Scuttlebutt Europe #4130

In This Issue
J/80 Worlds: Javier Chacartegui sports the yellow jersey!
49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 European Championships
Harken Element Blocks - On The Water Now
Butterworth on the low number of AC Entries
Stan Honey on the AAR Bermuda to Hamburg Race
Cruising seminar with Jimmy Cornell at Royal Harwich
Industry News
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Groucho Marx

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

J/80 Worlds: Javier Chacartegui sports the yellow jersey!
The teams racing in the J/80 Worlds kicked off their competition today in Les Sables d’Olonne in France’s Vendée region. The 73 competing crews, under the leadership of the Race Committee managed by Corinne Aubert, contested three close-contact races around the cans in a particularly fluky NE’ly breeze of around 5 to 10 knots in glorious sunshine. This evening, the Spanish crew “Ibo.es”, fifth at the 2017 Worlds, headed by Javier Chacartegui, is leading the Championship after posting a series of results of clockwork regularity, namely three third places. In second place overall tonight, and prior to a further sprint tomorrow at 11:00hrs, another Iberian boat, “Garatu” has taken up position, whilst the third step of the provisional podium has gone to “Armen Habitat” skippered by the Finistère sailor Simon Moriceau.

The French Navy is a loyal presence in the French J/80 class. It boasts 40 one-designs built by J Composites and is split between Brest, Cherbourg and Toulon. Several crews from the organiser of the famous Grand Prix de l’Ecole Navale are competing at the series’ Worlds including “Ecole navale CG29” helmed by Patrick Bot, an 8-metre specialist. Patrick, a former Mini sailor, and his crew, have sailed a blinder to kick off the season and are currently lying in second place in the provisional overall ranking for the French J/80 Cup behind Simon Moriceau and his group of star players.

Top ten after three races:
1. Javier Chacartegui, ESP, 9 points
2. Iker Almondoz, ESP, 16
3. Simon Moriceau, FRA, 17
4. Rayco Tabares Alvares, ESP, 19
5. Arthur Leopold-Leger, FRA, 27
6. Maxime Rousseaux, FRA, 38
7. Juan Luis Paez, ESP, 41
8. Alexei Semenov, RUS, 42
9. Vianney Guilbaud, FRA, 42
10. Jon Powell, GBR, 45

Full results: j80worlds2018.com/fr/les-courses/resultats

j80worlds2018.com

49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 European Championships
Gdynia, Poland: At days break, most of the fleet expected to spend the day sitting on shore awaiting wind. Pleasantly, an unexpected North Eastern wind built before start time to about 8 knots, making for great racing. As a storm approached from the South front dominating local conditions. Backing puffs that favored those on the left side of the course eventually gave way to a huge shift all the way to the West, where the wind built all the way up to 18 knots. The wind than gradually reduced to finish out racing in down to 10 knots.

The day was a challenge for the Officials and Sailors alike who were up to the challenge.

Across all three fleets, no team dominated their fleet like top Swedish performers Helene Naess and Marie Ronningen. Winning two of their three qualifying races this morning in conditions similar to yesterday’s light breeze, the upstart Swedes said the first two days of the 2018 European Championship played into one of their biggest strengths: Light air sailing with chop.

Nacra 17 Top 5
1. Gemma Jones, Jason Saunders, NZL, 7
2. Fernando Echavarri, Tara Pacheco, ESP, 10
3. Ben Saxton, Nikki, GBR, 10
4. Ruggero Tita, Caterina Banti, ITA, 10
5. Riley Gibbs, Louisa Chafee, USA, 15

Full Results

49erFX Top 5
1. Helene Naess, Marie Ronningen, NOR, 13
2. Carla Munte, Marta Munte, ESP, 16
3. Stephanie Roble, Margaret Shea, USA, 21
4. Sophie Weguelin, Sophie Ainsworth, GBR, 23
5. Ida Nielsen, Marie Olsen, DEN, 31

Full Results

49er Top 5
1. Yago Lange, Klaus Lange, ARG, 19
2. Lukasz Przybytek, Pawel Kolodzinski, POL, 19
3. William Phillips, Iain Jensen, AUS, 21
4. Diego Botín, Iago Marra, ESP, 22
5. .Dylan Fletcher-Scott, Stuart Bithell, GBR, 23

Full Results

Harken Element Blocks - On The Water Now
Harken Element blocks are beginning to appear on boats all over the world. Reports from sailors are encouraging. Element is achieving its design objective: Durable, reliable performance at a surprisingly efficient price.

When designing Element, Harken engineers worked hard to improve the technology found in most popular-priced blocks: plastic side plates formed around internal stainless load-carrying bails. Element blocks come equipped with side plates of forged, aluminum executed in compound curves for increased durability. We use the precise amount of metal required to protect the composite sheave. No more. No less.

That construction is given the same anodized hardcoat finish found in Harken’s most expensive aluminum blocks and then paired with a proven bearing system.

The result is a Harken-engineered block that is strong and contemporary. Whether cruising the bay, competing in a weekend race, or embarking on an extended passage, Element blocks will get you there without breaking your budget. Element is available in singles, doubles, triples, fiddles, and footblocks in 45, 60, and 80 mm. Accepting line from 8 - 16 mm.

Learn more about Element. Harken At The Front.

Butterworth on the low number of AC Entries
Four times America's Cup winner Brad Butterworth, says a shortage of sponsorship and radical design for the AC75 are the main reasons why there have only been three entries to date for the 36th America's Cup.

Describing the AC75 as a "unicorn" Butterworth was interviewed on Radio Live Sunday afternoon (NZT). "There's nothing around like it. It is a bit of a unicorn. Guys don't want to sail it. They are going to be very exciting but none of them [AC75's] exist."

'You have to understand that the rules don't really encourage the participation. Team New Zealand and the Challenger of Record decide everything and Luna Rossa has great power - more than I have seen in the past. It is hard for new teams to get involved outside of that group, as they don't have any say."

Asked to comment on whether the AC75 would capsize and was dangerous, Butterworth responded saying that the boats had always been difficult to sail and that the America's Cup was the pinnacle of sailing. "They've got to be difficult [to sail], they always have been in the past." -- Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz

www.sail-world.com

Stan Honey on the AAR Bermuda to Hamburg Race
Audio interview with Stan Honey, navigator for George David's Rambler 88, just 48 hours before the start of the AAR Bermuda to Hamburg Race.

soundcloud.com/louay-habib/stan-honey-rambler-88

This will be Stan Honey's 12th west-east Transatlantic. Looking at weather models and historic data. Stan commented that the weather could be "wildly variable" with moving lows from the west and a very strong Azores High making the northerly route favoured. -- Louay Habib

Cruising seminar with Jimmy Cornell at Royal Harwich
CA House London: The Suffolk Section of the Cruising Association (CA) is delighted to welcome back cruising guru Jimmy Cornell to the Royal Harwich Yacht Club in Woolverstone, near Ipswich, on Saturday 3rd November. In a jointly hosted one-day seminar, the packed itinerary will also introduce Jimmy's daughter Doina Cornell who is sharing her family cruising experiences with the attendees.

A broad spectrum of topics are on the agenda, starting with 'World cruising today', an overview of today's global situation covering the effects of climate change, safety, piracy, favourite destinations, and followed by 'Embarking on a journey' to the Med, Madeira, Canaries, Caribbean and return voyage home with illustrated highlights.

The post-lunchtime sessions cover 'Main factors that can influence the successful completion of a voyage' e.g.: choice of boat, equipment, crew, finances and self-sufficiency, and 'Sailing as a family', presented by Doina. There is also ample time built in for an open forum to discuss individual voyage plans and ask questions. The day is rounded off with Jimmy's highlights of his own sailing life, covering the period from 1974 - 2017.

CA members and members of the Royal Harwich YC are being given priority booking throughout August for this exceptional opportunity at a discounted fee of £35 - including refreshments and lunch. The cost then rises to £40 for members and non-members alike from September onwards.

All bookings and enquiries for this event are via the Royal Harwich YC website: royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

Industry News
Lufthansa partners with Atlantic Anniversary Regatta

The Atlantic Anniversary Regatta (AAR) will be a pinnacle event for German Yachting in 2018. In this series, we present supporters of the AAR who help creating this great event in celebration of the NRVs 150th Anniversary.

When it comes to technological development, offshore racing is at the very forefront of pushing the boundaries of engineering and human determination.

Driven by a can-do mindset, offshore racing has been a proving ground for technology ever since. On July 8th 2018, 17 international yachts will head off to cross the Atlantic Ocean in the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta. The North Atlantic as their racetrack will provide spectacular sailing, demanding for endurance, skill and seamanship in order to succeed. For those following the race, the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta will use a GPS-Tracking device, delivering positions of and content from the boat directly to the community and fans.

The usage of latest tracking-technology is made possible by the support of AAR main-sponsor Lufthansa. For more information about Lufthansa: www.lufthansa.com

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Red Funnel extends relationship as an Official Supplier of Lendy Cowes Week Cowes Week Ltd, organiser of the prestigious sailing regatta and highlight of the British Sporting Summer, is delighted to announce the extension of the regatta's partnership with leading Solent ferry operator Red Funnel.

Red Funnel has been an Official Supplier to Cowes Week for the past 17 years and due to the success of the partnership the relationship has been extended for a further three years.

Lendy Cowes Week attracts over 100,000 visitors and Red Funnel plays an important role in bringing over a large number of competitors and visitors during the week via its High-Speed Red Jet and vehicle ferry services to Cowes and East Cowes.

Fran Collins, Red Funnel's CEO said "Lendy Cowes Week is a unique regatta and we are delighted to continue our long term support. In a bid to encourage more young sailors to take part this year, we are offering a 33% discount to crew members aged 16-25 and a special £8 return fare for visitors coming over from Southampton for the evening.

This summer also marks the entry into service of Red Jet 7, our brand new High-Speed vessel which will enable a record 825 people per hour to make the 23 minute crossing from Southampton to West Cowes at peak times."

Lendy Cowes Week 2018 takes place from the 4-11 August. lendycowesweek.co.uk

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Cliff Webb and Bernard Schopfer have announced a partnership between their respective organisations, the Yachting Journalists' Association and the Yacht Racing Forum.

The Yachting Journalists' Association, of which Cliff Webb is chairman, will become an official media partner of the Yacht Racing Forum.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Yachting Journalists' Association amongst our partners”, said Bernard Schopfer, the organiser of the Forum. “The sport’s key actors from all over the world, the industry members, event organizers, teams or sponsors, need media to develop their activities, whilst the media need them to generate quality content. The Yacht Racing Forum is the ideal location for everyone to meet in a relaxed environment and develop strong and personal relationships”.

Cliff Webb, the newly elected chairman of the Yachting Journalists' Association sees the partnership as an important opportunity for members, who come from all over the world.

“The YJA have members who are at the forefront of all branches of the media, together with our corporate members working in PR and other areas from many different countries,” Cliff commented. “To open up this valuable forum to our members is a huge benefit to both sides of this partnership.”

The Yachting Journalists' Association was founded in 1955, along with the creation of their Yachtsman of the Year award, the oldest such trophy in the world, originally donated by Sir Max Aitken, then proprietor of England’s Daily Express newspaper.

This year’s Yacht Racing Forum will take place in the French port of Lorient on October 22 - 23, with an impressive line-up of speakers representing a wide variety of interests and disciplines within the sport.

www.yja.co.uk www.yachtracingforum.com/forum/

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According to key dealers in Europe, the sale of Bavaria’s boat business by its owners - the private equity companies Oaktree and Anchorage - is well advanced and are being told the sale should complete within a matter of weeks. Bavaria - once one of the global leaders in sailboat production - was placed in administration in April with substantial debt. IBI learned today from sources close to the deal that binding offers from prospective purchasers are due by the end of this week.

The first announcement of the intended sale of Bavaria stated that production would continue until the end of June in order to fulfil existing orders. However, dealers such as Clipper Marine in the UK, who also represent Bavaria in Spain, have been confident enough to place significant forward orders. Clipper alone confirmed it has already ordered 20 boats for forward delivery.

In the small to mid-range powerboat and motor cruiser sector, European-based companies such as Bavaria should benefit from the curtailment of competition of American-built boats due to the 25% import tariffs imposed by the EU last week.

plus.ibinews.com

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After being placed into administration on the 8th of June, Henri Lloyd's brand name and certain assets of the UK based company have been acquired by Swedish investors, the Aligro Group. The business will be led by a management team with experience in both branding and sales of top quality products in the yachting segment.

“We will heavily invest in the marine clothing segment and our aim is to be the largest supplier on the market. That includes all markets,” said Magnus Liljeblad at Aligro Group when speaking to IBI earlier today.

“It's a little bit too soon to fully talk about our exciting vision for Henri Lloyd. We want to make a total turnaround with the brand, which is well-known and respected globally but has not been as effective as it might have been in recent years. We will put major resources into product development and a relaunch, but there will be no news on this commitment until next year.”

Liljeblad also told IBI that Henri Lloyd will continue as a British company, but with its headquarters based in Sweden. Aligro Group owns a factory in Poland where it plans to produce “team sails” with a very short production time of just a couple of days.

Magnus Liljeblad is an experienced manager within the sporting goods and outdoors industry. His previous positions include CEO of Sportmanship AB (previous distributor of Henri Lloyd in Sweden), Peak Performance AB, Stadium AB and most recently founder and CEO of Wacay.

Aligro Group was founded and is managed by Swede Hans Eckerstrom.

Martin and Paul Strzelecki, sons of Henri Lloyd founder Henri Strzelecki MBE, will act as advisors to the new Henri Lloyd. -- Lars Ake Redeen, ibinews.com

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Pressure on the management at the UK satellite business Inmarsat eased last week after two potential bidders, one from the US and one from France, both decided not to proceed. Inmarsat is a major player in the yacht market providing a range of communication and other services to the sector.

The US company, EchoStar, having made a second attempt to buy Inmarsat with a £3.2bn offering announced it was withdrawing after the bid was rejected. The company issued a statement late last week in which it indicated that it would not proceed with further efforts to acquire Inmarsat. This followed the rejection by the Inmarsat management of the American company’s 532 pence per share offer for the entire issued and to-be-issued share capital of Inmarsat.

This news followed the earlier withdrawal of the French company Euteslat which ruled out making a bid for Inmarsat.

plus.ibinews.com

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