EuroSail News #5239

In This Issue
• A hotter angle wins the Race for Comanche
• Caribbean Multihull Challenge V Sees Record Entries
• New RORC Racing Manager
• Irish Sailing League
• Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
• Fleets assembling in Alicante
• U.S. Melges 24 National Ranking Series
• Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta
• Haylee Outteridge joins Performance Pathways
• Featured Charter: SW 72 Far Wind
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Southern Wind 72
• • The Makara Series
• • Pogo 12.50 Hermes
• The Last Word: Jiddu Krishnamurti

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

Rolex Sydney Hobart: A hotter angle wins the Race for Comanche
Mattie Mason, a veteran of 12 Rolex Sydney Hobart Races, and many America's Cups, says the 2022 edition was a "great race, but one of the easier ones. Tactically, it was pretty tricky. There were some big shifts out there. And that was probably our downfall. Well, it was our downfall."

The popular line is that this year the 628nm Sydney Hobart classic was a race for the "fat boats" - a reference to the broad (25-26ft) beamed 100ft long supermaxis, Andoo Comanche, and Law Connect.

The relatively narrow-beamed Hamilton Island Wild Oats, a Reichel/Pugh RP100, has been owned since her launch in December 2005 by the Oatley family and has been heavily modified over the past 20 years. Her strength is downwind sailing in winds below 8kts - conditions which didn't occur in this year's race.

Comanche, a 100ft maxi design by VPLP and Guillaume Verdier, was launched in 2014 and holds the world 24-hour sailing distance record of 618nm; and has taken line honours in four Rolex Sydney Hobart races under three different owners.

The consensus in Hobart, after the finish, was that this year's race was won and lost early on the first evening as the leaders sailed down the New South Wales coast.

Full article by Richard Gladwell in Sail-World.com

Caribbean Multihull Challenge V Sees Record Entries
When the 5th annual CMC begins on 3 February a record number of entries will be on the books. As the New Year rolls in there is already a 30 plus percent increase over 2022; with time left in January for this number to grow. "From a high of 18 boats in 2022, we hope come closer to the high 20's for this coming event" says Stephen Burzon, Volunteer Director of Marketing.

A big part of this healthy increase is the addition of several Balance Catamarans joining the first ever Caribbean Multihull Challenge Rally; a three-day cruising event beginning and ending in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten; with fun-filled overnights on the French side of SXM at Anse Marcel and at Sandy Ground in Road Bay, Anguilla. According to Philip Berman, president of Balance Catamarans – a company he founded in 2013 – the idea of celebrating the tenth anniversary of Balance with a rally in the northeast Caribbean is a perfect one; and..." joining up with the CMC rally as a way to wind up our celebration fits in perfectly with our plans".

As an innovation, the cruising rally will run concurrently with the traditional three-day CMC hot racing schedule focused on the Dutch side of the island.

"The Sint Maarten Yacht Club's CMC is a place for all kinds of multihulls to come to race, play, and party. We have luxury cruising boats on racing courses along with very fast multihulls racing in their classes on other courses. Everything from the French designed 24' Diam class open trimarans, to a stunning Leopard 50 and a charismatic Schionning 53 will be out there pressing for new records. Our new CSA 1 class Trifecta combining a 60 Mile Sprint around St. Barth, a 52 Mile Dash around Saba, and a 27 Mile circumnavigation of the island will bring the combined winner of all three a gorgeous and practical Oris Aquis Diving Watch provided by long time sponsor Oris." ...says CMC Steering Committee Chair Petro Jonker.

The Caribbean Multihull Challenge is more than a regatta and a cruising rally. It is a true festival of all things multihull and a chance for the multihull community to come together in one place to recreate, learn, congregate, and enjoy the wonderful dual nation island of St Maarten and St Martin.

For more information about the CMC... CaribbeanMultihullChallenge.com

To enter the race or the rally YachtScoring.com

Steve Cole appointed new RORC Racing Manager
The Royal Ocean Racing Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Cole as the new Racing Manager from 1st January 2023, succeeding Chris Stone who will continue as a consultant to the Race Management team for the new Nelson's Cup series in Antigua and the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Steve is from Gurnard on the Isle of Wight and has huge experience having been a senior member of the RORC Racing team for the last five years. Prior to joining RORC, Steve was Managing Director of Cowes Yacht Haven for six years and was joint owner of a boat yard in East Cowes.

As a National Race Officer, he has also previously helped RORC in a voluntary role, including 10 Rolex Fastnet Race starts.

Steve was in charge of the 2022 Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland Race which was voted Event of the Year at the prestigious British Yachting Awards. He is also the Principal Race Officer for Cowes Week.

A keen sailor himself, Steve has raced inshore and offshore for many years. His first offshore race was in 1978, racing a J/24 to Deauville, and he also competed in the 1992 Round Britain and Ireland Race as boat captain on past RORC Admiral Donald Parr's Quailo. He has also been involved with Gurnard Sailing Club for many years and will use those skills to assist the Cowes Clubhouse when needed.

Steve will direct the Race Management Team based in Cowes, Isle of Wight, who work year-round on the RORC Season's Point Championship; a much-coveted series of offshore races running from January to October. The 2023 RORC Season includes the 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, as well as the Transatlantic Race and RORC Caribbean 600. Steve will also oversee the programme of inshore events, including the RORC Easter Challenge, Vice-Admiral's Cup and IRC National Championship. -- Louay Habib

rorc.org

Irish Sailing League "Overwhelmed by Enquiries" as It Reveals More Details of Set-Up
Following the announcement of the new Irish Sailing League earlier this week, organisers say they have been "overwhelmed with the number of enquiries" as they reveal more details of its structure and future plans.

Boats would be provided at each event location, with the organisers saying this "breaks down the many barriers to keelboat sailing".

In a video update, Rumball confirms that a full information pack will be released in January which will include the first season's event schedule and locations.

Initially the league will comprise a single open division with one team per club — pending greater demand — but it's hopeful to garner enough interest for a women's league and an U25 division.

There is no maximum or minimum weight requirement for the four-handed RS21 dinghies, but Rumball adds: "Generally speaking most crews sail with a combined crew weight of 350kg."

In addition, Rumball clarifies that teams in the Irish Sailing League will be nominated by their club, and every crew member must have a valid membership of the club they represent.

afloat.ie/sail/

Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
This issue we celebrate another past winner, a big fan favorite, the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club of Hamilton Bermuda (aka Red Hole Arguing and Drinking Club according to the late and very missed Shorty Trimingham)

Among the hundreds of letters received, these were some of our favorite comments:

- Staff and general ambiance of the bar/club. Very welcoming to all sailors.

- Great place to sit out a hurricane

- Great, relaxed sailors hangout after day of the water, or multiple days on the ocean.

- Fabulous atmosphere, amazing view., great hospitality and excellent food and drink!

- Manager Cassius Fevriere is terrific and it is clear his he is eager to pass on his extensive knowledge of mixology.

Nominations for this year's Best Bar are open through this Friday 6 January. We'll announce the top ten on Monday 9 January for voting.

Nominate YOUR favorite bar: eurosailnews.com/sailors-bars

Fleets assembling in Alicante
11 boats are assembling in Alicante, Spain this week in final preparation for the start of The Ocean Race 2022-23. And the activity on shore is ramping up as well, with Alicante's Ocean Live Park opening on Saturday 7 January.

This is the 14th edition of the iconic around-the-world, fully-crewed, offshore race and will be the first to feature the high-tech, foiling, nearly flying, IMOCA boats. The VO65 fleet, having previously competed in two around the world events, will now take on a shorter challenge, competing for the inaugural The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Cup, which features three stages of racing that match Legs 1, 6, and 7 of the around the world race.

For the five IMOCA crews putting the final touches together in preparation for the race start, this is a key week, leading into the In Port Race on 8 January, before the Grand Depart for Leg One of The Ocean Race - Alicante to Cabo Verde - on 15 January.

The line-up on the start line features five strong IMOCA teams:

11th Hour Racing Team (USA); skipper Charlie Enright
Team Malizia (GER); skipper Boris Herrmann
Team Holcim-PRB (SUI); skipper Kevin Escoffier
GUYOT environnement-Team Europe (FRA/GER); skipper Benjamin Dutreux
Biotherm Racing (FRA); skipper Paul Meilhat

The VO65 fleet competing in The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint is now six deep with the last-minute addition of the Austrian/Italian entry last week:

Mirpuri Foundation Racing Team (POR); skipper Antonio Fontes
WindWhisper Racing Team (POL); skipper Pablo Arrarte
Team JAJO (NED); skipper Jelmer van Beek
Ambersail 2 (LIT); skipper Rokas Milevicius
Viva Mexico (MEX); skipper Erik Brockmann
Austrian Ocean Racing - Team Genova (AUT/ITA); Gerwin Jansen

theoceanrace.com

U.S. Melges 24 Class Announces 2023 National Ranking Series
The U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USM24CA) is proud to present its National Ranking Series schedule for 2023. The eleven-part Series includes events all across America and Canada featuring a wide variety of racing opportunities, from multi-class events to dedicated Melges 24 regattas.

Event No. 1: Melges 24 Midwinters
Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta - February 17-19
Hosted by Sailing World - St. Petersburg, FL

Event No. 2: Southeast Inland Championship - March 25-26
Hosted by Lake Lanier Sailing Club - Lake Lanier, GA

Event No. 3: Charleston Race Week - April 20-23
Hosted by Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina - Charleston, SC

Event No. 4: Muskegon Spring Championship - May 20-21
Hosted by Muskegon Yacht Club - Muskegon, MI

Event No. 5: Bayview One Design Regatta - June 2-4, 2023
Hosted by Bayview Yacht Club - Detroit, MI

Event No. 6: Columbia Gorge One Design Regatta - July 29-30
Hosted by Columbia Gorge Racing Association - Cascade Locks, OR

Event No. 7: Pacific Coast Championship - August 19-20
Hosted by The San Francisco Yacht Club - Belvedere, CA

Event No. 8: North American Championship - September 14-17
Hosted by The National Yacht Club - Toronto, Canada

Event No. 9: U.S. National Championship - October 6-8
Hosted by Lake Geneva Yacht Club - Lake Geneva, FL

Event No. 10: Atlantic / Gulf Coast Championships - November 11-12
Hosted by Pensacola Yacht Club - Pensacola, FL

Event No. 11: 2023-2024 Bacardi Melges 24 Winter Series No. 1 - December 16-17
Hosted by Biscayne Bay Yacht Club - Miami, FL

Melges 24 teams everywhere are cordially invited to participate. The 2023 National Ranking Series Notice of Race (NOR) has been issued. Additional 2023 National Ranking Series details can be found online at usmelges24.com/nationalranking

Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta
Porto Cervo, 19 December 2022. Entries are officially open for the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta 2023 from today, 19 December. The event will take place from 6 to 10 June and the Notice of Race has been published online - available here. The 16th edition of the event, organised by the YCCS with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani, traditionally opens the superyacht racing calendar in the Mediterranean and will also host the Southern Wind Rendezvous and Trophy. Four days of racing set against the marvellous backdrop of the La Maddalena archipelago are planned, along with exclusive social events ashore.

The Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta is open to boats over 90 feet in length and multihulls over 50 feet in length. Official race documents, the Notice of Race, entry form and further information are available in the dedicated section of the YCCS website

yccs.com

Haylee Outteridge joins Performance Pathways Coaching team
Australian Sailing's National Performance Pathways team has secured a major coup in attaining the services of Haylee Outteridge to lead the New South Wales performance pathways program.

The program is run in conjunction with the New South Wales Institute of Sport, with the role seeing Outteridge tasked with delivering key elements of the Australian Sailing High Performance strategy in the state.

Haylee is an internationally recognised sailor and coach, having been a member the Australian Sailing Team from 2018-2020 and a coach of the Australian Sailing Youth Team since 2018. In 2018 she finished second at the Nacra 17 World Championships with Skipper and brother Nathan Outteridge.

Outteridge will be working to identify and develop a pool of young athletes in NSW capable of delivering repeatable success at the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. She will lead the state program designed to ensure there is a clear path for those identified with potential to optimise their development in collaboration with our partners NSWIS.

sailing.org.au

Featured Charter
SW 72 Far Wind. From 17,000 /week plus expenses (ITA VAT NO applicable) EUR. Located in Genoa.

Southern Wind 72 Far Wind is a true yachting icon. Ideal for families and sailing passionates, she can comfortably accommodate up to 6 (8) guests in 3 double cabins. The crew of 2 offers a homely and professional service.

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
www.pegasoyd.com

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
1992 Southern Wind 72. 640000 EUR. Located in Gaeta, Italy.

Farr designed composite milestone yacht Southern Wind in S.Africa. Timeless design with a great interior layout, BLUE WING is the perfect combination for blue water adventures or effortless summer sailing.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Michele Antonini - Grabau International (Italia)
Tel: +39 333 74 89 281
Email:

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The Makara Series. POA USD

THE MAKARA SERIES - A sailing superyacht series with perfectly proportioned style.

Designed to glide with the lightest of breeze, the Makara yachts deliver the highest levels of sailing performance with minimal effort and maximum comfort.

"With the Makara series, McConaghy establishes its position in the semi-custom luxury yacht sector, introducing a highly advanced and complex design which, in its resulting simplicity of use, sets it apart" - Mark Evans, Managing Director, McConaghy.

For full details please go to... mcconaghyboats.com/makara-series

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2012 Pogo 12.50 Hermes. 295,000 USD. Located in NYC, USA.