EuroSail News #5378 - 21 July
In This Issue
• How it all began
• Musto Skiff 2023 Worlds - Day 4
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Cup Spy July 19: A Game of Threes
• Ocean Globe Race countdown
• Sailing World on Water July 21.23
• WASZP European Games - Day 2 - Savoini leads
• Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta
• Swan European Regatta
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Volvo Ocean 65 - VO65 NO6
• • Kinetic Catamarans - KC62
• • New Verdier Class40 No192
• The Last Word: Lytton Strachey
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
How it all began
The only boat ever to win three Fastnet Races: Jolie Brise. Photo by ROLEX/Daniel Forster. Click on image to enlarge.
2023 and 2025 will be landmark years for the Royal Ocean Racing Club, with this year seeing the celebrations for the 50th edition of its premier event, the Rolex Fastnet Race. This sets sail from Cowes on Saturday afternoon bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin via the Fastnet Rock. This will be followed in two years by the centenary of the club, first set up in Plymouth immediately following the inaugural edition of the Fastnet Race in 1925.
With around 450 entries, ranging from the world's fastest offshore yachts down to 30 footers and classics, the race has come a long way in its 50 editions, reflecting the monumental changes in society and technology.
Most significant about the first Fastnet Race, at the time known as the 'Ocean Race', was that it effectively launched offshore racing as a sport on this side of the Atlantic. Surprisingly at the time in England sailing was a much more significant sport than it is today, thanks largely to the participation of the Royal Family. During the 19th century Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had been keen supporters of it, her majesty spending much of the latter part of her reign close to Cowes in Osbourne House. The first edition of what would become the America's Cup had taken place in 1851, meanwhile royal regattas were being held annually all over the British isles, with an entourage of aristocracy and the wealthy following the royal party between them.
The 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race starts from Cowes, Isle of Wight on Saturday 22nd July.
More information on the history of the Fastnet
Musto Skiff 2023 Worlds - Day 4
Click on image for photo gallery.
After a well-earned rest day, Day 4 of the ACO 12th Musto Skiff 2023 Worlds was an early start for the fleet to catch the Peler wind, and it certainly showed up! It was best described as a 'punchy downwind reach' going out to the start line, and there was a lot of change across the fleet for all 3 races. Dan Trotter (GBR 610) gives his perspective on how the penultimate day of the 2023 Worlds unfolded.
After a week of leisurely 1pm starts, setting a 6:30am alarm was a bit of a shock to the system! My biggest tactical decision of the day was whether I could sneak into the hotel breakfast before it officially opened at 7am. Luckily, it paid off, and I managed to grab some chocolate croissants to fuel up for what would surely be an epic day.
Although the boats looked excited to get off their trolleys, the sailors looked a touch more nervous seeing the wild conditions that were to greet them. Luckily, Danny Boatman was there to offer some friendly encouragement and nudged those sailors off the slip way.
All in all, a big morning out. Now to look forward to many a beer and the Gala Dinner before doing it all again tomorrow morning. There are now just 2 more races to go in the schedule before the Championship concludes and the 2023 World Champion is decided. -- Dan Trotter
At the close of Day 4 of the ACO 12th Musto Skiff 2023 Worlds, the top 3 places are:
1st - Matthias Houvenagel (AUS 408)
2nd - Sam Pascoe (GBR 636)
3rd - Bill Maughan (GBR 637)
Seahorse August 2023
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
The long game
Saudi Arabia is preparing to host its first ever America’s Cup event as it reconnects with sailing and the sea. The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup is set to take place on the Red Sea in Jeddah from 30 November to 3 December 2023. This will be the only venue outside of Spain to host an America’s Cup regatta during the 37th AC cycle.
Made for it
Designed for fast-paced inshore regattas where the sailors’ agility is just as crucial a factor as their strength is and endurance, Musto’s lightweight LPX collection is exceptional and expanding
A very new world!
Forget what you thought you knew about performance cruisers, this rather aggressive-looking beast is anything but average…
Super Series - Turkish delight
They should be smiling all the way round the Bosphoros (and beyond). ANDI ROBERTSON
Special rates for EuroSail News subscribers:
Seahorse Print or Digital Subscription Use Discount Promo Code ESN23
1yr Print Sub: €77 - £48 - $71 / Rest of the World: £65 www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/
1yr Digital Sub for £37.50: www.seahorse.co.uk/shop/subs/
Discounts shown are valid on a one year subscription to Seahorse magazine.
Cup Spy July 19: A Game of Threes
Three teams conducted testing today, using three different types of test boat, and with three different strategies.
Two of the teams tested foils using different methods, in 40fters. The third (ETNZ) tested light air capability in their AC75.
What happened in the Cup - July 19, 2023:
- Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailed their two AC40's put into One Design mode, with the One Design rigs being fitted to both boats, and One Design foils on one boat, with the other carrying a One Design foil on port side and the latest test foil on the other. The objective of the day was to properly evaluate the test foil. The one design foil was designed by Emirates Team NZ as part of the AC40 One Design package and is a good benchmark according to the team.
- Luna Rossa - sailed out of Cagliari in their custom design LEQ12 in winds of 9-13kts and temperatures of 39°C. They tested two of their prototype wing foils on the LEQ12. Their AC40 One Design is located in Barcelona.
- Emirates Team New Zealand sailed their AC75, which is the current America's Cup champion, upgraded to Version 2 of the AC75 Class Rule. The team sailed in wind measured by the AC37 Recon Team at between 1.5 - 3kts at 8ft above the surface. The Recon Team noted that ETNZ were pumping the mainsail using he traveller, and in their estimation the AC75 could get foiling without tow assistance in a 2.5kts windstrength or above, and at 2.0kts they needed tow assistance from their Chase Boat.
- American Magic - did not sail.
- INEOS Britannia will not be sailing until August 1, and are transiting to Barcelona from their pre-Cup base in Mallorca.
- No further news from the Orient Express Team (formerly K-Challenge).
Richard Gladwell's full report in Sail-World.com
Ocean Globe Race countdown
MDL Marinas and the Ocean Globe Race revealed plans for Ocean Village Marina, at a press conference in Southampton. Celebrating their own 50th anniversary, MDL Marinas previously hosted the 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2001 Whitbread races. Now it's the 50th Anniversary recreation of the first 1973 Whitbread.
The OGR is a race in keeping with the spirit of the original Whitbread races, where 'ordinary' sailors compete with sextants and paper charts, but without phenomenal budgets, foils and computers. A return to non-GPS days of real people, sailing beautiful yachts on real adventures around Cape Horn with a real chance to witness what courage and human spirit can achieve.
GR entrants from 8 countries start arriving at Ocean Village from 26th August. The Race Village opens on August 29th. Daily Live WebTV sessions, opportunities to meet teams, Astro Navigation demonstrations and the chance to mingle with Whitbread Veterans are just some of the Ocean Village events. A black tie MDL Captain's Dinner and Charity Auction with all proceeds split between the charities Blue Marine Foundation, Ocean Youth Trust South and The Maiden Factor Foundation is also planned.
Race Village schedule of events Include:
Tuesday 29th August, 11:00 hrs - Official Ribbon Cutting
Friday 1st September, 13:30 hrs - An OGR Welcome from the City of Southampton
Friday 1st, 18:30 hrs - Captain's Dinner and Charity Auction
Tuesday 5th September, 17:30 hrs - Whitbread Veterans Reunion
Thursday 7th September, 14:00 hrs - OGR Final Press Conference
Friday 8th September, 18:00 hrs - MDL OGR Farewell Hog Roast Party
Saturday 9th September, 14:00 hrs - Teams' Public Farewell presentation
Sunday 10th, 09 00 hrs - Full teams parade depart Race Village to their yachts
Sunday 10th, 11:00 hrs - SS Shieldhall OGR Cruise to the start and follow the fleet out Sunday 10th, 13:00 hrs - RACE START - Royal Yacht Squadron start line, Cowes, UK.
Sailing World on Water July 21.23
Highlights of what happened globally in the sport of sailing in the last 7 days.
Highlights of what happened globally in the sport of sailing in the last 7 days.
The historic 50th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Rolex Fastnet Race will set sail, with the first start at 1300 British Summer Time this Saturday (22 July), from Cowes Isle of Wight, bound for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin France, via the Fastnet Rock off southwest Ireland.
With more than 450 entries, this special anniversary race will have a record-sized fleet, up from the previous record of 388 set in pre-pandemic 2019. The Rolex Fastnet Race is by far the world's largest offshore yacht race in terms of participants.
WASZP European Games - Day 2 - Savoini leads
Click on image for photo gallery.
On Day 2 of the 2023 WASZP European Games held in Quiberon, the sailing conditions were near perfect, with the weather cooperating to provide ideal conditions for first day of championship racing, The two main fleets completed four races, while the green fleet had three races.
The first race proved to be challenging, as the wind was patchy and unpredictable, making it difficult for the sailors to navigate the course effectively. However, as the day progressed, the wind filled in and improved, leading to near-perfect conditions for the remaining three races.
Throughout the day, there were several general recalls, indicating that the starts were marred by false starts or other issues. This was likely due to the line being too short, leading to congested and difficult starts for the competitors. In addition to the general recalls, there were quite a few black flag penalties given during the races. The start line length was slightly shorter than normal, causing a few issues for some competitors who were a touch eager.
However, once the dust settled it was Italian Enzio Savoini who came out on top on the first day of championship racing. Savoini has been in the class since 2019 and has regularly been on the podium at EuroCups and other major events. Could this be his event?
High winds and high stakes at the Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta 2023
The 15th edition of the Taittinger RSYC Regatta hosted by the Royal Solent Yacht Club in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, opened on Friday evening with the Champagne Taittinger Reception held on the tented, waterfront lawn of the RSYC. The packed marquees, filled with competitors, their friends and families were buzzing with anticipation for a weekend of close competitive racing in the Western Solent.
The regatta's XOD fleet numbered 26 boats with four crews taking on the first race on Sunday and three for the second race. Local sailor, James Meaning on Gleam won the class overall. "The Taittinger Regatta embodies everything I enjoy about sailing," he commented.
Louis Kenna owner of the stunning, carbon fibre, Hinckley-designed Morris M36 Chameleon of Cowes won White Group's IRC Classic Cruiser Class sailing four-up. "The races on Sunday morning were really epic, epic races," confirmed Kenna who competes regularly in Solent regattas. Of the nine boats entered in the Classic Cruiser division, the Swan 43 Reindeer was the only other competitor prepared to take on the tough conditions "There's no damage and the boat works well," added Kenna. "Fantastic, really good fun. We came down from Hamble for a bit of sailing and a bit of entertainment and we started with a lot of entertainment, which was great with the crew together," he explained. "We had too-good-a-time at the Champagne Taittinger Reception on Friday night, then Saturday at the Towers Party was brilliant. It's a really nice family regatta." Louis Kenna succinctly identifies the success of the Taittinger Royal Solent Regatta.
The event's trophies and Champagne Taittinger prizes were claimed by mid-afternoon on Sunday and awards from the regatta's supporting sponsors were also drawn . A seven-night stay for two in the 1889 panorama suite of Austria's luxury Edelweiss & Gurgl Hotel was won by NHC A class winner Nik Atkinson of Elan 40 Caveman. A Honda 2.3hp outboard engine donated by supporting sponsors Wight Marine went to Kate Sims in NHC B.
The 2024 Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta is scheduled for 12-14 July
The Swan European Regatta in Turku to welcome more than thirty Swan yachts at the start
The Swan European Regatta in Turku, the bi-annual event organized by Nautor Swan, ClubSwan Racing, the City of Turku, Turku Yacht Club, Merikeskus Forum Marinum and Sunborn Events, is welcoming more than 30 Swans in the Baltic waters, from tomorrow, July 19th, until the 23rd. The maritime area of Forum Marinum will be the heart of this iconic and spectacular event, where the history of Swan yachts will be on display with models of all ages.
From the very first Swan 36 Tarantella to the latest model of the range, three of the brand-new Swan 55s, May, Fujin and Truelove, the Finnish yard and its owners are participating with a great passion and attachment to the brand, in an astonishing fleet, representing heritage and contemporary models.
Several Swan teams are gathering in the Turku Archipelago to enjoy daily coastal racing, mixing the beauty of sailing with a fair competition.
The Swan 45 Aurora is confirming her participation and will try to confirm their amazing performance in the 2021 edition, where she conquered the trophy with an en-plein (1-1-1).
The Swan 36 Tarantella, owned by the yard itself will be helmed by Lorenzo Giacomuzzi with an all-female crew. The whole crew is part of Nautor Swan's team, representing various departments of the company.
Three of the brand-new Swan 55 will take part to the event to put at test their boats and their own abilities in this charming area of Finland before continuing their voyage to their home waters.
Turku Castle will be the setting of two very important and awaited events. On Friday 21st the organizers will host an exclusive owners' dinner in a fairy tale atmosphere, while on Saturday 22nd crew and family are invited to attend the Prize-giving ceremony at the full-rigged Frigate Suomen Joutsen and to follow the Crew Party at Forum Marinum.
Featured Brokerage
Volvo Ocean 65 - VO65 NO6. 400000 EUR. Located in Auckland, New Zealand.
Volvo Ocean 65 Ex. TURN THE TIDE, and ready to ship for the next owner - for The Volvo Ocean Race, and other events. Shrink wrapped and ready to go.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Ben Cooper
Berthon UK
Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222
E-Mail:
-----------------------------------------
Kinetic Catamarans - KC62. Price: POA USD.
Pioneered for pleasure, Kinetic sets a new standard for luxury performance cruisers. Meticulously built and fully equipped to take you around the world, in comfort and style.
Each of our semi-custom catamarans is made to your exacting standards, combining comfortable, spacious living with power and grace. Even use your personal handheld device to monitor or control any number of functions on your vessel.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Kinetic Catamarans
USA Tel: +1 954 732 2836
Kinetic Catamarans
SA. Tel:+27 44 382 0439
-----------------------------------------
New Verdier Class40 No192. 720,000 ex-tax EUR. Located in La Trinite-sur-Mer or Lymington, UK
Brand new Guillaume Verdier Pogo S4 Class40 Version 2 – launched April 2023
Fully-loaded with North 3Di, Pixel, SkySat etc. Every option including upgraded high speed Harken 5-winch layout. All electronics calibrated by SkySat and ready to go. Upgraded 4.5 tonne Morfrac furlers. Cat 1 safety equipment. Demountable custom cradle.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
A writer’s promise is like a tiger’s smile. -- Lytton Strachey
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see eurosailnews.com/advertise/
Search the Archives
SEARCH
Search
[{{{type}}}] {{{reason}}}
{{/data.error.root_cause}}{{texts.summary}} {{#options.result.rssIcon}} RSS {{/options.result.rssIcon}}
{{/texts.summary}} {{#data.hits.hits}}
{{{_source.title}}} {{#_source.showPrice}} {{{_source.displayPrice}}} {{/_source.showPrice}}
{{#_source.showLink}} {{/_source.showLink}} {{#_source.showDate}}{{{_source.displayDate}}}
{{/_source.showDate}}{{{_source.description}}}
{{#_source.additionalInfo}}{{#_source.additionalFields}} {{#title}} {{{label}}}: {{{title}}} {{/title}} {{/_source.additionalFields}}
{{/_source.additionalInfo}}
