In This Issue
La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro
Quantum Racing Win Their Third Regatta of the 2018 52 Super Series Season
Ryan Seago Wins Detroit Cup
Not just a (very) fast sailor
Double capsize on penultimate day of Extreme Sailing Series Cardiff
Hooligan VII wins De Guingand Bowl
Zhik Poole Week: Wet and Windy Weather Fails To Suppress Sailors' Spirits
Steady Sailing Lifts New York Yacht Club to Grandmasters Crown
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Marcus Aurelius
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La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro
The first stage of this 49th edition, La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro, is the longest of the four legs and it will be something of a baptism of fire for the 36 solo racers. They may have a relatively straightforward first afternoon after the start Sunday at 1300hrs but there will be a fast crossing of the Channel under spinnaker as a fast moving and active front passes over the fleet at the start of this evening.
It will be a pretty tough, challenging first night at sea with little chance to rest. But by Monday afternoon it there will be a big change in the weather as the anticyclone re-establishes itself and with that comes a measure of uncertainty, bringing light and unsteady winds. To get to Wolf Rock off the tip of Cornwall first and then across to the Portsall mark off the Breton peninsula in good shape, up to Guernsey and in to the finish in Saint Brieuc, it looks like a long, hard and very open game.
Unfortunately Stage 1 of his La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro only lasted about 90 minutes for the Irish solo racer Thomas Dolan (Smurfit Kappa). He has been forced to retire in to Le Havre because of a damaged starboard spreader. Dolan informed Race Direction that he was returning to the race start port where he is expected to repair and head directly to Saint-Brieuc to be ready for Stage 2. Abandoning the leg means his elapsed time is calculated at that of the last skipper to finish plus an additional two hours.
Only six and a half hours after leaving the La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro start line in Le Havre the leaders have already turned west, upwind at the Pullar mark, to the west of Owers. Anthony Marchand (Groupe Royer-Secours Populaire) lead at South Pullar at 1930h French time (1830 BST) being chased hard by Gildas Mahe (Breizh Cola), Tanguy le Turquais (Everial), Sebastien Simon (Bregagne Credit Mutuel Performance), Eric Peron (Finistere Mer Vent), Xavier Macaire (Groupe SNEF )and Vincent Biarnes (Baie de Saint-Brieuc). Brit Alan Roberts (Seacat Services) is tenth at 1.3nm behind leader. The fleet now race upwind leaving the Isle of Wight to starboard. Low water at Saint Catherine's point was around 1720 BST/1820 French time and so they will be sailing against the building flood tide.
Quantum Racing Win Their Third Regatta of the 2018 52 Super Series Season
The Bay of Palma served up a week of mostly atypical, unsettled and changeable summer sea breeze conditions for the fourth regatta of the 2018 52 Super Series season, the Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week.
The challenges to the tacticians, helms and speed teams of the ten TP52s were more frustrating than the usual Palma one-sided strategy, even a little random at times. But Quantum Racing proved the most adept in every department, winning their third 52 Super Series regatta of the four contested so far this season, the first with owner-driver Doug DeVos on the helm.
The season championship leaders not only won in Mallorca, but have extended their 52 SUPER SERIES circuit lead from 19 to 32 points over the nine races sailed.
The circuit standings promise a great fight in Valencia next month for second and third on the podium, Azzurra now in second are five points clear of Platoon and Sled, who are both tied on 168 points, with Luna Rossa in fifth now on 175 points.
Puerto Portals 52 Super Series Sailing Week Final Standings
1. Quantum Racing, USA, Doug DeVos, 35 points
2. Azzurra, ARG/ITA, Alberto/Pablo Roemmers, 38
3. Platoon, GER, Harm Muller-Spreer, 39
4. Phoenix, RSA, Hasso/Tina Plattner, 42.
5. Luna Rossa, ITA, Patrizio Bertelli, 49
6. Provezza, TUR, Ergin Imre, 52
7. Sled, USA, Takashi Okura, 53
8. Alegre, USA/GBR, Andy Soriano, 57
9. Onda, BRA, Eduardo de Souza Ramos, 64
10. Gladiator, GBR, Tony Langley, 69
2018 52 Super Series Overall Standings After Four Regattas:
1. Quantum Racing, USA, Doug DeVos, 131 points
2. Azzurra, ARG/ITA, Alberto and Pablo Roemmers, 163
3. Platoon, GER, Harm Muller-Spreer, 168
4. Sled, USA, Takashi Okura, 168
5. Luna Rossa, ITA, Patrizio Bertelli, 175
6. Phoenix, RSA, Hasso/Tina Plattner, 189
7. Alegre, USA/GBR, Andy Soriano, 190
8. Provezza, TUR, Ergin Imre, 215 p.
9. Onda, BRA, Eduardo de Souza Ramos, 248
10. Gladiator, GBR, Tony Langley, 287
Ryan Seago Wins Detroit Cup
Photo by PhotoElement, photoelement.com. Click on image for photo gallery.
And while a veteran of four past Detroit Cups and the qualifying events leading to them, which he credits for his team's prowess in the Ultimate 20s used in this event, this is the first time Seago has captured the main prize.
Seago's decisive victories in the first-to-two point Final over rival Will Boulden from Australia were consistent with many of his performances all week: start strong to take an early lead, and extend to defend that lead throughout the match. Except for a tight concluding match with Semi-Final rival Chris Poole and his Riptide Racing team, Seago did just this well in today's warm and hazy 5-7 knot conditions for the Finals. Yet even in yesterday's brisk 12-20+ knot conditions, Seago and his team's showed mastery of the of the boat and the race courses set on the current-strewn Detroit River.
In the Petit-Finals, Poole took an early lead and held this until the final downwind run, when rival Nick Egnot-Johnson and his team from New Zealand managed to catch the Riptide Racing team and with the smallest overlap drive them past the corner of the course and lead them back to the finish.
Next stop on the Grade 2 USA Grand Slam tour is at Oakcliff Sailing Center, followed by the Thompson Cup at Seawhanaka YC, both in Oyster Bay, NY. Winner of the USA Grand Slam gets an invitation to the 2019 Grade 1 Congressional Cup in Long Beach, CA. -- Dobbs Davis
Final Results:
1. Ryan Seago (USA)
2. Will Boulton (AUS)
3. Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL)
4. Chris Poole (USA)
5. James Wilson (NZL)
6. Pearson Potts (USA)
7. Finn Tapper (AUS)
8. William Curtiss (USA)
9. Clare Costanzo (AUS)
10. Will Cyr (USA)
Not just a (very) fast sailor
Google "microplastic pollution" and you'll be served up a dire litany of deeply-concerning articles about a type of pollution we didn't even know existed five years ago. Plastic in oceans has delivered a highprofile shaming of our poor ecological husbandry since the discovery in 1997 of the Great Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Gyre. What we now know is that this plastic breaks down into tiny fragments less than 5mm long and ocean currents distribute it so efficiently that there is not a single unpolluted patch of ocean left anywhere. And we know this distressing fact because of the innovative science programme launched and implemented by the Volvo Ocean Race 2017-18 – with Liz Wardley as a hands-on collector of some of these ubiquitous, yet elusive, plastic particles.
Wardley was the boat captain on the Volvo Ocean 65 Turn The Tide On Plastic, racing in the Volvo Ocean Race. During legs she collected samples and data for the race's science programme. This formed an important part of the Volvo Ocean Race sustainability programme developed with founding principal partner 11th Hour Racing to support UN Environment #CleanSeas, the race's official sustainability campaign.
Full article in the September issue of Seahorse
Double capsize on penultimate day of Extreme Sailing Series Cardiff
Cardiff Bay was alive with action today, as two boats capsized within moments of each other on the Extreme Sailing Series racecourse.
Charging downwind on the third race of the day (race 19), the Omani boat and Team Wales were both caught by strong 20 knot gusts that caused their hulls to become submerged and a cartwheel capsize to ensue.
All crewmembers on Team Wales were accounted for and there were no injuries to anyone onboard. Although the boat was righted quickly, foil damage unfortunately prevented the local wildcard team from competing for the rest of the day. With their boat recovered to shore, the Extreme Sailing Series technical teams began work to ensure the Welsh crew can compete on home waters on the final day of the event, Monday 27 August.
Just metres away, safety teams tended to the capsized Omani boat. The crew's mainsail trimmer, Pete Greenhalgh, was taken to shore to receive medical attention for an injury, whilst the Extreme Sailing Series safety teams swiftly righted the boat.
With no further injuries or boat damage sustained, the undaunted Omani team radioed for a reserve sailor to join their crew, in the hope that they could continue to race. Being a boat down but not done fighting, Team Wales skipper Adam Piggott answered their call, jumping on board the Omani boat to end the day on a high.
The final day of racing is due to get underway tomorrow at 10:00 BST/UTC+1 for the Flying Phantoms and 14:00 for the GC32s. With the last race of the day worth double points for both fleets, the teams at the top can't yet sleep easy – the Extreme Sailing Series is anyone's game.
Cardiff standings after Day 3, 21 races (26.08.18)
1. SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) Rasmus Kostner, Adam Minoprio, Julius Hallstrom, Herve Cunningham, Richard Mason: 220 points
2. Alinghi (SUI) Arnaud Psarofaghis, Nicolas Charbonnier, Timothe Lapauw, Bryan Mettraux, Yves Detrey: 213 pts
3. Oman Air (OMA) Phil Robertson, Pete Greenhalgh, James Wierzbowski, Stewart Dodson, Nasser Al Mashari: 205 pts
4. INEOS Rebels UK (GBR) Will Alloway, Leigh McMillan, Oli Greber, Adam Kay, Bleddyn Mon: 204 pts
5. Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) Roman Hagara, Chris Taylor, Ed Powys, Neil Hunter, Dan Morris, Rhys Mara: 187 pts
6. Team Mexico (MEX) Erik Brockmann, Tom Buggy, Alex Higby, Tom Phipps, Danel Belausteguigoitia Fierro: 155 pts
7. Team Wales (GBR) Adam Piggott, Alain Sign, Martin Evans, Gareth Fowler, Peter McCoy: 140 pts
Hooligan VII wins De Guingand Bowl
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's offshore racing season continued over the Bank Holiday Weekend with the 11th race of the RORC Season's Points Championship. The 2018 De Guingand Bowl Race was won overall, under IRC, by Ed Broadway's Ker 40 Hooligan VII. Ross Hobson's Seacart 30 Buzz took Line Honours in the Multihull Class, and Ker 46 Lady Mariposa, skippered by Nigel King, took Line Honours in the Monohull Class.
Hooligan VII is now leading IRC One for the RORC Season's Points Championship with two races remaining.
Congratulations to all of the Class Winners in the De Guingand Bowl Race: IRC One, Sailing Logic's First 40 Lancelot II, skippered by Peter Burwood. IRC Three and IRC Two-Handed, Louis-Marie Dussere's JPK 10.80 Raging-Bee² - SL energies Groupe, sailed by Charmy Laurent. IRC Four, Noel Racine's JPK 10.10 Foggy Dew. Class40, Tony Lawson's Concise 8, skippered by Jack Trigger.
The 2018 RORC Season's Points Championship continues with the Cherbourg Race, starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line on Saturday 7th September. This year the ever popular Cherbourg Race will also include the offshore element for the Double Handed National Championships.
Zhik Poole Week: Wet and Windy Weather Fails To Suppress Sailors' Spirits
For much of this season the met men have struggled to predict what's going to happen barely 12 hours in advance: those of us on the central south coast would have been better off ringing granny in Penzance (or Brightlingsea, depending on the wind direction) and asking her to look out of the window.
As far as this Sunday was concerned, however, the forecasters seemed to be in no doubt several days ahead. It was going to be wet. And windy. And generally 'orrible as far as any form of boating was concerned. And they were right.
Unfortunately, Sunday was also the first day of Zhik Poole Week. By the time the competitors had gathered at Parkstone Yacht Club for the briefing at 11am, the rain had already set in (slightly early – the met men weren't that good). The wind, on the other hand, wasn't frightening, even if rain always makes it feel at least 10 knots stronger than it really is. Parkstone's starting platform was registering a manageable 17 knots gusting 23, but much more was promised. Principal Race Officer, Steve Tyler, announced that a decision would be made about the day's racing at 12:00, by which time gusts over 30 had been recorded. Flags N over A (no racing) were duly hoisted, much to the relief of those competitors who had already made the decision to stay ashore but were pleased not to see their chances of success during the week compromised.
Some people went home while others stayed at the club to eat, drink and be merry, looking out through the rain-lashed windows as Brownsea Island and Sandbanks disappeared in the murk. Most were pleased not to be out there especially when, during the afternoon, the wind in the harbour averaged 25 knots for a while and peaked at 39 knots.
The loss of a day's racing in Poole Week doesn't mean there won't be a prize-giving, however, because the random draw for the day's Zhik goodie bag goes ahead regardless and any competitor can win. This brought everyone back to the club for the evening, many taking advantage of the food and drink vouchers included with their entry.
Zhik Poole Week continues until Friday, with conditions looking much better for the rest of the week. -- David Harding
Full entries/results on www.pooleweek.org
Steady Sailing Lifts New York Yacht Club to Grandmasters Crown
Newport RI, USA: A year ago, the host New York Yacht Club won the Grandmasters Team Race for the first time by the thinnest of margins. This year, the home team emphatically defended the title, compiling the most points in the round robins and then losing just one of six races in the knock-out portion of the event.
The New York Yacht Club Grandmasters Team Race was first run in 2010. Skippers must be at least 60 years of age while crew must be 50. The Grandmasters Team Race is sponsored by AIG Private Client Group.
Originally the Grandmasters regatta was sailed three-on-three in Sonars with just the jib and main. This year, in a nod to the increasing competitiveness of the event and skill of the sailors, spinnakers were used in light and moderate winds.
With eight teams competing, including squads representing clubs from Louisiana, California and Sweden, there was little down time. En route to its win, the New York Yacht Club team sailed 31 won races, winning 25.
After three full round robins and then a mini round robin with the top five teams, New York Yacht Club was two points ahead of Newport Harbor, with Southern Yacht Club in third and St. Francis Yacht Club in fourth.
While New York dispatched St. Francis in two races in the semifinals, Southern came back from a loss in the first race to beat Newport Harbor 2-1 to advance to the finals. There New York proved too strong, however, taking the championship by a 3-1 score.
Noroton Yacht Club won the Grandmasters Regatta the first six times it was sailed. New York finally broke that streak a year ago. This year, in addition to the convincing win in the Grandmasters Team Race, the New York Yacht Club also won the Peter Wilson Trophy, which is awarded to the club that performs the best in all the grandmasters team races around the country.
Winning team from New York Yacht Club: Commodore Phil Lotz (skipper), Zach Leonard, Wendy Lotz, Peter Benedetto, Bill Trip (skipper), Chip Whipple, Danielle Tripp, John Hele, Ted Moore (captain, skipper) Sal Altreuter, George Hinman, Amy Drinker.
Gold Knock-Out Round Results
Finals: New York (N.Y.) Yacht Club d. Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans), 3-1
Petit-Finals: St. Francis Yacht Club (San Francisco, Calif.) d. Newport Harbor Yacht Club (Newport Beach, Calif.), 2-1
Semifinals: New York YC d. St. Francis YC, 2-0; Southern YC d. Newport Harbor YC, 2-1
Round Robin Results
1. New York Yacht Club, 20-5
2. Newport Harbor Yacht Club, 18-7
3. Southern Yacht Club, 17-8
4. St. Francis Yacht Club, 15-10
5. Noroton Yacht Club (Darien, Conn.), 13-12
6. Annapolis (Md.) Yacht Club, 6-18
7. Gamla Stans Yacht Sallskap (Stockholm, Sweden). 4-20
8. Storm Trysail Club (Larchmont, N.Y.), 4-20
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The Last Word
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. -- Marcus Aurelius
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