In This Issue
• J/70 World Championship
• Matt Beck European WASZP Champion
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Rolex Middle Sea Race Monohull Line Honours Contenders
• Update From Grant Dalton
• Design Work Resumes For American Magic
• Return of the Bray 'Droleen' Dinghies to Royal St George Yacht Club
• Could your club be the next RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year?
• The Man Who Changed Yacht Design
• William Croxford enters Global Solo Challenge
• Featured Charter: Swan 68 - Defiance
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Nautor Swan 57 Ketch
• • NEEL 43- Trimaran
• • Soto 65 - Camiranga
• The Last Word: Frederick Lenz
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
J/70 World Championship
Marina Del Rey, California: Peter Duncan's Relative Obscurity has prevailed over 60 other teams and challenging wind conditions to capture the 2021 J/70 World Championship title at California Yacht Club, today. In a five-day series that tested the skill and patience of top-notch competitors from 11 nations, Duncan - sailing with Willem van Waay, Morgan Trubovich and Victor Diaz de Leon - secured a top five position in the beginning of the regatta and never let go.
The leaderboard changed with every rounding during Races Seven and Eight, as the top contenders scrapped for honors.
Duncan is no stranger to the podium. Recently he won the J/70 North Americans in Annapolis and triumphed in the 2017 J/70 Worlds in Porto Cervo, Italy. "This competition was really great, and the Race Committee did a terrific job getting the races in with the breeze we had. I'm really pleased. Cal Yacht Club did an awesome job."
At day's end, the top tier was separated by just eight points with Bruce Golison taking second place. His team Midlife Crisis was primed with a solid win in the Pre-Worlds last month. One of only two teams to get bullets in the tightly matched Worlds this week (along with Magatron) Golison sailed with Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain and Jeff Reynolds.
Laura Grondin and the team of Dark Energy, just one point astern, took third. Grondin only recently began competing in the J/70. A competitive Melges 24 sailor, she switched to the J/70 when the boat's popularity exploded.
The last World Championship regatta had been held in Tor Bay, England, with GBR's Paul Ward and Eat Sleep J Repeat besting that 77-boat fleet in a grueling 14-race series. Ward finished seventh in the 2021 event.
Top 10 of 61
1. Relative Obscurity, J 70, Peter Duncan / Willem van Waay / Morgan Trubovich / Victor Diaz de Leon , Rye, NY, USA, 42 points
2. Midlife Crisis, J 70, Bruce Golison / Steve Hunt / Erik Shampain / Jeff Reynolds , Long Beach, CA, USA, 46
3. Dark Energy, J 70, Laura Grondin / Taylor Canfield / Michael Buckley / Scott Ewing , West Hartford, CT, USA, 47
4. Savasana, J 70, Brian Keane / Ron Weed / Bill Hardesty / Alec Anderson , Weston, MA, USA, 49
5. Catapult, J 70, Joel Ronning / Morgan Resser / Christopher Stocke / Patrick Wilson , Excelsior, MN, USA, 50
6. Eat Sleep J Repeat, J 70, Paul Ward / Charlie Cumbley / Ruairidh Scott / Mario Trindade , Midhurst, West Sussex, GBR, 72
7. Surge, J 70, Ryan McKillen / Lucas Calabrese / John Wallace / Sam Loughborough , New York, NY, USA, 102
8. Empeiria, J 70, John Heaton / Zeke Horowitz / Will Felder / Zachary Mason , Wilmette, IL, USA, 103
9. Ducasse Sailing Team, J 70, Andres Ducasse Soruco / Ignacio Ducasse Soruco / Francisco Ducasse Soruco / Rodrigo Ducasse Soruco / Andres Ducasse R , Santiago, RM, CHI, 104
10. Noticia, J 70, Jose Maria Torcida / Luiz Martin Cabiedes / Rayco Tabares / Pablo Santurde / Francisco Palacio , Santander, Cantabria, ESP, 108
Matt Beck European WASZP Champion
After 5 days of intense competition and 14 races completed, WASZP UK Sailor Matt Beck in on top of the world! In a return to international competition that has been 2 years in the making, we could not have asked for a better event to return us to semi-normalcy. The WASZP Class would like to extend it's gratitude to Circola Vela Arco, who took on the challenge to run the event after moving locations from Norway just 6 weeks ago. Arco ran a fantastic event on the water and provided fantastic friendly hospitality off the water. To be able to run the event in-line with how a WASZP event should be conducted, under restrictions was not an easy task, but it was executed brilliantly!
As the final day dawned there were 6 boats in contention to win the title, with points between 1st and 3rd exceptionally tight. To display this fact, there were 8 different heat winners from 14 races showing the evenness of the competition. Since the WASZP was introduced to the sailing world in 2016, this is exactly what we had envisaged, one-design racing, on an affordable platform, insanely tight competition and a relaxed environment off the water.
The remainder of the 2021 season sees events hosted all over the world, with a major focus on the remaining EuroCup events and individual associations National Championships.
Final top five: after 14 races, 2 discards
1. Matt Beck, GBR, 42 points
2 Paul Farien, GER, 47
3. Francesco Bertone Fresia, ITA, 51
4. Jann Schuepback, SUI, 63
5. Emanuelle Savoini, ITA, 64
Seahorse August 2021
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World news
A (very) careless Imoca, Fig 3s pass the (latest) test, the rapid new generation of Class40s fight it out (between them), why the Multi50s are finally looking sustainable, Steve Dashew wouldn’t but luckily there is someone else who will, the long fight back from the trauma of Beijing and a very classy Annapolis story begins a new chapter. Thomas Coville, Yoann Richomme, Carlos Pich, Tom Slingsby, Dobbs Davis, Ivor Wilkins, Blue Robinson, Patrice Carpentier, Sam Goodchild, Luke Berry
Showing the genes
Rick Tomlinson
Poles of contention
Rob Weiland is entertained by all the froth created by an archaic piece of sailing equipment
Crazy Jack
His words not ours... Patrice Carpentier discovers what it means to be the famous Jack Setton
You cannot be serious!
Challenge the engineers at Harken about just how light they plan to go with their next generation Air winch and you are in for a somewhat predictable response...
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Rolex Middle Sea Race Monohull Line Honours Contenders
With just over twop months to the start of the 2021 Rolex Middle Sea Race, the race to be on the start line on Saturday 23 October is heating up. 64 yachts are currently entered, exceeding the number reached at this same point in 2019, when 113 crews eventually participated. There is still plenty of time for entries to be lodged and the 42nd edition of the Mediterranean's famous 606nm offshore classic looks set to provide another enthralling chapter in its burgeoning history.
The cut off date for entry is officially Friday, 12 September 2021, but the organiser, the Royal Malta Yacht Club, has retained the discretion to accept late entries up to Friday, 1 October.
One yacht well on the way to completing its formalities is the stunning ClubSwan 125 Skorpios. With a 55-metre mast, spectators at the Upper Barrakka Gardens might well feel like they can reach out and touch Skorpios as she crosses the start. Skorpios will be the biggest yacht ever to participate in the race, dwarfing the already impressive 35 metre, Nikata, which took part in 2018.
All things being well, an exciting battle to be first monohull yacht home is shaping up nicely. The 42nd edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 23 October 2021.
Update From Grant Dalton
So today, 17 August 2021 - being five months since we won the 36th Americas Cup and just one month from the Venue Announcement of the 37th America's Cup - I think it's a good time for an update.
I've heard it said that: 'Emirates Team New Zealand would be better losing the 37th America's Cup in New Zealand, than winning it offshore.' Of course these are comments that come from outside the team and one expects from people with some sort of vested interest. I still find it astonishing that anyone would expect such a team as ours to set themselves up to lose.
You will have read several weeks ago of an offer by a private investor to financially help the team. To date, with time ticking, I have only had one conversation with him and no proposal. All that we are in possession of is an elaborate flow chart showing a complex but typical investment banking structured deal, through which tax can be minimised as the Crown and the private investor's money flows through to a company owned and controlled by him. This structure is also based on the questionable premise that the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's status as a not-for-profit organisation would also be utilised. Emirates Team New Zealand and America's Cup Event will have no part in any such tax structures and we are also extremely concerned that control over the team and the event would ultimately rest with private investors who have played no part in the achievements of the current team.
In the only conversation or communication I have had with this private investor he expressed confidence that the Government would significantly increase their cash contribution to the team and the event for the 37th America's Cup, but we have not been privy to these discussions so have no view on whether that might happen. However, we have already said that given the current climate in which we all live, we accepted that the Government and Council's offer was both final and made in good faith.
We need to remain hopeful that there is still a chance (albeit small), that a successful Defence is held in New Zealand.
emirates-team-new-zealand.americascup.com
Design Work Resumes For American Magic
American Magic, the U.S. Challenger for the 36th America's Cup [AC36], is moving ahead with performance development work in preparation for a challenge for the 37th edition of the oldest event in international sport. To lead the design effort for the next campaign, the team has signed two-time America's Cup winner Scott Ferguson (Jamestown, R.I.) as Design Coordinator.
"We intend to compete at the 37th America's Cup, and to leverage all that we learned and gained from our campaign for Auckland 2021 as we move forward," said Hap Fauth, American Magic Team Principal and three-time Maxi72 World Champion. "I'm excited to see our team evolve and grow over the coming months, and Scott coming onboard is a key part of that."
While American Magic is not involved in planning the next edition of the Cup on the event side, the U.S. team has been focused on internal preparations. The team stands ready to adapt to the AC37 venue announcement, updated AC75 Class Rule, and AC37 Protocol after publication.
"Based on our regular dialogue with the Defender and the Challenger of Record, who are hammering out the details of the next event, we feel that we have a solid idea of what we need to design and build to win the 37th America's Cup," said Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations and Skipper for American Magic. "Now is the time to enter a new phase in the performance side of our program, and we're excited to bring Scott onboard with American Magic. His record with Oracle Team USA's winning Cup campaigns in 2010 and 2013 speaks for itself, but his depth of experience at the highest levels of our sport goes way beyond that. We will collectively assemble a design group that will work closely with our production and sailing teams to put us in a position to win AC37."
Return of the Bray 'Droleen' Dinghies to Royal St George Yacht Club
Click on image to enlarge.
At the end of 1896, Bray Sailing Club decided to hold a competition among its members to design a new one-design sailing dinghy suitable for the challenging marine conditions prevailing off Bray, Co. Wicklow. The winner of the competition was a twenty-six-year-old draper, William Ogilvy, an experienced sailor who proposed an open cat-boat, twelve feet long by six feet beam to be built with best quality spruce and elm. The boat was designed to carry a 100 sq. ft. mainsail and a traditional spinnaker of cotton flown from a long spinnaker pole.
A contract was entered with Mr Greg Foley of Ringsend to build seven boats, which were named 'Droleens' (or wrens), and deliver them to Bray by train, all for £9 each.
On 29 August this year, the Droleens will again take to the water, this time in Dun Laoghaire, hosted by the Royal St George Yacht Club for the first time in one hundred and twenty-four years to compete again for the historic 'Irish Times Challenge Cup.' Are there any Droleens in existence? We have promises of four boats coming to Dun Laoghaire, a volunteer-built Droleen coming from Bray (of course), a Lyme Regis Academy built Droleen from Donegal, a Co. Cavan professionally built Droleen belonging to a Dublin owner and a school built Droleen from Barna, Co. Galway. -- Vincent Delany
Could your club be the next RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year?
Applications are now open for the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award supported by Gallagher which celebrates the outstanding achievement and hard work of sailing clubs in the UK.
All RYA affiliated clubs are eligible to apply and the Awards Panel will select a finalist for each of the 10 RYA Regions as well as two 'wild card' entries.
All finalists go through to a public vote with the overall winner selected by RYA members, Yachts & Yachting readers and the Panel. The overall winner of the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year will be announced at the RYA Dinghy Show in February 2022.
Club applications close on 20 September.
For more information, guidance notes and to complete an application form visit www.rya.org.uk/go/cluboftheyear
The Man Who Changed Yacht Design
With the Fastnet Race in full swing, hundreds of boats are currently on the longer Fastnet course.
Dick Carter, one of Ferhurst Books authors changed the game of the Fastnet race with his innovative design.
We thought you would like to hear the story of one Fastnet race winner. Dick Carter had no experience of yacht design, but won the race with his first design. Watch the video below to hear from Dick Carter about his yacht Rabbit.
His amazing story of innovation & success can be read in his book DICK CARTER: YACHT DESIGNER. The life of Dick Carter, with stunning photos & boat plans of his many successes in the yachting world.
William Croxford enters Global Solo Challenge
William Croxford from Kettering, England, has dreamed of sailing around the world since childhood, watching and reading about Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston made him always dream of completing a circumnavigation. After a difficult 2020 he decided now is the time.
He is the 28th entry in the Global Solo Challenge, with more entries in the pipeline organisers are plesantly surpised with the popularity of the event and growing participants' list.
Where does your passion for sailing come from?
I learnt to sail on the local lake during a summer activities camp and found an ever lasting passion for sailing spending my weekends and school holidays sailing dinghies. Watching and reading about Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston made me always dream of sailing around the world solo. When I went travelling at the age of 18 I sailing in both Australia and New Zealand on a number of different styles of yachts both cruisers and racers. This is where my offshore experience grew along with my experience. After a difficult 2020 I have decided the time is right to for fill my childhood dream to sail and race around the world.
What prompted you to sign up for this event?
My childhood dream of sailing/ racing around the world. After a difficult 2020 I have decided the time is now to fulfil this.
How do you plan to prepare for this event?
I plan to complete the solo experiences I have set myself and make sure I'm in the best fitness I can be. I have Ulcerative Colitis so I will have to make sure that I have the appropriate medication for the duration of the event. Ultimately I need to find the right boat and get some solo experience.
Featured Charter
Swan 68 - Defiance. Located in Mediterranean
Defiance is a German Friers designed Swan 68 built for competitive racing and fast luxury cruising. Defiance has a phenomenal racing pedigree, winning the Swan Cup overall in 2000 and she is capable of performing on the race course. Available to Charter in the Mediterranean 2021.
See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 (0) 20 3920 6261
Email:
lvyachting.com
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
1978 Nautor Swan 57 Ketch. 195000 EUR. Located in Helsinki
Hull number 1 of the truly iconic Sparkman & Stephens designed Nautor Swan 57 Ketch. Continually updated and presented in great condition throughout.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Lead Broker: Jonas Renlund – Grabau International (Scandinavia)
Tel: +358408098688
Email:
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NEEL 43- Trimaran. POA EUR.
The NEEL 43, surprising and innovative. The latest Lombard-designed addition to the range is even more innovative and impressive and with a marked move towards the use of bio-sourced and recyclable materials, NEEL-TRIMARANS has confirmed its determined commitment to respecting the environment.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
4 rue Virginie Heriot - Plateau nautique
BP 23085 - 17032
La Rochelle Cedex - France
Tel. : +33 546 290 871
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2013 Soto 65 - "Camiranga". 1,695,000 USD EUR.
CAMIRANGA from Soto Acebal is a 65-foot canting keeler, best placed to tackle offshore's with a sail area compatible to a V70 and an interior that provides far greater comfort. Pretty lines and more forgiving than her sparring partners on the race track, this is an exciting boat for any yachtsman.
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
There is no future and there is no past, there never has been, there never will be. You just think there is. It’s not life that moves; it’s awareness. -- Frederick Lenz
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