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In This Issue
• Record Number Of Entries For Transpac 50
• Grinders SOLAS Big Boat Challenge
• Don't Get Left Out! St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) - March 22-24, 2019
• Julian Dussek takes the helm at the Cruising Association
• Kuka3 lift the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• 18ft Skiffs 'Supercup'
• Lessons from the Boat: When Captain Serves the Crew
• Eight Bells: Yumiko Shige
• Featured Brokerage
• The Last Word: Thomas Merton

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

Record Number Of Entries For Transpac 50
Los Angeles, California: Race managers at the Transpacific Yacht Club are pleased to announce that next July's 50th biennial edition of the 2225-mile Transpac race from Los Angeles to Honolulu has set a new record of 82 entries to date. The previous record was 80 entries 40 years ago in the 1979 edition of this classic ocean race first sailed in 1906.

The current fleet of entries is a vast assortment of offshore monohulls and multihulls, ranging in size from the 31-foot A Fond Le Girafon, Charles Devanneaux's brand new foil-equipped Beneteau Figaro 3, to Manouch Moshayedi's Bakewell-White-designed Rio100, the reigning Barn Door Trophy winner in the 2017 edition of this race. In early 2019 this fleet will be divided into several classes according to speed and boat type, along with their starting dates. The slowest boats in the fleet will start first on July 10, 2019, with additional starts planned on July 12th, July 13th and possibly a fourth start date for the very fastest monohulls and multihulls.

The current race record for monohulls, held by the VPLP-designed 100-footer Comanche - skippered by Ken Read for owner Jim Clark - was set last year on an amazing time of 5 days, 1 hour, 55 minutes 26 seconds. The multihull record was also set last year by HL Enroe's ORMA 60 Mighty Merloe for an equally remarkable elapsed time of 4 days, 6 hours, 32 minutes, 30 seconds.

For Transpac 50 the fastest monohull will win the first-to-finish Barn Door Trophy, while the fastest monohull with manual sail handling systems, fixed appendages and other requirements specified in Amendment 1 of the Notice of Race will win the Merlin Trophy. This award is named for the legendary Bill Lee-designed and built 67-footer from Santa Cruz that in 1977 set a course record that stood unbroken for 20-years and helped start a new genre of fast ultra-lightweight offshore racing yachts. After Lee campaigned her on her 40th anniversary Transpac last year, and she is competing once again in Transpac 50 under the new ownership of Chip Merlin from St Petersburg, Florida.

Among the dozens of beautiful and historic trophies awarded for this race, a new one is added: the Nash Family Corinthian Trophy, which will be awarded to the fastest all-amateur crew sailing a monohull yacht in the race. Teams that want to be eligible for this award must have all crew confirmed as Group 1 sailors under the World Sailing Classification Code.

Transpac 50 also wants to recognize and thank the numerous sponsors who have signed on thusfar to support Transpac 50. These include: Whittier Trust, Mt Gay Rum, Reyn Spooner, Pasha Hawaii, Circle Porsche, Gladstone's Long Beach, SD Boatworks/Marlow, L. Gaylord Sportswear, and the latest race sponsor, the Prince Waikiki Luxury Hotel.

2019.transpacyc.com

Grinders SOLAS Big Boat Challenge
Despite smart crew work from last year's Line Honours winner Peter Harburg's Black Jack, it was only a matter of moments before the Oatley Family's Wild Oats XI exerted her authority to take Line Honours in the 2018 Grinders Coffee SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour today.

Although the breeze was light-on for the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's (CYCA) annual Harbour stoush, the pre-cursor to the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, the racing between these two super maxis was anything but.

"We were lucky enough to get a great start and that put us in a position to take advantage of the course," said Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards.

"It's always tough racing against Black Jack in lighter air and they certainly kept us on our toes. All crews did a great job on all boats out there today and we are very happy with the Line Honours [Grinders Coffee SOLAS Big Boat Challenge] win."

Behind the pair, Christian Beck's InfoTrack was slow to wind up but soon picked up pace, meanwhile Seng Huang Lee's Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag took a leg out to the western shore and seemed to be struggling. As the race wore on, however, third place became a battle of those two as they swapped third and fourth throughout the race, with InfoTrack coming from behind to claim third place.

Further back from the supers the battle was on between The Oatley Family's Wild Oats X raced by the all-female Ocean Respect Racing; Winning Appliances skippered by John Winning Jr; and Sean Langman's Naval Group. Winning Appliances got off the start smartly and was third behind the leading super maxis for the bulk of the first leg - perhaps John and John's 18-foot skiff skills came into play. Winning Appliances kept the pressure on the whole way around the course, sailed in a mostly 8-10 knot sou 'easterly, to take the Overall Win from Wild Oats XI.

https://www.sail-world.com

Don't Get Left Out! St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) - March 22-24, 2019
What does Belgium's Philippe Moortgat's Swan 45, Samantaga; Great Britain's Andrew McIrvine's Beneteau First 40, La Response; the USA's Sandra Askew's C&C30 Flying Jenny; and USVI's Peter Corr's King 40 Blitz all have in common? Entry into the 2019 St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR)! This is the tip-of-the-iceberg of the cream-of-the-crop racing yachts registered for this 'Crown Jewel' of Caribbean Yacht Racing, set for March 22-24, 2019, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

"The island has come a long way since post hurricane last year," says Corr, who returns with his Aussie crew. "STIR is one of the best regattas in the Caribbean. Beautiful water, great wind and challenging courses and competition. Also, great parties with great people."

BYOB (bring your own boat) or Charter. Several companies offer yachts. One is Performance Yacht Racing (http://www.performanceyachtracing.com) with its Quokka 8, a Grand Soleil 43; EH01, a Beneteau 47.4; and Jua Kali, a Grand Soleil 43.

IC24s are available for $2200 w/good sails, $2700 w/new sails, for the 3-day STIR, practice day and 30-day Bluewater Membership at STYC. To reserve, Email: or call (340) 690-3681.

Register Now @ http://stthomasinternationalregatta.com Pay US $150 until January 31, 2019. Everyone is welcome! Register in CSA (Racing or Cruising); IRC; ORC; Multihull; Beach Cat or One Design classes with a minimum length of 20 feet. Register too for the Round the Rocks Race on March 21. For information, Email: , Call (340) 775-6320

Julian Dussek takes the helm at the Cruising Association
The Cruising Association (CA) has a new President, Julian Dussek. At last month's AGM, Judith Grimwade stepped down as President after serving three years, and the CA welcomed Julian Dussek, new Vice Presidents and a new Council member. The CA has also appointed Marie Ross as its new Company Secretary.

Julian Dussek had previously served on Council and as a Vice President. In addition, and as a member of the Cruising Information Development Group (CIDG), he was heavily involved in the development of the CA's popular Cruising App, CAptain's Mate. He frequently lectures on behalf of the CA and has recently started to produce a video series for members who aren't able to attend the CA's London lectures.

He says his love of sailing was inspired by 'Swallows and Amazons'. Although he sailed a variety of boats owned by his father, he yearned for his own boat. For ten years prior to retirement Julian and his wife, Vanessa, sailed a Drascombe Longboat Cruiser, "all over the place". They then bought a Southerly 115 which they took down the French inland waterways to the Med where they spent six years, getting down to the bottom of Greece and up the Adriatic to Venice. They came back through the inland waterways to Calais, spent another year in the Channel and are now based in Holland.

When asked if there was anything that he would particularly like to achieve, Julian responded: "In addition to everything that is already happening, I want to focus on us achieving a greater 'outreach' for the CA; maybe we can achieve this partly by holding more events and seminars outside central London. For example, our recently held North-West Roadshow at Ellesmere Port was a great success. We also want to further develop our event video capabilities."

Full list of those elected to the CA Council:
President: Julian Dussek
Vice President: Alison Hadley
Vice President: Andrew Osmond
Vice President: Derek Lumb
Council: Caroline Milmo
Council: Ken Munn
Council: Keith Pettican
Council: Ivan Andrews
Hon. Treasurer: Richard Sherwood
Hon. Solicitor: Peter Gray

http://theca.org.uk

Kuka3 lift the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy
Franco Niggeler's Swiss Cookson 50 Kuka3, skippered by Roberto Chuny Bermúdez de Castro has been announced as the overall winner of the 2018 RORC Transatlantic Race.

Franco Niggeler was presented with the RORC Transatlantic Race Trophy by Grenadian Minister for Tourism & Civil Aviation, Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen, M.P. at a ceremony held at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina, Grenada. Whilst several yachts are still racing, none of them can beat the time set by Kuka3 after IRC time correction.

Catherine Pourre's Earendil was presented with a RORC Decanter for the team's victory in the Class40 Division. Stephane Bry's Class40 Sirius finished the race right on cue as the prize giving started and was presented with a basket of Grenadian goods by Dr. Clarice Modeste-Curwen.

Competitors and honoured guests enjoyed a drinks reception followed by a Caribbean buffet at The Victory Bar & Restaurant in Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.

Three yachts are still to complete the RORC Transatlantic Race, with two finishers expected in Grenada today, Tuesday 11 December: Trevor Middleton's Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep had 13.8nm to run and Arto Linnervuo's Xp-44 Xtra Staerk 31.3nm AT 0900 UTC. The First 47.7 Kali, owned by the Swiss Ocean Racing Club and skippered by Corinne Wirth who is taking part in her fourth transatlantic race, but first as skipper, are 364.9nm from the finish line.

Race Results: http://rorctransatlantic.rorc.org/results/2018-results.html

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

World news
The 'Mega' du Rhum, (Cup) money starts to arrive in Auckland, a remarkable (TP52) history, one of the true nice guys. Plus time to take off all the wrapping... Dobbs Davis, Nacho Postigo, Patrice Carpentier, Carlos Pich, Ivor Wilkins, Blue Robinson, Marcus Blackmore

Done and dusted
That one was a battle. Rob Weiland

One for the route
Loick Peyron talks to Jocelyn Bleriot about overcoming his transat phobia...

Man and machine
Christophe Launay

Rod Davis - Fact from fiction
America's Cup 36... sit back and enjoy the show

RORC news - Truly classic
Eddie Warden-Owen
It's getting close to 'check your broadband' time

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.

18ft Skiffs 'Supercup'
Some of 18ft Skiffs past greatest sailors will make a return to the 18s on Friday, December 14, when the Australian 18 Footers League will stage the inaugural 'Supercup' on Sydney Harbour.

Among those already committed to sail in the event are several former JJ Giltinan (world) champions, past 18 footers champions Chris Nicholson, Dan Phillips, Adrienne Cahalan and Adam Beashel, as well as newcomers to the 18s, Olivia Price (Olympian) and Joe Turner (16 Footers).

Boats for each of the guest skippers will be allocated after a 'draw from a hat' earlier in the day, and each boat's regular crew will sail with the guest skipper.

Guest skippers include:
Trevor Barnabas
Rob Brown
Rob Greenhalgh
Lee Knapton
David Witt
Adrienne Cahalan
Chris Nicholson
Dan Phillips
Adam Beashel
Olivia Price
Joe Turner

The racing will commence at 5pm and comprise at least two sprint races (three, if conditions permit before sundown at 8pm).

Live streaming of each race is available on 18FootersTV

Frank Quealey
https://www.18footers.com

Lessons from the Boat: When Captain Serves the Crew
Captains in boating and in business alike often gain a reputation for cajoling, complaining, and yelling at their crews on a regular basis. In my experience as a leadership coach, a chief editor, and a racing sailboat skipper, that approach is rarely productive in the long term. Things work better when leaders spend less time with their mouths open and more time listening, asking questions, working out how to support their teams.

Before a race, my attention is on setting our crew up with equipment that works and enough practice to smooth out the kinks in our maneuvers. After the start, my job is to steer a steady course, listen to what others are telling me, ask for occasional tweaks to our sail trim, and communicate any major course changes ahead. Mainly, I let them get on with their jobs, including solving the occasional snafu without giving them high-volume advice or, worse, leaving the helm to try to fix the problem.

I was reminded of this when I heard about the org chart at the Marine Retailers of America Association, explained to me by its president, Matt Gruhn:

"The reality is those on the front lines have the biggest impact on us as an organization, and whatever I can do to help them is most important. We think of our org chart as an inverted pyramid. I'm at the bottom, supporting those at the top who are working on the front lines with our customers."

Full article from John Burnham in his new blog:
https://johnburnhamcoaching.files.wordpress.com

Eight Bells: Yumiko Shige
Yumiko Shige (JPN), who fought a strong battle with cancer for several years, has sadly succumbed at hospital in Karatsu City early in the morning on December 9 at 53 years.

Yumiko was extremely humble in recognizing her role as a trailblazer for sailing in Japan, making history in 1996 when, with crew Alicia Kinoshita, she won an Olympic silver medal in the 470 women event in Savannah, USA. Their achievement marked the first ever Olympic sailing medal for Japan.

Yumiko and Alicia also competed at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games finishing 5th and at the Sydney 2000 Olympics finishing 12th. Other notable achievements include a silver medal at the 1992 470 World Championship and bronze at the 1995 470 World Championship.

Yumiko pioneered youth sailing programmes, particularly at her home base of Saga Prefecture Yacht Harbour in Karatsu, developing skills and approaches to sailing that became a benchmark. Yumiko also worked as a coach and team manager, mentoring Japan's young sailors to compete successfully at events and Championships around the world, and was Chairman of the Japanese 420 National Class Association.

Throughout the international sailing scene Yumiko was a friend to many and touched many lives. She will be remembered as one of Japan's sailing legends, and while her passing leaves a big void, her legacy will live on. Yumiko's funeral will be held on December 13, 2018.

https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

Featured Brokerage
2009 Swan 90-708 Alix. 4,950,000 Ex VAT EUR Located in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Another successful collaboration between Germán Frers and Nautor, the Swan 90S 'Alix' is the quintessential performance cruiser combining elegant and powerful lines with Finnish quality to achieve an aggressive beauty.

See listing details in Nautors Swan Brokerage

Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Lorenzo Bortolotti

Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com

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Nautor Swan 48. 197,000 EUR.

The Swan 48 is an evergreen classic. Designed by S&S and built as Nautor can, she offers sparkling sailing together with build quality that is never to be repeated. Perfect for serious cruising, these yachts also shine in the Regatta circuit and are rare to the brokerage market.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
GRABAU INTERNATIONAL
Lead broker - Alex Grabau
Tel: +44 (0)1590 673715
Email:

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2006 R/P 66. AURORA Ex-Blue Yankee. 525,000 USD. Located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

AURORA is now for sale with an incredible asking price. Formally known as BLUE YANKEE, AURORA still possesses all that is needed to win anywhere in the world. Many new upgrades, along with the simple design aspects that has made this boat a winner year in and year out. Call for her details

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
William Jenkins
410 267 9419
410 353 7862

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

The Last Word
Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another. -- Thomas Merton

Editorial and letter submissions to

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