In This Issue
Volvo Ocean Race fleet departs Guangzhou |
Hong Kong-London: Maserati Multi 70 Off The Coast Of Namibia |
Harken Exhibits at Helsinki Boat Show February 9 - 18 |
Warren Jones International Youth Regatta |
Dobson Bags Another Tiger |
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
Volvo Ocean Race fleet departs Guangzhou
The Volvo Ocean Race fleet slipped lines at the Nansha Marina in Guangzhou, China on Monday morning in preparation for Leg 6 to Auckland, New Zealand, which will start this Wednesday following a short stop in Hong Kong.
The Guangzhou stopover marked the fourth time the Volvo Ocean Race has stopped in China over the past 10 years, beginning with the Olympic sailing venue of Qingdao in the 2008-09 edition. Subsequent races have visited Sanya (2011-12 and 2014-15) and now the current race is in the Hong Kong SAR and Guangzhou, China for the first time.
Six teams in the Volvo Ocean Race fleet are scheduled to cross the starting line off Hong Kong for Leg 6 to Auckland on Wednesday February 7 at 1300 local time (0500 UTC), although strong winds are forecast which may push the start time earlier to get the fleet away ahead of the big breeze. Race Management will confirm the start time within the next 24 hours.
The seventh team, Vestas 11th Hour Racing, has announced it will miss Leg 6, following a collision with a non-racing vessel at the end of Leg 4. The team has already missed the Leg to Guangzhou.
Hong Kong-London: Maserati Multi 70 Off The Coast Of Namibia
This morning Maserati Multi 70 is sailing 250 miles off the coast of Namibia at 22° S, the latitude of Walvis Bay, whose lagoon is a worldwide famous spot for sailing speed records on flat waters.
Always with the wind astern, the crew had to make a couple of jibes to gain ground towards north. After the beautiful breezes of the last 48 hours, this morning, end of the eighteenth day of navigation, they had to pass through a lighter wind bubble.
At 8.48 UTC, Maserati Multi 70 is 2,000 miles from the Equator if it were to pass it at longitude 15° W, but 2.400 miles considering meridian 25° W. It's always the same question: where to cross the doldrums zone?
The lead on the record holder has grown up to 1,200 miles.
Remember that Lionel Lemonchois had to stop 48 hours in Port Elisabeth before passing Good Hope, to let a winter depression pass.
There are less than 5,250 miles on the theoretical route.
Harken Exhibits at Helsinki Boat Show February 9 - 18
Come see what's new at Harken at Sail Tech OY, booth 5659.
Showcased will be Element, a line of quality forged-aluminum blocks that are value-priced, a high-efficiency ceramic mainsheet system for one-handed trimming on Grand-Prix catamarans, the Small Boat Continuous Line Drive furler that harnesses the power of free-flying sails on sport boats and performance cats, 57 mm Power3 ratchet blocks with three holding-power options for one-design sailors, the Reflex 3 top-down furler for boats 14 - 18 m (46 - 60′), and the Flatwinder, a low-profile powered block for mainsheet traveler adjustment on monohulls and catamarans.
The knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer all your technical questions and show you around. Harken AT THE FRONT.
Warren Jones International Youth Regatta
Harry Price and his Down Under Racing Team crew of Murray Jones, Corey Hamilton, Matt Stenta and Cam Seagreen won the 2018 Warren Jones Inter-national Youth Regatta in fairly convincing fashion in the fading light on Perth Waters.
Finals day begun in the same pattern as the whole week with light and flukey Easterly's delaying any action until mid afternoon on a hot and humid Perth day. The semi-final heats were shortened accordingly to the best of 2 match-es.
Before the final matches the breeze took a big shift to the S/SW and increased to a more acceptable 8 - 10 knots, much to the relief of a big fleet of spectators and support boats surrounding the short stadium type course in Perth Waters. The Finals were also shortened to the first to 2 points as the light started to fade in the late afternoon.
In the Petit-Final George Anyon (RNZYS) faced Mark Spearman (RFBYC) which turned out to be a bit one sided in favour of the local team skippered by Mark Spearman.
The Grand Final was set up for a race off between the highest ranked teams at this years Warren Jones International Youth Regatta. In the short two lap course Price extended on each leg and was easily able to off load his penalty and go on to win by three boat lengths.
On match point Harry Price again got penalised in the pre-start giving Will Boulden a glimpse of a come-back. However as before Price won the start and led away upwind through the traffic, which included the heavily laden vessel 'Dampier' full of the non-competing teams and their friends.
Price appeared to have much better speed upwind and was able to control his opponent to open up a good lead at the final top mark. Gliding down to the finish on the final run, Will Boulden did manage to close the gap but Harry Price was able to drop his kite and off load his penalty just before the finish line and cross to win the Warren Jones International Youth Regatta for the first time. -- Jonny Fullerton on behalf of Swan River Sailing
Final Standings:
1. Harry Price, Murray Jones, Corey Hamilton, Matt Stenta, Cam Seagreen Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
2. Will Boulden, Alister Young, Alex Negri, Emerson Carlberg, Peron Pearce, Will Drew Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
3. Mark Spearman, Luke Elliot, Rome Featherstone, Damien Garbowski, James Stewart Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
4. George Anyon, Taylor Balough, Tim Snedden, Connor Mashlan, Bradley McLaughlin Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
www.facebook.com/WarrenJonesRegatta/
Dobson Bags Another Tiger
Click on image for photo gallery.
Ian Dobson and Richard Wagstaff rumbled their way to victory in their Fireball at the Tiger Trophy, the sixth event in this season's GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series. The forecast for Rutland Water was changing by the day during the build-up to the weekend, with Saturday looking unsailable due to too much breeze. Come the day, however, and a lack of breeze halted any prospect of racing.
Instead principal race officer David Wilkins, having canvassed the views of the sailors on Saturday, canned Sunday's usual pursuit race in favour of the three back-to-back handicap races around a trapezoid course which had originally been scheduled for the Saturday.
The breeze dropped off to a more steady 10 to 15 knots for the final heat, and this proved to be the deciding battle for overall honours. Indeed the top three in this race took the top three places overall. Dobson and Wagstaff won the race and won the Tiger Trophy by a single point ahead of the next two who were tied for second overall. It's exactly five years ago that Dobson last won the Tiger, when he raced a Fireball in 2013, crewed on that occasion by Sam Brearey.
Trophy Winners
John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Ian Dobson and Richard Wagstaff ( Fireball, Burwain SMVC)
Tony Everard Trophy (Lowest score over 3 races without discard) Ralph and Sophie Singleton (RS 800, Datchet SC)
Shere Khan Trophy (Oldest Helm over 60) Dave Hall (Fireball, Blackwater SC)
Lady Tiger Trophy (First finishing all girl crew) Megan Ferguson and Bettine Harris (420, Frensham Pond Sailing Club)
John Merricks Junior Trophy (Under 16 on first day of event) Dylan McPherson and Andrew Stuart (420, Burnham SC)
John Merricks Youth Trophy (Under 19 on 31st Dec 2017) Nick Robins and Bill Vennis-Ozanne, 29er, Hayling Island SC)
Tiger Club Trophy (Sailing Club with the most entries other than Host ) Grafham SC
Class Prizes (highest finishing from classes with 6 or more entries:
Laser - Alistair Goodwin (12th, Haversham SC)
Solo - Charlie Cumbley (23rd, Warsash SC)
420 - Alex Colquitt and Rebecca Coles (15th, West Kirby SC)
There's just one event to go in this season's GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series. The Oxford Blue takes place on Saturday 17 February at Farmoor Reservoir. With almost 80 boats already entered, the event is filling up quickly.
Hong Kong Yacht Club seeks Boatyard Manager
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club is looking for a high caliber individual to fill the post of Boatyard Manager which will become vacant in May 2018.
This is a Head of Department position reporting directly to the General Manager. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating, overseeing and managing the day-to-day repair and maintenance activities of what is a very busy yard. Whilst technical knowledge, leadership skills and management experience are all very important criteria, it will be equally important that the successful candidate has a positive, proactive attitude and shows good interpersonal and communication skills with members and staff alike.
- Review current practices, procedures and policies and make recommendations for any improvements that are required in the short, medium and long terms.
- Ensure the appropriate resources are in place to support and facilitate the yard activities in a safe, cost effective, professional, environmental and sustainable way.
- Lead a team of workers and sub-contractors to handle the day-to-day boat repair and maintenance works for both large and small racing and cruising yachts, and the club's fleet of race management and support boats.
- Set up, implement and review maintenance programs for the boat fleet under repair.
- Provide technical advice and recommendations and prepare quotations on repairs and improvement works for members on their yachts.
- Proactively update members on the progress of any work being carried out in the yard.
- Prepare forecasts and budgets for the yard operation and report on monthly performance.
- Perform ad-hoc duties as assigned.
We look for an experienced professional with:
- Vocational/Technical School Certificate in related disciplines.
- Minimum 10 years' experience in managing a yard or in a similar yachting environment.
- Practical and proven knowledge in repair and maintenance of modern racing and cruising yachts.
- Excellent time-management and facilitation skills with the ability to supervise work in the agreed order of priorities.
- Sound management skills with an ability to manage, motivate and lead the whole boatyard team (including workers and sub-contractors) to achieve the desired result.
- Strong communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
- Problem solving skills along with experience in costing, quality control, health and safety and environmental aspects.
- A natural commitment to achieving customer satisfaction from all work carried out by the yard.
- Proficiency in MS Office applications.
- Good command of written and spoken English.
We offer an attractive remuneration and excellent fringe benefits package to the right candidate. Interested parties should submit a comprehensive CV together with expected salary to the Human Resources Manager, RHKYC, Kellett Island, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong or email
Industry News
Gill North America Ltd, the US leader in technical marine clothing, has been acquired by the worldwide brand Gill, as the business pursues ambitious expansion plans.
Gill today announced that the British parent company has acquired Gill North America Ltd. The acquisition, for an undisclosed amount, is part of Gill's ambitious growth strategy, developed since the company was purchased from Nick Gill by YFM Equity Partners in late 2013. The move is also part of the wider plans designed to strengthen its brand position in the marine apparel market and continue the significant growth seen in 2017.
Gill North America Ltd is the leading marine brand in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, with annual revenues in excess of US$8 million. The deal will see the company's combined annual turnover increase to more than GBP £20 million, with the US making up 33% of the Gill worldwide portfolio.
Gill North America Ltd previously operated independently under a distribution agreement but will now be an integrated part of the Gill global brand, delivering benefits through expansive markets, new product development, cost synergies, centralized digital platforms, shared operations and customer service.
David Pritchard will continue as Senior Vice President (SVP) of Gill North America, reporting directly to Jamie Tunnicliffe
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The Cruising Association (CA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Peta Stuart-Hunt as its new Press & PR Manager with immediate effect. Peta joins the CA team with an impressive track record having served for many years as Press Officer for Cowes Week and the last seven years as Press Officer for the Round the Island Race.
Over her 30+ years working in PR and Marketing in the leisure marine arena, Peta has worked with most of the best known brands and events in the business and also on behalf of sailing charities including RYA Sailability and the Even Keel Project. More recently, Peta has been involved with the Andrew Simpson Foundation and Bart's Bash and now, as a founding Trustee, handles PR & Marketing for the Charity Sail Aid UK, that is helping to fund regeneration projects in the wake of the 2017 hurricanes that devastated so many of the Caribbean islands.
Peta's role for the CA includes day-to-day responsibility for all media enquiries, news and features and managing the CA's social media campaign. She will also look after media and PR requirements in support of the CA's presence at boat shows and contribute to in-house communications including the quarterly magazine Cruising.
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On the occasion of the opening of the Gothenburg boat show, Pelle P and Alinghi are pleased to announce that they have entered into a collaborative partnership. The agreement covers a first period of minimum three years.
As official supplier to the Team, Pelle P will provide Alinghi with sailing and leisure wear and will be in charge of producing a replica range of Alinghi merchandising products.
Full collection to be released in Spring 2018.
pellepetterson.com
alinghi.com
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The Iowa-based Meredith Corporation, through its purchase of Time Inc, has returned to the boating publishing market after an absence of 28 years.
Meredith previously published the world's largest yachting title, Sail magazine, which at that time had a monthly circulation in excess of 170,000 copies but was divested as a "non-core" title in 1990.
Sail was subsequently acquired by the Cahners division of Reed International, which already owned Power & Motoryacht magazine.
Times have changed at Meredith, which has diversified from its traditional focus on US women and home interest titles to owning TV stations and now, with its latest acquisition, to an involvement in the international publishing scene across numerous sectors. The newly enlarged Meredith Corporation will have annual revenues in excess of US$5bn.
The US$2.8bn deal to purchase Time Inc, which completed on Tuesday, means that the four British marine magazine titles Yachting World, Yachting Monthly, Practical Boat Owner and Motor Boat and Yachting will now come under Meredith's imprint as will another 45 of Time Inc's British-based publications and websites covering a wide variety of subject matter.
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Tuesday, January 30, 2018 (Miami, FL): YachtWorld, the world's largest network for brokers and buyers of luxury vessels and yachts, has launched a partnership with Marinalife, the most extensive web directory of marina information, to power a membership-based program that connects boaters to a North American community of experts and resources to enhance their yacht ownership.
Partnering with Marinalife allows YachtWorld to serve its captivated audience in a capacity beyond searching for the boats of their dreams. Called the YachtWorld Ensign Society, users can join the largest marina services provider in North America with a discounted membership fee and receive year-round benefits that complement the needs of their yachting lifestyle.
YachtWorld, the world's largest network for brokers and buyers of luxury vessels and yachts With an average of 110,000 listings, offers customers websites in 13 different languages, boats in 140 different countries, and the world's largest broker-to-broker MLS with over 60,000 boats available for co-brokerage.
www.yachtworld.com
www.marinalife.com/ensignsociety
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North Sails today announced that Quinten (Quinny) Houry has resigned from Doyle Palma and has joined North Sails. Furthermore, Doyle Palma informed North Sails that they have given notice to Doyle Sails International LTD to terminate their license agreement. The former Doyle Palma business will become a wholly owned loft within the North Sails Group once the 90 days notice period has been completed.
Quinny is part of dynamic team of experts including Fiona Bruce and Russell Thom, all of whom are amongst the leaders in their fields within the Superyacht community. The consolidation of operations, personnel, and expertise in Palma strengthens North Sails presence in the heart of the European Superyacht community.
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 Guy Knowell:
David Witt, skipper, Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, on raising the profile of sailing in the region: "Let's not forget we had two Asian teams running first and second in Leg 4 of the Volvo Ocean Race and I think that's a great indication of the interest and the growth of the sport here in Asia and I think you'll see more of that in the future."
Nonsense.
Scallywag consists of Aussies, a Cloggie (don't we know it!), some Poms and a Portuguese. Nobody remotely Asian and definitely nobody 'Hong Kong'.
Dongfeng has one Chinese on board, a platoon of Frenchmen, some Kiwis, Aussies, Cloggies and one Swiss.
Presumably 'nationality' these days is determined by bank accounts and not by crew. Sad.
Sailing is becoming more and more like horse racing - buy a horse, pay a trainer and a jockey to do the actual work, collect the trophy, and take the credit. Madness.
Featured Brokerage
1999 Swan 56. 445,000 EUR. Located in Izola, Slovenia.
Mensae, a superb Swan 56 is well known in the New England and West Indies area, can either cruise in comfort or head offshore both in cruising, and casual racing.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Jeremy Peek
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
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2008 GP42 - SILVA NEO. 310000 EUR. Located in Hamble, UK.
Extremely competitive 40 ft IRC and ORC contender. Full inventories for both rule and has had extensive refits over the past two years.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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Ben Cooper
+44 (0) 1590 679 222
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1992 Swan 68-002 Defiance. 650,000 EUR. Located in San Giorgio di Nogaro, Italy.
Her classic lines and cruising capabilities are the emblem of this ever lasting Swan model. Winner of the Swan Cup in 2000 and Antigua Race Week in 2001, 'Defiance' is a sea-kindly and fast performance cruiser that has a regatta winning pedigree.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Giorgio Passarella
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
http://nautorswanbrokerage.com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
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