In This Issue
• Meilhat and Cammas set their sights on The Ocean Race
• Qualification route to Tokyo 2020 finalised
• Start as you mean to go on - McConaghy
• World Sailing Job Vacancy - Marketing and Hospitality Executive
• Performance Sailing magazine
• A 'New' Team Of Old Mates
• International 5.5 Metre Australian Championships
• Industry News
• Paul Heys
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage
• The Last Word: Daniel Dennett
Brought to you by Seahorse magazine and YachtScoring.com EuroSail News 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
Meilhat and Cammas set their sights on The Ocean Race
Two of the top French sailors have set their sights on the next edition of The Ocean Race.
Paul Meilhat, the winner of the most recent edition of the Route du Rhum and Franck Cammas, the winning skipper of the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, have each told French media they are working on campaigns for the 2021 edition of The Ocean Race.
Meilhat, who won the Route du Rhum in November in his final outing with sponsor SMA, is currently leading the 2018-2021 IMOCA rankings. He spent last week in Alicante at The Ocean Race headquarters with his commercial team to firm up his plans.
Meilhat was interviewed in Le Figaro over the weekend and confirmed he has developed a three-race plan, including the Vendee Globe, The Ocean Race and the Route du Rhum, which he says would result in big efficiencies in costs and return to potential backers.
Similarly, Franck Cammas spoke to the noted French sailing website Tip & Shaft in an interview published on Friday, saying that through his association with Oman Sail, he is working to put together a campaign.
Cammas is well known to fans of the race. He led his Groupama team to victory in the 2011-12 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race, and joined Dongfeng Race Team for Leg 4, from Melbourne to Hong Kong, in the last race.
In December, it was announced he would join Oman Sail to lead its offshore racing and training programmes in 2019.
Now, he has told Tip & Shaft he is convinced a team flying the Oman Sail colours could follow a similar template to what Dongfeng Race Team did in terms of developing offshore sailing talent.
Qualification route to Tokyo 2020 finalised
World Sailing and the IOC have finally concluded the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualification system, including continental qualification.
The basic qualification system is one spot in each event for the host nation, then 40% of the national spots were awarded at the Aarhus 2018 Worlds.
The final qualification event is the Olympic Classes World Cup event in Genoa, Italy, from 13 to 19 April 2020. World Sailing will then reallocate all unused quota places on the 10 June 2020.
Britain qualified for each of the ten Olympic events at the Aarhus 2018 Worlds, and thus do not have to worry about being able to compete in all ten events at Tokyo 2020.
Focus for the British Sailing Team members is who will actually represent Team GB in each sailing event at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Deciding this is a function of the RYA Olympic Selection Committee (OSC), who will monitor the performance of eligible candidates over the coming months.
Read more: www.sailweb.co.uk
Start as you mean to go on - McConaghy
McConaghy Boats has only ever built one type of watercraft… very quick ones
The current list of monohull elapsed time records for offshore races reads like an alumni book for McConaghy Boats – more first-to-finish line honour awards have gone to yachts from this builder than any other. The first-to-finish award going to Wild Oats XI once again in the latest Sydney- Hobart race is a testament to the high-quality build of this boat that is now a whopping 13 years old – very few Grand Prix race boats can claim this kind of competitive longevity.
McConaghy has been doing well for more than 50 years, having built more than 150 raceboats over 30ft that have been among the world's fastest and most successful in all competitive contexts: from high-speed keelboat one-designs to custom inshore and offshore yachts of all sizes. The impressive cumulative race results of this enormous fleet likely exceeds that of any other builder in the world.
Full article in the March issue of Seahorse
World Sailing Job Vacancy - Marketing and Hospitality Executive
World Sailing, the world governing body for the sport, is currently advertising for a Marketing and Hospitality Executive.
This is a role that will require a broad skillset in all aspects of marketing and event delivery.
The Director of Brand and Marketing requires support in delivering an extensive annual programme of activity. This role will therefore require a can-do attitude to getting work done, the ability to multi-task, prioritise and time plan effectively, and the intuitive understanding of what it takes to deliver a broad list of requirements under pressure and to a high standard.
This individual will work closely with the Director of Brand and Marketing, as well as the Commercial Director. This is a role where responsibilities touch on all aspects of World Sailing's activities so you will need to build effective relationships internally and externally with a broad stakeholder family.
Excellent communication skills, very high attention to detail and a focus on high standards of delivery are all essential.
All applications should be sent to: with a CV and covering letter by 28 March 2019.
Performance Sailing magazine
To celebrate the launch of its new website, Allen Brothers is offering its Performance Sailing Magazine as a free download from the new site. The magazine features information on all 2019 product launches taking place at this year's RYA Dinghy Show.
Allen Brothers has recently updated and launched its new website which features 1200+ products for sale online. To celebrate this momentous occasion Allen Brothers is offering a free download of its Performance Sailing magazine. The magazine features an array of information about Allen performance sailing hardware, Team Allen sailors, Allen sponsored events and a handy technical section on how to improve high speed boat handling in performance dinghies.
Allen Brothers new website now gives the public the opportunity to source hardware they otherwise might not have been able to find in local chandleries. The new website doesn't only cater for sailors looking for hardware but also to the avid sailing fans who are interested in the latest news and technical advice.
To download the free Performance Sailing magazine head to the downloads section on www.allenbrothers.co.uk
www.sail-world.com/news/214938/?source=rss
A 'New' Team Of Old Mates
Three long-time friends and sailing champions have all finally come together in the one boat as they set their sights on winning the 2019 JJ Giltinan (world) 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour from March 2-10.
Skipper Micah Lane, sheet hand Scott Babbage, and for'ard hand Peter Harris have formed a powerful team in a skiff which has been supported by a first-time 18ft Skiff sponsor, Bing Lee.
Micah Lane and Peter Harris grew up together sailing Sabots and Flying 11s out of the Vaucluse Amateur 12ft Skiff Sailing Club.
Micah won the Sabot Nationals in 1993-1994.
The two young sailors later had their first season in the 18s, when they sailed together on Rosemount Wines in 2002-2003. Micah was on the helm and Peter in the bow.
Over the next few seasons, Peter went on to crew for John Sweeny, firstly with Seve Jarvin on the sheet, before Peter introduced Scott Babbage into the 18s on Churchill's Sports Bar in 2005.
Micah Lane then won the 2006-2007 Australian 18ft Skiff Championship with Macquarie Real Estate, and followed that success with a 3rd place at the 2012 JJ Giltinan Championship in Appliancesonline.com.au.
Peter Harris and Scott Babbage have teamed with great success on a variety of skiffs, and this year, on Bing Lee, is the 7th season together for Peter and Scott.
Their successes began in a three season combination with John Harris (Peter's brother) on Rag & Famish Hotel. The Rag's team won the NSW Championship and had a 4th finish at the JJ Giltinan Championship in 2010, even though they were the only team to win two races during the championship.
The pair teamed up once more in the 2012-2013 Season when they joined Seve Jarvin on Gotta Love It 7. Jarvin, Harris and Babbage dominated the championship scene when they won the Club Championship, NSW Championship, Australian Championship, JJ Giltinan Championship and Mark Foy Trophy.
Peter and Scott had more international success with US sailor Howie Hamlin when they won the European Championship at Carnac, France in 2013, then followed that up when they won the Mark Foy Trophy and European Championship, on Lake Garda, in 2015.
Scott Babbage has a formidable sailing record, both as a top-class sheet hand in the 18s, and a world class Moth sailor.
The 2019 JJ Giltinan Championship is one of the most eagerly awaited regatta in the 18s for many years and a large spectator fleet is expected to follow the racing on Sydney Harbour.
Race dates are:
Saturday - March 2
Sunday - March 3
Tuesday - March 5
Wednesday - March 6
Thursday - March 7
Saturday - March 9
Sunday - March 10
Live streaming is available on 18FootersTV www.18footers.com.au/18-footers-sailing/18-footers-tv/
International 5.5 Metre Australian Championships
With the impending 5.5m World Championships to be held in the Palm Beach Circle in January 2020 hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Newport, more and more Fives are being bought and renovated and joining the Australian fleet. This year's 5.5m Championship saw 8 local competitors with one brave visitor; Haydn Skelton in his 1967 Classic Crest racing with his Dad and singlehandedly braving the inclement weather to sail for 9 hours in 3m seas from Cronulla to join the event.
The 'Fives' are a seventy year old, ex Olympic class where Bill Northam won the first Australian Olympic Gold in 1964. All the fleet rate the same under the 5.5m formula and race together. 'Fives' are a development class, each boat is unique and the newer boats tend to be faster than the older boats. Accordingly the class has 3 sub divisions to recognise age and give encouragement to the older boats; Classics (1949-1969), Evolutions (1970-1993) and Moderns (1994 to Present).
Tuesday, the third day, was a classic sunny Pittwater day with a light 6kt North Easterly seabreeze that gradually built in the afternoon to 14kts. Race 7 was a chance for Damian Macey's and Jason Antill's 1968 radical, Classic Baragoola to shine taking out the first race over Ka-Ring-Gai, Rhapsody and then Antares. Rhapsody and Antares were now on equal points with all to play for the final races. It was again Ku-Ring-Gai that showed her superior speed taking out the last two races to comfortably take the overall win to become the 2019 International 5.5m Australian Champion. Antares was fast down the runs in both races, consistently gybing early to the left hand side of the run which paid off and this gave them two comfortable seconds to become the 2019 Evolution Champion over Rhapsody. Baragoola again became the 2019 Classic Champion. The changing of the guard was now complete with Bob Stoddard's stunning 1973 Evolution Skagerak, which has been at the top the Australian Championships for the last 10 years, uncharacteristically 6th overall.
Given the different designs and ages of the boats there was also a performance handicap system prize to compete for which any of the divisional winners were not eligible. Rob Hart's beautifully varnished 1980 Evolution Marotte took out this prize much to the delight of Rob and the competitors.
* Australian Champion AUS60 Kuringgai John Bacon & Team (Modern post 1994)
* First Evolution (1970 to 1994) AUS29 Antares Martin Cross & Team
* First Classic (1949 to 1969) AUS26 Baragoola Damian Macey/ Jason Antill & Team
* First on Performance Handicap AUS59 Marotte Rob Hart & Team
Industry News
Front Street Shipyard officially opened its new 22,500-square foot facility on the Belfast waterfront in January. The new boat shed, "Building 6," is comparable in size to FSS's existing refit shed, yet tall enough to accept the 480-ton mobile hoist inside it, making indoor work more efficient. The official opening follows a November ribbon-cutting celebration with U.S. Senator Susan Collins.
*|YOUTUBE:[$vid=TDmqwWHBvJQ, $max_width=500, $title=N, $border=N, $trim_border=N, $ratings=N, $views=N]|*
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AkzoNobel NV, the Dutch-based multinational maker of decorative paints and performance coatings, has reported mixed 2018 results due to adverse currency movements, pricier raw materials and lower volumes.
It put 2018 operating income at €798m, down from €905m in 2017.
Yet CEO Thierry Vanlancker called 2018 "a landmark year" for AkzoNobel, highlighted by the sale of its Specialty Chemicals division for €10.1bn to Carlyle Group and Singapore's GIC sovereign wealth fund.
The sale generated a net profit of €5.8bn. It was part of AkzoNobel's defense against a €26bn takeover bid in 2017 from US rival PPG Industries.
Yet CEO Thierry Vanlancker called 2018 "a landmark year" for AkzoNobel, highlighted by the sale of its Specialty Chemicals division for €10.1bn to Carlyle Group and Singapore's GIC sovereign wealth fund.
The sale generated a net profit of €5.8bn. It was part of AkzoNobel's defense against a €26bn takeover bid in 2017 from US rival PPG Industries.
"We're now a focused paints and coatings company and are channeling all our experience, energy and passion into being recognized as the reference in our industry," said Vanlancker.
Through its Performance Coatings segment, AkzoNobel is a significant supplier to the global boat and yacht sectors. Its key brands include Coral, Flexa, Sadolin, Sikkens, Awlgrip, International and Interpon.
www.ibinews.com/company-financials/
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"Wally has always been about innovation, about combining the latest technology with contemporary design, and about constantly looking at ways to enhance the on-the-water experience through performance, comfort and style," says Luca Bassani, founder of the iconic Monegasque brand.
In fact, since he founded the brand in 1994, Wally has pioneered groundbreaking solutions that have transformed technologies and aesthetics to the extent that today it is hard to identify any aspect of large yacht design, sail or power, that has not been influenced by his creative vision. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and many Wally innovations – from the early use of carbon fibre to the concept of easy sailing and folding bulwarks – have been widely adopted by other boat builders.
Instrumental in continuing Luca Bassani's unique way of thinking is the recent partnership with Ferretti Group."The market today requires significant investment to develop new products and new markets," said Bassani at the official announcement during Boot Düsseldorf. "Ferretti Group has great industrial, organisational and commercial capabilities and will be able to boost Wally. I will continue my design and development activity on an exclusive basis, ensuring the continuity of Wally's DNA."
Luca Bassani returns to Germany in few days for the German Superyacht Conference in Hamburg on 28th February, where for the first time he will present the story of Wally, depicting the innovations that became brand hallmarks and influenced the entire yachting industry.
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The South Coast Boat Show is being held at Ocean Village Marina, 17-19 May 2019. This brand-new event will feature the marine industry's most exciting and innovative global power and sail brands. There will be over fifty new boats on display for serious buyers to explore. The show is timed perfectly for those wishing to get afloat this season in a stunning 20-60 foot sail or power boat.
Over twenty top brands are already confirmed as exhibiting with more to come.
Exhibitors include: Arcona Yachts, Axopar London Group, Bavaria, Beneteau power and sail, Dehler, Dragonfly, Dufour Yachts, Elan, Fjord, Fleming, Fountaine Pajot, Galeon, Hallberg-Rassy, Hanse, J-Boats, Jeanneau power and sail, Lagoon catamarans, Marlin, Najad Yachts, Nautitech, Ocqueteau, Rhea, Sasga Yachts, Sargo and X-Yachts.
The South Coast Boat Show has been set-up to facilitate serious boat buyers who want to experience a high-quality range of product in stunning surroundings. With an extensive selection of leading global power and sail brands on show, it will appeal to those who are looking to purchase a brand-new vessel immediately, or within the next 6-18 months.
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Advance tickets are now on sale for the 2019 Crick Boat Show.
The show is organised by Waterways World magazine in association with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina and is expected to attract over 26,000 visitors.
This year there is an additional Trade & Preview Day for pre-booked visitors.
Almost 300 exhibitors will be at the show with dozens of boats to look round, free boat trips, free advice seminars on boat ownership, live music and children's activities.
Peter Johns, show director is looking forward to welcoming visitors to the show which is a 'top destination for waterways enthusiasts looking to upgrade or improve their boat, for newcomers wanting to get afloat for the first time and for those seeking a day out by the waterways'.
"Now in its 20th year, the show hosts the largest display of new inland boats, both narrowboats and wide beams and for three days it becomes Britain's largest chandlery when nearly 300 exhibitors bring together the complete range of equipment and materials for inland boating," he said.
The show takes place at Crick Marina in Northamptonshire from May 25 to 27.
Paul Heys
Hamble-based yacht sales business Key Yachting Ltd, have made the truly sad and shocking announcement that Paul Heys, co-founder and Managing Director, has passed away. Paul was enjoying a much-deserved holiday in the Caribbean with his wife Marie-Claude and came into difficulties while swimming on Monday morning.
Paul was a much-loved Husband, Dad, Brother and Granddad, and was greatly admired in the sailing community; sailing was his life and passion. Paul will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him.
Details of the funeral arrangements will be made available once finalised.
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: John C. Quigley
re: Chicago - Mackinac Race Incident Report
Making the findings of the Incident Report public is commendable and to be encouraged where ever possible.
Unfortunately the Club website advises that the Report can be viewed 'here' with a link but it appears to be limited to Club Members.
Do we have the ability to have this shared more widely?
Featured Brokerage
2013 Infiniti 36GT - Skazka. 175,000 EUR. Located in Southampton, UK.
Perfect for adrenaline junkies. Superbly finished. Very little used.XT
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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2016 Ker 46 - "Lady Mariposa R". 595000 Tax paid GBP. Located in UK.
This is an immaculately presented Ker 46 and without doubt one of the most exciting and competitive IRC/ORC boats on the RORC/ROLEX circuit today. Hugely optimized since launching with many new 2019 goodies, she is a safe bet for any serious campaigner. Available after Fastnet Race 2019.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+64 277733717
+44 2380 016582
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2007 X-Yachts X-41 - Bandit. 155000 GBP. Located in Lymington, UK.
The best X-41 on the market. A large refit in 2017 with standing and running rigging, upholstery, instruments and interior re-varnish, she looks like a new yacht. Four out of the top 10 at the ORC worlds in 2018 were X-41s; priced in sterling she offers a very good opportunity.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Ben Cooper
Telephone: +44(0) 1590 679222
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Philosophers' Syndrome: mistaking a failure of the imagination for an insight into necessity. -- Daniel Dennett
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