In This Issue
• Passing Lanes in Transpac
• Fastnet IRC Zero Preview - Battle of the Commodores
• Vortec RAPIDE Range Launched
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• Storms Ahead - Rick Dodson
• EUROSAF Women's Match Racing
• Tall Ships Races 2026 - host ports announced
• 2023 ORC Annual Meeting
• George Andreadis
• Featured Charter: CRUSADE - 64' Classic Yacht
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Maxi 79 CAPRICORNO
• • Dark 'N' Stormy
• • Gunboat 68
• The Last Word: W.Y. Evans-Wentz

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

Passing Lanes in Transpac
With the exception of five entries that have dropped from the race and have returned to the coast, the entire Transpac fleet is now finally making good progress down the racecourse towards Hawaii. The faster entries among the Thursday starters are also converging fast with the slower Tuesday starters as shown on the PASHA HAWAII YB tracker system and will soon be finding some passing lanes, mostly to the north of the rhumb line.

Looking at the current North Pacific weather map, its apparent that the main high-pressure center has moved North and risen in pressure, from 1024 millibars late last week to 1031 millibars now. Yet the divergence and wide spacing of the isobars in the course area indicate wind pressures in the 15-20 knot ranges near the rhumb line and not the typical 20-25 knot trade winds found further south in “normal” Transpac years when the high center is closer to being on the central axis of the course.

The northeast orientation of the 1020 millibar isobar also indicates the boats will be spending a lot of time reaching on starboard tack before that orientation shifts to being more east-west and gybing to port becomes an option.

Fleet Tracker

transpacyc.com

Fastnet IRC Zero Preview - Battle of the Commodores
Teasing Machine is a strong tip for success in IRC Zero, and arguably for an overall win in this 50th edition Rolex Fastnet Race. RORC Vice Commodore Eric de Turckheim always ensures his NMYD 54 is immaculately prepared in every respect. Teasing Machine has shown great consistency in the past year so far this season to find herself leading the RORC Season’s Points Championship, thanks to overall IRC victories in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race, the RORC Transatlantic Race in January and the Myth of Malham Race at the end of May, as well as finishing runner-up in the RORC Caribbean 600.

Having retired in 2021 and finishing in 11th place overall in 2019, this team is certainly capable of much more. Sailing on board will be the same close-knit team as usual, including Volvo Ocean Race winner Laurent Pages, who has been project manager and tactician for de Turckheim’s team since 2014.

While for many competitors Teasing Machine is considered the boat to beat, Pages sees many likely contenders for IRC Zero victory. “There is such a wide range of performance in IRC Zero. There are a number of boats we will be watching: Ràn, Black Pearl, Caro, Warrior Won, Ino Noir. Spirit of Lorina could be a contender, but maybe in the end we’ll see a small boat coming from the back in a strong position, Phosphorus is a boat we know well [the old Teasing Machine] or Albator for example.”

In the 235 mile Myth of Malham Race, seen by many as the best warm-up for the Rolex Fastnet Race, Teasing Machine enjoyed a close dog fight with RORC Commodore James Neville’s brand new Carkeek 45 Ino Noir. The name Ino Noir is a play on pinot noir, the wine-coloured hull closely colour-matched to Neville’s Aston Martin DB11 AMR. Beautiful though she may be, custom race boats aren’t usually expected to be quick straight out of the box, but Ino Noir finished second overall in the Myth of Malham. There is surely more to come from this exciting boat. Built by Jason Carrington, Ino Noir shows a number of features typical of a sleek Carkeek design - the chamfered aero-friendly foredeck, reverse sheer bow, twin rudders and water ballast.

rolexfastnet.com

Vortec RAPIDE Range Lanched
Vortec Marine Ltd, a leading independent yacht refit, maintenance and brokerage business based in Portsmouth UK, is excited to announce the launch of the new RAPIDE range of yachts, starting with the Rapide 41. The new design package also includes the Rapide 55, 70 and 100 models, all designed by Mark Mills Performance Yacht Design.

Commenting on the launch of the new yacht designs, Innes McGowan at Vortec Marine Ltd said: “It has been an absolute pleasure working with Mark Mills on the Rapide range and we are all thrilled to see the plans come to fruition with this month’s new launch. We’re all looking forward to getting the new Rapide 41 out on the water this summer, before turning to the larger designs in quick succession.”

Mark Mills added: “The provenance of the design ensures that whilst the yacht looks graceful, it will perform competitively on the racetrack. However, with simple adjustments to the specification the Rapide 41 can quickly transform into a stable cruiser - giving prospective owners the choice to cruise slow or fast!”

The new Rapide range incorporates all of the latest construction techniques and materials to ensure the highest build quality. The build specification allows owners to personalise the yacht to their own individual requirements, meaning every yacht will be built in a bespoke manner.

The first Rapide 41 will launch in the Mediterranean in July and will be available for viewing and test sailing.

For further information on the new Rapide range, please visit vortecmarine.com

For further information please contact:
Innes McGowan +44 (0) 7900 905795
Ross Collingwood +44 (0) 7802 157576
Vortec Marine Ltd +44 (0) 1489 854850

Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:

Peter Dubens (GBR))
A man who prudently keeps himself under the radar as one of the world's biggest investors in the sailing and superyacht industry, Dubens was forced to break cover in Porto Cervo to step forward and collect the IMA Maxi European Championship trophy for the second time. Dubens' programme is showing the way forward for these big performance yachts, winning events with a much reduced crew, replacing absentees with water ballast and more power-assist

Ambrogio Beccaria (ITA)
Those who follow the Open classes were not especially surprised when this young Italian skipper finally got a new Class40 last autumn and with very little preparation immediately took second place in the Route du Rhum. Arch-rival Yoann Richomme has moved into the Imocas so it's open season for one of the most feared sailors in the fleet. Beccaria's victory in the Normandy Channel Race was a masterclass in strategy on a very complex racecourse

Last Month's winner:
Kirsten Neuschafer (RSA)
'Another huge vote after Rosalin Kuiper crashed our servers. 'The fact that she won after almost two days spent rescuing Tapia... amazing!!!' - Ruth Peele; 'The only competitor to always sail within her boat's capability, resulting in no gear failure' - Lynne Panico; 'From shore this race was the best daily soap opera ever and always Kirsten's determination and openness shone through' - Sean Collins; 'Kirsten has lots of fans here on Prince Edward Island!' - Cathy Garrett.

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

Storms Ahead - Rick Dodson: America's Cup champion to Paralympian' - Book Excerpt
A new biography, 'Storms Ahead - Rick Dodson: America’s Cup champion to Paralympian', follows the highly unusual career of Rick Dodson who was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) at the height of his career.

With Rick as strategist, Team New Zealand had won the America’s Cup in 1995 and would defend it in 2000. He was the epitome of physical fitness, a two-time world champion, a national champion; he had been a skipper on the winning Admirals Cup team of 1987 and won the One Ton Cup the following year.

By keeping his disease secret from nearly everyone except his close family and friend/crewmate Jeremy Scantlebury, Rick preserved his career for as long as possible. But by 2012, he had reluctantly retired from professional sailing and was selling his share in North Sails. He thought his sailing days were over, until he was approached by former America’s Cup skipper David Barnes, who had also been diagnosed with MS, to do a campaign in the Sonar at the Rio Paralympics in 2016.

Read Rebecca Hayter's full book report in Sail-World.com

Pauline Courtois crowned European Champion again at Lake Ledro
Click on image to enlarge.

The star of women's Match Racing, Pauline Courtois (FRA), already World Champion in 2021 and 2022, put the seal on her third European title with amazing performances.

After having prevailed on the opponents in all the three Round Robins held in the opening days, the French crew was prepared to challenge Sofia Giondi (ITA) in the first semifinal. However, the Courtois race was interrupted by the adverse weather conditions, which allowed only one flight to be completed. So results after the Round Robins did not change anymore.

“A great satisfaction to be able to win this competition, the third victory for me in this kind of event. Lake Ledro welcomed us back with its wonderful landscapes and challenging conditions for the Match Race, confirming itself as one of the reference locations for this discipline. Thanks to my crew for having been by my side in this European Championship,” commented Pauline Courtois on the sidelines of the awards ceremony.

France occupies the first two positions of the podium of the EUROSAF Match Racing, Women's European Championship with Pauline Courtois and Kenza Courtard, silver medal, while the third place went to the Australian crew of Juliet Costanzo. The Italian crew of Sofia Giondi came close to the podium, securing the fourth rank overall.

eurosaf.org

Tall Ships Races 2026 - Five host ports announced
Click on image to enlarge.

The Tall Ships Races 2026 is set to return to northern Europe, and Sail Training International is delighted to confirm the five event Host Ports are: Aarhus (24-27 June), Harlingen (3-7 July), Antwerp (11-14 July), Stavanger (22-25 July), and Aalborg (30 July-2 August).

The series will begin on Wednesday 24 June and continue through to Sunday 2 August, offering three exciting and challenging race legs and a scenic Cruise-in-Company. With each Host Port having held several magnificent events during previous editions of The Tall Ships Races, there is sure to be a stunning reception for the fleet at every stop.

As with every edition of the world-famous race series, The Tall Ships Races 2026 will offer the perfect opportunity to experience the adventure of a lifetime as it brings together young people from around the world to embark on a voyage of challenge and self-discovery.

SailTrainingInternational.org

sail-world.com/news/263827/

2023 ORC Annual Meeting to be held in Malaga 10-14 November
The Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) announces its Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Malaga, Spain over 10-14 November 2023. This event is important because it is where the feedback from thousands of ORC users around the world - along with the expertise of the ORC technical teams - can be used to improve the system’s use for the future.

Six committees will meet over 10-13 November in Malaga: Management, Promotion and Development, Classes and Events, Race Management, Measurement and Rating Officers. Each will have an agenda of items that will include a review of the past year and suggestions for future improvements. Their recommendations then go to the ORC Congress for approval at its meeting on 14 November.

The ORC International Technical Committee (ITC), who develop and improve the ORC Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) among other tasks, will meet separately prior to the AGM to make final adjustments to the new year's VPP and decisions on Submissions made to their committee. ITC Chairman Andy Claughton will present their findings and recommendations to the Management Committee and to Congress for approval.

Just as all ORC rules and formulations of the rating system are available for review, most ORC meetings will also open to the public for observation.

orc.org

George Andreadis
The sailing community is mourning the loss of George Andreadis who has sadly passed away aged 81.

A sailor from a young age, George’s career took him to two Olympic Games – first in the Flying Dutchman at Mexico 1968 and later in the Soling at Montreal 1976. He was also Team Leader of the Greek Sailing Team at Moscow 1980, Chairman of the Measurement Committee for the following three Olympics, and Chairman of the Sailing Committee at Atlanta 1996. In 2010 he was awarded the Silver Olympic Order of the International Olympic Committee.

Throughout his career he was an active member of class associations and boards, including World Sailing when, in 1972, he served as a member of the Keelboat Committee. Later he became Vice President and eventually Chair. He was Vice President of World Sailing from 1986-1994, 1998-2009 and 2012-2016, a member of Council from 1994-1998 and again from 2008-2012, and a member of the Offshore Committee from 2000-2008. He had also been an Honorary President of the Cyprus Yachting Association since 1995.

George was integral in initiating Para Sailing in Greece and was part of the Organising Committee for the 2003 International Foundation of Disabled Sailing World Championship. He has also supported the Special Olympics as an Official Sponsor.

For over 50 years George exemplified the values of sailing and brought many major sailing events to Greece.

sailing.org

Featured Charter
CRUSADE - 64' Classic Yacht

Charter 64' Classic Yacht CRUSADE and race at Cowes Week 2023

CRUSADE is one of the largest, most beautiful and most famous yachts available for charter at Cowes Week 2023.

Built in cold moulded wood on the Isle of Wight in 1969, her victory in that year’s Sydney Hobart race ensured her legendary status, and to this day she continues to be a head-turning talking point where-ever she goes.

With a brand new carbon rig and a suit of equally new North race sails, CRUSADE is enjoying a new, high performance lease of life.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Nick on + 44 (0) 7860 152703

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
1995 Maxi 79 CAPRICORNO. 850000 EUR. Located in La Spezia, Italy.

CAPRICORNO (formerly MORNING GLORY) was conceived originally with extremely essential interiors, with a strongly marked race imprinting for the yacht.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

+33 (0) 467 66 39 93

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2009 Botin IRC/ORC 42. 300000 GBP. Located in Hamble, UK.

DARK N STORMY started life in 2007 as a groundbreaking design in the GP42 Medcup fleet. Originally called PUERTO CALERO, she was a step away from the other GP42 class - with more volume aft, increased form stability, but with also a reduction in wetted surface area and associated drag reduction. S

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Nick Bonner

+44 (0) 7850 692 257

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Gunboat 68. POA EUR.

A dream team of designers have developed the platform to make the Gunboat 68 the greatest Gunboat ever built.

Fast, technologically advanced, and elegantly designed, The Gunboat 68 is the culmination of development within the fleet since the first Gunboat launched in 2002. Incorporating the best of what has come before with experienced boatbuilding and valuable industry partnerships, the Gunboat 68 is a step-change in the evolution of the brand.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

gunboat.com

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

The Last Word
Our past thinking has determined our present status, and our present thinking will determine our future status; for man is what man thinks. -- W.Y. Evans-Wentz

Editorial and letter submissions to

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