In This Issue
• Black Jack sails to line honours victory in Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
• With line honours settled focus turns to main event
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• When size is your friend - SWS Yachts
• An Interview with Butch Ulmer
• Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar
• This week: Dave Mackay, Boat Builder Extraordinaire
• Mayhem! Day One Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
• Job/Role Title: World Sailing Technical Specialist
• Industry News
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: Dixon 72 Catamran - LAYSAN
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Bernard Stamm Open IMOCA 60 SUPERBIGOU
• • YYACHTS Y8
• • SY SOJANA
• The Last Word: Andy Weir

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

The 13th annual Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar search is on... Send us your stories and drink recipes...

Black Jack sails to line honours victory in Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Black Jack sailed across the Castray Esplanade finish line in Hobart at 01.37.17 this morning, claiming line honours in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, in the time of two days 12 hours 37 minutes 17 seconds.

Right up until late last evening, it was unclear which of the three 100-foot boats would be the victor. SHK Scallywag led out of Sydney Heads on Boxing Day, but had her share of troubles after, paving the way for Black Jack and LawConnect to fight it out.

Black Jack rounded Tasman Island at 9.50pm last evening, her navigator Alex Nolan giving an ETA at the finish line of 02.15am. The hooter from the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania's finish boat sounded inside that time, but well outside the race record of 01:09:15:24 set by LDV Comanche (Jim Cooney/Samantha Grant) in 2017.

It was never going to be a quick race, or an easy one. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted harsh southerlies and confused seas from the first afternoon and the prediction was correct. -- Di Pearson/RSHYR Media

rolexsydneyhobart.com

With line honours settled focus turns to main event
No sooner had the fight for line honours in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race been won and lost by the three 100-footers in the race early this morning, attention turned towards the main event – that being, the race for overall victory and the prestigious Tattersall Cup.

While the owners, crews and staff of the front-running big boats were well into celebrating or commiserating their fate in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 628 nautical mile event, in their wake was a fleet scrapping for their place on Division and ultimately their overall place.

The Tattersall Cup, awarded to the boat that finishes first on corrected time, is the most prestigious award for the race, notwithstanding the broad appeal of the line honours race.

The overall standings were shifting a lot this afternoon, and will probably continue to do so.

But at 3pm, leading overall was Shane Kearns' White Bay 6 Azzurro that was 27 nautical miles east of Flinders Island. It has been in the fray since the race began on Boxing day.

In second place was Simon Kurts' Love & War, followed by Mark Dribitko's Fruit Salid 3.

Other overall contenders in the fray included Ichi Ban and Celestial, two TP52 entrants that were separated by only 400m as they charged up the Derwent River in a mighty tussle.

Race Tracker

Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:

Luca Rizzotti (ITA)
The crazy hardworking founder of Foiling Week gives up thousands of hours of time running new events, encouraging women's and youth high-performance sailing, coaching champions; and just occasionally the Persico Sales Manager (no small day job that) manages to steal some airtime of his own in Garda where foiling life begins. Foiling Week was just awarded World Sailing Special Event status, to put it on a par with the America's Cup. Quite right too

Stuart Bithell (GBR)
The GBR 49er sailed by Bithell and helm Dylan Fletcher snatched 2020 gold out from under the noses of huge pre-event favourites Burling and Tuke by successfully pulling off a most unlikely gybe in the final inches of the last race, filling a spinnaker that should never have filled in time let alone started to pull. A passionate supporter of national as well as Olympic-level dinghy sailing, 470 silver at London 2012 and gold in Japan. A nice way to bookend an outstanding career

Last Month's winner:
Tom Kneen (GBR)
'Does it really need pointing out the obvious? Tom got the double, end of' - Roeland Vroon; 'Wow, every serious racing sailor knows the real result of the Middle Sea Race' - Nick Haigh; 'Great campaign, which was carried out wisely by an enthusiastic and young owner' - James Boyd; 'Youthful debutante!!!' - Mark Heseltine; 'A dominant offshore season, well done!' - Andrew Besheer; 'The new Gery Trentesaux?'

View past winners of Sailor of the Month

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Harken Derm, Musto and 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

When size is your friend - SWS Yachts
Over 100 years after the first (successful) diesel-electric yacht, Southern Wind explain how hybrid marine power is taking a big step forward in a size range that allows better use of industrial developments in other sectors

What will the next superyacht launched by Southern Wind Shipyard have in common with more than 400 New York City buses? Absolutely nothing, until you look in the engine room where you'll find the same diesel-electric power and propulsion technology from BAE Systems. The SW96#04, due for delivery next summer, is Southern Wind's first yacht with a hybrid drive, a major milestone for the shipyard. And their next diesel-electric project is already taking shape: the brand new SW108 Hybrid which has already been sold for delivery winter 2023. If the current level of interest from clients is sustained, Southern Wind expects to be building up to - two hybrid-powered yachts per year going forward.

It might seem strange to source a hybrid drive from the public transport industry rather than using a system designed from the outset specifically for marine use, but it actually makes a lot of sense.

Click here for more information on Southern Wind

Full article in the January issue of Seahorse

An Interview with Butch Ulmer
2021 marks the 75th anniversary for UK Sailmakers. During this anniversary year, WINDCHECK magazine (which covers the sailing on the East Coast of the United States from Rhode Island to New Jersey) has been running a series of articles on the history of the company based on a long face to face interview with Charles "Butch" Ulmer, son of the company's founder Charles "Buster" Ulmer. The second article in the three-part series was published in the November issue of the magazine. In it, Butch talks about the changes in sail cloth from cotton to synthetics, to the rise of Hood and North sails and how UK Sailmakers became the top producer of spinnakers in the 1970s. Butch has great stories about the biggest names in in the game since they were all his friends and competitors. For those who remember, or for those who never heard of Owen C, Torrey, Jr., reading about him is great fun. Owen had the nickname "The Professor" or just "Prof" as he was literally a genius. Owen was an Olympic medalist and brought the knowledge for making successful radial head spinnakers to Ulmer Sails.

The full interview at uksailmakers.com

Wight Vodka Best Yachting Bar
Nominations for this year's best bar conclude this Friday at midnight. Next week we'll vote on the top ten.

Try this vintage Vodka drink while you're thinking about your favorite bar and hitting the keyboard...

Pear Haymaker
Vodka, ginger beer, and muddled pear make for a tart and refreshing cocktail perfect for sipping on a cold evening.

For the Ginger Syrup
1⁄4 cup sliced, peeled ginger
1 cup sugar

For the Cocktail
4 oz. Wight Vodka
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
1 pear, chopped, peeled, and cored (Anjou, Moonglow, Bosc, or any finely textured and fragrant pears are best)
Ginger ale, to top

Instructions
Make the ginger syrup: Combine sliced ginger, sugar, and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Strain out ginger solids and discard, reserving syrup in an airtight container.

Divide chopped pear between two 12 oz. tall glasses; muddle in each glass with a wooden muddler. Pour 2 oz. vodka over the pears in each glass, and fill with ice. Add 1/2 oz. ginger syrup and 1/2 oz. lemon juice to each glass, stir to combine, and finish with ginger ale to top.

This recipe makes two. Best to share, but OK by me if you down them both...

Best Bar Submissions here

This week: Dave Mackay, Boat Builder Extraordinaire
After years of competing at the top level of sailing, Dave Mackay knows the details that matter. Mackay Boats have won 30 medals at Olympic Games (six at Tokyo 2020) and 154 World Championship medals.

Just as Road To Gold is focused on helping sailors be the best they can be, Dave Mackay has had a lifelong obsession with making boats as fast as they can be. With six Olympic medals won at the recent Games in Tokyo, and the top six places at the Moth Worlds taken by Mackay-built Bieker designs, Dave really knows what goes into making world-beating equipment.

In this week's Q&A with Road To Gold, we'll be asking Dave to help us understand the tiny details that really make the difference to our equipment.

WHEN: Thurs 30 Dec UK / Fri 31 Dec NZ

The Q&A kicks off on Zoom at 1900 hours UK time Thursday evening 30 December/ 0800 hours NZ time on Friday morning 31 December.

Join the Live Q&A call this Thursday/Friday

Zoom Meeting with Road To Gold + Dave Mackay

Meeting ID: 854 3733 2849 Passcode: 398589

Mayhem! Day One Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

Job/Role Title: World Sailing Technical Specialist
World Sailing is accepting resumes for the position of Technical Specialist.

Main responsibilities:

The Technical Specialist is responsible for the application of quality standards, regulations and procedures which ensure the integrity of our sport, specially focused on servicing World Sailing classes and their manufacturers.

Key responsibilities:

- Provide technical support to Equipment Manufacturers, World Sailing Classes,
- Control world-wide production of equipment tracking plaques and certification, managing equipment databases,
- Manage the approval process of new manufacturers, new production tooling and changes to building specifications,
- Manage approval processes for licensed manufacturers,
- Perform equipment and documentation reviews at manufacturing sites internationally,
- Manage Class Rule Changes,
- Conduct reviews of class rules to evaluate if they continue to support the objectives of each Class and provide a reasonable framework for technical control of the class,
- Liaise with World Sailing Classes and International Measurers regarding rules, regulations and associated control processes,

- Provide full support to the following;
- - Equipment Committee
- - Oceanic and Offshore Committee
- - World Sailing Classes Committee
- - International Measurer's Sub-Committee
- - Equipment Rules Sub-Committee

Knowledge and Technical Skills

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of sailing's equipment key performance factors.
- Knowledge of equipment manufacturing processes and materials.
- Quality control procedures and tools.
- Knowledge of the Equipment Rules of Sailing, Racing Rules of Sailing and World Sailing Regulations.
- Experience around sailing events.

Skills:
- Previous involvement in sailing through any technical capacity. (i.e. coaching, naval architecture, performance optimization, manufacture, measurement)
- Excellent written and verbal English language skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- High computer literacy. Database experience a plus.
- Good communication ability, both verbal and in writing (technical and non-technical)
- Interest and involvement in the sport of sailing.
- Completely comfortable working irregular hours and traveling internationally.
- Ambitious with a 'can do' attitude.
- Organized, methodical and thorough individual.
- Constant improvement driven.
- A willingness to learn new skills and develop existing competencies.
- Second international language encouraged.

Relationships & Interfaces

Strategic reporting to:
- Technical and Offshore Manager

Support & Guidance to:
- Equipment Manufacturers
- International Measurers and Event equipment inspectors
- World Sailing Classes
- World Sailing Committees (listed above)
- World Sailing staff

Travel and Other requirements
- Flexibility to work irregular hours and traveling internationally.

Applications should be sent to . Applicants should provide a current CV and covering letter.

The closing date for all vacancies is 14 January 2022.

Industry News
boot Dusseldorf cancelled due to COVID

Messe Düsseldorf decided to cancel boot Düsseldorf 2021, the world's leading international water sports trade fair, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the associated worldwide lockdown measures.

The next boot will be held according to its regular cycle from January 22 – 30, 2022 at the fairgrounds in Düsseldorf, Germany. Under the given circumstances, an implementation at the planned April date can no longer be guaranteed, explained Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf:

"The continuing high level of infection and the fact that the end of the lockdown is not foreseeable for the time being make a resumption of trade fair operations at the end of April appear increasingly unrealistic. We have reassessed the situation with our partners and jointly decided to cancel boot 2021 early. Our priority is the health and planning security of our exhibitors, visitors and service providers. All activities will now be focused on the successful staging of boot 2022."

boatingindustry.com

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British sail making and rigging specialist Bainbridge announced a new technical partnership with Italian supplier Ubi Maior Italia

Bainbridge will now offer the Ubi Maior Italia range of high-performance sail blocks, deck hardware and furling systems in what the company termed as a new "technical partnership."

Today's statement added that both companies are keen to expand their product offering, while improving service to Sailmaking and Rigging customers.

Bainbridge International was founded in 1917 and counts itself as one of the world's oldest sailcloth and hardware manufacturers, today offering a portfolio of manufactured products distributed to the Sailmaking, Covermaking and Industrial markets. This is achieved by a global network of professional distribution partners in 20 countries.

www.ibinews.com

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Doyle Sails announced today that Jordi Calafat is the latest powerhouse addition to the ever-expanding Doyle Sails Grand Prix sailing and design team. Jordi is synonymous with the America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, 52 Super Series, Club Swan classes and a significant number of one-design fleets globally. With two TP52s already signed to Doyle Sails for the 2022 Super Series season, Jordi has hit the ground running.

When asked what Jordi will be bringing to Doyle Sails, he comments, "I have been pretty successful in the Grand Prix classes - specifically the TP52, Swan 50 and Swan 36s and Maxi 72s, which is where I have worked the most. We have won the world's in every one of these classes over the last few years. We've won the previous six Maxi World's with the Maxi 72s and the TP52 Worlds twice".

Working with Design Director Richard Bouzaid, the wider Doyle design team, and the global Doyle sailors, Jordi will instantly become an influential and integral addition to the group.

Jordi Calafat's Career Highlights:
Three Seasons with Maxi 72, Bella Mente
Two Seasons with Maxi 72, Momo
Two Seasons with Maxi 72 Cannonball
2021 TP52 World Championship, Platoon
2020 TP52 World Championship, Platoon
2021 Swan 50 World Champion, Hatari
2020 Swan 50 World Champion, Hatari
2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, Telefonica
2008-9 Volvo Ocean Race, Telefonica Blue
2007 America's Cup Winner, Alinghi
1992 470 Gold Medal, Barcelona Olympic Games

doylesails.com

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Discovery Shipyard has announced it could be forced to call in the administrators following the news that the boatbuilder's owner and shareholder is withdrawing support.

www.boatingbusiness.com

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Russia is seeing a surge in demand for leisure boats as the country emerges from the worst of the pandemic and the numbers of wealthy Russians continues to swell.

Despite a lack of official statistics for the sector in Russia, most local analysts and distributors confirm high demand of Russians for yachts and boats of various sizes.

Simon Colebrooke, regional sales director of Princess Yachts for Russia and surrounding region in an exclusive interview commented: "Major results this year have been the expansion of the domestic market in Russia from the more popular areas of St Petersburg, Moscow and the Black Sea to Vladivostok and areas further East. We have seen a steady growth in sales over 2021 with both new and repeat business mainly in the 60-80ft+ range."

Similar trends are confirmed by representatives of some leading Russian yacht distributors. As Andrei Boyko, a managing partner of Burevestnik Group, Russia's leading yacht distributor, told IBI that the country is experiencing the sort of boating boom being experienced in the West.

www.ibinews.com/russian-boating-boom/40751.article

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The Japanese government plans to simplify the immigration procedures for foreign travelers arriving in Japan by luxury transport such as private jets and superyachts usually used by the wealthy, sources close to the matter said Monday.

The move comes as the government hopes such affluent travelers will bring considerable spending power and help accelerate a postpandemic economic recovery, the sources said.

Currently, those arriving by private jet for tourism need to apply 10 days before landing in a Japanese airport. The government is considering shortening the period to three days, the same as entering for business purposes, the sources said.

Superyachts and other private modes of travel by water are currently required to declare the number of crew and cargo every time they make a port call. Following the planned change, they will only need to do so upon entry and departure from Japan, according to the sources.

english.kyodonews.net

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The Italian Sea Group said on Wednesday it had bought bankrupt luxury yacht maker Perini Navi for 80 million euros ($91 million) in an auction held by a court in Lucca, Tuscany.

Italian yacht makers Ferretti Group and SanLorenzo had also offered to buy the luxury sailing brand Perini Navi, which was declared bankrupt in January.

The Italian Sea Group said in a statement that the deal, funded with most of the proceeds of its IPO and through bank financing, will double its order intake for refits and lead to new contracts for the construction of 90-130 meter motor yachts.

gcaptain.com/luxury-yacht-yard-perini-navi-auction/

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IBI Editor Ed Slack reflects on a tumultuous year; IBI will be closed from Dec 23 until Jan 4, when the daily news service will resume

It's been another tumultuous year, one that was supposed to see our return to some semblance of normality, but unnervingly we find ourselves at the close of 2021 in much the same circumstances as last year - rising Covid infections causing various states of lockdown around the world; travel being curtailed and our freedoms dependent on what is starting to feel like a never ending rollout of booster vaccines. Against the backdrop of Covid, supply chain disruption has grabbed a significant number of headlines, and will be certain to do so in 2022. But the positives for the sector far outweigh the negatives, and most will look back on 2021 as a year of Herculean challenges that bore in many cases significant reward. It has been a year of growth, a year of technological advances, a year the industry raised itself to another level, building a solid platform that make our prospects look overwhelmingly positive well beyond 2022.

It's been another significant year for IBI too. I'm excited about leading the team under the new ownership of BOAT International Media (BIM) into 2022 - rest assured IBI, supported as always by its unrivalled network of contributors and agents around the world, will be doubling down on the gains we've made in recent years and will be elevating our coverage and services to an exciting new level. Watch this space. -- Ed Slack, IBI editor

www.ibinews.com

Featured Charter
Dixon 72 Catamran - LAYSAN. From 39,000 per week USD. Located in Saint-Thomas, USVIs.

Built in 2017, LAYSAN is the epitome of luxury afloat. 72 ft long and 35 ft wide, the space will amaze and comfort you.

Whether at sail, motoring or anchor LAYSAN defines stability and luxury. Laysan's interior layout sleeps up to 8 guests in 5 rooms. She is also capable of carrying up to 3 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. Timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating feature throughout to create an elegant and comfortable atmosphere. The finest finishes and fittings were appointed to create a truly breathtaking modern living space while functioning to the highest standard for a contemporary yacht.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Charter Department
Bernard-Gallay
Phone : +33 (0)467 66 39 93
Mail : or

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
2000 Bernard Stamm Open IMOCA 60 SUPERBIGOU. 245,000 EUR. ICE Located in Caen, France.

Proven Imoca 60 available for the next Vendee Globe Race in 2024. Winner of the last Velux race in 2006/2007 (winner of all legs and overall) and of the Around Alone in 2002/2003 (winner of all legs but one, and overall).

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

+33 467 66 39 93

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YYACHTS Y8. POA EUR.

One size. Two boats.

Lots of options

The Y8 gives you the choice. Optionally available in a dc version with a longer aft body and a secure center cockpit, or you can opt for a raised saloon with extra space in the srd variant.

Equal to any Y8, as well as all other YYachts, the inimitable ease and performance. For greater strength and lighter weight we laminate all hulls and decks with carbon fibre and epoxy resin and anneal them until final cure

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
T. +49 3834 5858 77-0
E.

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SY SOJANA. Located in Cannes 7-12 September

PRICE REDUCED TO SELL

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 Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Contact Alastair for further details +44747 6888639
carrswoodyachts.com

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

The Last Word
A story in your head isn't a story. It's just a daydream until you actually write it down. So write it down. -- Andy Weir

Editorial and letter submissions to

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