In This Issue
• Female participation strengthens in the Rolex Fastnet Race
• Finn UK Masters and Open, Mengeham Rythe SC, 26-27June
• Sailmaker vacancy
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• He should know - Musto
• What will be so special about the 2020 Olympic Regatta?
• Musto Skiff Class Confirms Cancellation of 2021 Worlds at Lake Garda
• Yeah but. No but.
• Industry News
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: Swan 78 Azzurro
• Featured Brokerage:
• • IMOCA 60 - La Fabrique
• • SY Sojana
• • Dazcat 1495 Apollo
• The Last Word: Lyndon Johnson

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

Female participation strengthens in the Rolex Fastnet Race
In August a record fleet of 450 boats is expected to be on the start line of the world's largest offshore yacht race, the Rolex Fastnet Race. Among the crews of this traditionally male-dominated sport, just over 10% will be women, according to present crew registration. While still a minority, this is nonetheless a strong sign of how female participation has grown in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's premier event, since 1926 when Mrs T Aitken Dick became the race's first female competitor aboard her 38ft 14 ton cutter Altair.

In fact, in the intervening years female skippers have won the race (Catherine Chabaud aboard her IMOCA Whirlpool in 1999) and twice arrived first home (Dona Bertarelli, co-skipper of Spindrift2 in 2013 and 2015).

Competing in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race are many of the world's most accomplished female sailors, from Dee Caffari, the most capped female round the world sailor of all time and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson - both of whom are competing doublehanded. Many of the world's top offshore sailors are in the IMOCA class, such as Initiatives Coeur's Sam Davies, who has competed in three Vendee Globes and skippered the all-women's Team SCA entry in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race; Swiss former Mini, Figaro and Volvo Ocean Race sailor Justine Mettraux racing with Simon Fisher on 11th Hour Racing or Franco-German former Mini and Vendee Globe skipper Isabelle Joschke, in charge of MACSF.

One of the keenest campaigners for women's sailing in the UK has been Susan Glenny whose five previous Rolex Fastnet Races have included two with an all-female crew. However back with her First 40 Olympia's Tigress, this year Glenny is sailing with a mixed crew.

Interestingly, in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race there are at present no all-female crews entered. Is this a forward or a backward step?

Perhaps most encouraging is the younger generation, for whom the gender issue is becoming less of an issue. This is thanks perhaps to the advent of mixed crews in the Olympics and The Ocean Race and incentives by many yacht clubs, including the RORC, to encourage more owners to take youth and female crew. -- James Boyd

www.rolexfastnetrace.com

Finn UK Masters and Open, Mengeham Rythe SC, 26-27June
Photo by Peter Hickson. Click on image for photo gallery.

A healthy entry of 36 boats from over 13 UK clubs travelled to Hayling Island for the 2021 Masters Championship and open, including several new recruits to the growing British Finn fleet. Expat David Kitchen even flew in from South Africa and spent 2 weeks in a quarantine hotel to be there.

Flags on the Mengeham Rythe flagstaff were flown at half mast in honour of long-time Finn member Anthony Walker, who passed away suddenly two weeks previously. He would have been racing that day and was sadly missed by all - son Matt was racing in his memory as Anthony would have loved to see.

Saturdays forecast of a south-easterly breeze of 7 knots out in Hayling Bay, proved accurate but the lack of bright sun precluded the development of an additional sea breeze. PRO Robert Macdonald was swift to set the windward/leeward course and get the starting sequence going under the one minute 'U' flag rule.

Sunday morning saw the typical Finn boat park community in full swing, with tuning advice freely handed out to new comers and mast positions adjusted for the gusty 16-20 knot easterly breeze.

The final race saw heavy rain showers that suppressed the breeze further at times and created frustrating holes around the finish line. Jim Downer finally proved that athleticism downwind wins over aging Masters, taking the gun from Great Grand Master Hughes, who had obviously got a taste for the view from the front of the fleet! Third and fourth places were a repeat of Race 5, with Crispin taking 5th ahead of Dan Belton (MRSC) who had his best score of the weekend.

Ashore in the dry, the warm hosts Mengeham Rythe again provided a very welcome hearty tea and generous alcoholic prizes for the winners. John Greenwood thanked the PRO Robert Macdonald and Commodore Joanna Lewis plus all the helpers for a great weekend's championship racing.

Final top ten
1. John Greenwood, Great Grand Master, West Kirby SC, 12.0
2. Kristian Sjoberg, Grand Master, Thorpe Bay YC, 23.0
3. Lawrence Crispin, Grand Master, Stone SC & Thorpe Bay SC, 24.0
4. James Downer, Open, Gurnard, 28.0
5. Kieron Holt, Master, Warsash SC, 30.0
6. Allen Burrell, TBYC, Grand Master, 37.0
7. Richard Sharp, Grand Master, Bough Beach SC, 39.0
8. Roman Khodykin, Master, MRSC, 42.0
9. Simon Percival, Master, Christchurch, 46.0
10. Martin Hughes, Great Grand Master, Warsash SC, 47.0

Full Results

Sailmaker vacancy
Ullman Sails St. Maarten is a full service loft on the island of St. Maarten (Dutch side) in the Caribbean, offering services that include sail repairs & alterations, new sails & all types of canvas products.

We are currently looking for a qualified sail maker for our upcoming season from November 2021 to May 2022.

The applicant would be responsible for all types of sail repairs & alterations, removing & re-installing sails. The fitting of new sails & U-Stack covers. Experience in canvas work would be a plus.

The successful applicant must-
1) Be a qualified sailmaker capable of high quality repairs & alterations to all types of sails, ranging from board sails to superyachts.v 2) To be able to work independently or as part of a team
3) Possess a positive attitude.
4) Ideally be active in racing /cruising.

Employment would be full time for the above dates with the possibility of a longer contract.

Please send resume to
Rob Gilders
Ullman Sails St. Maarten

Tel. +1 721 544 5231

Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:

Pete Cunningham (GBR)
Any man who gets around the Fastnet course in 24 hours gets our respect but when that person was born in 1941 (we’re too polite ever to mention Peter’s age) then we think that makes it more than the usual bit special. Peter Cunningham is best known as a big multihull sailor with his MOD70 Powerplay, which won the last RORC Caribbean 600. Last year also saw him in action in the Cayman Islands racing his J/70 and J/22. Also racing with Andy Beadsworth in Dragons where his team was third in the HM King Juan Carlos Trophy in Cascais.

Phil Robertson (NZL)
You have to laugh when Phil Robertson talks (in this month's Update) about his young and inexperienced Spanish SailGP team ‘beginning to settle in’ after two rounds of the 2021 series on their technical and challenging F50 foiling cat against an opposition line up including Ainslie, Spithill, Outteridge and Tom Slingsby. A quick look at the scorecard shows Robertson and Team Spain leading the series as they travel to the third round in Plymouth this month

Last Month's winner:
Andy Maloney (NZL)
'His Cup runneth over' – Blue Robinson; 'Fantastic result and selfless collaboration with Josh even after Josh got the nod for Tokyo' – Mike Quilter; ' Heck of a result!' – Michael Blackburn; 'Been an amazing trip working with your mum and supporting your long journey' – Andrea Osborne; 'Sadly not selected for Tokyo but both Kiwis are in a league of their own' – Greg Solomons; 'Andy and JJ, great role models, teamwork makes the dream work!' – Jim Turner.

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

He should know - Musto
Brilliant soloiste, Figaro Solitaire and Vendee Globe winner and the skipper of the brand new 105ft flying Ultim Banque Populaire XI Armel Le Cleac'h has never been a man to compromise

Choosing Musto for his sailing gear is one way that Armel Le Cleac'h can control his wild environment aboard the newly launched 105ft Ultim, Banque Populaire XI. After the breakup of his previous Ultim, Banque Populaire IX, following a collision with a UFO during the Route du Rhum 2018, the Frenchman is looking for all the certainty and predictability that he can muster. The continuation of a long relationship with Musto is one such example: 'I have been working with Musto for over 10 years,' says the 43-year-old who won the 2016-17 edition of the Vendee Globe. 'I have done several Vendee Globe races and many transatlantic, ocean racing and other regattas wearing Musto clothing. This has always worked very well and has allowed me to have the right set of clothes for the weather conditions I have encountered.

Full article in the July issue of Seahorse

What will be so special about the 2020 Olympic Regatta?
It's about three weeks before I get on my first flight in nearly a year. London to Tokyo, out for the Big One, the Olympic Games. This will be my fourth Games where I'm reporting from on the ground, and this is bound to be the strangest yet.

Tomorrow Hamish Willcox and I will be talking about the final run-in to the Games. Hamish is coaching Pete Burling and Blair Tuke who are in their final block of big wave 49er training in Mooloolaba, Australia alongside their Kiwi team mates and the top Aussies including Will and Sam Phillips who will be representing their country at the Games for the first time.

Join Our Pre-Olympic Q&A

Taking place at 10:00 hours UK time/ 19:00 hours Brisbane time, this is a Q&A call where we encourage you to ask your 'go faster' questions for your own sailing campaign, whether you're an Olympian or a weekend warrior.

You can get details on how to join the call from the Road To Gold Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/roadtogoldsquad -- Andy Rice

Musto Skiff Class Confirms Cancellation of 2021 Worlds at Lake Garda
The Musto Skiff Class Association (MSCA) has confirmed that their ACO 11th Musto Skiff World Championships in Italy has been cancelled due to COVID-19 uncertainty and on-going challenges with international travel restrictions.

As the most prestigious event in the calendar, the Musto Skiff World Championship events typically attract between 70 and 100 participants from across the globe. This year's event was due to be hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva in partnership with the GBR Musto Skiff Class Association at Lake Garda over 27th September – 3rd October 2021.

Over the past few months, the MSCA has been working closely with Fraglia Vela Riva to monitor the pandemic situation and plan the event accordingly. However, with continued uncertainty around travel restrictions and new variants, the event organising committee decided to conduct a class survey on likely attendance.

The class survey, which ran for 1 week in mid-June, attracted over 100 responses from the global fleets. In response to the question on plans to enter the 2021 Worlds in September, only 22% were prepared to book entry at this time. Most of the reasons for not committing to enter related to uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic.

mustoskiff.com

www.fragliavelariva.it/en/

Yeah but. No but.
The Scottish poet Andrew Lang had it in a nutshell when he said: "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamposts; for support rather than illumination." Apply this to the latest rah rah statistics from the America's Cup wash-up of the media coverage, released today, and it feels rather apt. Great reading on first glance in the main, and more than enough to present to the CEO and marketing manager of XYZ (Dubai) Plc but the more nuanced observer can't help but feel that it's a case of: can-do-better, must-do-better.

For my readers in the United States it's just utter frustration as they were seemingly the only territory that were daftly excluded from the free-to-air coverage and faced with a one-off subscription fee to support. During a pandemic this was akin to the event shooting itself squarely in the foot and missing out on the massive opportunity that the land of the free (and the brave) presents.

As every rock band knows, you are quite simply nothing without breaking the States and with the Cup on life-support and commercially fighting for its life, the commercial exposure that America offers is something that shouldn't and simply can't be ignored going forward.

Magnus' latest grenade at Rule 69 Blog

Industry News
Marc Diening is to be the new CEO of Bavaria Yachts. On August 1st, he will move from the fire protection specialist Magirus, which boasts a rich tradition, to Giebelstadt. Before Diening, 45, took his position as CEO of Magirus over five years ago, he spent over ten years in a management position at Bombardier and worked as a consultant for well-known companies such as Knorr-Bremse and Deutsche Bahn, among other positions.

Michael Muller came on board at Bavaria Yachts in November 2018 with the entrance of the new investor Capital Management Partners (CMP), initially as a Marketing and Sales Director. In February 2019, Muller, now 64, was appointed CEO. At his own request, Michael Muller is now handing over the helm to Marc Diening, in order to have more time for his family in the future.

www.nauticnews.com

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Marlow Ropes has been accredited as a member of Made in Britain enabling the manufacturer to adopt the official, protected mark of the organisation.

The mark is intended to help buyers recognise products as being of good quality, great value and British-made.

"We are very proud of our British manufacturing heritage as a leading rope-maker," said Marlow Ropes MD Jon Mitchell. "Our high performing rope solutions are made to the highest standards with innovation, quality and sustainability at their core, and to me, this embodies a Great British manufactured product.

"We are pleased to now share this mantle with fellow colleagues in the manufacturing industry."

John Pearce, chief executive of Made in Britain added: "We're delighted that Marlow Ropes has joined the community of more than 1200 British manufacturers.

"The more the mark is used and seen, the more it is recognised as a mark of quality."

www.boatingbusiness.com

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Boat industry export day...

Since the 18th century, the region of Jakobstad has become famous for its great boatbuilding traditions. The region is home to two of the world's leading players in luxury sailing, Nautor's Swan and Baltic Yachts, both of which have been responsible for carrying this enviable reputation around the world.

Today, 28th of June, the Jakobstad Region, together with Nautor, Baltic, and their local partners in the marine industry, have celebrated the outstanding results they continue to achieve.

With more than 35 yachts due to be delivered this summer, with a value over €200 million, the Region, situated only 450km from the Arctic Circle, is achieving unprecedented results benefitting the entire territory with revenues derived from export.

Hosted at Nautor's Swan BTC and Baltic facilities, the event has been an opportunity to meet the people responsible for this success and to visit their world beating boat yards. Guests have had the opportunity to step aboard some of the state-of-the-art luxury yachts that are about to set sail and carry their owners to the most remote destinations in the world.

"Jakobstad has a long tradition in building boats but the most mesmerizing thing is that it is a tradition keeping up with innovation. The new generation at Nautor's treasures what they've been taught and also bring new points of views, new competences evolving the processes. Additionally, these last months, with the launch of three maxis, Swan 120, ClubSwan 125 and the 4th 98, together with the Swans 48s, 58s, 65 and 78 have been very intense filling us with pride and sense of belonging" says Giovanni Pomati, Nautor Group CEO. "It's an honor for me to be part of this celebration of the marine industry, but more specifically of Ostrobothnia today, and I look forward to continuing to experience a growth like this in the years to come."

"I am delighted to say that business is booming at Baltic Yachts, with three recent launchings and three new commissions already in 2021," said Baltic Yachts' CEO Anders Kurten." I can attribute this success to the phenomenal Baltic Family workforce which has evolved over many years and has its roots firmly in the Ostrobothnia region. The team's ability to innovate and be at the very leading edge of marine technology has helped build an unmatched reputation which is respected around the world. It's something we should be very proud of because it bodes well for an even more successful future."

balticyachts.fi

nautorswan.com

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To strengthen its aftermarket support, Seldén Mast Ltd has consolidated its UK aftermarket distribution through Technical Marine Supplies (TMS).

An exceptionally busy start to 2021 has seen Gosport-based Seldén with an increased demand for its extensive range of mast, rigging and deck hardware products, with aftermarket sales being serviced directly through to its UK aftermarket dealer network of riggers and chandleries.

Seldén will no longer sell direct to its UK aftermarket dealer network, said the company's statement. "All trade enquires will now be directed through to TMS."

"We remain a strong player in the UK aftermarket, directing end user enquires through to the appropriate dealers in our network. We'll also continue to provide our network with information updates, tech talks and marketing materials as well as developing aftermarket focused technologies.

"Through working with TMS now and going forward, we believe we're ensuring the end user will receive the best possible level of Selden product support by making it more readily available in the UK."

Headquartered in Sweden, Selden Mast is a leading manufacturer of sailboat rigging systems and deck hardware.

www.ibinews.com

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 Cam Lewis: re: Harken Cam Matic...

Maybe ask Peter where name came from???!

I had built “Comical Chemicals” in his shop that year in a cold wintery mix of fumes and a Hawaii party that topped out when the mercury hit ZERO FAHRENHEIT up from minus 25F

My Finn that won 2 Gold Cups (3) times actually,,,, had a bunch o cams cleats

As did my cruise control on my Ford Econoline Red Vans engine bix by right knee with 3 on the tree and a bullet block and 3/16 Marliw PreStretch 8 plait to complete 2/1 set

Featured Charter
Swan 78 Azzurro. Located in Marina di Scarlino- Tuscany (Italy)

Delivered in 2019, AZZURRO sporting a clean, special satin black finish above deck and high gloss clear coat below deck. All of Nautor’s know-how and experience in racing and cruising yachts have been incorporated into this new Swan 78, a direct descendant of the original Swan 80 and 82 models of the past.It features an iconic Hall V-boom and full Future Fibres EC six multi strand rigging package. The new boat is faster, safer, easier to control and, more comfortable at sea. The appearance is that of neatness and efficiency. This new Swan is and will be, the best of her kind for years to come. Azzurro, the new Swan 78 delivered in 2019, offers big volumes areas in all her elegant and accommodating shape.Her hull form is beamy and very powerful, her big volumes host four comfortable cabins fully equipped for the guests. The sports/swim platform, off the Aft of the yacht, offers easy access to the sea, while also folding neatly up into the vessel for sleek storage. Incredible deck space not only creates a feeling of grandeur but it also provides guests with the ability to enjoy privacy.

See listing details in Nautor's Swan Charters

Contact
Nautor's Swan Charters - Nicolo Telese

Tel. +377 97 97 95 07

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
2007 IMOCA 60 - La Fabrique. POA EUR. Located in Lorient, France.

The 60-foot IMOCA is one of the fastest monohulls in modern ocean racing. La Fabrique features a more powerful, swifter hull than her predecessors with sharp lines, twin daggerboards and pronounced chine. Since 2016 the boat has been optimised including the addition of new foils.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 (0) 20 3920 6261
Email:
http://lvyachting.com

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SY SOJANA. Built in 2003. Complete refit in 2016.

115' (35m) Sojana is now for sale and offered in exceptional condition for the 2021 sailing season. Maintained fastidiously this Farr designed performance carbon ketch has excellent accommodation for 6-8 guests. If you have a passion for sailing this yacht offers you a perfect blend of exhilarating cruising, fast ocean passage making and regatta winning pedigree

See listing details in Carrswood Yachts Brokerage

Contact
Carrswood Yachts Limited, UK

Tel: +44 (0)7476 888639

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2016 Dazcat 1495 Apollo. Plymouth, UK. 750,000 + vat GBP. Located in Plymouth, UK.

Dazcat - the best of performance cruiser-racer catamarans hand engineered by Multimarine Manufacturing for quality, comfort, ease of use, strength and lightweight displacement inshore and offshore. D1495 'Apollo', pure Dazcat pedigree, is for sale. Virtual viewings available.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
If one morning I walked on top of the water across the Potomac River, the headline that afternoon would read: "President Can't Swim." -- Lyndon Johnson

Editorial and letter submissions to

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html