In This Issue
• Several European venues clear the financial bar to stage 37th America's Cup
• Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca attracts more than 700 entries
• It’s Time to Pull the Pins on that Aging Integral Hydraulic Backstay Adjuster
• International Dragon Class Statement
• The Cruising Association invites you to Spring Promo Week - 21-27 March 2022
• Challenging and fascinating (and scenic)- Round Britain and Ireland RORC
• RYA Musto Youth Awards
• The ETs are back! Entries open to much-loved junior regatta
• Registration Opens for the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series
• RYA Para Sailing Hub to increase racing opportunities in the UK
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: JPK1180 - Sunrise
• Featured Brokerage:
• • McConaghy MC62
• • IMOCA 60 - Arkea Paprec FRA04
• • Jeanneau 60
• The Last Word: Douglas Adams

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

Several European venues clear the financial bar to stage 37th America's Cup
The selection process for a venue for the 37th America's Cup appears to be in its final stages.

In a letter leaked to the Spanish media, last week, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO, Grant Dalton has advised one of the venue candidates, Valencia that they have been excused from further consideration, due to insufficient financial support, and that they must work through the final selection with venues that have met the required financial and other criteria.

Valencia was the venue for the highly successful 2007 America's Cup, and also the 2010 Deed of Gift Match, where the champion Swiss team, Alinghi were defeated by Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing.

With purpose built infrastructure for the 2007 America's Cup, Valencia was an obvious candidate to host the 37th America's Cup, after a three month exclusive negotiation between the NZ Government and ETNZ broke down with the two parties well apart.

In a letter published last week in Spanish media, Dalton thanked Alejandro Fliquete, President of the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, but said the venue selection process had to move on and work through the final candidates who had met the required financial and other criteria. The advice is not good news for the Kiwi Home Defence Group which has mounted an 11th hour bid to have the Cup hosted in Auckland.

Throughout the venue selection process, which started in late November 2020, Emirates Team New Zealand has steadfastly refused to confirm which venues have been shortlisted.

To date it was believed that only one of the self-announced venues, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia had been able to post the required financial undertakings to host the event. Other venues in the mix included Cork, Ireland, Jeddah, and several Spanish venues: Valencia, Barcelona and Malaga.

However Dalton's comment that "we have decided that we now need to focus our efforts and attention on the shortlisted venues that have already secured the financial support and commitments we need, as well as having the facilities, infrastructure and on-water/on-board setup land we need for the event," would indicate that multiple venues have met the required criteria.

Barring unforeseen developments it would seem likely that the defending champions will be in a position to announce the venue for the 37th America's Cup on or before the deadline at the end of this month. -- Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz

www.sail-world.com

Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca attracts more than 700 entries
With one month to go until the start of the event, 711 crews representing 58 nationalities have now registered to compete in the 51 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca Hempel World Cup Series. Following the recommendation of the IOC, World Sailing and the RFEV, Russian and Belarusian sailors have been excluded.

As the high anticipated start of the regatta looms on the horizon the number of teams registered to compete in the 51 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca Hempel World Cup Series are fully up to the highest expectation of the Organising Committee. At one month before the opening ceremony is due, 711 crews of 58 nationalities have completed their registration to compete on one of the ten participating classes: the women's ILCA 6, FX, IQ Foil Women and Formula Kite Women; the men's ILCA 7, 49er, IQ Foil Men and Formula Kite Men; and the mixed 470 and Nacra 17.

After a two-year hiatus forced by the world health situation, the regatta co-organised by the Club Nàutic S'Arenal, the Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa and the Real Club Náutico de Palma is bouncing back to be as popular as ever.

Following the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Sailing (WS) and the Royal Spanish Sailing Federation (RFEV), Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials have been excluded from the regatta, slightly reducing the number of entries in each of the ten classes.

The number of entries has almost doubled in the last month. At the time of writing, 937 sailors and more than 140 coaches have registered. The ILCA 7 class is close to the 180-boat limit set by the organisers and is the most numerous, followed by ILCA 6 (97), 49er (68), iQFoil Men (65), Formula Kite Men (63), 470 (60), FX (56), iQFoil Women (50), Nacra 17 (42) and Formula Kite Women (35).

The 51 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca is the first qualifying regatta for the Hempel World Cup Series 2022, organised by World Sailing the International Sailing Federation.

www.trofeoprincesasofia.org

It’s Time to Pull the Pins on that Aging Integral Hydraulic Backstay Adjuster
It’s one of the best things about sailors: we hate to give up on our equipment. But you’ve been putting up with leaking and slipping trying to extend your backstay adjuster’s life with gaskets and seals for too long. And now there’s a new Harken integral hydraulic backstay adjuster. It does just what you expect for less than you might expect.

The new Harken Integral is designed to be bulletproof and need no nursing for years. The first thing you’ll notice is that it has no external hoses to catch lazy guys or dock lines. As you pump the handle, the single-acting pump pushes fluid to the top of the cylinder through a hole gun-drilled inside the stainless rod creating pressure and backstay tension. Fluid inside - performance outside. The unit’s pressure-release knob cannot be overtightened. Turn clockwise to close, counterclockwise to open - simple. A fiberglass position indicator easily read from across the cockpit is standard, to make duplicating settings foolproof. There are four unit sizes, appropriate for boats 9 - 18 m (30 - 60').

Watch the Harken Tech Team demo:harken.com/en/news/integral-backstay/

International Dragon Class Statement
Russian attack on Ukraine condemned. IDA suspends Russian sailors from international competition

The International Dragon Association condemns the Russian attack on Ukraine and confirms its decision to suspend participation of Russian sailors and officials from all international sailing events including World Sailing owned and sanctioned competitions and events until further notice. This includes the European Championship, the World Championship, the Gold Cup and all Grand Prix events 2022.

By implementing these measures, the IDA is following World Sailing guidance in supporting a united and coordinated approach within the global sports movement.

This decision is in line with the IOC Executive Board's protocols aimed at preserving the integrity of competitions and ensuring the safety of all athletes.

We ask all sailors to respect each other during these difficult times, and wish to state that the IDA denounces any defamatory statements made against any of our fellow sailors regardless of their nationality. We look forward to an immediate end to all hostilities and we hope for a time in the near future when we can compete again together.

internationaldragonsailing.net

The Cruising Association invites you to Spring Promo Week - 21-27 March 2022
Be part of our webinars, discounted membership, prize draws and much more

The Cruising Association (CA) - the leading organisation for the sail and motor cruising community - has a packed programme of interactive webinars, prizes, discounts and plenty of opportunities to connect during our virtual Spring Promo Week, 21-27 March 2022, with something for all the sail and motor cruising community.

Connect with the CA Zoom and LiveChat one-to-one sessions from Monday 21 March to Friday 25 March will offer the opportunity to explore our wealth of cruising knowledge, take an online tour through the members' website, experience CAptain's Mate app and get a taste of what the CA membership offers. Skippers looking for crew and vice versa can discuss opportunities for the 2022 season with our Crewing Service team.

Zoom sessions are bookable in 30 minute time slots and for LiveChat non-members can simply click on the website button.

Join the CA with discounted membership
Spring Promo Week offers a significant financial incentive to join the CA, with a 25% discount off the first year's membership when paying by Direct Debit. From 21 March 2022, just enter the discount code MPW22 when joining at www.theca.org.uk/join

Challenging and fascinating (and scenic)- Round Britain and Ireland RORC
The Round Britain and Ireland race lives on long in the memory of anybody lucky enough to have competed in a previous edition... But winning the toughest of European offshore events is unforgettable

If you ever wondered if you're tough enough, the 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race is for you. Three-times longer than the Fastnet, some round-the-world veterans even go so far as to suggest it could be as hard as a global circumnavigation.

You don't have to venture into the farthest flung corners of the world's oceans to encounter the harshest sailing conditions. If you live in the UK, they're all in your backyard. 'The Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland is one of the toughest races I have ever done,' says two-time Clipper Round the World Skipper, Gareth Glover. 'At times racing in the Clipper is simple, pointing in one direction for weeks on end. This race has tidal gates, wind holes, 40 knots of breeze, big sea state; it is just relentless.'

Full article in the March issue of Seahorse

RYA Musto Youth Awards
A new generation of inspirational young sailors were celebrated this weekend in the RYA Musto Youth Awards which were presented at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show (Sunday 27 February).

The awards celebrate the achievements of young people in the sport whether on the racecourse, volunteering, instructing, coaching or overcoming adversity. They were presented to eight of the ten winners by Olympic gold medallist Dylan Fletcher and RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker.

2022 RYA Musto Youth Award winners

Ben Clark (16) Buzz Active Ethan Weeks (17) North Lincolnshire Emily Shears (16) Reading Sailing Club Francesca Neale (15) South Cerney Sailing Club Gabriel Davies (15) Brading Haven Yacht Club Jacob Websdale (13) Margate Yacht Club Leo Wilkinson (15) Maidenhead Sailing Club/HISC Mia grey (14) Felpham Sailing Club Sarah Probert (18) Paignton Sailing Club Will Sears (15) Christchurch Sailing Club

Find more information on how to get youngsters into sailing

rya.org.uk/news

The ETs are back! Entries open to much-loved junior regatta
The Eric Twiname Junior Championships is back after a two-year absence - and entries are now open.

The RYA's iconic "battle of the regions" pits young sailors from across the country against each other, representing their RYA Region or Home Country.

But the regatta is so much more than just a competition - it's as much about nurturing young sailors in a racing environment and empowering them to learn and develop.

The Eric Twiname Junior Championships, lovingly known as the ETs, will once again return to long-term hosts Rutland Sailing Club from April 30 to May 2.

It takes place in the British Youth Sailing recognised junior classes - Optimist, RS Tera Sport, RS Feva, Topper and ILCA 4 dinghies plus four different rig sizes of Bic Techno windsurfer.

This year, ETs entry for the ILCA 4 and RS Tera Sport classes is open to all young sailors. Entry for the Optimist, RS Feva, Topper and Bic Techno is by invite, through British Youth Sailing's Regional Training Groups.

The regatta, named in memory of legendary sailor, author and journalist Eric Twiname, is regarded by many young racers as a rite of passage as they continue their journey to become top-level racers.

Twiname made his name in sailing winning numerous national titles in a range of dinghy classes, as well as in team racing where he captained the British Universities Sailing Association.

He was also greatly influential in shaping the Racing Rules which govern racing in the UK, sitting on the RYA's Racing Rules Committee and working as the Racing Rules Advisor to the British Olympic Association.

For more information, and to enter, click here.

Registration Opens for the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series
The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open for the 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California.

Considered the most prestigious regatta on the West Coast, Rolex Big Boat Series attracts competitors from around the country and the world for four days of racing on San Francisco Bay. Winners of select fleets are awarded perpetual trophies and Rolex timepieces.

Scheduled for September 14-18, 2022, the following fleets are invited to compete in this year's regatta:

One-design boats of the J/105, J/88, J/70, Express 37 and Cal 40 classes;
Monohull boats with a LOA ≥ 30' and a current ORC International rating certificate;
Classic boats built prior to 1955 with a LOA ≥ 48' and a current ORRez rating certificate.

Last year's Rolex Big Boat Series was held amidst a range of local and state pandemic-related regulations that did little to dampen spirits, with over 80 boats competing and nearly 1,000 owners, crew, club members and guests in attendance. "St. Francis Yacht Club is prepared to cater a full complement of racing and socializing within the regulations required, which are easing statewide as California transitions to treating COVID-19 as an endemic issue," noted Gilmore.

In 2021, post-racing socials and the trophy ceremony were hosted outdoors and will be again in 2022, while the legendary Thursday night Rolex Owners Dinner and Saturday night Crew Dinner will be inside the clubhouse overlooking unbeatable views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.

A notable difference for 2022 is a discount for registrations received before May 15. Furthermore, any boat registering after July 31 will be charged a late entry fee of $250.

St. Francis Yacht Club has also changed the rating rule it uses for handicapping boats. Monohulls that do not fall into any of the one-design classes will be racing under rating rules established by the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) rather than the Offshore Rating Rule (ORR), which has been used for the past several editions of the regatta. Handicap divisions will be split according to ORC rules and ORC International rating certificates will be required to compete. The 2022 Rolex Big Boat Series will likely feature three ORC divisions and fleet splits will be posted on the Tuesday prior to the start of the regatta.

rolexbigboatseries.com

RYA Para Sailing Hub to increase racing opportunities in the UK
At the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show the RYA launched a brand-new support network for the racing community aimed at increasing racing opportunities for disabled people in the UK and supporting sailing's reinstatement in the Games.

Para sailing is one of the most inclusive sports globally, offering disabled sailors a level playing field on the water. Packed with resources, training opportunities and advice, the hub will offer sailors, volunteers, coaches and supporters a place to come together as a community and grow the opportunities available.

Sailing was featured in the Paralympic Games for 16 years between Sydney 2000 and Rio 2016 but was dropped from the programme in 2015. The RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show provides an opportunity for clubs and classes to unite and demonstrate their united support for World Sailing's #BackTheBid campaign #SailtoLA. Para Sailing Hub.

The Para Sailing hub is championed by the RYA Sailability and builds upon the success of the #MoreThanSailing campaign, which launched in 2018 and aimed to break down perceived barriers to participation and provide more opportunities for disabled people to get on the water.

Find more information about the RYA Para Sailing Hub

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 Sterling Hayden:

Among the things we told our crew(s)
in sailing there's no litigation
it is what it is
deal with it.

These days there's so much TV, internet, electronic arts etc. etc. smart cars, etc.
people have lost touch with reality.
sailing is reality

the wind . . .
the optimist expects the wind to change and be beneficial
the pessimist thinks the wind won't change and the boat won't get where it's intended
the pragmatist trims the sails and gets going

In any case, sailing is what it is.
there's no litigation

Featured Charter
JPK1180 - Sunrise

Sunrise was launched in Spring 2018 and is hull number 2 JPK1180.

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Sunrise has an asymmetric setup with a 1.7m bow sprit and an IRC handicap of 1.099. This is an exciting 40’ race charter option for any enthusiastic team wanting to win.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
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Call: +44 2392 161272
Email:

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
McConaghy MC62.

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Whilst being designed with longer distance cruising in mind, the MC62's ability to provide exceptional comfort and vast social areas, whilst having access to sailing speed on tap, makes her an unrivalled yacht in the performance catamaran field.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Performance Yachts

+447759 4242900
+442380 016582

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2019 IMOCA 60 - Arkea Paprec FRA04.

Designed Juan Kouyoumdijan, built in 2019 by CDK and Vincent Riou.

4th of the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021. Fully equipped.

Last 2020 Vendee Globe boat available!

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Please call or email Romain Menard for further details :
Phone : +33 618 155 654
Email :

-----------------------------------------

Jeanneau 60. POA EUR.

Jeanneau has announced that a NEW Jeanneau 60 will join the exclusive Yachts range in 2021. Following the tradition of her sisters, and designed by Phillipe Briand, this yacht will offer enormous flexibility of style and comfort combined with a broad range of options and layouts from Andrew Winch's interior design which will ensure that every Jeanneau 60 is as individual as her owner.

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

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

The Last Word
There is a particular disdain with which Siamese cats regard you. Anyone who has walked in on the Queen cleaning her teeth will be familiar with the feeling. -- Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt

Editorial and letter submissions to

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