In This Issue
• Star European Championship
• Swan Tuscany Challenge in Scarlino
• 2021 ORC Worlds announces Alexela as Title Sponsor
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• 127 Boat RORC Fleet for Myth of Malham Race
• Australian Willi Fantom is the 21st entry in the Global Solo Challenge
• A Man on a Mission: OnCourse - Episode 12
• RS Aero Lago Maggiore International Regatta
• National visas and Schengen interaction
• The Winners: European Yachts of the Year 2021
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Swan 60-902 Petite Flamme
• • Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 - One Way
• • Powerplay
• The Last Word: P. G. Wodehouse
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
Star European Championship
Click on image to enlarge.
Day One of the 2021 Star European Championship in Split, Croatia, was just perfect for the 34 teams coming from 20 different nations. The sea breeze filled in from the prevalent South-West, and it stabilized at 12-15 knots for perfect champagne sailing conditions. After a 30-minute postponement, two races were completed on the beautifully set course by JK Mornar Yacht Club, the organizing authority with the International Star Class.
Two clear starts and impeccable behavior from the fleet on the four-leg upwind-downwind races. The sea breeze dropped slightly during the second race, but never under 10 knots. The first bullet went to Flavio Favini / Nicolas Seravalle (ITA), followed by Mate Arapov / Ante Sitic (CRO) and Enrico Chieffi / Ferdinando Colanino (ITA), while the second race was won by Star Class President Hubert Merkelbach with Kilian Weise (GER), followed by Juan Kouyoumdjian (ARG) / Enrico Voltolini (ITA) and, third once again, Enrico Chieffi / Ferdinando Colaninno. In the second race we saw a great comeback of local sailing hero Tonci Stipanovic, sailing with Tudor Bilic, he was aiming for the perfect pin-end start when he realized he was early and did not have enough room between him and the end of the line. He was forced to restart and crossed the line almost a minute later behind the rest of the fleet but was fifth at the downwind gate and finished the race in fourth. He is 12th overall due to a disastrous first race, in which he finished 24th. ast is for a repeat of today, with the first start scheduled for 13.00 local time and the live streaming tomorrow will be supported by graphic enhancements.
2021euro.starchampionships.org/race
Swan Tuscany Challenge in Scarlino
Glittering seas, cloudless skies and a stable sea breeze provided the perfect conditions for a fantastic first day of racing in the Swan Tuscany Challenge. The big fleet included 10 ClubSwan 36s and an impressive 13 ClubSwan 50s, many racing for the first time in a year.
Crews were understandably eager to get the competition started after months of inactivity due to the pandemic. So eager, in fact, that numerous ClubSwan 50s jumped the starting gun and two general recalls were needed before the fleet settled down. The smaller ClubSwan 36s were more disciplined with a clean start five minutes later.
On the bigger CS50s, it was Leonardo Ferragamo's Cuordileone which took honours after the day's three races. The crew scored a second place and two firsts, setting themselves up as the boat to beat in this class. "It was very, very good wind and sea conditions," said Ferragamo afterwards. "The boats are very equal, with a great attitude in the crews. We've done a good job so far with training, with the same crew as for many years."
It became clear early on that the advantage was to the north side of the course, although that didn't stop boats from trying their luck to the south. Competition remained very finely balanced, though, with positions constantly changing. There was some impressive jousting close to the windward mark as boats screamed in on each tack to claim their water. This gave rise to a few altercations, but all were resolved without rancour by the expert jury team out on the water.
Fra Martina, new this season in the CS36 class, put on a hugely impressive display of slick manoeuvring and smart tactics to finish second in the rankings. Owners Edoardo and Vanni Pavesio and their crew have many years racing experience in sportboat classes, but helmsman Edoardo admitted that the ClubSwan felt like a step up.
"This is our first time in a small big boat," he said, pointing to the CS36's foiling system and super responsive handling. "This is a very good result for us. We spent four days practicing to understand the boat better." He also praised organisers at the new ClubSwan Racing outfit. "It is a great event, starting from yesterday's amazing opening ceremony. It takes really strong organisation to put together something like this."
2021 ORC Worlds announces Alexela as Title Sponsor
Tallinn, Estonia - Event organizers of the 2021 ORC World Championship - Kalev Yacht Club, Pärnu Yacht Club, Tallinn Yacht Club, Estonian Yachting Union and the Tallinn Olympic Sailing Center - have proudly announced the Estonian energy company Alexela as the title sponsor of the event, being held this year over 6 - 14 August 2021 in the venue of the 1980 Olympic regatta in Tallinn, Estonia.
The signing of the cooperation agreement with digital Estonia, the presenting sponsor of the ORC Worlds, took place digitally and as a sign of the cooperation agreement, the flag and logo of the Alexela ORC World Championship 2021 were presented.
With a little more than two months to go, already 132 entries from 14 nations are signed up for the 8-day event. However, currently a little more than half this number have paid their entry fees, and organizers are urging the others to complete their registration now because after May 31st entry fees will increase by 250 EUR.
The situation in Estonia is improving daily and since May 24th many COVID-19-related regulations have been relaxed and from June 14th will be relaxed much more. The organizers have applied for special approval from the Estonian government to hold an event as currently planned, even if the limit of outdoor event participants is still less than 1,000 in August.
If some restrictions are still in place by the time the event starts in August, the non-racing features may need to be modified, but the racing portions will be held as planned. If for any reason some teams will be unable to take part in the championship, entry fees will be fully refundable if the entry is cancelled before July 1st. The same date is a deadline for the organizers to call off the championship in case the COVID-19 situation escalates and will not allow the event to proceed.
Organizers are pleased to announce that the Notice of Race has been published and entries are open for the Worlds' warm-up regatta - the OneSails Cup 2021 - to be held on August 4-5. Interested teams are encouraged to sign up soon.
Seahorse June 2021
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World news
The (worthy) Multi 50s try again, Francois Gabart and his Post-it notes, from Imoca to Rustler... of wind and personal relationships, from Auckland to Enoshima and back again, a ridiculous Fastnet, giving credit to the quiet guys, and the amazing and continuing successes of that fellow Randy Draftz. Dobbs Davis, Carlos Pich, Ivor Wilkins, Damien Guillou, Patrice Carpentier, Blue Robinson, Glenn Ashby, Roger Badham, Miguel Sanchez Luna
Update
The $64 million Cup question (if only $64 million still cut it), Luna Rossa's 'bravura' performance, SailGP grows up and speeds up. And we lose a fine yachtsman few of whose deeds we even know of. Jack Griffin, Terry Hutchinson, Russell Coutts, Rob Kothe
Seahorse build table - Splash!
Now, children, this is really all getting a bit silly
Sailor of the Month
And without them nothing would ever happen
Special rates for EuroSail News subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code ESN21
1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/
1yr Digital Sub for £37.50: www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/
Discounts shown are valid on a one year subscription to Seahorse magazine.
127 Boat RORC Fleet for Myth of Malham Race
The Royal Ocean Racing Club offshore programme is in full race mode this weekend with 127 boats expected on the Royal Yacht Squadron Line for the 230nm race around the Eddystone Lighthouse. The Myth of Malham Race is always an important event in a Rolex Fastnet Race Year, as it mirrors the start of the world famous yacht race that will start from Cowes in August. Even more importance is attached to the Myth of Malham Race for 2021. This will be the largest RORC fleet to set sail since the start of the pandemic. The forecast fair weather will make for an impressive spinnaker start off Cowes Parade.
Conditions at the start of the race may suit teams racing light displacement boats, especially those that can clear the tidal gate at Portland Bill. Among the favourites for Monohull Line Honours in IRC Zero are David Collins' Botin IRC52 Tala and CM60 Venomous skippered by James Gair. In IRC One the fastest boats will also challenge to be the first to finish, especially RORC Commodore James Neville's HH42 Ino XXX and Ed Fishwick's Farr 42 Redshift. James Holder's Dazcat 1295 Slinky Malinki is currently the only team racing for Multihull Line Honours. For overall victory under IRC for the Myth of Malham Trophy and victory in the six IRC Classes, the form book is wide open, especially as the wind is forecast to increase in speed for the slower boats.
Yachts taking part in the RORC Myth of Malham Race will start to gather off Cowes Parade from around midday on Saturday 29th May. The full entry list and AIS tracking link can be found here
Results will be available with live updates at www.rorc.org -- Louay Habib
Australian Willi Fantom is the 21st entry in the Global Solo Challenge
Click on image to enlarge.
Australian Willi Fantom from Hobart is currently circumnavigating Australia promoting his campaign Solo Sailor For The Disabled in the faithful company of his live-aboard dog Capt Mistchief.
They have been at sea together for the last three years becoming inseparable. After this charitable tour of Australia Willi will start preparations for the Global Solo Challenge by modifying the boat as required by the regulations and setting off from Western Australia bound for Cape of Good Hope then Europe to be at the departure of the GSC in September 2023. A plan which will require extensive studying of prevailing winds and seasonal weather patterns to sail half the distance in reverse towards La Coruña.
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
Life independence and adventure led me to choosing to sail three years ago. I was lost and not sure what to do with myself, I was surfing the web and come across a You Tube channel Sailing Nadji and from that moment onward I was hooked. I had to buy a yacht and set sail for reason other then my own, just over 14,000 nautical miles and three yachts later I am never going back to land I have found my home among the seas.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
Its what I have been trying to do ever since I started sailing. I am on a minimum ten year sail around the world and Australia , New Zealand promoting my campaign Solo Sailor For The Disabled, and to do this effectively and safely a race would be just perfect for me to be able to achieve my heart felt desires. And you are willing to allow me to race with my dog.
A Man on a Mission: OnCourse - Episode 12
It started off as a tour aboard a 70ft tri that had just set a blistering pace offshore, but when I met the owner of PowerPlay the story suddenly became more about him than his boat. Peter Cunningham has owned PowerPlay for 5 years and has been aboard for pretty much all of the record breaking runs. Nothing strange in that, except Peter is about to turn 80. His is an extraordinary tale as I discovered. We also talk to another extraordinary offshore sailor, Dee Caffari as she takes on a new challenge in the UK's first double handed offshore series. Plus, record breaking for the rest of us is now a reality, the Ocean Race Europe prepares to kick off and this episode sees another double helping of Docktalk. -- Matthew Sheahan
RS Aero Lago Maggiore International Regatta
Maccagno, Italy: With travel restrictions still in place it was nice to see the Lago Maggiore International RS Aero Regatta still enjoy 32 entries, demonstrating the steady build in the popularity of this relaxed event in picturesque Maccagno which would have achieved a much larger fleet in easier times.
Two days of German RS Aero Class coaching on Tuesday and Wednesday was expertly delivered by A-trainer, Raffaele Ravaglia. This led into the International Coaching day on Thursday for all competitors by Danilo De Carolis of 'Smart Coaching', Italy. The sharing of lessons and techniques with new growing fleets internationally brings on more sailors to create better racing and more fun for everybody ultimately.
The International Regatta was held from Friday to Sunday. This year entries consisted of near equal numbers of Italians, Swiss and Germans with the British represented by a couple of sailors based in mainland Europe.
Thanks to Unione Velica Maccagno for hosting another splendid event, this year alongside the O'pen Skiff class, and to RS Sailing Italia and Nautica Luino for their continued support. We look forward to returning again to their Italian lake paradise at Maccagno!
The next Italian event is at Circolo Vela Arco in Torbole at lake Garda on 5/6th June, the same venue that the Italian National Championships visit in September. The momentum of the RS Aero Class in Italy and Europe is building quickly towards for the big one, the 4th RS Aero World Championship at Malcesine, lake Garda, in early August!
RS Aero Mainland Europe Events List
National visas and Schengen interaction
The EU has confirmed to the Cruising Association (CA) that days spent in an EU country where you have a visa/residence permit granted by that country do not count as days spent in the Schengen zone in calculating either the 90 days or the 180 days in the Schengen 90/180 calculation.
The CA's Regulations and Technical Services group (RATS) has been in discussion with the EU over the interaction between the Schengen rules allowing UK citizens entry to the Schengen zone for 90 days in any period of 180 days (the 90/180 days rule) and visas/residence permits granted by individual Schengen countries.
For example: UK citizen John spends 90 days cruising in Denmark and then travels to Sweden entering under a Swedish 180 day visitor permit; after 180 days in Sweden he returns to Denmark and then sails to Norway returning to the UK within 90 days of his second entry to Denmark.
Because the days spent in Sweden under the residence permit count as days outside Schengen, John's cruise is permitted under the Schengen rules. A total of 360 days in the Baltic should be more than enough for the keenest cruising sailor!
Currently Sweden and France are the only Schengen countries with cruising grounds that offer 180 day visas/residence permits to UK citizens. Some other Schengen countries offer resident visas but generally these are not appropriate for cruisers due to complications with tax residency, VAT, requirements as to minimum days etc.
There are still areas of uncertainty around exit and entry formalities throughout Europe RATS continues to monitor the various situations and welcomes reports from CA members and others. These should be sent to .
For more on this story please visit: www.theca.org.uk/180-day-campaign
The Winners: European Yachts of the Year 2021
By George Day, Blue Water Sailing
Featured Brokerage
2019 Swan 60-902 Petite Flamme. 1300000 EUR. Located in Scarlino, Italy
The new Swan 60 offers a high-volume interior, a large and well-protected cockpit and regatta levels of performance.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Lorenzo Bortolotti
Tel. +377 97 97 95 07
-----------------------------------------
Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 - One Way. 164,950 Tax Not Paid EUR. Located in Estepona, Southern Spain.
"One Way" is a fully equipped "ready to go" Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 designed by Daniel Andrieu.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sea Ventures (UK) Ltd
Swanwick Marina
Swanwick Shore Road
Swanwick
Hampshire SO31 1ZL
+44 (0)1489 565444
www.sea-ventures.co.uk
-----------------------------------------
MOD 70 Powerplay 1,500,000 USD. Available July 2020 - Europe
Newest MOD70 available Highly optimized Turn-key package
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Ned Collier Wakefield +447809212039
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled. -- P. G. Wodehouse
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html