In This Issue
Olympic Sailing - an important perspective
Clipper Race 9 Day 25: Points And Positions Up For Grabs
Getting Organised - International Maxi Association
Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail: 11-14 June 2018
United Nations of Antigua Sailing Week
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Formidable line-up for first GC32 World Championship
RORC Transatlantic Race
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: James Comey
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
Olympic Sailing - an important perspective
Just to put it in historical time warp I was a World Sailing Vice President 1976-1994 and President from 1994-2004 representing Canada and the RCYC as well as Olympic Technical Delegate from L.A. 1984 - Athens 2004.
World Sailing is now going thru a major reassessment of Olympic Classes where the major focus is on "Technology" not "Talent". (Editor's note: the daunting expense of newer boats like the 49er prohibits many sailors from participating.)
In the History of Olympic Sailing we were very clever in picking equipment that allowed different sizes of sailors to compete and with different talents. Sailing is a weight sensitive sport.Other sports like Boxing or Wrestling had weight classes where you had to weigh in.
Sailing cleverly accomplished it by picking the equipment.Olympic Single handers had Windsurfing that for the men was up to 70 kilos, Laser up to 85 Kilos Finn for over 85 Kilos. Brilliant concept.
We also had Doublehanders that appealed to different sizes and shapes and even gymnasts with trapezes.470 M and W had small skippers with medium weight gymnastic crews.
We then cleverly had Keelboats where all the heroes gravitated to after graduating from the FD and the Finn. I sailed the Star at 75 kilos and my crew was 90 kilos.Then we had the 3 personYngling for women.It also cleverly allowed sailors to compete at different ages as Sailing is a "Sport for Life".
Long before the IOC decided to have "Gender Equity" if you add up the medals Sailing had the same number of Medals awarded for Women as for Men. 3 person women Keelboat offset the Heavyweight Men and the two person Star both were the Class organizations, which all classes emulated and were the foundation of Sailing.
Sailing never got credit for being way ahead of the IOC on Gender Equity.
Sailing had also gone from only 20% women in Savannah 1996 to over 40% in Athens 2008 by cleverly picking the classes.
This program also had the result of having strong well-administered International Class organizations thattranscended international borders that developed a very good stable regatta circuit such as Hyeres, Miami. CORK,
Medemblik, Kiel, Palma, Melbourne, Qingdao and on on and on.
Sailing also demanded stability so to change a class was very difficult, as the Countries had developed their athletes.
Changing classes shifts the focus to the wealthy countries and destroys the sailors' dream of being Olympians.
Then disaster strikes as those in control, some from other sports, decided that they knew better and are focused on"technology not talent" and new monopoly driven equipment is sold that change is what our traditional sport needs. Every new equipment gimmick has tried to swing on sailing to become Olympic and ride on that largesse.
Let them ride on their own merits not destroy our sport which is happening.
The sailors have become only the jockeys not the raison d'etre of Sailing. Olympics must be for the athlete.Sadly the IOC is complicit in this destruction, in fact the leaders.
I challenge the sailors to take our sport back although it may already be too late.
Regards,
Paul Henderson A Very Old Proud Olympian
Clipper Race 9 Day 25: Points And Positions Up For Grabs
After 25 days and approximately 5,000 nautical miles, amazingly there is little separating the top teams in the final stages of the race across the mighty North Pacific Ocean to Seattle.
Sanya Serenity Coast and Unicef both emerged from 48 hours of Stealth Mode with just 26 nautical miles between them. Whilst the results of the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint won't be known until the final team has finished, Sanya Serenity Coast Skipper Wendy Tuck thinks Unicef is more likely to have picked up crucial bonus points, saying: "Here we are again back out of Stealth Mode. I don't like our chances for the Elliot Brown Ocean Sprint, I think those behind will have better winds. It also looks like maybe Unicef choose to bear off and ran with it to use a kite and go for speed, so we are not holding our breath over this one."
Qingdao is due to come out of Stealth Mode at 1200 UTC today and whilst Skipper Chris Kobusch wasn't giving much away about his team's position and progress, he does admit it is shaping up to be a close finish.
The light winds are due to arrive on Thursday, with the small ridge along the coast to possibly make life difficult for teams close to the finish line. However, it's a different story for the boats to the west. Though the east moving system will create a light and shifty patch on Wednesday, a solid south-south-westerly/south-westerly will drive them home to the finish line.
The latest Estimated Arrival Times into Seattle can also be found on the Clipper Race Website. The fleet was originally expected to finish the 5,600nm Race 9: The Race to the Emerald City from Qingdao to Seattle and arrive into Bell Harbor Marina between Saturday 14 and Thursday 19 of April, but conditions in the early part of the race means the boats are now expected between Thursday 19 and Saturday 21 April.
Getting Organised - International Maxi Association
Welcome... to the first of a new regular Seahorse column aimed at keeping sailors informed about the thriving world of Maxi racing.
As this is the first column, I would like to clarify some common misconceptions.
Back in 1980/81 when the International Class A Yacht Association (ICAYA) was formed things were in a way much simpler. Almost all serious international yacht racing was conducted under the International Offshore Rule (IOR), making it the obvious system to adopt. A group of five founder members who enjoyed racing in the wonderful waters of the Costa Smeralda started the organisation with the primary purpose of promoting racing Maxi yachts… but also as a somewhat exclusive social club.
Over the past nearly 40 years many things have changed. The demise of the IOR meant a change of name in 2000 to our current title: the International Maxi Association. We now co-ordinate a variety of rules that apply to a very diverse fleet of large yachts – which has evolved to a rather confusing set of sub-divisions of fleets and categories. Maxi life is far more varied today than back in the days of IOR when famous raceboats like Kialoa and Windward Passage were the undisputed alpha males. -- Andrew McIrvine, Secretary General, International Maxi Association
Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail: 11-14 June 2018
A special 3-day jamboree of sail building up to the Suhaili 50 Falmouth Parade of Sail to mark the 50th Anniversary of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's departure to become the first man to sail solo non-stop around the Globe back in 1968/9.
14th June marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most significant small boat sailing achievements during the last Century. It was the day that Robin Knox-Johnston set out from Falmouth at the start of the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in an attempt to become the first man to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation. Sir Robin was the sole finisher, leaving behind him a trail of broken boats and spirits. The 30,000 mile voyage in his sturdy 32ft yacht Suhaili took 312 days, and Sir Robin returned to Falmouth on April 22 1969 to be feted as a modern hero of our times.
The 3-day commemorative event, organised by the Falmouth Town Team and the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club where Sir Robin first stepped ashore on his return, promises to be quite a spectacle.
Sir Robin will sail in to Falmouth aboard Suhaili on Monday 11th June. She will be joined by two other historic solo circumnavigators, Sir Francis Chichester's Gipsy Moth IV, and Sir Alec Rose's Lively Lady, together with the entire fleet of 2018 Golden Globe Race yachts and skippers who will be setting out from Falmouth on 14th June on the first stage of a 50th anniversary race around the Globe. All yachts will be moored at the Falmouth Haven Marina and a series of exhibitions and talks are planned in the town's creative venues during the 3-day event.
For advice on moorings telephone +44 (0)1326 310990 Email: and https://www.falmouthhaven.co.uk
For advice on accommodation go to: www.falmouth.co.uk
www.falmouth.co.uk/falmouth-events/suhaili-falmouth/
United Nations of Antigua Sailing Week
More than 100 boats registered from 30 countries worldwide and crews from many more will be taking part in a nine-day festival of thrilling racing and fun-filled shoreside events that is Antigua Sailing Week. Over a thousand competitors will experience the world class sailing grounds of Antigua, joined by thousands more party-goers ashore, soaking up the sunshine and legendary atmosphere of Antigua Sailing Week, the Caribbean's longest running regatta.
Over 70 yachts will be racing in the CSA Classes and winning skippers of the famous Lord Nelson Trophy will be competing, including two from Antigua; Sir Hugh Bailey with Rebel and Jonty Layfield with Sleeper X. Sir Peter Harrisons' 115ft British superyacht Sojana won the Lord Nelson Trophy in 2011 and is back this year to defend their 2017 win in CSA1.
Speed machines abound including American Volvo 70 Warrior, Brazilian Soto 65 Camiranga, British Cookson 50 Riff Raff and German Carkeek 47 Black Pearl. HH42 JV Power of Love will be helmed by Antigua Sailing Week veteran Richard Matthews and Jeremy Thorp's British GP42 Phan will be making its debut. Luxury ocean going yachts include two well matched Oyster 82s, Starry Night of the Caribbean and Zig Zag. British Swan 82 Stay Calm, American CNB76 Sapphire, Lithuanian Volvo 60 Ambersail and German Swan 56 Latona will also be racing.
The CSA racing fleet has a huge variety of professional and corinthian sailors young and old. Teenage skippers include Briton Louie Neocleous, racing Beneteau Oceanis 55 Julia. Antigua National Sailing Academy's Jules Mitchell racing 1720 NSA Spirit will have a wonderful battle with the Greig City Academy Team, whose crew will be made up of 14-17 year old pupils from the North London school. Last year's CSA 7 winning skipper Robbie Ferron returns, this time at the helm of the modified 6 Metre Biwi Magic, and 2017 CSA 9 winner Rodney Dodd is back with Jeanneau 54 Blue Fin.
In the Bareboat Division, Antigua Sailing Week's Official Exclusive Sponsor Dream Yacht Charter has all but sold out of yachts for the regatta; just one Dufour 405 remains available in Antigua. Assisted by KH+P Charter, 12 German teams make up the biggest entry by country, including Thomas Sparrer's KH+P Kadans which will be defending their 2017 win in Bareboat 1. Cannon & Harvey's American KHS&S Contractors won the Dream Yacht Charter Trophy last year; the Florida based team will be returning and hope to win another
The Multihull Class will feature some ballistic racing this year. Robert Szustkowsk's Polish HH66 R-Six is back to defend their 2017 win in Multihull 1 and face stiff opposition from Seamus Hourihan's American Gunboat 55 Thirst, Fredrik Moe's Jamaican Gunboat 60 Moementum and Anthony McVeigh's brand new GF51 2 2 Tango. Last year's Multihull 2 winner, John Streicker's American Leopard 45 Spellbound will also be returning.
Racing kicks off with the stand-alone Peters & May Round Antigua Race on Saturday 28 April followed by six days of Antigua Sailing Week.
Seahorse May 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Foils first
When the creator of the original televised grand prix skiff series Bill Macartney went looking for a new game he told his 'creative partners' Morrelli & Melvin to give him a big set of foils, a powerful rig... and only then some trick hulls to float it all
Easier than ever?
Almost certainly not... argues Brian Hancock
Never a dull moment
Carlos Pich sits down with our favourite maverick designer Juan Kouyoumdjian
Happy birthday
Sam Davies is no longer casting around to find backing for her third Vendee Globe programme
Giving up the weave
Non-woven external finishes have moved into mainstream sailmaking
Twenty years and counting
It's really been that long since Wally - and Wally style - burst on the scene... The best large yachts would never look the same again
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Formidable line-up for first GC32 World Championship
A record-sized fleet of foiling catamarans is set to descend on Lake Garda in northern Italy at the end of next month where crews from across the globe will fight to become the first ever World Champion in the GC32 one design foiling catamaran class. This first official World Championship has come about following studious work by the GC32 International Class Association to gain itself 'World Sailing recognition' which it achieved last autumn.
The 15 boat fleet competing off Riva del Garda over 23-27 May represents the coming together of the two GC32 circuits: The GC32 Racing Tour, which comprises five events in top venues for foiling across southern Europe and the Extreme Sailing Series - an eight-stop global Stadium Racing championship, starting in Oman and finishing in Mexico.
This first World Championship will feature all the titans of the GC32 class. From the Extreme Sailing Series this will include season winners - SAP Extreme Sailing Team, which came out on top in 2017 with Adam Minoprio steering and Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi, winner in 2016. Others include Oman Air, helmed by Phil Robertson, winner of the last year's GC32 Championship in Muscat.
On the ascent will be Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher's Red Bull Sailing Team with America's Cup skipper Chris Draper taking over the helm this season. Hagara, a past Tornado World Champion, is looking forward to the event: "It is definitely one of the best places to sail in Europe, because of the nice wind there. I am looking forward to seeing more boats on the start line." And of this year's crew changes he adds: "Definitely it is getting harder and harder in the class and we were looking for some different guys who have experience on the foiling boats."
Similarly heavyweight teams from the GC32 Racing Tour will include NORAUTO, skippered by French multihull legend and America's Cup skipper Franck Cammas, the 2017 champions Realteam, and American two time Melges 32 World Champion Jason Carroll's Argo, most accomplished of the Tour's owner-driver teams.
Entry list
Team - Owner/skipper - Nationality - Helmsman
1. Alinghi, Ernesto Bertarelli, SUI, Ernesto Bertarelli
2. Argo, Jason Carroll, USA, Jason Carroll
3. .film Racing, Simon Delzoppo, AUS, Simon Delzoppo
4. Frank Racing, Simon Hull, NZL, Simon Hull
5. Land Rover BAR Academy, Will Alloway, GBR, Leigh McMillan
6. NORAUTO, Franck Cammas, FRA, Franck Cammas
7. Oman Air, Oman Sail, OMA, Phil Robertson
8. Realteam, Esteban Garcia, SUI, Jerome Clerc
9. Red Bull Sailing Team, Hans-Peter Steinacher/Roman Hagara, AUT, Chris Draper
10. SAP Extreme Sailing Team, Jes Gram-Hansen/Rasmus Kostner, DEN, Adam Minoprio
11. Team Mexico - 2018, Erik Brockmann, MEX, Tom Phipps
12. Team Tilt, Alex Schneiter, SUI, Sebastien Schneiter
13. Zoulou, Erik Maris, FRA, Erik Maris
14. TBA
15. TBA
RORC Transatlantic Race
Entries are now open for the RORC Transatlantic Race starting on Saturday 24th November 2018. HERE
The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) is delighted to announce Calero Marinas commitment to extend their support by continuing to host the RORC Transatlantic Race for the next three years. This move is also endorsed and supported by the Canary Islands and Lanzarote Governments and the Arrecife Town Council.
All four editions of the RORC Transatlantic Race have been hosted by Calero Marinas and the competitive race is the newest and lengthiest on the RORC programme. The inaugural event was run from Puerto Calero Marina in November 2014, with the last three editions starting from the newly-built Marina Lanzarote in the heart of the capital city, Arrecife.
The Canary Islands are a world-class yachting destination all year-round and the 380-berth Marina Lanzarote boasts extensive boatyard facilities, first-class specialist technicians and repair services, plus a large shipyard with an 820T and 100T crane. The close proximity to the airport and capital's commercial area with shops for provisioning and other amenities within walking distance is ideal for the competitors in the RORC Transatlantic Race preparing for an offshore passage.
Last year's race, boosted by a large German-entry competing in the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta drew a competitive and diverse fleet of yachts ranging from 9 to 30 metres (30-100ft) in length. Nine nations and crews from many more contested the 2,995 nautical mile race from the Calero Marinas' Marina Lanzarote to Camper & Nicholsons' Port Louis Marina in Grenada. Frenchman Eric de Turckheim's team on the Nivelt-Muratet 54 Teasing Machine are current holders of the prestigious RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy, finishing in just over 13 days after beginning the race in light airs and contending with hindered trade winds in the 2017 edition.
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.
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Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Jeremy Peek
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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
Contact
Ben Cooper
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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
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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
We have perpetrated a myth in our society that being brave means not being afraid, but that's wrong. -- James Comey
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