In This Issue
• Brest in Sight
• Wight Vodka's Best Sailors Bar Nominations Open
• You're Invited! St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) - March 27-29, 2020
• SSL Finals 2019: Who Will Be 2019's Star Of The Sailing World?
• 73rd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race Open for Entry
• Director Of Sailing - Royal Canadian Yacht Club
• World Sailing Show: Programme 11
• Jules Verne Trophy: Tuesday Night Departure For Spindrift 2
• Champions to unite for 5.5 Metre Gold Cup and World Championship 2020
• America's Cup World Series details published - confirmation to follow
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Sly 53 - Steve Wonder 2
• • Cannonball For Sale
• • Mariquita
• The Last Word: Mark Twain
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...
Brest in Sight
The arrival is imminent for the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild! Having managed to sail Monday morning in front of a depression in the Azores, the Ultim trimaran led by Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier is now direct route to Brest, where it is expected Tuesday night / Wednesday early morning. Behind, the trimaran MACIF and Actual Leader engage in a battle for every mile.
Passing this morning the archipelago of the Azores, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has maintained high average speeds: 30.5 knots over 4 hours between 8am and 12am, 31.5 knots between 12h and 16h. They benefit from a southerly southerly sustained wind of 20 knots allowing them to make from now on a course downwind to the finish line from "Brest Atlantiques", located between Toulinguet Point, in Camaret-sur-Mer, and Pointe Saint-Mathieu, in Plongonvelin.
Given the speeds displayed by the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, and even if his skippers may be able to lift their foot from here to the tip of Brittany so as not to take reckless risks, they could end up in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, after about 28 days at sea. Needless to say, on board, Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier must be extremely focused on the smooth running of their trimaran Ultim and on the maritime traffic at the approach of the European coast.
Behind, the heat is still on the agenda for the skippers trimaran MACIF (Francois Gabart / Gwenole Gahinet) and Actual Leader (Yves Le Blevec / Alex Pella) who, as expected, have slowed down greatly since Monday morning by an anticyclonic ridge.
Fifty miles separate the two boats in the standings of 16h Monday, the gap could be virtually reduced to nothing by Tuesday,
Wight Vodka's Best Sailors Bar Nominations Open
From a recent note from one of our favorite PR people comes this hearty recommendation. Many beloved bars in the Caribbean were wiped out or severely damaged in hurricanes. Here's one that's bounced back:
The Beach Bar, Nanny Cay, Tortola, BVI
At the end of the day, The Beach Bar at Nanny Cay is THE place where everyone gathers. It was a central hub and lifeline to many following hurricanes Irma and Maria. A superb bar to chill after work or to meet friends to watch the sun go down, along with their famous Painkiller Cocktail. Friendly service and welcome to both visiting sailors and 'locals' alike - this has to be the ultimate bar for yachties set on a beautiful beach. There's also the Grill shack for BBQs and The Galley restaurant on the beach. Feel the sand between your toes, sit at the bar or swing seat and watch the world go by....
While we don't have The Beach Bar's recipe, here's the traditional Painkiller:
2 oz Dark Rum (Pusser's recommended)
4 oz Pineapple Juice
1 oz Orange Juice
1 oz Coco Lopez, Cream of Coconut
Nutmeg, for garnish
Fill large (beer or water) glass with ice. Pour all ingredients except the nutmeg into glass. Stir with long spoon until ingredients are mixed. Grate whole nutmeg on top of drink or sprinkle with ground nutmeg.
Mix up a batch, and then type away telling us about YOUR favorite. This year's winner gets a custom 3D map for the pub wall from Latitude Kinsale.
You're Invited! St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) - March 27-29, 2020
Sailing to the Caribbean this season on the RORC Transatlantic Race, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, Caribbean 1500, Salty Dawg Fall Rally to the Caribbean, or North Atlantic Rally to the Caribbean? Or, is your vessel arriving to St. Thomas or nearby Tortola or Antigua via Peters & May or DYT? You're invited to race with us in the 2020 STIR.
This 'Crown Jewel of Caribbean Yacht Racing' offers something for everyone. STIR 2020 offers classes for CSA (Caribbean Sailing Association-handicap rule) Racing, Cruising and Bareboats; Large Multihulls; Beach Cats and One-Design over 20-foot LOA. The one-design IC 24's may be the largest one-design fleet of any Caribbean regatta! Charter an IC24 from the St. Thomas Sailing Center (stthomassailingcenter.com) or other types of hot yachts from race charter companies like Caribbean Races, Caribbean Yacht Racing, Global Yacht Racing, LV Yachting, OnDeck, and Sail Racing Academy.
Stay and play! The flagship Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas re-opened last month and is walking distance to STYC. Plus, there are some 2,500 rooms on St. Thomas, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, resorts, timeshares, and villas. Airbnb listings number over 1,000 on St. Thomas. Airbnb ranked St. Thomas its No. 1 destination in 2018.
Save Money! Receive a 50% discount! Pay in full for only US $150 between now and 1700 AST January 31, 2020. Entry fees increase to US $300 between February 1 and March 25, 2020. Registration for IC24s and Beach Cats US $200. www.stthomasinternationalregatta.com, Email: , Call (340) 775-6320.
SSL Finals 2019: Who Will Be 2019's Star Of The Sailing World?
On the start line in Nassau Tuesday will be the most international and diverse line-up as the Qualification rounds get underway at the Star Sailor's League Finals, to determine who will be 2019's 'Star of the Sailing World'. As ever the line-up pits Olympic sailors - past, present and future - with America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race winners and champions from all manner of classes at World, European and continental levels.
Across the 23 teams taking part, 22 nations are represented including for the first time Spain (in seven time round the world race sailor Roberto Bermudez de Castro, who campaigned the Star boat for Athens 2004, sailing here with Miguel Fernandez Vasco), Uruguay (in former Snipe World champion Ricardo Fabini, runner-up at this year's Pan-American Games, sailing with Argentinean Federico Calegari) and South Korea (in three time Olympic Laser sailor and triple Asian Games champion Jeemin Ha, in safe hands sailing with Star veteran Mark Strube).
In terms of age, grand-daddy this year is yacht racing legend Paul Cayard, back sailing here with his Athens 2004 crew Phil Trinter. The renowned Louis Vuitton Cup and Whitbread Round the World Race winner, himself a former Star boat World Champion from 1988, turned 60 this year, but far from hanging up his sea boots, he finished fourth this year at the SSL Breeze Grand Slam and sixth at the Star Worlds in Porto Cervo in June. While several up-and-coming Olympic contenders are competing this year including 25-year-old British Laser sailor Lorenzo Chiavarini (sailing with German Kilian Weise), the youngest is Finland's Oskari Muhonen (sailing with Ukrainian Vitalii Kushnir). He is one of only four people to be a two time winner of the Finn Silver Cup (for under 23-year-olds).
Present Olympians are best represented by Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic, the Laser silver medallist from Rio 2016, sailing here with Finn sailor Tudor Bilic. Given that the last two SSL Finals have been won by Paul Goodison, a former Laser gold medallist and Jorge Zarif, the Finn Gold Cup winner, Stipanovic should be in with a good chance.
While Zarif is busy campaigning for Tokyo 2020, his crew Brazilian Pedro Trouche will defend their title, sailing with the event's sole Kiwi, 2006 Star World Champion Hamish Pepper.
Three Match Racing World Champions are competing, including Britain's Ian Williams (sailing here with former Star World Champion Steve Mitchell), who achieved this accolade a record six times. Then there is US Virgin Islander Taylor Canfield (sailing with Arnis Baltins), the present M32 catamaran World Champion, who won the title in 2013 and the 2017 champion, Australian Torvar Mirsky, sailing with Ireland's Robert O'Leary (brother of London 2012 competitor Peter). -- James Boyd - Sailing Intelligence
73rd Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race Open for Entry
Newport Beach, CA: The Notice of Race and Registration page for entry are now available for the 73rd edition of the 2020 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. These can be found on the event's new website at http://www.nosa.org, with the start date scheduled for Friday, April 24, 2020.
First raced in 1948 with entries that included Hollywood stars like Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy and Errol Flynn, this classic ocean race is held annually and organized by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA). The event is unique among international distance races in being open to entry for a large and diverse group of sailors and boat types, and annually attracts hundreds of boats and thousands of participants in both the race itself and the popular pre- and post-race social events in Newport Beach and Ensenada, Mexico.
This success is in part because the Newport to Ensenada Race has actually been organized into three races in one event, each with its own merits but starting at the same time off Newport's Balboa Pier:
(1) The main Newport to Ensenada Race (N2E) is a 125-mile offshore overnight race intended for all boats over 21 feet in length. Scoring will be using PHRF or ORR ratings for monohulls and ORCA ratings for Multihulls. An Unlimited Class is also available for very fast boats interested in elapsed time scores only. PHRF classes will be divided into ULDB and non-ULDB entries depending on their PHRF Performance Factor. There is also a CRUZ class option to enter, where PHRF and ORCA CRUZ entries may use their engines at night for a time penalty calculated from their engine log. PHRF CRUZ entries may also enter in Spinnaker or non-Spinnaker divisions.
(2) The Newport to San Diego Race (N2SD) is a 60-mile race intended for those teams in boats over 21 feet in length interested in a coastal offshore experience without the length of the race to Mexico. Eligibility and scoring options are the same as the main N2E race, except no ORR class is offered.
(3) The Newport Sprint to Dana Point Race (N2DP) is a 14-mile race intended for entry-level and small-boat sailors racing monohull one-designs or boats with PHRF or Portsmouth handicaps, or multihulls racing with ORCA handicaps. High Performance one-designs over 13 feet in length may also race subject to approval from NOSA.
More info found on the event website at www.nosa.org
Director Of Sailing - Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Toronto, ON, Canada
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club is recognized as a Top 50 Platinum Yacht Club (2020-2021) and operates year-round from two facilities. The Club has a reputation for excellence in the promotion of every aspect of yacht racing and cruising. From Club Fleet Championships to International Events, RCYC attracts sailors from all over the world. Our sailing programs include Racing, Adult Sailing, Junior Sailing and Clinics led by experts throughout the year.
Reporting to the GM/COO, the Director will champion the Club's vision to be one of the top sailing clubs in the world. In collaboration with the GM/COO and key stakeholders, the Director will develop and implement a strategic plan that includes best-in-class programs and coaching to meet the needs of Sailors of all levels - from beginners to elite Olympic Athletes. The Director will ensure that Sailors have access to the services and support needed to pursue both the pure enjoyment of sailing, and to achieve excellence in their performance in the sport.
For more information please view the full posting: DIRECTOR OF SAILING
Qualified candidates can apply at the following email by January 6, 2020:
World Sailing Show: Programme 11
Four of the world's fastest oceanic boats take on a brand new race around the Atlantic. But will all the boats survive? We have the race covered. There's also the latest footage of Italy's Luna Rossa America's Cup team foiling their AC75 in the Mediterranean. The longest and toughest double-handed transatlantic race is the Transat Jacques Vabre we bring you all race action. World Sailing have announced the new windsurf class for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games - see it in action. The 20 year dominance in the Wave discipline ended in Maui at the last PWA World Cup event. There's action from Hawaii as we reveal the new world champion. Francis Joyon breaks the first of four world records on his IDEC Asian Tour and the winners of the annual World Sailing Awards.
00:50 Brest Altantiques
07:56 PWA Aloha Windsurfing
10:15 News: IDEC Sport, Awards & eSailing
14:03 Transat Jacques Vabre
20:02 Olympic Windsurf
21:32 Luna Rossa AC75
Jules Verne Trophy: Tuesday Night Departure For Spindrift 2
Spindrift 2 is preparing for a new attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy, the round the world record that starts and finishes in Ushant, leaving the three capes (Good Hope, Leeuwin, Horn) to port. The reference time is the current record set by Francis Joyon and his crew in 2017, of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. With their optimised maxi trimaran and a crew of eleven, skipper Yann Guichard is aiming to start this new attempt on the night of Tuesday 3 to Wednesday, 4 December.
Yann Guichard and crew will cross the line during the night of December 4th, in front of the Créac'h lighthouse (Ushant) to begin the 21,600 mile route (following the Great Circle, which is the direct route chosen by the WSSRC, the international organisation that ratifies sailing records), with the aim of beating the record of 40 days, 23 hours, 30 minutes and 30 seconds. Based on its performance on a previous attempt, the black and gold trimaran could have the record on target, especially given recent technical improvements to the trimaran, including setting rudder fins to better sustain the Spindrift 2 at high speed.
Yann Guichard and his crew have tried to beat the record on two previous occasions: in 2015 (47d 10h 59') with Dona Bertarelli, who became the fastest woman around the world, and in 2018 (where the team was forced to abandon their attempt following rudder failure close to the Kergulen Islands). However now, once again, the North Atlantic has a favourable weather window that could allow a passage to the equator in about five days.
Spindrift 2 - Jules Verne Trophy Squad:
Yann Guichard - skipper
Erwan Israël - navigator
Jacques Guichard - watch leader / helm
Jackson Bouttell - helm / bow
Thierry Chabagny - helm
Grégory Gendron - helm
Xavier Revil - watch leader / helm
Corentin Horeau - helm / bow
François Morvan - helm
Duncan Späth - helm
Erwan Le Roux - watch leader / helm
Benjamin Schwartz - helm / bow ---
Jean-Yves Bernot - router
Champions to unite for 5.5 Metre Gold Cup and World Championship 2020
With boats belonging to international entrants arriving in Australia, the temptation to take part in the upcoming 5.5 Metre Class World Championship proved too strong for some big names on home soil, who have now signed on the dotted line for the event, to be hosted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) on Pittwater this summer.
To be held from 9-13 January, the Championship and its lead-in events are expected to attract around 27 boats; 13 Moderns, nine Evolutions and five Classic 5.5 Metre boats.
On noting the talent that would contest the Worlds, Phil Smidmore OAM and Rob Brown OAM, members of Australia II's winning team at the 1983 America Cup, have put their hands up.
Smidmore, a former winner of the 5.5 Metre Scandinavian Gold Cup the Worlds twice and mast man on Australia II, will crew on Skagerak for Steve Brajkovich. Brown, a former Australian Etchells champion, three-time 18 foot skiff J.J. Giltinan (unofficial Worlds) champion and multiple 18s Australian champion, is to helm Alpha Crucis.
Among the big names heading to Pittwater from overseas are the Worlds' winners from the past three years and the top three from the 2019 Worlds: Kristian Nergaard from Norway (Artemis XIV), Mark Holowesko with his New Moon 2 and Gavin McKinney (John B), both from The Bahamas.
There are also entries from Germany, Great Britain and Switzerland, However, the Australians have been putting in practice on home turf and will be lying in wait...
For those wishing to emulate some of the 'legends' in the 5.5 Metre there is still time to buy a boat. Please see boats for sale at: www.5.5class.org/boats-for-sale -- Di Pearson/5.5 Metre Worlds media
Notice of Race and all information: www.rpayc.com.au/sailing/5-5m-world-champ-2020
America's Cup World Series details published - confirmation to follow
America's Cup organisers have followed the line of the previous trophy holder by meeting an arbitrary Protocol publication deadline without publicly revealing any specifics.
The Protocol, or regatta rules, for the 36th America's Cup required the dates and venues for three America's Cup World Series events to be "announced on or before 30 November 2019."
That condition was apparently satisfied by the issuance, early Saturday afternoon NZT, of a pithy two-sentence statement by America's Cup organisers.
"2020 is shaping up to be an exciting America's Cup year as anticipation builds leading up to the first competitive action for the teams and their amazing new AC75 foiling monohulls during three America's Cup World Series events - the first of which will take place in Cagliari, Sardinia as previously announced.
"The venues and dates for the remaining two ACWS regattas have been finalised by the Defender and the Challenger of Record and full details will be publicly released over the coming weeks in coordination with the associated Host Cities and commercial partners."
It is expected that Portsmouth (UK) and Auckland will be confirmed as the remaining two venues for the America's Cup World Series, where all entered teams will race their AC75 America's Cup class yachts. The first ACWS event was announced for Cagliari, Sardinia from April 23-27, 2020. -- Richard Gladwell's full article in Sail-World.com
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1911 William Fife III 19 Metre Gaff Cutter - Mariquita. 2,750,000 EUR. Located in United Kingdom.
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The Last Word
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man. -- Mark Twain
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html