In This Issue
• IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge resumes with St Maarten Heineken Regatta
• St. Maarten Heineken Regatta statement concerning the situation in Ukraine
• The Best Of B&G® In An App
• Matt Sheahan at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
• Tre Golfi Sailing Week
• NACRA 17 Rudder System Upgrades to Debut in Palma
• Entry Open For British Classic Week 2022
• Sailors' Society Launches Crisis Appeal for Ukrainian Seafarers
• Mike Evans
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Bavaria 41 - Pegasus
• • TF10 Foiling Trimaran Mad Max
• • Infiniti 52R
• The Last Word: Lenny Bruce

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

IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge resumes with St Maarten Heineken Regatta
Setting sail Thursday is St Maarten Heineken Regatta, the second event in the International Maxi Association's inaugural Caribbean Maxi Challenge following on from last week's RORC Caribbean 600. Racing is due to take place over four days, from Thursday 3 March concluding on Sunday 6 March, on the waters off St Maarten and between the Franco-Dutch island and its glamorous neighbour, Saint Barts.

Among the competitors is a strong line-up of 60+ft maxi yachts with 10 entered in the CSA 1 class, three more in CSA 3, two in the 'Island Time' PY class and another pair of multihulls.

The heavyweight bout this time will be between the much campaigned Farr 100 Leopard 3, with its usual crew of ex-Volvo Ocean Race and America's Cup stars led by skipper Chris Sherlock, and Wendy Schmidt's much newer Botin Partners-designed 85 footer Deep Blue. Following her participation in the RORC Caribbean 600 Leopard 3 currently lies fifth in this season's four event IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge, while Deep Blue will be getting her first points on the board.

This will be Deep Blue's first ever race in the Caribbean after making her racing debut in the Mediterranean last season, but her owner and crew are St Maarten Heineken Regatta regulars.

Competition between the former VOR boats is especially strong. In fact, aside from Leopard 3 and Deep Blue 3, they account for the remainder of CSA 1, comprising four VO65s and four of the older, but equally competitive, VO70s. Remarkably four of these eight are Polish, continuing the Baltic state's strong seafaring tradition.

Among them is Sailing Poland which currently holds second place in the IMA's Caribbean Maxi Challenge. However following the RORC Caribbean 600, the VO65 is now back with owners Marcin Sutkowski and Robert Gwózdz and their team, including Volvo Ocean Race legend Bouwe Bekking and Danish three time round the world race competitor Jens Dolmer.

Also on the starting grid is the Polish National Foundation's striking red and white VO70 I Love Poland (ex-Puma). Skippered by Grzegorz Baranowski and crewed by a group of young Poles, they currently lie fourth in the IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge. Then there is the VO65 Sisi, skippered by Polish match racer Przemyslaw Tarnacki and the VO70 Ocean Breeze (ex-Telefonica Blue), led by former Vendee Globe skipper Zbigniew 'Gutek' Gutkowski. -- James Boyd / International Maxi Association

2022 IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge:
RORC Caribbean 600 - 21 February
St Maarten Heineken Regatta - 3 - 6 March
Les Voiles de Saint-Barth Richard Mille - 17 - 23 April
Antigua Sailing Week - 30 April - 6 May

heinekenregatta.com

internationalmaxiassociation.com

St. Maarten Heineken Regatta statement concerning the situation in Ukraine
St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is an international sailing event that for over 40 years has welcomed sailors of all nations to share in friendly competition and celebration of the inclusivity of our great sport.

Due to the recent developments in Ukraine and hostilities on behalf of the Russian government, which our organization condemns, we cannot maintain the friendliness between all of our competitors without suspending the participation of teams registered as Russian and Belarusian. While we wish that sailing could be free from politics and we can all race together on the water, the current situation and feelings of the sailing community at large makes this impossible.

As a result, St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will not be hosting Russian or Belarusian affiliated teams for this year's regatta. This decision is not meant to punish or ostracize any individuals, but rather uphold the integrity of all competitors and the event as a whole. The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta stands in unison with the international sailing community and recommendations as per the official statements released by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Sailing.

We hope that by the 43rd edition of the event, the international situation will be positively resolved and we can once again welcome teams from all nations to sail together in peace. Until then, we must stand by World Sailing and endeavor to make the best decisions for the community as a whole.

The Best Of B&G® In An App
With all the latest and most detailed charts from C-MAP®, the B&G App allows you to plan, sync, navigate and review all the sailing, weather, tide and navigation information you will ever need in one simple and easy to use mobile app. With the B&G App you can plot your waypoints and set your route in advance from the comfort of your home, checking the weather and time along the route. Use Autorouting and let the app do the hard work, providing an automated and optimised route to your destination. Plus, discover and mark a variety of Points of Interest for your trip. Once you have planned your route, the B&G App allows you the freedom and flexibility to save your waypoints, routes and tracks and then simply synchronise with your B&G chartplotter when you step on board, so you can make the most of your time on the water. Use your app as an extension of your chartplotter, easily check position, route on the app's high-resolution nautical charts and with one tap discover real-time weather data with weather and tide overlays, wind, sea-state and waves, temperature, precipitation and much more. The B&G App is just like having a digital logbook for your boat and past trips, available at your fingertips. Useful for servicing, managing waypoints, improving racing skills and planning future trips.

For more information please visit:

www.bandg.com

Matt Sheahan at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
As always the RYA Dinghy and Watersports show was buzzing with boats, banter and bargains but this year also marked a big change with the move to its new venue in Farnborough. So, after the 'lost year of 2021' it was great to be back.

Among the long list of fascinating exhibits I discovered:

- How reducing the aero drag on a foiling Moth allows the latest generation to clock up 18knots upwind and just 30+ knots downwind
- What a Moth and an America's Cup AC75 have in common
- The case for the fall electric RIB
- How a 60+ year old boat can beat the carbon hot shots in its own class
- Why America's Cup crew Freddie Carr admitted to' Geeking out in his anorak'
- How an exciting skiff class has reinvented itself

...and lots more

www.planetsail.co.uk

Tre Golfi Sailing Week
On the Regatta website, the Official Timekeeper clock by Rolex informs us that with 76 days to go until the start of the Tre Golfi Sailing Week 2022, the entry list has already passed the 100 mark.

The Maxi European Championship has broken at least one record before it even gets underway, as it prepares to welcome the largest fleet of maxi yachts ever assembled in the waters of the Gulf.

The largest of the fleet so far is Arca, measuring 30 metres in length and with a beam of 5 metres. Formerly known as Skandia, she claimed victory in the Sydney Hobart in 2003 and in the Barcolana two years later. Like so many thoroughbreds of a certain age, she lay half-abandoned until Furio Benussi and his "Fast & Furio Sailing Team" decided to bring her back to winning form, radically modifying the hull and renaming it after Italian sponsor Arca Fondi sgr.

From a boat with a long history to another in its first season, in the form of the new My Song, owned by Pier Luigi Loro Piana, an 80-footer designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.

Meanwhile, three similarly-sized Wally yachts also boast several nautical miles under their respective belts: Lyra, a Frers 78 owned by Canadian Terry Hui, several times division winner in the Rolex Cup in Porto Cervo in recent years; Ryokan 2, a Farr 80 owned by France's Philippe Ligier, and Highland Fling, a Reichel / Pugh 82 owned by Lord Irvine Laidlaw.

Long gone are the days when only a handful of yacht designers dominated the international scene!

www.tregolfisailingweek.com

NACRA 17 Rudder System Upgrades to Debut in Palma
Fresh for Paris 2024, the Nacra 17 fleet will debut two upgrades to the rudder system in Palma 2022. Following the Tokyo Olympics, an updated elevator and an adjustable rudder rake system were approved by class membership for onward use. Heading toward Palma 2022, teams competing will now be using these updated systems.

The updated elevator is much the same as before but has been modified to provide a safer profile to the fleet. It is slightly asymmetric, reducing the amount it projects outward of the boat. Most critically, the leading edge and end profiles are blunter than before, and the torpedo central section has also been blunted. This is to reduce the likelihood of serious cut injuries should a sailor come in contact with the elevator after falling overboard.

The second change is the adoption of an adjustable rudder rake system that allows teams to tune their rudder rakes during racing, while in the past adjustments were only possible in between races. The system also allows for differential adjustment, so the rakes of the windward and leeward rudders can be set independently.

nacra17.org

Entry Open For British Classic Week 2022
Organised by the British Classic Yacht Club, the UK's premier classic yacht regatta will take place in Cowes from 16th - 23rd July 2022

Founded in 2002 and hosted by the British Classic Yacht Club (BCYC), British Classic Week will celebrate its 20th anniversary from 16th to 23rd July in Cowes this year. Entry is now open for the regatta, which is set to be a celebration of classic yachts on and off the water.

Criteria for entry is IRC classic yachts of 24ft and over or modern classic, Spirit of Tradition yachts of either wood or steel construction. This year, the regatta will host a new class for gaff-rigged yachts to race under the latest OGA ratings. Cruising yachts and classic motor boats are also invited to join British Classic Week to watch the racing, explore local waters and enjoy the social scene.

Sailors will take on a six-race series of varied courses, including round-the-cans races and the 30nm Nab Tower Race that takes in the iconic Horse Sand and No Mans Land Forts.

This year's British Classic Week will see continued sponsorship from OneSails GBR and Spirit Yachts, with event support from Suffolk Yacht Harbour and traditional chandlery Classic Marine. The UK's leading publication on classic and traditional boats, Classic Boat magazine, remains the regatta's media partner.

The regatta's charity partnership with the UK's oldest and largest youth development sail training charity Tall Ships Youth Trust continues into its second year for 2022. The collaboration raises awareness and funds for the charity's work helping disadvantaged young people to fulfil their life potential through adventures at sea.

Entry is now open, go to www.britishclassicweek.co.uk

Sailors' Society Launches Crisis Appeal for Ukrainian Seafarers
International maritime charity Sailors' Society has launched a Ukrainian Crisis Appeal today (Thursday, March 3) to support desperate seafarers caught up in the conflict.

While most international charities are facing the land, concentrating their efforts on the growing refugee crisis as Ukrainians flee the fighting, Sailors' Society is there for the 75,000 Ukrainian seafarers, who may be many thousands of miles from loved ones - anxious and powerless to help.

All over the globe, Sailors' Society chaplains have been supporting seafarers touched in many different ways by the escalating crisis.

Sailors' Society's CEO Sara Baade said:

"I have been talking to our chaplains about their conversations with those affected. All are extremely concerned for the safety of their families. Some are frightened to return to their country, as they know it will mean taking up arms. Many sob as they talk about their fears and frustrations. This is tearing them apart.

"But I'm so thankful that we can be there for them - to listen and comfort, to pray by their sides and provide Wi-Fi units, so they can call their loved ones, hear their voices and share messages of love and support.

"Sailors' Society needs your help today so that we can continue to be there for those in desperate need."

Sailors' Society is stepping up its support for seafarers affected by this crisis by:

- Increasing the funds available for emergency grants for seafarers and their families
- Drafting in more trained staff to resource our Crisis Response Network
- Increasing capacity to be able to respond to more calls to our helpline

At the same time, we pray for Sailors' Society chaplains in Ukraine, caught up in the chaos, trying to get their own families to safety and helping their communities decimated by war.

To find out more go to: sailors-society.org/ukraine-appeal

Mike Evans
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of RYA stalwart and former Council Chair, Mike Evans.

Mike played an influential role in sailing at a regional, national and international level and he was presented with a National Award at the 2015 RYA Volunteer Awards in recognition of his outstanding commitment and services to boating.

An early achievement was his role in establishing Queen Mary Sailing Club, acting as Chairman of the five-club consortium and becoming the club's first Commodore in 1972.

Mike joined RYA Council in the 1970s, fulfilling the role of Chairman from 1985 until 1987, when he became Chief Executive of the International Yacht Racing Union until 1995. At the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, he led the GB team and was responsible for the Olympic campaigns at both Seoul and Barcelona.

In 1988 Mike was appointed to The Broads Authority, and its Navigation Committee, serving as Vice Chairman and continuing until 1995. Mike also served over 14 years as Independent Chair of the Authority's Water Recreation Liaison Panel and on the Broads Forum. He also chaired the Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association and was a longstanding member of Norfolk Broads Yacht Club, joining in 1958.

Mike fulfilled each role with great distinction, whilst also achieving an outstanding sailing record; winning the Enterprise Nationals in 1958 and going on to win the National 12 Championships in 1961, and 1962. He won the 'Gold Cup' eight times and continued to successfully campaign a Norfolk Punt into his mid-sixties.

Mike will be sorely missed by the RYA and all those who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

www.rya.org.uk/news/mike-evans-tribute

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 William Heston:

We are at hopefully not at the start of great struggle that we all feared would befall us all during the cold war. Sadly, reality seems to show us otherwise. While I adore the international esprit de corps of yacht racing, given the current challenges to the greater freedom of mankind, we all must make a stand in this struggle. Please report more on the international sport federations, including ISAF, as they attempt to help in their own way to save freedom in the world. Truly, just standing by and reporting news of the elite few is not helping mankind.

* From Simon Collyer, Founder of the ABC & Sailing Wellness

I have vigorously lobbied ISAF, RORC, the MYA (Model Yacht Association) and the TP52 Circuit to ban Russian entries to events, until this Ukrainian crisis is resolved.

ISAF have taken a strong stance and the MYA have banned Russian entries to events the very next day after I suggested action? Where are the RORC on this matter?

Russian Oligarchs and their yachts and their generous sponsors; companies like Gazprom, should be told to 'sling their anchors elsewhere' till things change? No one is against anyone personally, but how can sailing justify Russian entries competing, when back in Ukraine, barbarous and indiscriminate war crimes are being committed by Russian military against ordinary citizens, women and children.

RORC ought to say politely, you are not welcome here Russian sailors. Not until this matter is resolved.

Featured Brokerage
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Pegasus is an exceptional yacht, in excellent condition, and is extremely well equipped and ready to go.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
The Harbour Office, The Quay
Yarmouth, Isle of Wight
PO41 0NT
Please call Nick on +44 7900 191 326 to arrange a viewing.
or email

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2019 TF10 Foiling Trimaran Mad Max. 195,000 Tax not paid GBP. Located in Netherlands.

This highly speced, nearly-new dream machine is a genuinely rare opportunity to get yourself foiling competetively without breaking the bank.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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Multihull Centre, Foss Quay, Mill Road, Millbrook, Cornwall. PL10 1EN United Kingdom Tel: 01752 823900 option 1 Email:

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Infiniti 52 R POA EUR.

The Infiniti 52 R is a custom-designed Grand Prix racing yacht developed to take full advantage of the performance benefits of DSS. Ideally suited to race coastal and offshore in locations all over the world and competitive under all rating systems, the Infiniti 52 R changes the game in this size range. Developed in conjunction with 4-time Whitbread/Volvo winner Stu Bannatyne, the Infiniti 52 R was developed to fulfil the wishes of a number of clients who were looking for a yacht that would provide a significant performance increase over current options but able to sail and race with 50-60% of the crew traditionally required for yachts of this size.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Infiniti Yachts
Tel: +44 7920 395397
Email:

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

The Last Word
I won't say ours was a tough school, but we had our own coroner. We used to write essays like: What I'm going to be if I grow up. -- Lenny Bruce

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