EuroSail News #5329 - 11 May
In This Issue
• 11th Hour Racing Team wins in hometown
• A Clean Start Good Breeze and they are Off
• Fastnet Astern!
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• The Luckiest Boat on the Planet
• British Finn Masters Championship
• Morvan and Le Berre Lead Transat Paprec After Southerly Move
• Quentin Delapierre: A Look Back At A Meteoric Rise
• Industry News
• Featured Charter: J122 - Noisy Oyster
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Alfred Mylne Glen-Coats Gaff Sloop - DUET
• • J 45 Elegance Yacht
• • Kinetic Catamarans - KC54
• The Last Word: Oscar Wilde
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
11th Hour Racing Team wins in hometown
11th Hour Racing Team won leg 4 of The Ocean Race, leading the fleet into their hometown of Newport, Rhode Island on a spectacular spring afternoon in New England.
Skipper Charlie Enright was beaming as he stepped ashore, moments after his team held off Team Malizia to cross the finishing line for their first leg win of the event.
It wasn't an easy leg. Over the 17 days of racing north from Itajai Brazil, the teams had to manage numerous transitions between weather systems, from the southern hemisphere tradewinds, through the doldrums and into the north Atlantic trades.
A storm just two days out from the finish brought wind gusts over 50 knots and a brutal sea state, conditions that veteran on board reporter Amory Ross described as 'terrifying'.
The results today, combined with overall race leader Team Holcim-PRB having to retire from the leg after dismasting on day four, mean the top three teams on the leaderboard will be within one point when the transatlantic race starts on Sunday 21st May.
Paul Meilhat's Biotherm crew is still at sea racing towards Newport, with over 150 miles left to run. Their ETA has slipped into Thursday as the boat is mired in lighter winds.
Leg 4 positions (as at 20:00 UTC on Wednesday 10 May 2023)
1. 11th Hour Racing Team - 5 points
2. Team Malizia - 4 points
3. Biotherm - racing
4. GUYOT environnement - Team Europe - suspended racing
5. Team Holcim-PRB - retired from leg - 0 points
A Clean Start Good Breeze and they are Off
Canadian Peter Blunden's Life of Rilley led the way across the start line of the 4th Antigua Bermuda Race in brisk East winds. A fleet of 6 boats will make their way up the 935 mile course to Bermuda. The scratch boat in the monohull divisions is Stefan Jentzsch's Botin 56 Black Pearl, second place finisher in the RORC Transatlantic Race.
The likely boat for line honors is Californian Tod Slyngstad's HH 66 catamaran Nemo. Others in the fleet include Nova Scotian Ray Rhinelander's Bella j, and repeat competitors Kevin McLauglin's Rye and Richard Dumas sailing Tim Wilson's El Oro.
Sponsored by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum the race returns after a 3-yr. covid hiatus. -- Les Crane
Fastnet Astern!
Having passed the 'Tout Commence en Finistere' waypoint mid-afternoon yesterday, the duos competing in the fourth Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race Brest - Brest began their climb up to Fastnet. Far from relaxing, the sailors had to deal with a very fluky breeze. With wind shifts, light patches and squalls of up to 40 knots, they had a lot on their plates. Within this context, certain boats managed to sprint ahead in the middle of the night before squeezing up together again around the legendary lighthouse. This Tuesday, the top six are bunched within 35 miles and the battle is particularly hard fought between the two leaders, FOR PEOPLE skippered by Thomas Ruyant and Morgan Lagraviere, and Charal 2 skippered by Jeremie Beyou and Franck Cammas.
The two boats rounded the famous Irish rock within three minutes of one another, shortly after 11:00 hours French time. As such, suspense is guaranteed right to the last as they switch to 'rocket' mode on the hunt for the 'Trophee Region Bretagne' waypoint, which the front runners are due to reach this evening at around 21:00 hours.
The long leg between the 'Tout Commence en Finistere' waypoint and the Fastnet lighthouse was never going to be simple. Indeed, it proved to be relatively complex for the 13 duos in the fourth edition of the Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race Brest - Brest. "Having dealt with the light patch, which had us pinned to the racetrack after the first virtual mark, things got lively again this morning as a big squall rolled through."
Order of passage at Fastnet:
1. FOR PEOPLE (Thomas Ruyant - Morgan Lagraviere) on 9 May at 11h10'41 - 1d 21h 10 min 41s
2. Charal 2 (Jeremie Beyou - Franck Cammas) at 11h13'28, 2min 47s after the first boat.
3. FOR THE PLANET (Sam Goodchild - Antoine Koch) at 12h27'13, 1h 16min and 13s after the first boat.
4. Paprec Arkea (Yoann Richomme - Yann Elies) at 13h16'57, 2h 06min and 16 s after the first boat.
5. Initiatives Cœur (Sam Davies - Damien Seguin) at 13h41'22, 2h 30min 41s after the first boat.
6. Maitre CoQ (Jean-Marie Dauris - Julien Pulve) at 13h57'28, 2h 46min and 47s after the first boat.
Seahorse May 2023
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World News
Groupe Finot are back and certainly not following the herd, Yoann Richomme knows just what he wants, as does Damien Seguin, King of Miami… GBR's other Finn legend, lots of sailing time (and driftwood) in New Zealand… a dose of brutal honesty from Sir Ben Ainslie and old skills at the heart of new tech. Ed Wright, Ivor Wilkins, Patrice Carpentier, Dobbs Davis, Blue Robinson, Magnus Wheatley
All about the articulation
On AC40s there is plenty going on aloft as well as more obviously in the water... Bigger isn't always faster. In the 2013 America's Cup in San Francisco the speed and spectacle of 72ft wingmasted cats on foils turned heads like never before. But in the next Cup cycle in Bermuda the smaller AC50s were more nimble and in some cases faster. And they were already more consistent performers.
Seahorse build table - How did it begin (again)
It began with 'my perfect boat', but the perfect boat became rather popular. Now Dutch wizard Gerard Dijkstra is trying it all over again…
Sailor of the Month
Brilliantly fast and brilliantly reliable… or both
I make it eight?
Nico Martinez
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The Luckiest Boat on the Planet
Leo Sampson didn't set out to alter the world of wooden boat building, but during the past four years, each filled with random risk and challenge, he grew into a legend of the craft, thanks to skill and social media.
he heard about an old boat in serious disrepair. Tally Ho, a 48-foot, gaff-rigged cutter designed by Albert Strange, was in a boatyard on the Oregon coast, waiting for a savior. The designer's boats have a cult following, officially known as the Albert Strange Society. Members had been seriously searching for the perfect person to lay down US$1 for the chance to save their winner of the 1927 Fastnet Race. Nothing but the hull and deck, built in 1910, was included in the price. Damage from age, rot, and too many alterations destined the boat for a bonfire - until Leo Sampson journeyed to Oregon and met his future.
He handed over $1 and Albert Strange Society members pitched in to move Tally Ho to Washington State. It traveled by truck to a farm area in Sequim, Washington, taking up residency beside a house and workshop. The landowners, who have their own connections with the Caribbean, are extraordinary hosts. They offered Leo use of the shop and everything in it — a boatbuilder's dream of tools and space. He immediately got to work, cleaning, organizing, and figuring out how to record the story he was about to create.
The first Sampson Boat Company YouTube video, launched in June, 2017, is short and sweet. In it, Leo travels to Brookings, Oregon, with a family friend to survey the boat and seal the deal. That four-minute video became Episode One in a series that is now coveted and frequently binged.
caribbeancompass.com/the-luckiest-boat-on-the-planet/
British Finn Masters Championship
The British Finn Masters Championship attracted some of the best single-handed talent in the UK, with at least three world champions and over five national champions spread amongst the 26-boat fleet. Keyhaven Yacht Club hosted the event over the 6-7th May Coronation weekend and ran an excellent series of races across a wide range of wind and tidal conditions.
The championship was held on the anniversary of the tragic passing of Richard Blowman at the same event and venue. Keyhaven Commodore Andy Ash-Vie requested that the fleet fly a black ribbon from the masthead in memory of Richard, whose boat has now been purchased by the class after a fantastic fundraising effort by the members, and is now available for would-be Finnsters to try the boat - already resulting in one new convert.
Saturday the South Westerly wind peaked at 23 knots and the lumpy sea made the beats exhausting and the runs heart-racing for those that attempted to pump one-to-one. Multi-class champion Nick Craig proved his dominance in the conditions again, despite not being up to full Finn fighting weight. Fitness was now showing through, with Jim Downer claiming second ahead of the consistent Crispin in third and Hughes in 4th. An exhausted but exhilarated fleet returned safely to shore for a long lie down and a quick Coronation catch-up.
Sunday was a completely different story with sun and light winds forecast.
Across the two days, Nick Craig was the clear winner with three first in the heavier conditions, proof that with a soft mast you don't need to be a heavyweight gorilla to sail a Finn in 20 knots! Lawrence Crispin took the runner-up spot by a point from Jim Downer, (who won the Open category,) ahead of John Greenwood as the third Master. -- John Heyes
Morvan and Le Berre Lead Transat Paprec After Southerly Move
While Gaston Morvan and Anne-Claire Le Berre lead the pack by a matter of just under eight nautical miles on the ninth day of the Transat Paprec from Concarneau to Saint Barth's, Lucie Queruel and Arnaud Machado have shown the depth of their drive and determination by yesterday evening returning to the race course after 18 hours ashore on the tiny Canarian island of La Palma repairing sails to keep their challenge alive.
The duo on Groupe Helios - Du Leman à l'Ocean might then have had second thoughts once they were back at sea last night as they were soon hit by gusts of over 35kts, immediately testing their rudimentary sail repairs. They are now more than 350 miles behind new pacemakers Morvan and Le Berre on Region Bretagne-CMB Performance.
The leading six 'mixed-doubles' duos are within 30 nautical miles of each other and gybing west down the rhumb line towards Saint Barth's in the 15-20kts NE'ly trade winds making average speeds of around 10-11kts. Le Berre and Morvan - whose father Gildas won this race in 2012 with a young Charlie Dalin - were the first to gybe south last night to gain more wind pressure and were rewarded with a 10 miles lead this morning. In second now Lois Berrehar and Charlotte Yven (Skipper MACIF) were first at Sunday's La Palma turning waypoint.
All of the lead group were doubtless pleased to see their DTF (distance to finish) drop under the 2000 nautical miles mark today, indeed Morvan and Le Berre are almost at the theoretical half way point of the 3870 nautical miles course, within reach of the course record of 18 days 05 hours and 08 minutes set two years ago by winners Nils Palmieri and Julien Villion. The second half across the Atlantic is downhill in the trade winds and should be faster than the first half.
Top five at 1700hrs BST Tuesday 09/05
1. Region Bretagne CMB Performance (Gaston Morvan/Anne Claire le Berre) 1939 miles to finish
2. Skipper MACIF (Loïs Berrehar/Charlotte Yven) +7.7 nms
3. Mutuellle Bleue (Corentin Horeau/Pauline Courtois) +14.9 nms
4. Region Normandie (Guillaume Pirouelle/Sophie Faguet) +18.6 nms
5. Cap Ingelec (Camille Bertel/Pierre Leboucher) +26.1 nms
Quentin Delapierre: A Look Back At A Meteoric Rise
By holding his own against some of the best English-speaking crews, Quentin Delapierre has certainly left his mark on the third season of the SailGP circuit. At the age of just 31, the sailor from Vannes in Brittany well and truly earned his stripes in the elite group of international sailing. In 2024, he will be the helmsman on the French Orient Express Team's AC75 in the America's Cup. Time to analyse this amazing success story on the eve of the of the final stage in San Francisco this weekend, with Bruno Dubois, director of SailGP France, Guillaume Chiellino, the French Sailing Federation's technical director, his fellow sailors, Manon Audinet, Matthieu Salomon and Thomas Coville, the trainer, Thierry Douillard and the journalist Christophe Favreau.
Before piling the pressure on the Australians and New Zealanders, who are practically certain of winning their place in the Super Final of the SailGP circuit on Sunday, the heat will be on for the French team on Saturday. Third before the final Act with just one point more than his idol, Ben Ainslie, Quentin Delapierre has to beat the Brits, if he wants to make it to the Super Final, when the scores are reset to zero.
"This is a special moment in any career. You don't get to do battle with these monsters every day!" admitted the helmsman of the French F50, who is well aware of what is at stake, with SailGP adding a million dollars of prize money. "The hardest part is going to be staying on the podium on Saturday and withstanding all the pressure that everyone will be putting on us," confessed Bruno Dubois. "Not just the Brits, but the bookmakers, SailGP, the media, sponsors and ourselves."
Complete interview in Tip & Shaft
Industry News
Les Glenans opens its first English courses
Learning to sail in France - and in English - is now possible thanks to Les Glenans. The famous French sailing school now offers courses for English speakers. The school was founded in 1947 and now trains 18,000 students a year throughout France. It is internationally recognized for the quality of its teaching. Trainees come from all over Europe, but this is the first time that courses are given in English. These courses for adults are set up in Southern Brittany, starting from Vannes (Morbihan), as well as on the magnificent archipelago of Les Glenans, by catamaran. This new offer should be extended to other sites next year.
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Offshore sailor Thomas Coville will be the ambassador of the Bol d'Or Mirabaud 2023
The 84th edition of the iconic regatta held on Lake Geneva promises to be both athletic and festive. With one month to go before the start of the race, the organizers are expecting to gather more than 500 boats and to welcome a large audience at the Societe Nautique de Geneve, open to the public for the week-end.
Thomas Coville will compete in the Bol d'Or Mirabaud as a racer, but he will also be attending the key moments of the event, including the press conference as well as the opening and prize-giving ceremonies at the SNG.
Christian Wahl, winner of the 2022 edition aboard a Decision 35, will defend his title with his Double You Team in collaboration with the Mirabaud Sailing Squad: three young female sailors and Olympic medallists coached by Shirley Robertson get to know one another and learn to perform as a team with a view to taking part in the BOM2023 with the Double You Team.
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This month, leading yacht design and build company Spirit Yachts has announced Julian Weatherill has joined the management team as Production & Design Director.
Having worked in the marine industry for 30 years, Julian brings a wealth of experience to the senior Spirit team. In addition to sales and client management roles at several well-known British boat builders, Julian has previously overseen the design and construction of sailing superyachts. Prior to his successful career on land, Julian spent 10 years as a full-time skipper onboard cruising yachts ranging from 65-100ft, sailing over 80,000nm to remote locations including Alaska and across the South Pacific.
Founded in 1993, Suffolk-based Spirit Yachts recently launched a Spirit 30 and its second Spirit 72DH yacht, which will be followed by a 68DH and a third 72DH later in the year.
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The Thomas Telford Corpach Marina, Fort William, has been officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by Lord Lieutenant James Wotherspoon.
The £3.7 million facilities have been built to provide a sheltered, all-weather, fully accessible marina and public slipway, with berths for 45 yachts and motor vessels plus small day boats, cafe, and amenities.
The marina has been developed with a partnership approach by community volunteers from Caol Regeneration Company, supported by The Highland Council, Scottish Government, HIE, Crown Estate Scotland, MOWI, SSE and other local businesses and organisations.
The marina aligns with the Scottish Marine Tourism Strategy 'Giant Strides 2020-2025', increasing growth opportunities for marine tourism and its economic benefits.
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Code Zero are official clothing partner to the 52 SUPER SERIES for another three years
The 52 SUPER SERIES has signed a contract spanning the next three years to continue the longstanding relationship with CODE ZERO as official clothing partner which has been in place since the company was founded in 2017. The company will supply crew uniforms and technical apparel for the 52 SUPER SERIES personnel including event management staff, the TV and media team, on the water race management team as well as the international umpire team.
"We have forged a great relationship with founder Marc Blees and Code Zero and they have been great supporters and fans of the 52 SUPER SERIES for a long time, they are very much a part of our regatta family. We are proud to wear the Code Zero brand and put their pieces to the test each season. Of course Marc has also enjoyed putting together a Code Zero crew together on several occasions and it is always fun to welcome him to our events. At the same time it is great to be part of the exciting, continued growth of the brand which we have been with since the very beginning."
Featured Charter
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Featured Brokerage
1926 Alfred Mylne Glen-Coats Gaff Sloop 1926 - Duet. 39,000 GBP. Located in Lymington UK.
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J 45 Elegance Yacht. POA EUR. Located in France.
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Kinetic Catamarans - KC54
A performance catamaran that can be comfortably sailed by a cruising couple. The KC54 offers a modern stylish design and all of our standard features.
The KC54 maximizes living space with panoramic 360-degree views from inside its large main salon. The coach roof-mounted mast and traveler facilitate a large forward cockpit for both sailing and leisure and an aft cockpit free of sail controls. It is built for fast coastal and offshore cruising in comfort. It can also be configured as a competitive racer.
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