In This Issue
• Route du Rhum: A sprint finish after all?
• Globe Pro
• 2023 ORC European Championship open for entries
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Global Solo Challenge grows further and welcomes Open 60s
• Black Jack claims clean sweep of Bird Island Race
• Ramsgate Week 6th to 11th August 2023 - Round the Goodwins
• Spectacular Greek beach location for 2023 Finn World Masters
• First South African entry in a crewed round-the-world race
• Featured Charter: Pura Follia
• Featured Brokerage:
• • RM 1180
• • Nautor Swan 46
• • Soto 65 - Camiranga
• The Last Word: Bertrand Russell

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

Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe: A sprint finish after all?
After five days and nights of tough, physical, racing which has taken them to the edge of exhaustion, there are just 1100 nautical miles of direct runway left to sail to the Pointe-a-Pitre finish line for the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe leaders.

Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) has extended his cushion to over 100 miles ahead of the chasing Francois Gabart (SVR-Lazartigue) as the pacemakers can now finally contemplate a finishing sprint of faster, easier trade winds reaching. The leader may make the south of the island tomorrow night. Indeed, Caudrelier spoke this morning of potentially two days of racing left, a schedule which could take him well inside the course record which was set in 2018 by Francis Joyon at 7 days 14 hours and 21 minutes.

Some 250 miles south of the Azores, Charlie Dalin on Apivia is leading the 34-boat IMOCA fleet into the lighter winds of the Azores high pressure zone. He is looking to exploit a small corridor of breeze which he feels would get him down into the trade winds to increase his margin significantly. Behind him, north of the Azores, a compact group have been dealing with a nasty front which was producing 35-40kts winds. Prudence saw a few tack south last night to limit their exposure to the strong winds and big seas, but relief was due this afternoon with the wind shifting to a NW direction.

After returning to Saint Malo the night after the start because of damage due to a collision with another IMOCA, Swiss skipper Olli Heer has been back on the race course since this Monday morning. He left Port La Foret around 0630hrs UTC and has been making a steady 10kts through the early part of the day.

Perhaps the most outstanding solo debut so far in the IMOCA fleet is Justine Mettraux. The Swiss skipper who trained many thousands of miles fully crewed with 11th Hour Racing is up in seventh place on the well proven Teamwork.net, formerly Charal.

Facing a particularly violent front, the Class40 fleet split in two in the past few hours. On one side, there are the leaders with the incredible duel taking place between 2018 Class40 race winner Yoann Richomme (Paprec Arkea) and Corentin Douguet (Queginer-Innoveo), with just 100 metres separating them early this afternoon.

118 boats are still racing, with 20 having abandoned this 12th edition of the Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe.

Live Tracker

www.routedurhum.com/en

Globe Pro
Robline's Globe Pro is a brand new development, taking the strength of the Globe product line to new heights. This crossover product for cruisers and performance sailors can be used universally for all applications, as it offers suitable breaking loads and stretch values.

The 12-strand Robtec core is fully coated and can be stripped and tapered as necessary. The 24-carrier construction of this rope allows for easy handling, and a wide range of colors encourages organization on your boat.

Robline offers six colors in six diameters, ranging from 6mm all the way to 16mm. Globe Pro works wonderfully as a halyard or sheet.

Find out more about this product on our website

Hear why our Robline Team Sailors love Globe Pro by visiting our YouTube channel

2023 ORC European Championship open for entries
Valletta, Malta - The Royal Malta Yacht Club is pleased to announce that the registration and entry process is now open for the 2023 ORC European Championship to be held over 23 April - 1 May 2023. This event is being held under the authority of the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC), the Malta Sailing Federation and with the support of Yachting Malta.

The venue for the event is at the Royal Malta Yacht Club in Marsamxett Harbour, with inshore racing to be held off the northeast coast of Malta and offshore races in the waters around the Maltese Islands and the Malta-Sicily Channel.

Scheduled events are as follows:
23-25 April - Registration and Measurement
25 April - Practice Race & Opening Ceremony
26-27 April - 30-36 hour Long offshore race
28-29 April - 1-2 hour Inshore races
30 April - 10-12 hour Short offshore race
1 May - Inshore racing & Closing Ceremony

2023 European ORC Champion titles and top three awards will be given in three classes, with CDL limits establishing these classes given final definition once the 2023 ORC VPP becomes available.

Top three all-amateur Corinthian prizes will also be awarded in each class.

orceuro2023.com

Seahorse December 2022
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

Taken for granted?
The inverse relationship between the growth of premier regattas and the supply of skilful and experienced race officials. Rob Weiland

Circus minimus - Part II
Carol Cronin talks to a different set of Bill Mattison’s contemporaries... delving into the part he played in campaigning for, and eventually winning, the America’s Cup alongside friend and fellow Wisconsin iceboat hero Buddy Melges

Always totally custom made
SmartRigging delivers sophisticated rigging to an extraordinary spread of customers from AC winners to International 14s, Imoca 60s and giant land-based and offshore cranes. Safe to say they’ve got the hang of it...

Phoenix from the ashes
2012 Imoca Acciona was an interesting boat with its emphasis on fossil-free operation. Ten years after being abandoned it is back... in a different guise. Jens Kuphal, Fernando Sena, Jonathan Evans

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Global Solo Challenge grows further and welcomes Open 60s
The Global Solo Challenge (GSC) 2023-2024 launch took place two years ago. With now under a year to the start from A Coruña in September 2023, the excitement keeps building with the announcement of a further broadening of boat eligibility criteria, lifting upper size and performance limits, permitting the first entry by a former Vendee Globe Open 60 skippered by a very experienced sailor. His entry is already confirmed and will be announced soon.

Since the launch of the GSC, organisers have received enquiries from skippers of a very heterogeneous range of boat types. With over 500 expressions of interest, the GSC responded progressively by adapting the rules to allow new groups of boats to be part of the event.

Initially, the performance criteria changed to allow Class40s and Open 40s to sign up. Later, it was the turn of Open 50s whilst entries and enquiries kept rolling in.

The unique format of the GSC, which will stage staggered starts for boats according to their performance potential, makes it possible to bring together boats of different ages, sizes and designs. This is an environmentally conscious decision and in fact the latest entry is by an Open 60 that has previously competed in the Vendee Globe. With such a heterogeneous fleet, expected circumnavigation time ranges from approximately 100 days for the fastest Open 60s to over 200 days for the slowest group of boats.

The Notice of Event update will also address transparency and fairness of groupings. The departure for the slower boats may take place a week earlier. Starts may become weekly, from the end of August to around mid-December, depending on the final list of entrants.

globalsolochallenge.com/notice-of-event/

Black Jack claims clean sweep of Bird Island Race
Skipper Mark Bradford says Black Jack reached its peak performance to win both line and overall honours in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's 2022 Bird Island Race.

The 83nm race around Bird Island - approximately 3nm north east of Norah Head - was the fourth race in the 2022/23 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore.

A fleet of 55 boats started the race at 1000hrs on Saturday, with a light 6-8 knot nor'easter making it a rather slow procession out of Sydney Harbour.

Peter Harburg's Reichel/Pugh 100 Black Jack, which won Line Honours in the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, was first out of the Heads, closely followed by URM Group, Moneypenny, Andoo Comanche and Whisper.

Andoo Comanche (skippered by John Winning Sr) was forced to retire shortly after the start, citing a hydraulics issue, as Black Jack picked up speed offshore and broke away from the mini-maxis.

With an average speed of 8.7kts, Black Jack returned to Sydney Harbour in 9 hours, 37 minutes and 47 seconds to secure Line Honours.

The Bird Island Race is the fourth of six races in the 2022/23 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore, organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

The series opened with the Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race, which was won overall by Sean Langman's Reichel/Pugh 69 Moneypenny.

Anthony Johnston's Reichel/Pugh 72 URM Group, skippered by Marcus Ashley-Jones claimed Line Honours and the overall win in the Flinders Islet Race.

Andoo Comanche, skippered by John Winning Jr, then won line and overall honours in the Tollgate Islands Race.

2022/23 Audi Centre Sydney Blue Water Pointscore schedule

Race 1 - Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race (Saturday 30 July)
Race 2 - Flinders Islet Race (Saturday 24 September)
Race 3 - Tollgate Islands Race (Friday 14 October)
Race 4 - Bird Island Race (Saturday 12 November)
Race 5 - Cabbage Tree Island Race (Friday 2 December)
Race 6 - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (Sunday 26 December)

cyca.com.au

Ramsgate Week 6th to 11th August 2023 - Round the Goodwins
The annual historic Round the Goodwins Race will signify the beginning of Ramsgate Week and is scheduled for Sunday 6th August 2023.

The Round the Goodwins race provides navigators and crews with both tidal and wind strength challenges.

This challenging offshore race has always evoked mixed emotions. The thrill of racing round the towering sands, in places up to three metres higher than the low water mark, seeing seals in their natural habitat and taking part in an iconic race has attracted sailors for years.

Rounding the Goodwins provides something for everyone, the sands must be respected and navigation to avoid the sands and lightships whilst maximising tide and wind conditions continues to play a significant part of this race.

Speaking to Mike Brand, owner of X-34 yacht Foxy and winner of last years Round the Goodwins Race and the Noot Cup, he said that this was one of those races where you are lucky if you win this once in a lifetime.

To help with rising costs we have opened our entry and are offering an early early bird for confirmed entries prior to 31st January 2023.

We hope to see you at the 2023 regatta, in the meantime please visit www.RamsgateWeek.com for further details and to take advantage of the early entry options.

Spectacular Greek beach location for 2023 Finn World Masters
Entry has opened for the 2023 Finn World Masters at the idyllic beach venue of Nea Iraklitsa in Greece.

Hosted by the Kavala Sailing Club, this will be the second time the class has ventured to Kavala for the Masters world championship. In 2015 the event was based in the centre of town. In 2023 it is based at the relocated Kavala Sailing Club, at Nea Iraklitsa in the Municipality of Paggeon, around 15 km west of the town of Kavala. The 51st Finn World Masters will run from May 26 to June 2.

Nea Iraklitsa is a typical lovely Greek fishing village with an unspoilt marina extending on to 3-4 km of sandy beach, with a backdrop of tavernas and small bars. The Finns will be based on hard standing just behind the beach with ramps built across the beach to launch into the azure waters of the Gulf of Kavala.

Before the pandemic, the Finn World Masters was attracting up to 380 entries and by now the class had expected to break through 400 entries. Despite this, at least 250 entries are expected in 2023 to enjoy the wonderful Greek hospitality.

The event is being twinned with the Open Finn European Championship as Csopak in Hungary from 11-18 May, allowing many Finn sailors the opportunity to sail two major events in one trip.

finnworldmaster.com

First South African entry in a crewed round-the-world yacht race in 42 years
Cape Town - Allspice Yachting will be joining teams from all over the world in the Ocean Globe Race departing Europe on September 10, 2023. The Ocean Globe Race (OGR) is a crewed retro sail race in the spirit of the 1973 Whitbread Race, and will have stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Auckland (New Zealand) and Punta del Este (Uruguay). Allspice Yachting is the only South African entrant in this round-the-world sailing regatta and will be racing their 1988 Nautor Swan 53 Sterna with an amateur crew. This is the first time since Padda Kuttel raced in the 1981 Whitbread that a South African has entered a crewed round-the-world race.

"The Ocean Globe Race offers a uniquely exciting opportunity to put South African deep-ocean racing back on the global map" - Gerrit Louw, Allspice Yachting Director and OGR Entrant

The OGR, organized by McIntyre Adventures, aims to make yacht racing accessible to amateur sailors and therefore only permits a third of each crew to be professional sailors. Additionally, as a retro race it does not allow GPS and so navigation is done by the sun and the stars. The OGR will be the largest round-the-world yacht race in three decades. The OGR is the sister event of the 2022 Golden Globe Race (GGR), a retro solo non-stop unassisted race around the world. South Africans Kirsten Neuschäfer and Jeremy Bagshaw are currently taking part.

www.allspiceyachting.com

Featured Charter
Pura Follia. From 16,000/week EUR. Located in Gaeta.

PURA FOLLIA, an Ice 60 designed by Umberto Felci in collaboration with the shipyard's team,is a truly fast cruising boat. While catering for the comfort of a charter, she also ensures top performances and speed in regatta due to her high construction technology and Italian craftsmanship. With 3 comfortable cabins for 6 people, guests time on board is only improved by a professional crew of 2. Her range of marine toys, including paddle boards, a tender and snorkeling equipment, and on-board relaxation facilities ensure that a charter with this boat will be a fantastic time!

Charter Destinations:

SUMMER : West Mediterranean
Naples & Amalfi Coast | Sicily | Sardinia | Tuscany & Elba

WINTER : West Mediterranean
Naples & Amalfi Coast | Sicily | Sardinia | Tuscany & Elba

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Audrey Lucas
+33 668892280

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
RM 1180. From 271,950 ex VAT EUR

When style means performance - hugely inspired by offshore racers, she inherits from their sporty lines, but also their dynamic benefits

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
RM Yachts
Zone Industrielle des 4 chevaliers, Rond-Point de la Republique, 17180 Perigny, France

+33 5 46 44 73 00

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1986 Nautor Swan 46. 165000 EUR. Located in Fort Lauderdale.

One of the most popular Swan models in Nautor’s history, 109 of the German Frers designed Swan 46’s were built between 1983 and 1997, with LENA III being Hull No.47 out of 81 MkI’s built.

Designed as one of the very first Swans to be built with cruising in mind rather than racing, the Swan 46 model has proven herself over the years to be a fantastic short-handed bluewater cruiser as well as performing extremely well on the race course, winning the prestigious Rolex Swan World Cup in 1990 and the Rolex Swan European Regatta in 1992.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Jonas Renlund - Grabau international ( Scandinavia)
Tel: +358408098688
Email:

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2013 Soto 65 - "Camiranga". 1,695,000 USD EUR.

CAMIRANGA from Soto Acebal is a 65-foot canting keeler, best placed to tackle offshore's with a sail area compatible to a V70 and an interior that provides far greater comfort. Pretty lines and more forgiving than her sparring partners on the race track, this is an exciting boat for any yachtsman.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats

+447759 424900
+442380 016582

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

The Last Word
If you wish to become a philosopher, the first thing to realise is that most people go through life with a whole world of beliefs that have no sort of rational justification, and that one man’s world of beliefs is apt to be incompatible with another man’s, so that they cannot both be right. People’s opinions are mainly designed to make them feel comfortable; truth, for most people is a secondary consideration. -- Bertrand Russell

Editorial and letter submissions to

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