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In This Issue
International Fleet set for RORC Transatlantic Race
Extreme Sailing Series US wildcard team
Harken Battcar Systems: proven in the Volvo Ocean Race - again.
2019 - 2023 Nautor's Swan Racing Calendar
2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit - Round Six
It's here - for a short time only.
Sailing makes debut at Invictus Games
In 2020, Yannick Bestaven will return to the Vendee Globe with Maitre CoQ
eSail® Sailing Simulator delivers practical & fun virtual sailing
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Edward Abbey
International Fleet set for RORC Transatlantic Race
Crew from all over the world will be competing in the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race which sets off from Marina Lanzarote, Arrecife on Saturday November 24th. The 3,000 nautical mile-long race to Grenada is the final challenge in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's 2018 calendar, and is an ideal way to bond a team together for the RORC Caribbean 600 in February 2019.
Franco Niggeler's Swiss Cookson 50 Kuka 3 is one of the favourites for the overall win decided by yachts racing under the IRC Rating Rule for the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy.
"This will be my first Atlantic crossing and the first part of a project including the RORC Caribbean 600, the Transpac and the Rolex Sydney Hobart," commented Kuka 3's owner Niggeler. "The first few days will be very important with difficult tactical choices which could decide the outcome of the race. Our aim is to do as well as possible as we have a competitive boat and it is up to us to get the best out of it."
Kuka 3 has a highly experienced crew, including Italian navigator Andrea Caracci (11 Mini-Transats) and Spanish Watch Captain Gonzalo Araujo (Volvo Ocean Race and TP52). Kuka 3 will be skippered by Spain's Roberto 'Chuny' Bermudez de Castro who has raced 500,000 nautical miles, including seven round the world races, winning the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race with Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing.
Teams from Scandinavia will also be racing in the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race, including Henrik Bergesen's Norwegian Class40 Hydra (Oslo) and Arto Linnervuo's Finnish Xp-44 Xtra Staerk (Espoo).
Hydra is one of the latest generation Class40 designed by Owen Clarke. Launched in 2017, Bergesen's Hydra was 7th in the 26-strong Class40 fleet racing Two-Handed in the 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race. For the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race, two British Class40 experts will be on board; Paul Peggs and Pip Hare. Skipper Tristan Kinloch, with plenty of big boat experience, will lead the Hydra crew.
he closing date for entries for the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race is the 5th November and for further information, please contact the RORC Race Team: or go to: rorctransatlantic.rorc.org
Extreme Sailing Series US wildcard team
US-flagged wildcard entry, Element Spark Compass, will join the six other international Extreme Sailing Series teams of elite level sailors in San Diego this weekend (18-21 October), for the West Coast Act of the 2018 Series.
Fronted by US match racing champion Taylor Canfield, who sailed with the Extreme Sailing Series on China One in 2016, the local boat will be crewed by a fully US team, including two Californians.
Canfield will be joined on board by Floridian sailor John Wallace, a rising star in the M32 class, and Laser sailing Californian, Mateo Vargas. Fellow Californian Matt Noble backs them up, with the crew completed by Rhode Island sailor, Sam Hallowell.
A mentor to his young American team of up and coming sailors, Canfield is looking forward to racing against the Series regulars - a world-class fleet consisting of America's Cup winners, Olympians and World Champions.
The US team is backed by new Series partners, Element Sports Group and Spark Compass.
In addition to the headline GC32 racing, there will be the Element Sports Kite Boarding Invitational, O'pen BIC youth sailing, Go SeaQuest on-the-water simulators, an extensive Race Village offering bars and food stalls, and much more.
Harken Battcar Systems: proven in the Volvo Ocean Race - again.
And nothing so easy to add, adds so much safety.
Harken Battcars are so low in friction, you reef easily even while blast reaching. They're the difference between an uneventful reef and more hands out of the cockpit in the roughest conditions. Today's Battcar and track systems are completing their second lap of the planet in the Volvo Ocean Race. After more than 60,000 miles, they've proven so reliable the shore teams no longer feel the need to carry spares. They just pop the captive bearing cars off the track, inspect, rinse, and reapply. Watch the video.
Even better, new Harken slug track makes Battcar refitting your grooved spar a realistic DIY project - one far less expensive than in-boom or in-mast furling.
Battcar retrofits are easier than ever. You can do it with your mast up. New Harken slug track makes it possible. The track screws to pre-tapped slugs that slide into the mast groove. Slide in a slug. Screw on the track. Slide track up. Repeat. Then final tighten. Slugs are available for round or flat grooves so they fit perfectly and slide into place easily.
Watch the video.
2019 - 2023 Nautor's Swan Racing Calendar
After a stunning Rolex Swan Cup 2018, last September, Nautor's Swan is now looking ahead, planning a thrilling racing season for next years.
There are plenty of new, exciting events being organized for 2019 among which a new approach in Northern Europe and the Americas. In Northern Europe, the Swan European Regatta 2019 has been confirmed and the event will take place in the extraordinary setting of Cowes from July 7th to 12th - Isle of Wight, under the organization of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
To satisfy the wider Northern European Swan community, we are delighted to confirm too that the Swan European Regatta has a brand new format, now to be held yearly (instead of biennially) and itinerant, i.e. moving in 2020 to Sweden, in 2021 to Finland, in 2022 to Denmark and in 2023 to Germany. Each time hosted by the very best yacht clubs in each country to ensure the highest level of racing and lovely social settings.
In America, after a few years of absence, we will organize a new Swan American Regatta. It will be held in Newport (RI) on June 13-16, 2019 with the professional and inimitable support of the NYYC.
We regret to inform you that, due to major damage at the YCCS Virgin Gorda facilities, after Hurricane Irma, we had no choice but to freeze the next edition of the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean. Therefore: no Caribbean event in 2019.
Turning to the Swan One Design division, after a successful first year, locations and dates have been unveiled for the 2019 The Nations Trophy Mediterranean League.
Monaco Swan One Design - April 9-13
Scarlino Swan One Design - April 30 - May 4
Rolex Giraglia - June 9-15
Copa Del Rey Mapfre - July 28- August 04
The 2019 The Nations Trophy North European League will take place within the Nord Stream Race, scheduled in June/July 2019. More information will follow soon.
The cherry on the cake of our One Design calendar will be the second edition of The Nations Trophy, the pinnacle biennial event, to be stages in the challenging waters of Palma de Mallorca and hosted by the renowned Real Club Nautico de Palma.
This will be the perfect location to compete for the Swan 45 Worlds, the ClubSwan 50 Worlds, the ClubSwan 42 Europeans and the kick off of the brand new ClubSwan 36 Class, with the first Europeans.
Save the date: October 08-12!
2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit - Round Six
The 2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit will come to a conclusion this weekend (19-21 October) with the final regatta for 2018. Round 6 of the 2018 FAST40+ Circuit is hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club, and will decide the season's champion.
Up to eight races are scheduled over three days of thrilling action, with windward leeward courses and longer races around the cans. The final round of the FAST40+ Circuit is weighted 1.5 towards the overall championship. Niklas Zennstrom's Rán 7 has a substantial lead, but with the final round weighted, the Swedish flagged team will need to finish the job, if they are to win the 2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit. Peter Morton's Girls on Film, based on the Isle of Wight, is the biggest threat to Rán.
Girls on Film has a nine point cushion on two teams vying for second place. Stewart Whitehead's Rebellion and Bas de Voogd's Hitchhiker are locked in a titanic battle for the podium. Rebellion and Hitchhiker are tied on points going into the final round.
Tony Dickin's Jubilee leads the chasing pack, five points ahead of Niall & Olivia Dowling's Pace. Mike Bartholomew's Tokoloshe II, Filip Englebert's Elvis and Steve Cowie's Zephyr, will all be looking for a final flourish to rise up the leaderboard and end the season on a high.
Action for Round 6 of the 2018 FAST40+ Race Circuit starts on Friday 19 October, 2018. Results will be posted daily at www.fast40class.com
It's here - for a short time only.
Zhik's ex-catalogue clearance sale means up to 55% off a wide range of technical sailing gear.
For yacht sailors there are DeckBeater shorts and long pants, which do exactly what they say on the tin. And the very quick-drying ZhikDry tops and polos. Plus, grab yourself some Merino underwear, technical tailored Z-fleeces, hardwearing, stretchy deck shorts (very comfortable for long days afloat), and the fabulous soft, grippy ZKG shoes. Waterproofs on offer include Isotak Ocean and the lighter weight Aroshell coastal and inshore models.
For small boat sailors here's your chance to snatch up some great deals for winter sailing on Zhik Superwarm steamers, skiff suits and tops, or the lighter Microfleece and Hybrid wetsuits for warmer climates. Plus, there's Spandex rashies, the technical Orspan and Hydrophobic tops which are perfect for sports boat racing, and the very flattering Avinta women's, watersports underwear.
Restock that kit bag and Save up to 55% with Zhik this autumn.
What's not to like?
www.zhik.com/clearance-sale-2018.html
Sailing makes debut at Invictus Games
Nine sailors are ready to represent Team UK in the first ever Invictus Games sailing event which makes its debut later this weekend
Sailing takes place on day one of the Games, with Sydney Harbour providing the stunning backdrop for the competition in two classes on Sunday 21 October.
Spencer Bull, the Team UK Vice-Captain, competes in the Hansa 303 one-person event, while two teams of four Britons will do battle in the Elliott 7 keelboat class.
Poppy Pawsey, John Shepard, Sadie Melling and Andrew 'Pav' Taylor make up one crew with Daniel Majid, Lavinia Goddard, Emma McCormick and Debbie Godfrey teaming up in the other UK boat.
To select a team of sailors to compete at the Invictus Games, RYA Sailability have been working with partners at Help for Heroes, the Royal British Legion and the Ministry of Defence to deliver a programme which, at its heart, is using sport and activity to support people's recovery and rehabilitation.
In 2020, Yannick Bestaven will return to the Vendee Globe with Maitre CoQ
Unlucky in the 2008-2009 Vendee Globe, when he was forced to retire early in the race, Yannick Bestaven will have another chance to complete the solo round the world voyage in 2020. Thanks to the support of Maitre CoQ, Jeremie Beyou's former sponsor, the experienced skipper from La Rochelle will take part in the races in the calendar for the IMOCA Globe Series. In Saint-Malo on 4th November, he will line up at the start of his third Route du Rhum, his first on an IMOCA, aboard the 2006 Farr-designed boat on which he finished fifth in the Transat Jacques Vabre last year with Kito de Pavant. We met up with him to find out more.
Yannick, how does it feel to have a new headline sponsor for your project?
"It feels great, of course. I haven't had the opportunity to prepare for a Vendee Globe since 2008 with Aquarelle.com (Yves Parlier's former Aquitaine Innovations, editor's note). It's been quite some time now that I have wanted to return to this race. But we all know how hard it is to set up these projects. I fully appreciate now how lucky I am to be able to benefit from this partnership, as this allows me to look ahead, compete on a reliable boat that I have already got to grips with and with such a huge partner as Maitre CoQ, who knows the score. It is an honour to follow in the footsteps of Jeremie Beyou (Maitre CoQ sponsored Jeremie in the last two editions of the Vendee Globe, editor's note)."
Unlike for the 2008-2009 edition of the Vendee Globe, this time you will have plenty of time to prepare…
"Exactly. In 2008, I set off with few means and a project that was put together at the last moment. On top of that, a major sponsor dropped me three months before the start. I fought hard to be able to line up in Les Sables-d'Olonne, but by then, I was already exhausted. Being forced to retire in 2008 so early on was a failure that kept nagging at me and I still think about it today (Yannick's boat was dismasted in the Bay of Biscay, just thirty hours into the race). I certainly don't want to have to go through all that again. For the 2020 race, I have the funding and the time to do things well. Preparing is going to feel much more relaxed this time."
"I won't be fitting foils on my current boat"
Full interview: www.imoca.org
eSail® Sailing Simulator delivers practical & fun virtual sailing
Officially launched at a hands-on live presentation at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, eSail® Sailing Simulator teaches you how to sail a 36' sailing yacht, explore the sea around a collection of islands and take part in challenges and races.
eSail Sailing Simulator has been developed over the past three and a half years by Chris Baldwin who has a background in software development, marketing and satellite imagery. He has produced an attractive and easy to use sailing simulator for PC and Apple Mac that offers training and challenges to appeal to sailors at all levels.
Beginners will learn all the basics including raising the sails, tacking, gybing, reefing, mooring and anchoring, whilst the more expert sailor can use the Quick Start tutorial, then dive straight into the Challenges.
eSail Sailing Simulator has been designed to fill the gap between theory and practical training. Books, training manuals, classroom-based or online courses are all essential tools, but nothing can beat being out on the water. However, for many people, the opportunity to actually go sailing comes only once or twice a year.
With the launch of eSail there is now an easy way of learning, practising and refreshing skills in a virtual environment, working hand-in-hand with shore-based and practical courses.
In 'Live Sailing' mode you are subject to continually changing weather and sea conditions as you sail around the islands, finding points of interest such as the wreck of the Princess Zara.
In this mode your position is always saved, so you can continue your journey over weeks or even years. Sail for an hour or two then moor up or anchor in a deserted bay. The following day listen to the weather forecast before raising your sails, or carefully reefing them!
Jump out of 'Live Sailing' mode and enjoy one of the many challenges available including 'Know Your Boat', 'Bear Island Race', 'Little Venice Treasure Hunt' (sail through canals), 'Collision Avoidance' and 'Passage Planning' exercises.
Featured Brokerage
2013 Botin 80. 1,550,000 USD. Located in San Diego, CA, USA.
CABRON is now for sale. Formally known as BEAU GESTE, this Botin 80 lacks for nothing. All North sails, B/G wind gear, container FULL of spare gear, she is turn key Call for the massive details
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
William Jenkins
410 267 9419
410 353 7862
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1997 Volvo 60 (modified) - Bou Dragon. 230000 EUR. Located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Launched originally as "Silk Cut", she quickly established herself as the fastest ocean racer on the water and held the 24hr record for a number of years. In more recent times, she was known as “SEB" and now "Bou Dragon", where she has been meticulously maintained and modernised by her current owner.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Auckland
+44 2380 016582
+64 277733717
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2002 Swan 80-009 Duan. 2,500,000 EUR. Located in Genoa, Italy.
Recognized around the world as one of the greatest performance cruising yachts ever conceived, the Swan 80 flush deck version is still an iconic yacht that offers exhilarating sailing while not compromising on comfort and luxury.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Giorgio Passarella
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Society is like a stew. If you don't stir it up every once in a while then a layer of scum floats to the top. -- Edward Abbey
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