In This Issue
• Swan Sardinia Challenge
• RORC Vice Admiral's Cup
• Grand prix-level tactical tools... for everyone - Vakaros
• GAC gets Team Holcim-PRB back in The Ocean Race
• EKP Women's Cup / Iberdrola Women's Sailing League
• Mike Marshall Three-Peats as J/24 US National Champion
• Tom Cunliffe introduces new interactive navigation app
• Ramsgate Week
• World Sailing Statement
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: Swan 601 - AKOS
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Nautor Swan 55 CC
• • Sangermani 64 'Giannella II'
• • 1944 Luders 24 - Belle
• The Last Word: Douglas Adams

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

Swan Sardinia Challenge
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.

The Swan Sardinia Challenge delivered spectacular conditions and close racing for the owners and crews competing in the second instalment of the season-long The Nations League 2023.

Teams in the ClubSwan 50, ClubSwan 42 and ClubSwan 36 one-design classes gathered in Villasimius on Sardinia's dramatic southeast coast, with the ClubSwan Racing family hosted by the Marinedi Group's Marina di Villasimius together with Lega Navale Italia Sez. di Villasimius and new Yacht Club Marina di Villasimius.

Strong winds ruled out safe fleet racing on the opening day of the regatta - though many took advantage of the conditions to go kite-surfing and wing-foiling - with light breezes the following day limiting the fleet to a single if challenging race on the pristine waters of the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area.

However, fresh winds returned on day three to provide downwind racing conditions described as "epic" by Finnish Olympic sailor Mikaela Wulff racing on the CS50 Stella Maris, with some of the fleet hitting a spectacular 20-plus knots of boatspeed.

At the same time the racing remained close and competitive, with the 13-strong CS50 class producing a different winner in each of the four races sailed during the regatta. August Schram's consistently well sailed Stella Maris (AUT) took victory clear ahead of Andrea Bianchedi's Drifter Sail (ITA) and Andrea Lacorte's Vitamina (ITA).

The ClubSwan 36 class was equally hard fought, with the top three yachts separated by just a single point. Richard Thompson's Black Seal (GGY) edged the fierce but friendly contest ahead of Edoardo and Vanni Pavesio's Fra Martina (ITA)and Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio's G-Spot (MON), who were only separated on countback.

The tightly packed ClubSwan 42 class saw Spain take the top two steps on the podium with Pedro Vaquer's Nadir (ESP) a point ahead of Jose Maria Meseguer's Pez De Abril (ESP), and Luca Formentini's Koyre - Spirit of Nerina (ITA) able to hold off Massimo De Campo's Selene-Alifax (ITA) to claim the final space.

With the results all in - and with racing not possible on the final day due to high winds and waves- Italy topped the Best-Placed Nations Scoring table, thanks to Drifter Sail and Vitamina, ahead of Monaco and Germany.

The Nations League 2023:
April 25-29: Swan Croatia Challenge Split (CRO) | (CS36)
May 16-20: Swan Sardinia Challenge Sardinia (ITA) | (CS50, CS36, CS42)
June 20-24: The Nations Trophy Sardinia (ITA) | (CS50, CS36, CS42)
July 31 - August 5: Copa Del Rey Mallorca (ESP) | (CS50, CS42)
September 12-16: Clubswan 50 Challenge Mallorca (ESP) | (CS50)
September 12-16: Clubswan 36 Challenge Sardinia (ITA) | (CS36)
October 10-14: Swan One Design Worlds Tuscany (ITA) | (CS50, CS36, CS42, S45)

Full results on YachtScoring.com

Race Tracker

RORC Vice Admiral's Cup
Racing at the Royal Ocean Racing Club Vice Admiral's Cup concluded on Sunday 21 May after a second superb day of racing in The Solent. The north easterly breeze wicked up to 20 knots at times, but was once again variable in speed, giving a complexity to the one-design and IRC-rated action. Three races were held for all classes on the final day, completing the six-race series. Congratulations to the five class winners at the RORC Vice Admiral's Cup: Cape 31 - Shotgunn, J/111 - McFly, J/109 - JAGO, HP30 - Assassin, and Quarter Tonner - BLT.

The Royal Ocean Racing Club return to offshore mode next weekend with the 235nm Myth of Malham Race, starting on Saturday 27th May from the RYS Line Cowes. 162 boats have entered the Myth of Malham, whose start mirrors the Rolex Fastnet Race, which will be run in July. -- Louay Habib/RORC

Full results

rorc.org

Grand prix-level tactical tools... for everyone - Vakaros
With its RaceSense software and Atlas 2 instrument display, Vakaros is now offering sailing technology that was designed for the America's Cup and SailGP to a much wider community of racing sailors

All of us have felt the tension that arises during a typical start sequence: the frenetic mental energy coupled with our helming and trimming to be exactly on the line where we want to be and at speed when the gun fires. It looks easy and intuitive to those who have years of experience and know their boat, their crew and the race conditions well. Yet for others without this carefully acquired and cultivated skillset starting can be quite a daunting task. This is where RaceSense and its Atlas 2 display platform from Vakaros can help by bringing affordable America's Cup and SailGP-level technology to within reach of all of us.

On big boats it's quite typical to see a variety of clever tactical software tools used to provide critical information, such as time and distance to the line based on measured rates of progress. Yet when this information is layered among other considerations, such as your aggressive neighbours who also want the same place on the line, the need for clear and highly accurate information can be paramount: there is no room for uncertainty in the final seconds left to the start, for both the competitor and the race managers who are tasked with policing the start line.

Full article in the June issue of Seahorse

GAC delivers to get Team Holcim-PRB back in The Ocean Race after dismasting
GAC Pindar moved Holcim-PRB yacht on BBC CHartering vessel from Rio Brazil to Newport RI, May 2023. Click on image to enlarge.

Newport, Rhode Island, USA: Team Holcim-PRB are back in The Ocean Race after having to retire from Leg 4 of the round-the-world sailing event when they lost their mast. And GAC helped make it happen.

The boat's mast broke when a fitting failed 20 miles off the coast of Brazil during the race from Itajai, Brazil, to Newport, Rhode Island, USA, in the early hours of 27 April. Fortunately, the yacht suffered no further damage and the crew were unhurt, but the loss of the mast meant they could not continue the race - a major setback for the team that had until then been the overall leader.

To re-join for the next leg, both the boat and a replacement mast had to be delivered to Newport in time for the repairs to be completed before the race fleet set off for the transatlantic stage to Aarhus in Denmark on 21 May.

That's where GAC's specialist marine leisure, sport and events division, GAC Pindar, came in. As the race boat and its crew headed for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under jury rig, GAC Pindar began urgent discussions with Team Holcim-PRB's management and The Ocean Race's technical team to work out the options. Meanwhile, a member of their on-the-ground team flew out to Rio to meet the boat, after completing site operations in Itajai.

Within hours, several options were rejected that would not get the boat race-ready in time to take part in Leg 5 and a plan was drawn up to simultaneously ship the boat from Brazil and the spare mast from Lorient, France, to Newport. The new mast arrived first, while the IMOCA yacht was en route onboard the BBC Chartering vessel 'ROSAIRE A DESGAGNES' which BBC Chartering agreed to divert to Rio de Janeiro specifically to collect the boat, thanks to their long-standing relations with GAC. The vessel arrived on 17 May, leaving a tight window to rig the race boat and have it ready for the In-port race before Leg 5 set off.

"Our operations team moved heaven and earth to find the right solution to put Team Holcim-PRB in Newport and match-fit in time for the transatlantic leg back to Europe," says Jeremy Troughton, GAC Pindar's General Manager. "We are able to come up with options so quickly thanks to our Project Lead for The Ocean Race, Martin Molloy, and his on-the-ground team working closely with the event organisation and our Control Tower back in Southampton, as well as the good relationships we have with our suppliers."

Despite being forced to abandon the previous stage of the race, Team Holcim-PRB is still at the top of the leaderboard. As Leg 5 begins, they are the leader among the top three teams, who all sit within one point of each other on the race leaderboard. The next leg of the race counts for double points, making it even more crucial for Escoffier's team to be ready to race.

theoceanrace.com

EKP Women's Cup / Iberdrola Women's Sailing League
13 female crews have disputed 27 races during two intense days of good wind in which all crews faced each other several times in groups of 5 on J80 monotypes arranged by the organization.

The races were held in front of the headquarters of the centenary Basque club (this year celebrated its 125th anniversary), in the so-called Abra interior, and with the incomparable backdrop of the Portugalete Bridge, a spectacular iron structure linking the towns of Las Arenas and Portugalete, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Excitement until the end, and the winner was not decided until passing the finish line of the Medal Race that confronted the five teams that had obtained the best results during the previous round-robin. Decoexsa from Guipuzcoa started as leader with a two-point lead, but had to be penalized for an early start, a situation that Dorsia Coviran took advantage of to take the victory. Team Balearia of the Real Club Nautico de Palma, finished in 3rd position.

The Liga IBERDROLA-Campeonato de Espana Vela femenina is organized by the Real Federacion Espanola de Vela, the Real Club Marítimo del Abra-Real Sporting Club, Real Club Nautico Calpe, Real Club Nautico Madrid, Club Nautico S'Arenal and Real Club de Regatas Alicante, with the collaboration of the Autonomous Federations hosting the regattas. This weekend's competition was also sponsored by Euskadiko Kirol Portuak and BBVA. -- Luis Fernandez

rcmarsc.es

Mike Marshall Three-Peats as J/24 US National Champion
Diamond Point, NY: It took seven races to sort out the chutes and ladders at the J/24 US National Championship hosted by The Lake George Club in Diamond Point, New York. The final contest was a duel between Mike Marshall's American Garage and Travis Odenbach's Honeybadger. Winds were quite varied in Sunday' lone race, including a hefty shift that propelled Marshall to earn his third consecutive US National title. The Newport, Rhode Island-based skipper led his team of Geoff Becker, Kelly FitzGerald, Rich Bowen and Jeff Hayden with 16 net points. Odenbach settled for second place at 20, tied on points with Tony Parker's Bangor Packet. Sunday's race winner was Bill Fastiggi's Fawn Liebowitz.

More than half the fleet competed in the Corinthian Division, topped by Mike Stasko's Redline, with Finn Hadlock's Boreas and Denny Vaughan's Easy Street rounding out the top three. Redline's crew included Austin Zauner, Gavin Smith, Tom King and Aaron Holland.

Top Five:
1. American Garage, Mike Marshall, 1-4-3-2-[5]-4-2- ; 16
2. Honeybadger, Travis Odenbach, 2-1-[13]-1-2-2-12- ; 20T
3. Bangor Packet, Tony Parker, 3-6-1-5-4-1-[9]- ; 20T
4. You Regatta, Carter & Molly White, 6-5-2-3-[21]-3-7- ; 26
5. Redline, Mike Stasko, 4-2-9-10-[23]-5-3- ; 33 (Corinthian)

Forty-two teams competed from May 19-21.

Complete results

Tom Cunliffe introduces new interactive navigation app
Renowned sailor, author and raconteur, Tom Cunliffe has introduced an exciting new interactive app using raster charts derived from UKHO data.

Following the strong negative response to the UKHO's now postponed decision to discontinue paper charts and their important raster derivatives, Cunliffe and his colleague Bill Aylward have produced AngelNav, an iPad-based chart plotter using UKHO data for raster charts.

Looking exactly like paper charts, AngelNav's raster charts are complete with the important notes and warnings that have disappeared from their vector equivalents. Navigating with AngelNav is designed to be like having a plotter that uses the charts in a boat's navigation station, with two primary differences: they are all present and always up to date.

In addition to the usual waypoints and routes, AngelNav alone allows a user the power to plot traditional chartwork easily on the screen. Three-point fixes from compass bearings can be plotted on-screen, just like a pencil on a paper chart, as can vector diagrams for a course to steer or an estimated position.

"Not only does this enable sailors to keep in touch with traditional methods of navigation, it also means that if GPS takes a break and paper backup falls short, AngelNav's charts still work for electronic navigation based on reliable analogue inputs," says Cunliffe.

"You can also create accurate, georeferenced satellite charts for anywhere in the world within the app - extremely useful in remote areas where conventional charting is patchy. With AngelNav, the skipper is genuinely in charge of his own destiny." Currently, AngelNav offers UK waters and Ireland with more areas coming on-line.

AngelNav is a free app from the Apple App store for iPhones and iPads running iOS 15.0 and above. UK and Ireland charts are divided into affordable sections that can be bought in-app at 24.99 GBP.

angelnav.co.uk

Ramsgate Week
The sun has finally made an appearance and it's time to make sailing plans for the Summer and book your place for Ramsgate Week 2023. With the Early Bird Discount ending on 31st Maythere has never been a better time to enter.

For those who have never been before, what do you need to know about Ramsgate Week?

The week long regatta is hosted by the Royal Temple Yacht Club, and has been running for over 150 years. The week kickstarts with the famous Round the Goodwins Race on the Sunday which features the EAORA fleet and then follows with races every day culminating with the iconic Gold Cup race on the Friday. We also host the IRC East Coast Championship from the Wednesday to Friday.

We are proud of our reputation of being the friendly regatta, and with an ever increasing fleet of cruising class yachts we have moved back into the school holidays to allow families to join in. Every evening there will be live music at the club house, which is less than a ten minute walk from your berth with a fantastic view of the harbour from our balcony.

Entry forms can be found on our website RamsgateWeek.com

World Sailing Statement
Following the Mid-Year Meeting of the World Sailing Council, the World Sailing Board has met to consider the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in response to guidance for International Federations from the International Olympic Committee.

All Council Members, attending the Mid-Year Meeting as elected representatives of World Sailing's Member National Authorities, were given the opportunity to offer their region's view. Although there was no formal vote, there was very clear majority support for maintaining World Sailing's current position in relation to the return to international competition for athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus.

After considering all views expressed in the meeting by World Sailing Council Members, the Board has agreed the following:

The Board continues to support the IOC's guidance and the Fundamental Principles of Olympism in the Olympic Charter; and equally the key principles of non-discrimination of athletes, and the separation of sport and politics highlighted by both the IOC Executive Board and ASOIF Council. The Board recognises that the Fundamental Principles of Olympism inform the IOC's recommendation to allow the return of Russian and Belarusian competitors as individual neutral athletes.

Given the timing of the return is a matter for the International Federations, the Board's decision remains consistent: April 2024 is the targeted opportunity for sailors with a Russian or Belarusian passport to return to international competition as neutrals. With regards to Olympic qualification, the Semaine Olympique Francaise (SOF), is an event at this time and presents opportunities for sailors with a Russian or Belarusian passport to compete as individual neutrals in qualifying for Paris 2024.

World Sailing remains wholly committed to supporting Ukraine's sailing community through what continues to be an unimaginably difficult time.

sailing.org

Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.

* From Philippe Jacques Roux:
I am happy to be in contact with Dick Carter, and he enjoys taking a flight from the US to meet all the French owners of one of his drawings. He also asked me to try to contact the British & Irish skippers.

So, to celebrate the victory of Ydra 50 years ago I invite all Carter yachts to the Dick Carter Cup on 11 August in La Trinite sur mer. All boats must present an IRC certificate.

On 10th all the fleet gathered will sail in the bay for shooting pictures. At night, crews could attend to the Dick's conference and a cocktail dinner. Questions? Contact Philippe-Jacques at

* From David Barrow:

Great words on Buddy’s passing from the gentleman Keith Musto, who in my opinion, is of similar stature in terms of what he left the sport.

Two greats from the past era still with a powerful voice for the future.

Many would benefit from taking the values these guys held forwards for the next generation.

Featured Charter
Swan 601 - AKOS EUR. Located in Mediterranean 2023.

The Swan 601 is a high performance racer hidden under an elegant exterior. Designed by German Frers, she is a racing beauty with a full carbon construction and modest displacement, making the Swan 601 a light responsive yacht. Available for charter in the Mediterranean 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
1995 Nautor Swan 55 CC. 289000 EUR. Located in Preveza, Greece.

Hull No.17 of 22, extended reverse-transom German Frers designed Nautor Swan 55 with 3-cabin ‘family cruiser’ layout. Fully equipped for comfortable bluewater adventures and benefitting from comprehensive 2020 refit.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Alex Grabau
Tel: +44 (0)1590 673715
Email:

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1966 Sangermani 64 'Gianella II'. 495 000 EUR. Located in Palma, Spain.

Giannella II is a wonderful classic sailing yacht ideal for family cruising in absolute comfort. She has won many regattas including The Voiles de St Tropez and Conde de Barcelona. She features lovely warm interiors and is easy to sail! Major refit in 2010, rebuilt from scratch.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Phone : +33 (0) 467 66 39 93

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1944 Luders 24 - Belle. 85,000 USD. Located in Newport RI USA.

A fast, pretty and successful Classic Day Racer, Belle, a Luders 24, Hull #2 is available after 34 years of current ownership. This thoroughbred has the coveted attributes of balance, ease through the water, and sheer good looks, together with “ahead of her time” construction, in top condition, make the phrase “Rare Opportunity” highly applicable here.

With a winning record of over 60 trophies; BELLE, a genuine CRFVintage class, is race-ready and in excellent cosmetic and structural condition. Laminated mahogany, hot molded and vacuum bagged, 38ft hull construction by Allied Aviation and finished at the renown Luders Marine Construction, CT (1944). Her 1991-1992 major refit included a cold molded underbody. Professionally and lovingly maintained, re-rigged, annually upgraded and inside stored.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
lminewport.com/lmi-luders-24-belle.php

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

The Last Word
Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all. -- Douglas Adams

Editorial and letter submissions to

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see eurosailnews.com/advertise/