In This Issue
• Charal Leads Fleet Into First Night
• Who to Watch and Why - Vendee Globe 2020-21
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Over 40 entries registered for 2021 Transpac
• 18ft Skiffs Spring Championship, Races 5 and 6
• Etchells Queensland - One for the Clubhouse favourite
• Shortlist and Trophy revealed for the YJA MS Amlin 'International Sailor of the Decade'
• The Ingrid Abery Sailing Calendar 2021 is now available
• World Sailing receive IOC award for work on climate action
• Jean-Francois, A Life-Changing Meeting
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Kinetic Catamarans - KC62
• • Starkel Star 64
• • GP42 - "Tokoloshe"
• The Last Word: Molly Ivins
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
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Charal Leads Fleet Into First Night
A sea mist shrouding the start zone off Les Sables d'Olonne held up the start of the ninth edition of the Vendee Globe solo non stop round the world race for nearly one hour and 20 minutes.
But for their patience the record-sized 33 boat fleet was rewarded by late Autumn sunshine, a near perfect 10-12 knots south easterly breezes and flat seas when the start gun finally sounded at 1420hrs French time, sending the lone 27 men and 6 women skippers off on their 24,296 nautical miles round the world challenge.
When the gun sounded at 1420hrs (French time) Louis Burton on Bureau Vallee 2 broke the start line first. But the third-time Vendee Globe skipper, racing the boat which won in 2016-17 and holds the race record, was notably seconds ahead of the gun.
He is penalised according to the strict race rules, required to halt his race for five hours - stopping racing and resuming from the same point - before 38°40,000N, so just north Lisbon.
After starting the Vendee Globe this afternoon Sunday November 8 at 1420hrs local time. French skipper Fabrice Amedeo has been forced to make a U-turn and return to the start port of Les Sables d'Olonne because of a problem with the hook (lock) of his headsail which has prevented him from dropping his gennaker.
As he was already 50 nautical miles away from Les Sables d'Olonne Amedeo on Newrest - Art & Fenetres has to beat upwind back to the start town. His arrival on the outskirts of Sables d'Olonne is expected now to be in the middle of tonight. His stopover is expected to be brief.
Into the first long night of this Vendee Globe and Jeremie Beyou (Charal) is where he wants to be, leading the charge in a still moderate S'ly breeze which is seeing the leaders making around 17-20 knots of boat speed. On the 21hrs TU ranking there is almost seven miles between Beyou and Alex Thomson on HUGO BOSS who is sixth and was slowed just as the position report was run as was Charlie Dalin on Apivia.
Who to Watch and Why - Vendee Globe 2020-21
A record entry that includes some seriously fast boats and hot competiton, some are saying that the Vendee Globe race record could tumble once again. Others question whether the new breed are robust enough to go the full distance while others ask whether the skippers can take the physical punishment. The bottom line is that it's going to be one hell of a race - Here's Matt Sheahan's view on some of the hot shots and why
planetsail.org
www.youtube.com/c/planetsailonline
Seahorse December 2020
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World news
Smarter than smart (grounded too), a complex race ahead, and bumpy beyond belief, new 'US' faces on the scene, rather late but a grand Spi nonetheless, a little light-prepping for Tokyo 2021 and a few signs of shorthanded life at last out there in the provinces... Guillaume Verdier, Jacques Caraes, Stan Honey, Thomas Ruyan, Sebastien Simon, Ivor Wilkins, Patrice Carpentier, Dobbs Davis, Jake Lilley, Blue Robinson
Rewriting the rules
Conventional wisdom suggests that promoting a maxi-sized one design will always be a challenge. But then who cares about convention when a boat like this pops up on your radar?
Just passing through
There may only be one class starting the Vendee Globe but it won't seem like that by the third or fourth day of the race. Patrice Carpentier
Missing piece - Part I
Roger Vaughan was hired to chronicle the story of the 2010 Deed of Gift Match from the Challenger perspective. But it has taken a full 10 years for his work to be allowed to see daylight
RORC news - All on schedule
Eddie Warden-Owen
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Over 40 entries registered for 2021 Transpac
As of today, 8 months and 10 days in advance of the first start on July 13, 2021, there are 42 confirmed entries in the 51st edition of the Transpacific Yacht Club's race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, the Transpac. This 2225-mile biennial race is an ocean racing classic, first sailed in 1906 as an idea inspired a decade earlier by Hawaiian King David Kalakaua, and has been an attraction for all avid ocean racers and adventurers ever since.
The milestone 40th entry was made by San Francisco Bay area-based Dave MacEwen with his Roger 46 Lucky Duck. Dave is not new to Transpac: in three previous editions he and his team on his Santa Cruz 52 of the same name (shown at left at the start of the 2019 race) have earned respectable results, placing third in both the 2019 and 2015 editions in the "Fabulous Fifties" group of SC 50's and SC 52's, one of the more competitive classes in the race.
Yet for the 2021 race next July MacEwan has chosen a different platform: an all carbon-fiber flat-out race boat designed in 2006 by Simon Rogers and built at CMI in Thailand, something quite different than his previous racer/cruiser.
A Weather Routing seminar held earlier this week in the Marine Weather University by world-class navigator and two-time America's Cup winner Peter Isler and Expedition routing software experts Nick White and Artie Means. More information on this is available at this link.
18ft Skiffs Spring Championship, Races 5 and 6
Click on image for photo gallery.
In the first of the two races, Bird & Bear (Tom Clout, Tom Anderson and John Walton) took line honours by 1m41s from Yandoo (John Winning, Jasper Warren and Mike Kennedy) after the pair had staged and closely-fought battle over the first lap of the two-lap windward-return course.
Vintec, sailed by the rookie team of Tom Cunich, Alex Marinelli and Flynn Twomey, were consistently in the leading group throughout the race and finished in third place, 17s behind Yandoo.
Smeg (Michael Coxon), Rag & Famish Hotel (Anthony Young) and Noakesailing (Sean Langman) completed the top six.
The latter race began in a similar fashion with Yandoo and Bird & Bear prominently placed as a result of the 3-buoys system, but a wind change as the fleet raced to the finish line dramatically turned the race on its head.
Vintec had trailed Bird & Bear and Yandoo as the teams set their spinnakers for the run to the finish line but the young team took full advantage of the wind change to come from behind and grab its first win in the 18s.
With the fleet steaming home with lm41s between the first thirteen boats, Vintec crossed the finish line just 4s ahead of The Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone (Jordan Girdis, Lachlan Doyle and Tom Quigley), with Bird & Bear finishing just another 5s back in third place.
Birkenhead Point Marina (Tim Westwood) finished in fourth place ahead of Winning Group (Micah Lane) and Finport Finance (Harry Price).
Yandoo lost out badly with the wind change and finished in seventh place but her performance over the two races has Yandoo leading the championship by three points going into next Sunday's final race.
Race 7 (final race) of the Spring Championship will be conducted next Sunday, November 15. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League Ltd.
Etchells Queensland - One for the Clubhouse favourite
Click on image for photo gallery.
Ginnivan is certainly a character amongst characters, but so giving of his time and energy, as well as innumerable items for the club from his business, Moreton Bay Signs.
David Turton's, Our Thing (AUS 1446), placed second, some three points astern.
The PRO for the regatta was Guy Morton who pushed for a third race on Friday, which paid dividends for Saturday. "They are a great bunch of sailors, and it's always good to get out with them. I did really enjoy the Saturday, very exciting and thrilling. Noel Paterson had his whole body on the tiller as they came down to the finish line, and it was amazing."
Brisbane Fleet Captain, Jason Hawkins commented, "With lockdowns and restrictions in place around the country, we are extremely grateful to have been able to hold the 2020 Etchells State Championships on the waters of Moreton Bay. It was also fantastic to see five skippers returning to Etchells racing since we hosted the Worlds in 2018. This resulted in very tight, highly competitive racing… and this of course is the reason we sail Etchells. We had 15 in the fleet, with Ben Leigh-Smith making the journey up for the Gold Coast Fleet."
The next regatta is Brisbane Fleets in March 2021, so hopefully the borders will be open, and we look forward to welcoming back all the sailors from down South for our renowned Brisbane Fleet hospitality." -- John Curnow
Shortlist and Trophy revealed for the YJA MS Amlin 'International Sailor of the Decade'
The Yachting Journalists' Association (YJA) and MS Amlin Boat Insurance are delighted to announce the Shortlist for the YJA MS Amlin 'International Sailor of the Decade'.
Over the past decade we have seen a cohort of exciting personalities rise on the international stage, with the established 'household' names continuing to enjoy sailing and meet the challenges being thrown down by the younger generation. Alongside the racing performers, we have seen others influence participation in sailing, inspiring more people to enjoy being out on the water.
The YJA MS Amlin 'International Sailor of the Decade' aims to recognise the achievements of those who have had the greatest positive impact on our great sport and pastime.
With many names put forward by people around the world, these are the shortlisted sailors:
Dee Caffari - A constant feature in major races as well as pushing boundaries in terms of female equality. Chair World Sailing Trust, helping teach Omani women to sail, Turn the Tide on Plastic, and a long list of achievements, notwithstanding sailing around the world six times.
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston - His personal achievements and world records have inspired many thousands to take up the sport, not just through the Clipper Race he founded. He has advised all aspects of the maritime industry from being involved with Trinity House as an advisor, to the Cutty Sark Trust and more. Recognised around the world for his successes.
Jon Holt - The founder of the Scaramouche Sailing Trust, which really has broken down barriers, allowing people of all backgrounds to sail and race successfully. A shining beacon in sailing.
Sir Ben Ainslie - During the last decade he became the most successful Olympic sailor in history with medals at five consecutive Olympics including his 4th gold medal in 2012. In 2013 he was pivotal in helping the BMW Oracle Racing Team retain the America's Cup, joining the boat as tactician when rivals Emirates Team New Zealand were one race from victory.
Andrew "Bart" Simpson - An Olympic Gold medallist at Qingdao 2008, Silver medallist at London 2012 with Iain Percy in the Star class, then tragically killed in training for the 2013 America's Cup. After his death the Andrew Simpson Foundation was established, as well as events such as Bart's Bash, to encourage future generations out on to the water and discover a love for sailing. An already hugely successful quest.
The awards will be streamed worldwide via social media and on the major sailing news platforms in late November.
The Ingrid Abery Sailing Calendar 2021 is now available
Opening up to A2 each month boasts two striking images. Every page has a direct QR code link to the image on Ingrid's site and date boxes to note regattas. All calendar pages are displayed online. £20 + p/p.
And for corporate logo print runs please contact here.
World Sailing receive IOC award for work on climate action
World Sailing is delighted to receive the IOC International Federation Climate Award, awarded Friday 6 November at the Virtual International Federation Forum.
World Sailing was presented with the Award by Thomas Bach, IOC President and Sergey Belyavski, Sustainability Leader, Dow. As part of the IF Forum, World Sailing participated in the IOC IF Sustainability Session, titled Back to Basics to Build Back Better, where the IOC also launched several case studies highlighting World Sailing's work.
The IOC International Federation Climate Award recognises International Federations and National Olympic Committees who have undertaken carbon reduction measures to reduce their contribution to climate change. As part of the reward, retired carbon credits are given to the winners to offset their unavoidable emissions.
Sustainability has been at the core of World Sailing following unanimous support by World Sailing's Council to implement Sustainability Agenda 2030, sailing's contribution to global sustainability. Sailing was well represented in the Back to Basics to Build Back Better session with Hannah Mills (GBR), Rio 2016 gold and London 2012 silver medallist, participating. Mills took part in a panel session around how International Federations have committed to carbon neutrality. Mills highlighted the importance of engaging with athletes, giving personal insights from participation at a club level to international competition.
www.sailing.org/about/Sustainability.php
Jean-Francois, A Life-Changing Meeting
"We all started out in the boat business at the same time, in 1983, him a boatbuilder and us, naval architects. We learnt and problem-solved together, and we innovated together too. Gerard Lambert for Vincent Levy, the first ocean-going ORMA trimarans for Florence Arthaud and Laurent Bourgnon, and then the Lagoon series since 1980s were all the fruit of our bond and understanding, both as friends and professionals.
He was a man of vision, passionate, rigorous, sensitive and humane, who knew how to be firm and persuasive in the defence of his convictions. Some of his outbursts were worthy of John McEnroe and are forever engraved in our memories. He was one of the most important factors in the development of the VPLP brand and we never lost sight of each other over the decades, on the pontoons, in the boat shows and around the Morbihan."
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 Nick Hayward-Young: re: America's Cup Song
Thought your GB readers might like to know of a song written as a rallying cry in support of Sir Ben Ainslie and INEOS Team UK as they embark on final preps in Auckland. It's not meant in any way as a money making scheme (my Spotify plays will never make me rich!!!) but if it helps get people behind the team then I couldn't ask for more. And if folk want to do their own thing with it then that's fine too . . . .
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The Last Word
The thing about democracy, beloveds, is that it is not neat, orderly, or quiet. It requires a certain relish for confusion. -- Molly Ivins
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