In This Issue
Blasting along the wild west of Ireland
International 5.5 Metre ClassScandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes
'Spice it Up' in Grenada for the Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 2019
New Zealand pair win 420 world title
Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2018 Officially Launched
Premiere Sailing League USA Chooses RS21 As The New Boat for Stadium Sailing
Going solo: Lisa Blair's next record attempt
2018 Rolex World Sailor of the Year
Airlie Beach Race Week
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Karl Pilkington

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

Blasting along the wild west of Ireland
Big breeze has returned to the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race; the leading teams are blasting downwind along the wild west coast of Ireland as the chasing pack round the famous Fastnet Lighthouse, cracking sheets for Mizen Head. Phil Sharp's Class40 Imerys Clean Energy leads the fleet but still has over 1,200 miles to go to take the prize. Racing under IRC for the overall race win, Giles Redpath's Lombard 46 Pata Negra is the provisional leader. Ben Schwartz and Chen Jin Hao's Figaro 2 El Velosolex Sl Energies Group leads the IRC Two-Handed fleet.

Having rounded the Fastnet Lighthouse, Mark Emerson's A13 Phosphorus II stopped to drop a crew member ashore (minor knee injury). This was successfully done via the help of Castletownbere lifeboat crew, but the team has now officially retired from the race. Marc Dubos' Class40 Esprit Scout has put into Cork Harbour to make repairs. Marc and Jean-Luc Schoch are both well.

In the Class40 fleet, quick's the word, Sharp's the action. Phil Sharp's Imerys Clean Energy scorched along the West Coast of Ireland covering approximately 140 nautical miles in just nine hours. Nicolas Troussel's Corum is in second place but is now over 20 miles behind Imerys. Phor-ty skippered by Sam Goodchild was leading the fleet yesterday but has turned into Galway Bay to fix a small rudder issue. Concise 8 skippered by Jack Trigger is now in third place in the Class40 fleet.

The Army Sailing Association's X-41 British Soldier and Ben Schwartz and Chen Jin's El Velosolex are enjoying a close battle on the water. British Soldier is less than a mile ahead of the French/Chinese duo. El Velosolex Sl Energies Group is leading both IRC Two-Handed and IRC 2. Ross Applebey's Oyster 48 Scarlet Oyster is going well and is provisionally second in IRC 2. Performance Yacht Racing's First 47.7 EH01, skippered by Gareth Glover is third.

In IRC Four, the British two-handed team of Charles Emmett and Tim Winsey racing Sigma 36 British Beagle lead the class, well ahead of Charles Staples' British Sigma 36 Tantrum Of Langstone. Charlene Howard's American Sun Odyssey 45.2 AJ Wanderlust has rejoined the race, having repaired their engine.

Track the fleet via: yb.tl/rbni2018

roundbritainandireland.rorc.org

International 5.5 Metre ClassScandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes
Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jurg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) took the first race win in the Scandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes on Wednesday after a tough opening test of skills and stamina. In an event where only the race win matters, Menzi battled throughout the race with Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, Trond Solli-Saether), and beat his rival to the finish line by a couple of metres after 90 minutes of hard racing.

The Scandinavian Gold Cup pits ones boat from each nation against each other in a battle to win races. Only race wins matter and the first to three wins takes the historic 99-year old trophy. It is a hard trophy to win; consistency pays no dividends, only race wins gives overall victory.

Marie-Françoise XIX is defending her win from last year, and is up against former world champion Nergaard, as well as defending world champion John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Mathias Dahlman).

The race is a true test with three windward-leeward legs and an offwind finish. It was a largely grey day with a few moments of sunshine, but with 10-22 knots and a sharp chop running in the Solent, it was a tough start to two weeks of racing.

Racing continues Thursday with two more races scheduled from 11.00, though an approaching storm front may delay proceedings. The Scandinavian Gold Cup fleet will also be joined by the Evolution and Classic fleets who will race for the Hankø Evolution Cup, the Royal Kaag Classic Cup.

5.5class.org
www.rys.org.uk/regattas/5-5m-worlds

'Spice it Up' in Grenada for the Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 2019
Grenada Sailing Week The 2019 Caribbean regatta circuit kicks off in the southern island of Grenada for the Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 27 Jan - 1 Feb. With four days of racing, and six nights of parties, it promises to be an exciting event.

Island Water World the chandlers 'that keep you sailing' are title sponsor for the sixth year in a row, opening the event with the Welcome Party Sunday night at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina. Port Louis Marina is the host venue for the first part of the regatta, welcoming racers for skippers briefing and registration, followed by two days of racing off the stunning Grand Anse Beach on the west coast.

Long time supporter The Grenada Tourism Authority, who recognise the importance of visiting yachtsman to the island are Mondays race day sponsors. The transition race on Tuesday moves the fleet to windier conditions on the south side of Grenada for more exciting racing.

Secret Harbour Marina is race day sponsor and venue for the remainder of the event and will host the ever popular Pirate Party Tuesday night. Wednesday is a lay day. Sea Hawks Premium Yacht Finishes providing primer and anti-fouling systems to discerning sailors for 40 years, have promoted and supported the event since its inception and are race day sponsor for Thursday. The regatta will finish with the Mount Gay Rum Race day on Friday and the infamous Red Hat party Friday night - the sought after cap, a symbol of achievement and participation.

Sign up and pay before the 30 Nov 2018 to benefit from early registration fee.

Online registration: yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=5886

For more information, including NoR, check our Website: www.grenadasailingweek.com
Email:
Facebook: GrenadaSailingWeek, or Twitter: @grenadasailweek

New Zealand pair win 420 world title
Seb Menzies and Blake McGlashan find it hard to comprehend what they have achieved after winning the 420 world championships in Newport this morning.

Not only did they win their first world title little more than a year after jumping in the boat together but they also won by a whopping 48 points over Spain's Elias Leonard Aretz Queck and Pablo Garcia Cranfield.

What is also remarkable is their age - Menzies is 13 and McGlashan 15 - and they did it in the open division. They sailed consistently well all week, winning five of their 12 races, including two in gold fleet, and only once finished outside the top six.

What will also add to their confidence is a look through past winners of the 420 world championships. On that list is Carl Evans and Peter Burling, who won in both 2006 and 2007 before going on to represent New Zealand in the men's 470 at the 2008 Olympics. Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (2007) and Alex Maloney and Bianca Babrich-Bacher (2009) were first females in their respective years.

An illustration of their progress is the fact Menzies and McGlashan were 41st - and fifth of the New Zealand teams - at the 2017 420 world championships in Perth over the New Year. They then won selection as New Zealand's entry at last month's youth sailing world championships in Corpus Christi, finishing a very credible fifth.

Results and standings after the final day of the 420 world championships in Newport today:

420 Open - Top 5 After 6 Races
1. Seb Menzies/Blake Mcglashan, NZL, 31
2. Elias Leonard Aretz Queck / Pablo Garcia Cranfield, ESP, 79
3. Martín Wizner Perez-Lafuente/Pedro Ramon Ameneiro Amezaga, ESP, 80
4. Luis Miguel Hernandez Tirado/Ignacio Balaguer Galbis, ESP, 89
5. Dylan Ascencios/William George, USA, 91

420 Women - Top 5 After 6 Races
1. María Caba Hernandez/Pilar Caba Hernandez, ESP, 74
2. Patricia Reino Cacho/Isabel Laiseca Bueno, ESP, 75
3. María Bover Guerrero/Catalina Homar Estarellas, ESP, 85
4. Michelle Lahrkamp/Gabriella Del Bello, USA, 97
5. Laura Akrich Vazquez/Clara Llabres Rival, ESP, 103

420 Under 17 Open - Top 5 After 6 Races
1. Jacobo García García/Antoni Ripoll Gonzalez, ESP, 76
2. Marina Garau Bosch/Blanca Cabot Sancho, ESP, 78
3. Odysseas Spanakis/Konstantinos Mixalopoulos, GRE, 82
4. Melina Pappa/Maria Tsamopoulou, GRE, 95
5. Oscar Pousche/Luca Coslovich, ITA, 107

Full results: 2018worlds.420sailing.org/en/default/races/race-resultsall

2018worlds.420sailing.org

Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image 2018 Officially Launched
Professional sailing photographers from all over the world are invited to join the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award 2018. Submission of the pictures open until September 12. Prize giving during the Yacht Racing Forum in Lorient, France, on October 23.

Yacht Racing photographers from all over the world are invited to attend the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award 2018.

Started in 2010, this event is the world's premier photography competition dedicated to the sport of sailing, celebrating the very best yacht racing image taken during the year, and which best represents the essence and excitement of the sport. Open to professional photographers, it provides an opportunity for yacht racing specialists to display their work and share their passion with a wide audience. More than two million people saw the pictures submitted for the last edition of the contest.

Submission of the pictures is open until September 12. In order to participate, photographers need to register and submit their best yacht racing image taken between October 13, 2017 and September 12, 2018, at the following address: www.yachtracingimage.com

Full launch release

Premiere Sailing League USA Chooses RS21 As The New Boat for Stadium Sailing
Click on image to enlarge.

RS21 The Premiere Sailing League USA (PSL) has announced its choice of the new RS21 to elevate the dynamic of the sport through its stadium sailing program. RS Sailing, the largest small boat manufacturer in the world, debuted the 21' keelboat in January 2018 to address the need for a progressive, simple, and affordable boat for keelboat clubs that are seeking solutions to growing fleet ownership, league competition and sail training.

The Premiere Sailing League USA will hold a demonstration event in Michigan at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (GPYC), September 7-8, 2018, to explain in detail why the boat is a perfect tool for the modern and pioneering pathways to sailing that GPYC is developing. An RS21 will be available for up to five crew to sail with Ed Furry from Sail22, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 7, and from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 8.

Following the demo event at GPYC, RS21s located in the Mid-West, and on the East and West Coasts, will allow demo opportunities to be accommodated on request. The RS21 will also be on display at the Newport International and Annapolis Boat Shows in, respectively, mid-September and October.

RSSailing.com
premieresailingleague.com

Going solo: Lisa Blair's next record attempt
This week, Lisa Blair has announced her latest adventure, to become the first woman to sail solo around Australia with plans to depart in October 2018. The Australian is no stranger to such a challenge and holds the record for the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica.

Departing from Sydney Australia in mid-October, Lisa Blair will be circumnavigating the entire coastline of Australia anti-clockwise and, as a solo challenge, will be the only person on board, taking approximately six weeks to complete the epic journey.

Her latest challenge will also see Sunshine Coast born Lisa circumnavigate the entire of Australia non-stop and unassisted for a total distance of 6,536 nautical miles

Lisa will be re-fitting her vessel to be 100% sustainably powered raising awareness of the message Climate Action Now, the name of her boat. Lisa founded Climate Action Now, designed to focus on the positive actions that can be taken by individuals to tackle climate change. She invites the community to complete post-it notes with an environmental action on her website.

Renaming her yacht to reflect this movement back in 2016, Lisa now digitally transfers her climate change messages into a vinyl hull-wrap proudly showcasing the 100's of commitments.

Lisa was awarded the Spirit of Adventure award by Australian Geographic and the Seamanship Award by the Ocean Cruising Club and finished off last year by partnering with The Magenta Project.org and leading the first all-female team in 16 years to race in the Rolex 2017 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on board her yacht Climate Action Now. -- Carolyn Grant

www.sail-world.com/news/208805/

2018 Rolex World Sailor of the Year
The nomination period for individuals to submit who they believe should be crowned Rolex World Sailor of the Year is now open. Anyone can nominate male and female sailors in any discipline of the sport.

Sailors nominated must have performed an "outstanding achievement in the sport of sailing between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018".

Nominations must be received by World Sailing no later than 19.00 UTC on Saturday 1 September 2018.

World Sailing will draw up a shortlist of nominations with the highest and most inspirational achievers going on to become the 2018 Rolex World Sailor of the Year Nominees.

On Tuesday 30 October 2018, the winners will be announced at the World Sailing Awards Ceremony in Sarasota, Florida, USA.

Nominate a sailor (or crew) for the 2018 Rolex World Sailor of the Year.

Airlie Beach Race Week
Day 5 of Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing and conditions during the morning were above and beyond the forecast 15 knots, the wind whipping seas up quickly and crews had to stay on their toes, then winds eased after lunch – another great day in paradise.

Our viewing platform for the penultimate day of the Whitsunday Sailing Club (WSC) organised event, was Alani, a luxury motor yacht. We did it in style, could see all the action from the top deck, and the crew looked after us superbly.

Ray Roberts' Team Hollywood was OCS in IRC Passage, but fought back to finish third overall behind Ichi Ban (Matt Allen) and Hooligan (Marcus Blackmore). Ichi Ban tops the leaderboard after five races with 12 points from Hollywood on 14 and Hooligan on 15.

Same for Luke Ratcliff's Heat (NSW) in the Sports Boats. Unfortunate in the evenly matched field, but they sailed in clear air and finished that race third. In their division, Syzgy, (Errol Goodwin), retired with rudder and traveller damage.

In Multihull Racing, despite making a mad dash back to shore after breaking a pole, Paul Mitchell and his Ullman Sails crew returned and sailed to third - impressive. It left the gate open for Mitchell's older brother Dale, who skippered Morticia (NSW) to a win from the local Dirty Deeds (Michael Van Der Zwaard).

In the Fareast 28 Nationals, Brett Whitbread and Pipeline Drillers (Qld) have drilled their way to the top of the pack, with four wins, until Drew Garnett's Fareast, Valkyrie (NSW), took the win yesterday and again today.

Racing at Airlie Beach Race Week Festival of Sailing finishes tomorrow. -- Di Pearson

All information including full results: www.abrw.com.au

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The Last Word
And we've got a toaster and everything. So there is no reason for the wedding. -- Karl Pilkington

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