In This Issue
Next edition of the race planned for 2021 under new ownership
Team Brunel on a charge with Leg 9 win
Putting the foot to the floor
Scottish Series
Marina di Scarlino Welcomes the 2018 Melges 32 World League
Prime location
European union
Industry News
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: John Adams
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
Next edition of the race planned for 2021 under new ownership
As the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 builds towards an exciting finish in June in The Hague, organisers can confirm the next edition of the race will start in 2021, under new ownership.
Atlant Ocean Racing Spain, led by Richard Brisius, Johan Salén and Jan Litborn, will take over the Volvo Ocean Race from Volvo Group and Volvo Cars, the co-owners of the event for the past 20 years.
Brisius, Salén and Litborn have extensive experience in the premier round the world race, having worked with seven Volvo Ocean Race campaigns over the past 28 years. Brisius and Salén started as sailors in the 1989-90 race, before finding success as team managers, including winning efforts with EF Language (1997-98) and Ericsson 4 (2008-09). Most recently, they managed Team SCA, the all-female entry, in the last edition of the race.
In November 2017, Brisius and Salén were named President and co-President of the current edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The organisers of the race are considering having two classes of boats racing in 2021, potentially with the existing Volvo Ocean 65 one-design class and another class, yet to be determined, competing in the same race.
“Opening the race to another existing class would allow us to tap into an existing inventory of round the world race boats that are at the cutting edge of technology. We see this as a way to challenge the best sailors in the world with a class that encourages development and sits at the forefront of the sport.”
The current leadership group of the Volvo Ocean Race will continue to engage with stakeholders in the coming weeks to move the race to the next level commercially and from a sporting perspective with a view to sharing some more details by the end of this edition of the race.
While the next race will start in 2021, additional significant racing activity is expected to take place as early as possible to offer stakeholders an extended period of activation in the build-up to the start of the next race and to allow future teams the opportunity to build an extensive training programme.
Volvo Cars will remain as a sponsor of the 2021 race, while there is an ongoing conversation already with existing host cities and sponsors for the 2021 race and prior sailing activities.
Team Brunel on a charge with Leg 9 win
The top three teams in the Volvo Ocean Race are within three points after Bouwe Bekking’s Team Brunel won Leg 9 into Cardiff, Wales to vault into contention for the overall race win.
The Leg 9 results also mean a new team is at the top of the race leaderboard as Dongfeng Race Team, with a third place finish, take overall race honours by just a single point over MAPFRE, who settled for a disappointing fifth place finish on the transatlantic leg.
With the win, Bekking’s Brunel is just three points off the lead, meaning the final two European legs will be more important than ever. Although Brunel sits in third place this morning, the Dutch entry is riding a wave of momentum.
While Brunel has been ascendant on the last three legs and Dongfeng consistently among the leaders, MAPFRE roared out to a fast start in the opening legs, but has struggled of late.
Even on the recent leg into Newport, which was scored a win, the Spanish team trailed for nearly all of the leg, making a miraculous comeback from fifth to first in the final 24 hours. The team will need to regain its early form if it is to make one more comeback and win
Putting the foot to the floor
Mid-leg Team Brunel was locked in a piggyback battle with fellow Dutch entry AkzoNobel as each sought to set a new 24-hour distance record. One team would set a new record only to have it answered by the other with a more impressive performance, and they swapped being the fastest boat numerous times until Bekking and company finally conceded the record to AkzoNobel who covered a mighty 601.63 nautical miles in one 24-hour period. Conceding is not something Bouwwe likes to do, but his view is of the big picture. A record is nice for sure, but a leg win would be even better.
Both Dutch teams approached the British coast locked in a head-to-head battle with a couple hundred meters separating them. The wind died to under ten knots; it was a time for light fingers on helm and experience in the afterguard. The chief helmsman on Team Brunel is the winning Americas Cup skipper Peter Burling and he surely had a lot to do with Team Brunel’s ultimate victory, but perhaps it was the joint experience of Bekking and navigator Andrew Cape, two of the most seasoned offshore ocean sailors ever, that won the day. A light touch on the helm, experience in the strategy department and a crack crew all wearing their Dubarry Crosshaven boots engineered and crafted to give them the edge no matter the conditions.
Scottish Series
Congratulations to David Kelly and the crew of yacht Storm who won the coveted overall Clyde Cruising Club's Scottish Series Trophy. Having won their class the previous year to come back and do so again is an outstanding achievement by the crew of Storm sailing the J109 perfectly. As well as the overall trophy David Kelly walked away with the Rose Bowl for best boat in the Luddon IRC fleet and The McIver Salver. In a very competitive Makars Mash RC35 Class, Kelly was pushed by fellow countrymen Brian and John Hall sailing 'Something Else' finishing only 4 points behind in their J109.
Overall Results The VALHALLA OF ASHTON SALVER for a volunteer who makes a particular contribution to the event was awarded to Alan Cassels who, for the last 20 years, has acted as the Race Officer for the One Design Fleet.
The CRINAN CUP was awarded to the boat which, in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the most meritorious performance of all competitors in the Passage Race from Largs; this year that boat was Brian Robertson's 'Celtic Spirit' from CYCA class 7 also taking home the Clyde Bowl for the best combined times for the Passage Race from Largs and the Tunnock's Inch' Race.
The TUNNOCK'S CUP for the boat with the lowest corrected time in the CYCA classes in the Tunnock's Inch' Race this year was awarded to John Corson's 'Salamander XXII'.
The CRAWFORD McINNES TROPHY supported by Hempel Paints for best under 25 helm or crew, who in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all eligible competitors in the Series, was presented to Rory Fekkes of 'F'NGr8' and Hempel product prizes to the youth crew of 'Jump Juice'.
The SINBAD TROPHY was awarded to the family boat, regardless of class or results, as judged by representatives of the organising committee; this year was presented to the Morrison family sailing 'Synergie' in CYCA 7.
The LEMARAC TANKARD was awarded to the boat which, in the opinion of the Race Committee achieved the best performance of all competitors in the White Sail classes in the Series this year, 'St Bridget' owned by Ian Nicolson.
The ALFRED MYLNE CUP TROPHY which goes to the best performance of all competitors in the EventScotland One Design classes in the Series, and was awarded to the winner of the Scottish National Championship of the class, Brian Wiseman sailing National Sonata One Design 'Virtuoso'.
The JOE DEANE CUP, for the best performance in the Tunnock's CYCA handicap Classes in the Series this year goes to Howard Morrison of 'Enigma'.
The ROSE BOWL for the best performance in the Luddon Fleet IRC Classes in the Series this year goes to David Kelly of 'Storm'.
The CAUSEWAY CUP awarded to the boat normally based out with Scotland which in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all boats in the Series went to Alan, Bruce and James Douglas in their Irish based boat 'Spirit of Jacana'.
The McIVER SALVER (owned by the Mudhook Yacht Club) was awarded to the winner of the IRC SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP, David Kelly of the yacht 'Storm'.
The overall award, the Clyde Cruising Club SCOTTISH SERIES TROPHY, also went to David Kelly's 'Storm'.
www.clyde.org/scottish-series/
Marina di Scarlino Welcomes the 2018 Melges 32 World League
Scarlino, Italy:LMarina di Scarlino has officially opened its doors and rolled out the red carpet to the 2018 Melges 32 World League, greeting a fleet of fifteen highly-competitive teams. Starting Friday, June 1 and concluding on Sunday, June 3, racing will take place for the European Division's second appointment on the 2018 circuit.
There are no light-weight competitors in Scarlino, in fact there is nothing less than big presence from Forio d'Ischia Champion (and current Melges 32 World League ranking leader) Vincenzo Onorato and his MASCALZONE LATINO team with Paul Goodison as tactician, reigning World Champion Pavel Kuznetsov aboard TAVATUY and tactician Evgeny Neugodnikov, 2017 European Champions Edoardo Pavesio and Massimo Pessina's TORPYONE with Lorenzo Bressani calling tactics, and 2017 Melges 32 World League Champion Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-SPOT assisted by tactician Michele Ivaldi.
The all-amatuer Corinthian Division will pick-up where it left off in Forio d'Ischia. A steady rivalry between two top Italian teams (Martin Rientjes' CAIPIRINHA and Manfredo Toninelli's T.ONE), and two high-powered German efforts (Jens Kuehne's SJAAMBOK and Forio Champion Kilian Holzapfel on HOMANIT) will ensue.
Prime location
They call it the ‘Sailing Valley’. It is the very heart of international offshore yacht racing in the south of Brittany, a part of France (from Brest down to Vannes) that focuses strategically and with strong political support on watersports. A dream location for anyone involved in sailing and yacht racing - the logical and perfect venue for the Yacht Racing Forum 2018 (22-23 October).
Lorient is a natural shelter for sailors, while the rest of the area is a magical place of sandy beaches and jagged reefs, fortified port towns and standing stones. It is warmer than the wild north coast, but the traditions, independent spirit and seafood are just as good.
Go to the bakery in Lorient and your chances of bumping into a host of offshore legends are high. Thomas Coville, Armel Le Cleac’h, Francois Gabart, Franck Cammas, Justine Mettraux, Francis Joyon, Jimmy Pahun and Jean-Pierre Dick live, train and develop their racing boats in the area, and most will be at the Yacht Racing Forum 2018.
Full article in the June issue of Seahorse: www.seahorsemagazine.com
European union
Yachts from across Europe are gathering in Cowes for the start of IRC European Championship on Sunday 10 June. This is the third running of the annual championship for RORC and UNCL's jointly developed IRC rating system, but the first in IRC's spiritual home, following events in Cork and Marseille. To celebrate this, the 2018 IRC European Championship will be the most challenging yet, with a week-long format, mixing both inshore and offshore racing, including a long offshore of 24-36 hours duration and a race around the Isle of Wight.
While the bulk of the fleet is from the UK, with Mike Bartholomew's Tokoloshe and James Neville's Ino XXX the highest-rated competing, others are making the trip from further afield. Chasing the FAST 40+ yachts around the course will be Yigit Cula's Ker 41 Anything - all the way from Turkey - and the globetrotting Selma Racing, skippered by Artur Skrzyszowski from Poland. This Reichel Pugh 41 has already been campaigned as far afield as the Rolex Fastnet Race, Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland, Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and Rolex Middle Sea.
"We are building a competitive team that will be capable of winning races in the future," explains Skrzyszowski. "The goal of the Selma Racing Foundation is to inspire, promote and support Polish sailors in offshore racing. The team is made up of skilled sailors with racing backgrounds as well as novices and amateurs with experience in offshore racing, Olympic classes, match racing, and also expedition sailing to Antarctica and Cape Horn."
While Tokoloshe and Ino XXX will be match racing their way around the front of the fleet, a similar one-on-one battle will be taking place between the two Turkish-built Mark Mills-designed MAT 1180s - Tor McLaren's Gallivanter and from the US, Christian Zugel's Tschuss.
Competition will also be lively between the Performance 40s, the newly-created class for boats with an IRC TCC of 1.070-1.145, 11.15m-14.1m hull length, displacement-length ratio of 130-200 and draft of
Incorporating the Commodores' Cup
The Commodores' Cup, Royal Ocean Racing Club's biennial event between three boat Corinthian teams, will take place within the IRC European Championship this year.
To help ensure this works, the club has lifted almost all of the rating and entry restrictions. For example there are now no rating bands into which each of the three boats must fall. Neither does one of three having to be a 'big boat'. Equally, teams now no longer have to represent a nation or a region.
Simply put - any three boats of any size from any nation can form a team. They can represent the same nation, the same region, the same club or they can just be three boats from different countries, whose like-minded owners feel they can race as a competitive team. Any three boats entered in the IRC Europeans can form a team. The only limitation on Commodores' Cup entries is that their crew can only include one World Sailing Group 3 'professional' (the number of pros is unlimited on IRC Europeans boats not competing in the Commodores' Cup). -- James Boyd/Race
Industry News
Marlow Sponsors International Optimist Class Association 2018
Following its support at the GBR Optimist Team Selection Trials earlier this month, Marlow Ropes announces its sponsorship of the International Optimist Class Association (IOCA).
As a practical partner for grass-roots sailing, Marlow will share it technical expertise and work with coaches and sailors to ensure that the best lines are used for the application. At the key events in the IOCA calendar Marlow will provide rig-checks, rope education and practical splicing workshops.
Emma Donovan at Marlow Ropes said: “It is important to share our expert rope and rigging knowledge gained over the last 200 years. It is also incredibly rewarding to work with young sailors and their families at the start of their sailing journey. This IOCA sponsorship will further facilitate our engagement and knowledge sharing with young budding sailors.”
Sharon Davidson-Guild, Chair of IOCA UK, said: "Selection Trials is a nerve-racking but exciting event to attend and team places are highly competitive. This year, we are excited to be partnering with sponsors, xtremity.net and Marlow Ropes. We are very grateful for their support of the Optimist class and Selection Trials 2018."
For further information on Marlow Ropes’ education workshops and its work with IOCA visit: www.marlowropes.com and www.optimist.org.uk. The National & Open Championships will take place from the 4 - 10 August
Marlow Ropes is also the official supplier to both the British and US sailing teams.
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Speculation over a pending venue change for the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) has been quashed with an announcement by the event organisers that North America’s largest marine trade show will remain in its current venue at the Tampa Convention Center for at least three more years.
Jointly owned and operated by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and RAI Amsterdam, IBEX had become the subject of industry speculation suggesting a change in venue could be in the works in order to minimise the potential for future weather-related disruptions.
The show was nearly cancelled last year following a close brush with Hurricane Irma, while Hurricane Matthew threatened to curtail the 2016 event. Yet in spite of those recent near misses, the show has signed a three-year contract with the Tampa Convention Center which will see IBEX hosted there from October 2-4, 2018, from October 1-3, 2019, and from September 29 to October 1, 2020, respectively.
In spite of opening only a week after Hurricane Irma passed through the region, the 2017 IBEX attracted more than 6,500 marine industry professionals from more than 50 countries, and saw more than 600 companies fill more than 123,000sq ft of exhibition space over three levels of the Tampa Convention Center.
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Premium British marine and lifestyle clothing brand Henri Lloyd is delighted to be announced as an official supplier to the J70 European Championship which is taking place in Vigo, from the 9-16 June 2018.
Henri Lloyd will be providing technical products to the championship organisers and are also one of the official merchandisers of the event, and shall be retailing branded event merchandise and sailing technical apparel via a Henri Lloyd pop up shop which will be located within the race village for the duration of the event.
Competitors will also have the opportunity to peruse the latest in Henri Lloyd inshore racing products which will be showcased at the event.
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TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show is the undisputed premier UK Boat Show; with over 500 exhibitors last year.
Over 110,000 visitors enjoy the south coast based Show that runs over ten days and with this year being the 50th Anniversary, both British Marine and TheYachtMarket.com are fully focussed on ensuring the Show doesn’t disappoint and delivers on all levels for both visitor and exhibitor alike.
TheYachtMarket.com has over 55,000 boats searchable online and is developing its offering at the Show to help deliver brokers and dealers more leads from prospective buyers.
Early bird tickets for TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2018 are now on sale, offering a saving of more than 30%. To book tickets visit: www.southamptonboatshow.com.
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Exposure Lights are supporting the SORC solo offshore sailors with their safety and night vision for the 2018 season and the SORC Round the Rock Race, commonly known as the SoloFASTNET.
Included in the package for the SORC skippers, is an array of Exposure’s top performance LED lights for the podium prize winners, including the RAW Pro Headtorch (as seen on board every Volvo Ocean Race yacht), the super lightweight MOB Carbon spotlight and strobe, and the OLAS tracking tags which can be paired with your mobile. Plus, it’s not just the podium class winners up for prizes, as there are additional prizes for the Best Race Blogs too.
The Solo Fastnet Round the Rock Race starts Saturday June 2.
Race Tracker: www.offshoresolo.com/news/
Featured Brokerage
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See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
It is not only the juror's right, but his duty, to find the verdict according to his own best understanding, judgement and conscience, though in direct opposition to the directions of the court. -- John Adams
Editorial and letter submissions to
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