EuroSail News #4990 - 3 January
In This Issue
• Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
• Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: A Full Examination
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• The Rag's Wild Ride To 18ft Skiff Victory
• Battle Lines drawn for RORC Transatlantic Race
• Olympic sailing stars honoured in New Year list
• Martine Grael Awarded The Magnus Olsson Prize
• America's Cup: Technical team revisits Cork bid while Spanish claims grow
• Job/Role Title: World Sailing Technical Specialist
• Featured Brokerage:
• • J/122E
• • Marstrom Seacart 30' - 2006
• • SB20 - ready to sail
• The Last Word: John Gordon Sinclair
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
Voting for the 13th annual Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar search is on... Top ten voting open until January 19
Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
We have our top ten! The list includes previous winners: One Bar Playa Blanca (2013), The King & Queen (2014)
In no particular order:
One Bar Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Hamilton Bermuda
Bayview Yacht Club, Detroit MI, USA
CYCA Downstairs Bar, Sydney, Australia
Ti Joe Watty's, Aran Islands off Galway Bay, Ireland
Voting is now open. The software prohibits "machine voting", you can vote more than once but not for awhile...
Please contact your friends and colleagues and have them join in:
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race: A Full Examination
Hobart, Tasmania: Without doubt, the 76th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race delivered on the event's formidable reputation. It was a race of two decidedly different halves. The first was a punishing test of physical endurance and perseverance. The second questioned mental resilience and tactical judgment. Organized since 1945 by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, with the support of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, the race has been partnered by Rolex since 2002.
The lead up to the 2021 race was overshadowed by the prospect of a brutal first 24 to 48 hours of strong southerly wind combining with opposing current to build a threatening sea state. The exacting conditions probed for weakness in equipment and mindset. Despite all the intense and detailed preparation within the 88-boat fleet, so unrelenting was the scrutiny that over a third would be forced to retire. For those that made it through, any sense of relief was short-lived with the final stages of the race setting a more cerebral challenge. A shifting weather pattern required crews to piece together a complex three-dimensional on-the-water jigsaw puzzle. When sailing, the shortest course between two points is rarely a straight line. This was never more true than during this year's Rolex Sydney Hobart.
The overall win on time correction was eventually secured by Matt Allen's 52 foot (15.85 metre) Ichi Ban. Previously winners in 2017 and 2019, the Australian crew joined two other yachts within the legend of the race to achieve three victories and is the first, since Freya in the 1960s, to lift the Tattersall Cup in back-to-back races.
Seahorse January 2022
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World news
King of all he surveys, the confidence and skill of meteorologist and sailor supreme Pierre Le Roy. Not quite there yet for Tanguy Bourroulec, good news for Nathan Outteridge in Auckland... but leaving everyone else in America's Cupland still grumpy, and another blow for a round-the-world stopover, or rather not. Nina Curtis... making the most of every single opportunity, as is Neti. And staying upright in the USA. Carlos Pich, Patrice Carpentier, Ivor Wilkins, Dobbs Davis, Blue Robinson, Sam Goodchild
Maxis - Better than hoped for
A short season but definitely a good one. Andrew Mcirvine
TP52 Super Series - The word according to Cowie
A popular win for Sled and a look at some of the below-deck tricks that make a TP52 tick. Simon Fry, Chris Hosking... And Don Cowie!
RORC - A clarification
This time around we are not best pleased. Jeremy Wilton
Easy Call
Launch a new 600nm offshore classic, attract a strong international entry, run the first race very well and send everyone home very happy - well, obviously they are going to ask you to do it again next year...
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The Rag's Wild Ride To 18ft Skiff Victory
Click on image for photo gallery.
Harry Price's talent was obvious before he came into the 18s this season as skipper for the long-term sponsor Rag & Famish Hotel, but it's still hard not to be surprised by just how quickly the level of his and his team's ability has been highlighted under very difficult conditions.
The Rag & Famish Hotel team's high standards already achieved were never more evident than during the recent Race 5 of the NSW Championship when the 'rookie 18s' team powered to victory while many experienced teams capsized or retired.
A severe storm hit Sydney on the afternoon of Sunday, December 19, causing major damage across the city, and produced extreme conditions for the teams competing mid-way through the Australian 18 Footer League's race.
The young Rag & Famish Hotel team was one of only a few which survived (without a capsize) when a 25-30 knot squall battered the race course as the fleet was racing downwind on the long leg from Kurraba Point on the northern side of the harbour to the Rose Bay bottom mark in the south.
The official result gave the race to Rag & Famish Hotel by 1m43s from the current JJ Giltinan world 18ft skiff champion Michael Coxon, and his Smeg team.
Current NSW Championship leader, John Winning's Yandoo had led the race to the top mark at Kurraba Point but Michael Coxon's Smeg was only metres behind Yandoo as the pair began a short, but incredibly exciting, spinnaker dash at the peak of the squall.
While many Sydney residents suffered damage in the storm, spectators onboard the League's spectator ferry were treated to a close-up look (just metres from the ferry) at action-packed, high-speed 18ft Skiff racing by some of the world's most talented skiff sailors.
Unfortunately for both the Yandoo and Smeg teams their flying spinnaker runs each ended in capsize only metres apart in the middle of Sydney Harbour.
Each crew could then do little but watch as the then third-placed Rag & Famish Hotel sped past them to ultimately go on and win the race.
Racing at the Australian 18 Footers League is in recess over the Christmas-New Year holiday period and will return on January 16 with Race 6 of the NSW Championship. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League Ltd.
Battle Lines drawn for RORC Transatlantic Race
The Royal Ocean Racing Club, in association with the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the Yacht Club de France are making final preparations for the 2022 RORC Transatlantic Race starting on Saturday 8th January 2022. The longest race in the RORC Season's Points Championship has attracted a record 30-boat entry in the epic 3,000nm race across the Atlantic Ocean and battles are predicted throughout the fleet. Starting from Lanzarote, the teams will be based at two Calero Marinas - Puerto Calero and Marina Lanzarote, and are racing to Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina in Grenada.
The Magnificent Seven - MOCRA Class
Seven multihulls are entered, with a scintillating four-way battle for Multihull Line Honours expected. Jason Carroll's Argo (USA), Giovanni Soldini's Maserati (ITA), Peter Cunningham's PowerPlay (CAY) and Antoine Rabaste's Ultim'Emotion 2 (FRA) are all favourites to be the first to finish the race. The RORC Transatlantic Race Multihull Record is 5 days 22 hrs 46 mins 03 secs (2015 - Lloyd Thornburg's Phaedo 3, skippered by Brian Thompson).
The overall multihull winner is decided after MOCRA time correction, bringing three super-charged teams into the mix. Two French ORC50s have their own line honours duel and the chance of taking victory for the MOCRA Class. Halvard Mabire & Miranda Merron will race Two-Handed with GDD against Quentin le Nabour's fully crewed Club 5 Oceans. The latest entry for the MOCRA Class is a brand-new British Gunboat 68 Tosca, which includes Alex Thomson and Neal McDonald on the team sheet. -- Louay Habib
Olympic sailing stars honoured in New Year list
A host of the British Sailing Team's Tokyo 2020 stars have been recognised in the New Year Honours List for services to sailing.
Hannah Mills is made an OBE after winning gold in the women's 470 class in Japan this summer, becoming the most successful female Olympic sailor of all time in the process.
Mills' award also recognises her environmental campaigning with her charity the Big Plastic Pledge.
Eilidh McIntyre, who won gold alongside Mills in the 470, is made an MBE, as are 49er Olympic champions Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell.
British Sailing Team boss Mark Robinson, who led Team GB's sailors at Tokyo 2020, is also made an MBE.
Prior to joining the British Sailing Team in 2017, Robinson was performance manager at Australian Sailing where he led the country's Paralympic sailors to the top of the medal table at Rio 2016.
Martine Grael Awarded The Magnus Olsson Prize
Stockholm, Sweden: The Mange Olsson Foundation has announced Martine Grael is the 2021 winner of its prestigious Magnus Olsson Prize. Awarded annually to an individual who has made an indelible contribution to the world of sailing, previous recipients include Torben Grael, Sir Ben Ainslie, Stan Honey, Santiago Lange, Grant Dalton, Carolijn Brouwer and Peter Burling.
Martine Grael, from Brazil, is one of the best skiff-sailors in the world and won the gold medal in 49erFX in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro (2016) and in Tokyo (2020).
With a father who has competed and won at the top levels of the sport, it was natural for Martine to try her hand at sailing. After a few youth events in the 420 class, she graduated to Olympic class sailing in the 470 class, ahead of the London Olympic Games, but couldn't qualify for the regatta.
Martine got a chance as a crew member on Team AkzoNobel - and she became the first Brazilian woman to compete in the Volvo Ocean Race.
"That was a perfect way to re-charge, by facing a new challenge in one of the iconic events of our sport. I learned so much - not just about sailing but also about myself. The Ocean Race pushes you to find new limits. And after that I turned straight back into campaigning for what would become my second Olympic gold medal in Tokyo."
The Mange Olsson Memorial Foundation was created to continue the essence of enthusiasm, passion, and determination that Mange (Magnus) brought to the sport of sailing. In his spirit the Foundation aims to inspire and support young sailors in Sweden, as well as reward international sailors who develop our sport at both a human and a competitive level. The Foundation will also enable a network for young sailors to exchange experiences with the more established sailors. The Foundation is financially supported by companies and individuals who wish to ensure that the values that Mange embodied, continue to live on.
America's Cup: Technical team revisits Cork bid while Spanish claims grow
Cork officials are enthused as the due diligence process around the Irish city's America's Cup hosting bid ramps up.
The Irish Examiner reports a technical team has visited Cork for further inspections of the new proposals in the revamped effort to stage the regatta in 2024.
Cork appeared to be the front-runner to host the next America's Cup until politicians got cold feet late last year over cost projections.
But a decision to postpone the hosting announcement until the end of March has given Cork a lifeline to convince the politicians their proposal is viable - and to convince the Cup's assessment group they are the right city among four international options. Malaga in Spain has reportedly joined Barcelona and Jeddah as the alternatives.
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.
GWA Tarifa Wing Pro - Final Day
The final was a major showdown between experienced waterman Balz Muller, and 15 year old up-and-coming rider Riccardo Zorzi. Balz wasn't messing around for the final, and locked down an 8.03 point Backflip to get started. Riccardo Zorzi was fully focused for his first-ever final, and he threw down some massive tricks, with incredible height and execution. His Frontside 7 scored him 7.5 points, and together with his 3 other high-scoring tricks, he took the win by less than one point from Balz Muller. It was a truly incredible result for this 15 year old rider!
Featured Brokerage
2015 J/122E. 275000 GBP. En route to Caribbean.
This J/122E is a superb example of this highly successful cruiser racer from J/Boats.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+447759 424900
+442380 016582
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2006 Marstrom Seacart 30'. 110,000 GBP.
Buzz is one of the most successful of all the Seacart30’s built (hull #4) and certainly in the last few years one of the most successful small multihulls on the UK racing circuit having won inshore and offshore events including Cowes week and MOCRA championships with the previous owner. In the hands of the current owner Buzz has won the RORC Offshore championship 2018, 2019 and the shortened 2020 series. She has taken several line honours against the whole of the RORC fleet including The Cherbourg race in 2018 and 2019. She completed the 2019 Fastnet race - 4th MOCRA multihull to finish in 2 days 19 hours setting a new sub 40ft multihull record in the process.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Tel: +44 (0)7934 777821
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SB20 - ready to sail 30,000 EUR.
Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.
Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8045 4722
Mob: +44 (0) 7836 322 443
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
A critic once described me as an 'amiable beanpole.' I got it printed on a T-shirt. -- John Gordon Sinclair
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html
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