Scuttlebutt Europe #2300 - 9 March
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Brought to you by Boats.com Europe, Yachtworld.com Europe, Scuttlebutt Europe 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 The Pacific Highway Takes An Exit Toll But with the news Monday night that Kito de Pavant and Seb Audigane's Groupe Bel have a problem with their keel which will need proper assessment, none of the fifth to seventh placed boats will climb the Atlantic for home at truly maximum capacity. Fifth placed Groupe Bel's De Pavant was remaining resolutely upbeat while he could on today's Visio-Conference, admitting that he and Audigane do not really know exactly what the problem is, but that the head of their keel has been showing some movement. Their fate contrasts slightly with that of Ryan Breymaier and Boris Herrmann on Neutrogena who were visibly delighted to pass Cape Horn today at 1135hrs UTC, taking 14 days, 16hrs, 50mins since Cook Strait. But they also explained the detail of their own keel ram problem which has compromised them for the last five days and which will handicap them progressively until the finish. The Cape Horn passage of Renault Z.E Sailing Team on Monday evening proved an almost Mediterranean interlude for Pachi Rivero and Toño Piris, who had sunshine, light winds and were accompanied - as if to order - by a pod of dolphins. Their strategic options may be relatively complex but their Farr design is in good shape for the Atlantic and should, ironically, be able to profit from uncertainty and compromise which affects their rivals behind. And at the front of the fleet Jean-Pierre Dick and Loick Peyron lead MAPFRE by 170 miles, the Spanish duo having regained 100 miles since their halyards halt after Cape Horn. Rankings At 1400hrs Tuesday 8th March 2011 "Cape Horn Is A Gift From Above" Just a few hours ago, the solo sailor was tackling a storm; a real squall with 6 to 8 metre waves and wind gusting to 50 knots: "At times like that," admitted Tom, "You feel very small I can tell you." It was night and using his instinct alone, he put a third reef in the mainsail. "Nothing was forcing me to do it" he explains. Doubtless this is the survival instinct and experience that is kicking in above all else. Concentrated for the past 38 days, or over 5 weeks, on the exceptional reference time achieved by Francis Joyon in 2008, the skipper of Sodebo is racking up the miles with consistency. Setting out from Brest on Saturday 29 January, Thomas Coville has already clocked up 19,186 miles, which he's covered at an average speed of 21.03 knots. The solo sailor aboard Sodebo is rocketing across the oceans with a target average speed of 20 knots. He has 7,000 miles to go as the crow flies between the Horn and Brest. Working furiously to stay in the present, forcing himself to focus on his speed and "avoid getting annoyed by going over the same scenario over and over again", he tries to stand up to the pressure of the clock which keeps on ticking. However, being a competitor at heart, he surely knows that he has 19 days, 13 hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds ahead of him to beat the solo round the world record which stands at 57 days, 13 hours, 34 minutes and 06 seconds. When heading into battle with the Pacific, Tom set himself the objective of having a deficit of less than 1,000 miles at Cape Horn before taking on the climb up the Atlantic in psychologically more comfortable conditions than he had four years ago, where he had a deficit of 4 days. On crossing the longitude of Cape Horn today, Tuesday 8 March, he had a deficit of 687 miles in relation to IDEC. As such he still has everything to play for. Francis Joyon had to slow down the other side of Cape Horn to repair his boat. Thomas' boat is apparently in perfect condition with the exception of two mainsail battens which were snapped in a broach a few days ago. As regards the physical challenge represented by the 7,000 miles left to go, this doesn't seen to be a concern for the skipper of Sodebo. -- Translated by Kate Jennings 
Wiley Nautical Sailing Books Need You www.wileynautical.com/survey2011 Squally Skies, Fitful Breeze and Skillful Sailing Every edition of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta takes on its own personality, and Number 31 in the annual series will be remembered as a largely light-air affair. Ironically, it's been a very windy winter on the idyllic Caribbean isle, but for the most part this weekend, the usually reliable trade winds were fitful and elusive, and racing was conducted in breeze of ten knots or less. Once the results were finalized, a full slate of worthy victors were revealed. In CSA 1R, though both boats finished with identical scores (two firsts and two seconds, for six points apiece), by virtue of her win in the fourth and final race, Peter Peake's well-sailed Peake Yacht Services Storm nipped the impressive Australian Cookson 50, Jazz, to win the division by the narrowest of margins. But in CSA 1C, Wendy Schmidt's Swan 80, Team Selene, easily took top honors in the 8-boat class. With a perfect score of four consecutive bullets, the Melges 32, Team INTAC, dominated the competition to win CSA 2. Despite almost clipping the wings off the arriving jet, La Forzo Del Destino won today's race in CSA 3 as well as the overall title in the division. Philippe Falle's Beneteau 501, Hydrocarbon Logic, won three of four contests - including today's race - to top the CSA 4 class. And despite a ninth today, William Coates's J/122, Otra Vez, had enough in the bank (two firsts and a second) to triumph in CSA 5. Another Beneteau, Philippe Herve's First 300 Spirit, Vanille, edged out Ian Hope-Ross's Beneteau 36.5, Kick 'em Jenny, in surprising and dramatic fashion to win CSA 6. St. Maarten's own Bobby Velasquez and his crew aboard L'Esperance were the winners of CSA 7. In CSA 8, Antiguan Tanner Jones's Blue Peter, a J/30, was the winner in the 11-boat fleet. With three wins in a row, Patrick Turner's Dick Newick-designed vintage plywood trimaran, Team Kahunas, proved you don't need to go high-tech to still compete - and triumph - in the Multihull 1R class. And Lloyd Thornburg's brand-new Gunboat 66, Phaedo, making her racing debut, also captured all three races in the Multihull 1C division to top the division. In Multihull 2, the top boat was the Lagoon 500, Nikiforov. Gitana Team Welcomes Sebastien Josse As he awaits delivery of the Gitana one design, scheduled for the end of October 2011, Sebastien will be able to benefit from sailing the maxi-trimaran Gitana 11, whose platform is very similar to the future MOD 70. This will enable him to find his feet aboard a multihull and start recruiting the men who will accompany him on this new adventure. An eclectic sailor, Sebastien Josse began his professional sailing career in 1997 by winning the Challenge Espoir Credit Agricole. A native of Nice, Sebastien then left the shores which he'd grown up with, those of the Mediterranean, and exchanged them for the Atlantic coast in order to make progress and really learn his trade with the specialists of the Figaro class, whose stronghold is located in Port-la-Foret, Finistere. Soon the Breton by adoption was emulating the performances of some of the best and ranked 2nd in the prestigious Solitaire du Figaro in 2001. From then on, one thing very quickly led to another. The following year, his talent earned him a ride in the Jules Verne Trophy. A few months later, back in Brest, the record attempt proved conclusive and Sebastien became one of the holders of this famous Trophy. Back on shore just a matter of weeks, the helm of a 60 foot monohull was offered to him, with the grand finale of the programme being a participation in the Vendee Globe 2004-2005. He ended up with a 5th place in this edition In 2008, the sailor returned to the Vendee Globe with the English racing stable, Offshore Challenges. However the second "Vendee" of his career didn't result in the same success and, whilst at the front of the fleet, Sebastien was forced to retire after 48 days of racing. In 2011, considered as one of the top French monohull specialists, Sebastien didn't have to think twice about upsetting his routine to become the skipper of the future 70 foot trimaran Gitana. -- Translated by Kate Jennings Yacht Salesperson Though a proven track record in the marine sales sector is a plus, an applicant with extensive, but non-marine, experience of selling to HNWIs will also be considered. A strong sailing background and knowledge of yachts is essential, as, naturally, are fluent language skills in European languages. The position will likely be based at Oyster's HQ in Ipswich, though a European base is a future possibility. Please contact: and +44 (0)207 830 9303 New Zealand's Tiller Wins a Wild Finish to Butler Cup The first race of their best-of-three sailoff literally was over before it started. The pair never got to the line after some aggressive jousting when, in a space of about 30 seconds off the port side of the race committee boat, the on-water umpires hoisted two yellow flags (Nesbitt's color for that race) against the 21-year-old racer from nearby Balboa Yacht Club and then a black flag signaling instant disqualification. A few minutes later, with Nesbitt one down, they tried again, and this time the pair tangled near the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier where Nesbitt---then the blue boat---drew two flags. He made it to the starting line ... but a second or two early and had to circle back to re-start. By then Tiller was well out of reach, even if Nesbitt hadn't owed two penalty turns. Only one of the fouls involved contact---"His bow hit our stern," Tiller said---but whenever Tiller waved his protest flag the umpires seemed to agree, according to chief umpire Kirk Brown, that in most instances Nesbitt was penalized "for not keeping clear" when Tiller owned the right of way. Nesbitt declined to comment. Up to that critical point in the event he had swept his seven rivals, including Tiller, in the round robin portion and beaten Italy's winless Saverio Ramirez and Long Beach's Dustin Durant, 2-0, in the early sailoff rounds. The Grade 3 California Dreamin' Series for match racing prospects winds up at San Diego next weekend. Tiller and Nesbitt aren't entered there but will meet again in the Grade 2 Ficker Cup back at Long Beach March 17-19. That winner earns a slot in the Congressional Cup March 22-26. Final standings Solo Racing Festival Mike Golding is opening the talks at 11:00 Followed by: All in the spendid riverside setting of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble. Details and tickets on the SORC website www.offshoresolo.com/sorc/event/solo-conference California 32 Altamar
We also have a 33' Luders designed and built motor vessel launched in 1949 as a sports fisherman, subsequently used by Robert Gardiner to carry family and guests commuting between Gardiner's Island and Long Island, New York and to the mainland. A small investment would finish up the repowering, cosmetics and refitting of this classic; her accommodation plan makes her perfect for weekend cruising or she could act as a tender to a large sail boat. Call or e-mail Doug for further details and photos. Please call us for details of these projects, to discuss other projects and to have spars built. We have recently built a mast for a Rhodes sloop, and spars for several Kettenburg designed and built boats. Douglas Jones, Traditional Boat Works, 001-619-542-1229 or ISA 5th Annual Awards Ball Among the winners was Nicholas 'Nin' O'Leary of Royal Cork Yacht Club who beat both his father, Anthony O'Leary, and his brother, Peter O'Leary, who were also nominees, to win the ISA Sailing Achievement of the Year. Nicholas' achievements included narrowly beating his father Anthony at the ISA All Ireland Championships in 2010 by just a single point after a nail-biting finale in difficult conditions off Kinsale in November. The win made it three-in-a-row for this remarkable young 24 year old sailor, the only person to achieve this in the 64 years of the event's history. On receiving the award Nicholas remarked "I was not expecting to win the award. Being nominated in the same category as Mick Liddy and Mark Pollock and their amazing achievement was prestigious enough and also having competition like Oisin Van Gelderen and his speed sailing title so it really was great to have my accomplishments recognised." The Awards Ball was also the first event for the ISA's new President Niamh McCutcheon who was elected earlier that day at the ISA AGM. Niamh has now made history becoming the first female ISA President since the organisation was founded in 1945. As watersports enthusiasts, ISA members are aware of the tremendous work the RNLI do each and every day. In order to support their tireless work the event also held a collection in aid of the RNLI which raised over €2,250. Full list of awards winners at www.sailing.ie Short Tacks After announcing that the event will be open for the 2.4 mR classes, this is the second major announcement of the Organising Committee, concerning the Paralympic classes, in a short period of time. The Dutch Udo Hessels, Marcel van der Veen and Mischa Rossen are the current World Champions for the IFDS (International Federation for Disabled Sailing) in the Paralympic Sonar-class. They are strongly focussed and have to ambition to win a medal on the Paralympics in London 2012 and are part of the Dutch Delta Lloyd squat. In 2004 they already won the silver medal in Athens. ---------------------------------------------------------- Day 5 Oracle RC44 San Diego Cup Ten minutes on board Rambler 100 in the 2011 RORC Caribbean 600 from crew member Juggy Clougher. Sodebo/Coville videos courtesy Helly Hansen: www.hellyhansen.com/campaigns/thomascoville/2011/ ---------------------------------------------------------- La Charente-Maritime Bahia Transat 6,50 2011 The entries list fills. 20 prototypes and 39 series are qualified. ---------------------------------------------------------- The RYA's investment into coaching expertise has received a boost this month with the appointment of a new Coaching Development Manager, and the launch of an exciting new initiative aimed at developing elite level coaches. David Mellor came on board as the RYA Coaching Development Manager on 28 February, bringing with him a wealth of experience of the RYA Racing programmes as both a sailor and a coach, spanning all levels of performance. A key focus of Mellor's new role is the development and launch of the RYA Podium Coach Programme - a brand new scheme focussed on optimising athletic success by raising the standard of World Class Coaching. The Podium Coach Programme, supported by UK Sport, is billed as a cutting edge, two-year journey to developing personal coaching expertise at the highest level, and will see investment of approximately £15,000 worth of personal development opportunities per participant. Featured Brokerage Sweden 45 for sale with lots of extra's, such as: Bowthruster, Air conditioning , Ralph Lauren upholstery in saloon , TV-video in drawer, Radar , Carbon bow sprit Brokerage through Bach Yachting International: Bach Yachting International Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com The Last Word |
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