In This Issue
• Sydney Delivers for Opening Day of WMRT Final
• The Tour Voile returns to its offshore roots
• 2023 Aegean 600 Race
• Cup Spy Dec 12 : Luna Rossa
• 69F US Select Series 3 In Miami, Florida
• Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar
• Final call for 2022 Portsmouth Yardstick submissions
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Volvo Fleet Returns to 2023 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
• Featured Charter: SW 82 Ammonite
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Reichel/Pugh 45 - Pterodactyl
• • Persico Fly 40
• • Gunboat 80
• The Last Word: Isaac Asimov

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

Sydney Delivers for Opening Day of WMRT Final
Sydney, Australia: Spectacular conditions today welcomed the ten teams on the opening day of the 2022 World Match Racing Tour Final on Sydney's iconic harbour. USA's Chris Poole leads the opening round undefeated with five straight wins and no losses.

As a brisk and fickle breeze built from 10-25knots from the west in glorious sunshine, PRO Denis Thomson led the fleet to North side of the harbour to set a race course off Bradley's Head with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as a backdrop.

Completing six flights of the opening round-robin stage, USA's Chris Poole and his Riptide Racing team of Joachim Aschenbrenner, Mal Parker and Graeme Spence were in strong form winning all five races for the day.

Following close behind the Riptide Racing team, Denmark's Jeppe Borch / Borch Racing team, and New Zealand's Nick Egnot-Johnson/ KNOTS Racing finished their opening day with an impressive 4-1 score. Egnot-Johnson is no stranger to the Elliott 7 boats being used at the regatta as he sails the same boats at home in New Zealand. Borch, however, has never sailed the Elliotts before and has had to learn fast;

Racing starts tomorrow at 1200 AEST.

Results

wmrt.com

The Tour Voile returns to its offshore roots with Figaro Beneteau 3 Class
Tour Voile, the iconic multidisciplinary annual race around France, is to return to offshore One Design keelboats from 2023 with an exciting new and more compact event format.

The racing-format of the past few years, when the Tour Voile tried stadium-style racing with the Diam 24 OD trimaran, is over and the event owners - Amaury Sports Organisation (A.S.O.) - along with the French Sailing Federation (FFV), are pleased to announce a rejuvinated format incorporating a two-week long competition period in July for the next three years.

Since its first edition in the summer of 1978 the Tour Voile has been a magnificent racing pilgrimage around and along the phenominal and varied French coastline. The true growth of offshore sailing in France can in part be put down to this unique itinerant event which has introduced and nurtured literally thousands of people to the sport of offshore racing. Over the past 40 years many non-French teams have also competed with distinction and the event has attracted a myriad of Amateur, Student and Olympic sailors, along with America's Cup, Grand Prix and Round the World teams.

The Tour Voile racing format will include inshore racing, coastal racing and overnight offshore racing. Over the first two weeks of July in 2023 teams should expect to line-up on the start line on at least 20 occasions as they tackle the competition and progress from port to port. Starting in St Quay Portrieux on the North Brittany coast on 1st July the regatta will finish further south on the Atlantic seaboard a fortnight later.

The 2023 Tour Voile build-up programme will see several fully-crewed Figaro Beneteau 3 Class starts at regattas in April (Spi Ouest-France Banque Populaire Grand-Ouest - La Trinité sur Mer) and May (ArMen Race - La Trinité sur Mer) as well as associated training clinics either side of these.

For more information on how to enter, how to train, how to get hold of a boat, etc. contact:
Classe Figaro Beneteau

International press contact:
Marcus Hutchinson

www.classefigarobeneteau.fr/

2023 Aegean 600 Race
The relationship of the Greeks with the sea has been measured for millennia. Since ancient times, with their small sailboats or rowing boats, they were bold seafarers and explorers. In modern times, our sailing athletes are amongst the world's leading and compete in international events in Olympic classes as well as inshore and offshore regattas.

The Aegean Sea, known from philosophy, literature and fine arts to all civilized world, is one of the most beautiful sailing venues for racing and leisure sailing. The Hellenic Offshore Racing Club, a yacht club with extensive experience in organizing international events, decided to give sailors the opportunity to take part in a 600 nm non-stop race. AEGEAN 600 is a race with many challenges as the participants will need to come "face-to-face" with the famous Aegean Northern winds while, at the same time, enjoy the beauties of the Aegean islands.

As a member of the International Olympic Committee, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and a former Olympic athlete, I would like to invite sailors to take part in the "AEGEAN 600", wish them to enjoy the sailing race as well as the parallel onshore events planned by the organizing committee, always taking into consideration the principles and values of Greek hospitality.

Spyros Kapralos
President Hellenic Olympic Committee

The 2023 edition of the Aegean 600 takes place 7-15 July. For information on how to register, marina and accomodation details, contact us at or call (+30) 210411 3201

aegean600.com

Cup Spy Dec 12 : Luna Rossa has a productive winter sailing day
What happened in the Cup - Dec 12, 2022:

Luna Rossa sailed their LEQ12 on the Gulf of Cagliari, in a light to moderate breeze and flat water and looked to have a good day

American Magic last sailed on Friday, Dec 9

INEOS Britannia stayed in the shed in Barcelona

Alinghi Red Bull Racing went into the shed in Barcelona on November 16, for upgrades and is yet to emerge

Emirates Team New Zealand are repairing their AC40/LEQ20 after a violent nosedive on November 21. They are expected to sail late this week.

There has been no progress this week on a final decision on the issue of INEOS Britannia's Instrumentation Pole, which is claimed by others to be a Mast Tube.

Full article by Richard Gladwell in Sail-World.com

69F US Select Series 3 In Miami, Florida
69F America winter sailing season is about to start with Miami's US Select Series 3. Five teams from three different countries begin racing today, December 9th until Sunday 11th on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay, a true winter sailing paradise. In Miami this week the Antigua Rum Runners, winners of US Select Series 2 in Pensacola, the Team from Canada, coached by Tyler Bjorn. US Olympic sailor Charly Ogletree joined Phil Muller to coach three American Magic teams, as they continue training the Women and Youth sailors on their AC 40 Campaign. For this event the three NYYC American Magic teams were named as former US Americas cup winners, Enterprise, Rainbow and Ranger.

The teams have been training for the past two days, as it is custom for the 69F events, and from today the schedule includes up to six races per day before crowning the winner of the last Select Series of 2022.

69fsailing.com

Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar
In 2017 we had two winners... the Caribbean group was set up to honour the bars that were hard hit by the hurricanes Irma, Maria and Jose, and the 'Best Elsewhere' bars.

The winners: The Pensacola Yacht Club Grill Room Bar and the St. Thomas Yacht Club were both crowned the World's Best Sailors Bar.

This is a bittersweet year for your humble narrator in referencing the Pensacola YC as one of its most revered members, journalist and PR supremo Talbot Wilson passed away. A lucky few have shared dinner with Talbot at his beloved Portofino in Hamilton Bermuda. Talbot had a bottomless well of great stories.

In his memory, hoist a few of the club's famed "Bushwacker":

4 ounces cream of coconut
2 ounces coffee liqueur (tia maria,kahlua)
1 ounce rum (black)
1 ounce Creme de Cacao
4 ounces half-and-half
4 ounces vanilla ice cream (optional)

Stories abound about sailors knocking back a few of these very adult milkshakes and falling asleep under the shade trees on the club's lawns.

Have some great stories and fuzzy memories about a favorite watering hole for yachties? Tell us about them and nominate for this year's award:

eurosailnews.com/sailors-bars

Final call for 2022 Portsmouth Yardstick submissions
The RYA is urging clubs to submit their 2022 Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) data so it can ensure the handicap system is as accurate as possible for the 2023 racing season.

The PY handicap system is run jointly by the RYA and its affiliated clubs to allow sailors to race different boats against each other fairly.

This year is the 70th anniversary of the scheme, which was invented by Stanley 'Sinbad' Milledge at Langstone Sailing Club in Portsmouth.

At the end of each year, clubs submit their results data to the RYA which collates and analyses it then adjusts PY numbers accordingly. The more data received, the more accurate the PY numbers will be.

Clubs and classes are now being urged to submit their data via the revamped www.pyonline.org.uk so that the RYA can ensure numbers are as accurate as possible for 2023.

Seahorse January 2023
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine

World News
Good reason to wait, but don't just follow the fashion, De Turckheim is first to Malta at last, slower than forecast in Kiwi, anti-climax in Barcelona, Alinghi is quietly doing its thing (again...) helped by Lady Data, a great British institution. Plus, up on stage... Jonathan Mckee, Bruce Farr and friends. Andrea Emone, Magnus Wheatley, Xavier Macaire, Nicolás Bailys, Dobbs Davis, Patrice Carpentier, Jean Le Cam, Ivor Wilkins, Blue Robinson, Carlos Pich

The next decade
When is it ever the right time to change something that's already going so well? Rob Weiland

One of a kind
Tim Jeffery was there when Peter de Savary made it into the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup with Australia II in Newport in 1983 to become the most successful British Cup challenger of modern times

Cornerstone
With 97 boats from 18 nations in seven classes and elite pro teams competing alongside amateur crews in perfect sailing conditions, this year’s Rolex Swan Cup was a classic

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Volvo Fleet Returns to 2023 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta
With just months to go before the start of the 43rd edition of the St Maarten Heineken Regatta, many race teams are now finalizing their arrangements to attend this bucket-list event.

Breaking news from the Volvo fleet confirms that at least three VO65s will be taking part in the 2023 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta. Team JAJO, supported by Janssen de Jong with 28 year old Jelmer van Beek from The Netherlands on the helm, will be competing against fellow Dutch skipper Gerwin Jansen on Team Austrian Ocean Racing, with Ambersail II from Lithuania also now committing to race again in the Maxi class.

In the 2022 edition, the big boat class had incredibly close competition between four VO65s and four VO70s, plus two custom Maxis Botin 85 Deep Blue and Farr 100 Leopard 3. There are at least two VO70s slated to return in 2023, including I LOVE POLAND, helmed by Grzegorz Baranowski.

I LOVE POLAND will be back to defend their reign as 2022 IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge champions, a separate trophy for Maxi yachts based on collective scores from three top Caribbean events, for which the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is proudly one of them. In the 2022 Regatta I LOVE POLAND finished third in class, but their consistent top performance across all events secured their position as IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge winners overall.

March 2-5, 2023

heinekenregatta.com\

Featured Charter
SW 82 Ammonite. 35,000 / week plus expenses and applicable taxes EUR. Located in West Med (summer 2022 Italy and France).

Southern Wind 82 Ammonite is the ideal yacht for a luxury and performance oriented cruising. She features a lifting keel which guarantees access to many shallow harbours and allows you to sneak into private bays and take the best spot right off the beaches. 6 guests in 3 double cabins. 3 Crew.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Pegaso Srl a Socio Unico
Salita Dinegro 7/1 16123 Genova Italy
Ph +39 010 570 4035
Fax + 39 010 570 4065
pegasoyd.com

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
2006 Reichel/Pugh 45 - 'Pterodactyl'. 375000 USD. Located in Newport, RI - USA.

The evergreen Reichel/Pugh 45 is a very good all round option for inshore, coastal and offshore racing. Pterodactyl has had numerous updates in recent times and is still very competitive, having recently won the prestigious Vineyard race in the USA overall.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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

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Persico Fly 40. POA EUR.

The future of owner-racer racing is here: Persico Marine has transferred its America's Cup experience to a 12-metre foiler designed for a 5-person crew.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Persico Marine
Via Lombardia, 4
24027 Nembro (BG) - Italy
Ph. +39 035 520627
Fax +39 035 520829

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Gunboat 80. POA EUR. Built in La Grand-Motte, France.

Step up to the GUNBOAT 80 The evolution of innovation: Featuring the signature draw-dropping design, elevated performance, and unmatched quality of the Gunboat 68 in a stately 80-footer.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

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

The Last Word
People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do. -- Isaac Asimov

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