EuroSail News #5484 - 4 January
In This Issue
• Ticking all the boxes in terms of mental and physical preparation
• 100 Miles in an Opti
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• A moderate breeze for the Bloody Mary
• Cruising Club of America Awards
• Max Campbell Receives Young Voyager Award
• Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta
• GBR IRC National Championship at Poole
• How to Train Like a SailGP Athlete
• Featured Charter: First 53 - Yagiza
• Featured Brokerage:
• • S&S Swan 44 - Pomeroy Swan
• • RM 890+
• • Imoca 60 MERCI
• • Carkeek 47 "Stark Raving Mad IX"
• • Vismara MAS 60
• No Friday or Monday Issues in 2024
• The Last Word: Alexis de Tocqueville
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
Ticking all the boxes in terms of mental and physical preparation
Compared with previous generations of round the world racers and adventurers, the six skippers ready to take on the Arkea Ultim Challenge - Brest are a new, different breed. Physically most are fitter and stronger than those who preceded them. Bear in mind each manoeuvre is usually nearly 45 minutes of hard, physical work, not least requiring long periods at max effort on the pedestal winch.
The 'coffee grinder' is what Armel Le Cleac'h (Maxi Banque Populaire XI) calls "the hand bike". The heart rate climbs, the arms, shoulders, chest and lower back are fully engaged and the beads of sweat very quickly become rivers of perspiration.
"I keep up a level of exercise so that we prepare all throughout the year, to just be able to maintain that level of sustained power output endurance and a good recovery," says Le Cleac'h, skipper of Banque Populaire.
"It's not really about all out power, max work rate like on an inshore grand prix boat, but it requires really excellent cardio, and core strength too." He says
"In fact, it's more like a trail run rather than a sprint," adds Charles Caudrelier (Edmond de Rothschild). He ensures he does at least three physical preparation sessions per week and among them enjoys boxing, climbing, board sports, running and cycling. And in his build up Armel Le Cleac'h says he has worked out almost every day with swimming sessions, time in the weights gym or out on the bike.
The challenge begins on Sunday, 7th January.
100 Miles in an Opti
Sailing in his 7-foot, 9-inch Optimist dinghy, Carrack Jones, 14, set off on November 22, 2023, at 4:30 pm, from Falmouth Harbor, Antigua, making it into Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, just before midnight on November 23, after a mostly downwind sail with a reach for the final twenty miles or so. Conditions were light the entire way, never breaking 10 knots and often much less. Nonetheless, Jones cracked his remarkable goal—to set a world record for sailing 100 nautical miles across open ocean unassisted in an Opti.
Jones was inspired to make the crossing after learning of 13-year-old Lolie Osswald's success sailing 80 nautical miles from Antigua to St Barts in June 2022.
Jones's biggest concern, unsurprisingly, was falling asleep on the job. He prepared for the epic crossing by endurance training - spending hours at a time in the boat after dark.
Safety being the foremost priority, Jones carried a tracker, EPIRB, radio, GPS, and a compass. Three support boats, two with ABSAR (Antigua Barbuda Search and Rescue) crew on board, included a catamaran, monohull and a 20-foot RIB for medical emergencies. The boats followed Jones for the duration of the crossing: "The more support, the better," acknowledged his dad. Nutrition was all-important and Jones carried plenty of energy drinks and sugary foods on board.
Jones finally arrived at Simpson Bay after 31 hours in his boat to a crowd cheering on the docks. He was completely spent, and sleep deprivation had taken its toll. -- Michelle Slade in Caribbean Compass
https://caribbeancompass.com/antiguas-carrack-jones-sets-record-100-miles-31-hours-in-an-opti/
Seahorse January 2024
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
World News
'Internationals' are coming, stupid-fast Mini, a complex TJV, a great non-Olympian, keeping kids involved, rapid but sad Coastal Classic, changes in Spain and hotting up for Transpac. Nick Craig, Ivor Wilkins, Carlos Pich, Magnus Wheatley, Blue Robinson, Patrice Carpentier, Dobbs Davis, Diego Botin, Greg Stewart And Mike Sanderson
Dropping little white plastic balls
After spending more than a few months chasing shadows Carol Cronin eventually managed to pin down mid-west king Peter Harken for her latest two-part profile
RORC - Better swim for it
Jeremy Wilton
1974 and (more) keelbolt troubles
Rolf Vrolijk
ORC - Submissions!
Andy Claughton has certainly been keeping busy in 2023
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A moderate breeze for the Bloody Mary
Luke Fisher. Click on image for photo gallery.
Will this weekend be the chance for the non-trapeze boats to shine at the GJW Direct Bloody Mary? After an incredibly breezy end of 2023 and four windy events to open the Selden Sailjuice Winter Series, the worst of Storms Gerrit and Henk appear to be behind us as we head towards this Saturday's legendary pursuit race in West London.
More than 120 boats are already entered in almost 50 different classes, and online entry closes at midnight tonight, 3 January. It's a big day out for competitors and spectators, with the added incentive of a hog roast after racing, by catering team Claire Cooks Surrey.
Meanwhile here's an update of the Series so far, after four events at the end of 2023...
Overall Rankings After four events, 256 boats have achieved rankings. Ben Flower (ILCA 7 . Paignton SC). is the first to qualify with four results and tops the overall leaderboard. Ben was last winter's runner-up and will be looking to go one better. Sam Pascoe (Musto Skiff - Castle Cove SC). winner of three events. moves up two places to second overall. Another previous Series runner-up. Luke Fisher (RS Vareo - Emberton Park SC), jumps 13 places to third overall.
Top Class There are now 65 classes that have competed across the first four events. ILCA 7s were just ahead of the RS400s at the Brass Monkey. Musto Skiffs dominated the Grafham GP with four boats competing. Overall. ILCA 7s hang on to the top spot. followed by RS200s. and Musto Skiffs up two places to third overall. Top Class rankings based on the best three results for each class across every race.
Top Club 109 sailing clubs have been represented across the first four events. Yorkshire Dales SC was the dominant club at their home event, the Brass Monkey. similarly, Grafham was the Top Club for the Grand Prix. Overall Draycote jumped one place to take the lead. and Burghfield up two places to second overall. Castle Cove. who have been number one from the first event. slip back two places to third overall.
Great British Sailing Challenge (GBSC) Rankings Based on extracted results for various GBSC ranking categories. across every race with a discard per every three races.
Fast Symmetric
Fast Asymmetric
Slow Symmetric
Slow Asymmetric
Junior
19-30
31-60
Masters
Cruising Club of America Awards
At sea at the back of her 36-foot sloop, Minnehaha. Photo by Kirsten Neuschafer. Click on image to enlarge.
The announcement by the Cruising Club of America (CCA) of the Blue Water Medal winner and other awards for adventurous use of the seas has taken place nearly every year since the Club was founded in 1923. This year, recipients of five awards are announced, honoring these sailors for completing circumnavigations and other rigorous bluewater passages, as well as for exemplary innovation, contribution to the sailing community, and service to the Club itself.
Kirsten Neuschäfer, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is awarded the Blue Water Medal for 2023 in recognition of the tremendous effort, determination, and skill she exhibited during her 235-day solo circumnavigation in Minnehaha, a Cape George 36 sailboat. Out of 17 starters, she was first among only three finishers of the Golden Globe Race. This singlehanded race around the world limits competitors to using sailboats and technology that was available when the first race was held, in 1968.
The Blue Water Medal was originated by the founding members of the Cruising Club of America (CCA) and first awarded 100 years ago to "reward examples of meritorious seamanship and adventure upon the sea, displayed by amateur sailors of all nationalities…" In her comprehensive preparation for the race and her determined persistence throughout the eight-month marathon, Neuschäfer demonstrated she belongs on the very distinguished list of previous medalists including previous Golden Globe winners Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede. She also takes her place alongside other solo circumnavigators such as Sir Francis Chichester and Bernard Moitessier. -- John Burnham
Max Campbell Receives Young Voyager Award from The Cruising Club of America
The Cruising Club of America (CCA) has named Max Campbell, of Falmouth, UK, as the recipient of the 2023 Young Voyager Award. The award recognizes "a young sailor who has made one or more exceptional voyages." Campbell set sail eight years ago, at age 20, on a 22-foot wooden sailboat. Today, despite personal disasters and Covid lockdowns, we find him halfway around the world aboard his 37-foot Swan Elixir—an accomplished sailor, writer, and social media star.
The CCA Young Voyager Award is a prestigious recognition that celebrates the spirit of adventure and seamanship. The award is given to young sailors who have demonstrated exceptional skills and courage in their voyages. In making the announcement of this year's winner, CCA Commodore Chris Otorowski said, "Max's achievements are a perfect example of the spirit within the CCA where we find fulfillment in 'exploring' the oceans and our own inner-limits aboard small boats at sea."
After learning of his award, Campbell explained that his first boat was too small to take friends, but on his new boat, Elixir, he always has friends aboard, mainly with those who helped him with the refit, but also some from the ranks of his social media followers.
The CCA will present the 2023 Young Voyager award to Campbell on March 1, 2024, in New York City. -- John Burnham
https://cruisingclub.org
Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta
With constant evolving sailing technology and boat designs, it is becoming increasingly more important to remind ourselves of the heritage of yacht racing. A nod to the enduring legacy of classic yachts and their pivotal role in shaping the RSHYR has given rise to a dedicated two-day regatta. The Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta (SHCYR). This event serves as a tribute to the iconic yachts that have stamped their mark on Australia's most iconic yacht race, and perhaps even on the global level.
As the regatta unfolds over two days of competition, seasoned yachts and their crews compete to determine which Hobart-veteran can outshine the rest. The racing arena welcomed yachts launched before 1976 that has proudly participated in a prior edition of the RSHYR in division 1, 2 & 3. With a new division specifically dedicated to the IOR Era yachts that have a launch date between 1975 and 1991 who have competed in the RSHYR.
As the two days of racing drew to a close, the crews from the Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta came together in the Sydney Race Village for a few quiet drinks & the Official Prizegiving. Sharing stories and more importantly their love for the sport.
The overall divisional places and bragging rights for the regatta went to:
Division 1
1st - Patrice II
2nd - Wraith of Odin
3rd - Love & War
Division 2
1st - Nike
2nd - Jasna
3rd - Anitra V
Division 3 (non-spinnaker)
1st - Boongown
2nd - Fidelis
3rd - Lolita
IOR-Era
1st - Crux
2nd - Bacardi
3rd - Wild Oats
We would like to express a special thanks to David Champtaloup, Peter Shipway the Organizing Committee, the CYCA Sailing Office and all other helping hands that made this regatta come to life.
International Paint Poole Regatta 2024 / GBR IRC National Championship
The regatta will be held from May 25th to 27th, 2024 in the breathtakingly scenic Poole Bay and its surrounding waters. The regatta promises a thrilling showcase of sailing prowess and maritime camaraderie, including the GBR IRC National Championship, being held outside of the Solent for the first time in its history.
One of the highlights of the 2024 Regatta is the prestigious inclusion of the GBR IRC National Championship. This esteemed competition with racing for IRC classes 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 will form a key part of the regatta with semi-professional classes such as the Cape 31's racing as part of the event.
The International Paint Poole Regatta is inclusive of all keel boat sailors, so alongside the IRC racing, classes competing include Performance 40, Sonata (Regional Championship), J80 (2024 Nationals), Sportsboat Class, HP30, J70, QTR Ton Class, J24 (Southern Area Nationals - a 2025 J24 Worlds Qualification Event) and The VPRS Southern Area Championship. Further classes are expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
How to Train Like a SailGP Athlete
Spain SailGP Team athletes Diego Botín and Florian Trittel take us behind the scenes of the training regime that keeps them on top of their game, mentally and physically.
Featured Charter
First 53 - Yagiza. Located in Caribbean.
The vision for the First 53 was for high-performance cruising for an owner keen on regattas. This luxury performance sailing yacht has a well-balanced helm, easy-flow deck plan and a modern marine interior with white lacquered bulkheads and moulded wood.
With a flush teak deck, low coachroof and a sleek modern look, she has all the virtues of a thoroughbred. The First 53 marks a new era for First Yachts with a top quality mast, high-end deck gear and a powerful sail plan that is easily controlled by a shorthanded crew. Available in the Caribbean
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
S&S Swan 44 - Pomeroy Swan. 130000 GBP. Located in Hamble, UK.
"Pomeroy Swan" is a beautifully presented S&S Swan 44. Based in the UK, she is a real gem and has been lucky to have had recent owners with such a passion for this yacht. Not only a truly capable cruiser, she is a real bandit on the race track too with super competitive IRC handicap.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Boat Sales
+447759 424900
+442380 016582
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RM 890+. From 134,088 ex VAT EUR.
RM890+ is the smallest model of the RM family but she has everything: wood-based building process, space, comfort and natural light, seducing design and performance under sail! rm-yachts.com/rm-890
The RM team remains at your disposal to help you design your own lifestyle. According to your budget, they'll be happy to guide you through a selection of sails, electronics, appendages, hull color, rigging and interior design.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
RM Yachts
Zone Industrielle des 4 chevaliers
Rond-Point de la Republique
17180 Perigny, France
+33 5 46 44 73 00
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2005 Imoca 60 MERCI. 390,000 EUR. Located in Toulon, France.
Built and launched by Artech do Brasil in June 2005, GALILEO, as she was known, was built for South American Walter Antunes.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage
+33 (0)467 66 39 93
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Carkeek 47 “Stark Raving Mad IX”. POA.
Major upgrades and refit in 2021. Over twenty podium finishes across three seasons including Newport, RI and the Caribbean.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Expressions of interest for this exceptional boat, along with POA to:
+1-949-466-9210
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Vismara MAS 60. 585000 EUR. Located in Viareggio, Italy.
A stunning collaboration between Vismara and world-famous Italian architect Renzo Piano, continuously upgraded and professionally maintained, KIRRIBILLI I is an instant classic that also constitutes a piece modern yachting art.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Michele Antonini - Grabau International (Italia)
Tel: +39 333 74 89 281
Email:
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
No Friday Issue... or Monday Issue
In 2024 Eurosail News goes to a three times a week schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We return with the next issue on Tuesday January 9.
The Last Word
Men will not accept truth at the hands of their enemies and truth is seldom offered to them by their friends. -- Alexis de Tocqueville
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