EuroSail News #5423 - 4 October
In This Issue
• Big breeze and straight bullets
• SailGP returns to Dubai
• Down to business - McConaghy Boats
• Cup Spy : Kiwis train alone in Barcelona on Saturday
• Francois Pervis joins Orient Express Racing Team
• Kitchen Maker 18ft Skiff Racing Team
• IRC Middle East Championships in Dubai
• Harbourmaster Sailing Challenge
• Industry News
• Featured Charter: MOD 70
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Kialoa II S & S Classic Racing Yacht
• • X-Yachts - Xc 47
• • Balance 620
• The Last Word: Norman Mailer
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
Big breeze and straight bullets
While Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is renowned for its lazy autumnal breezes, today the crews of the 39 maxi yachts competing in the Bay of Pampelonne braced themselves for a well-forecast pummelling with winds that built into the mid-20s allowing the faster boats to hit 20+ speeds.
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez is organised by the Societe Nautique de Saint-Tropez, part of the French Sailing Federation, in collaboration with the city of Saint-Tropez, the International Maxi Association (IMA) and the support of the Yacht Club de France. It is the final event of the IMA's 2023 Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge.
Predictions were that the big breeze, coming after two lighter days, might upset the results. However in two of the four classes this proved not to be the case with Terry Hui's 77ft Lyra scoring her third bullet of the regatta in Maxi B, as did IMA President Benoît de Froidmont's Wallyno in Maxi C.
Wednesday is layday for the Maxi class at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, although the 'Modern' and 'Classic' fleets will continue racing. However the Maxis have the opportunity to take part in match races and for the Club 55 Maxi Cup 100ft Magic Carpet 3 will line up against My Song. -- James Boyd / International Maxi Association
SailGP returns to Dubai for the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas
SailGP has announced the return of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas, to Mina Rashid, Dubai. For the event, taking place December 9-10, 2023, SailGP will welcome a new title partner, Emirates Airline and a returning presenting partner in P&O Marinas following a sell-out first year. The investment by both Emirates and P&O Marinas represents continued investment and dedication in making Dubai a leading sports and entertainment hub and leveraging experiences unique to sailing across multiple touchpoints.
Following a successful partnership at the France Sail Grand Prix in Saint-Tropez (September 2023), Nikki Beach Resorts & Spa Dubai will bring its world famous celebration vibes to SailGP for an exclusive fan offering in the heart of Mina Rashid.
The announcement of Dubai - which will be the sixth stop in Season 4 - will take the league to a record 13-event calendar, the largest in the league's history.
Fans wanting to be part of the excitement at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, presented by P&O Marinas on December 9-10 should head to SailGP.com/Dubai for more details and to purchase tickets, which are on sale now.
Down to business - McConaghy Boats
After building successful one-off prototypes for the AC40 and HSV chase boat, McConaghy has now put both of them into production
After the Kiwis' impressive America's Cup win in Bermuda back in 2017 few could have predicted how big the changes were going to be in both the Cup world and the broader reaches of the sport. McConaghy Boats have been in grand prix racing a long time; they've been at the leading edge of raceboat construction and have claimed many manufacturing milestones from the first prepreg laminate in a boat to the first prepreg Nomex cored maxi. But not even they had any inkling of what was going to be on their shop floor six years later. No one did.
Yet, to be building 12 (and very possibly more) of the most advanced and certainly the quickest foiling monohull one designs in the world is an example of just how far the racing world has come with the AC40s.
Full article in the October issue of Seahorse
Cup Spy : Kiwis train alone in Barcelona on Saturday
Emirates Team New Zealand was the only team reported to have sailed out of Barcelona on Saturday - encountering idea sailing conditions of 10-14kts from the SSW.
If the lighter wind strength report is accurate, the Kiwis managed the remarkable feat of doing 45 foiling tacks and gybes with only one "touch and go" in the whole day. That is using their legacy foils from the 2021 America's Cup
Commentary:
With the start of the America's Cup 2024 now just over 53 weeks distant, the indications are that designers will opt for an all-round boat - given the variance seen in the breeze over the past month, and looking likely to continue for the next three weeks.
It will also be crucial that the designers and sailing team work together to produce wing foils that can generate the lift at low wind speeds required to get the AC75 foiling, but only creating minimal drag once airborne.
Despite being well into the second cycle of AC75s, there seems to be little consensus on wing foil design amongst the six design teams, around 30 strong each, where a Masters or Doctorate in a relevant science is a prerequisite for entry seat amongst that hallowed company.
From that group of around 180 enlightened souls, we still see on a regular basis everything from "W" foils, tubercles, and fences, along with more conventional treatments of wing shape and thickness, bulb size and position.
Richard Gladwell's full article in Sail-World.com
Multi-medal winning track cyclist Francois Pervis adds his power to Orient Express Racing Team
Orient Express Racing Team today announces the addition of another leading French sports figure to its Challenger team - track racer Francois Pervis will bring his experience as a top-level competitor to the table, as well as providing the cyclor* group with the energy needed to power the AC75 America's Cup race boat.
Francois will join the mix of top-level sailors and athletes from different backgrounds announced in July by Orient Express Racing Team: pilots Quentin Delapierre and Kevin Peponnet, trimmers Matthieu Vandame and Jason Saunders, and the existing power group of sailors Olivier Herledant and Tim Lapauw, crossfitter Maxime Guyon, and rowers Germain Chardin, Antoine Nougarede and the Verhoeven brothers Remi and Thibaut.
Power on board the AC75 is supplied by people not by machines, so the quartet of sailors (pilots and trimmers) are joined by cyclors, people who have the capacity to produce the watts necessary during a race and manoeuvres.
Francois Pervis, a French track cyclist specialising in sprint events, has won seven world track titles (four in the kilometre, two in the keirin and one in individual speed) and a total of 17 world championships. He also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2020 Paralympic Games. Since December 2013, he has held the world record over a kilometre distance (56'303). -- Sabina Mollart Rogerson
orientexpressracingteam.americascup.com
Kitchen Maker 18ft Skiff Racing Team
Click on image for photo gallery.
The Australian 18 Footers League is always aware of the need to develop a good relationship with its sponsorship partners, so it's no surprise that The Kitchen Maker will be lining up for its 13th consecutive season when the club's Sydney Harbour 18ft skiff fleet lines up for the opening race of the 2023-24 season, which begins on Sunday, October 8.
Heading The Kitchen Maker team for his third season as skipper is Lachlan Steel, who will have Ben Kirkby (in the bow) and Jerome Watts (on the sheet) with him when the skiff lines up for Race 1 of the Spring Championship and Race 1 of the Season Point Score on the opening day.
For The Kitchen Maker's Darren McKavanagh and his family, the partnership with the League and its 18ft skiff racing goes back well beyond the length of the sponsorship.
Darren originally came into the 18s, as a competitor, in 2001 when he sailed with Greg Windust and Daryl Milham on a skiff named Total Recall.
Malcolm Page skippered The Kitchen Maker for two seasons (2012-13 and 2013-14) followed by John Sweeny (2014-15), Andrew Chapman (2015-16) and former Giltinan World champion Stephen Quigley in 2016-17).
The 2017-18 season brought the greatest success to The Kitchen Maker 18ft skiff team when Scott Babbage skippered her to victory, along with his young teammates Tom Quigley and Sam Ellis, in the NSW Championship. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League Ltd.
Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) to Host the Second Consecutive Annual IRC Middle East Championships in Dubai
The Dubai Offshore Sailing Club (DOSC) is excited to announce its prestigious role as the host of the annual IRC Middle East Championships. This will be held on the weekend of the 16th and 17th of December, 2023.
IRC is the globally-recognised performance rating system which allows keelboats of all shapes and sizes to compete against each other at an equal level. It is used in many of the most prestigious yacht racing events around the world.
Following the success of the first ever IRC Middle East Championships, held in December 2022 and noted for its spirited competition and sportsmanship, the opportunity to host it again serves as a testament to DOSC's commitment to nurturing a diverse range of sailing talents and promoting an inclusive atmosphere for sailing enthusiasts from various disciplines.
The IRC Middle East Championships, together with the upcoming SB20 World Championships and the 31st edition of the annual Dubai to Muscat Race, demonstrate how Dubai is the centre of modern keelboat sailing within the Gulf region. DOSC plans to develop events such as these in future years to welcome more international sailors from around the world to the UAE's shores.
DOSC extends a cordial invitation to sailing enthusiasts, supporters, and the community at large to witness and participate in the IRC Middle East Championships. For further details about the IRC Middle East Championships, as well as other sailing events at DOSC, please visit dosc.ae or reach out to mailto:
Harbourmaster Sailing Challenge Reaches Milestone with 256th Meeting at Drogheda Port
A commendable maritime journey known as the "Harbourmaster Sailing Challenge" was completed by sailor Mark Ashley-Miller on September 28th, 2023.
As Afloat reported previously, beginning in Dartmouth in March 2019, the voyage aimed to meet every Harbourmaster throughout the UK and Ireland while raising funds and awareness for the Seafarers Charity.
Traversing the maritime landscapes throughout his journey, Ashley-Miller established fruitful relationships with Harbourmasters who ensure the safety and prosperity of their respective ports.
His maritime odyssey provided invaluable insights into maritime operations and the diverse challenges faced by Harbourmasters.
The conclusion of Ashley-Miller's remarkable journey was marked at Drogheda, where he berthed overnight at Fiddle Case Pier.
Industry News
Antigua Yacht Club Marina is deeply devastated by the fires that occurred last night, particularly affecting the facilities and services within our main complex. Our thoughts are with the affected business owners and their employees during this difficult time.
Despite this unfortunate incident, we want to assure our valued members, patrons, and the sailing community that the main marina facilities, including diesel, water, electricity, and dockage, remain fully operational. We are committed to providing uninterrupted services to our visitors and guests.
A new location for our office has already been set in motion to ensure seamless communication and assistance for all our customers.
We are grateful for the overwhelming support and concern expressed by our community, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to us during this challenging time. Your support is invaluable, and we are determined to make the upcoming season a great one, albeit with some adjustments.
Antigua Yacht Club Marina remains resilient and determined to continue serving the sailing and yachting community with the same dedication and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you back and appreciate your continued trust in us. -- Shaun Falcone on behalf of the Falcone Family
President of the Antigua & Barbuda Yachting & Marine Association (ABYMA), Franklyn Braithwaite says, "The Board and Members of the Antigua and Barbuda Yachting and Marine Association all offer their sympathy and support for the Falcone Family and the businesses and individuals impacted. The AYCM is the heart of our community and despite the challenges will remain so. They are our friends and we are here to support them."
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At the Southampton International Boat Show ePropulsion were announced as the RYA's new Official Innovation Partner.
Experts from the RYA Environmental Team were also on hand to explain how the advantages of electric boating go beyond the environmental benefits including no noise, easy boat handling and low running costs.
Phil Horton, RYA Environment and Sustainability Manager explains: "This is a key partnership for the RYA as we look to a future of quiet, zero carbon boating.
"We're seeing a huge interest from members and affiliates in switching to electric drive, and rapid advances in technology driven by companies such as ePropulsion mean this is now readily achievable for most recreational boaters."
Steve Bruce, Global OEM Sales Director, ePropulsion added: "It's a proud moment for ePropulsion to be named an Official Innovation Partner of the RYA. By focusing on electric engine solutions, we're taking a massive leap forward in mitigating the negative environmental effects of conventional boating.
You can find more information about ePropulsion and browse products at epropulsion.uk
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Cabo Verde and The Ocean Race have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that could see the island archipelago host stopovers and future meetings of The Ocean Race Summits in partnership with the iconic around the world sailing event.
The MOU would see The Ocean Race Summits - a congress of changemakers from across government, industry, NGOs and the scientific community - return to Cabo Verde, as well as the racing fleet during the next around the world races.
The arrangement was announced in New York by Ulisses Correia e Silva, the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde, who was participating in the latest The Ocean Race Summit by tabling a proposal to the General Assembly of the United Nations on Ocean Rights.
The islands of Cabo Verde have long been a tactical landmark for sailors competing in The Ocean Race, who have historically needed to decide whether to weave between the islands, or to avoid the potential wind shadows by giving the archipelago a wide berth.
The 2023 race was the first time the race made a stop in Mindelo, Cabo Verde and the stopover was a great success with over 70,000 visitors to Ocean Live Park and over 2,200 school children taking part at in-person educational workshops.
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North Technology Group (NTG) has acquired sailing software manufacturer Sailmon for an undisclosed sum.
Founded by three-time Olympic sailor Kalle Coster and based in the Netherlands, Sailmon develops both hardware and software, including manufacturing customisable graphics displays and high-accuracy data processors for the sailing community. The processors, including the E4 range, deliver fast, accurate and reliable data, using algorithms designed and used by pro sailors, combining sailing data with advanced racing technology. All Sailmon equipment performs automatic over-the-air software updates.
The Salmon Sailing app caters to all watersports enthusiasts, offering real-time data, personal challenges, and video / photographic footage. It is focused on building a community, from kitesurfers, racers and explorers to recreational sailors, to share experiences and challenges.
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At the heart of the French Nautical Industries Federation's strategy, boat shows are the major focus for 2024. The future of Nautic de Paris is becoming clearer on the banks of the Seine in the Hauts de Seine, even if the budgetary framework is still being shaped.
The other major announcement was the conclusion of the takeover of M2O, owner of the international multihull boat show at La Grande Motte, from Philippe Michel and Frederic Morvant, their founder in 2010. FIN will only take over executive management of the show for the 2025 edition.
Finally, for equipment manufacturers, FIN intends to pursue its development at BtoB trade shows, with a 5th pavilion at METS Trade in Amsterdam and a first French pavilion at IBEX, its Florida counterpart, in Tampa.
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