Emirates Team New Zealand Confirm High Performance Monohull for AC36 | Max Salminen wins Opel Finn Gold Cup | Britons Saxton and Dabson Win 2017 Nacra 17 World Championship | North Sails Expands Support in the UK, Belgium, and Holland | Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup | A Blustery End to the Royal Southern YC Summer Series | Irish Olympic hero and Kiwi offshore racer to join Turn the Tide on Plastic | One year on - HH Catamarans | Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup | Letters to the Editor | Featured Brokerage
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Emirates Team New Zealand Confirm High Performance Monohull for AC36
Emirates Team New Zealand can confirm Patrizio Bertelli's suggestion today that the next America's Cup will be sailed in high performance monohull yachts.
Currently there are a team of designers, lead by Emirates Team New Zealand Design Coordinator Dan Bernasconi working on various exciting monohull concepts which will eventually help shape the AC36 Class Rule.
Emirates Team New Zealand have been consulting with a number of potential challengers and there is an overall desire to have a spectacular monohull yacht that will be exciting to match race, but also one that the public and sailors can relate to as a sail boat that really challenges a full crew of professional yachtsman around the race track.
Further details of the Protocol for the 36th America's Cup will be announced at the end of the month.
Max Salminen wins Opel Finn Gold Cup
Max Salminen, from Sweden, has secured his first Finn world title as the 2017 Opel Finn Gold Cup closes at Balatonfoldvar with an extremely close and intense medal race in light winds. Jonathan Lobert, from France took the silver while Nicholas Heiner, from The Netherlands, took bronze after leading the race from start to finish.
With a reasonable wind forecast it was with some dismay that the sailors arrived at Spartacus SC to a windless lake and a postponement. However it wasn't long before an easterly wind was in place and the top 10 were sent out for the medal race.
The title was down to five sailors, with Salminen, Wright and Lobert with the best chances, and Heiner and Zsombor Berecz, from Hungary with outside chances.
Sailed in 6-8 knots it was the kind of conditions the sailors had expected all week, and that many had trained for.
Salminen controlled his main opponents and defended against Lobert and Wright. But the title nearly slipped away from him on the final downwind as the pressure dropped out on the left and both boats passed him just before the finish.
As the fleet crossed the finish line there was some frantic maths to work out who had won what. In the end, it was extremely close, with just three points separating the top four boats. Even the coaches didn't want to commit for fear of missing a point. But finally the results were known and the celebrations began.
In the final race for the rest, it was quite fitting that the race win went to the new U23 World Champion Oskari Muhonen, from Finland. This gave him an impressive 11th overall in the Finn Gold Cup.
Final top ten results (medal race in brackets)
1. Max Salminen, SWE, 47 (8)
2. Jonathan Lobert, FRA, 48 (5)
3. Nicholas Heiner, NED, 50 (1)
4. Ed Wright, GBR, 50 (6)
5. Zsombor Berecz, HUN, 53 (2)
6. Ioannis Mitakis, GRE, 59 (3)
7. Piotr Kula, POL, 80 (10)
8. Facundo Olezza, ARG, 83 (9)
9. Milan Vujasinovic, CRO, 92 (4)
10. Anders Pedersen, NOR, 95 (7)
Full results: www.2017finngoldcup.org/results
Britons Saxton and Dabson Win 2017 Nacra 17 World Championship
From the closest and most exciting finish to a world championship Medal Race in the Olympic history of the multihull class, Great Britain's Ben Saxton and Katie Dabson pipped Spanish rivals Fernando Echavarri and Tara Pacheco, foiling at full speed across the finish line to win the 2017 Nacra 17 World Championship title on the French waters of the Baie d'Aigues Mortes by La Grande Motte. Down the final run the Spanish veteran Echavarri, 2008 Olympic gold medallist in the Tornado catamaran class, sailing with Tara Pachecho, lead the British duo into the finish of the double points Medal Race but was lifted by the breeze and lost out to the flying, fully foiling Brits who judged to perfection their layline to the finish.
"In all my years that is the closest finish I have been involved in. It was decided in the last 20 seconds." Smiled Echavarri ruefully, "But to be honest if it is not us who won I am happy to see Ben and Katie win, they have worked hard and deserve it."
The Medal Race in the gusty breezes and flat water was a perfect arena showcase finale to the 2017 Nacra 17 World Championships. Ironically at the first post Olympic meeting of all three 2016 Rio medal winners none made the cut into the top ten qualifiers for the medal race.
Australia's silver winners Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin finished 11th and Argentina's Santi Lange and Cecilia Carranza - who scored a BFD in the penultimate race - finished 13th. New Zealand's Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders won both the last Finals races today prior to the Medal Race and finish fourth overall, repeating their Rio finish.
Nacra 17 World Championship, La Grande Motte, France.
1. Ben Saxton/Katie Dabson, GBR, 92 points
2. Fernando Echavarri Erasun/Tara Pacheco Van Runsoever, ESP, 95
3. Ruggero Tita/Caterina Banti, ITA, 109
4. Gemma Jones/Jason Saunders, NZL, 111
5. Paul Kohlhoff/Alicia Stuhlemmer, GER, 115
6. John Gimson/Anna Burnet, GBR, 115
7. Moana Vaireaux/Manon Audinet, FRA, 121
8. Lin Ea Cenholt/Christian Peter Lubeck, DEN, 122
9. Iker Martinez/Olga Maslivets, ESP, 128
10. Olivia Mackay/Micah Wilkinson, NZL, 129
North Sails Expands Support in the UK, Belgium, and Holland
"My decision to join North Sails was based on the fact that their design, sails, and service are the best in the world. The resources we have globally and here in the UK are unparalleled," said Nick, who's industry experience spans 30 years. "The 3Di product offers proven advantages, and the continued development means the product is getting better and better." Nick joins the North Sails team in Gosport, UK, as of September 1st.
Meanwhile, North clients in Belgium and Holland will benefit from reinforced local support led by new area manager, Nic Bol. Long-time North team members Wouter Kollmann and Anton Brinkhof welcome Nic onboard, along with well known Rotterdam sailors, Jacco Huijgen and Mark Meeuwisse. The expanded team is well equipped to support growing demand in Dutch and Belgian markets.
North Sails is proud to offer the largest worldwide service network of any sailmaker. By producing over 50,000 custom sails per year, our global team has the experience and know-how to assist in all of your sailing needs, whether you race or cruise. Contact your local loft today, and learn how North Sails can enhance your time on the water.
northsails.com/sailing/en/lofts
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
Winners of the respective Classes are Momo (Maxi 72), Ribelle (Supermaxi), Highland Fling XI (Maxi), Galateia (Wally), Jethou (Mini Maxi R), Supernikka (Mini Maxi RC1) and H2O (Mini Maxi RC2).
The final day of racing saw the Maxi72 and Mini Maxi Racers do two windward-leeward races while the rest of the fleet did a coastal race along the Arcipelago di La Maddalena. Breezes from the northwest building to 14 knots gradually came up against winds from the southeast. A dead zone formed between these two fronts and the Race Committee chose to shorten the course and end the day's racing off Capo d'Orso.
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup also included the Maxi72 World Championship and competition was fierce. By the end of the event the German team aboard Momo won the championship, just one point ahead of Proteus. Bella Mente and Cannonball were third and fourth placed, just two points behind. Momo was also declared winner of the 2017 Maxi72 Class and best-placed yacht owned by a YCCS member.
In the prestigious Supermaxi Class, the 33m Ribelle had already won numerically by the end of yesterday's races. Nevertheless, her team gave it their all again today and placed second.
The Maxi Class saw YCCS member Sir Irvine Laidlaw's Highland Fling XI edge out Nefertiti, second overall after placing first in the last two day's races. Rambler 88, with AC vet Brad Butterworth as tactician, placed second.
The Wally fleet was most numerous and saw the Wallycento Galateia won handsomely over Nahita and Lyra. Sir Peter Ogden's Jethou won in the Mini Maxi Racing Class, placing first every day and beating Spectre and Lucky, who finished in second and third places respectively, tied for points.
A Blustery End to the Royal Southern YC Summer Series
The Royal Southern Yacht Club Summer Series came to a conclusion with the September Regatta, incorporating the Contessa 26 National Championships. Four races were completed for all classes on two courses, racing under IRC, Sportsboat, Contessa 26 Class Rules, and three races for the Club Class. After a blustery first day, the last day of the regatta was held in breeze consistently over 20 knots, and by the close of racing, the westerly wind was close to 30 knots.
The sixth edition of the Contessa 26 National Championships was won by Chris Charlesworth's Meow, with Sarah Applebey's High Potential second, and Mike & Barbara Harrison's Jiminy Cricket third. Other winners in the Contessa 26 National Championship were; Thomas Olden's Genesee in the NHS Division and Chris Stevens' Rosina of Beaulieu in the NHS White Sails Division.
Racing at the Royal Southern Yacht Club continues with the second edition of Hamble Classics, to be held 16-17 September, which will welcome all styles of classic yachts including Metre classes, Classic Racers and Cruisers, Old Gaffers, Dayboats and Spirit of Tradition yachts.
Full results of all classes: www.royal-southern.co.uk
Irish Olympic hero and Kiwi offshore racer to join Turn the Tide on Plastic
Turn the Tide on Plastic have announced two more female sailors for their Volvo Ocean Race campaign - Irish Olympic silver medallist Annalise Murphy and New Zealand's Bianca Cook. Both under 30, the pair join skipper Dee Caffari's mixed and youth-focused campaign after successful trials, and take the total number of confirmed sailors in their squad to 10 with just 44 days to go until the start of the race.
"Annalise and Bianca both add strength to the squad and are developing quickly," said Caffari. "Coming from an Olympic background, Annalise's strength and racing skills are obvious, but she is still learning about life offshore, whereas Bianca has lots of big boat experience and is very comfortable offshore."
Dublin-born Murphy, 27, took silver in the Laser Radial class at Rio 2016, and was recently named Irish Times/Sport Ireland's Sportswoman of the Year.
"The jump from Olympic inshore sailing to professional offshore sailing is a big one," said Murphy. "I am expecting this race to be the toughest thing I have ever done both mentally and physically but I also can't wait for it to start."
New Zealand's Cook, 28, has accumulated over 70,000 offshore miles in the last few years.
The new recruits join a multinational squad led by Caffari (GBR) and featuring Australia's Liz Wardley and Lucas Chapman; Italy's Francesca Clapcich; Britons Bleddyn Mon and Henry Bomby, and Portuguese sailors Frederico Pinheiro de Melo and Bernardo Freitas.
One year on - HH Catamarans
It was only a year ago that the HH66 was introduced to the luxury performance catamaran market; since then activity both in the boatyard and on the racecourse has been frenetic. The potential this boat showed in the design brochures and renderings from Morrelli & Melvin is translating into reality, with outstanding performance, reliability and, most importantly, customer satisfaction.
HH66 hull no1, R-SIX, which was delivered to Valencia in June 2016 and promptly set out to sea, cruising as far east as Cyprus, was put on display to an admiring crowd at the Cannes Yachting Festival, and then attended the inaugural edition of the Multihull Cup Regatta in Mallorca. Sailing in a competitive class of more seasoned peers, including Coco de Mer, Slim and Nigel Irens' custom 78 Allegra, R-SIX pounced on the challenge, finishing in first place overall.
In January this year R-SIX crossed the Atlantic in time to shift from cruising to racing mode for the Caribbean 600, where light winds prevailed for much of the 600-mile course. With gourmet food and plush accommodation, R-SIX raced in comfort and finished third behind two rather less commodious MOD70s - not a bad result.
Full article in the September issue of Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com
Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup
Newport, RI, USA: If experience in the event itself is the key to success in the fifth edition of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, then the list of favorites has to start with the three teams helmed by sailors who have competed in each edition of this biennial Corinthian challenge. The teams representing the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Cork Yacht Club and the defending champions from the Royal Thames Yacht Club will be led by sailors who have sailed in every single race in the history of Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup.
The 2017 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup will take place September 9 to 16 at the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court, in Newport, R.I. Amateur sailors representing 14 yacht clubs from around the globe will converge on Newport to race in the ultimate one-design, big-boat competition. The boats and sails are provided and the rig tune is standardized across the fleet. The Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is sponsored by Rolex, Porsche, AIG, Nautor's Swan, and Helly Hansen and will be broadcast live via the web.
For Anthony O'Leary, from Ireland's Royal Cork Yacht Club, the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is something of a family tradition. O'Leary represented the Royal Cork at the first regatta in 2009 and has returned to each event since, accompanied by one or more of his sons on the crew, along with his wife Sally.
The elder O'Leary is a tireless campaigner who has twice been named the Irish Sailor of the Year and regularly competes in both small planing one-designs and larger offshore events. While the crew doesn't have the opportunity to sail the Swan 42 except at this event, Robert O'Leary thinks their collective experience in four previous editions of Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup will allow them to get up to speed quickly during the three days of pre-regatta practice.
The following yacht clubs will compete for the 2017 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup: Eastern Yacht Club (Marblehead, Mass.), Itchenor (GBR) Sailing Club, Japan Sailing Federation, New Bedford Yacht Club (South Dartmouth, Mass.), New York Yacht Club, Royal Cork (IRL) Yacht Club, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Royal Swedish Yacht Club, Royal Sydney (AUS) Yacht Squadron, Royal Thames (GBR) Yacht Club, Royal (GBR) Yacht Squadron, Shelter Island (N.Y.) Yacht Club, Southern (New Orleans) Yacht Club, Yacht Club Argentino.
Race Schedule (First day of racing is Tuesday)
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 Jonathan Brewin, Chair, Bermuda Race Organizing Committee
If you have already completed the survey of ocean sailors I wrote to you about a couple of weeks ago, please disregard this notice. Thank you very much for your participation. If you have not yet taken the survey, I urge you to take part now, as this important survey will be closing in a few days.
Here's what I said in my previous letter: This is an important request, especially for NBR racers, and I strongly encourage you to participate in the survey described below. This season, the Newport-Bermuda Race and a few of North America's premier offshore race organizers and yacht clubs have teamed together to create a survey to learn what is most important to you, as an ocean cruiser or racer.
This survey is being implemented by an independent market research company, Performance Research, and is in no way affiliated with sales of any kind. The results will be completely anonymous and used to help improve how race organizers and clubs can better serve you for the future of our sport. Of course many of you are likely to receive multiple requests to take part from different organizations, and apologies if this is the second or third you've received! Once is enough.
We very much hope you will take advantage of this survey and provide us with your valuable feedback. It should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete, and can be accessed on this link: www.prsurvey.com/offshore
Should you have any questions or have any difficulty accessing the survey, please do not hesitate to contact the administrator at:
Featured Brokerage
GryphonSolo2 Designed by Marc Lombard, this 2014 Atlantic Cup winner is a great all-around performer with exceptionally fast reaching capabilities.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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978-985-7077 mobile
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PACE is an incredibly well sorted and maintained modified Ker 40+. She has many modifications to the original design making her significantly faster, but without incurring a large handicap increase. National Champion in the Fast 40+ fleet, she wants for nothing, with a fresh wardrobe of sails and turnkey. Perfect yacht for the Fast 40+ fleet or any IRC / ORC regatta.
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RKO is a hugely optimised example of these designs, benefiting from a very high spec North 3Di sail package, which caters for both inshore and offshore racing alike. Additional upgrades include a complete cosmetic overhaul and the addition of standing carbon rigging - this is a race winning machine
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Ancasta Race Boats
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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
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