In This Issue
The Ultim 32/23, the real battle of the giants
Maltese Boats shine in Yachting Malta Coastal Race
Yacht Racing Forum, November 21-22: Time To Register !
Mat Belcher OAM announces retirement from Olympic sailing
SLAM to be technical sponsor at the J70 World Championship
Julien Reemers withdraws from the Route du Rhum
Flying Sicilian Cappuzzo wins long distance contest
Women's and Youth America's Cup Notice of Race
There are no more debates on the scow in Class40
Featured Charter: Cape 31's
Featured Brokerage:
• • Carlini S&S 61
• • Premier JV74 Nyumba
• • HH 50 New Boat
The Last Word: W.H. Auden

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

The Ultim 32/23, the real battle of the giants
Eight solo skippers will race the upcoming Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe in the Ultim class, sailing on the huge multihulls which are over 30 meters long. The latest innovations and technological advances allow the most recent Ultims to not only to fly but also to stay flying for sustained, long periods. And considering the intensity of the battle between the skippers and their flying machines it seems likely that the record - held for four years by Francis Joyon (7 days, 14 hours, 21 minutes) - will be broken.

And the big Ultim 32/23 show opens even before the start gun. These giants of the seas will be moored for the first time in the basins in Saint Malo alongside all of the other participating boats. They will also take part in a big parade, scheduled for Tuesday, October 25, alongside the Ocean Fifty.

From the start, Sunday, November 6, the Ultim32/23 will set the pace for a "match within the match" which promises to be fast and furious. Four years after the duel was narrowly won by Francis Joyon (IDEC) in a close match at the finish up against François Gabart. And this time the game promises to be particularly open between the contenders for the final victory. Charles Caudrelier (48) will compete in his first solo transatlantic race aboard the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild\

Among the favourites is François Gabart, who is of course already won the Route du Rhum in the IMOCA in 2014 and was 2nd behind Joyon in the last edition. He races SVR-Lazartigue. Launched in July 2021, 2nd in the Transat Jacques Vabre, Gabart set a new Mediterranean record this summer. He has done his best to fine-tune his boat and himself but has actually not competed in a single-handed race since the last Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe.

The defending champion, Francis Joyon, is also back. Aboard a boat, IDEC, a remarkable boat which has won all of the last three editions, (in 2014 under the colors of Banque Populaire and in 2010 with Groupama), veteran Joyon takes up the incredible challenge of taking a second consecutive victory.

Meantime Thomas Coville is preparing to compete in the legendary transatlantic for the 7th time.

And aboard the ex-Actual, renamed Mieux, Arthur Le Vaillant steps up to the Ultim 32/23 after racing in Class40 and Ocean Fifty.

www.routedurhum.com/en

Maltese Boats shine in Yachting Malta Coastal Race
The Yachting Malta Coastal Race is the traditional curtain-call for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. This year's race was a light wind affair with the fleet enjoying a gentle 12-mile race to Comino Island. The overall winner after IRC time correction was the Maltese J/99 Calypso, skippered by Seb Ripard. Second was Jonathan Gambin's Maltese Dufour 44 Ton Ton Laferla. Third was RORC Commodore James Neville racing his British HH42 Ino XXX.

Less than one minute separated the top three overall after IRC time correction, despite them racing in different IRC Classes. Runners up in the respective classes were: Francois Bopp's Swiss Farr52 Chocolate; the Podesta family racing the Maltese First 45 Elusive 2, and Ludovic Gerard's French JPK 1080 Solenn For Pure Ocean.

Finishing third in their respective classes were: Yves Grosjean's French Neo 430 Neo Jivaro, Conor Doyle's Irish Xp50 Freya, and Jonathan Mckee's American Sun Fast 3300 Red Ruby.

The 606 nautical mile Rolex Middle Sea Race is set to start at 11:00 CEST from Grand Harbour on Saturday, 22 October.

rolexmiddlesearace.com

Yacht Racing Forum, November 21-22: Time To Register !
Yacht Racing Forum The Yacht Racing Forum / Design & Technology Symposium promises to be fruitful, with a fascinating programme and speakers line-up that includes some of the sports' greatest personalities from all over the world. After two consecutive cancellations, delegates are looking forward to meeting up to discuss the state of the industry, learn from key sports and business leaders, discover the latest technological innovations, network and have a great time in one of the world's top sailing and yacht racing destinations.

The conference will address both mainstream yacht racing and the top end of the sport. The programme is very comprehensive.

On Day 1, two conferences will take place in parallel:
- Design & Technology Symposium, presented by B&G
- The sport of sailing in a changing world / Sports Governance and Business, presented by 11th Hour Racing

On Day 2, all delegates will meet in plenary session and discuss the following subjects:
- Marketing & Media
- The Top end of the Sport

Several networking drinks receptions and social gatherings will give delegates the opportunity to meet in a relaxed and informal environment, including a welcome drink hosted by Yachting Malta and World Sailing on Sunday evening, a gala evening reception on Monday and a farewell drink provided by GAC Pindar on Tuesday.

www.yachtracingforum.com/forum/

Mat Belcher OAM announces retirement from Olympic sailing
Australia's most successful Olympic sailor, Belcher had been considering a tilt at the new Mixed 470 class at the Paris 2024 games before calling time on his decorated career today. Belcher represented Australia at three Olympic Games and returned with a haul of two Gold and one Silver medal.

"It was an incredibly difficult decision, I have been a member of this team for the past 22 years so closing that chapter was not a decision I took lightly," said Belcher at the announcement.

"I have been so lucky. I have sailed with some of the greatest athletes in the world, been a part of such a successful team and have been coached by some of the greats including Victor (Kovalenko). It has been a long and rewarding journey, but I am now 40-years old with a young family so the time is right for me to move on to the next phase of my life."

Between the Olympic medals he added eight 470 class World Championships, six Australian Sailing Male Sailor of the Year awards, one World Sailing Male Sailor of the Year Award as well as being named as a finalist in the category five times. He was also selected to be Australia's flagbearer at the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Games.

"Mathew is the greatest Australian Olympic sailor ever," added Kovalenko. "All of us will regret that he is leaving Olympic sailing, but we are sure Mathew will remain in the sport and he will bring more success for Australia in some of his new roles."

A father of four, Mat won't be moving too far away from the Australian Sailing Team. He has been appointed as the new CEO of Australian Sailing's Major Partner, Zhik. Belcher has been on the board of the sailing apparel specialists for a year and will be charged with leading the Australian-based company's operations into the future.

www.australiansailingteam.com.au

SLAM to be technical sponsor at the J70 World Championship
Click on image for photo gallery.

SLAM Organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco, featuring 90 crews from 23 countries

Monaco: Building on a close partnership of over 30 years with the Yacht Club de Monaco, SLAM will be taking part in the J70 World Championship as technical sponsor, scheduled to take place from 14th to 22nd October, kicking off with the first race yesterday with no wind.

The relationship that binds SLAM and the Yacht Club de Monaco - commented Enrico Chieffi, CEO of SLAM.com as of August 2021 - is deeply rooted in the core values that we have continued to share over the years. This time the Yacht Club de Monaco is organising an event of incredible proportions, attracting an impressive 90 crews from 23 countries, and we are thrilled to play a crucial role, with SLAM taking on the role as official J70 World Championship technical sponsor. Dedicated to the highest standards of sailing and to a class that has now taken the world by storm, this one-design event will be decided by nothing more than the crews' own skill and technical experience."

In honour of the event, SLAM has produced an exclusive line of polos and headwear for all participants, each featuring the Championship logo and something special for the boat owners.

The J70 World Championship will also be the perfect opportunity for crew and audience members alike to enjoy a first-hand experience of the brand new FOIL collection by SLAM.com, designed to provide innovative, linear and extremely high-performing sportswear and which will be showcased in the SLAM shop, located in the Yacht Club de Monaco meeting room.

Each member of the top 3 crews in the Open, One-Pro, and Corinthian categories will receive: 1st place - a Toray oilskin, 2nd place - a Toray Spray Top and 3rd place - a waterproof ripstop jacket.

A tradition begun on the occasion of the Primo Cup and which has now continued for more than 30 years at each sporting and international event of the Club.

www.slam.com

Julien Reemers withdraws from the Route du Rhum
Julien Reemers (Federation du Commerce du Pays de Saint-Malo) informed the Race Direction at the beginning of this week that he will not be taking part in the Route du Rhum - Destination Guadeloupe on 6th November.

The sailor, who finished his qualification last weekend, was the victim of an incident on land. Injured in the ankle, Julien Reemers had to undergo a medical opinion which gave its verdict: the sailor will not be able to line up on the start line on 6th November.

The skipper confided to us that he would like to help, if he can, one of the other "Malouin" skippers to complete his budget before the start. The solidarity of the people of the sea will perhaps lead to this misadventure for one of them being turned into an adventure with a special flavour for the other.

The Rhum Mono category now has 13 sailors entered.

www.routedurhum.com

Flying Sicilian Cappuzzo wins long distance contest
The 2022 Sabfoil Wingfoil Racing World Cup & Open European Championships got off to a flying start with two long distance races for the 52 international athletes.

In both races, Francesco Cappuzzo from Sicily came from behind on the 10km course, saving his best for last on the final high-speed reach across the finish line, stealing the winner's gun on both occasions from the 19-year-old Frenchman, Mathis Ghio. Another Italian, Luca Franchi was third in both races, which took place in winds of 8 to 14 knots on a Z-shaped course. In the women's division, Ellie Aldridge from Great Britain, takes an early lead in the competition with scores of 3,1.

Using a 'rabbit start' procedure, the whole fleet - male and female - surged out of the line on port tack behind the powerboat that opened the starting line gate. The upwind leg tested the skills and techniques of the riders to maintain a high lane and to judge the layline to the top mark. A year ago, upwind riding was barely achievable but the game has moved on quickly and racing to windward is one of the defining skills of 2022.

Podium positions after 2 races

Men
1. Francesco Cappuzzo (ITA), 0.6 points
2. Mathis Ghio (FRA), 1.4 points
3. Luca Franchi (ITA), 2.0 points

Women
1. Ellie Aldridge (GBR), 4.0 points
2. Maddalena Maria Spanu (ITA), 5.0 points
3. Marta Monge (ITA), 11.0 points

wingfoilracing.com/2022worldcupitaly

Women's and Youth America's Cup Notice of Race Release
Athena Pathway, the British Youth and Women's America's Cup Team have cleared the diary and set the date after the recent Notice of Race release for the Women and Youth America's Cup.

Running sequentially, the Youth America's Cup starts on Thursday 19th September 2024 and the Women's America's Cup on Thursday 3rd October 2024. Mark those dates. Both series begin with a week of practice for the teams before the fleets are split, where possible, into two with the confirmed AC Teams competing in one group and all the invited yacht clubs from around the world competing in another. Once racing begins in earnest, each group will race a Qualifying Series of fleet races, consisting of three races per day over three days to produce the top three podium teams from each group.

Those successful teams will then move forward to a 'Final Series' of four fleet races on one day to produce the top two teams who will advance on to the respective Youth and Women's America's Cup Single Matches to determine the respective winners.

Notice of Race: AC37 Noticeboard - Women's / Youth AC

There are no more debates on the scow in Class40
Sam Manuard is a renowned architect in the world of scow, officiating in both IMOCA and Class40. On the eve of the start of the Route du Rhum 2022 and one year after the launch of the new plans for the Transat Jacques Vabre, he gives us his opinion on the evolution of the Class40.

New plans signed Verdier, Lombard or VPLP were launched for the Transat Jacques Vabre 2021. What conclusions can we draw from this after last season?

Today everyone is doing scows. There are no more debates on the subject. We always have scow -themed shades . Lombard with the Lift has made a super powerful boat, VPLP with the Clak40 a boat that looks more versatile. It's progressing well and the different plans are quite close in performance. Everyone has increased their level of play.

What developments have taken place in the winter yards? Were there any designs that stood out more?

There are surely developments at the various architects of which I am not aware. Especially for runners who want results.

For our part, we have launched a new boat, the Mach 5, equipped with a new hull and a new deck. Two boats were launched this summer. It's part of the most recent plans.

We tried to make a boat that would be very tolerant in strong winds, especially downwind, with a fairly marked forward thrust. This is the strongest bias of this new boat. It's also a boat that has made a lot of progress in light winds. From a performance point of view, it is quite good in all registers.

Full interview in Bateaux.com

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Contact
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See the the Seahorse charter collection

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The jv74 NYUMBA is a modern Full-Carbon high-tech Cruiser/Racer built by Premier Composite Technologies in Dubai. The yacht is designed for two purposes, Fast Cruising with small crew in comfort, as well as for Racing with Squaretop-Mainsail and extended bowsprit.

With her Lifting-Keel she allows high-performance sailing with 5,00 m draft and the possibility to reach shallow waters with only 3,30 m draft. The ergonomic cockpit is designed for crewed racing or extended cruising.

Below deck NYUMBA offers 3 spacious cabins with ensuite heads. The large Dinghy Garage fits a 4,20 m Tender. Remarkable is the outstanding Light Weight of only 26,5 t.

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The Last Word
Thank God for books as an alternative to conversation. -- W.H. Auden

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