MAPFRE seal overall Leg Zero victory |
Alberto Bolzan jumps onboard Team Brunel |
Bruno Troublé speaks out on the America's Cup |
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine |
Entries Open for the 7th Annual Bosham Classic Boat Revival |
Historic Schooner Atlantic in Dun Laoghaire |
London Boat Show: expect to see sailing superstars past and present |
41st Annual Wooden Boat Festival September 8-10th, 2017 |
No place for Team New Zealand on Auld Mug |
Launchings |
Letters to the Editor |
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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
MAPFRE seal overall Leg Zero victory
Racing was stopped at 0430 UTC Wednesday, with Vestas 11th Hour Racing winning the stage and MAPFRE finishing top of the qualifying standings
MAPFRE did enough to take the overall Leg Zero honours after the fourth and final stage of the Volvo Ocean Race qualifying series was shortened due to continued forecasts of lights winds.
The stage, which started from Saint-Malo on Sunday and had been due to see the teams race all the way to Lisbon, was brought to a close at 0430 UTC on Wednesday morning.
Fast-improving Vestas 11th Hour Racing took the stage win with the shortest Distance to Finish at 0430 UTC.
team AkzoNobel were second, and third place in the stage was enough for MAPFRE to seal overall victory.
The decision to call a halt to the racing came late on Tuesday night as the stage had become a drifting contest, with the teams making a series of expensive gybes in a bid to find some wind, and latest ETAs predicting that the boats would not reach Lisbon until well into Thursday.
No actual points are at stake on Leg Zero, which was introduced as a means to give the teams crucial time on the water in racing conditions before the Volvo Ocean Race itself begins in October.
Leg Zero, stage four rankings
1. Vestas 11th Hour Racing
2. team AkzoNobel
3. MAPFRE
4. Dongfeng Race Team
5. Team Brunel
6. Turn the Tide on Plastic
7. Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag
Leg Zero, overall final rankings
1. MAPFRE, 29 points
2. Dongfeng Race Team, 24
3. Team Brunel, 24
4. team AkzoNobel, 22
5. Vestas 11th Hour Racing, 20
6. Turn the Tide on Plastic, 12
7. Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, 9
Alberto Bolzan jumps onboard Team Brunel
Less than three months before the start of the first stage of the Volvo Ocean Race, set for next October 22nd from Alicante, and just before the began of the Leg Zero, Alberto Bolzan agreed to join Team Brunel, led by the experienced Dutch skipper Bouwe Bekking.
Bolzan, who was in the previous edition with Team Alvimedica and recent winner of the Melges 32 European Championship with Torpyone, has been busy for a few weeks on board the black and yellow VOR 65 Netherlands flagged with which he completed the Leg Zero, event of approach to the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-2018. Team Brunel grabbed the third place behind the Spanish crew of MAPFRE and the French/Chinese crew of the Dongfeng Race Team.
Volvo Ocean Race, here you are again. Where does this decision come from? Maybe because I'm crazy. Seriously, I decided because it is a race that gave me a lot in the latest edition. It's a competition that I loved and hated at the same time, however, because it takes you to the limit. I was not entirely convinced that it would repeat the experience but then, when Team Brunel's call came, I did not have to think twice. It is such a beautiful race from the point of view of the emotions and, with a little more experience accumulated in the past edition, I can aspire to an important result.
Italy is one of the Nations where sailing is most developed. At the same time, though, the interest towards races such as the VOR - despite being it considered one of the highest expressions of sailing - is still limited. Maybe the race has never been promoted adequately, but I hope that in the future Italy will manage to make a national team to express all of its potential: there are many Italian sailors that, put together in a team, would be able to challenge the top English and French crews. It is a shame that such potential is wasted or exploited only partially.
www.brunelsailing.net
volvooceanrace.com
Bruno Troublé speaks out on the America's Cup
Bruno Troublé has spoken out about the 35th America's Cup, criticising the 2017 event in Bermuda and the plans to run a the Cup on a two-year cycle as 'vulgar'.
He celebrated the fact the the USA did not win the event again, saying victors New Zealand would now 'fix it', adding: "They know how to do it."
Speaking about the Bermuda event, Troublé said: "We don't want a video game kind of boat racing where the greatest sailors on earth (Sir Ben Ainslie, Jimmy Spithill or Franck Cammas) have no chance. And while they race, we want to see their faces, not robocops covered with goggles, helmets and mics."
Troublé helmed the French boat in the 1977, 1980 and 1983 Cups, including the 1983 Challenger finals. He worked as a lawyer and later became known as the first America's Cup impresario, introducing Louis Vuitton as a sponsor to the event and running all media activities for the Cup from 1983 to 2003. More recently he has become a key player in the classic world, overseeing the restoration of six rare Universal Rule yachts and bringing them to the Med to race. Troublé is proud that he is one of the 'last amateur sailors', never having been paid to race a yacht.
Seahorse August 2017
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Update
Pistol Pete, upset Norwegians, tradition still rules (the Cup) - but not the (Cup) answers you might expect from one successful America's Cup sailor. Terry Hutchinson, Ivor Wilkins, Ray Davies, Jack Griffin And Corinne Rolland-Mckenzie
In praise of flexibility
Is there now the critical mass needed to get a bit more ambitious with some new formats for international offshore events? Rob Weiland
Smashed it!
Well, that was a week and a half. Pete Burling, Ivor Wilkins, Grant Dalton
Smarter in the lab and smarter on the water
Was everyone looking in the wrong place? Andy Claughton
Wow!
It was one hell of an America's Cup match to be commentating on for TV. Ken Read
Confessions of a Cup addict
Or to put it another way, the ability to change your mind gracefully... Ian Walker
Seahorse build table - More splash less cash?
Fast and (more) affordable. Ben Rogerson
Sailor of the Month
No-compromise dedication to the task at hand
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Entries Open for the 7th Annual Bosham Classic Boat Revival
Click on image for photo gallery.
This year there will again be five races over the two days, using the full scope of Chichester Harbour, which should make for varied and interesting racing. Over the past six years the event has attracted over 50 different classes, totalling 342 entries and 700+ sailors from 65+ clubs.
Regular classes entering include the Alabcore, Chichester Harbour 18, Devon Yawl, Enterprise, Fireball, Finn, International 14, Jollyboat, National 12 & 18, Merlin Rocket, Yachting World Dayboat, & 12m2 Sharpie to name a few.
One of the event highlights is the Concours d'Elegance: the hours of loving restoration bestowed on many of these classic racing dinghies is appraised by a judging panel who have the difficult task of choosing the one which, in their view, is the best and award it the coveted accolade. It is a true display of skill and craftsmanship.
For further information on the Bosham Classic Boat Revival, visit classicboatrevival.co.uk where entry forms, notice of race and sailing instructions are available. Alternatively email
Historic Schooner Atlantic in Dun Laoghaire
In 1905, legendary Scottish-American skipper Charlie Barr - renowned for his many successful defences of the America's Cup on behalf of his adopted home of the United States - was challenged to establish a Transatlantic sailing record from Sandy Hook off New York to the Lizard in southwest England writes W M Nixon
The vessel involved? The two-year-old 185ft three-masted schooner Atlantic, designed by William Gardner, whose special reputation was in big schooners.
The time of year? In May, when it was hoped strong winds of late winter would still prevail.
The event? A race among 11 very large yacht for the Kaiser's Cup, presented by the German Emperor, who stationed one of his battle cruisers at the Lizard to time the finishers.
The result? Driven hard by a very determined Charlie Barr (despite some protests by owner Wilson Marshall, whom Barr ordered to go below), Atlantic crossed first in 12 days 4 hours and 1 minute, an average of 10.02 knots.
It may not seem much by today's standards, but it stood for 75 years until broken by a giant multi-hull skippered by Eric Tabarly in 1980. As a mono-hull record, it stood for nearly a hundred years.
Atlantic was a much-admired vessel, the very best of her type. It was a matter of great sadness when she had to be broken up in the 1980s, as she was beyond restoration. Yet in 2010 a replica was built, which captures the spirit of the great schooner to perfection.
afloat.ie/sail/historic-boats/
London Boat Show: expect to see sailing superstars past and present
Organisers of the five day London Boat Show 2018 have announced the Legends Theatre, featuring sailing heroes, will be the centre of the show
"Inspiring and exciting visitors to the show and its two complementary events, the Boating & Watersports Holiday Show and Bespoke London, this intimate space will be the hub for motivation, advice and knowledge," explained British Marine Boat Shows in a media release.
lthough details of who will be appearing haven't been announced, organisers are promising that the theatre will be "packed with sailing superstars from past and present".
Sessions throughout the day will include interviews with boating legends. It is hoped that by sharing their personal experiences they will inspire visitors to the London Boat Show 2018.
"Each guest speaker has a unique story to tell and the 2018 event will offer visitors exclusive access to the stars and their tales. Visitors can also get involved with the question and answer sessions, a unique chance to put their questions directly to the heroes of their sportor those experts who can provide top advice," said organisers.
41st Annual Wooden Boat Festival September 8-10th, 2017
Port Townsend, Washington, USA: Tall ships, paddleboards, kayaks, tugboats, and everything in between - North America's largest wooden boat festival celebrates its 41st year on September 8-10, 2017. Demonstrations, presentations, plays, music, dancing, and great food - this is a weekend of fun for all ages.
Port Townsend's Wooden Boat Festival features over 250 boats; 100 presenters from around the world sharing their adventures, talents, and expertise on 4 indoor and 4 outdoor stages; and live music all weekend on the main stage.
Over 50 vendors will share their wares. See the latest kits for building your own paddleboard, kayak, or wooden boat, and visit new and old favorites for repair and maintenance. Stroll down Artist Way to take in handmade crafts, clothing, and jewelry.
The weekend ends with the awe-inspiring "Sail-By" at 3 p.m. Sunday, when 300 wooden vessels of all shapes and sizes pour out of the harbor and past the waterfront in full sail celebration.
For the weekend's schedule and more information about all the activities during the Festival, go to www.woodenboat.org
No place for Team New Zealand on Auld Mug
Team New Zealand has a dilemma - there is not enough room to engrave this year's America's Cup victory over Oracle on the Auld Mug.
In 2003 and 2007, a Swiss engraver etched the results of Alinghi's Cup wins on to the trophy in a bigger font than any before, leaving no room for future winners, reports newsroom.co.nz.
Every cup race since 1851 is recorded on the trophy.
Two extra silver tiers were added to the bottom of the Cup in 1958 and 1992 to allow for more engraving. But thanks to Alinghi's outsized inscriptions, there's no more space to record the nine races of the 2017 America's Cup.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is considering re-engraving the bottom section, to match the original font on the rest of the Cup. But before that is done, previous winners of the trophy will be asked if they agree with the idea, or would like to suggest an alternative.
Squadron commodore Steve Mair said adding another section would not be sustainable.
"After a certain period of time, you can't have it 20 feet tall," says Mair. The Cup has already grown to 1.1m high and weighs over 14kg.
"We have to figure out a way to future-proof it."
Launchings
Conrad Humphreys is a competitive sailor, who's sailed around the world three times in some of the sailing world's most famous races.
He is now also renowned for being professional skipper on the ambitious recreation of Bligh's legendary small boat journey for Channel 4 programme Mutiny.
Here Conrad takes a look at one of his highlights from the Captain Bligh: Myth, Man and Mutiny exhibition, the replica Bounty launch.
The in-house build of the Bounty launch at the museum, is part of a programme of reconstructions of historical craft in the museum's boatbuilding workshop.
Captain Bligh: Myth, Man and Mutiny brings to life one of the greatest small boat survival stories in history featuring relics from the voyage and the specially built reproduction of the launch.
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Dufour Yachts has announced that it will launch the Dufour 520 Grand Large at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
The yacht has two layout options - three or four cabins - with the option of an additional berth in either layout. This means that it can comfortably accommodate up to 10 people.
Unsurprisingly, Dufour is not releasing many details about the new 15.2-metre yacht ahead of the launch.
But, there will be a new design cockpit table with stainless steel feet. It will also feature a 39-litre drawer refrigerator tucked under the table top.
The 520 Grand Large has been designed by naval architect Umberto Felci.
The Cannes Yachting Festival takes place in Cannes 12-17 September.
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A vintage 39m schooner which has fascinated yacht lovers for more than a century is to be rebuilt to preserve it for future prosperity.
Team Huisfit's task is to fully reconstruct the Herreshoff Vagrant protecting the vessel's historic value, while re-engineering it with the most modern quality materials and board systems available.
Vagrant has already arrived at the Royal Huisman facilities in Vollenhove where the yacht will be fully stripped.
The rebuild will begin with sandblasting and preservation of the vessel's 33m, 100-year-old steel hull, after which a new deck and all necessary outfitting will be re-installed.
Dykstra Naval Architects and Rondal will provide the re-rigging of Vagrant's schooner-rigged sail plan with yankee, staysail, main staysail and queen fisherman, while new Rondal aluminum masts will be constructed for the inside furling of the fisherman and mainsail.
Without compromising on space the engine, generators, heating, air conditioning and more will be smartly concealed behind wooden panels and cabinetry.
Meanwhile, the luxury owner and guest accommodation will be refurbished, while new crew's quarters will be created by Royal Huisman's joinery.
The rebuilt Vagrant is scheduled for delivery in 2019.
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The Swan 54 is designed as a pure bluewater cruiser that is ideally suited for a couple. It uses the hull mould of the Swan 53 (a 2005 Frers design), but the rest of the boat is completely reconfigured to give a more contemporary look and feel. But is Nautor's decision to re-use an old design a step backwards, or is it just sensible to recycle proven lines?
A four-cabin layout is available, but the three-cabin layout is standard. Yet as this boat is very much aimed at couples, there is also a two-cabin model, which includes a large office.
Owners can also specify a chart table that splits the saloon sofa, as well as a third heads and a crew cabin.
When we first saw images of this 54, it was a little underwhelming, looking slightly dated by today's standards.
However, it is clear from the enduring popularity of the Metre and J Class yachts that many sailors still yearn for more classic lines. Perhaps Nautor's Swan is going for retro appeal with its renewal of an old model, or perhaps this is simply a sweet hull that had no need of a redesign. The reasoning matters not.
The Swan 54 is a dependable boat for couples looking to live aboard or cruise long distance - and particularly those looking for an aft cockpit model to suit stern-to berthing and warm climates.
With its quality build and finish its value is sure to hold up well.
In a year that saw Swan launch an array of very modern yachts: three 115s, a 95, a radical new one-design, plus announce a 78-footer, news of a return to the type of serious bluewater cruising yacht that made this yard's name is particularly welcome.
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 Owen Sharpe in Auckland:
Hi Dalts. The Scuttlebutt says you are working on a two pronged approach to AC36. I hope both of them are bows. It would be respectful of the sailors and the audience, if not the NYYC.
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