In This Issue
• IMA challenge trophies awarded
• History made at 53rd La Solitaire du Figaro
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Tough start and slow progress for the Golden Globe Race
• Six Metre European Championship
• Orcas are 'attacking' sailboats near Europe's coast
• Catamaran ferry service from Dover to Boulogne
• Ibiza JoySail
• Industry News
• Featured Brokerage:
• • X-Yachts X-50
• • AEOLOS P30
• • Arcona 385
• The Last Word: James Thurber
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 challenge trophies awarded
The International Maxi Association's annual Members' Dinner took place last night in the exquisite surroundings of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda prior to today's layday at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. It was also the occasion for the winners of the IMA's maxi championships to receive their prizes.
After two false starts due to the pandemic, this spring the IMA was finally able to hold the long-awaited first edition of its Caribbean Maxi Challenge. This comprised four events from which competitors had to complete at least two: the RORC Caribbean 600, Heineken St Maarten Regatta, Les Voiles de Saint-Barth and Antigua Sailing Week.
More than 30 maxis (of 60+ft) took part including several of the most high profile international teams, such as George David's Rambler 88, the Farr 100 Leopard, Wendy Schmidt's Botin Partners 85 Deep Blue and the former Maxi 72s Vesper and Bella Mente campaigned by Americans Jim Swartz and Hap Fauth respectively. However a third place from 18 maxi yacht starters in the RORC Caribbean 600, followed by another third place from 10 maxis in the Heineken St Maarten regatta, was enough to secure the VO70 I Love Poland the Caribbean Maxi Challenge winner's trophy, by two points from Leopard.
Formerly Puma Ocean Racing's Mar Mostro, which finished third in the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, I Love Poland is today owned by the Polish National Foundation. This trains up young Polish sailors by giving them the opportunity to participate in the world's most important and prestigious regattas in the world aboard this powerful racing yacht. For this year's Caribbean program, the majority of her crew was 17 to 31 years old. Since 2018 almost 1000 young Poles have applied to be part of the Polish VO70's crew. During this time she has scored line honours in the 2020 Rolex Middle Sea Race and finished fifth in the 2021 Rolex Fastnet Race's maxi class, when for a period, 24 hours into the race, she led the entire IRC fleet.
The silver IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge trophy was awarded for the first time to I Love Poland's skipper Grzegorz Baranowski by IMA President Benoî\it de Froidmont.
Racing continues at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup over Friday and Saturday. The forecast for both is for winds exceeding 20 knots. -- James Boyd / International Maxi Association
www.internationalmaxiassociation.com
History made at 53rd La Solitaire du Figaro
Sometimes it is the early legs of La Solitaire du Figaro which shape the final outcome. But it was a brutally tough third stage, back and forth across the Bay of Biscay to the rugged Spanish coast, which decided 2022's champion.
The 640 miles leg from Royan to Saint Nazaire via Los Farallones on the NW corner of Spain may have been 25 year old French skipper Tom Laperche's only leg win of this race but his consistency over the first two legs – regularly setting the pace with the peloton – was followed by an outstanding finale showing a true race winner's superior speed, tactics and decision making complemented by sheer drive and stamina.
Région Bretagne-CMB Performance skipper Laperche – nicknamed 'La Porsche' by his fellow Figaro sailors – crossed the finish line into Saint Nazaire last night at 18:54:48hrs local time, standing up and punching the air with delight as he realised that after two third places, the 2022 La Solitaire du Figaro title would be his. He finished 28 minutes ahead of second placed Gaston Morvan (Région Bretagne-CMB Espoir), last year's rookie prize winner, who took second whilst Elodie Bonafous (Queguiner-La Vie en Rose) finished third.
At the age of 26 on her third La Solitaire du Figaro Elodie Bonafous was very solid on a particularly tough third stage. She triumphed over a hard match race with the Swiss skipper Nils Palmieri to take third. A renowned hard worker she enters the legend of La Solitaire du Figaro becoming only the second woman in the history of the race to stand on a stage podium. Since the race was founded in 1970, only one woman, England's Clare Francis has won a stage.
Seahorse September 2022
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Target 2030
A realistic time frame but still a big challenge. The Ocean Race’s Horizon programme, a partnership with The Magenta Project, World Sailing Trust and PA Consulting, focuses on inclusion, equality, and diversity, and is paired with a commitment to a 50:50 gender balance by 2030
Creative intuition
The skills required of today's finest sailmakers must now extend far beyond 'just' delivering the fastest and most durable product...
Start at 30 per cent
Seldén Mast continues to perfect the art of delivering fast lightweight carbon spars... and at accessible levels of cost
Reality check
And, yeah, the floodgates they would open
Sailor of the Month
Race creator vs a sparkling (young) race winner
Sailor of the Month
Race creator vs a sparkling (young) race winner
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Tough start and slow progress for the Golden Globe Race
The new September start date for the Golden Globe has not made it easy departing Les Sables d'Olonne. It is a transitional season in the Bay of Biscay and the route towards Lanzarote is uncertain as the fleet has been hit with several low pressure systems moving towards Europe.
This means strong headwinds and heavy seas for the entrants.The fleet split in two groups early with a west option to catch today's rotation and a direct route to the Cape Finisterre and a South option along the coast of Asturias and Galicia in sheltered waters and calmer winds. Local Frenchman Arnaud Gaist, was unexpectedly and unusually headed way north raising some concerns, but finally tacked on Thursday afternoon and sent a message: "All is well on Hermes Phoning".
The results will unfold Friday as Tapio Lehtinen, the only sailors who persisted in the west option pushing through the tough conditions, will converge with Pat Lawless, Simon Curwen and Abhilash Tomy who are leading the easier south option towards Cape Finisterre before starting their descent along the coast of Portugal. Watch this space as another week of headwinds is predicted. Entrants express real frustrations to GGR Control on all communications.
As the lead boats are heading out of the Bay of Biscay, the fleet is receiving regular forecasts on HF, radio and weather fax to work on their strategy, including choices negotiating the Cape Finisterre Traffic separation Scheme. They are heading into more headwinds along the coast of Portugal over the weekend as a low-pressure system is forming over the Azores. This past week was tough, and the next days certainly interesting as sailors exit Biscay into the Atlantic towards Lanzarote.
Scoundrel One and Essentia Shine On Third Day of Six Metre European Championship 2022
The Clube Naval de Cascais Race Committee had their work cut out on the third day of the 2022 International Six Metre European Championship as overcast skies and light and shifting winds were the order of the day. It was a day of close racing and lots of place changes with some new faces gracing the front of the fleet.
With five races now completed Portugal's Patrick Montiero de Barros' Seljm continues to lead the Open Division by two points. Vasco Pereira, who is also from Cascais and is sailing Scoundrel One, has moved up from fourth to second, three points ahead of Violeta Alvarez's Stella which remains in third. Switzerland's Ginkgo Too helmed by Jan Eckert drops from second to fourth and fellow Swiss Dieter Schoen's Momo rounds out the top five again.
In the Classic Division Spain's Bribon 500, helmed by Ross Macdonald continues to lead overall. Trandafir Catalin's Essentia from Romania and Andy & Lisa Postle's Nirvana from Great Britain are neck and neck on points with Essentia claiming second on countback. Germany's Thomas Kuhmann aboard Hanko III is lying fourth, just one point ahead of Mauricio Sanchez Bella's Titia from Spain.
The forecast for day five is for stronger north-north-westerly winds and the Race Committee has confirmed that it intends to get racing underway at the earlier time of 13:00 with races six and seven of the eight race series programmed. Racing continues until Saturday 10 September.
Provisional Top Five Results After Five Races
Open Division
1st - POR4 - Seljm - Patrick Monteiro de Barros - 3, 1, 7, 1, 5 = 17
2nd - GBR86 - Scoundrel One - Vasco Pereira - 4, 4, 2, 8, 1 = 19
3rd - ESP16 - Stella - Violeta Alvarez - 2, 9, 3, 2, 6 = 22
4th - SUI140 - Ginkgo Too - Jan Eckert - 5, 2, 4, 3, 8 = 22
5th - SUI142 - Momo - Dieter Schoen - 1, 6, 1, DSQ(11), 4 = 23
Classic Division
1st - ESP16 - Bribon 500 - Ross Macdonald - 2, 1, 1, 1, 2 = 7
2nd - ROU65 - Essentia - Catalin Trandafir - 4, 4, 2, 3, 1 = 14
3rd - GBR33 - Nirvana - Andy & Lisa Postle - 1, 3, 4, 2, 4 = 14
4th - USA96 - Hanko III - Thomas Kuhmann - 3, 5, 3, 4, 5 = 20
5th - ESP72 - Titia - Mauricio Sanchez Bella - 6, 2, 5, 5, 3 = 21
Orcas are 'attacking' sailboats near Europe's coast. Scientists don't know why
Ester Kristine Storkson was asleep on her father's small yacht earlier this month, sailing off the coast of France, when she was violently awakened.
Scrambling on deck, she spotted several orcas surrounding them. The steering wheel swung wildly. At one point, the 37-foot sailboat was pushed through 180 degrees, heading it in the opposite direction.
They were "ramming the boat," Storkson says. "They [hit] us repeatedly ... giving us the impression that it was a coordinated attack."
For any vessel, losing steering at sea is a serious matter and can be dangerous in adverse conditions and some sailboats have had to be towed into port after orcas destroyed their rudders. Fortunately, the Storksons had enough of their rudder left to limp into Brest, on the French coast, for repairs. But the incident temporarily derailed their plan to reach Madeira, off northwest Africa, part of an ambitious plan to sail around the world.
There is no record of an orca killing a human in the wild. Still, two boats were reportedly sunk by orcas off the coast of Portugal last month, in the worst such encounter since authorities have tracked them.
Sailing yacht to run catamaran ferry service from Dover to Boulogne
Sailing yacht to run catamaran ferry service from Dover to Boulogne Dover is being re-connected with Boulogne in northern France by a pioneering cross-channel service. A sailing yacht is being used as ferry service, to transport foot passengers, cycle tourists and small groups.
The new SailLink ferry service will use purpose-built sailing vessels to take a maximum of 12 passengers between Dover in England and Boulogne in France.
The pilot phase with the first passengers will take place from 10-18 September 2022. Pioneer and supporter tickets can be booked through the company's website, as well as sponsorship opportunities for interested partners. Prices for the pilot phase are £85 for an adult one-way, and £150 for a return.
This first route where a sailing yacht is used to run a ferry service will be between Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer, with a crossing time of approximately four hours.
Ibiza JoySail ready to deliver a second helping of friendly racing
The Mediterranean's newest and fastest growing superyacht regatta, Ibiza JoySail, is all set to deliver a highly anticipated second helping of friendly racing and exclusive and vibrant hospitality ashore later this month.
Entries for Ibiza JoySail have almost tripled compared to the inaugural event last year, with the word clearly out there about the extraordinary Balearic scenery which is the backdrop to the competitive racing off Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera, and the great events and facilities provided by organisers STP Palma and Marina Ibiza.
Ibiza JoySail gets underway on Wednesday 21 September with registration in the world-class STP Palma shipyard before attention switches to the opening 65-mile offshore race to Ibiza the next day.
Starting from a line off the lighthouse at Punta Cala Figuera the race teams will be aiming for line honours in their division, as well as competing for the Mallorca-Ibiza Perpetual Trophy which will be awarded to the boat that sets a new record time in the race between the lighthouses of Cala Figuera in Mallorca and Tagomago Island off Ibiza's east coast.
The opening race is then followed by three days of intensive but fun coastal racing around Ibiza and Formentera, culminating in the celebratory prizegiving ceremony in Marina Ibiza on Sunday 25 September.
Among the impressive 14-strong racing fleet already taking up the offer are some outstanding examples of the finest superyachts on the planet.
Industry News
Further to the successful developments made for the electric furlers, the Wichard Group teams have adapted the multi-motor concept to Code Sails up to 140 m2.
The result is a concentrate of energy in a compact, light and particularly efficient furler: 45 seconds to effortlessly furl a 140 m² Code Sail
- Simple installation : the electric furler is delivered with a complete kit (relay box, circuit breaker, wire, deck plugging, storage bag, protective cover) and benefits from a dedicated, simple and waterproof electrical connection.
- Easy to set up : thanks to a snap shackle at the bottom, a fast tack attachment as well as a protection cover with handle
- Compact and light : the size is reduced to allow an easy switch from manual to electric system, but also to save weight and make the operation handy.
- Fast and comfortable to use : 45 seconds for furling a 140 m2 Code sail (85 rpm* for the 12V version) just by pressing a button! Handled from the cockpit in complete safety. (* -20% rpm / under load)
- Contained power consumption : 20-25 Ah under load.
- Widely tested : numerous mechanical and electrical endurance tests in workshop and in real-life conditions. For Code Zero up to 140 m2
- Options : wired or radio control version.
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Musto introduce new SS22 MPX Race range for offshore racing, tested by Musto brand ambassador Sam Goodchild, winner of the Ocean Fifty multihull 2021 Pro Sailing Tour.
In the biggest product launch for five years, world-leading performance clothing brand Musto has unveiled a suite of cutting-edge MPX Race products designed for and tested by competitive offshore sailors.
Offshore racing is changing: sailors are increasingly spending more time in the protected cockpit and down below, and less time out on deck. But when they are on deck, speeds are only increasing. As a response to this changing environment, Musto's MPX Race collection includes a new generation of GORE-TEX Pro* membranes, new photoluminescent reflectors and lighter garments for improved functionality. The garments also feature a recycled face fabric, making the garment more sustainable than previous iterations.
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Find your way around METSTRADE 2022; Exhibitor floorplan released
See who will be at METSTRADE 2022 and where to find them in the show in the just-released exhibitor floorplan, published with the Aug | Sep issue of IBI and provided here in digital format
METS trade show, Amsterdam, 15-16-17 November.
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World Sailing has appointed experienced sports management executive Koray Ezer as its new Head of International Development.
As World Sailing strengthens its commitment to developing the sport globally, Ezer's appointment bolsters the support available to Member National Authorities and the international sailing community.
In his role as Head of International Development, Ezer will be responsible for the strategic development, implementation and delivery of World Sailing's mission to grow the sport and make sailing more accessible, supporting and delivering training and development for sailors, coaches, race officials and regional development coordinators around the world.
Ezer – a former national champion in Turkey – has worked in sailing for over 12 years, developing youth, senior and national windsurf teams in both Turkey and the Sultanate of Oman. His most recent role was as Head of Performance at Oman Sail where he led the restructure of the sailing department, including the Oman Olympic Sailing Programme, world champion GC32 Team, Diam24 teams and offshore sailing teams during a period where Oman became a leading sailing nation in Asia.
Featured Brokerage
2007 X-Yachts X-50. 350000 EUR. Located in Tuscany, Italy.
Huge spec X-50 Classic, perfectly configured for effortless warm waters cruising. 3-cabin, 3-heads layout plus crew cabin, standard 2,70m draft keel and carbon rig.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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Michele Antonini - Grabau International (Italia)t
Tel: +39 333 74 89 281t
Email:
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AEOLOS P30. From 94.000* EUR. * introduction offer, without sails and tax, depending on the exchange rates/raw material prices EUR.
The AEOLOS Performance 30“ (P30) is optimal for single and double-handed sailing and works in a wide range of offshore conditions up to category A. This boat is not only a fast carbon boat, but also a concept for racing at low costs. Easy transport, launching, low maintenance and a lot more keep running cost to a minimum and you can concentrate on what makes you successful: training and racing.
Hundreds of hours went into the development of the Aeolos P30: An international team through the entire regatta process and optimised every step: Speed, handling, rating, maintenance, transfers. The boat is very well optimized under ORC handicap rule, but without compromizing performance.
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Aeolos Yachts
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Arcona 385. POA EUR.
The new Arcona 385 continues to uphold Arcona’s strong heritage of innovation and design excellence, using the finest materials and best craftsmanship without compromising on superior performance through the water. The Arcona 385 is a quick, lightweight and easy-to-manage 11.28m/38foot performance cruiser.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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Arcona Yachts AB
Odelbergs Vag 2
134 40 Gustavsberg
Sweden
+46 8 519 410 40
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
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