In This Issue
• Pittwater to Coffs
• CIC Normandy Channel Race
• 2024 Aegean 600
• Rolex China Sea Race
• Sailing Artwork For Sale
• World Sailing Show
• PalmaVela
• RORC Cervantes Trophy Race
• NYC - massive ship parade in 2026
• Remembering Andrew 'Plymo' Plympton
• Featured Charter: McConaghy 75 - Jack
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Southern Wind 78 Elise Whisper
• • Finngulf 41
• • Reichal/Pugh 69 - Moneypenny
• • Pegasus 50
• • Italia Yachts 9.98 2024
• The Last Word: Scott Galloway
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
Pittwater to Coffs: Line honours to XS Moment - Jupiter wins overall
Jupiter heading to the finish and the overall win. Photo by RPAYC. Click on image to enlarge.
Fortune favoured the sticklers in the 2024 Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race; just three entries hung on in the light to non-existent breezes, Ray Hudson's XS Moment taking line honours just after midnight last night, while the two-handed crew of Ian Smith and Billy Sykes on Jupiter crossed the line second to claim overall honours.
The final boat to finish the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's 38th running of the race, Transcendence Rudy Project, was sailed two-handed by the father/son combination of Martin and John Cross. They finished nearly an hour after Jupiter in 2d 18h 7m 22s . All three crews are to be lauded for the courage of their convictions in finishing the protracted race while all others gave it away, mainly due to work commitments this morning.
XS Moment, an XP44 design, finished the race to Coffs Harbour at 00.36.38 hours this morning in the time of 2 days 11 hours 36 minutes 38 seconds. For her crew's efforts, XS Moment's crew were rewarded with third overall and a Division 1 win.
Ian Smith's two-handed entry, Jupiter, co-skippered by Billy Sykes, finished at 06.36.15am this morning, completing the course in 2d 17h 36m 15s to win the race overall and win Division 2. They swept all before them except for ORC overall.
From Transcendence Rudy Project, it was a good second place overall. Her owner, Martin Cross said, "What a race. It's a race that will be remembered. Looks like we've won ORC." They did - and in doing so, also won ORC Division 2.
For full results and all information: : pittwatertocoffs.com.au
To see the routes, retirements and finishers, check the tracker: yb.tl/pittwater2024 -- Di Pearson
CIC Normandy Channel Race
With the growing competitive appeal of the CIC Normandy Channel Race 2024, the deadline for registration has been extended to 1 April to ensure that everyone has a chance to secure a golden ticket for this star event. Indeed, thirty or so crews are expected at the start on Sunday 15 September 2024, with some 25 teams having already signed up or expressed an interest in taking part in this special 15th anniversary edition, which is the highlight of the Class40 circuit in the run-up to the year's reference transatlantic sprint.
In a circuit that is constantly evolving, with some ten or so brand-new craft due to be launched in 2024, the race is the perfect platform for competitors to raise their game. For some it serves as a top-level sporting clash, where a shot at victory only comes as a result of dogged determination right to the wire. For others it serves as a gateway into the class for new owners (on average 50% of competitors are rookies), as well as a chance to launch some new recently launched craft, as will be the case in 2024 for Ian Lipinksi's new CREDIT MUTUEL (Max40.2) or the very latest Mach.40.6 currently in build for American Greg Leonard. Equally, it also serves as a qualifier for those crews preparing for the 2nd edition of the GLOBE40 round the world race.
See the list of entries as of 25 March
2024 Aegean 600
Click on image to enlarge.
Organizers at the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) are pleased to announce the 2024 edition of the Aegean 600 is now open for entry. The event is being held over 5-13 July 2024 and is co-organized by the host venue at Olympic Marine.
Now in its fourth annual edition, the race has grown in interest and popularity every year, with last year's third edition attracting 500 sailors racing on 45 yachts from 16 nations. What attracts them is this race's unique format: a scenic offshore journey of 605 miles that starts and finishes under the watchful gaze of the Ancient Temple of Poseidon poised on the sea cliff above Attica's Cape Sounio.
Besides this amazing and historic start and finish venue, the course itself is a spectacular tour that passes 13 iconic Greek islands, including a lap around the volcanic caldera of Santorini in the first part of the race and later towards end of the race through a gap at the islands of Dilos and Mykonos.
The ever-present northerly Meltemi winds that can peak to over 30 knots propels the fleet around this course, challenging their skills in both seamanship and navigation, yet also delivering clear sunny skies, starry nights and warm waters throughout.
Seaworthy monohulls of minimum length of 9.00 m and seaworthy multihulls of length 9.15 m and larger are welcome to enter with ORC and/or IRC certificates.
Recognized offshore class yachts such as Dehler 30 One Designs, Class 40's, Mini 6.5's, Figaro 2's and Figaro 3's are also welcome to enter. The event will also welcome Maxi yachts as a race on the 2024 International Maxi Class (IMA's) calendar of events.
Seven international entrants set to compete in the 2024 Rolex China Sea Race
22 boats are entered for the 62nd Anniversary edition of Rolex China Sea Race 565nm offshore race, which begins on Hong Kong's iconic Victoria Harbour on 27 March.
Race organiser, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, welcomes this truly international fleet with seven overseas entrants making the journey to Hong Kong to compete. This year sees a first-time entry from Korea, Catalina 400 Random(), and an entry from Chinese Taipei (Pogo 36 Gutsy).
Hojun Song's Catalina400 Random() has been actively racing in Korea and ranked 3rd overall in ORC2 class at the 2023 Busan Super Cup International Yacht Race. This Jeju based boat is shifting further afield to join Asia's flagship offshore race.
Chinese Taipei entrant Gutsy is a cruiser racer who has actively participated in Penghu Race Week and Taiwan Ryukyu Regatta. Owner Mondher Latiri has long dreamt of joining the Fastnet, Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and the Middle Sea races. Entering the Rolex China Sea Race will be the first stepping stone to realising of the dream, as he embarks on his quest to compete in the first of a series of prestigious bluewater classic races around the world.
Australian offshore veteran Ray Roberts returns to the China Sea Race having first participated in 2010 on AUS 8898 Evolution Racing, taking 2nd place overall. This time he is sailing on his Cookson 50 Team Hollywood.
This flagship event is a not to be missed race for Philippines Standard Insurance Centennial teams. 2023 Line Honours Winner, Ernesto Echauz's Standard Insurance Centennial V, the historic first Philippines entry to have taken Line Honours at the Rolex China Sea Race, they will be joined by TP 52 Standard Insurance Centennial III helmed by Emerson Villena, who will be closely vying for Line Honours.
Sailing Artwork For Sale
Another one from your humble narrator's soon-to-be downsized art collection. This one another rarity, a poster from the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup, signed by the artist Gerard Courbouleix-Deneriaz, also known as Razzia.
Razzia is one of the last poster artists to remain in an era dominated by computer-generated images. He began his career in what can be called the golden age of poster art. Razzia is unique in that he still uses the same old style to make his posters. He continues to make posters from an original painting, as opposed to computer graphics.
His work evokes Art Deco. He is best known for his work for Louis Vuitton. A retrospective of his work was published in 2007. * Source: Wikipedia
Shows the challengers battling on the Mediterranean Sea. The event was won by Team New Zealand, 30.75" x 25.25", linen backed.
Price reduced to $300 and includes shipping (in a tube, without frame) to anywhere in the world.
World Sailing Show
March's episode of World Sailing Show continues the countdown to the Olympic regatta in Marseille with an in-depth interview with Matt Wearn of Australia and Great Britain's Michael Beckett, two of the main contenders for ILCA 7 gold.
- High drama at the 49er World Championships in Lanzarote
- Olympic places up for grabs at the ILCA European Championships and 470 World Championships
- 500 sailors take on the 15th running of the RORC Caribbean 600
- Updates from the ARKEA Ultim Challenge as the fleet crosses the finishing line
- GWA Wingfoil, GKA Kitesurf World Cups, and 2024 iQFOiL International Games get underway
PalmaVela
The 20th edition of the PalmaVela will be held in the waters of the Mallorcan bay from the 26th of April to the 5th of May, organised by the Real Club Nautico de Palma. It will consist of three events: "La Larga", the "52 SUPER SERIES PalmaVela Sailing Week" and the traditional "PalmaVela" regatta.
In "La Larga", boats with a length of 9 metres or more with IRC, ORC and ORC Double-Handed certificates that comply with the WORLD SAILING Special Rules for Offshore Racing (OSR) in force will be admitted.
Starting at 12:00 on 27 April 2024, the longer fleet will sail a course of 350 miles (only 225 miles for the shorter ones) through some of the most attractive spots in the Mediterranean between the islands of the Balearic archipelago. Starting and finishing in the bay of Palma, the islands of Ibiza, Formentera, Menorca, Isla del Aire, Dragonera and Mallorca will be part of the route to be defined at the last minute depending on the weather conditions.
The "52 SUPER SERIES PalmaVela Sailing Week" will be the first race of the 2024 circuit for this class, and boats registered in this professional circuit will be admitted. From the 27th of April to the 2nd of May, maximum excitement is guaranteed on its windward-leeward courses with close battles for the equality of the crews without usually defining a winner until they pass the finish line.
The "PalmaVela¨, one of the most important multi-class regattas in the Mediterranean, admits the classes IMA/Maxi, J Class, SYC, IRC, ORC, ORC A2. CS50, S45, CS42, J80, J70, 6M, Dragon, Flying Fifteen, Época, Classics and Spirit of Tradition and will provide spectacle and colour on the various race courses distributed around the Mallorcan bay for the different courses of these classes.
RORC Cervantes Trophy Race
Cowes - Le Havre (110-160nm)
Start: 20 April 2024
The world's largest offshore racing series, the RORC Season's Points Championship, continues with the Cervantes Trophy Race starting on Saturday 20th April. The race of approximately 110-160nm starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron Line, Cowes IOW and finishes in Le Havre, Normandy, France.
RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole has confirmed that the course will be determined close to the start, taking account of weather conditions. The Cervantes Trophy Race is organised by RORC in association with the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Société des Régates du Havre, founded in 1838.
For the fourth race of the 2024 RORC Season's Points Championship, early entries include two Line Honours favourites; Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA) and Arto Linnervuo's Infiniti 52 Tulikettu (FIN). Both teams will be starting their 2024 campaigns with the Roschier Baltic Sea Race as the climax to their season this July.
Every race in the RORC Season's Points Championship had a famous prize for the overall winner after IRC time correction with more coveted trophies won for class honours. The Cervantes Trophy Race dates back to 1972 when the silver trophy was donated by Bob Watson. Named after his series of Sparkman & Stephens designed boats, one of which, Cervantes IV was part of the victorious British Admiral's Cup team in 1971. Bob Watson's daughter Liz was racing in '71 and is believed to be one of the first women to race in the prestigious Admiral's Cup.
Appropriately, the current holder of the Cervantes Trophy is J/133 Pintia (FRA), owned by another father and daughter duo, Gilles Fournier and Corinne Migraine. Both are lifelong members of the Société des Régates du Havre, Gilles Fournier has won the trophy four times. -- Louay Habib/RORC
Cervantes Trophy Race | Entry Portal
NYC to host America's 250th birthday celebrations in 2026 with massive ship parade
The United States will ring in its upcoming 250th birthday - or semiquincentennial - with a massive international parade of tall sailing ships in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026, officials announced.
The event, which will be a throwback to similar ship parades in 1976 and 2000, is expected to attract more than six million visitors to the region and be a symbol of America's preeminent place in a world.
"This will be an extraordinary display of pride and international goodwill, set against the backdrop of what is arguably the most iconic symbol of our American Ideals," NJ Gov. Phil Murphy said in a joint press release with other leaders.
The so-called Sail4th 250 flotilla will be made up of ships representing several nations and will be the largest ever. It will also mark a major time in the Tri-State area, as it will come a day before a World Cup semifinal match on July 5th at MetLife Stadium.
The current plans are the result of four years of work, with over two years still to go before at least 30 tall ships from around the world descend on the country's most famous port,
Remembering Andrew 'Plymo' Plympton
Tom Slingsby and Plymo. Click on image to enlarge.
Our great sailing friend, raconteur, business associate, administrator, chairman and successful past president of two sports, passed away on Sunday after a long battle with cancer - he was 74.
At this point, Plymo might say, "I'm glad I've finally kept you idiots waiting."
Variously also known as 'Cheese' (check the smile), 'Prez' and 'Admiral', Plymo was the longest serving president of Australian Sailing (where he was made a Life member) a past president of St Kilda Football Club, an AFL administrator, a member of the Australian Olympic Committee executive (2009-2017), was a board member of Sport Australia Hall of Fame up to his death and past Commodore at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, where he sailed ... Couta boats.
Outside of sailing, business and sporting associates and friends stretched well beyond to AFL (of course) and athletes from swimming to rowing, hockey, netball, winter Olympic sports and more.
Plymo was a rare find. A hard-working businessman, he had a great mind, was a lateral thinker, problem solver, supporter, doer go-getter, who used his considerable influence to benefit sailing and other sports. On the flip side he was all heart, the staunch friend, entertainer, humorous to a fault, loquacious by nature. Everyone wore the brunt of both sides, insults and all, no holds barred, could poke fun at himself and was respected by all.
He knew his time was up - just couldn't give up the 'bungers' - and lung cancer came calling. Passionate about life, he continued to live it with zest, right to the end. I last saw him in person at the Festival of Sails in Geelong last year. Despite his obvious illness, he'd been racing and was bagging out the opposition - loudly. Telling me what they didn't know about sailing and that what they did know didn't amount to much, followed by that laugh.
Andrew Plympton's funeral will be held on Wednesday, 3 April, 2024 at 2pm at St Andrews in Brighton, Victoria, where Andrew and Kim were married. Capacity is 500 people.
A Wake at Sandringham Yacht Club will follow. "The Wake will be a huge celebration of a remarkable man's life," said John Bertrand. -- Di Pearson
The full obituary in LiveSailDie.com
Featured Charter
McConaghy 75 - JACK.
The 2023 McConaghy 75 sailing catamaran JACK is available for charter with her 4 crew members for up to 8 guests.
2024 Planning:
July/August: Greece
September/Oct: Spain
Navigation under e-Charter licence (28 days) in Greece this summer then she will head back to Barcelona for the America's Cup (high season rate during that period)
Charter Rate (High Season): 70 000 EUR / week
Charter Rate (Low Season): 65 000 EUR / week
See listing details in Seahorse Charters
Contact
Charter Department
Bernard-Gallay
Phone : +33 (0)467 66 39 93
Mail :
See the the Seahorse charter collection
Featured Brokerage
2001 / 2021 SW78 Elise Whisper. 1,490,000 EUR.
Designed as a cruiser-racer, the Southern Wind 78 ELISE WHISPER is ideal for both bluewater navigation and competitive races. Her deck layout features a large guest cockpit protected by a collapsible and recessed dodger, which is well separated from the sailing cockpit. She is the perfect yacht for
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Phone : +33 (0) 467 66 39 93
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Finngulf 41. 225000 EUR. Located in Helsinki, Finland.
Simply stunning and very highly specified example of this critically acclaimed Finnish-built performance aft cockpit cruising yacht. With upgraded rig and performance keel option plus Euro 50k in upgrades over the past two seasons, she is offered in quite remarkable ‘ready to go’ condition.
With just two private Finnish owners since new and only used in local waters, KEKE was originally ordered with a very high cruising specification which has been added to in both her original and most recent ownerships with a further Euro 50,000 in upgrades since her current owner bought her in 2021. With an upgraded Sparcraft performance rig and a Finngulf-supplied 2.05m performance keel fitted in 2010, along with more recent upgrades including electric genoa furler and furling code sails, KEKE now offers and excellent combination of Scandinavian build quality, performance and ease of handling.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Jonas Renlund - Grabau international (Scandinavia)
Tel: +358 408098688
Email:
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Reichel/Pugh 69 - Moneypenny. 750,000 EUR.
Moneypenny has been maintained to the highest standards by Noakes Group and dry sailed from its Sydney yard.
She has a significant sail wardrobe from Doyle. Recent modifications and improvements to water ballast systems and keel have been carried out.
Moneypenny finished 3rd in IRC overall, 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and was the CYCA’s 2022-23 blue water champion. This is an exciting and rewarding yacht for sailing at the highest levels on the world’s yacht racing circuits.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
For more information, please contact Sean Langman by email:
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Pegasus 50. POA EUR.
Blue water cruiser for freedom at sea
Comfort, safety, quality and speed, the cardinals of the Pegasus yachts team. The Pegasus 50 offers an exclusive modern layout boasting an open flow from deck to interior for maximum comfort. Attention to details throughout this gorgeous and innovative yacht delivers the ultimate in quality and safety... for a short getaway or an ocean crossing adventure, with multiple crew or single-handed! With remarkable performance and agility, she will take you the distance and deliver superb sensations. The Pegasus 50 delivers the perfect harmony for your sailing adventures.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Miha Breskvar
E-mail:
Skype: miha.breskvar
Mobile: +386 41 686 096
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Italia Yachts 9.98 2024. 315,000 (ex VAT) EUR.
Last available Italia Yachts 9.98 racing yacht!
If you decide quickly enough, we can equip this small rocket exactly as you want!
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
YM Yachts & Brokerage
yacht-match.com/yachts/italia-yachts-9-98-fuoriserie/
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
Failure and invention are inseparable twins. To invent you have to experiment, and if you know in advance that it's going to work, it's not an experiment. -- Scott Galloway
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