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 Just 350 Miles Of Separation With a northeasterly breeze between 12 and 15 knots blowing and a very special on board celebration, Day 73 in the Barcelona World Race has surprised the pair of Olympic champions skippering "MAPFRE", Iker Martínez and Xabi Fernandez. Despite moving as far as 600 miles away from the leader, following tricky days caused by the centre of the St Helena high which almost stalled the Olympic duo, Iker and Xabi have managed to cut that gap down to just 350 miles. "In terms of the leaders, at least they haven't got away," said Xabi. Since 04:00 GMT both entries have been maintaining similar speeds. "MAPFRE" is currently progressing at 11.2 knots and "Virbac Paprec 3" at 11.6. Standings Monday 14th March at 1400hrs : Antarctic Deaths: 'Enormous Ramifications' Three yacht crew were lost in February when an expedition led by Norwegian sailor Jarle Andhoy, 34, went wrong. The former naval diver and instructor for the Norwegian Rescue Company and a self-styled 'wild Viking' adventurer had led a crew of four from Christchurch, New Zealand to the Ross Sea in Antarctica on his 47ft steel yacht Berserk. Here he and 18-year-old Samuel Massie disembarked with all terrain vehicles for a journey of almost 1,500 miles to the South Pole. Those left on the yacht, Norwegians Robert Skaane, 34 and Tom Gisle Bellika, 36, and South African Leonard Banks, 32, were on their way back and only 17 miles north of the Scott Base when they met a storm and set off their EPIRB on 22 February. The New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Wellington was able to make their last reported position around ten hours after the distress signal, but found no trace of Berserk. Conditions at the time were reported to be of winds gusting to 75 knots, seas of 6-8m and temperatures of -20°C. The tragedy may have serious repercussions for cruising yachts intending to sail to Antarctica in the future, believes high latitudes sailor and charterer Skip Novak. "The ramifications will be enormous," he tells me. "Antarctica is no longer a wilderness, it's a managed territory with guidelines that have been in place for decades. "You have to apply to one of the Antarctic Treaty countries for a permit and you have to meet stringent environmental concerns, a search and rescue plan and you have to have insurance with a very high level of liability. If you don't you can be prosecuted." Novak believes that a system of checking permits before issuing exit papers in key departure points such as Ushuaia in Argentina, Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands and Puerto Williams in Chile could be fast-tracked. The Norwegian Polar Institute, from which Andhoy should have obtained a permit, is prosecuting him and he is currently awaiting trial. Full report from Elaine Bunting in her blog: www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/elaine-bunting/ Dubarry Crosshaven - Boots Born In The Southern Ocean Dubarry Crosshaven - boots born in the Southern Ocean. Neil Pryde Withdraws Support For Kitesurfing as an Olympic Event "I have been acting as an Ambassador for the IKA in order to assist Kitesurfing in its objective to attain Olympic Event status. I have now withdrawn my endorsement of the IKA Campaign because it is my view that Kitesurfing has not yet developed the rules of competition and disciplines that must be demonstrated to qualify Kitesurfing as an Olympic Event. As the Managing Director of Neil Pryde Limited, the owner of Cabrinha, a world leader in Kitesurfing I remain a strong supporter of Kitesurfing and I believe that the sport will continue to grow and develop as a lifestyle / adventure sport. Kitesurfing offers tremendous opportunities to combine sport and travel and there is no doubt that it is an exciting action sport that ultimately could obtain Olympic status. However it is important to look at Kitesurfing today and understand the limitations of the sport within the requirements of an Olympic Event. I would support the inclusion of Kitesurfing as a Demonstration Event at the 2016 Olympic Games if this is feasible. Neil Pryde Sail-World.com comments: Neil Pryde supply the current Olympic class board the RS:X, and are in the middle of a campaign to push the RS:One as the junior Olympic board, competition for the BIC Techno 293. While kitesurfing was being pushed as an addition to the Olympic Games, with it proposed as a demonstration sport in Rio, Pryde would have been quite happy with the prospect of a new market for their Cabrinha kitesurfing equipment. However the possibility of losing their current and future market in the windsurfing class, and having to compete all over again to capture the kitesurfing class will be unattractive and could account for this change of heart. Tracy Edwards's 1989 Whitbread Race Crew Ready to Reunite at Volvo Ocean Race Legends Regatta Edwards is just one of several former round the world skippers who will attend the regatta in Alicante in November, as a tribute to the traditions of the race which started in England in 1973. The regatta will feature more than a dozen racing yachts and crews that either won the race or created a sea change in the sport and Edwards, who competed in the 1989-90 Race knows that Maiden played a major part. "Maiden transcended sailing because it wasn't just about getting girls on the water. It was much more than that - it was about breaking moulds and proving that anything was possible," said Edwards who is now studying for a degree in psychology as part of a programme working with young offenders. "It encouraged more girls to get out on the water and there was a flurry of all female crews entering the race after that though it seems to have gone backwards now that the race is no longer a Corinthian event." Sir Chay Blyth's Great Britain II, which was built specially for the first Whitbread Race in 1973-74 and took line honours, was one of the first boats to be confirmed as a competitor in the two day regatta to be staged just prior to the start of the 11th edition of the race which was brought by Volvo in 2001. Around 30 per cent of the entire fleet is still working, some of them still racing, but many have been destroyed or fallen into disrepair. Lawrie Smith's Rothmans, which also competed in the 1989-90 race has been maintained in pristine condition and still in her original blue and white trim, is certain to be on the Legends start line having competed at Cowes Week and the Rolex Fastnet Race during the summer. It is hoped the winner of that race Steinlager 2, one of the most popular boats in racing history will attend and Pippa Blake, the wife of Steinlager's legendary skipper Peter Blake who was shot and killed during an Amazon expedition in 2001, was the first ambassador to be appointed to the reunion regatta. -- Kate Laven in The Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/sailing/ California 32 Altamar Seeking syndicate members and/or investor to secure future of ALTAMAR, hull # 2 in the series by Nicholas Potter (his favorite design) described as "formidable racers, comfortable cruisers." Launched 1937 by Fellows and Stewart she is currently awaiting restoration at Traditional Boat Works in San Diego, California. We will be relocating and encourage anyone interested in this project to contact Doug Jones for further details and photos. Although the scope of the project to rebuild and re-rig her is substantial, we have the resources to undertake such a project once the funds are available. ALTAMAR's sea worthiness, sea keeping abilities and speed as well as that of her sisters is well known, and her accommodation plan could be modified to include amenities unavailable in 1937. 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 Xabi Fernandez: "The Distance With The Leaders Keeps Us Going" With a northeasterly breeze between 12 and 15 knots blowing and a very special on board celebration, Day 73 in the Barcelona World Race has surprised the pair of Olympic champions skippering "MAPFRE", Iker Martínez and Xabi Fernandez. Despite moving as far as 600 miles away from the leader, following tricky days caused by the centre of the St Helena high which almost stalled the Olympic duo, Iker and Xabi have managed to cut that gap down to just 350 miles. "In terms of the leaders, at least they haven't got away," said Xabi. Since 04:00 GMT both entries have been maintaining similar speeds. "MAPFRE" is currently progressing at 11.2 knots and "Virbac Paprec 3" at 11.6. Atlantic Cup Fire Drill When US solo sailor Joe Harris sold his Open 50 GryphonSolo in July of 2009, he had an empty feeling in the pit his stomach. His dream of racing solo around the world had gone to California as a movie prop and he felt he had unfinished business. With the Open 50 class fading away, his choices for an around-the-world solo vehicle were an Open 60 or a Class 40. The latter was his choice as the more financially viable means of getting him on his way around the great capes. Joe sailed a number of different Class 40's before settling on the Akilaria RC2 designed by Mark Lombard. However, he had no idea when he signed the purchase contract in September 2010, with a financial incentive to commission the boat near the builder's factory in Tunisia, that the country would soon lead the Arab world into violent revolution and overthrow of the long-standing dictatorship. However, despite some nervous moments, the builder did a fantastic job of working through the turmoil and the boat was recently shipped to LaTrinite, France, for commissioning, only a few weeks beyond its originally scheduled delivery date. Joe and the team are now hustling to get GryphonSolo 2 commissioned, launched and sea-trialed in advance of the trans-Atlantic delivery from France to New York in time for the Class 40 Atlantic Cup, which starts May 6th. Read more of Joe's personal account of his Class 40 project at www.atlanticcup.org/archives/974 . Photos of GryphonSolo 2 are posted on the Joe Harris Atlantic Cup team page. Joe will provide further updates and reports as the adventure evolves. Warsash Spring Series The Warsash Spring Series lived up to its name on Sunday 12th March, when the first day's racing was held. Early risers may have been greeted by the sound of foghorns and a fine if persistent drizzle but as some 1,000 sailors made their way to the sailing area, conditions steadily improved. The fog lifted and the sun appeared. The breeze however was very light at times. On the Black Group committee boat, stationed on the Ryde Middle bank, the race officers were pleased that the forecast veer from south to north-west happened early. A short postponement of 30 minutes enabled the wind to steady and satisfactory courses could be set. Initially these included a cascade of windward/leeward legs finishing off Lee Point. In the event, with the development of windless patches and with time marching on, Black Group courses were shortened at the fourth or sixth mark. IRC4 had a separate start nearer the shore and finished in the entrance to Southampton Water. All competitors were pleased to complete within the limit and gain their first result on a difficult but challenging day. Back at Warsash Sailing Club competitors were able to relax in the clubhouse garden where the weekly champagne prizes for class winners were presented in the balmy spring-like conditions. The Warsash Spring Series continues on Sunday 20th March 2011 and new entries are welcome via the event website www.warsashspringseries.org.uk -- Flavia Bateson Results: Camet Introduces The Women’s Wahine Sailing Shorts In Slate Grey For more information on these shorts, please go to www.camet.com Dubai Traditional 43ft Sailing Dhow Championships Khalid Mohd. Al Rumaithi and his crew on Musqasas won the final round of the Dubai Traditional 43ft Sailing Dhow Championship organised by Dubai International Marine Club on Saturday. Al Wasef, skippered by Mohamed Hamad Al Ghasheesh was second, followed in third place by Faza'a with Khamis Obeid Thani Al Rumaithi at the helm. The race, which started near Jebel Ali Port in fairly light winds, finished at the Burj Al Arab in a significantly stronger breeze, which had picked up gradually during the hour-long 10-mile race. Mohamed Al Ghasheesh's second place was his best achievement of the season in this class. Favourite Al Zeer managed to retain his lead in the overall three round Championship after finishing in twelfth place and Muqasas sneaked in to take second place overall after his win giving him a total over three races of 22 points. The race has a prize purse of 1.5m dirhams split between the first 50 boats with a top prize of AED 90,000. The prize money sponsored by the Government of Dubai is to encourage the sailors to keep dhow sailing active and for the maintenance of the boats as part of the UAE Heritage programme. The next event to be held at DIMC is the UIM Xcat Middle East Championships on 24th & 25th March. -- Sharon Allison Overall Championship Points Industry News McConaghy Boats has appointed Ancasta International Boats Sales as the dealer for UK and Ireland. The initial focus of this new partnership is on the Ker 40; the Jason Ker Designed IRC racer. In addition to the Ker 40, Ancasta will also be promoting the McConaghy 38 The first two Ker 40's coming to the UK will be based at Hamble Yacht Services in time for this seasons racing. ------------------------------------------------- Henri Lloyd has strengthened its marine sales team with the appointment of Dan Brown as its new Corporate and Area Sales Manager. Dan, who joins the team with over 10 years' invaluable knowledge of the marine industry, will be responsible for all UK corporate sales and retail accounts in the south-west and western areas. Dan has worked for YachtWorld.com, Ancasta and TenAlps Publishing. He is also a successful circuit sail racer and has competed in a number of National, European and World sailing championships. Dan will be based at Henri Lloyd's Lymington office in Hampshire. -- www.henrilloyd.com Featured Brokerage The story of the Moonbeams began in 1858 with Moonbeam I &II. In 1902 Charles Plumtree Johnson, an eminent London lawyer, decided to go back to William Fife for the creation of his 3rd yacht taking into account his navigation projects as he wanted to race under the new RORC tonnage which included sailing ships with fitted-out interiors. Moonbeam III was launched in 1903, hull n° 491 to leave the Fife yard. The result was a magnificent yacht which has now become one of the most successful classic yachts in the world. Her streamlined shape and large sail surface area both make for an extremely elegant and unique yacht. Brokerage through Bernard Gallay Yacht Brokerage: www.yachtworld.com/bernard-gallay/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at The Last Word |
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