EuroSail News #5246 - 12 January
In This Issue
• Maserati Leads the Multis
• Biotherm's Paul Meilhat relaxed about late launch
• Golden Globe Race heading home to Les Sables d'Olonne
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• NSW 18ft Skiff Championship
• Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
• Cup Spy : Funky breeze gives Brits the run around in Mallorca
• Women's Winter Invitational Regatta
• Howth Yacht Club Gets "Sailing Club Of The Year 2023
• Featured Charter: Vismara 80' Luce Guida
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Trehard Gilles Vaton 83' Aluminium Sloop
• • Outremer 51 - NEW BOAT
• • YYachts Y8
• The Last Word: B. Alan Wallace
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
Maserati Leads the Multis
Maserati Multi70 continues her course towards the Caribbeans: at 12 UTC the Italian trimaran has covered more than half of the course and is still in the lead, chased by the competitors around 50 miles away.
Soldini explains from aboard: “It was a challenging night, with big waves and 26/28 knots of wind, difficult conditions to keep a good rhythm because the boat slams in the waves, going from 34 to 20 knots of speed, as if it had taken a wall on the nose. Despite this we did well, we are satisfied with the speed and the angle we are maintaining. On board everything's good, and we keep going "a cannamorta"
Biotherm's Paul Meilhat relaxed about late launch
Click on image to enlarge.
Two days before last weekend's In-Port Race in Alicante, skipper Paul Meilhat had yet to sail with his entire crew on board Biotherm. Compare and contrast that with the three years of build-up to this race by Charlie Enright and 11th Hour Racing.
While the Biotherm skipper admits it's not an ideal form of preparation, he fully accepts the position he is in with a shrug of his shoulders. "We decided really late to compete in The Ocean Race. My boat is the last to be launched, in September," he smiles. "I have never trained with the crew. Never."
Not that he seems fazed by the lack of crew practice. "I have chosen people who are very autonomous. They can sail the boat without me, they are co-skippers, very capable and very experienced with IMOCA sailing."
This is where he draws the distinction between Biotherm and 11th Hour Racing. "They are very experienced with this race, it is what they have been building up to. But in our crew we have many, many thousands of miles of experience sailing the IMOCA. I think that will be important."
Another big difference between all the IMOCAs is the design of the boats. In stark contrast with the strict one-design nature of the VO65s in the past two editions of the race, the IMOCA rule encourages thinking out of the box.
Golden Globe Race heading home to Les Sables d'Olonne
Simon Curwen (GBR) on HOWDENS leads the way, halfway across the Southern Pacific just four weeks from Cape Horn, bound for Les Sables d'Olonne having left 129 days ago. Only Ian Herbert Jones and Guy Waites are yet to pass the magic half way point. Other than Elliott, cautiously sailing to Fremantle for repairs, all yachts are sailing without equipment issues. The mind game of "no wind" has hit Kirsten Neuchäfer (ZAF) hard, watching Simon sail away and a few are seriously low on water which could be a game changer! All are holding their breath as the extreme heavy weather is still holding well below the rhumb line.
It's been an eventful end to 2022 and start to 2023 for the leaders in the GGR fleet! As 2022 was ending, so was Simon Curwen's undisputed leadership on the fleet. He was caught-up in a calm high pressure approaching Tasmania losing huge miles to Kirsten Neuchäfer (ZAF) and Abhilash Tomy (IND) hot on his tail!
Now the tide has turned on the wannabe leaders as Simon perfectly managed the high pressure through New Zealand. His pursuers became trapped in no wind zones around NZ for several days as Simon shot ahead at full speed making the gap 900 miles. Worse, is that both Kirsten and Abhilash are now in a different weather system altogether.
A decision has been made to drop the Punta del Este film gate. While the previous three gates are part of recreating the original 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race entrants dropping films and letters, the Punta Del Este drop was mainly to grab Southern Ocean footage for media opportunities. The long split of entrants rounding Cape Horn now makes that task not relevant. This will also allow more tactical opportunities for the sailors to make gains, or suffer losses in their choice of course as they round Cape Horn and climb north to the equator.
Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:
Xu Jingkun (CHN)
What order do you want it? Great guy, hysterical sense of humour, tough, generous, plus a Paralympian who just became the first Chinese sailor to complete the Route du Rhum and in the very respectable time of 16 days. The 33-year-old now has his sights set on the Vendee Globe. Xu has an unusual way with his huge fan base: asking them to send him their 'woes', he prints them out on tiny slips of paper then discards them in the ocean to 'wipe away their sadnesses'
Sarah Lee (AUS)
Those looking for crew for the Women's America's Cup in Barcelona should take a trip down to Sydney and pay a weekend visit to the Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club. Lee has been quietly working up through the ranks the last two seasons and now wins more often than not against a tough, predominantly male, fleet. But it's not just Lee, in mid-December the club recorded their first ever female trifecta when Lee led home the 16-footers of Zoe Dransfield and Jessica Iles in 2nd and 3rd
January's winner:
Doug Devos (USA)
Best owner and driver ever!' - Federico Michetti; 'Great helm, greater person, thanks Doug for all you do to support sailing' - James Lyne; 'Outside of being an incredible person and talented sailor Doug and his family have done more to grow and support sailing and sailors than anyone could imagine, so thank you, Doug!!' - Sean Clarkson; 'Pure commitment to the process of winning, there is nothing better in a team mate. An absolute legend!' - Terry Hutchinson.
View past winners of Sailor of the Month
Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Harken Derm, Musto and Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!
Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month
NSW 18ft Skiff Championship Back on Sydney Harbour this Sunday
Lazarus, in line for a top finish. Click on image for photo gallery.
The incredible story of John 'Woody' Winning and his son John 'Herman' Winning Jr. continues on Sydney Harbour this Sunday when the two skippers lead their teams in the quest to win the 2022-23 NSW 18ft Skiff Championship.
'Herman' (Andoo) with two wins from the three races sailed so far holds a narrow lead over 'Woody' (Yandoo), whose team has had best results of one win and a second placing.
With just two races still to be sailed, on January 15 and 22, and each team allowed to discard its worst race placing from the five-race championship, Sunday's result will be critical towards the overall winner.
That a father and son are competing against each other at the top of the points table in such a demanding, high speed class as the 18 footers is rare, but their story has an even greater twist.
Only two weeks ago 'Herman' and 'Woody', together with Andoo's two other 18ft skiff crew members, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton, raced together on AndooComanche and took Line Honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2022.
The 70-year-old 'Woody' was obviously thrilled to be part of AndooComanche's Line Honours victory with his son, but is a real pro when it comes to competing in the 18s. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League Ltd.
Progress Pointscores (net after present discard):
2 - Andoo, John Winning Jr.
3 - Yandoo, John Winning
6 - Shaw and Partners Financial Services, Jim Colley
8 - Smeg, Michael Coxon
9 - Lazarus, Marcus Ashley-Jones
9 - Fisher & Paykel, Jordan Girdis
11 - Rag & Famish Hotel, Harry Price
14 - Balmain Slake, Henry Larkings
14 - Birkenhead Point Marina, Kirk Mitchell
17 - Burrawang-Young Henrys, Simon Nearn
19 - The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines, Alex Marinelli
20 - The Kitchen Maker-Caesarstone, Lachlan Steel
21 - Marine Outlet, Cam Gundy
22 - Noakes Blue, Nathan McNamara
24 - 18 Footers Bar & Restaurant, Pedro Vozone
24 - Noakes Youth, Tom Cunich
28 - Lazarus Youth, Hugo Stoner
Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
Today we raise a glass to the cultural icon that is Foxy Callwood and Foxy's Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke, BVI.
In 1968, a young Philicianno "Foxy" Callwood saw the future on sailing yachts that came to call on the idyllic 4 square mile of Jost Van Dyke. In the shade of a Tamarind Tree, Foxy set up a bar for the specific purpose of welcoming sailors to his island home. Foxy's Tamarind Bar is often recognised as the birthplace of the BVI's Yachting tourism industry. Quick with a song, joke or story, Foxy has been welcoming visitors to 'his island' for 5 decades. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to heritage and tourism in the British Virgin Islands, including a MBE (Member of the British Empire) from H.M. The Queen of England, Elizabeth II.
Foxy's has been serving food and strong rum drinks to sailors and visitors since 1968. Your humble narrator windsurfed from St. John about 40 years ago (back when you could get a waterproof Sony Walkman in tropical parrot yellow). Drank, slept and sailed back. The next time I saw the man was at a boat show in Philadelphia in 2000. It snowed a foot that day; that didn't diminish his smile one bit.
If you get anywhere near the USVI's or BVI's you simply have to go. You will never forget it. Provided you can remember it...
Foxy's Tamarind Bar - Jost Van Dyke, BVI -- https://foxysbar.com
Always nominated but inexplicably has never won the Best Bar award. You can change that by casting a vote at eurosailnews.com/sailors-bars
Cup Spy : Funky breeze gives Brits the run around in Mallorca
INEOS Britannia had their third sail on their LEQ12 prototype, in a funky breeze in Mallorca.
American Magic did not sail, as signalled in their last report.
Emirates Team New Zealand are not expected to sail until January 16, debris permitting after a couple of weeks of stormy weather.
Former America's Cup Challenger (1988) Mercury Bay Boating Club, come close to losing their clubhouse as the aftermath of Cyclone Hale with 5-6metre waves hits the east coast of NZ.
Luna Rossa signalled they were not going to be in a good weather cycle this week.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing remained in the shed
No further developments from the late entry French K-Challenge
Richard Gladwell's full report in Sail-world.com
Women's Winter Invitational Regatta
San Diego Yacht Club's Women's Winter Invitational Regatta has been selected to receive the US Sailing 2022 One Design Regatta Award. The US Sailing One Design committee said, "We are impressed with the fun and inclusive nature of the event bringing women from around the country together for a fun weekend of competitive sailing and camaraderie."
The Women's Winter Invitational returns to La Playa Cove on February 4-5, 2023, for two days of competitive short-course sailing in J/22s. This invitation-only event attracts teams from around the US, plus teams from Canada and Brazil, representing their home clubs. More than 80 competitors representing 24 yacht clubs are coming to San Diego for action-packed, spectator-friendly, dockside sailing.
The Women's Winter Invitational is one of the first established yacht club challenges for women in the country. The regatta was founded by Kris Zillmann in 2018 as a way to encourage participation in the sport and provide a unique Southern California sailing experience.
Sailors and spectators alike experience the unmatched atmosphere of San Diego in February with a weekend of hospitality at the Club. The fun starts with the welcome reception on Friday, February 3, with wine tastings by Sipwell Wines and the opportunity for teams and spectators to get to know each other. Each morning, competitors can enjoy an hour of yoga and breakfast. Following the first day of racing on Saturday, February 4, competitors are invited to enjoy a regatta dinner at the Club before getting on stage for a fun night of karaoke. To conclude the weekend at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 5, Old Harbor Distilling will serve a specially themed cocktail.
Howth Yacht Club Gets "Sailing Club Of The Year 2023" from MG Motor, "Car of the Year 2023"
The selection of Howth Yacht Club as Ireland's latest MG Motor "Sailing Club of the Year Award" represents a remarkable harmony of achievement between the competition winners and the sponsors, with Howth Yacht Club becoming "Sailing Club of the Year 2023" as the all-electric MG4EV is acclaimed as Ireland's "Car of the Year 2023".
Howth YC came rocketing in style and readiness out of the global pandemic's frustrations to find itself in a 2022 season of remarkable achievement at home, on the national scene, and abroad at the top international level. And it has been a time of record club membership, with numbers totalling 2,173 in all categories undertaking a hugely varied range of activities afloat and ashore at all stages of competitiveness.
2023 is the sixth occasion on which Howth YC will be holding the top club title in the 44 years of this informal inter-club contest's existence, a record of achievement matched only by the National Yacht Club of Dun Laoghaire and the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven. -- WM Nixon in Afloat magazine
Featured Charter
2011 Vismara 80 'Luce Guida' (refitted 2018/19). 33000 per week EUR. Located in France.
Extensively updated and refitted in 2018/2019, LUCE GUIDA is one of the most iconic performance cruisers to come out of Italy. Full carbon composite construction, telescopic keel, twin engines and all possible comforts are included in this ‘ready to go’ package.
See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Lisa Spiller
Charter Manager
Bernard-Gallay
Phone 1 : +33(0)6 33 42 45 09
Phone 2 : +33 (0)467 66 39 93
Mail :
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
1991 Trehard Gilles Vaton 83' Aluminium Sloop. 850000 EUR. Located in Tarragona, Spain.
Custom-built 83’ aluminium cutter with modern lines and Trehard interior design. Comprehensively refitted and updated in recent years.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Lucio Pellegrini
Tel: +34 675 236 174
Email:
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Outremer 51 - New Boat. POA EUR.
The Outremer 51 is THE reference blue water catamaran for families sailing around the world. This best seller was awarded European Yacht Of the Year and Boat Of the Year.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
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YYACHTS Y8. POA EUR.
One size. Two boats.
Lots of options
The Y8 gives you the choice. Optionally available in a dc version with a longer aft body and a secure center cockpit, or you can opt for a raised saloon with extra space in the srd variant.
Equal to any Y8, as well as all other YYachts, the inimitable ease and performance. For greater strength and lighter weight we laminate all hulls and decks with carbon fibre and epoxy resin and anneal them until final cure
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
T. +49 3834 5858 77-0
E.
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
One of the most persistent of all delusions is the conviction that the source of our dissatisfaction lies outside ourselves. -- B. Alan Wallace
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see eurosailnews.com/advertise/
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