In This Issue
German photographer Soren Hese wins the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award | Varuna Retires from the RORC Transatlantic Race | The Perfect Nautical Gift for all Seasons by Latitude Kinsale | Coweslip on display with the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh | Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar Competition | Industry News | 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
German photographer Soren Hese wins the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award
The international jury decided to honor German photographer Soren Hese and his surprising picture taken from a drone during the 5O5 German championships. Based in Berlin, Hese has been working as an independent photographer since 1990. "I am very proud because this contest is the absolute reference in yacht racing photography ", he said. "I took this picture using a time-motion-stack imaging concept, capturing the image basically as a time series from a quadrocopter. I found its graphical structure very interesting and also story telling, and so decided to submit it to the contest. I am very touched by this victory, against all those prestigious photographers. There were also so many major international events this year that I am really surprised to have won."
Tomas Moya wins the Yacht Racing Forum award, based on votes from the delegates of the Yacht Racing Forum and World Sailing's annual conference in Puerto Vallarta (MEX). Zita Kovacs wins the Public Award, based on votes by the public on the social networks.
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2017 winning picture - Soren Hese
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2017 - Top 10
1. Soren Hese (GER)
2. Dmitry Sharomov (RUS)
3. Sander van der Borch (NED)
4. Tobias Stoerkle (GER)
5. Pedro Martinez (ESP)
6. Nicolas Jutzi (SUI)
7. Cristina Balcells (ESP)
8. Marina Semenova (RUS)
9. Stephanie Billarant (FRA)
10. Elena Otekina (RUS)
Yacht Racing Forum award - Top 5
1. Tomas Moya
2. Sander van der Borch
3. Cristina Balcells
4. Martina Orsini
5. Chris Cameron
Public Award - Top 5
1. Zita Kovacs (HUN)
2. Max Ranchi (ITA)
3. Elena Otekina (RUS)
4. Pedro Martinez (ESP)
5. Gerald Coulon (FRA)
Varuna Retires from the RORC Transatlantic Race
In the early hours of Monday 27th November, Jens Kellinghusen's German Ker 56 Varuna was leading the charge north of the rhumb line in the RORC Transatlantic Race - the first leg of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta - and estimated to be leading the race after IRC time correction. On the YB Tracker, Varuna was observed to turn back towards the Canary Islands and contacted the RORC Race team to report that they had a structural problem.
"Crewman, Michi Mueller reported a problem on the starboard bow at 0520 GMT on Monday 27th November. Varuna was in 20 knots of wind, close hauled in two metre seas," commented Varuna's navigator, Mike Broughton via satellite phone. "We immediately bore away to ease the slamming on the hull and turned the boat downwind. There was water ingress on the starboard bow and we readied our liferafts and grab bags and contacted the RORC Race Team to report the problem. Meanwhile our two boat builders on board fixed a carbon floorboard over the problem area and held it in place with two perpendicular struts, which is holding very well. We are very disappointed to retire from the race and we are heading back to Lanzarote - all crew are well on board."
Meanwhile, Ludde Ingvall's Maxi CQS made short work of the transition zone to the south of the rhumb line, slowing down for just four hours before reaching fresh breeze from the north east. At 0900 GMT the third day of the race, the Australian 98ft canting maxi was enjoying downwind conditions in a moderate breeze, gybing to keep in the best pressure
Follow the fleet and watch the 2017 RORC Transatlantic Race unfold: Minisite: rorctransatlantic.rorc.org
The Perfect Nautical Gift for all Seasons by Latitude Kinsale
The 3D chart is the perfect Christmas gift that is appreciated for a lifetime! It ticks all of the boxes: it's personal, bespoke, it's art with a difference and it's relevant.
As a shared gift amongst a group/crew or simply a treat for yourself!
Check out the website today, talk to Bobby Nash about your commission. www.latitudekinsale.com
Any chart any where in the world !
Coweslip on display with the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh
The 15 foot, two-person keelboat is on loan to the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust and is now on display in Edinburgh for visitors to enjoy. Designed and built by legendary sailor Uffa Fox, the Flying Fifteen was launched in June 1949 and, in the words of Uffa, it was "a sensible, safe boat, that was fun to sail as well, for the rough and tumble of tidal waters around the UK".
Coweslip is the most famous of the Flying Fifteens keelboats, having been presented to Her Majesty The Queen and Prince Philip as a wedding present in 1949. Prince Philip frequently sailed on Coweslip with Uffa Fox and, together, they had great success sailing competitively, including winning the Britannia Cup in 1952 and in fact, in 1962 at Cowes, Coweslip nearly sank when she was hit by a gust of wind and capsized, throwing both Uffa and The Duke into the water.
Uffa Fox was born on the Isle of Wight and raised in East Cowes and was responsible for many of the developments which have contributed to the modern popularity of Dinghy sailing.
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/about/coweslip/
Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar Competition
Tonight's recommended watering hole is a new one for our competition:
Crab Shell of Stamford Connecticut, USA
Here's what makes it so great...
Customers
Is there a special drink they make? Care to share the recipe with us?
Wight Vodka ... soda ... cranberry ... lime
Otherwise knowns as the Cape Codder:
2 ounces Wight vodka
2 or 3 ounces cranberry juice cocktail
1/2 ounce lime juice
club soda
Collins glass
"Pour Wight vodka into a Collins glass, add cranberry juice cocktail, the juice of half a lime (some leave this out,) and a couple of ice cubes. Top off with club soda or seltzer (some leave this out, too, doubling the cranberry; we don't). Garnish, if you wish, with a slice of lime and/or a sprig of mint.
In the fullness of time, the preppy Cape Codder begat the even-preppier Madras (named, no doubt, after the favorite plaid of the Ivy League undergraduate, not the subcontinental city), which is prepared thusly: Mix 2 ounces vodka and 2 ounces OJ in a Collins glass, slip in a couple of ice cubes, and float 2 ounces of cranberry juice; serve with a stirrer and, if you wish, a wedge of lime (people like something to play with). In the fuller fullness of time, the Madras begat the Cosmopolitan" -- Esquire magazine
While you're contemplating your prep school days (or celebrating not having suffered any...) dig deep and help support the recovering marine industry in Caribbean. Stop by www.sailaiduk.com and don't be stingy!
Then tell us about YOUR favorite yachtie bar: scuttlebutteurope.com/sailors-bars
Industry News
NetComposites is pleased to announce the programme for the next edition of CompIC ME (Composites in Construction Middle East), an international conference taking place 14th- 15th February 2018 at the Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach, Dubai, UAE.
Sponsored by Scott Bader, the conference is being held amongst the composite flooded Dubai skyline, and will introduce and educate visitors on the current and future use of fibre reinforced composites in construction, detailing innovations and trends in architecture, smart, durable and cost effective buildings, modern day infrastructure, refurbishment and housing of the future.
The conference will close with a panel session which will question 'Who do we think we are?' Chaired by Julien Sellier of STRUCTeam, the panel session will look at the way the composites industry is portrayed by the construction industry, and how it can better market itself as an industry for this market.
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Zhik appoints Chairman and new CEO
Zhik CEO, David Crow (aka 'Crowie') and Zhik's Founding Director Brian Conolly take great pleasure announcing the following changes in the Zhik leadership structure, which reflect the company's rapid global growth and expansion.
The Zhik Board has promoted Crowie to the role of Chairman. He will transition into his new role over the next 3 months as Zhik brings on board its new CEO, Piet Poelmann. Mr. Poelmann will commence with Zhik on January 1st, 2018.
Piet has an extensive, 28-year background in water-based apparel and retail. He has been instrumental in building organisations in Europe and Australasia for brands such as O'Neill, Simmer Style, G-Star RAW and Tommy Hilfiger.
Zhik provides technology enabled performance apparel for dinghies, yachts, SUP, boarding or kayaking whilst still ensuring comfort, durability, safety and style and is available in over 48 countries and of course from www.zhik.com
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More than 270 delegates and experts from around the world gathered in Aarhus, Denmark, to discuss some of the sport's biggest opportunities and challenges at the tenth edition of the Yacht Racing Forum. There were different points of view aired and shared, and ideas to propagate from Denmark and back out to the wider world.
Giving the keynote speech to open the forum, Andy Claughton, former chief technology officer of Land Rover BAR, was not a fan of the 'slave ships' in the America's Cup, nor of the one-design elements of the Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race. However, others in the audience took Claughton to task on this, suggesting it would be better to have one-designs in a commercially viable Volvo Ocean Race than no race at all.
Ian Walker, reigning champion of the Volvo Ocean Race, spoke live to three current participants in the 2017/18 race including Blair Tuke, part of the leg-one winning crew on Mapre, the Spanish entry. Nick Bice the man in charge of keeping the Volvo Ocean 65s, said he hopes to see the Open 60 adopted for the next race, even though there has been a recent management change at the top of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Gary Jobson laid out the radical proposal for a showcase event, a 300 nautical mile non-stop offshore keelboat race for a two-person mixed crew in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Running complementary to that proposal is a plan to host an Offshore World Championship starting in 2019, again for a two-person mixed team.
No one does offshore adventure racing quite like the French, and they were out in force to present some of the latest and greatest plans for ambitious events of the future, including the Ultime Class, which is pushing forward with a series of events for these giant 100ft-plus high-performance multihulls.
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Alerion Yachts, the luxury daysailing brand renowned for its combination of stunning, traditional lines and modern sailing performance, is now owned by a marine industry veteran who brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the brand.
Peter Johnstone is the new Owner of Alerion Yachts. "It felt natural to do this," says Johnstone. "Alerion Yachts' timeless design and New England build quality are unmatched in the market. The Alerion style of sailing is perfectly suited for today's time constraints. They are uncomplicated, easy to sail, and simply beautiful. You only need an hour but it makes a lifetime worthwhile."
Johnstone has always felt a personal connection to the Alerion design aesthetic and brand. He enjoyed owning and sailing a classic Herreshoff 26' named Feather, a sistership to Nathanael Herreshoff's personal daysailer from 1912 named Alerion, which is the inspiration for the modern Alerion Yachts.
Alerion Yacht's builder will be Randy Borges, who has established a new factory in North Kingstown, RI, to produce Alerion Yachts exclusively.
Only eight Alerion Yachts will be built in 2018. The focus will be on producing extraordinary yachts by the finest craftsmen. The new Alerion Yachts model line-up consists of the five most in-demand models: the Alerion Express 20, 28, 30, 33 and 41. Sales are being handled by Peter Johnstone and Kristan McClintock of the Alerion Yachts sales team.
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3rd International Breakfast Meeting to be held at Dusseldorf
Next year's conference will focus on development in established and growing boating markets
Boot Dusseldorf and European Boating Industry (EBI) are to host the 3rd International Breakfast Meeting at next year's show on January 23 from 8:45 to 10:30.
The jointly organised breakfast conference will gather European and international experts and delegates from across the marine industry. The 2018 edition will focus on market developments in well-established boating countries such as France and the USA, as well as in emerging countries such as Colombia and South Korea.
A detailed programmed with a list of speakers will be announced soon.
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From 2 to 10 December, the International Paris Boat Show is exhibiting a whole range of highly diversified electric boats. Small Ruban Bleu river-based tripper boats, a jet-ski for those aged 8 and over, an Aquaelo kart, 4 to 12-seater boats designed by Alizee Electronique, a solar catamaran, and also Boat Home, live-aboard boats for inland waterways. Energy transition is up and running and electric propulsion is constantly progressing as batteries evolve.
The Electric-powered Boat of the Year Prize
An Electric-powered Boat of the Year Prize 2017 will be awarded by the AFBE on Saturday 9 December on the Nautic Stage. The winner will be elected by both visitors to the common space at the show and by a jury. A member of the Federation of Nautical Industries (FIN), the president of the AFBE and a journalist will make up the jury. The creation of a label for electric boats is also planned.
The French Electric Boat Association has the task of developing electric boat production and practice. For over twenty years, there have been technical emission-free solutions for getting out on the water without polluting either the water or the air. Indeed, the latest battery technologies developed for cars and public transport are making these solutions all the more high-performance and competitive. The AFBE has recorded a significant boost in the market regarding recreational beach craft and electric pleasure boats.
Electric propulsion can already replace thermal propulsion in numerous cases, as well as providing quiet, odour-free and non-polluting navigation for the very great delight of those on the water and those living beside it.
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 Euan Ross:
It's been a week since the announcement. The yachting community is certainly perplexed by the Kiwi's weapon of choice for the next America's Cup. It was estimated that more than 80% of us favoured a return to monohulls. But then, paraphrasing the old Yiddish curse, you do sometimes get what you wish for; and alas, on this occasion, we can't use our last wish to get our three wishes back.
Many thought the Cup might now be in safe hands, but of course it never has been, and it never will be. That indeed is the infuriating magic of the America's Cup. Dennis Conner nailed it with his quip about self-interest being intrinsic to the DNA of the competition. The record of TNZ as both challenger and defender is one of absolute ruthlessness. This is the team that developed rule-bending into an artform. It was inevitable that they should have nominated a platform that will play to their strengths.
With the limited time-frame, close interactive racing is only likely if the foils are a one-design element. But that presumably won't happen, as foil design and construction are particular TNZ strengths. This is perhaps a blessing. Boat-to-boat combat, involving bouncing off each other's virtual no-go diamonds, is basically an accident in waiting - the tacking dual in the TNZ simulation shows blades overlapping. Running though the consequences of potential failures and misjudgements, there's no end of unhappy endings. Dan Bernasconi, however, seems quite unfazed by what he has unleashed: Kill Bill Volume 3. No matter, the whole circus promises to be immensely entertaining.
Where I do take issue with the official pronouncements and press coverage, is the idea that the boats will be faster than the AC50s. While this may occur in a specific set of circumstances, its doubtful. In comparison with the efficient transitioning hullforms of an AC50, unsticking a flat-bottomed ballasted monohull and then dealing with the consequences of the sudden ramp up in wetted surface when touching-down must be harder; and can a T foil with a trim-tab really be faster than a variable angle L foil? The other issue I have is with the disingenuous assertion that this technology will trickle down to benefit family cruisers. That might conceivably be true for DSS-type foils, as stabilisers have made motor yachts more comfortable and efficient but, as for spicing up the annual cruise with this tool-box of gratuitous hazards, give us a break guys. No, the 36th cup-cycle will be another expensive design blind-alley.
* From Don Wood:
Why not put some way of including water ballast in the windward "arm / foil" when used as leverage otherwise the differential between its weight and that of the opposite one when in foiling "lift" mode will not be that significant.
In a pre start manoeuvre the water could then be "dumped" on the opposition as you tack away!
Why not have an open championship first for 1/3 size yachts built to the rule so everyone can have a go!
Correction
In last night's story about the World Women's Windsurfing Record... please note that it is unofficial. To date it has not been ratified by the WSSR Council.
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See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
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The Swan 75 Flush-Deck is a practical and seaworthy long range cruiser with a hi-volume four-cabin interior and spacious deck layout.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Giorgio Passarella
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
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Swan 68-004 Explotadot was originally launched in 1993 as ‘Solleone’ for the chairman of Nautor’s Swan. She was the first Swan 68 to feature four guest cabins with a galley forward arrangement, allowing greater separation from guests and crew.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Giorgio Passarella
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
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