In This Issue
• A First Sail On The Waitemata
• Royal St. George Yacht Club Host 10th Revived Irish International 12 Championship
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• 2020 Forward WIP European Championship
• 49er and Nacra 17 Class Championships in 2023 and 2024
• Bahamas Shuts Down to U.S. Tourists; Boaters Still OK
• J/111 North American Championship Moved to Spring 2021
• Japanese sailor Shiraishi eyes Vendee Globe win
• Launchings
• Jean-Francois de Premorel
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Swan 115-003 Highland Fling 15
• • Maxi Botin Partners 72
• • 2016 MAT 1180 - "Datacom"
• The Last Word: Hunter S. Thompson
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
A First Sail On The Waitemata
American Magic completed a milestone five-hour sailing session on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on Monday. The team's AC75 racing yacht, DEFIANT, had been dormant since concluding its final training day at the team's winter base in Pensacola, Florida in early March.
A combination of cancelled America's Cup World Series events in Europe, the team's COVID-19 safety precautions in Pensacola and a 9,000+ mile ocean journey to New Zealand kept the team on shore for nearly five months. While logistics, design work, the production of American Magic's second AC75 and other projects kept the 145+ person Challenger busy, a return to sailing was welcome.
American Magic completed a milestone five-hour sailing session on Auckland's Waitematā Harbour on Monday. The team's AC75 racing yacht, DEFIANT, had been dormant since concluding its final training day at the team's winter base in Pensacola, Florida in early March.
A combination of cancelled America's Cup World Series events in Europe, the team's COVID-19 safety precautions in Pensacola and a 9,000+ mile ocean journey to New Zealand kept the team on shore for nearly five months. While logistics, design work, the production of American Magic's second AC75 and other projects kept the 145+ person Challenger busy, a return to sailing was welcome.
Royal St. George Yacht Club Host 10th Revived Irish International 12 Championship
Click on image to enlarge.
Today many 12 Foot Dinghies still exist in Ireland, having been in the same families for many years. Some are unused and located in barns while others are used as yacht tenders. In 2010, Gail Varian organised a revived Irish championship at the Royal St George Yacht Club.
The 10th anniversary of this revived championship for historic prizes will be held at the Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Sunday 13th September in which the modified Dublin Bay 12 foot dinghies with a mainsail and jib will sail against the International 12 foot Dinghies with just a mainsail on equal terms.
The organisers would like to hear from any Irish owners of 12 Footers. -- Vincent Delany in Afloat magazine
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:
Where to begin? Two wins in the Mini Transat, having won every race in the class over a period of 18 months, wins the TJV in the Class40 at a canter, sets a round Britain record, also at a canter, then heads to Cherbourg where he cleans up in the Dhream Cup. In the Minis, which to the outsider can look a bit chaotic, Lipinski raised the bar with his fastidious level of preparation. It is only a matter of time before he is on a good Imoca. At which point watch out, world
Seems the local San Diego sailor who won this year's San Diego to Vallarta classic on a Hobie 33 has form. Now he's 'full-time' racing his 33-footer two-handed with his son, Liam, who is six, but before all that it seems he'd racked up world titles in the J/70, Etchells, Melges 20 and Farr 40 along with three Match Racing titles as tactician alongside our own Ian Williams. Roughly a dozen in all. But nothing comes close to that race to Mexico. Apparently they even had fun?
J Manuel Ballastero (ARG)
On the left in the picture: 'This adventure is just a glimpse of Juan Manuel's life' - Alfaro Guerrez; 'An extraordinary son who crosses the Atlantic alone to be with his 90-year-old father (far right) on Father's Day, every mother would vote for him!' - Paula Marya; 'A wonderful attitude, facing the pandemic madness just as a real sailor should' - Juan Pablo Fregonese; 'I'm so proud of my dear friend' - Matias Talamonti; 'Chapeau, Captain' - Matias Bonora.
View past winners of Sailor of the Month
Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Musto, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!
Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month
2020 Forward WIP European Championship
The 49er and Nacra 17 Classes with Host Club Union-Yacht-Club Attersee, on Lake Attersee, Austria are proud to announce the 2020 Forward WIP European Championship. Racing will be from September 28 to October 4 for the 49er, 49erFX, and Nacra 17.
After a halt to global racing in March, this will be the first time for teams to come together and race in a Championship since the World Championship in Geelong in February. Additionally, it will have been 18 months since the last Class Championship in Europe, with two Worlds Down Under, so many European based teams will be anxious to get some class racing.
The regatta will not be like other championships. We are eliminating as many mass gatherings from the regatta as possible. For example, we will have an electronic notice board, a zoom skippers meeting, no meals/snacks after racing, and we are considering having zoom protest hearings. We will aim to eliminate or reduce all aspects of personal contact on shore, while keeping our racing as much like normal as possible.
49er and Nacra 17 Class Championships in 2023 and 2024
The 49er and Nacra 17 bids for major championships for the years 2023 and 2024 deadline was meant to be September 15, 2020. However, due to the global uncertainty created from the Covid - 19 pandemic, we have decided to delay the bid closing date until December 15.2020.
If your club or region wishes to host our classes for any of the following regattas please get the bid documents from the class manager.
2023 or 2024 World Championship
2023 or 2024 European Championship
2023 or 2024 Junior World Championship
2023 or 2024 Short Track World Championship
We have filled our championship schedule for 2021 and 2022, and will proceed with announcements forthcoming. Thank to you to the bidders who were not selected.
Bahamas Shuts Down to U.S. Tourists; Boaters Still OK
The Bahamas just closed its borders to tourists from the United States in an effort to control an uptick in COVID-19 since it reopened them on July 1. Tourists from Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union are still welcome there, as are recreational boaters and private charters from the U.S.
Dr. Hubert Minnis, the prime minister of the Bahamas, announced the new measures in a nationwide address on Sunday night. "Our current situation requires decisive action," he said.
Under his orders, all Bahamasair outgoing flights to the U.S. stopped immediately.
J/111 North American Championship Moved to Spring 2021
The J/111 Class Association and Annapolis Yacht Club have determined, because of the varying levels of infection and disruption across the world, that this year's J/111 North American Championship scheduled for October 29-November 1 will be raced as part of the Annapolis NOOD April 30-May 2, 2021. The Class will instead hold its East Coast Championship in Annapolis during the previously scheduled Halloween weekend 2020. The Organizing Authority has been closely monitoring the worldwide developments in the COVID-19 pandemic. They understand the commitment of time and money required to participate in a Continental Championship, as well as the enormous resources that our hosts dedicate to such events.
Allan Terhune, Event Chair, said, "Last week, we had a great meeting with several J/111 owners. While Annapolis YC was ready and committed to hosting the event, the owners were in agreement that with the uncertainty of events, moving to the spring of 2021 will ensure that the J/111 Class and AYC will have an event that is worthy of being a North American Championship. I am very excited for the decision and look forward to the great sailing on schedule this fall and also in 2021 on the Chesapeake Bay."
Japanese sailor Shiraishi eyes Vendee Globe win
As far as Kojiro Shiraishi is concerned, a Japanese sailing the gruelling Vendee Globe round-the-world race is akin to a Frenchman taking up sumo wrestling.
"It's a miracle," says Shiraishi who will return to the epic high seas adventure in November after making his debut four years ago.
Back in 2016, the sailor, who hails from Kamakura, a Pacific coastal town to the south of Tokyo, cut a dash by posing on the quay at the start line dressed in traditional Japanese costume and carrying a ceremonial sabre in his belt.
Now, the 53-year-old has a high-performance boat, sponsors, as well as the status of a professional sailor.
Shiraishi's love of the high seas and single-handed racing was nurtured in his home town.
It became a full-blown love affair after meeting mentor Yukoh Tada, the pioneering Japanese yachtsman who committed suicide in 1991.
Each craft sailed by Shiraishi bears the name 'Spirit of Yukoh'.
"I got to know the Vendee Globe thanks to my master, Yukoh Tada.
"I came to see the start of the race three times and I said to myself that one day I will do this race," Shiraishi told AFP.
Launchings
Click on images to enlarge.
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Elan Yachts is pleased to announce that construction of the first Elan GT6 - the Slovenian shipyard's brand new flagship model - was completed on Friday 17 July and is now being prepared for launch on the Adriatic coast.
A next-generation fast cruising yacht built in premium hi-tech materials with distinctively sleek lines and a unique, luxurious interior, the 49ft GT6 has a high-performance hull and sailplan drawn by Humphreys Yacht Design and is the first production sailing yacht ever to be styled by Studio F. A. Porsche.
Preliminary tests and sea trials of the first Elan GT6 will soon be under way. After a comprehensive optimisation process to maximise its performance and ease of handling, the GT6 will be available for public viewing from October onwards.
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Spirits were high at the Gunboat factory as we launched the third Gunboat 68 of the series! This launch carried particular significance as a marker of adaptability beyond the typical call of duty, even for yacht building.
Gunboat Managing Partner, Benoit Lebizay explains, "Completing 6803 in the current environment definitely was not business-as-usual amidst lockdowns and border closings. Nevertheless, the launch date has only been delayed by 3 weeks, which is a testimony of the hard work and dedication of the build team and more broadly of the entire Gunboat team and all our partners & suppliers. We have received incredible support from the owner and absolutely no pressure to rush the completion of the boat. With careful consideration, we were able to make the call collectively that there was a way to combine both protecting our workforce and continuing the build. This was not a small endeavor, and there is enormous pride in achieving this milestone today."
Born for adventures SEA TILT moved straight into sea trials. Commissioning progressed quickly from basic equipment checks and hoisting sails for the first time to load testing, and the sea trials crew were rewarded with thoroughbred performance. She just wants to sail!
www.gunboat.com/series/gunboat68/
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Hull No. 1 of the new LM46 performance cruiser is underway at Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding in Thomaston, Maine, with launch planned for late 2020. The project, a collaboration between Lyman-Morse founder Cabot Lyman, his son and company president Drew Lyman, and Kiwi designer Kevin Dibley, will produce a high-performance, cold-molded yacht with the comfort and ambiance of a wooden boat but delivering 10 knots of speed under both sail and power. The yacht has been designed and engineered for superior handling and low maintenance, equipped with only the essential systems for enjoying an uncomplicated, rewarding experience on the water.
Partnering with longtime friend and acclaimed Kiwi yacht designer Kevin Dibley, we've designed the LM46 to return sailing to being about sharing time with friends and family, enjoying a drink in the cockpit after a great day underway, and appreciating the beauty of our surroundings. Comfort doesn't come from jamming every shoreside amenity into your boat, it comes from the reassuring motion of a Douglas Fir/Western Red Cedar hull sliding quietly through the water, the knowledge that you have everything you need aboard (and nothing more), and the satisfaction of owning a yacht that makes a statement about its owner. Our goal for the LM46 is simple: To have you sailing within 5 minutes of stepping aboard, and to be able to step off within 5 minutes of picking up your mooring.
www.lymanmorse.com/project/lm46-1/
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The Hylas H60 adopts innovative design and construction techniques to bring broader appeal to a well established brand. We are excited to continue our long partnership with world class designer Germán Frers, once again testing the boundaries of performance, functionality and quality for bluewater cruising yachts. Being built at the Hylas Yard she also keeps our reputation for great value very much intact.
Primarily designed to be light work when short handed, this uncomplicated sail plan can be handled without difficulty. A great fit for a couple looking for the modern cruising lifestyle. This exciting new development stays true to the Hylas core competence of safely crossing oceans in comfort and style.
From the integrated bowsprit with a receiving case for a self launching anchor to the automated telescoping passerelle at the transom this vessel brings a new level of simple elegance to cruising.
www.hylasyachts.com/sailing-yachts/h60/
Jean-Francois de Premorel
At the end of the 1970s, competition sailing celebrated classic monohulls, until 1978, when Canadian Mike Birch won the Route du Rhum on a small yellow trimaran. From then on, nothing would be the same again.
Without hesitation, Premorel left for the United States to meet the men who had built the boat and learn about the construction of epoxy moulded wood. Back in France, the Jeanneau shipyard asked him to create a prototyping unit, which would become Jeanneau Techniques Avancees (JTA).
Out of this cauldron of ideas, the most beautiful racing multihulls for the likes of Philippe Poupon and Florence Arthaud would come out, with in parallel, the development of yachting models, including the first Lagoon (a 55-footer).
In 2000, Jean-Francois took the helm of the Jeanneau shipyard where he was general manager before handing over to Didier Gregory. He then became a member of the Beneteau Group's Board of Directors, but did not stay there for long. What he liked most of all is to create, invent and develop.
He then decided to set up his own consulting firm and with Jean-Paul Chapeleau, Jeanneau's CEO since 2008 and a long time accomplice, he relaunched the Prestige Yachts range. Together and in close collaboration with the Italian firm Garroni Design, they reinvented the Prestige range, which became a brand in its own right. Today, Prestige Yachts is a marquee name in the world of flybridge yachts over 50 feet thanks to models such as the Prestige 500, of which more than 450 units have been built.
Featured Brokerage
Highland Fling 15 is Germán Frers design along with the demanding requirements of a highly experienced, serial Swan yacht owner.
See listing details in Nautors Swan Brokerage
Contact
Nautor's Swan Brokerage - Thomas Perry
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
nautorswanbrokerage.com
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CANNONBALL is a racing yacht which was built in 2017 by Premier Composites and designed by Botin and Partners. 2019 World Champion, CANNONBALL is the state-of- the-art for top performances thanks to its fully optimized structure for minimum weight and maximum stiffness
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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DATACOM is hull #5 and optimized for the ORCi rating rule. Upgraded beyond the initial build specification allows her to punch above her weight, whilst maintaining that rating edge. A hugely fun, yet simple boat to sail that doesn't exhaust running budgets.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+447759 424900
+442380 016582
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Yesterday's weirdness is tomorrow's reason why. -- Hunter S. Thompson
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