRC; Multihull; CSA Bareboat; Beach Cat or One Design classes with a minimum length of 20 feet.
New this year in a One-Design Melges 20 Class. Plus, the Offshore Multihull class is shaping up to be fantastic with Gunboat, Bieker and HH designs already registered.
Register now too for the second Round the Rocks Regatta. This stand-alone tune-up for STIR, set for March 23, features an awesome circumnavigation of the neighboring 19-square mile island of St. John, home of the Virgin Islands National Park.
There's something for everyone on shore as well! Nightly parties, day-time beach games and live music, food and drink. World-class racing, the chance to trade tacks with America's Cup, Volvo Ocean and Olympic crews on the water and off is what earns STIR its motto, 'We Love It Here' You will too. Discount for Early Entry.
Register now!
www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com
Email:
Call (340) 642-3204.
WMRT West Coast Cup
Just a couple of days before the second event on the 2016-17 World Match Racing Tour we're seeing new constellations form in to new teams. More sailors are throwing their hat in the ring to challenge for the Match Racing World Championship title.
The Artemis Youth Racing team, which made its debut in M32 sailing on the M32 Series Scandinavia just a couple of weeks ago, is making its first bid for the WMRT in the M32 with Rasmus Rosengren as skipper. Joining them on the start as newcomers to the WMRT is the highest ranked Irish match racer, Philip Bendon with his Bendon Race Team, as well as Swedish skipper Kim Kling and Caprice Match Racing Team.
However, the dark horse in the group of newcomers is probably the newly formed match racing team around Danish Olympic bronze medallist in the 49er and Nacra specialist Allan Nprregaard.
The final team to enter the event in Hono is Australian David Gilmour who came in late to the 2016 WMRT season after finishing a 49er Olympic campaign. Even though he finished 10th in WMRT Newport and 3rd in the Newport WT event he was just outside the cut for the WMRT Finals in Marstrand. The WMRT West Coast Cup will start his challenge to ensure he doesn't get cut from the WMRT Finals in 2017.
Racing runs Monday 19th through to Wednesday 21st of September at Cape Crow Yacht Club in Hono, Sweden. The winner and the runner up of the WMRT West Coast Cup will receive invites to the first WMRT WC (Grade W) event of the season.
Rolex Middle Sea Race, With Five Star Sailing
Click on image to enlarge.
Onboard our Farr 45 'Werewolf' (pictured at right)
You will join our skipper, John, and first mate Sam onboard our Coral, Farr 45 for on the water training and preparation .You will be fully involved in the racing throughout, making you an important and valued member of the race team.
2016 Dates:
Arrive in Malta: Monday 17 October
Training starts: Tuesday 18 October
Coastal Race: Wednesday 19 October
Race starts: Saturday 22 October
Prize Giving: Saturday 29 October
Depart Malta: Sunday 30 October
Cost: £1,595 per person.
What's included?
All race entry and mooring fees, 3 days training and preparation, training in the Coastal Race and the Middle Sea Race, racing skipper, and first mate, food aboard the yacht whilst racing and training and team shirts to keep.
These crew places are for experienced racers and are not available to beginners. All crew members are expected to have medical insurance for the duration of the trip.
We are very keen for more helmsmen, trimmers, foredeck and mast.
For more information please contact John on 0034 618 406 747 or email
Vega Racing Joins Extreme Sailing Series
Just one week remains until the seven international teams, including American-flagged wildcard entry Vega Racing, will compete at Act 6 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Madeira Islands. The fleet of hydro-foiling GC32s will make their debut on the waters of the Portuguese archipelago from 22-25 September.
Fronted by Team Principal and skipper Brad Funk, Vega Racing enters the fray as the Series heads to the first of two Portuguese Acts. An accomplished Moth sailor and member of the US Sailing Team since he was 17, Funk has represented his country in both the Laser and 49er class.
Fresh from the Rio Olympic Games, British Laser sailor and double World Champion Nick Thompson joins Funk as tactician, boosting the team's high-performance credentials. On mainsail trim is fellow Rio Olympian Jose (Ze) Costa, a 49er sailor and Portuguese national.
British sailor Tom Buggy, a regular on the Extreme Sailing Series circuit, adds valuable Stadium Racing experience to the team as headsail trimmer. Rounding off the roster is Youth World's silver medallist Mac Agnese, a 22 year old from the US, who will put his SL16 catamaran experience to good use as he makes his debut on the GC32 as bowman.
Extreme Sailing Series 2016 overall results
Position / Team / Points
1. Oman Air (OMA) 58 points
2. Alinghi (SUI) 53
3. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) 52
4. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) 43
5. Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) 39
6. Sail Portugal-Visit Madeira (POR) 33
7. CHINA One (CHN) 29
8. Team Turx (TUR) 11
GC32 Racing Tour Heads For Sotogrande
Next week, from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th September, the 2016 GC32 Racing Tour moves on to its fourth stage, the GC32 La Reserva de Sotogrande Cup, at another new venue for the ultra-high speed one design flying catamarans.
Seven GC32 teams will be competing in the GC32 La Reserva de Sotogrande Cup, including the two who have been jockeying for the lead throughout this season: Franck Cammas' Norauto from France and Sebastien Schneiter's Team Tilt from Switzerland. Team Tilt led after the GC32 Malcesine Cup, while Norauto recovered first place after last month's 35 Copa del Rey MAPFRE.
For Sotogrande former Match Racing World Champion and Volvo Ocean Race sailor, New Zealander Adam Minoprio is again standing as helmsman on Norauto.
Teams competing at the GC32 La Reserva de Sotogrande Cup
ARMIN STROM Sailing Team (SUI) skipper Flavio Marazzi
Malizia - Yacht Club de Monaco (MON) skipper Pierre Casiraghi
Mamma Aiuto! (JPN) skipper Naofumi Kamei
NORAUTO (FRA) skipper Adam Minoprio (NZL)
Realteam (SUI) skipper Sebastien Schneiter
Team ENGIE (FRA) skipper Sebastien Rogues
Team Tilt (SUI) skipper Jerôme Clerc
The World Sailing Show - Programme 8
The greatest show on earth kicked off in a blaze of colour and carnival. As racing got under way it was clear that Rio could deliver some of the most challenging conditions of any sailing Olympics.
From the predicted performance of Gold medal favourites to the drama of anxious, nail biting finishes, the 2016 Olympics was also set among some stunning and iconic scenery. We take a look at some of the outstanding images from Rio and the stories that lay behind them.
Summer finally arrived in time for the biggest regatta of its kind in the world, Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week. The event attracted more than 8,000 competitors across more than 40 classes. From junior crews, to hardened professionals, we report on the big stories to come out of a spectacular regatta and why for some, the week changed their lives.
As the clock counts down to the America's Cup proper in 2017, the pressure is building week by week.
Pressure for Sir Ben Ainslie's home team, Land Rover BAR. Pressure for the Defenders Oracle Team USA and pressure for all six teams as they fight for the bonus points that could increase their chances next year when the road to the America's Cup kicks off.
Two solid days of racing that went all the way to the wire - We were there.
Bjornar Erikstad is a particularly experienced, focused and determined Norwegian sailor. His goal is to add another success to his country's long list of achievements. Erikstad sails the 2.4mR and will compete at the Paralympics in Rio - but his story is no ordinary one.
As the sailing Paralympics draw closer the Para World Sailing Manager and former Paralympic sailor Massimo Dighe takes a look at the three classes and who to watch out for.
Elation And Heartbreak As Qualifying Wraps Up On Day 2 Of The 2016 Resolute Cup
Newport, RI: The 2016 Resolute Cup is only half over, but Jay Mills and the rest of the team from Shelter Island (N.Y.) Yacht Club have plenty of reason to celebrate. After 12 up-and-down races they were the final team from the Blue Group to qualify for the Gold Fleet, which means they have some good news to report back to the membership of the SIYC in Eastern Long Island.
The 2016 Resolute Cup features teams from 28 yacht clubs from all corners and coasts of the United States. Each team is comprised of three or four amateur sailors, all members of the club they represent. The first two days of the regatta were used to select the 10 teams that will sail the final two days in the Melges 20s for the Resolute Cup and a pair of spots in the 2017 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. The remaining 18 will sail in the Sonars for Silver Fleet honors. The 2016 Resolute Cup is sponsored by Porsche, Helly Hansen and Melges Performance Sailboats.
Racing will start Friday at 1030. A live, multi-camera webcast, with commentary from America's Cup sailor Andy Green and America's Cup umpire Brad Dellenbaugh, will allow sailing fans, and fellow yacht club members, from around the country to follow and root on their team. The LiveStream broadcast can be found here
livestream.com/Degan/resolutecup2016
Live tracking of each race can be found here , or via the TracTrac app for iPhones and Android devices.
Featured Brokerage
Infiniti 53 - NEW BOAT. 1,900,000 EUR.
The Infiniti 53, a new 53 foot canting keelboat suited for exceptional performance both offshore and inshore. The new yacht will feature a canting keel, gybing centerline daggerboard and leverages the dramatic performance advantages available through the DSS system. The design intends to revolutionize the performance of yachts in the mid-50 foot range. It will be the first Farr-designed boat featuring DSS foils.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Harmen Rockler
Farr Yacht Sales
+1 410 267 6550
-----------------------------------------
Soto 53
Fast cruising Sloop (design n. 44) made by Javier Soto Acebal who also supervised the construction of the boat. The construction of the boat and of its installations was carried out following the protocols of the European Economic Community (EEC) in order to get CE certification.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
-----------------------------------------
2007 52' King Marine IRC 52. 325,000 USD. Located in Rhode Island, USA.
ICE FIRE can now be obtained. She is a 2007 King Marine built TP 52 that was the last BRIBON, built for the King of Spain. Very successful on the Med circuit in 07/08/09, she came over to the States and as FLYING JENNY was very successful at all the NYYC annual regatta's, Block Island race week and NYYC race weeks. Since 2012, she has been ICE FIRE, and she was successful going to Montego Bay ( 2nd overall 2nd fleet in 2013) and won the 2012 IRC championship in Annapolis and that again last Fall (2014)
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Please contact William Jenkins at 410-267-9419
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
What you do doesn't matter, as long as you're the best. -- Felda Hardymon
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html