In This Issue
Raging north in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race
Another Suspenseful Day at the Women's Match Racing World Championship
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Eric Monnin is European Match Race Champion
An update from Alex Thomson Racing
World Sailing Board fully endorses first report from Governance Commission
Industry News
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Frank Zappa

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

Raging north in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race
Tough conditions have continued for the fleet racing in the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race, with competitors reporting 30 knots of wind gusting to 35, with 3-4 metre waves in a confused sea state.

As the front runners reach the halfway point, the battle for line honours is raging north of the Outer Hebrides. Class40 Concise 8 skippered by Jack Trigger moved up to second place yesterday and briefly took pole position during the night. However, Phil Sharp's Imerys Clean Energy fought back to regain the lead as the team passed the remote island of Sula Sgeir. Nicolas Troussel's Corum is less than a mile behind Concise 8. Giles Redpath's Pata Negra is still the provisional overall leader after IRC time correction, but Ben Schwartz and Chen Jin Hao's Figaro 2 Velosolex has closed the gap.

After taking a substantial lead for line honours and the Class40 division, Imerys Clean Energy blew out their spinnaker yesterday afternoon, as Phil Sharp explains: "Approaching the cold front the wind was building so we made the decision to change the spinnaker to the smaller Code 5. Just as we all went on deck the boat buried its bow in a wave and the front of the spinnaker tore off completely, which is a massive disappointment. The boat turned into a sail loft; I am confident that it will hold, you just never really can be 100% sure. There is quite a lot of wind at the moment so we are not suffering too much. Judging by the speeds of Corum, I think their spinnaker also broke."

Marc Dubos Class40 Esprit Scout has officially retired from the race, crew are safe and well. Charlene Howard's American Sun Odyssey 45.2 AJ Wanderlust has an electrical problem and is undertaking repairs in Cork.

Fleet tracker: yb.tl/rbni2018

roundbritainandireland.rorc.org

Another Suspenseful Day at the Women's Match Racing World Championship
The top four teams after the round robin earned the rights to play tourist for the day and explore the historic city of Ekaterinburg while the remaining teams fought for the chance to join the top four in the quarter finals. And a good battle it was on Verkh-Isetsky pond.

Alexa Bezel's Swiss Women's Match Racing Team regrouped after missing the cut yesterday and finished on top of the second stage.

This finalized the eight teams who will advance to the Quarter Finals:

Lucy Macgregor, Team Mac, GBR
Pauline Courtois, Match in Pink by Normandy Elite Team, FRA
Trine Palludan, Team Kattnakken, DEN
Ekaterina Kochkina, ProKaTeam Sailing Team, RUS
Alexa Bezel, Swiss Women Match Racing Team, SUI
Alexandra Martynova, BornToSail, RUS
Milena Laverycheva, BERGAUF Sailing Team, RUS
Marinella Laaksonen, L2 Match Racing Team, FIN

The Quarter Finals and some of the Semi Finals are scheduled for Friday. The event will conclude on Saturday with the remainder of the Semi Finals, the Petit Finals, the Finals and the Closing Ceremonies.

www.wimseries.com

Seahorse August 2018
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Seahorse build table - Coming on very nicely (thank you)
First it was 20 boats, then suddenly it became 40 boats... And now even that number is looking as if it may be an under-estimate. Dobb Davis

Classic Transpac
Next year will see the 50th edition of one of the greatest ocean races of them all… save the date

Rod Davis - Freshen it up
Get up forward to Marlboro Country, you worthless bunch of backstay hangers...

ORC - Life is compromise
A unique opportunity to learn. Matteo Polli

IMA - Rewarding but complex
A humble employee writes... Rob Weiland

No stone unturned
The sea trials of the first Advanced 80 from Italian shipyard Advanced Yachts can only be described as rigorous... three years in and counting

Special rates for Scuttlebutt Europe subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code SB2

1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/

1yr Digital Sub for £30: www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/digital

Discounts shown are valid on a one year subscription to Seahorse magazine.

Eric Monnin is European Match Race Champion
The Haven Kakumae Marina Sailing Stadium revealed European Champions in Match Racing. Gold medals went to Eric Monnin and team from Switzerland, silver medals to Mati Sepp and team from Estonia and bronze medals to Maxime Mesnil and team to France.

16 teams from 13 different countries participated the regatta. 10 participating teams currently hold a place in the top 20 of the World's Match Race ranking, this makes it the highest level of racing in Estonia so far. Within 4 days, world-class sailors experienced unusual tropical shifty winds, this did not give any advantage to locals either. The Round Robin was sailed in two different groups during two days and the 4 best teams from both groups made it through to quarterfinals. Places from 9th to 16th were decided in the King of The Castle format. Mati Sepp (EST) and Simon Bertheau (FRA) came out as winners of the 2 groups respectively with the same score, 6 wins out of 7 matches. From Saturday´s quarter-finals 4 teams - Mati Sepp (EST), Maxime Mesnil (FRA), Simon Bertheau (FRA) and Eric Monnin (SUI) - fought the hardest to qualify for Sunday´s semi-finals.

Quarter final results:
Mati Sepp - Kim Kling 3:1
Maxime Mesnil - Ettore Botticini 3:1
Simon Bertheau - Vladimir Lipavsky 3:1
Eric Monnin - Dejan Presen 3:1

In the Semi´s French Bertheau chose his poison Sepp as his opponent, but lost it 3:1. Second semi-final was battle between last year´s European Champion Mesnil and highest ranked skipper Monnin, which ended 3:1 to Monnin.

Semi finals results:
Mati Sepp - Simon Bertheau 3:1
Eric Monnin - Maxime Mesnil 3:1

Thus We had Sepp - Monnin in the finals and both remaining French teams had to decide 3rd and 4th place in the petit final.

Maxime Mesnil - Simon Bertheau 2:0

Final results:
1. Eric Monnin (SUI) - Simon Brügger, Jean-Marc Monnard, Sylvain Wenger, Marc Monnin
2. Mati Sepp (EST) - Ago Rebane, Janno Hool, Karl Kolk
3. Maxime Mesnil (FRA) - Chateau Yann, Yves Marie Pilon, Pierroz Aurelien
4. Simon Bertheau (FRA) - Baptiste Hulin, Jean Baptiste Gellee, Theau Guilcher
5. Vladimir Lipavsky (RUS) - Egor Larionov, Nikolay Kornev, Andrey Kochnev
6. Ettore Botticini (ITA) - Andrea Fornaro, Simone Busonero, Lorenzo Gennari
7. Dejan Presen (SLO) - Miha Truden, Jure Jerkovic, Hrvoje Petrovic
8. Kim Kling (SWE) - Viktor Langstrom, Wilhelm Eriksson, Fredrik Langstrom
9. James Pinder (GBR) - Jamie Webb, Geroge Hopes, Sam Jenkins, Alex Smallwood
10. Georg Tallberg (FIN) - Markus Ronnberg, Måns Lundberg, Jasper Karlsson
11. Jelmer van Beek (NED) - Rob Sprij, Robin Jacobs, Jesse Mol
12. Emil Kjaer (DEN) - Jeppe Borch, Nicolai Borch, Carl Nielsen, Nicolai Bokgaard
13. Patryk Zbroja (POL) - Maciej Gonerko, Marcin Zubrzycki, Krzysztof Zetudziewicz
14. Max Trippolt (AUT) - Hanno Sohm, Anne Mahr, Michael Thaler, Oliver Thaler
15. Harles Liiv (EST) - Andrus Aavaste, Alan Kõdar, August Luure
16. Pavel Zimin (RUS) - Sergei Zudov, Anton Naidov, Vladislav Toporkov

The next stops on the Match Race Super League 2018 will be in the US with Oakcliff International and the Thompson Cup early September, before moving to Singapur.

www.mrsuperleague.org

An update from Alex Thomson Racing
This newsletter comes to you hot off the press from Cowes Week, as we enter a (very) brief rest period before the next stage of 2018 kicks in, with all eyes on La Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.

As you read this, the current HUGO BOSS boat is in refit, in preparation for the race start in November.

We've carried out a 90-degree test and had the boat measured by Chief IMOCA Measurer Rene Boulaire.

Have a look behind the scenes and find out more about why we carry out these tests in the video below...

World Sailing Board fully endorses first report from Governance Commission
World Sailing's Board has received and unanimously approved the first report from World Sailing's Governance Commission at its meeting on 23 July 2018.

World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, is undertaking a governance review and the meeting marks another step on World Sailing's governance modernisation plan.

The Governance Commission is independently chaired by Maria Clarke, a sports lawyer and sports governance expert. The rest of the Commission brings together people from all the sailing continents including Vice President Jan Dawson, Philip Baum, Malav Shroff, Sarah Treseder and Luis Velasco. They each serve the Commission in their personal capacities rather than as representatives of any particular stakeholder.

Following its first two-day meeting, the Commission reported to the Board on its objectives, principles, proposed programme of work and timetable for approval. The Commission also reported on the initial feedback it had received from Board members, Council members and some other stakeholders, noting that it proposed more detailed and through consultation with all national federations, classes and other stakeholders in its work.

The Board fully supported the Commission's conclusion that there is a profound and compelling need to change the governance structure of World Sailing. The Board agreed that without improvements to its governance by the end of 2019, World Sailing faces a significant risk of losing credibility and influence, declining interest and membership in sailing federations, and an inability to effectively and efficiently deliver on its strategy, including developing the sport.

Full report: www.sailing.org/news/87638.php#.W3Y1WJNKi3B

Industry News
Volvo Penta has named Peter Granqvist as a new member of the Volvo Penta Executive Group

Granqvist will take up the position of senior vice president for product development, planning and purchasing, replacing Johan Inden.

Granqvist is joining Volvo Penta from DENSO Corporation where he currently is the president and managing director for Sweden. He will take up the role on September 1.

Granqvist has a solid foundation in industrial engineering, business management and higher education. During his career at Japanese global automotive supplier DENSO Corp, he led large multi-national and complex engineering programs as well as multi-national business divisions, both in Sweden and Japan.

Stefan Carlsson will continue to support the Volvo Penta Executive Group as senior advisor, and will maintain his role as segment head of Marine Diesel & Commercial. As of January 1, 2019, the segment head for Marine Diesel & Commercial will be transferred to Johan Inden.

plus.ibinews.com

----------------------------------------------

World Sailing and the Yacht Racing Forum are delighted to announce the continuation of their partnership until 2020. Involved alongside the Yacht Racing Forum since its debut in 2008 in Monaco, World Sailing is the world governing body for the sport of sailing, officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

" The Yacht Racing Forum is a perfect meeting point for the key people involved in the business of sailing from all around the world ", said World Sailing CEO Andy Hunt. " This event is complimentary to our annual conference and we are pleased to extend our partnership until 2020. "

Held every year, the Yacht Racing Forum is the leading annual conference for the global yacht racing industry. The two-day event will take place on October 22-23 in Lorient, France. The event will attract some 300 people from all around the world in one place at one time to do business and meet future clients: yacht clubs, athletes, sponsors, event organisers, designers, technical suppliers and anyone involved or just interested in yacht racing.

" The Yacht Racing Forum is a must attend event for corporations and individuals involved in the business of sailing and yacht racing ", said Bernard Schopfer, the event's CEO. " Many companies involved in sailing around the world have already confirmed their support for the Yacht Racing Forum and joined us as sponsors and exhibitors. Today, we are proud to extend our long lasting partnership with the sports' governing body: we consider their support as a strong mark of confidence, which we are proud of. "

www.yachtracingforum.com/forum/

----------------------------------------------

South Africa's flagship marina, the Royal Cape Yacht Club, is a step closer to resolving uncertainty around its lease with the national Ports Authority Transnet, the South African Boat Builders Export Council reports.

This follows Transnet's decision to revise its Port Development Framework Plan, which now includes the yacht club area as a 'recreational' zone inside Cape Town harbour. Previously Transnet had earmarked the area as a future ship repair facility.

RCYC general manager Toni Mainprize told SABBEX the revised document renewed hope that the Club would be accommodated inside the port. She said the onus was now on the Club to produce a commercially competitive bid when their current lease came up for renewal. "Now we know we at least have a chance to secure our land," Mainprize told SABBEX. "Invariably we would have to go in with a bid which makes it a much more commercially attractive proposition," she said.

Transnet has been at loggerheads with the sailing community in recent years due to new stringent lease conditions that include higher commercial rates. Historically water sport clubs located inside harbour facilities have enjoyed discounted rates due to their public benefit. In March the 60-year-old Algoa Bay Yacht Club was evicted from their premises in Port Elizabeth harbour following a lengthy legal battle with Transnet.

plus.ibinews.com

----------------------------------------------

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) in the US is calling on marine firms to sign an online petition telling President Trump to make a deal that immediately withdraws tariffs to avoid an escalating trade war.

Last week the Trump Administration announced a new 167.16% tariff on common alloy aluminum sheet imports from China, bringing the total tariff on the product to at least 210%.

In addition, roughly 300 component parts commonly used in recreational boats are now subject to a 25% tariff, following a recent announcement of Section 301 tariffs on approximately $50bn worth of Chinese products.

Worse still, Canada, the EU and Mexico - which account for 69% of annual US boat exports - have announced retaliatory tariffs on boats of 10%, 25%, and 15%.

To sign the petition, visit www.votervoice.net/NMMA/Petitions/1356/Respond

----------------------------------------------

The Hamble Classics Regatta and Royal Southern Yacht Club are delighted to announce that A-Plan Marine Insurance will sponsor the 2018 Hamble Classics Concours d'Elegance Awards. A-Plan Marine Insurance is a one-stop marine insurance brokerage with wide experience in the marine market ranging from Commercial Marine insurance, Yachts power and sail, Superyachts and Racing Yachts.

Commenting on the new partnership, Jonty Sherwill, Event Director of Hamble Classics said "We pride ourselves in promoting the local marine industry and A-Plan Insurance understands our ethos and is a key service provider to many locally based companies around the River Hamble".

This year's Concours d'Elegance judging panel will be chaired once again by David Aisher, past Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and owner of the 1888 gaff-cutter 'Thalia', and will include Jane Coombs, founder member of the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta.

The 2018 Hamble Classics Regatta hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, 15/16th September, is for yachts and dayboats designed pre-1971 plus later built versions in GRP, and includes S&S designed Nautor Swans, gaff rigged yachts old or new, and Spirit of Tradition. This years's entry list includes strong contenders for the Concours d'Elegance Awards, won in 2016 by Nick and Liz Harvey's pre-1912 Falmouth Quay Punt 'Sophie' and in 2017 by James and Rachel Youngman's Laurent Giles designed 'Lutine of Helford'.

www.aplan.co.uk/personal/marine/marine-trade-insurance/
www.royal-southern.co.uk/events/hamble-classics-2018

----------------------------------------------

Doyle Sails announced yet another significant update today with the news that legendary Australian sailor, Chris Nicholson, will be buying into the Doyle Sails business and becoming part of this rapidly developing brand and team.

Chris Nicholson is a world-renowned Australian sailor that has a significant number of sailing accolades under his belt. Chris has competed in an impressive six Volvo Ocean Races, most recently with Akzo Nobel in the latest 2017/18 race.

He has also competed in six Sydney-Hobart races. Alongside his offshore sailing, Chris has competed for many years in National, International and Olympic Classes, having been an Australian Olympic team member for Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004. Chris has twice been awarded Australian Yachtsman of the Year and was a finalist in the Sperry World Sailor of the Year in 1999.

Chris Nicholson is buying into Doyle Sails Lake MacQuarie in NSW Australia. He will be working in partnership with Peter McNeill who has been a sailmaker for 40 years having set up his own business in 1992 and who has been part of Doyle Sails Group since 2007. Peter is an experienced sailmaker and also a world class sailor winning multiple events including the 2004 Etchells World Championships.

www.doylesails.com/doyle-lake-macquarie-australia

----------------------------------------------

The Essential Guide to the COLREGs from Fernhurst Books

Learning, understanding and remembering the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) is important for anyone venturing onto the water.

The second edition of Learn the Nautical Rules of the Road, written by Paul Boissier, breaks down the rules of the COLREGs so you understand what they are and how they are applied at sea. Ideal for boosting confidence or passing an exam, and also a great on-board reference that includes the COLREGs in full.

----------------------------------------------

Having sponsored Antigua Sailing Week since 2016, it is with great pleasure that Peters & May, alongside event organisers announce the renewal of their Sponsorship to include both the 2019 and 2020 events. A world-renowned regatta, Antigua Sailing Week grows year on year, with participants travelling the globe to come together and compete in what is labelled to be the Caribbean's most prestigious regatta. Five days of racing around Antigua's dramatic terrain produces some of the finest yacht racing worldwide, attracting over 100 participating yachts annually.

As the official shipping and logistics partner to Antigua Sailing Week, the renewed commitment of Peters & May marks the further development of relationships with the Ministry of Tourism, Port Authority and the Antigua & Barbuda Marine Association. Alison Sly-Adams, Commercial Director of Antigua Sailing Week is pleased to continue in collaboration with Peters & May; "As participants' post-Antigua Sailing Week schedules become increasingly busy, return sailings to the US, Europe and Mediterranean grow in popularity every year. The service Peters & May offers is therefore an essential part of the options we offer to our competitors."

www.petersandmay.com
www.sailingweek.com

Featured Brokerage
2008 Swan 90-703 'B5'. 4,500,000 EUR. Located in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

The yacht has been bought one year ago after a successful previous life as a racing yacht, which proved to be the best way to contain her usage and preserve her systems along the years, as the real time spent at sea has been reduced to a minimum.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Lorenzo Bortolotti

Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

-----------------------------------------

2016 Club Swan 50-003 'Cuordileone'. 1,100,000 EUR. Located in Newport, RI, USA.

ClubSwan50: A yacht that is a small revolution in performance and pure sailing pleasure.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Lorenzo Bortolotti

Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

-----------------------------------------

1998 Elliot 1850 Schooner - ZINDABAR. 545,000 GBP. Located in Bay of Islands, NZ.

Greg Elliot is a legend in the Southern Hemisphere where his fast, lean and utilitarian yachts are perfect for making fast passages through the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. They are superb seaboats and there design and execution is simple and robust. ZINDABAR is a good example of his craft and has been substantially updated in this ownership. A big refit in 2009 has been followed by a number of smaller upgrades to ensure that she remains ocean ready.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Ben Cooper
+44 (0) 1590 679 222

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
It isn't necessary to imagine the world ending in fire or ice -- there are two other possibilities: one is paperwork, and the other is nostalgia. -- Frank Zappa

Editorial and letter submissions to

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html