In This Issue
Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar: In Support of Sail Aid |
370 miles of separation |
Second consecutive RC44 title for Team CEEREF |
IRC offshore racers - get your entry into The Hague 2018 Offshore Sailing World Championships now |
Speed & Smarts - St. Thomas International Regatta & Round the Rocks Race - March 22-25, 2018 |
Mirabaud Sailing Video Award |
Rob Andrews Joins Foiling World |
Harken Exhibits at Paris Boat Show - December 2 - 12 |
Safety At Sea Seminars |
Emotional Podium Result As Toughest Leg In Clipper Race History Reaches Fremantle, Australia |
57.97 knots |
Zara Davis breaks women's speed windsurfing world record |
Letters to the Editor |
Featured Brokerage
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
Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar: In Support of Sail Aid
Nominations open now for two awards: Best Caribbean Bar and Best Bar Elsewhere.
Send us your bleary memories: scuttlebutteurope.com/sailors-bars
370 miles of separation
As dawn broke on the third day of the RORC Transatlantic Race, the northerly route across the Atlantic looks to be the favourite for many of the 23 teams taking part in the race. Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 56 Varuna leads the charge towards the low pressure system which has attracted the fleet to this route. The low has moved further north east than predicted allowing the fleet to take a more direct heading across the Atlantic. To the south, the convergence zone, acting as a barrier to the tradewinds, is the focus of attention for Ludde Ingvall's Australian Maxi CQS which has chosen the southerly route.
After beating into big seas for most of the second day, CQS tacked south at around midnight last night. To reach the tradewinds, CQS need to cross a convergence zone, an area of scarce wind approximately 100 miles across. The Australian Maxi has pointed their bow towards the coast of Senegal, West Africa and will be hoping to have picked the narrowest gap. By sharp contrast, Roman Guerra's Volvo 70 Monster Project is 370 nautical miles (682 km) north of CQS, blasting along on a tight reach into the low pressure system and experiencing close to gale force conditions.
Varuna has been the fastest yacht in the fleet, racing close to 300 miles in the last 24 hours, and of the yachts north of the rhumb line, Varuna is closest to the finish.
Follow the fleet and watch the 2017 RORC Transatlantic Race unfold: Minisite: rorctransatlantic.rorc.org
Second consecutive RC44 title for Team CEEREF
Despite performing dances for the wind gods, the wind failed to materialise for a second consecutive day at the RC44 Calero Marinas Cup in the normally windy Canary Islands. With no racing on the final day, John Bassadone's Peninsula Petroleum claimed this, the last event of the season. In turn this left Igor Lah's Team CEEREF to win her second consecutive RC44 Championship.
Bassadone congratulated his crew, including his long term Italian tactician Vasco Vascotto, and also local sailor Alfredo Morales who stood in for him on Thursday's opening day and for race one of day two. On that second day they had won both races, results which ultimately secured victory for the Gibraltar-based team at the RC44 Calero Marinas Cup.
Slovenia's Igor Lah admitted they hadn't been ideal circumstances for him, British tactician Adrian Stead and the crew on board Team CEEREF to claim their second consecutive RC44 Championship title. "I am happy, but somehow it doesn't feel completely right because, okay, we did our two days, but not sailing two days was a little disappointing. Obviously we are doing the right thing and with consistent crew it helps a lot and all the guys are really keen to win." In addition to Lah and Stead, Team CEEREF's international crew comprised: Dirk de Ridder (NED), Jon Gunderson (NZL), Mickey Cannoni (ITA), Jaro Furlani (ITA), Simone Mina (ITA) and Matteo Auguardo (ITA).
One of the longest standing competitors in the RC44 class, Team CEEREF claimed the season's title through consistency, despite never winning an event.
For full results visit: www.rc44.com/results
IRC offshore racers - get your entry into The Hague 2018 Offshore Sailing World Championships now
The first Offshore Sailing World Championship to be scored using the combined IRC and ORC rating systems will be held in The Hague from 12-20 July 2018 and will be a mixed inshore and offshore regatta. Creating history as IRC's first World Championship it is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the titans of IRC offshore racing to compete on the world stage at this level.
With 3 classes and a limit of 50 boats per class, the entries are filling up fast and the top IRC racers are encouraged to sign up now for this historic event to avoid disappointment.
For those competing in the IRC European Championship (incorporating the RORC Commodores' Cup) in Cowes from 8-16 June with a similar format, the World Championship is the ideal next step in the 2018 racing calendar.
More information and online entry registration can be found at www.offshoresailingworlds2018.com
Speed & Smarts - St. Thomas International Regatta & Round the Rocks Race - March 22-25, 2018
Calling all skippers, tacticians and crews! Learn what it takes to sail to the head of your class at the 45th St. Thomas International Regatta, March 23-25, as well as the Round the Rocks Race, March 22.
STIR organizers plan to host Brad Dellenbaugh, who will give one of his highly-respected Speed & Smarts Seminars on Wednesday March 21. This on-land seminar features a 3-hour morning session covering starts, tactics and strategy, followed by a 3-hour afternoon session covering upwind strategy and tactics.
Dellenbaugh was most recently the Sailing Director for the New York Yacht Club, a former Olympic Soling campaigner and was the chief umpire at the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia, Spain. The 45th anniversary of the 'Crown Jewel of Caribbean Yacht Racing' will feature a back to the 'good old day's' theme with red hot racing by day and beachside toes-in-the-sand barbecues at night.
Bring your own boat or charter. Fleets of IC24 from the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are expected to be strong, with charters of these homegrown vessels available from the St. Thomas Sailing Center, based at the St. Thomas Yacht Club.
We'll be working with charter companies for opportunities to race boats, as mother ships and a chance to cruise before and after the regatta.
An updated NOR will be posted shortly on yachtscoring.com
For more information, Email: or , Call (340) 642-3204
stthomasinternationalregatta.com
Mirabaud Sailing Video Award
Fifty-five TV producers spanning twelve countries have submitted their best video for the inaugural Mirabaud Sailing Video Award. The winner, selected by the international jury, is Swiss TV producer Roman Brunisholz, thanks to a video that mixes emotion and great imagery with a strong message. Vendee Globe veteran Kito de Pavant wins the Special Jury Award.
Open to TV professionals, the Mirabaud Sailing Video Award also celebrates sailors who film their achievements during regattas, through the "Special Jury Award". Vendee Globe veteran Kito de Pavant wins the prize thanks to a spectacular video entitled « The Ocean is not big enough », showing his boat hitting a whale at full speed, loosing its keel and sinking.
Final Results
Mirabaud Sailing Video Award (Professional Tv Production Companies)
1. Optimism - By Roman Brunisholz, Cocoon Productions
2. Inspiration - By Maxence Peyras, Eyesea Production
3. The Power Of Nature - Kite Oman - By Ellie Gosling, Sunset + Vine
4. Sea Survival Training - Team Akzonobel In The Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 - By Jack Turner, Mallory Group & Orillo Productions
5. Life At Sea With Oman Air's Phil Robertson - By Kan Esmer, Red Handed Tv
Special Jury Award (Best Video Produced By A Professional Sailor)
1. The Ocean Is Not Large Enough - By Kito De Pavant
2. Team Aqua - Rc44 Sailing Team - By Cameron Appleton
3. Body And Soul - By Will Suto
Public Award (Professional Tv Production Companies)
1. Transpac 2017: The Fleet Is Away! - By Chris Love, Chris Love Productions
Public Award (Pro Sailors Videos)
1. TP52 Paprec In Miami - By Jerome Naquet
Rob Andrews Joins Foiling World
Although the news has just been released that I have joined Foiling World, the reality is that I have been working on the F101 since August.
Having had a sail on the F101 earlier in the year, it was great to have the opportunity to contribute to the process of getting the boat from pre-production prototypes to the full production boat. It was a similar role that I had done on the SB20 and I just love the attention to detail aspects, and trying to think of the ways that people will use the boat and make sure that we have the very best production solution.
As I had worked with Alan back in the nineties, when we sailed together and ran the Team Unlimited holiday company, it was very easy to pick up the concept and contribute to the project with Alan and Jerry, and it's become a fascinating project. The fact that it was a foiling project has just made the decision easier, and when the opportunity came to join as a co-director I jumped at the chance.
My first foray into foiling was on the Moth at Pro Vela, the sailing school in Spain that Alan started after we sold Team Unlimited to Thomas Cook and the Neilson sailing brand. I guess since then I have become more fascinated in foiling boats with my job at Land Rover BAR, where I project manage the Academy competing on the Extreme Sailing Series in the 5 person foiling GC 32. For me foiling has brought back all the excitement and enthusiasm that I had as young sailor following his early passion into what has been a life long journey surrounded by water and boats on it. Just being part of the Land Rover BAR team for twelve weeks in Bermuda, in the run up to the 35th Americas Cup, was an amazing experience and opportunity to learn and all topped off with the young Academy sailors winning the Red Bull Youth Americas Cup for Great Britain. -- Rob Andrews
Harken Exhibits at Paris Boat Show - December 2 - 12
This year Harken will introduce its line of Element blocks. Element offers all types of sailors (even those who don't race!) Harken quality, durability, and engineering expertise at an affordable price. Element sideplates are forged aluminum for toughness and perfectly shaped to protect their fiber-reinforced sheaves and proven bearing system. Element will be available in early 2018 in singles, doubles, triples, fiddles, and foot blocks in 45, 60, and 80 millimeter sizes.
Also on display in Paris: A new Small Boat Continuous Line Drive furler designed to furl oversized sails on sportboats and multihulls. Harken's Ceramic Mainsheet System will be there. It. features-smooth-running ceramic bearings for efficient power transfer to crew on GP catamarans, ensuring easy, precise trimming.
Plus, Harken Hydraulics has designed new: PLC control boxes, stackable directional valves, and 2 or 3 motor hydraulic power units that are simple to install. A larger Reflex top-down furler and a larger Flatwinder powered pulley for mainsheet traveler adjustment round out the new product introductions.
Stop by Hall 2.1 Stand A60. Harken's friendly, knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer your technical questions and show you around. Harken AT THE FRONT.
Safety At Sea Seminars
For those of you who find the timing or location of the Storm Trysail seminar inconvenient (May 18, SUNY Maritime, Bronx NY, we'd like you to be aware of two other such seminars that offer the same offshore certifications.
The first of these is organized by the Cruising Club of America and will be held in Newport, Rhode Island on the weekend of March 10-11, 2018. Questions regarding the seminar can be sent to:
For registration go to: sas.cruisingclub.org/course/sas2018
The other seminar is organized by Marine Trades Association of Maryland and it will be held in Annapolis, Maryland on the weekend of March 24-25, 2018. Information regarding this seminar can be found at mtam.org and clicking on the Red Button labeled Safety at Sea.
Emotional Podium Result As Toughest Leg In Clipper Race History Reaches Fremantle, Australia
Unicef claimed its first ever Clipper Race victory at 11:10UTC (19:10 local) today, in one of the toughest ever legs of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race; Race 3, the 4,754 nm Dell Latitude Rugged Race, from Cape Town, South Africa, to Fremantle, Australia.
After 25 days battling through the Southern Ocean, the racing remained dramatic to the very end. Unicef ended up finishing just forty minutes in front of second placed GREAT Britain which managed to pull off an incredibly strong result following the tragic man overboard fatality of crew member Simon Speirs on Day 18 of this Southern Ocean trial.
Winning Skipper Bob Beggs said: "GREAT Britain drove me insane for the last 48 hours! They pushed us hard. I really would have liked to GREAT Britain to have won but we had to make it hard for them, we had to make them work for it. I think they really appreciated that strong competition between the two boats."
Simon Spiers, 60, from Bristol, UK, was on the foredeck of GREAT Britain assisting with a headsail change from Yankee 3 when he was washed overboard. Although he was clipped on with his safety tether, he became separated from the yacht and whilst he was recovered back on board within 36 minutes, resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.
The GREAT Britain crew demonstrated amazing teamwork and spirit, and found the courage, not only to keep racing but to also leap from ninth to second place in the final four days of the race, accrediting the result to Simon.
The Clipper Race will take part in the 73rd Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, before racing from Hobart to the Whitsundays, where the fleet will arrive in just under 50 days from today. The All-Australian Leg is the fourth of eight legs that make up the 40,000-nautical mile, eleven-month Clipper 2017-18 Race. Other stopovers include Punta del Este, Uruguay, Cape Town, South Africa, Sanya and Qingdao, China, Seattle and New York, USA, Panama, Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and Liverpool, UK, where the race will finish on 28 July, 2018.
57.97 knots
Alexandre Caizergues has broken his own world speed kiteboarding record.
The French kitesurfer sailed at 57.97 knots (107.36 km/h) over 500 meters during the 2017 Salt and Speed, a speed sailing event held in Salin-de-Giraud, France.
Caizergues, who had set a new world record in 2013 with 56.62 knots (104.86 km/h), improved his own mark by 1.35 knots (2.5 km/h).
The rider from Provence is also the fastest boardsailor in the world and increased the margin for Antoine Albeau's speed windsurfing record of 53.27 knots (98.65 km/h).
Alex Caizergues believes he is capable of breaking the overall speed sailing record, in the hands of Paul Larsen and his Vestas Sailrocket 2 since 2012, and set at 65.45 knots (121.21 km/h) off Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Caizergues improved the new speed kiteboarding world record in extreme conditions. The winds in the French canal were blowing in the 50 knots plus range.
The new mark is awaiting final validation by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC).
Zara Davis breaks women's speed windsurfing world record
Zara Davis has broken the women's speed windsurfing world record, at the 2017 Luderitz Speed Challenge, in Namibia.
The world's most famous speed sailing canal has once again delivered the goods. British speed windsurfer Zara Davis broke a record set in 2015.
Two years ago, Swiss bullet Karin Jaggi raised the women's bar and stole the world record from Davis by sailing at 46.31 knots in a 500-meter run.
But revenge for Zara Davis arrived this year. The experienced windsurfer set the new mar at 46.49 knots, improving the previous world record by 0.38 knots.
At the 2017 Luderitz Speed Challenge, Davis has also peaked at 49.35 knots, and became the fastest women on GPS speed surfing of all time at 5x10 seconds.
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 Paul Wells: re: eSailing
It begs the question have the National authorities like the RYA and World Sailing got so disconnected from their roots that they no longer represent grass roots but are obsessed with Olympics and other money spinners forgetting why their long term members supported them in their low-key beginnings, I joined the RYA in 1974 but wondered what they really do for me now.
Apart from sell me stuff. Sailing is so the opposite of what RYA and WS stand for.
More power to your editorial elbow!
* From Dave Hollom:
And I thought New Zealand would bring back some sort of sanity to the America's Cup?
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The Last Word
To fathom hell or soar angelic / Just take a pinch of psychedelic. -- Timothy Leary
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