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Tenth Annual Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar competition is OPEN. Supported by Latitude Kinsale and Seahorse Magazine.
VOTING NOW OPEN
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In This Issue
• Dutch entry makes it six America's Cup Challengers
• Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar
• Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 2019
• Andres Soriano winner at YCM Awards - Trophee Credit Suisse 2018
• Stunning fleet set for RORC Caribbean 600
• The EXCESS Challenge is live
• Harken® Adds 40 mm Fly™ Block
• Industry News
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage
• The Last Word: Andy Rooney
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
Dutch entry makes it six America's Cup Challengers
Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are pleased to announce the acceptance of a sixth Challenger for the 36th America's Cup, from The Netherlands.
The joint Royal Netherlands Yacht Club Muiden and Royal Maas Yacht Club challenge comes from one of the world's most famous maritime nations. They now join Luna Rossa (ITA), American Magic (USA), INEOS Team UK (UK), Malta Altus Challenge (MLT) and Stars & Stripes Team USA (USA).
The latest challenge now brings the 36th America's Cup presented by Prada line up to seven teams, the most since the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 in Valencia.
Today Emirates Team New Zealand have advised the Auckland Council and Government that if there ultimately are not six challengers, there is an option not to build the Hobson Wharf extension as five teams can be accommodated on Wynyard Point saving taxpayer money.
Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar
Supported by Latitude Kinsale and Seahorse magazine
Our featured bar today is IYAC in Newport RI. LOTS of stories and recommendations over many years, here are a few:
Avoided by tourists, always full of your favorite sailors but never too busy, always room to saddle up at the bar and order a beer. The endless memorabilia always sparks great conversation. Always time to get schooled in billiards by the local ringer.
They do an amazing amount of Fundraising for a number of 501c3 in the Newport area.. They also have a very loyal group of folks that come in from all over the world.
International crowd, pool table, great music, strong bartenders, always fun.
Best sailing bar in the best sailing town in the world, what's more to say?
And since the English like naming a lot of things "pudding" why not a pudding drink?
Christmas pudding vodka
300g / 10.5 oz mixed dried fruit (sultanas, currants, raisins)
75g/3oz caster sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp ground mixed spice
6 cloves
½ whole nutmeg, finely grated
1 orange, zest only, finely grated
1 unwaxed lemon, zest only, finely grated
750ml/1 pint 5fl oz bottle Wight Vodka
1. Mix the dried fruit with the sugar, cinnamon sticks, mixed spice, cloves, grated nutmeg and citrus zest in a large bowl.
2. Pour over the vodka, and cover tightly with cling film.
3. Place in the fridge and leave for 3 days, stirring once each day.
4. Line a sieve with a double layer of fine muslin and place over a large, clean jug.
5. Pour the dried fruit and vodka mixture into the sieve and allow to drip through into the jug.
6. Pour into a sterilized bottle.
Voting and submissions for best bar and best drink recipes open until December 28...
scuttlebutteurope.com/sailors-bars
wightvodka.com
latitudekinsale.com
Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 2019
Just over a month until the start of Island Water World Grenada Sailing Week 27 Jan to 1 Feb 2019. With 32 entries and counting, a good turnout is expected for the 2019 event, making it an excellent start to the year's racing season in the Caribbean. The race committee have been busy organising the final details. The Trade winds have kicked in early for the coming season and we are hoping to see some exciting racing out on the water from the one design J24's to the electric mix in Racer and Racer/Cruiser classes. Classic class is looking good to challenge Judd Tinius' 70ft Classic yawl, Galatea, winner of her class two years in a row and celebrating her 120th birthday with Grenada Sailing Week in 2019.
Starting at Camper& Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in St George's on the west coast, then moving with the transition race to Secret Harbour Marina in Mount Hartman Bay on the south coast, skippers and crews can expect a heady mix of both tactical and challenging racing.
With two host venues, four days of racing and six nights of parties this is a regatta with a twist of West Indies charm that you don't want to miss.
#PureSailing #PureRacing #PureGrenada!
Andres Soriano winner at YCM Awards - Trophee Credit Suisse 2018
Held during the members winter cocktail at the Yacht Club de Monaco, the YCM Awards and Credit Suisse Trophy marked the end of another busy year for YCM sailors competing all over the world, and saw Club President HSH Prince Albert II launch the new Monaco Sport Academy.
The coveted Credit Suisse Trophy went to YCM member Andres Soriano, who achieved his best season ever in the TP52, a fiercely competitive class with many crews from the America's Cup. With his team on Alegre, he won the Owner-Driver World Champion title and came 3rd in the World Championship. A well-deserved trophy won by just a handful of votes by YCM members in his favour, ahead of Nico Poons (Charisma), winner of the 2018 season in the RC44.
A special Combativity Prize was awarded to Boris Herrmann (Malizia II) for his 5th place (out of 20 in the IMOCA) at the Route du Rhum. Having covered 4,437 miles at an average speed of 14.5 knots in demanding conditions, Boris proved combative despite being isolated by his option to go north. It was a fine performance by the 37-year-old, competing in his first solo transatlantic crossing.
The YCM Youth Awards recognised Thomas Mangano in the Laser class and Leonardo Bonelli in the Optimists, the first in the Club's history to win the Coupe Internationale de Printemps, the largest national Optimist meeting, ahead of 250 competitors.
The Monaco Sport Academy is aimed at talented youngsters aged 10 to 22, the goal being to help them fulfil their sporting and academic potential throughout their career to becoming professional.
Stunning fleet set for RORC Caribbean 600
Early entries for the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 reveal a stunning fleet of famous professional teams taking part alongside passionate corinthian crews. Famed for spectacular sailing conditions on an intricate and mesmerizing course, the 11th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is set to be an absolute cracker.
Two months before the start of the race 50 teams have thrown down the gauntlet; over 10% more than the same time prior to the record entry of 88 yachts in 2018. The race is a truly international affair with teams from all over the Caribbean Islands, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Finland, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.
For the first time in the history of the race, three ocean-going trimarans in the shape of Jason Carroll's Argo, Giovanni Soldini's Maserati and Peter Cunningham's PowerPlay will be battling for multihull line honours and the race record, set in 2016 by Lloyd Thornburg's Phaedo3 in 31 hours, 59 minutes, 4 seconds.
The IRC fleet racing for the overall win and the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, boasts three magnificent yachts; the 203ft (62m) schooner Athos, skippered by Tony Brookes, the 115ft (35m) sloop Nikata, skippered by Tom Brewer, and the 96ft (30m) sloop Sorceress, sailed by Will Apold.
Two Maxi 72s will be locking horns; previous winner George Sakellaris' Proteus and the brand new Bella Mente sailed by Hap Fauth. American Volvo Ocean Race skipper Charlie Enright will be hoping for victory with the American Volvo 70 Wizard. In two previous editions, the race has been won overall by a Cookson 50. This year, two new teams will be hoping to increase the statistic. Franco Niggeler's Kuka3 is on a high from their overall win in the RORC Transatlantic Race and the highly experienced team racing Triple Lindy will be led by Joseph Mele. -- Trish Jenkins
The EXCESS Challenge is live
Immoderation is part of the EXCESS sailing experience : Groupe Beneteau new catamarans brand is launching on-line at Nautic de Paris an EXCESS Challenge giving to the public a real chance to win a catamaran (worth €300.000) - from January 19 to August 31, 2019
The EXCESS Challenge is a virtual record for all seasoned sailors, virtual sailing enthusiast or just curious about the nautical world. Absolutly everyone has a chance to become the final winner ! Everybody can register & tackle the virtual record of EXCESS Challenge! Participants will virtually sail from Barcelona to Cannes at the helm of an EXCESS catamaran. After leaving the port of Barcelona, they will head for the Balearic Islands, rounding south of Menorca, and steer for the north of Sardinia. Then, competitors will pass between Corsica and Sardinia, and lead to east of the former one before eventually crossing the arrival line off the port of Cannes.
Once the submission to the game has been confirmed, 3 record attempts are possible by participant between 19 January 2019 & 31 August 2019. The best time will be taken into account to determine the final ranking ! A draw of all entrants will pick up the winner of the first prize : one EXCESS catamaran ! Participants must be among the fastest to increase the odds of winning as the most successful racers will be favoured over other entrants. Participants also have the opportunity to play by team of 4 people to compete for a cruising week on a cat. In this part of the challenge, no draw, only performance. The best team will win the week! This option will be offered as soon as the individual registration would have been validated.
Register Now @ excess-catamarans.com/en/challenge & Take advantage of the "Early Bird" rate until 31 January 2019 (thereafter it will be €9). For further information on that exceptional game, please contact :
Harken® Adds 40 mm Fly™ Block
A 40 mm Fly™ block has been added to the Harken® line of 18 mm and 29 mm Fly blocks. These high-load blocks were specifically developed for use with today's small diameter low-stretch line. Efficient, with an incredible working load for their small size, Fly blocks give sailors the power they need and are perfect for use on foiling dinghies, sportboats and in cascade-rigged systems aboard Grand Prix racers.
Their weight savings alone promises an instant uptick in racing performance. Harken Fly blocks offer the strength and efficiency of larger blocks, but are much smaller because new high-tech lines require smaller sheaves. The 29 and 40 mm blocks feature a one-piece titanium sheave that doubles as the outer bearing race for their stainless steel ball bearings. The inner race is stainless. Fly block sideplates are fiber-reinforced composite.
Learn more.www.harken.com/productcategory.aspx?taxid=8989
Industry News
European Union (EU) regulatory issues that will impact US boat manufacturers are the subject of a new quarterly report available from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA).
The report is designed to ensure that US manufacturers face no surprises when exporting products to the EU and offers a comprehensive look at regulatory and legislative proposals being considered by the EU.
The first report, available now, focuses on waste management and greenhouse gasses and explains in simple terms what the legislation is, why it is being imposed, the effective dates and who will be impacted in what ways.
Produced by LOGOS and funded by the two trade groups, the reports are available free of charge to their members.
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The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), owners of the Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show, and Informa, co-owners of the Miami Yacht Show with International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA), announced today a joint venture to showcase both events now being held in Miami on the same dates - February 14-18, 2019 - creating it says, the world's largest display of boats for sale; bringing it claims, a combined US$1.3 billion in economic impact to South Florida.
Prompting the partnership is the 2019 move of the Miami Yacht Show to downtown Miami at One Herald Plaza, across Biscayne Bay from the Miami International Boat Show at Miami Marine Stadium, which is also in closer proximity to Miami Yacht Show's Super Yacht Miami at Island Gardens on Watson Island. Combined, the shows will bring nearly two thousand boats, yachts and superyachts to Miami over President's Day weekend. The Miami International Boat Show will feature more than 1,400 new boats ranging in size from 10ft-100ft, and the Miami Yacht Show and Super Yacht Miami will feature more than 500 new and brokerage yachts and superyachts ranging from 40ft to over 320ft.
The partnership includes a joint advertising campaign, a combination ticket for those looking to attend both events, and free shuttle bus transportation between both shows. With both shows located along Miami's Biscayne Bay, they are easy to access via dedicated park-and-ride lots, and public transportation, including Miami's Metrorail and new Brightline train service. The Miami Boat Show is also offering free water taxi service from Bayfront Park and American Airlines Arena; and the Miami Yacht Show will run VIP tenders between its Miami Yacht Show site and its Super Yacht Miami site.
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The RYA Dinghy Show in association with Yachts & Yachting & Suzuki is set to return to the magnificent Alexandra Palace on the weekend of 02-03 March 2019.
For 2019, not only do we have a fantastic line up of expert speakers on the Main Stage and Knowledge Zone but there will also be lots on at the Woman's Sailing Hub, Class Association stage, Sailors' Corner and Interactive Zone! With more than 150 exhibitors including: boat builders, class associations, sailing clubs, holiday companies and retailers, there will be something for dinghy sailors both old and new.
Get your ticket today! Save up to 35% and take advantage of RYA members and group discounts by ordering your RYA Dinghy Show tickets in advance. Plus, if you buy a ticket before 25 December, you'll be entered into our competition to win an exciting prize bundle!
Visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk and join in the conversation with #MyDinghyTribe and #DinghyShow
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Brian Wolf has been named Chief Operations Officer by Boats Group, the global classified advertising and marketing software provider to marine brokers and dealers.
According to a Boats Group news release, Wolf brings a combination of extensive business development, data analysis, finance, operations and global go-to-market expertise to the position, where he will oversee operations of Boats Group's three portals in North America- Boat Trader, YachtWorld and boats.com.
Before joining Boats Group, Wolf was with Ford Motor Company, leading its autonomous vehicle (AV) program and was responsible for investments in key technologies to accelerate Ford's development of AVs, launching AVs in Ford's test markets and securing partnerships with Walmart, Lyft, Postmates and Domino's to understand how autonomous vehicles will affect the future of delivery networks and services. Prior to his time at Ford, Wolf held various business and finance positions at Expedia Group.
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Sail America, the trade association for the US sailing industry, today announced a venue change for the 7th edition of the Sail America Industry Conference (SAIC). The biennial conference was previously scheduled for Panama City Beach, Florida from March 6-8, 2019.
Due to damage sustained from Hurricane Michael, conference organizers opted to relocate SAIC to the Horseshoe Bay Resort in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, which is outside of Austin, Texas. The dates for the conference remain the same.
The conference hosts speakers, workshops, panel discussions and industry leaders and colleagues every other year. It is the place for sailing industry professionals to gather together over three days to learn about new topics and trends, receive updates and network with over 150 participants. Featured are a regatta, a day-and-a-half of educational seminars, an industry dinner and more.
www.sailamerica.com/events/saic/
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Juan Yacht Design is currently deeply involved in the design of the Imoca Arkea Paprec as well as being part of the creative process for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Juan K and his team are currently working shoulder to shoulder with Sebastien Simon, Vincent Riou and their team on the foiler Arkea Paprec. The hull and deck, manufactured in the workshops of the CDK boat yard in Port-la-Forêt, are being finalised, whilst the internal structures are in the build phase. The delicate assembly of these elements is set to begin in February: "You have to be really very precise with this part," states Juan Kouyoumdjian. Within this same project, Vincent Riou's participation in the recent edition of the Route du Rhum has been useful: "Despite his misfortune", Juan K continues, "Vincent had the clear-mindedness to test the elements, which are sure to very valuable in the design of Arkea Paprec. His efforts have not been in vain and, prior to his autopilot issues, the boat sailed just as he'd hoped. The whole of the JYD team is very grateful to him".
The PRB Imoca will soon take on the colours of Arkea Paprec in a bid to further contribute to the development of research for Sebastien Simon's project, together notably with the design of the foils, an element which particularly appeals to the members of the design office in Valencia.
Since the IMOCA rule authorised the adjustment of the angle of incidence on lifting surfaces, the naval architects and engineers have gleaned multiple opportunities to really express their talent.
Juan and his team are also actively participating in the creation of the rules for the next edition of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2021, by bringing their vision to the rule and the course. At the same time, JYD has also launched a R&D brainstorming process with the competing teams.
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LIGNIA Wood Company, a British timber modification business, has signed its first major distribution agreement with US-based Teakdecking Systems (TDS) for its LIGNIA Yacht product in North America and the Caribbean. The deal was signed at the METSTRADE Show in November.
LIGNIA Yacht claims to be the only proven wood alternative to Burmese teak for yacht decking. The product is a natural, modified timber which matches, and in some cases exceeds, Burmese teak in performance and visual beauty, LIGNIA claims.
Based in Sarasota, Florida, TDS is a leading manufacturer of yacht and cruise liner decking. The company supplies the industry with over 125,000sq ft (11,600sq m) of decks annually - the equivalent of four to five 164ft (50m) custom yachts per month.
The two companies have been working together for a number of years, with TDS helping to test LIGNIA Yacht in some of the harshest environments in the world.
LIGNIA's patent-pending manufacturing process involves taking sustainably-sourced, FSC softwood and modifying it into high-performance timber with all the best attributes of a hardwood.
Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From Euan Ross:
I was sure that Paul Henderson's 'Guest Editorial' would spark a flurry of responses. It seems not; perhaps we are all becoming so used to poor governance from the nation-state level on down that it becomes difficult to summon outrage in connection with the ongoing shenanigans at World Sailing. Arrogance, a lack of transparency and an unfortunate sense of entitlement were defining characteristics of the organization long before Anderson took over, but one has to acknowledge that the current president has taken these 'attributes' and run with them. I spent an hour this morning Googling 'World Sailing' and 'Anderson' with speculative word associations.
Riding a wave of unanswered questions is a dedicated website dealing solely with allegations of corruption in World Sailing. I find much of this convincing although I also note that: "World Sailing reserves its right to take any action that it deems necessary as a consequence of your misleading public statements." (see 'Bombs Away on Sailing Governance', Scuttlebutt USA October 9th, 2018). This latter threat was made in connection with seemingly legitimate questions raised rather than wild unsubstantiated allegations, so Anderson's immediate recourse to both barrels was frankly absurd. Perhaps the old Gazprom package included advice on suppressing bad publicity?
For 99% of sailors, World Sailing is an irrelevance. Almost all useful advocacy and essential organization of our sport is carried out by national authorities and class associations. As for international cooperation, we don't need much; diversity is what makes our sport great. A common set of racing rules is certainly useful, but that is it. All this fluff about 'the wonderful work committees do' and 'how hard they work' is simply nonsense. As a 'good governance advisor' to various national governments up until my retirement, I am hard-pressed to identify any enduring benefits from a million dead hours 'in committee'.
Take sailing out of the Olympics and scrap single-venue World Championships. These are not commercially viable events. Enough immensely talented young people have lost years of their lives sailing dinghies out of sight and out of mind. I'm sure career-Olympians are following the Jess Varnish case through the courts. There are exciting, viable, professional arenas in our sport, but World Sailing does not add value to any of them. As with football, golf, tennis, cycling and indeed most sports bar athletics, the world of competitive sailing is much bigger than an Olympic event every four years that serves only to highlight our lack of purpose and direction.
Featured Brokerage
Finot Conq IMOCA 60. Come in Vendee. 139000 EUR.
All systems have been renewed or serviced for the last Route du Rhum 2014 entry. The boat has been hauled out and the hull anti-fouled in spring 2015 in Grenada, Caribbean.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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2007 Baltic Yachts 66. 1,350,000 EUR. Located in Orsera, Croatia.
Stunning semi-custom modern-generation Baltic with beautifully executed classic teak interior and manageable 3.2m draft. Great owner’s layout version. Perfect for the family sailor who appreciates true performance, engineering, design and build quality.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
GRABAU INTERNATIONAL
Lead broker - Alex Grabau
Tel: +44 (0)1590 673715
Email:
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2008 Swan 66-701 Lionessa. 1,300,000 EUR. Located in Athens, Greece.
Lionessa is the ultimate performance cruiser, maintained in immaculate condition and specified to the highest order, she is ready to take her new owners on a long range voyage.
See listing details in Nautor's Swan Brokerage
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Giorgio Passarella
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
Back On Boxing Day
Your humble narrator will be travelling to be with family, most notably the parents of my incoming first grandchild. There will be no issue for the 24th or 25th, back in time to keep up with the Rolex Sydney Hobart on Boxing Day. Whether you are Christian, another faith, or none at all... my best wishes for the season's holidays. Most importantly, remember those in need and do whatever can with your time and money to make their lives better. That is the universal message of hope.
The Last Word
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly. -- Andy Rooney
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html