In This Issue
• Biotherm: a fine 2nd place in Cape Town
• Lanzarote International Regatta
• Jefa Steering Customers Recognised
• Eve McMahon is 'Irish Sailor of the Year 2022'
• The Capsize Club - OnCourse Ep 24
• Camden Classics Cup, July 27-29, 2023
• American Curt Morlock enters GSC
• The 'motherhood penalty'?
• Antoine Mermod on IMOCA and Diversity
• Featured Charter - Reichel Pugh 86 - Way of Life
• Featured Brokerage:
• • JV43
• • Ichi Ban TP52 from Botin 2017
• • L30 One Design
• The Last Word: Robert Anton Wilson

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

Biotherm: a fine 2nd place in Cape Town
Click on image to enlarge.

After nearly 18 days of close-contact racing to make Cape Town from Cape Verde, the verdict was only decided in the last few hours, in the sprint for the finish, during an incredible mano a mano, the competitors within sight of one another in very light downwind conditions. Of the three pretenders for final victory, Holcim-PRB took the win having gained an edge late this Sunday morning. The Biotherm clan, one of the main movers and shakers in the North Atlantic, managed an impressive comeback in the last 72 hours, finishes 2nd in this lengthy passage to South Africa, feeling very much in the game. "We'll be a force to be reckoned with going forward," warns Damien Seguin.

Samantha Davies will join the team for the massive leg 3 (Cape Town- Itajai in Brazil), replacing Amelie Grassi, who will step back aboard in Newport.

The on-board reporter Anne Beauge is (temporarily) giving up her place to Ronan Gladu.

* 11th Hour Racing Team finishes Leg 2 of The Ocean Race in third position
11th Hour Racing Team has finished Leg 2 of The Ocean Race 2022-23 in third place. The only US entry in the five-boat IMOCA fleet completed the 6,514.01 nautical mile [7,565 mile or 12,175 kilometer] course from Mindelo, Cabo Verde, to Cape Town South Africa, in 17 days, 20 hours, 35 minutes, and 40 seconds.

It was an intense battle for the podium over the final stage of the race, with six lead changes in the last 24 hours, as the crews battled for the finish line. In the end, it was the Swiss entry of Holcim-PRB who took the win, followed closely behind by Biotherm. 11th Hour Racing Team completed the podium, crossing the finish line at 13:35:40 UTC [15:35:40 local], just 25 minutes off the winning time.

Charlie Enright's crew for this second leg was Navigator Simon Fisher (GBR), Trimmers Jack Bouttell (AUS/GBR) and Justine Mettraux (SUI), and Amory Ross (USA) as Media Crew Member.

theoceanrace.com

Lanzarote International Regatta
Anton Dahlberg & Lovisa Karlsson (SWE) extended their lead in the 470 after winning another big wave, big wind race on day three of the Lanzarote International Regatta. It proved to be the only race of the day, with no competition for the 49er or 49erFX fleets.

The Dreaded 'Calima'
While the huge swell and big breeze gusting up to 26 knots was certainly proving a challenge to the sailors, it was the 'calima', the dreaded Saharan dust carried on a strong easterly wind, that forced a halt to racing. With visibility reduced to little more than a couple of hundred metres, safety considerations prevailed and the 470s were sent back to the shelter of Marina Rubicón.

With no racing in the skiff fleets today, the two British teams continue to hold the top spot in the 49er and 49erFX fleets, respectively James Peters & Fynn Sterritt (GBR) and Freya Black & Saskia Tidey (GBR).

Overall Results (Top 3 in each class)

470 Mixed (after 7 races)
1. Dahlberg/Karlsson (SWE), 7+5+1+2+1+(9)+1 = 17
2. Xammar/ Brugman (ESP), 3+3+12+1+2+2+(33 DNC) = 23
3. Mas/ Rodriguez (ESP), 1+7+7+(8)+8+6+5 = 34

49er Men (after 7 races)
1. Peters/Sterritt (GBR), 4+3+2+2+3+(23)+3=17
2. Dunning Beck/Gunn (NZL), (15)+7+8+8+7+2+1=33
3. Przybytek/Piasecki (POL), (12)+5+9+9+2+9+7=41

49erFX Women (after 5 races)
1. Black/Tidey (GBR), 1+(12)+2+4+1=8
2. Germani/Bertuzzi (ITA), 5+(6)+1+1+6=13
3. Roble/Shea (USA), 4+(18)+3+8+4=19

lanzarotesailingcenter.com

Jefa Steering Customers Recognised at European Yacht of The Year 2023
A welcomed return to boot Dusseldorf 2023 for all and an exciting start to the year for the designers, yards, and those involved with the 22 yachts nominated in the European Yacht of The Year Awards. Sailing yachts of all styles and sizes, were in line for awards in the categories of the family cruiser, luxury yacht, performance cruisier, special, and multihull.

With diversity across the nominees, Jefa Steering is delighted that three winners were equipped with their advanced wheel steering systems. The Beneteau First 36 was described by Toby Hodges, Test Editor for Yachting World as, "Uncomplicated, unfussy and the result is a pleasure to sail." Jochen Rieker from Yacht Germany described the Oyster 495 as, "So great to helm and easy to handle." With Toby Hodges speaking about how there are some boats you just want to keep sailing and this is one of them when referring to the Linjett 39.

Jefa Steering Wheeled Systems, chosen by boat building yards, offer a comprehensive range of mechanical steering systems, autopilots, traveller systems, pedestals, and wheels. The system assists in bringing to reality the concepts that the naval architects and designers have to complement the sailing experience. It plays a small yet vital part in the bigger experience.

"Our steering systems are refined over the past 21 years, and we are delighted to work on these award winnings projects," comments Stig Jensen, Factory Manager at Jefa Steering. "Congratulations to all the winners and the nominees."

Visit jefasteering.com

Eve McMahon is 'Irish Sailor of the Year 2022'
"We're on our way..." Eve McMahon after clinching Gold in mid-July 2022 in the Youth Worlds at the Hague in The Netherlands "We're on our way..." Eve McMahon after clinching Gold in mid-July 2022 in the Youth Worlds at the Hague in The Netherlands

Eve McMahon is "Irish Sailor of the Year 2022", making it into the top national position for the second successive year after the ILCA 6 sailor's international performance was of such a standard that she even managed to better her exceptional showing in 2021.

For although 2021 had its special challenges as the limited international programme worked its way around the changing patterns and restrictions of the global pandemic, 2022 brought the fresh vigour and reinforced competition of emerging action.

Yet despite this, the now 18-year-old Howth sailor's tally brought home no less than three Gold Medals from majors on both sides of Europe, and from both sides of the Atlantic. So although she first took the "Sailor of the Month" title in April 2022 by marking the beginning of her exit process from the Junior scene with a domination of the ILCA 6 class in the breezy Youth Nationals at Ballyholme, it was entirely within the month of July that she amassed the three Golds on the international stage.

During the two-and-a-half months between those peaks of achievement, she had to focus on the demands of the Leaving Cert. Keeping a level head in such demanding circumstances would challenge even the most academically-inclined, yet at the beginning of July she reappeared in top-level athletic sailing with joyful enthusiasm, and took herself off to Greece for the European Youth ILCA 6 Championship, which she won going away by a clear 36 points. -- W M Nixon

Read more...

The Capsize Club - OnCourse Ep 24
Five of the six teams that will take part in the next America's Cup cycle have been out testing and training. Two of them have been for a swim, one have been in the drink twice where their second capsize turned out to be pretty serious. Matt Sheahan reports on this and other news from the America's Cup.

Plus, The Ocean Race fleet got battering on the opening leg of the round the world race. We also report on a brand new foiling machine that anyone can fly along with more news from the world's biggest boat show, Boot Dusseldorf.

planetsail.co.uk

Camden Classics Cup, July 27-29, 2023
Get excited for two days of great racing on Penobscot Bay, festive parties, the annual Youth Regatta and the Parade of Sail around Camden Harbor. Stunning weather, exciting racing conditions, brand-new shoreside facilities and a record number of 91 yachts made 2022 an amazing year. We're looking forward to an even better event in 2023!

The post-race parties on the harbor are going to be even better this year, with improved space for socializing, dining and dancing at the Lyman-Morse facility in the heart of Camden harbor. Last year's events sold out early, so remember to buy tickets for your crew!

Dockage will be included with your registration on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to vintage and classic vessels.

We would like to thank our sponsors! Take a look at the list from 2022 below. Interested in sponsoring? Please email us at

American Curt Morlock enters GSC on ex IMOCA Open60 Galactic Viking
Curt Morlock has gone all in to kick start his project, selling his house and cashing in on his retirement fund. At 64 he is convinced that "now or never" is the time to achieve his dream to complete a solo circumnavigation. He was already planning a round-the-world lap and looking for a suitable boat to do it when he came across the Global Solo Challenge which provided him with the perfect opportunity at the right time. He decided to join the camaraderie of the other participants in the GSC rather than sailing single-handed, and alone.

The boat he's chosen is very capable and proven. Galactic Viking is an Open 60 (Ex-IMOCA), designed by Bernard Nivelt, built and sailed by Thierry Dubois in the Vendee Globe 2000 and in the Around Alone in 2002. She was later campaigned by Patrice Carpentier in the 2004 Vendee Globe, by Rich Wilson in the 2008 Vendee Globe who achieved 9th. She also achieved a 3rd place in the Velux 5 Oceans Race in 2011 with Derek Hatfield.

Curt is the 54th skipper to have entered Global Solo Challenge and is fully aware that the biggest challenge is getting to the starting line. It is no surprise in fact that many of the original entries have stumbled upon the many pitfalls of such an overwhelmingly ambitious projects, were lack of funding or personal circumstances can quickly force a skipper to throw in the towel despite all reasonable efforts. Around 30 skippers are still battling their tasks lists, refitting their boats and preparing for the great adventure set to start from A Coruña later this year.

Full interview

The 'motherhood penalty'? Controversy as Vendee Globe skipper Clarisse Cremer loses sponsor
Banque Populaire's dropping of Clarisse Cremer has caused widespread outrage among the offshore sailing community, and has become a huge national story in France

IMOCA skipper Clarisse Cremer, who has recently given birth to her first child, has been controversially dropped by her sponsor Banque Populaire ahead of the 2024 Vendee Globe.

Cremer, who currently holds the record for being the fastest woman to sail solo around the world, raced for Banque Populaire in the last Vendee Globe, and was due to take the helm of the former Apivia for the same backers in the 2024 race.

In a post on her Facebook page, Cremer explained that, although she wasn't obligated to, she had told her sponsors in February 2021 that she planned to start a family.

"They still chose me for this new Vendee Globe and communicated our mutual commitment in autumn 2021.

"I learned last Friday that Banque Populaire had finally decided to replace me. By their decision, and despite my constant will, I will not be part of the Vendee Globe 2024.

Full article in yachtingworld.com

Antoine Mermod: "It's Up To IMOCA To Ensure That We Make Progress In Terms Of Diversity"
Between the "Clarisse Cremer affair" and The Ocean Race, Imoca is top of the news agendas at the moment and so a good time for for Tip & Shaft to speak with the president of the class, Antoine Mermod.

When did you learn of Banque Populaire's decision to separate away from Clarisse Cremer and what was your reaction? Clarisse told me on Monday of last week (January 30). I admit that I was quite surprised at the time. The information then came out on Thursday, I saw the Banque Populaire press release and I pretty much fell out of my chair because I was not expecting this affair, which was between a skipper and their sponsor, would really focus around the Vendee Globe. I don't really want to judge each other's communications, the only thing I find as a little unfair is that the debate focuses on the Vendee Globe and diversity, when historically, it t is a race that has always been rather ahead of other races when it comes to female skippers.

Were you surprised by the frenzy that this affair aroused?
It was indeed very quick to take off and almost unheard of in the history of ocean racing. What is tricky with such an emotive topic is to keep a cool head and try to have a slightly more objective analysis, but still taking account of all the emotion aroused by all the people who comment. It was coincidental that we had a "TMS" (team managers and skippers meeting) the morning after the announcement. And we started by dealing with this subject for an hour, it was not easy, precisely because, after less than 24 hours of a media frenzy that went in all directions, it was difficult to manage to draw conclusions. Many skippers spoke, it was super interesting and it helped us all to understand a little more professionally what was happening.

Is the class participating in a search for a solution between the parties?
No. We are a class of skippers, so we support our skipper, Clarisse; Banque Populaire is a very important sponsor that has been in the Imoca class for years, we want the best outcome to be found quickly so that everyone comes out well but we don't need to interfere. It is up to us, on the other hand, to ensure that we make progress on this issue of diversity. The advantage of this media frenzy is that it will push us to reflect and to propose rules that will perhaps be more forward looking next time. We are going to start working on this with The Magenta Project, an association that the class is a partner to on questions of diversity. Sam Davies is in the process of taking on this subject with the Magenta Project, with the Vendee Globe and the major races, to better reflect on diversity and the rules and regulations side that need to come out of this.

Read the full interview in Tip & Shaft

Featured Charter
Reichel Pugh 86 - Way of Life. Located in Caribbean & Med 2023

WAY OF LIFE is an iconic Super Maxi 86, with an enviable racing history across the globe. Reichel Pugh have designed some of the world’s most distinctive, most enduring and consistently victorious racing sailing yachts. Available for charter in the Caribbean and Med 2023

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 (0) 20 3920 6261
Email:
lvyachting.com

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
JV43 - NEW BOAT. POA EUR.

The JV43 is designed to push the limit in offshore sailing for a wide range of client profiles

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
judel/vrolijk & co design + engineering GmbH
Am Alten Vorhafen 8 | 27568 Bremerhaven | Germany
Telefon +49 (0)471 308811-0 | Fax +49 (0)471 308811-30
e-mail:

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Ichi Ban TP52 from Botin 2017. POA GBP. Located in Sydney.

Ichi Ban is the most successful IRC yacht in Australian History having won three Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht races (2017, 2019 and 2021), three Australian IRC Championships and three CYCA Blue Water Pointscores.

RORC yacht of the year in 2018.

Built in 2017 to compete in offshore, coastal and inshore races this yacht is in immaculate condition and comes with two masts (Southern Spars), two booms, three rudders, water ballast and many spares and sails. Many upgrades have been made to her during 2022. Ready to race.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
For specifications and inventory please email Matt Allen at

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L30 One Design - NEW BOAT

The L30 boat concept was developed by Rodion Luka – Olympic medalist (2004), Worlds Champion (2005) in 49er Class and Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009 participant. Rodion has a 35 years’ experience in One Design racing, being a European and Worlds medalist in Laser Radial, JOD35, SB20 and 49er as well as well experience in Platu25, Melges24, J70 and RC44. He joined up together with Andrej Justin, designer of RC44 to make outstanding boat which combines good all round offshore performance, easy logistic, strict one design and is affordable for wide range of sailors all around the World with the price ready to race around 100k euro.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

+380 67 467 4949

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

The Last Word
An optimistic mind-set finds dozens of possible solutions for every problem that the pessimist regards as incurable. -- Robert Anton Wilson

Editorial and letter submissions to

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