In This Issue
• A grand departure for Brest Atlantiques
• The Rich Getting Richer As An Easy Doldrums(!) Awaits
• Latitude Kinsale Custom 3D Maps
• The Superyacht Cup Palma gets high-performance class boost for 2020
• GC32 Racing Tour Finale - All In...
• Epic Run To Martinique
• Less than a month to Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao
• Carbon Masters
• 170 boats for 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart
• World Sailing Annual Meeting Notes
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Beneteau First 50
• • Maxi 72 Cannonball
• • Swan 82-006 RS 'Mayang Sari'
• The Last Word: Jon Stewart
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
The 11th annual Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar search is on... Send us your thoughts and drink recipes...
A grand departure for Brest Atlantiques
The four Ultim 32/23 Class trimarans took off on Tuesday 5th November at 11am on the "Brest Atlantiques" race, a new 14,000 mile double-handed race that will take them non-stop to Rio and then Cape Town, before heading back to Brest. After five hours of racing at an average speed of 30 knots, the Trimaran Macif (Francois Gabart/Gwenole Gahinet) and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (Franck Cammas/Charles Caudrelier) are in the lead.
A white and frothing sea, average winds of 28/30 knots, gusts a little below 40, clear skies and a beautiful autumnal light, these were the conditions for the grand departure of the “Brest Atlantiques” today at 11am at the foot of the Chaussee de Sein – the perfect send off for these gigantic trimarans in the Ultimate Class 32/23. The day before, given the harsh weather forecast, the eight sailors involved had announced their intention not to "do anything stupid", to use the expression of Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), while Yves Le Blevec (Actual Leader) talked of the "skilful balance between safe seafaring and competition". They kept their word, with all of them setting off near the Western Seine, on the starboard tack under a reduced mainsail and rolled headsails.
This did not prevent them, however, from crossing the 2.5 mile line, from which they set off at nearly 30 knots, which is proof of the power of these 32m by 23m trimarans, before lengthening their stride an hour later once the J3 (small headsail) had been furled.
The four trimarans should finish between 11pm and midnight with this dreaded Bay of Biscay, before setting upon "a fabulous ride towards Brazil", to use the expression of Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3) as he was leaving Brest. "Cape Finisterre will already be a big step forward, it's crazy to think that we'll be in Spain tonight. Afterwards, it's going to be a little more relaxing and we're really going to be able to get into the performance, it's going to be great," said Gwenole Gahinet, while Franck Cammas added: "I can't wait for tonight! We'll try to get out unharmed in Cape Finisterre, then we can attack more.
The Rich Getting Richer As An Easy Doldrums(!) Awaits
The route to victory for Charal and the IMOCA podium in the 14th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre may have just become lot simpler according to the official race meteorologist. Richard Silvani, from Meteo France said that contrary the forecast a few days ago, the Doldrums are not looking so active now. Charal should enter the zone most feared by sailors tonight. The two Mulit50s leading the fleet are already in there.
“The Doldrums are not very active because on each side of it the trade winds are well established,” was the analysis from Silvani, the official race meteorologist. “In fact, the two anticyclones that are positioned on either side of the equator, at the Azores in the northern hemisphere and St. Helena in the southern hemisphere, favour an established synoptic wind.”
IMOCA
At the 15:00 UTC ranking, Charal, despite slowing down first still had comfortably the best 24-hour run of the lead group (407 miles). It led by 84 miles from Apivia and 150 miles from 11th Hour Racing.
The incredible resurrection of Thomas Ruyant and Antoine Koch on Advens for Cybersecurity has brought them back into a group of five IMOCA positioned to the west of the southern islands of the Cape Verde archipelago.
After cutting their damaged keel from the boat yesterday, Hugo Boss are making for the Cape Verde islands, about 850 almost due south of where they are now.
Class40
At the front, Credit Mutuel (Lipinski / Hardy) are continuing to extend their lead in a Charal like way. Britain’s Sam Goodchild on Leyton and Aïna Enfance & Avenir. are holding on, but in the more consistent trade winds they are enjoying than at the front of the IMOCA.
At the 15:00 UTC ranking, Credit Mutuel, had made 381 miles in the last 24 hours, 21 more than Leyton and 31 more than Aïna Enfance & Avenir. They trail Credit Mutuel by 51 and 69 miles respectively, but here is a more defined lead group of three boats now, with Banque Du Leman in fourth, 161 miles off the lead.
Latitude Kinsale Custom 3D Maps
The winner of this year's Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar competition will be presented with a custom 3D map made to order by Latitude Kinsale. A new product line... Gold Coast charts...
Gold Coast Balearics
The Gold Coast charts are evolving. In recent commissions I changed the sea colour to navy blue in keeping with the ocean and designed a new style frame that captures the light creating a really cool subtle glow effect from behind the chart.
Recent commissions include Sydney harbour, St Tropez, Isles Hyeres in France, Westerscheld in the Netherlands and the Isle of Wight.
The images here show a piece of The Balearics that I used for the exhibition in Cannes. Proving popular for residential and commercial reception & meeting rooms. Bringing a touch of class and unique display using 24 carrot gold to any chart anywhere in the world.
Send us your thoughts on YOUR favorite bar: eurosailnews.com/sailors-bars
The Superyacht Cup Palma gets high-performance class boost for 2020
The 2020 edition of The Superyacht Cup Palma will deliver the added excitement of a new performance racing class, presenting superyacht owners with the option of testing their thoroughbred vessels in a classic racing format.
Always looking to improve and enhance the experience of taking part in Europe’s longest-running superyacht regatta, organisers have introduced the class to provide a venue for the latest generation of high-speed and hi-tech sailing yachts.
The Superyacht Cup Performance Class will now join the ever-popular Original Superyacht Class and the Corinthian Spirit Superyacht Class - introduced in 2018 - at the 24th edition of The Superyacht Cup Palma from 17 to 20 June 2020.
The Superyacht Cup Performance Class will feature a conventional fleet start and will race under the RRS on a separate course to superyachts in the two other classes.
With the Original Superyacht Class on offer to the broad range of yachts that are an established presence on Palma Bay, and the Corinthian Class providing more relaxed non-spinnaker racing, the Performance Class means SYC Palma has something for everyone, according to regular participant Peter Holmberg.
“I’ve raced in Palma for many years on all kinds of boats and I know it works because the owners love sailing here,” said the US Virgin Islands yachtsman who helmed the J-Class Topaz to a class win in 2019.
“You now have a growing number of owners who have gone for fast, lightweight racer-cruisers, so for them to have their own high-performance class is a smart move - and it will also produce some great racing as well.”
Registration is now open for The Superyacht Cup Palma 2020 which will again deliver its magical mix of a vibrant social scene at the Race Village in the heart of Palma, and the excitement of racing in ideal conditions out on the Bay of Palma. -- Daphne Morgan Barnicoat
GC32 Racing Tour Finale - All In...
The GC32 Oman Cup is the fifth and final race of the 2019 GC32 Racing Tour and among the participants is strong potential for match racing one another. For example, fifth and sixth-placed Argo and Black Star Sailing Team are within three points of one another. Similarly, four points separate Erik Maris' Zoulou from Austrian double Tornado Olympic medallists Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher's Red Bull Sailing Team in third place. But unquestionably the big match is for the top spot between local heroes Oman Air and Ernesto Bertarelli’s Swiss World Champions Alinghi. They are tied on points, heading for a 'winner takes all' end of season showdown.
Adding to the competitive mix will be a few key crew changes. Notable both Jason Carroll’s Argo and Christian Zuerrer’s Black Star Sailing Team have 'star' helms for this event.
Carroll has personally stood down for this week as he recovers from surgery and standing in for him is his talented tactician Sebastien Col. The last time Col formally took the helm of a GC32 was standing in for Pierre Casiraghi on Malizia - Yacht Club de Monaco in Calvi in 2017. The Monaco team blitzed that event until damage forced them to retire on the final day, costing them the regatta. But as Col observes: “It has been a long time since I helmed on the GC32. We have very good guys on board for sure but it takes a while to get the combination and communication right in manoeuvres, especially when the wind picks up. So we don’t have many expectations.”
Taking Col’s role is Spain’s Manu Weiller, who last sailed a GC32 on the Japanese entry Mamma Aiuto!
On Christian Zuerrer’s Black Star Sailing Team, New Zealand match racer and catamaran sailor Chris Steele takes over from Keith Swinton on the helm.
Racing starts Wednesday, with a first warning signal scheduled for 13:00 local time and continues until Saturday.
Epic Run To Martinique
After three days at sea, the fleet of 82 sailors of the second stage of the Mini-Transat La Boulangere is again complete with the return of Jean Lorre in the early afternoon. The speeds are sustained, on a path close to the direct road and in a trade wind which should be maintained until the arrival. The first could join Martinique after only 11 days at sea.
Classification Tuesday, November 5 at 17h (french time)
Proto
1. Francois Jambou (865 - Team BFR Tide High Yellow) 1966.9 miles to finish
2. Tanguy Bouroullec (969 - Cerfrance) 16.9 miles to leader
3. Axel Trehin (945 - Project Rescue Ocean) 42.8 miles to leader
Series
1. Ambrogio Beccaria (943 - Geomag) to 1972.3 miles to finish
2. Benjamin Ferre (902 - Imago Incubateur D'aventures) 16.8 miles to leader
3. Pierre Le Roy (925 - Arthur Loyd) 46.6 miles to leader
www.minitransat.fr/actualites/run-epique-vers-la-martinique
Less than a month to Yacht Racing Forum in Bilbao
The sports leading personalities and brands are getting ready for their annual gathering and B2B reunion.
This years' edition will take place in Bilbao, Spain, on November 25-26, and will reassemble some 350 delegates. It will once again offer an interesting mix of conferences and presentations on current topics related to competitive sailing and the business of the sport. Sailing classes and events, the sports management, rules & regulations will amongst other be discussed, alongside the latest technological developments from the America's Cup, Ultime or IMOCA classes. The latest innovations will also be presented.
More than 60 speakers have already confirmed their participation, including the sports' leading personalities from all over the world. The IMOCA, SailGP, Class 40, the Ocean Race or the Olympic Games will be presented in great detail by their key promoters, whilst a strong focus will be put on technology and sustainability.
The Yacht Racing Forum will be chaired by some of the sports' best experts and moderators, including Shirley Robertson, Andy Rice and Dobbs Davis, supported by Ken Read, Jeremy Pochman or Luca Rizzotti.
As usual, the Yacht Racing Forum also promises to be a great and friendly social event, with drinks receptions and a gala evening reception provided by our host, Bilbao Bizkaia, Consorcio de aqua, Euskadiko Kirol Portua, Real Federacion Espanola de Vela and Valencia Sports.
Registration: www.yachtracingforum.com
Carbon Masters
World renowned carbon expert Antonio Latini is leading the build team constructing the Neo570C, the new collaboration from Shaun Carkeek and Paolo Semeraro.
170 boats for 2019 Rolex Sydney Hobart
Entry for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has closed and organisers at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) are thrilled to announce 170 yachts from Australia and overseas will take part in their 75th race, making it the largest fleet since the 50th in 1994, and the fourth-largest in the history of the race.
In 1994, a record 371 yachts started the race, a number that has never been reached before or since, and is not likely to.
Commenting on the quantity and quality of the fleet, CYCA Commodore Paul Billingham, said: “To receive such an incredible number of entries this year is astonishing and testimony to the enduring appeal of the Great Race.
“The range of yachts is truly impressive and the spectacle we will witness on Boxing Day will be unprecedented in the modern era of the race.”
Among this year’s number are five super maxis; Peter Harburg’s Black Jack (Qld), Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant’s record holder Comanche (NSW); Christian Beck’s InfoTrack (NSW); the Oatley family’s reigning line-honours champion, Wild Oats XI (NSW) and Seng Huang Lee’s SHK Scallywag from Hong Kong.
International boats are representative of Great Britain, Ireland, France, China, Hungary, Poland, Hong Kong and USA - and, while NSW has predictably yielded the largest Australian numbers with 96, the other states have produced healthy numbers too.
There are also a few ‘first timers’, most notably the first Aboriginal crew to ever take part in the race with the Beneteau 47.7, Tribal Warrior.
There are 10 past overall winners representative of various sizes and eras, from the 2018 winner, Philip Turner’s RP66, Alive; Matt Allen’s TP52, Ichi Ban; Bob Steel’s TP52 Quest, which also won as Paul Clitheroe’s Balance seven years later; Oskana, a Cookson 50 that won as Victoire in 2013; Simon Kurts’ 46-year-old classic yacht, Love & War, one of only two three-time winners in the race’s history; and two-time winner, Wild Oats XI.
World Sailing Annual Meeting Notes
In 2020, World Sailing’s General Assembly will see the election of the President and Board of Directors for 2021-2024.
Members approved the Board recommendation for the Election Committee of Phil Cotton (GBR), David Kellett (AUS) and Melanie Willmore (CAN).
Cotton has been Chair of the Audit Committee since 2017 and he will act as the Chair of the Election Committee. Kellett was a member of the Election Committee in 2016, and was an ISAF Vice President from 1998 to 2008, and Treasurer from 2008 to 2012.
Melanie Willmore was the People, Governance & Operations Director at the International Hockey Federation (FIH) from 2010 to 2018, overseeing the FIH elections procedures as Secretary of the Governance Panel and the Elections Oversight Panel, and overseeing governmental work for the FIH Executive Board and Foundation Board. -- Daniel Smith - World Sailing
* Governance
Ahead of the 2019 Annual Conference, World Sailing published a Revised Proposal to Reform its Governance titled, "Refreshing the Foundations for Our Future”.
The Proposal had received input from World Sailing’s Member National Authorities and other stakeholders with a draft Constitution and draft Regulations published.
More information following the publication of the Revised Proposal is available here.
The Proposal was put to World Sailing’s Members for approval. In order for it to pass, a majority of 75% was required. 38 members voted in favour with 21 against. This resulted in 64.4% in favour so it was not passed.
Following the vote, the World Sailing Board of Directors announced it had reflected on the comments made at the meeting and would allow a period for further feedback on the Proposal. After this, the Board will call an Extraordinary General Meeting no later than May 2020 in order to consider the Proposal along with any appropriate revisions.
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 Waugh:
While collisions with marine life are not new, when is the issue of our invasion, with ultra high speed, probably relatively low noise foiling machines in the habitat of marine animals going to become an issue? As far as I am aware the obstacle that damaged Hugo Boss is unknown but it seems likely that anything that could bring the boat to a standstill from 25 kts without the boat disintegrating would have to be something soft with considerable mass. Is it time to consider how we share the seas?
Featured Charter
TS5 - Blackjack
Available for:
Caribbean: January - May 2020
East Coast USA: May - July 2020
Mediterranean: August - November 2020
Designed by professional sailors the TS5 combines real racing performance with comfort. These boats have made headlines for being among the fastest liveable multihulls in the world, having already recorded 23 knots in 18 knots of wind while reaching and able to cover more than 400nm per day!
Marsaudon is building Blackjack to be as fast as possible, with plenty of features stemming directly from its experience with some of the world’s best racing skippers. The TS5 follows on from the TS42 and TS50 and offers comfortable living space on a sporty chassis. In Les Voiles de St Barths this year the TS42 and TS50 came 1st and 2nd in the multihull class.
Blackjack should be one of the highest performing boats in her class, and is likely to be faster and lighter than both Gunboat and HH catamarans, weighing just 8 tonnes. She has a rotating mast, fully carbon cross structure & fins and NKE instrumentation.
See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 2392 161272
Email:
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
2007 Beneteau First 50. 180000 EUR. Located in Sicily.
Well-maintained performance version of the First 50 with deep keel, taller mast and a full North Sails package. GEISHA can be available with ex-Vat or VAT paid.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Michele Antonini – Grabau International (Italia)
Tel: +39 333 74 89 281
Email:
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2016 Maxi 72 'Cannonball' . 3750000 EUR. Located in Palma Spain.
CANNONBALL the current 2019 Maxi 72 World Champion is now FOR SALE Perfect in every way
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
William Jenkins
410 267 9419
410 353 7862
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2003 Swan 82 Mayang Sari. 2,600,000 EUR VAT Paid. Located in Antibes, France.
One of the highest specifications and freshest of the desirable swan 82 raised salon models. MAYANG SARI has just had an extensive refit at New England Boatworks which included new blue hull paint, new carbon mast, new standing rigging, all new nav., sailing and communication electronics, new stern thruster, new generator, exterior canvas and much, much more.
See listing details in Nautor's Swan Brokerage
Contact
Giorgio Passarella
Nautor's Swan Brokerage
T. +377 97 97 95 07
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies. -- Jon Stewart
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html