In This Issue
• Kusznierewicz Wins Star Class World Championship
• Stage 4 of La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro in the Channel
• Beyond Remarkable - Nautor Swan
• Japan Takes First Ever SailGP Event Win In New York
• Royal Rewards for Provezza In Puerto Sherry
• Just So wins the Morgan Cup
• IOD World Championship
• IRC Europeans in Sanremo
• Using GPS locators, crew collects 40 tons of 'ghost nets' floating in Pacific
• Featured Charter: Swan 80 - Umiko
• Featured Brokerage:
• • 2003 V65 Fast Cruiser
• • 2001 Botin Carkeek 52 'COYOTE'
• • 2017 JPK 1080 - Blue Note
• The Last Word: Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
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
Kusznierewicz Wins Star Class World Championship
Porto Cervo, Italy: The ninety seventh edition of the Star Class World Championship ended with a victory for Mateusz Kusznierewicz and Bruno Prada followed by Augie Diaz with Henry Boening in second place and Eivind Melleby and Joshua Revkin in third. The event was held from June 17th to today and saw 63 teams from 20 nations race in 6 races for the Championship
Just before 12.00 noon, the scheduled time for the day's start, the Race Committee hoisted the AP Flag. The start, after two General Recalls, was at about 3 PM when the wind from the northwest filled in. The breeze was at 16 to 20 knots, peaking at 22 knots towards the end of the race.
The new Star Class World Champions are Mateusz Kusznierewicz with his crew Bruno Prada: in a week where their best placement had been a second in the second race, today they were the stars of the Stars. They started in the lead and after rounding the mark lengthened their distance from the rest of the fleet finishing well ahead of the other teams. Kusznierewicz was already Star Class World Champion in 2008 so this is his second title while Bruno Prada has made Star Class history by winning this title five times. Second place goes to Augie Diaz, Star Class World Champion in 2016, with Henry Boening, currently the Star Class European Champion. Diaz also received first prize as a Star Class Gran Master, a recognition that is reserved for Star sailors who are over 60. The Norwegian Eivind Melleby and Joshua Revkin finished third in today's race and third overall.
Final top ten:
1. Mateusz Kusznierewicz / Bruno Prada, POL, 16 points
2. Augie Diaz / Henry Boening, USA, 18
3. Eivind Melleby / Joshua Revkin, NOR, 24.3
4. Marin Misura / Tonko Barac, CRO, 34
5. Diego Negri / Sergio Lambertenghi, ITA, 39
6. Paul Cayard / Artur Lopes, USA, 43
7. Roberto Bermudez De Castro/ Miguel Fernandez Vasco, ESP, 49
8. Torvar Mirsky / Robert O'Leary, IRL, 58
9. Enrico Chieffi / Manlio Corsi, ITA, 68
10. Hans Spitzauer / Christian Nehammer, AUT, 70
2019worlds.starchampionships.org
www.yccs.com
Stage 4 of La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro in the Channel
Just over 24 hours after the start of the fourth and final stage of what has been a La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro marked by unusually big time deltas and many pre-race favourites languishing much lower down the general classification than would have been expected, it finally seems to be back to business as usual.
The 500-nautical mile grand final follows a course from Roscoff to Dieppe via Wolf Rock, the Owers mark east of the Isle of Wight and Ouest Saint Marcouf on the east side of the Cherbourg peninsula to the finish line. After passing Wolf Rock early this morning, the 47-strong fleet are beating offshore off the Cornish and Devon coast, fighting the ebb tide to pass Start Point. Under leaden skies with the occasional shaft of sunlight and intermittent rain, on a chaotic, choppy sea with 12-15knots of easterly breeze, it seems like, finally, all the La Solitaire big hitters are where they should be.
While Alexis Loison (Region Normandie) who lead most of Stage 3 and lies third overall, is back in command again, he has three-times winner Jeremie Beyou (Charal) in second. In third, double winner Armel Le Cleac'h (Banque Populaire) is also breathing down his neck less than half a mile behind, as they retrace essentially the same course up the Channel as they took during Stage 2 from Kinsale to Roscoff via the Needles.
In sixth place is Yann Elies (Saint Michel), who many had tipped pre-Solitaire as the soloist most likely to succeed in the new Figaro Beneteau 3 and become the first to win four overall titles. And right in the middle of the peloton is Yoann Richomme (HelloWork-Telegramme Groupe), the overall race leader, at 1.6 nautical miles behind. The last stage looks like it might yet deliver the battle of the giants' scenario which has been touted since it was announced that all of the big guns would return to the race again to resume rivalries in the new Figaro 3.
Vendee Globe champion Le Cleac'h is working further offshore, to the south of the main pack, looking for the new flood tide and more wind pressure. The easterly wind is due to drop as the fleet pick their way upwind this evening, easing back to just a handful of knots.
Britain's Will Harris (Hive Energy), is hunting with the main pack on his native waters, lying 13th this afternoon, pacing Gildas Mahe (Breizh Cola-Equi The), the French sailor who lies second overall on the general standings.
And although the leaders will carry the fleet in to the dying breeze and face a slow 155-mile passage up to the Owers mark south east of Portsmouth, at least they also enjoyed last nights fast crossing of the Channel from the Portsall mark to Wolf Rock under gennaker.
The leading pack have just over 300 nautical miles to go until they finally reach the finish line, not only of this Stage, but of the 2019 Solitaire URGO Le Figaro.
Top five in Leg Four
1. Alexis Loison / Region Normandie
2. Jeremie Beyou / Charal
3. Yann Elies / St Michel
4. Morgan Lagraviere / Voile D'engagement
5. Armel Le Cleac'h / Banque Populaire
Top five Overall
1. Yoann Richomme / Hellowork - Groupe Telegramme
2. Gildas Mahe / Breizh Cola / Equithe
3. Alexis Loison / Region Normandie
4. Anthony Marchand / Groupe Royer - Secours Populaire
5. Corentin Douguet / NF Habitat
Beyond Remarkable - Nautor Swan
The Monaco Swan One Design in early April gently lifted the curtain on Nautor Swan's 2019 Nations Trophy Mediterranean League. Launched last year, the four-event circuit offers individual and national team prizes and, again, peaks with October's The Nations Trophy in Palma.
Right now the nascent circuit plays to its strengths, offering tight, evenly matched, owner-driven one-design racing at popular venues. It is steadily building momentum, delivering regular racing for the active, passionate ClubSwan 50 owners and their crews, and also providing very attractive class racing for the Swan 45 and Club Swan 42s. In due course, it should provide a focal point for renewed interest in these older one-designs.
Full article in the July issue of Seahorse
Japan Takes First Ever SailGP Event Win In New York
In front of large crowds lining the waterfront in downtown Manhattan, the Japan SailGP Team - helmed by double Olympic medalist Nathan Outteridge - beat off strong competition from Tom Slingsby's Australia SailGP Team to win its first event in the inaugural SailGP season.
An intense final match race took place between the two notorious rivals on the Hudson River racecourse, which saw drama before the start as the high-powered F50s, capable of intense speeds, made contact. A penalty to Australia saw Japan eventually get the better of the season's leaders and take the victory in New York.
New York's urban landscape provided an extra challenge for the world-class athletes this week as they battled shifting breezes and varied wind speeds on a smaller, more challenging racecourse. Boat handling and maneuvering on the foils was significantly more of a factor than ever before as the boats flew around the Hudson at the fastest speeds yet seen on SailGP, with the Australia team hitting a top speed of 48.69 knots (nearly 60 mph). It was the superior adaptability of the Japanese team that won the event on the Hudson.
Final results:
1. Japan, Nathan Outteridge, 49
2. Australia, Tom Slingsby, 45
3. United States, Rome Kirby, 37
4. China, Phil Robertson, 33
5. France, Billy Besson, 32
6. Great Britain, Dylan Fletcher, 27
Royal Rewards for Provezza In Puerto Sherry
So disappointed was Turkish owner Ergin Imre with last season's outcome for his Provezza team in the 2018 52 SUPER SERIES that it was only when team coach John Cutler, a Kiwi Olympic bronze medallist, agreed to steer for this season, that the hugely passionate owner agreed to press on with renewed rigour and a changed crew line up.
Imre and his team were rewarded today for their hard work and endeavour and their ability to adapt to the changes when they lifted the historic Royal Cup in Puerto Sherry, Andalucia as narrow winners of the second regatta of the 2019 season.
But they were pushed to the wire during one of the most exciting final day showdowns in the history of the 52 SUPER SERIES. The day started with three boats in contention to win the trophy, which dates back to 1995 and the IMS class, Bronenosec - the newest boat in the fleet steered by the young Croatian Olympic gold medal winning hero Sime Fantela - one point ahead of 2017 champions Azzurra. Going into today's racing, Provezza were four points adrift, but the runners up to Platoon in Mahón last month are sailing with supreme confidence and big smiles.
It was only on the last downwind of the last race, when Platoon passed Azzurra, that the regatta title was secured by the Turkish-flagged team - only the second time they have secured an event win after their popular 2017 victory in Puerto Portals, Mallorca.
Final regatta standings:
1. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) (1,4,7,7,2,2,3,6,2,4) 38 points
2. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto Roemmers) (5,1,2,5,5,1,2,8,4,6) 39
3. Bronenosec (RUS) (Vladimir Liubomirov) (4,3,4,3,1,5,5,3,8,3) 39
4. Platoon (GER) (Harm Müller-Spreer) (3,6,5,1,3,8,7,2,1,1,5) 41
5. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) (8,2,3,4,4,4,8,4,3,7) 47
6. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andrés Soriano) (2,8,6,2,8,6,1,7,7,1) 48
7. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) (7,7,1,6,6,7,4,5,5,5,2) 50
8. Phoenix 11 (RSA) (Tina Plattner) (6,5,8,8,7,3,6,1,6,8) 58
Just So wins the Morgan Cup
The Royal Ocean Racing Club's race to Dieppe for the Morgan Cup started in the Solent on midsummer's day in superb conditions. The RORC fleet enjoyed a spectacular downwind start off the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, heading east for the English Channel.
During the night, the wind evaporated and as high pressure enveloped the race course, competitors were searching for the best of the breeze and tidal conditions. By morning, clear skies and an early sunrise conspired to enhance sea breeze conditions, giving a fantastic downwind finish for the fleet into Dieppe. The slow-down during the night meant that the race to the finish was a close one, with many classes being decided by minutes, even seconds. The 2019 Morgan Cup Race was notable for British yachts which won all seven classes.
William McGoughand Christian Jeffrey, racing J/109 Just So in IRC Two Handed, won the 2019 Morgan Cup Race, winning overall in a fleet of 86 yachts racing under the IRC Rating System. McGough and Jeffrey are both corinthian sailors in their 30s, and this is their first season racing Two-Handed. Monohull Line Honours for the race went to Botin IRC 52 Tala, skippered by Robbie Southall. After time correction, IRC Zero was won by Ker 46 Lady Mariposa, skippered by Nigel King. Joel Malardel's Normanni 34 Tancrède took Multihull Line Honours.
The top three yachts in IRC Overall for the Morgan Cup Race were all racing Two-Handed. Just So won by 27 minutes from Sun Fast 3200 Cora, sailed by Nigel & Tim Goodhew. Sun Fast 3600 Bellino, sailed by Rob Craigie & Deb Fish, was third by less than a minute.
In IRC One, Corby 45 Incisor, skippered by James Gair and sailed by the Cowes Race School, was the winner. Didier Gaudoux's 2017 Rolex Fastnet Race champion, JND 39 Lann Ael 2 was second and proven winner Maxime de Mareuil's XP-44 Orange Mecanix2 was third.
In IRC Two, Gavin Howe's Hamble, UK based Sun Fast 3600 Tigris was the winner racing Two-Handed with Sam Cooper. After IRC time correction, Tigris was ahead of 2015 Rolex Fastnet champion Gery Trentesaux racing JPK 11.80 Courrier Recommande, and 2017 IRC Two champion, Gilles Fournier's J/133 Pintia.
The podium for IRC Three was all British yachts, Bellino was the winner. Trevor Middleton's Sun Fast 3600 Black Sheep, sailed by Jake Carter, continue to lead the RORC Season's Points Championship with second in class for the Morgan Cup. The Royal Navy Association's J/109 Jolly Jack Tar, skippered by Tom Thicknesse, was third in class for the Morgan Cup. In IRC Four, Just so, and Cora took the top two places. Cooper & England's Dehler 38 Longue Pierre was third in class, and just four seconds off the podium for the Morgan Cup.
The eighth race of the 2019 RORC Season's Points Championship will be the East Coast Race, organised by the West Mersea Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club. The 125nm race across the North Sea finishing in Ostend, Belgium will start on Friday 28th June 2019. -- Louay Habib
IOD World Championship
John Burnham dominated the 6-race series to win the 2019 IOD World Championship, held June 17-21 in Marblehead, MA. The invitation only event has one representative from each fleet along with the defending champion to compete in a format wherein teams rotate boats after each race. Burnham won with an 8 point margin over Evan Pettley-Jones in second who tied with John Henry in third.
Final top ten
1. John Burnham, USA, 9 points
2. Evan Pettley-Jones, USA, 17
3. John Henry, USA,17
4. Jonathan Farrar (Defending Champion), USA, 20
5. Bill Widnall, USA, 23
6. Hans Johanson, SWE, 30
7. Timmy Dittrich, USA, 31
8. Elliott Wislan, USA, 32
9. Phil Kennedy, USA, 33
10;. Chris Gould, USA, 43
IRC Europeans in Sanremo
Organised by Yacht Club Sanremo in co-operation with Italy's UVAI (Unione Vela d'Altura Italiana) and France's UNCL (Union Nationale Course au Large) the IRC Europeans are in fact scheduled for this week, from 23 through 29 June.
Around 50 boats have registered, with teams coming from Italy, France, Switzerland, the UK, Russia and from as far as the British Virgin Islands, with a high level of competition in all classes. Interesting to note that in Sanremo five TP52s, among the fastest and most spectacular boats of the international racing circuit, will be battling for the title: Howard Dyer's Rowdy Too from the BVI, Russian flagged Freccia Rossa skippered by Vadim Yakimenko and representing the Moscow Yacht Club; Gianpiero Russo's Macchia Mediterranea from Naples' Reale YC Canottieri Savoia as well as the two French teams Gerard Logel's Arobas 2 and Team Vision skippered by Jean-Jacques Chaubard, winner of the 2017 IRC European Championship in Marseille.
Other successful boats have confirmed their participation, like the 61' Itacentodue owned by Italo Calvini from Genoa's Yacht Club Italiano or the Swan 60 Lorina 1895 skippered by France's Jean-Pierre Barjon. Smaller boats will also take their chance to fight for the title, to the likes of Valter Pizzoli's Swan 45 Ange Trasparent flying the burgee of both the Yacht Club de Monaco and local Yacht Club Sanremo, or the Italia Yachts 998F Sarchiapone Fuoriserie skippered by Gianluigi Dubbini, who's also a member of the YCS and a local expert, while UNCL's president Jean-Philippe Cau will be skippering his Grand Soleil 37 Weekend Millionnaire.
The Championship, open to offshore boats with an IRC endorsed rating, consists of two days dedicated to measures and checks and five days of racing, a minimum of four inshore or windward/leeward races and an offshore lasting approximately 10 to 18 hours. The first official rendez-vous for the participants is the opening ceremony, scheduled for Monday 24 June, while on Thursday 26 the crews will gather in the historical rooms of the Casinò di Sanremo for a buffet dinner. On Saturday 29, at the end of the last racing day, the Yacht Club Sanremo will host the prize-giving ceremony. -- Carla Anselmi
www.yachtclubsanremo.it/regate/
Using GPS locators, crew collects 40 tons of 'ghost nets' floating in Pacific
The crew of California-based cargo ship just arrived in Honolulu after completing the largest ever Pacific Ocean clean-up at sea.
Over the past month, they collected more than 40 tons of "ghost nets."
The abandoned fishing gear accounts for nearly half the debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, catching and killing thousands of marine animals.
On Tuesday morning, the tangled nets were hoisted off the boat into containers on shore.
"The problem with plastic is it just lasts forever. So these nets continue killing marine life until they're taken out of the ocean," said Mary T. Crowley, the founder of Ocean Voyages Institute.
Crowley said the record haul is just the beginning of a project aimed at ridding the oceans of ghost nets and other plastics.
About a year ago, the non-profit started handing out special GPS devices to mariners, asking them to attach it to any abandoned fishing gear they find.
Over the past month Crowley's crew used the satellite trackers to locate dozens of ghost nets drifting in the Pacific.
"They gather dolphins and turtles and fish. They're killing machines," said Crowley. "From our experience, where we would find one net, we would find more nets."
Crowley says it's her mission to make sure that none of the trash removed from the ocean ends up in a garbage dump. The majority of all the nets and debris that were collected will be taken to H-Power and turned into electricity.
"It will all be re-purposed to make sure none of it goes back into the ocean," said Crowley.
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