Scuttlebutt Europe #4154

In This Issue
Courtois wins Lysekil Women's Match
The Women's Match Racing World Championship Begins Tomorrow
2018 Genoa Boat Show
Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race Day 2
YJA launches 2018 Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Award Nominations
Luna Rossa snag Team New Zealand of major sponsor
Iker Martinez Found Guilty of Misconduct
Plenty captures Farr 40 class at Verve Cup, precursor to worlds
Golden Globe Race; Philippe Peche heads for Cape Town
Brest Oceans
For The Record
Letters to the Editor
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Jerry Rubin

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

Courtois wins Lysekil Women's Match
Lysekil Women's Match 2018 is over and the winner is French skipper Pauline Courtois with her team Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team. Courtois ended on second place 2017, but this was her year.

Courtois won three straight victories in the final after falling behind 0-2 in her semi-final match with the Swedish team of Anna Ostling. Courtois is the defending champion of the WIM Series and is aiming to defend her title.

Two competitions of the WIM Series 2018 have been conducted. The next regatta, which runs in Ekaterinburg, Russia next week, is also the official Women's Match Racing World Championship 2018.

Results in the final in Lysekil Women's Match
Henriette Koch, DEN - Pauline Courtois, FRA 0-3

Results in the petite final in Lysekil Women's Match
Anna Ostling, SWE - Johanna Bergqvist, SWE 2-1

Results in the semi-finals in Lysekil Women's Match
Henriette Koch, DEN - Johanna Bergqvist, SWE 3-2
Anna Ostling, SWE - Pauline Courtois, FRA 2-3

Results in Lysekil Women's Match 2018 (team, crew, nationality):
1. Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team - Pauline Courtois, Maelenn Lemaitre, Louise Acker, Nathalie Corson, Sophie Faguet - FRA
2. Women On Water / Team Kattnakken - Henriette Koch, Trine Bentzen, Josefine Boel Rasmussen, Laerke Ilsoe Norgaard, Laerke Marie Sorensen - DEN
3. Team Anna - Anna Ostling, Annie Wennergren, Linnea Wennergren, Marie Berg, Annika Carlunger - SWE
4. Team Bergqvist Match Racing - Johanna Bergqvist, Isabelle Bergqvist, Johanna Thiringer, Ellinor Hansson, Anna Sundberg - SWE
5. New Sweden Match Racing Team - Claire Leroy, Louise Kruuse af Verchou, Klara Ekdahl, Frida Langenius, Malin Holmberg - FRA
6. L2 Match Racing Team - Marinella Laaksonen, Daniela Ronnberg, Camilla Cedercreutz, Roosa Wederhorn, Eva-Lotta Hokkonen - FIN
7. Swiss Women Match Racing Team - Alexa Bezel, Fiona Testuz, Manon Kivell, Louise Thilo, Nicole Bolliger - SUI
8. Team Skona Vibbisar - Antonia Degerlund, Carla Westersund, Janina Hallberg, Disa Langstrom, Lisa Gerkman - FIN
9. ProKaTeam Sailing Team - Ekaterina Kochkina, Tatiana Suslova, Natalia Noga, Sara Edholm, Ann Johnson - RUS
10. Matchmoiselles by Normandy Elite Team - Margot Vennin, Marie Zugolaro, Clotilde Poncon, Juliette Dubreuil, Sophonie Affagard - FRA
11. Swedish Women's Match Racing Team - Sanna Mattsson, Niki Blassar, Therese Berg, Louise Lindkvist, Nellie Lindner - SWE
12. Athena Racing - Octavia Owen, Ruby Riggs, Hebe Hemming, Amber Riggs, Pip Benson - GBR

Standings in WIM Series 2018 after two events (team, skipper, nationality, points):
1. Team Kattnakken / Women On Water, Trine Palludan / Henriette Koch - DEN, 47
2. Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team, Pauline Courtois - FRA, 45
3. Team Bergqvist Match Racing, Johanna Bergqvist - SWE, 40
4. L2 Match Racing Team, Marinella Laaksonen - FIN, 32
5. Team SkOna Vibbisar, Antonia Degerlund - FIN, 24
6. Team Anna, Anna Ostling - SWE, 20
7. New Sweden Match Racing Team, Caroline Sylvan / Claire Leroy - SWE / FRA, 16
8. Team BAAM!, Allie Blecher - USA, 16
9. Matchmoiselles by Normandy Elite Team, Margot Vennin - FRA, 14
10. Swiss Women Match Racing Team, Alexa Bezel - SUI, 12
11. NZ Match, Celia Willison - NZL, 12
12. Stockholm Match Racing Team, Sanna Hager - SWE, 10
13. Swedish Women's Match Racing Team, Sanna Mattsson - SWE, 10
14. ProKaTeam Sailing Team, Ekaterina Kochkina - RUS, 8
15. Team Skogman, Jassi Skogman - FIN, 8
16. APCC Women Sailing Team , Margot Riou - FRA, 6
17. Athena Racing, Octavia Owen - GBR, 5
18. Peregrine Racing, Hanna Ericksson - SWE, 5

wimseries.com

The Women's Match Racing World Championship Begins Tomorrow
Eleven teams from around the world have arrived in Ekaterinburg, Russia to compete in the Women's Match Racing World Championship 2018. Racing will begin on the Verkh-Isetskiy pond tomorrow. Today the teams arrived to beautiful sailing conditions, completed the registration and spent the afternoon practicing on the water.

Defending Champions Lucy Macgregor and her Team Mac from Great Britain are looking forward to the opportunity to defend their title.

The teams were greeted by a bright and sunny day with good racing wind as the teams practiced in the Ricochet-747 boats. While the three Russian teams were already familiar with the boats, the foreign teams took the opportunity to get familiar with local venue, racing area and boats.

Tomorrow the first start is planned at 10:00.

www.wimseries.com

2018 Genoa Boat Show
From 20th to 25th September 2018, the latest previews of international yachting will be displayed for visitors to the 58th Boat Show. Visitors will experience the passion for the sea and water sports testing the boats and participating in many special activities.

More than 1,000 boats are on show, from the four traditional areas: sailing, outboard engines and inflatable boats, powerboats and motor yachts. The latest products of the national and international nautical industry will be displayed along a refurbished itinerary with new docks and dedicated areas.

Six days of "Sea Experience" where you can try out the latest products in the open sea or get involved in challenges and events organised for visitors. One key event will be the "Big Game Tournament", where sport fishing fans will board breath-taking fishing boats and measure their skills with cutting-edge equipment. Excitement is also guaranteed for lovers of diving, swimming, rowing, canoeing and surfing.

All this seasoned with top quality hospitality, made possible by the renewed partnership with Eataly, in a unique setting: Genoa, with its artistic treasures and events that will bring the city to life.

salonenautico.com

Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race Day 2
The international fleet are licking their wounds after a tough first night in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race. The leading Class40s and IRC rated yachts have broken away from the rest of the fleet and are expected to round the Scilly Isles this afternoon. With 20 knots from the southwest forecast for the Celtic Sea it will be a long hard slog to Mizen Head on the southwest tip of Ireland. In the 11-strong Class40 fleet, Nicolas Troussel's Corum and Phil Sharp's Imerys are side by side, battling for the lead. In the IRC fleet, Giles Redpath's Pata Negra and Mark Emerson's A13 Phosphorus II are virtually tied for the lead on the water.

In IRC Two-Handed, Benjamin Schwartz and Chen Jin Hao racing Figaro El Velosolex SL Energies Group lead the class on the water and after time correction. The smallest yacht in the race made the defining move on the first day at Portland Bill. The French/Chinese team tucked right in at the notorious headland as the tide turned against them. The team slingshot around the notorious headland to get a jump on the fleet.

Fleet Damage:

Giles Redpath's Lombard 46 Pata Negra reported breaking the bobstay connecting the end of the bowsprit to the hull.

After a strong start to the challenging Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, Oman Sail's Class 40 team has taken the decision to retire after the backstay, vital mast support rigging, failed.

Oman Sail had just moved into a competitive fourth position in the 1,800-mile race and was off the south coast of Cornwall when the port backstay broke. None of the crew were hurt and no further damage resulted from the breakage.

After assessing possible repair options and considering predicted weather conditions, the difficult decision to retire was made.

Early conditions on the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race had already seen the retirement of one of the team's leading rivals, with Miranda Merron's Campagne De France breaking a mainsail halyard and pulling out of the race.

roundbritainandireland.rorc.org

YJA launches 2018 Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year Award Nominations
The Yachting Journalists' Association has announced that 2018 nominations are now open for these annual awards, the Yachtsman of the Year and Young Sailor of the Year.

These are unique and highly prestigious awards, which recognise the incredible achievements of the UK's sports stars on the global stage. This is the oldest yachtsman of the year trophy in the world, and the list of winners engraved upon its base is the envy of every other similar trophy.

Established in 1955, the recipients of this award have varied from prime ministers (Edward Heath) to humble adventurers (Ewen Southby-Tailyour), who rose to the occasion at a time of need. The dedication to the task of high achieving competitors, and the bravery of rescuers at a time of crisis, are amongst the stories recognised in the list of winners. Some notable people are serial winners, Sir Ben Ainslie (5 times) and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (4 times), and Dame Ellen MacArthur (3 times). The present holder is Alex Thomson, awarded for his remarkable performance in last year's Vendee Globe solo round the world race

There are also those who started young by winning the junior award, the Young Sailor of the Year Trophy which was initiated in 1993, then going on to win the main event later in life. Last year's winner was Montel Fagan-Jordon, aged 18, a student from the Greig Academy in Tottenham, London, who raised money to restore the 1980's classic American Admiral's Cup yacht Scaramouche, then led a crew of fellow students, sailing the fully restored yacht in last year's Fastnet Race.

Nominations for these awards are open to the public, but it is the members of the Yachting Journalists' Association who make the final decision as to whose names will grace these trophies. Over the years the members of the Association have had some difficult choices to make, but the list of winners as it stands, is a testament to the huge achievements of the British boating community. The nominations will remain open until midnight on Sunday, October 14, 2018.

Nominations may be made by email to or online at www.yja.world and anyone may make a nomination for consideration. Please mention which award the nomination is being made for, and include a brief description as to why you are making this nomination. Please also include your own contact details so we can request additional information if required. The winners will be announced towards the end of this year and there are sure to be many notable contenders after an incredible year of sailing achievements.

The YJA is also accepting entries for your YJA Young Blogger of the Year Awards, open for anyone under the age of 21 on December 31, 2018. Full details available at www.yja.world

Luna Rossa snag Team New Zealand of major sponsor
Italian challenger of record Luna Rossa have robbed Emirates Team New Zealand of one of their major sponsors.

Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli, who came on board with TNZ on the eve of last year's America's Cup in Bermuda, will now co-sponsor Luna Rossa alongside luxury fashion house, Prada.

The multinational tyre company are the tyre supplier for Formula 1 and have been sponsoring sport since 1907.

"Pirelli is the ideal partner for this new America's Cup challenge. With over half a century's experience at the highest levels of high technology world sports, it will be an important asset at the heart of our project," Bertelli said.

"In this sense, it is correct to speak of a real and true collaboration between the Team and Pirelli."

Luna Rossa confirmed that the first two regattas of the America's Cup World Series will take place in the Mediterranean next year, with a further three World Series regattas to be held in Europe, the US, and Asia in 2020.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Iker Martinez Found Guilty of Misconduct
Iker Martinez has been deemed to have bad manners, bad sportsmanship, and unethical behavior. That is the decree of the Spanish superstar, famous for two Olympic medals and 2011 World Sailor of the Year Award.

To back up, Martinez is seeking to compete again at the Olympic Games, pursuing the Nacra 17 mixed multihull event. His plan was to compete at the 2018 Sailing World Championships, an immensely critical test to prove to his national authority he is capable, and to insure the country qualifies for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

However, when Martinez submitted his boat for measurement at the World Championships, the committee found he had deliberately modified it in breach of the class rules and he concealed the modification. In short, they believed his intent was to cheat to improve the boat's performance.

With racing for the Nacra 17 planned for August 5 through 12, and his boat not certified, Martinez did not compete but rather faced jury hearings on August 3, 5, and 6, which ultimately led to a misconduct hearing on August 8.

With three strikes against him, one would figure Martinez had earned a one-way ticket to the gallows. However, since he never raced in the event, the range of penalties available to the jury was limited. As a result, Martinez was only banned from the venue as of August 9.

But this isn't over for Martinez as the incident now goes beyond the event and is directed to World Sailing which will investigate and decide whether sanctions wider than the event itself, including national or international sanctions, is appropriate. This could include exclusion from the 2020 Olympics.

Full story in Scuttlebutt:
www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

Plenty captures Farr 40 class at Verve Cup, precursor to worlds
Chicago, Illinois, USA: Leif Sigmond called it a "great precursor" to the Farr 40 World Championship, and that assessment seemed spot on.

A strong fleet of 10 Farr 40s gathered at the Chicago Yacht Club for the Verve Cup and four days of intense competition served to stoke expectations for the worlds, being held in October off the Windy City.

Skipper Alex Roepers and his team aboard Plenty showed they are still sailing the boat to beat by posting an impressive victory. The three-time world champions bounced back from a tough start to post a steady string of firsts and seconds in posting a low score of 21 points.

Two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Terry Hutchinson called tactics for Roepers, who steered Plenty to three wins and five runner-up results in the 10-race series. Plenty had opened the regatta with a third and fifth before totaling dialing it in.

Breezes piped up into the mid teens on Friday, but for the most part held steady in the 8 to 12 knot range. Sunday was particularly challenging with 6-8 knot winds that were quite shifty. Seven races were held on Thursday and Friday with organizers getting off just one on Saturday and completing the series with two on Sunday.

Veteran pro Vasco Vascotto called tactics aboard Enfant Terrible, which won three races and placed second or third in three others in posting 30 points - nine astern of Plenty. Rossi led Enfant Terrible to the 2013 world championship, which was held off Newport, R.I.

Nobody knows the waters off the Windy City better than Helmut Jahn, a veteran owner in the Farr 40 class who has captured the last world championship held off Chicago in 2012. Jahn drove Flash Gordon 6 to a third place result at the Verve Cup, getting the gun in two races en route to totaling 39 points - two better than Struntje Light (Wolfgang Schaefer, Germany).

www.chicagoyachtclub.org/verveoffshore

farr40.org

Golden Globe Race; Philippe Peche heads for Cape Town
Over the weekend, French yachtsman Philippe Peche has fashioned a repair to the aluminium tiller on his Rustler 36 PRB, but without self steering, has decided to head to Cape Town under reduced sail. This morning, the 57-year old professional from La Trinite Sur Mer, who had led the Golden Globe Race almost continuously since the start from Les Sables d'Olonne on July 1st, was making 2.9knots in 25knot headwinds and expecting to take 13 to 17 days to reach the Cape.

Peche first alerted race organisers to the broken tiller on Friday, but his problems began earlier in the week when the actuating arm on his Beaufort wind vane self steering system sheered off. Attempts to repair the wind vane with spare tube for his special telescopic tiller failed, and when the tiller then snapped in 45-50knot winds experienced at the end of last week, he had nothing left to repair it with.

Peche made an emergency call to the Golden Globe Race HQ at 18:10 UTC on Friday using a satellite phone all competitors carry for use in such situations. Skippers are free to call Race HQ and emergency services at any time, but under the strict rules of this retro non-stop round the world race, can only contact the greater world by radio. Peche then made a second call to his partner, having told Race HQ "I am going to call my partner and I do not care about the consequences."

Jean-Luc Van Den Heede is the solid leader this morning of the GGR 2018, after having a windane problem he succeeded in repairing. At nearly 600 miles in its west, Mark Slats just tacked south taking advantage on better winds now to progress, while in its wake, Gregor Mcguckin, Loic Lepage, ahead of Abhilash Tomy and Mark Sinclair will benefit from strong winds over the next few days, as will the eastern pack, now led by Are Wiig, third position in overall since the end of last week.

goldengloberace.com

Brest Oceans
Announced on 4 December 2015 then confirmed on 2 December 2017, the Round the World now boasts a name and a Race Director and its controlled roll-out is continuing.

The first singlehanded Round the World multihull race will set sail from Brest in north-west Brittany on 29 December 2019.

The simplified joint stock company Brest Ultim Sailing, the organising authority, presented a series of names to its shareholders to symbolise what is an event of exceptional sporting quality, whilst retaining its essential dream quality and its sense of adventure.

The addition of the name of the host city, "Brest", and the term "Oceans" would seem to be the most symbolic. Indeed, the oceans, or the global ocean, make up the most limitless playing field there is and Finistere's capital is to form the backdrop for both the start and the finish of this extraordinary event.

After a very competitive round of consultation, Jacques Caraës has been selected for both his proven expertise as a Race Director, his extensive marine experience, especially in the Southern Ocean, and the confidence he inspires in fellow sailors.

The next major meeting will take place on the main stage of the Nautic Paris boat show on 8 December 2018 at 15:00hrs, where the Notice of Race will be made public, registration will open and the first surprises will be revealed.

Multihulls in the race must adhere to the architectural criteria of the Ultim 32/23 Class. Giant trimarans or catamarans measuring 24 (minimum) to 32 metres long (maximum), 23 metres wide (maximum) with a mast reaching 120% (maximum) of the boat's overall length.

For The Record
The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new record time by a 20 ft catamaran.

Route sailed: Cowes to Dinard.
Yacht: 20ft catamaran.
Names: Yvan and Mathis Bourgnon
Dates: 4th August 2018 2018
Start time: 02;50;30 0n 04/08/18
Finish time: 22;32;32 on 04/08/18
Elapsed time: 19 hours 42 minutes and 2 seconds
Distance: 138NM
Average Speed: 7 kts

Comments: The previous record time was 31 hours 38 minutes and40 seconds by David Leon FRA in July 2006

John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council
sailspeedrecords.com

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