In This Issue
Respite for the fleet as Team Brunel takes pole position
Greenslade Wins Bacardi Moth Bermuda National Championship
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Melges 24 European Sailing Series
Roepers, Plenty capture Farr 40 West Coast Championship off Cabrillo Beach
The World Sailing Show
Philippines entry TP52 Standard Insurance Centennial returns for the Rolex China Sea Race
ICRA EGM Adopts 'Interim' Constitution & Appoints New Executive
RORC appoints new Deputy Racing Manager
Vale Billy Barnett
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Rev. Ivan Stang
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
Respite for the fleet as Team Brunel takes pole position
Winds have moderated for a short period, giving a break to tired and battered bodies before the next Southern Ocean gale is forecast to hit the Volvo Ocean Race fleet early in the week
As the winds moderate to 20-25 knots on Sunday, the seven Volvo Ocean Race boats racing through the Southern Ocean towards Cape Horn are taking the opportunity to regroup before the next gale.
Bouwe Bekking's Team Brunel had taken a more northerly option over the past 36 hours compared to the bulk of the fleet and it appears to have paid off, with the yellow boat now sliding south in front of the pack with a 23-mile lead.
There is a group of three teams chasing - Dongfeng Race Team, Turn the Tide on Plastic and Vestas 11th Hour Racing, all within a couple of miles of each other and looking to close the gap. Team AkzoNobel, another proponent of the northern option is pushing to re-join the pack, but will struggle to slot in ahead of this group.
Earlier on Sunday morning, Brunel had led the fleet past Point Nemo, the most remote spot on the world's oceans. Point Nemo is nearly 1,400 nautical miles from the nearest land, meaning the closest people to the sailors, apart from their fellow competitors, are the astronauts on the International Space Station, some 220 nautical miles overhead.
Leg 7 Auckland to Itajaí
Positions at: 13:00 UTC 25 March 2018
1. Team Brunel, 3692.89 nm to leg finish
2. Vestas 11th Hour Racing, 23.20 nm to leader
3. Dongfeng Race Team, 24.71
4. Turn the Tide on Plastic, 25.48
5. Team AkzoNobel, 43.45
6. MAPFRE, 43.85
5. Team Sun Hung Kai / Scallywag, 138.21
Greenslade Wins Bacardi Moth Bermuda National Championship
Hamilton, Bermuda: Joshua Greenslade has won the Bacardi Moth Bermuda National Championship.
Racing for the championship was cancelled today due to very strong winds, so Greenslade won based on yesterday's results. Greenslade finished 1 point ahead of James Doughty while Benn Smith, the youngest competitor in the fleet at 18 years of age, was 11 points further back.
"It's a strange win, considering we only had three races, but it was fun," said the 27-year-old Greenslade who's a director of the Endeavour Community Sailing Program, a legacy of the America's Cup Endeavour program. Previously, Greenslade won national championships in the Optimist Class, 420 Class and match racing.
Racing was cancelled today because the wind on Great Sound was blowing a steady 25 knots with gusts approaching 40 knots. With the Bacardi Moth World Championship scheduled to begin Monday,
British sailor Paul Goodison, the favorite to win his third consecutive Moth world championship, won the regatta overall with the low score of 3 points. Another British sailor, Ben Paton, placed second and Matthew Chew of Australia was third. The Bermuda Nationals was an open regatta but the title of Bermuda National Champion could only be awarded to a Bermudian.
Bacardi Bermuda Moth National Championship Top Five Final Standings
(After 3 races)
1. Paul Goodison (U.K.) 1-1-1 - 3 points
2. Ben Paton (U.K.) 2-2-6 - 10
3. Matthew Chew (AUS) 6-5-3 - 14
4. Rome Kirby (USA) 3-3-10 - 16
5. Simon Hiscocks (U.K.) 7-8-2 - 17
Full results: www.regattatoolbox.com/results?eventID=siKmCuV6Ej
The Bacardi Moth Worlds first race is Monday March 26 at 1200 local time:
Seahorse April 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Design - Job done Last summer Turkey's Provezza Team added the Dragon world title to their trophy cabinet. Coach and technical co-ordinator Ron Rosenburg was there for every step of a long, ambitious, complex and faultlessly executed journey...
It gets no easier
Gentlemen and players... Rob Weiland
Seahorse build table - Flashing it up
And it's swanky new foils for an 'old' favourite
Tech Street: Pronto!
Tech Street: That was quick
RORC news
And a celebration of sorts! Eddie Warden-Owen
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Melges 24 European Sailing Series
Punta Ala, Italy - The northerly wind Maestrale is the king in the last day of racing in Punta Ala, where the first event of the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2018 has just come to an end. The Race Committee presided by PRO Alessandro Testa, with the logistical support of Yacht Club Punta Ala (YCPA), managed to make the fleet complete nine races, a full series that satisfied all the Melges 24 sailors and their hunger of wind after the long winter break.
After a tough duel that went on, tack after tack, until the last race of the series, Altea (ITA722, 3-1-4) by Andrea Racchelli managed to leave the Hungarian entry FGF Sailing Team (1-2-5 today) with Robert Bakoczy in helm at his back, gaining the first victory of the season.
The third step of the podium is occupied by Taki 4 (ITA778, 2-5-2) by Marco Zammarchi with helmsman Niccolo Bertola: the crew, already Corinthian World Champion in 2016 and 2017, also affirmed itself as leader of the Corinthian division in this event.
The Corinthian podium's second step is occupied by Gill Race Team (GBR694, 5-3-3) by Miles Quinton with helmsman Geoff Carveth, one of the historical members of the Melges 24 Class: after not having missed neither one event in the 2017 edition of the European Sailing Series, the English team is already demonstrating its wish to be among the leaders of the Class also in 2018. The Corinthian podium will be completed by the Akos Csolto's Seven-Five-Nine (HUN759, 6-4-7) that concludes the event in seventh position overall.
Full results: melges24.com
Roepers, Plenty capture Farr 40 West Coast Championship off Cabrillo Beach
Skipper Alex Roepers and the Plenty team have set the standard in the Farr 40 class while capturing consecutive world championships.
Plenty opened the 2018 campaign with another victory after getting all it could handle from longtime rival Struntje Light.
Roepers steered Plenty to first place finishes in five of seven races as the two-time defending world champs began the 2018 International Circuit by claiming the West Coast Championship, held out of Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club.
Veteran tactician Terry Hutchinson directed a typically strong crew effort as Plenty amassed a low score of 10 points, four better than runner-up Struntje Light. Trimmers Skip Baxter and Morgan Trubovich along with bowman Greg Gendell comprised the pro contingent on Plenty. Roepers is blessed with a strong group of amateurs in Chris Cowan, Mark Langford, Matt Mcdonough, Dimitri Simons and Jenn Wulff.
Plenty was pushed by skipper Wolfgang Schaefer and the Struntje Light team throughout the regatta, which began Wednesday and concluded Saturday. Renowned Italian professional Tommaso Chieffi called tactics for Schaefer, who won two races and placed second in four others.
Class representatives expect a healthy fleet for the Farr 40 North Americans, which have been pushed back one day and will now be held May 10-13 out of Long Beach Yacht Club.
2018 International Schedule
May 10-13, North American Championship, Long Beach Yacht Club
August 9 - 12, Chicago Yacht Club Verve Cup
October 3-9, World Championship, Chicago Yacht Club
The World Sailing Show
Smashing the record for the 14,000 mile trip from China to London was a seriously impressive achievement by Giovanni Soldini and crew. This month we ride with the Maserati team aboard their 70ft trimaran as they take on The Great Tea Race that dates back more than 150 years.
We head to Antigua where simply finishing this year's Caribbean 600 was an achievement and to New Zealand were stress levels went through the roof in the Volvo Ocean Race.
We also visit the world's biggest dinghy show to find out how foiling may no longer be the preserve of professionals. Plus, the latest from the Extreme Sailing Series and the America's Cup.
- Racing home for tea: Maserati's impressive new record
- America's Cup news
- Caribbean 600: A big blast and records tumble
- Foiling for all at the dinghy show
- Extreme Sailing Series kicks off
- Volvo Ocean Race Leg 6: High stress into Auckland
Philippines entry TP52 Standard Insurance Centennial returns for the Rolex China Sea Race
A regular fixture in the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's offshore races, Standard Insurance Centennial owned by Philippines businessman and President of the Philippine Sailing Association Ernesto "Judes" Echauz is taking part in what will be his twelfth Rolex China Sea Race. Judes' first race was in 1994 in which he sailed with Nestor Soriano on board the X-119 Lethal Weapon. He has only missed one crossing in 2002 and his best results were in the 2008 and 1998 editions taking the overall win, on his previous boat Sydney 46 Subic Centennial.
Judes is yet to take the overall win on his Davidson TP52, but persevering to get the title back this year will be Standard Insurance Centennial's 14 man crew representing Filipino national athletes. The majority of the crew hails from the Philippine Sailing Association and comprises of a variety of dinghy coaches and sailors from various classes including Lasers, 420s and 470s.
Standard Insurance Centennial will join the 29 strong fleet and 300+ crews for the 29th edition of the Rolex China Sea Race with the ten minute warning signal firing at 1110hrs on 28 March.
The Notice of Race for the 2018 Rolex China Sea Race starting on 28 March 2018 is available online at www.rolexchinasearace.com
ICRA EGM Adopts 'Interim' Constitution & Appoints New Executive
Last night's ICRA egm has removed a lot of uncertainty for the future direction of the cruiser racer body that was formally recast under new officers and an 'interim' constitution at its Portlaoise pow wow.
After months of turbulence for the voluntary organisation, the make-up of its executive and the location of its national championships was confirmed to the 26 members who attended the EGM.
A new 'interim' constitution was also adopted until a more comprehensive document can be tabled at the Autumn conference and agm.
The meeting also confirmed it's 'full steam ahead' for the National Championships to be hosted by Galway Bay Sailing Club in August, the first time the event will be sailed in Galway Bay.
ICRA Executive nominations were received and a new executive appointed under Commodore Simon McGibney and Vice Commodore Richard Colwell. The Hon Secretary is Cxema Pico, and the Hon. Treasurer is John Leech.
The 2018 ICRA executive is:
Simon McGibney (Commodore)
Richard Colwell (Vice Commodore)
Cxema Pico (Hon Secretary)
Colin Morehead (Training)
John Leech Hon (Hon Treasurer)
Rob McConnell / Cxema Pico (Communications)
Richard Morris (Strategic Planning)
Peter Ryan (ISORA)
Mark Mills (Techinical)
Kieran O'Connell
Finbarr O'Regan
Rory Carberry (Irish Sailing Board Member)
RORC appoints new Deputy Racing Manager
The Royal Ocean Racing Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Thubron to the post of Deputy Racing Manager. Thubron brings to the team a wealth of experience in yacht racing, both as a skipper of successful racing teams whilst working as a professional skipper managing racing and charter yachts, and as the organiser of major events whilst working for his previous employer, the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Thubron has competed in numerous RORC races both in the UK and abroad and achieved success at National and International level including Cowes Week, Cork Week, Antigua Sailing Week, the Swan European Regatta and, additionally, class wins in the Rolex Swan World Cup, Rolex Fastnet Race, RORC Caribbean 600 and RORC Season's Points Championships.
Whilst at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Thubron successfully delivered an extensive sailing programme of multiple regattas, club races and major events that included the Match Cup, One Ton Cup, Hamble Classics, J/70 European Championship and J/80 World Championship. He was additionally responsible for managing the club's 60-berth Prince Philip Yacht Haven along with RIB berths, dry sailing berths, dinghies and river pontoons.
RORC Chief Executive Eddie Warden Owen is delighted to welcome Thubron to the RORC Race Team: "Tim brings with him in-depth knowledge and experience that will be valuable to the management and development of the extensive RORC race programme. He is very much a team player and is looking forward to being part of our young race management team."
Commenting on his appointment, Thubron says: "Having participated in numerous RORC races all around the world over the last 20 years, I am now very much looking forward to the opportunity to work with a first class Race Management Team delivering the highest quality of racing to competitors."
Vale Billy Barnett
Billy Barnett, OAM, the legendary Sydney Harbour boat builder and 18ft skiff champion, has died in his 103rd year. The funeral will be held on Tuesday 27 March at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium in the North Chapel and a wake will follow at the Sydney Flying Squadron from 1-5pm.
Barnett won the Australian 18ft skiff championship four times in different boats he designed and built between 1948 and 1955 and in a stellar 1950-51 season with Myra Too won everything: club, Port Jackson, NSW, Australian championships and the J.J.Giltinan international championship.
Besides 18ft skiffs, Barnett built championship-winning Dragon and 5.5 metre class keelboats and the America's Cup challengers Dame Pattie and Gretel II.
As a boat builder, he was renowned for speed and accuracy and the durability of his craft. He built champion surfboats that were tough enough to withstand collisions and groundings on rocks.
An early superannuation payout from Shell enabled Barnett to buy the land on the Berry's Bay waterfront where he built his house and boatshed. He started building 16ft and 18ft skiffs and tapped a profitable new market in surf boats.
We went on to build 10 Dragon one-design keelboats, enjoying the challenge of their intricate construction and sailing one of them, named Cynthia after his daughter, to win a NSW championship. He built four International 5.5 Metre and two International 6 Metre class boats and the two America's Cup challenger 12 Metres.
He sailed in the afterguard of Jock Sturrock's crew in Dame Pattie's 1967 America's Cup challenge. -- Bob Ross
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The Last Word
Give me Slack, or give me Apache helicopters, Sidewinder Missiles and nuclear warheads. -- Rev. Ivan Stang
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