In This Issue
• Ireland 'Will Not Proceed Further' With America's Cup Bid for Cork Harbour: Report
• Second Season Of The Pro Sailing Tour
• Ever changing feast - Superyacht Cup
• Brit John Pollard on Xcellence leader in Cascais
• The Beaufort Cup - The heart of Volvo Cork Week
• IMOCAs front-up for Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race
• This week: Saskia Clark, 470 Olympic gold & silver medallist
• Volkan Kaan Yemlihaoglu is the 44th entry in the GSC
• Industry News
• Featured Charter: GP42 - Phan
• Featured Brokerage:
• • JND 39 - 'Lann Ael' 2
• • Seaquest SQ46
• • Infiniti 46 - "Maverick"
• The Last Word: Abbie Hoffman

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

Ireland 'Will Not Proceed Further' With America's Cup Bid for Cork Harbour: Report
It's been reported that the Government will not continue its bid to host the next America's Cup in Cork Harbour in 2024.

Posting on Twitter, RTE News political correspondent Michaél Lehane said: "Ministers Catherine Martin and Jack Chambers, after consultation with party leaders and relevant cabinet colleagues, have today decided not to proceed further in the bidding process to host the 37th America's Cup."

Stiff competition had emerged in recent days with the news that Barcelona has been secretly putting together a powerful hosting bid for the elite race. Winkie Nixon has more on that story in this Sailing on Saturday blog*. -- MacDara Conroy

* With the selection of the venue for the America's Cup 2024 supposedly due for announcement on or before next Thursday31 March, sailors in Ireland find themselves emotionally and reputationally involved through the fact that a small but powerful group of mainly Cork-based top-levels sailors have been pitching Cork Harbour as a potential choice.

This is something that would inevitably involve considerable expenditure of taxpayers' money in the provision of facilities, and therefore is - and has been - very much a matter of legitimate public interest and scrutiny as Cork finds itself lined up against Malaga and the mighty new blast from Barcelona, with Jeddah in Saudi Arabia being well-funded and more than willing to get in on the act even if international geopolitics is firmly against it. -- WM Nixon

afloat.ie/sail/events/

Second Season Of The Pro Sailing Tour
At the Sailorz Film Festival organised by Tip & Shaft, Julien Mauriat, one of the organisers of the Pro Sailing Tour, gave information about the second season, which will take place from May to July. Tip & Shaft can tell you more about the Ocean Fifty circuit which involves eight teams this year.

The first season of the Pro Sailing Tour back in 2021 held in Brest, La Rochelle, the Canaries and Toulon, brought together six and then seven teams (the project run by Armel Tripon and Benoît Marie arrived during the season), with in the end, an outcome unanimously considered satisfying by the skippers.

The organisers at Upswing Prod, who entered the world of offshore racing last year, were equally pleased: "We managed to launch this circuit in an extremely tricky context economically and in terms of the health crisis, where there were a lot of constraints to deal with, in particular concerning public access in the villages. In spite of everything, we wanted to organise a very high level competition with demanding performance standards," explained Julien Mauriat, associate Director of Upswing Prod.

With his brother Edouard, a documentary film maker, he set up this Pro Sailing Tour as the subject of a documentary series, which is due to be shown in France in April on Canal +

The economic model for the Pro Sailing Tour is partly based on the sale of the series, with the production costs coming to 700,000 euros according to Julien Mauriat for an overall budget for the circuit "of just under 2 million euros, half of which is financed by local authorities, a bit by the broadcasters and private partners, with the rest being the capital investment." The latter added: "This is a big investment for Upswing Prod, which has signed up for eight years with the class, but we know that when we set up an event, there is a time for investing. Since then, we were joined by Keneo, we needed a solid partner with a lot of expertise and the ability to finance this."

Once the Pro Sailing Tour is over, the Route du Rhum will be the centre of attention for the eight skippers registered for this second season, which is a great way to prepare for the major race at the end of the year, as was the case last season with the Transat Jacques Vabre.

Full article in Tip & Shaft

Ever changing feast - Superyacht Cup
Nowhere is this more the case than in the constantly evolving world of superyacht racing but the Superyacht Cup in Palma maintains its position as Europe's most successful and longest running superyacht event of all

Superyacht Cup Palma (SYC) has always prided itself on being nimble and responsive in adapting itself to the ever-changing nature of the superyacht world, anticipating the expectations of owners, captains and crews, and responding promptly to requests or suggestions. And so it is with the 2022 edition of Europe's longest running superyacht regatta which late last year - soon after celebrating its 25th anniversary - agreed to move the event to run from June 29 to July 2, a change of just a week from the original June 22-25 dates.

The adjustment came after the J Class owners selected the highprofile Mallorcan festival of sail as one of the three core events planned for their 2022 racing season.

Full article in the April issue of Seahorse

Brit John Pollard on Xcellence leader in Cascais
Click on image for photo gallery.

The fifth and last stage of the Cascais SB20 Winter Series started las Saturday in Cascais with 24 teams lining up. Xcellence of John Pollard and brothers Jack and Henry Wetherell were the first leader of the event and were looking strong to snap the overall win of the Cascais 21/22 Winter Series. Trailing the Brits after the first day were the teams of SinBin and the team of Per Croner tied with 8 points.

For the second day a light easterly was expected and with three races scheduled everything was open.

The team from the Torbay Royal Yacht Club sailed in a league of their own scoring two bullets and a fourth place. Solid starts, top boat speed and good tactical calls helped the Brits to take the beautiful but shifty 10 to 12 knots Easterly breeze to win the final event with one race to spare.

The regatta also marked the return of Portuguese Olympian Carolina Joao at the helm on Naturea Sailing Team. Her team finished 7th.

Top five, Fifth Winter Series Race:
1. Xcellent, Royal Torbay Yacht Club, John Pollard / Jack Wetherell / Henry Wetherell, GBR, 7.0
2. AP HOTELS, CNC Jose Paulo Ramada / Antonio Silva Pereira / Jose Cunha / Francisco P. Mello POR, 10.0
3. Solyd Sailing Team, CNC, Vasco Serpa / Diogo Machado Pinto / Pedro Costa Alemao, POR, 15.0
4. (No Name), CNC, Per Croner / Goncalo Lopes / Andre Lekszycski, POR, 15.0
5. SinBin, CNC, Martin Estlander / Eduardo Marques / Pedro Costa FIN, 19.0

Full 5th Winter Series Results

Top five, Cascais Winter Series
1. Xcellent, Royal Torbay Yatch Club, John Pollard, GBR, 6.0
2. Solyd Sailing Team, CNC, Vasco Serpa, POR, 12.0
3. AP Hotels, CNC, Jose Paulo Ramada, POR, 13.0
4. Naturea Sailing Team, CNC, Bernardo Loureiro , POR, 25.0
5. GUTO, CVA , Pedro Nieto, POR, 39.0

Full Cascais SB20 Winter Series Final Results</a

The Beaufort Cup - The heart of Volvo Cork Week
Volvo Cork Week is going to be a spectacular regatta this July, with teams from all over the world racing with the Royal Cork Yacht Club in celebration of their 300th birthday.

The Beaufort Cup is at the heart of Volvo Cork Week with €10,000 going to the chosen charity of the winning team. The Beaufort Cup pitches teams that have at least half the crew from Service or Voluntary Organisations. While military teams will be taking part, the Beaufort Cup is suitable for all manner of service organisations including medical professionals, charity organisations, emergency services plus local and national Government Authorities. The early entry list already boasts over ten teams from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The racing schedule for the Beaufort Cup starts with a 24-hour race around the famous Fastnet Lighthouse, which starts and finishes in Cork Harbour. The inshore race series, set on stunning coastal courses, will be held from 13th to 15th July in conjunction with Volvo Cork Week. Beaufort Cup teams will race under the IRC time correction rule, providing a level playing field to boats of different sizes and speeds. The Beaufort Cup is open to all yachts with a TCC between 0.990 and 1.060.

The overall winner will be presented with the Beaufort Cup at the Grand Prize Giving and will also be in contention to be named Volvo Cork Week 2020 'Boat Of The Week'. Entry for the Beaufort Cup is from €540, which includes event berthage and eight crew tickets for the Beaufort Cup Gala Dinner.

www.corkweek.ie

IMOCAs front-up for Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race
At least four IMOCA teams are planning to compete in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race: Sam Davies with Initiatives-Coeur, Pip Hare with Medallia, Ollie Heer with Oliver Heer Ocean Racing and James Harayda with Gentoo 2. So far, 29 teams are among the early entries and expressions of interest for the race which is scheduled to start from Cowes, Isle of Wight on the 7th of August 2022.

The 1,805 nautical mile race around Britain and Ireland is organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club every four years and is considered to be one of the toughest challenges in the sport of yacht racing. The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race Race Record for monohulls 60ft and less was set in 2014 by Artemis-Team Endeavour, skippered by Brian Thompson: 5 days 14 hours and 54 seconds.

The Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race is scheduled to start from Cowes on Sunday 7th of August 2022. Starting from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, the fleet race east through the Solent, past the headlands of the South West of England and into the Celtic Sea and the West Coast of Ireland. The Atlantic racing continues past St Kilda, up to the most northerly point of the course, Muckle Flugga on the 61st parallel. Turning south through the North Sea, then along the English Channel and then the Solent, the race finally finishes back in Cowes. -- Louay Habib

For more information about the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race go to: roundbritainandireland.rorc.org

Entries and expressions of interest

This week: Saskia Clark, 470 Olympic gold & silver medallist
Saskia Clark went to three Olympic Games for Great Britain crewing in the 470. The London 2012 silver medallist and Rio 2016 gold medallist forged a powerful partnership with her helm Hannah Mills and became world beaters. On this week's Q&A call, it's the final Chapter of Road To Gold, which is all about Racing. So we're asking Saskia how you bring all the pieces together from your preparation to put your best foot forward on the big stage.

WHEN: Weds 30 March 7pm UK / Thurs 31 March 7am NZ

The Q&A kicks off at:
UK - Wednesday evening 30th March 7pm
NZ - Thursday morning 31st March 7am

Join the Live Q&A call this Wednesday/Thursday

Zoom Meeting with Road To Gold + Saskia Clark

Meeting ID: 847 7843 5915
Passcode: 318320

To subscribe to Live Coaching Calls: roadtogold.net/p/calls

Whether you're a dedicated weekend warrior or full-time professional racer, I guarantee there will be a ton of valuable info for you in this week's call. -- Andy Rice

Volkan Kaan Yemlihaoglu is the 44th entry in the GSC
Volkan Kaan Yemlihaoglu from Istambul in Turkey has a clear ambition: he wants to become the first sailor from his country to complete a single-handed, non-stop circumnavigation by the three Great Capes.

He wants to document his adventure and hopes to inspire future generations of sailors from Turkey, where sailing is not yet well developed.

We welcome Volkan to the event, increasing the tally of nationalities represented to 15, making the Global Solo Challenge one of the most inclusive and diverse events in the offshore solo sailing calendar.

What brought you to like single-handed sailing?
While I had to deliver my boat from France, I couldn't find any crew, so I sailed alone. It was a great lesson in my sailing life. I had to face some of the most dangerous weather conditions in the Mediterranean, and it was the most exciting thing in my life. I want to feel that way again and use my experience in a long route.

What prompted you to sign up for this event?
Racing around the world is my childhood dream. It is my biggest goal in my life. I would also become the first and only Turkish sailor to have achieved this.

Continue reading on the GSC website...

Industry News
Fernhurst Books are excited to announce the launch of their new Knowledge Centre.

An online platform packed full of book extracts, author videos & additional resources. There are over 250 articles for you to explore.

100+ authors have contributed their expertise to assist you in getting the most out of your passion - be it yachts, dinghies or other watersports.

Watch videos of Sir Ben Ainslie sailing or Tom Cunliffe talking about navigation, read extracts from Sir Robin Knox-Johnston or weather expert Simon Rowell, or search for nuggets of information from navigation guru Paul Boissier or Olympic coach Jon Emmett.

Click here to start your search!

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

Mount Gay, the world's oldest running rum distillery will be back once again to provide sailors at the BVI Spring Regatta with their much-loved post-race tipple after a great day out on the water.

As long-standing supporters of the event, Mount Gay's 300+ year heritage dates back to 1703 and is deeply connected to the ocean and sailing. Their fabled Mount Gay Rum Red Cap has become much-coveted memorabilia by all those who take part and this year, the organisers of the BVI Spring Regatta & Sailing Festival are proud to announce that the Mount Gay Race Day on Friday 1st April will kick off proceedings for the 49th edition of this popular regatta which has over 80 boats from around the world taking part. -- Trish Jenkins

bvispringregatta.org

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

The Polboat Yachting Festival is returning to Marina Yacht Park in Gdynia, Poland this year for its third edition.

Organised by Polboat, the Polish Chamber of Marine Industry and Water Sports, the show takes place from July 21-24 and will feature a wide selection of sailing yachts, luxury motoryachts, house boats and water scooters displayed on water.

All of Poland's leading shipyards will be in attendance, including Sunreef Yachts, Galeon, Northman, Delphia, Balt, Parker Poland, La Mare Houseboats and Pro Air - Jacht 2020, alongside many foreign brands. Representatives of sailing accessories and navigation equipment will also be present in exhibition tents set up on the quayside.

Polboat says it particularly encourages all newcomers to take part in a free sailing or motorboat cruise during the show. The initiative is part of the #zostanwodniakiem social campaign, which will provide an opportunity to receive initial education and comprehensive information on how to kick-start an adventure on the water.

www.ibinews.com

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

Hainan, the island province off China's southern coast, looks set to play a major role in boosting leisure boating in the region

New regulations promoting the development of leisure boating were passed on 25 March during the 35th Session of the Standing Committee of the Sixth People's Congress of Hainan Province "Promoting the Yacht Industry in Hainan Free Trade Port."

According to industry sources, this represents China's first local legislation for leisure boating and is a new milestone in development for yachting in the area, which plays a significant role in Hainan's Free Trade Port. The new Regulations include provisions on industrial development, inspection, registration, navigation, charter, service and supervision, etc. "in order to promote the legalization, internationalization and facilitation of the local yacht industry."

More specifically, the new regulations relax yacht registration rules - allowing yachts owned by foreign nationals working in Hainan with residence permits - in addition to Chinese citizens, legal entities and organisations - to apply for registration at the Hainan Free Trade Port.

www.ibinews.com

Featured Charter
GP42 - Phan.

The GP42 was designed to be a fast, truly competitive performance racing yacht and has had much success globally

Phan was designed by Botin & Carkeek and built by King Marine. The GP42 was designed to be a fast, truly competitive performance racing yacht and has had much success globally. Phan is in immaculate condition having been meticulously maintained her whole life. In 2018 she had some exciting modifications, including a new rudder and deeper keel. The new keel gives greater righting moment and more upwind power, and the new rudder will be larger and with different balance, to give more low speed manoeuvrability and lower load when high speed reaching.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 2392 161272
Email:

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
JND 39 - LANN AEL 2. 350,000 EUR. Located in Lorient, France.

This JND 39 is a sure fire winner for offshore and coastal racing. Designed solely with the intent on winning these races, she already has the Fastnet and other events under her belt. She has a very full inventory and some unused sails. A very good option for anyone serious about offshore.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Ben Cooper
Berthon Yacht Sales
Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222
E-Mail:

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

Seaquest SQ46. POA USD.

Introducing the innovative SeaQuest 46 Catamaran. In a collaboration between Carkeek Design Partners and builder Eaton Marine, the SeaQuest Catamaran has arrived. Renowned racing yacht designer, Shaun Carkeek, delivers signature hull forms and sleek lines, currently proving themselves in races around the world including America‘s Cup, Volvo Ocean Race, and Grand Prix Yachting.

Eaton Marine has manufactured award-winning sailing vessels for nearly three decades. This new venture is based in Dubai, UAE, the construction and manufacturing epicenter of the world where cutting-edge technology is utilized in all aspects of building and design.

The synergy between elite design, build excellence, and progressive technology achieves a completely new level of combined performance, style, and capability. Advanced hull design, semi carbon-fibre construction, and acute attention to weight throughout, deliver performance without compromising an ounce of comfort.

This listing is for a brand new catamaran, currently under construction. Launching in 12/2021. Commission, Sea Trial, Delivery 1/2022.

Contact

UAE: +971 5 8511 3400
USA: +1 312 772 0948
seaquestcatamarans.com

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

2016 INFINITI 46 - "Maverick". 650,000 USD Located in Sydney.

"Maverick" is an INFINITI 46 built purely in carbon and launched in 2016. She is a boat with high performance and new technology in her DNA, most prevalently shown in her DSS foil system, which the boat was ultimately designed around. A serious offshore racer, ready to challenge again in 2022.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats

+442380 016582
+447759 424900

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

The Last Word
I believe in compulsory cannibalism. If people were forced to eat what they killed, there would be no more wars.” ― Abbie Hoffman

Editorial and letter submissions to

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