Brought to you by Boats.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

Practice Makes Perfect
Newport, Rhode Island USA: The organizers of the 2011 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex have worked diligently to create a path to success for the 22 yacht club teams who will go head to head on Swan 42s over the next five days. The competitors, all amateur sailors, not only have participated in two days of practice racing but also attended a performance symposium, local knowledge seminar and a meeting with the Umpires to prepare them for the racing which begins in earnest tomorrow, Tuesday, September 13, with 11 scheduled races that will wrap up on Saturday, September 17.

With the majority of the competitors having little or no direct experience in Swan 42s, it would seem logical to look at teams that competed in the 2009 inaugural running of the event as potential front-runners: New York Yacht Club (USA), Royal Canadian Yacht Club (CAN), the Japan Sailing Federation (JPN), Nyländska Jaktklubben (FIN), and Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL), who, in order, finished top-five, as well as Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (BER), Royal Ocean Racing Club (GBR), Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (HKG), Real Club Nautico de Barcelona (ESP), Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (GER), and Royal Yacht Squadron (GBR). But that might be a bad bet.

"There are some very, very good sailors here, and it would not surprise me one bit if the trophy leaves these shores at the conclusion of racing," said Regatta Chairman John Mendez, explaining that the yacht club teams have taken the challenge seriously and prepared accordingly. To facilitiate practice and teamwork, most arranged to charter boats similar to the Swan 42 in the months prior to their arrival in Newport.

Among some of the high-profile Corinthian sailors competing are Olympians such as those aboard Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) from Hamburg, Germany. At the helm of NRV will be Johannes Polgar who raced in the Tornado class at the 2008 Olympic Games. His crew from Beijing, Florian Spalteholz, is tactician for the Invitational Cup, while Gunnar Struckmann, who sailed the Tornado for Germany in the 2004 Games, will work mast or pit. At the helm of Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club's team will be one of Asia's top offshore racers, Patrick Pender, and one of it's top match race champions, Tiger Mok, will be tactician.

The warning signal for the first race each day is scheduled for 1100, with competitors heading to the race course at approximately 0930 each morning.

invitationalcup.org

Invitational Cup Fantasy Sailing Competition From Sailing World
A large part of the appeal of the New York YC's Invitational Cup is that it is a unique event. There are very few, if any, regattas like it.

Many of the same things that make it unique, however, also make it difficult to predict the teams that will come out on top. The keys a handicapper would use to determine the final standings are largely irrelevant or absent.

Of course, this only makes trying to guess the winners more of a challenge. So we've set up a pick 'em contest for the 2011 Invitational Cup. Call it an attempt at Fantasy Sailing. Hey every other sport has it, why not us?

It's a fairly simple contest, at least in theory. To enter, click on this link: surveymonkey.com/s/PKWNYNG , which will take you to an online survey. Enter your name, email (so we can tell you if you've won, or not), and then select the top five finishers in the 2011 Invitational Cup.

The standings of the pick 'em competition will be determined by adding up the differences between where you picked a team to finish and where it actually finishes. The best possible score is zero. Were you to get the top five exactly right, your predicted position subtracted from their actual position would be zero for each team. It doesn't matter whether a team finishes higher or lower than your predicted finish. In either case, it's just the difference between the two numbers.

We've also thrown in a couple of tiebreakers just in case two or more entries end up with the same total.

The prize pack? We're still working on that. It'll certainly include some Sailing World gear. Hopefully we'll have a few other goodies to toss in there as well.

See sailingworld.com for more information.

High Winds Keep J/24 Europeans' Competitors Ashore
The first day of the BMW J/24 European Championships at Howth Yacht Club (near Dublin, Ireland) fell victim to the weather today (Monday 12th September), when winds in excess of 30 knots and gusts over 50 knots left the Principal Race Officer David Lovegrove with no option other than to abandon racing.

It is hoped to resume racing on Tuesday (13th) with four races back-to-back, starting at the earlier time of 10.00am to try and get the 10-race series back on track.

Weather charts for the rest of the week indicate a reduction in wind strengths from Wednesday onwards which would allow the full complement of races to be completed by Thursday afternoon.

The event has attracted 42 boats from nine countries, which include the national champions of Ireland, Britain, Germany, Italy and Greece. -- Graham Smith

www.hyc.ie/J24Europeans2011/

Success For Southern Spars at the 2011 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Southern Spars Southern Spars-rigged yachts achieved impressive results across all four divisions in the 2011 Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Rán's second successive triumph in the Mini Maxi Rolex Worlds was in the bag after a convincing start to the week, when she won three of her four bullets. Three weeks earlier Niklas Zennström's Rán also claimed a second straight overall victory at the Rolex Fastnet Race. Sir Irvine Laidlaw's 82-ft Highland Fling scored overall victory in the Maxi Racing division, closely followed by Igor Simic's bigger and faster 100-ft Esimit Europa 2 (SLO).

For more information on Southern Spars' maxi rig technology, visit
www.southernspars.com

The Final Play: Winners Determined In Eight Classes
Photo by Daniel Forster, www.yachtphoto.com. Click on image for photo gallery.

Big Boat Series San Francisco, California, USA: After enduring Saturday's high wind survival conditions, the hundreds of sailors on 81 teams at the 47th annual Rolex Big Boat Series would no doubt agree that handling Sunday's 14-17 knots on San Francisco Bay was a piece of cake

A single "Bay Tour" distance race showed seven classes (IRC A, B, C, D J/105, J/120, Express 37) the four corners of San Francisco Bay, visually anchored by the Golden Gate Bridge to the west, Alacatraz Island in the middle, and Treasure Island and Bay Bridge to the East, while an eighth class (Farr 30) topped off its world championship with four feisty races on the "North Course" that was their racing home for the regatta's entire four days.

Final Top-Three Results
IRC A (IRC - 8 Boats)

1. Vesper, TP 52, Jim Swartz, USA, 10 points
2. PowerPlay, TP 52, Peter Cunningham, CAY, 15
3. Mayhem, TP 52, Ashley Wolfe, CAN, 18

IRC B (IRC - 9 Boats)
1. TNT, Custom Tripp 43, Brad Copper, USA, 11
2. Swiftsure ll, Sloop 54, Sy Kleinman, USA, 13
3. BustinLoose, Sydney 38, Jeff Pulford, USA, 23

IRC C (IRC - 8 Boats)
1. Double Trouble, J 125, Andy Costello, USA, 7
2. Resolute, J 125, Tim Fuller, USA, 17
3. August Ice, J 125, Richard Ferris, USA, 26

IRC D (IRC - 8 Boats)
1. Dayenu, J 120, Donald Payan, CA, USA, 9
2. Tupelo Honey, Elan 40, Gerard Sheridan, USA, 25
3. Mirthmaker, Archambault A35, Douglas Holm / Kirk Denebeim, USA, 26

J 105 (One Design - 21 Boats)
1. Blackhawk, J 105, Scooter Simmons, USA, 22
2. Risk, J 105, Jason Woodley / Scott Whitney, USA, 29
3. Donkey Jack, J 105, Edward Conrads / Kaiser / Ryan, USA, 34

J 120 (One Design - 7 Boats)
1. Chance, J 12, Barry Lewis, USA, 14
2. Mr. Magoo, J 120, Stephen Madeira, USA, 17
3. Peregrine, J 120, David Halliwill, USA, 19

Express 37 (One Design - 9 Boats)
1. Golden Moon, Express 37, Kame Richards, USA, 10
2. Blade Runner, Express 37, Michael Shlens, USA, 17
3. Expeditious, Express 37, Bartz Schneider, USA, 33

Farr 30 (One Design - 12 Boats)
1. Groovederci, Farr 30, Deneen Demourkas, USA, 34
2. Barking Mad, Farr 30, James Richardson, USA, 38
3. Eight Ball, Farr 30, Scott Easom, USA, 41

For race reports and full results, go to www.rolexbigboatseries.com

Groupama On Manoeuvres in Search of In-Port Edge
In-port racing will deliver less then 20 percent of the points in the Volvo Ocean Race yet dominating the high-profile one-dayers could deliver a big psychological advantage for one of the teams.

"A crew that does well inshore can intimidate their rivals," said navigator Charles Caudrelier. "Their preparation could give them the winning edge.

To that end Groupama sailing team are working hard at their Lorient base to perfect their technique in a form of racing that will deliver points at all 10 of the Host Ports.

The in-port races see the Volvo Open 70s blast around a short course in front of thousands of shoreside spectators.

"This is a different way of sailing the boat," said Groupama trimmer Philip Harmer. "It's not the best boat that wins the in-port races, but the one that has the best team: a team that works well together, that communicates well and carries out manoeuvres quickly."

The techniques Groupama have been fine-tuning in France should stand them in good stead for the longer ocean legs too.

The first In-Port Race will take place in Alicante, Spain, on October 29 ahead of the start of Leg 1 on November 5.

www.volvooceanrace.com

GOR Race Village Opens
The Global Ocean Race 2011-12 (GOR) Race Village in Palma, Mallorca, opened at midday on Friday 8 September. At the official opening in two marquees on the Muelle de las Golondrinas in the Marine de Mallorca, GOR Race Director, Josh Hall, was joined by Tolo Frau, head of the event's commercial division in Palma; D. Jaime Martinez, Director of Balearics Tourism; Dr. Maribel Crespí, Director of Government Relations in Mallorca and D. Javier Bonet, Director of Palma Tourism.

While the entertainment continues onshore, five of the six GOR teams are already in Palma, preparing for the start on Sunday 25 September. The Desafio Mallorca team of New Zealand yachtsman, Conrad Colman, and local sailor, Hugo Ramon, has been based in Mallorca since early this summer with their new Akilaria RC2. South African duo Nick Leggatt and Phillippa Hutton-Squire with Phesheya-Racing have been in Palma for three weeks and Marco Nannini and Paul Peggs arrived just under a fortnight ago. At 04:00 on Thursday morning, the New Zealand, father-and-son duo of Ross and Cambell Field sailed their Verdier Design BSL into the Marina de Mallorca, while Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron arrived with their new Pogo 40S2 Campagne de France early on Saturday morning. The final entry, Nico Budel's team with Sec. Hayai, are currently en route to Mallorca.

During the official opening of the GOR Race Village, it was also announced that the GOR Class40 fleet has been invited to join the Regata Social de Bienvenida al Camper (Camper Welcoming Regatta) in the Bay of Palma on Sunday 18 September organised by the Real Club Nautico de Palma (RCNP). As official yacht club for the Volvo Ocean Race Camper campaign, the RCNP is hosting a week of events and has organised a separate start and class for the six GOR Class40's during the Regata Social de Bienvenida al Camper. The RCNP will also provide race officers and logistic support for the GOR start on Sunday 25 September.

globaloceanrace.com

An Absorbing Interest. The America's Cup A History: Available Once More
An Absorbing Interest. The America's Cup A History Bob Fisher's beautifully presented history of the America's Cup is widely acknowledged as the definitive account of sailing's ultimate challenge. This unique collector's two volume set is now available to buy once more as a limited print run.

Take a look inside and read two chapters at www.wileynautical.com/americascup

Greystones Lead Both Fleets in RS 200/400 Irish Nationals
Blustery conditions formed the backdrop to the Irish RS 200/400 National sailing championships, which took place in Cushendall this weekend. Greystones sailors Simon Herriott and Tom Moran led the RS400 class, while Roy Van Moonen and Glen Reid won top prize in the RS200 fleet.

The championships, which were sponsored by Neil Mathews Architects, saw 18 RS400 boats and 13 RS200s enter. There were five races held over Friday and Saturday, while gusts of nearly 40 knots saw Sunday's races abandoned.

Roy Van Moonen and Glen Reid from Greystones Sailing Club led the RS200 fleet, bagging three firsts, a second and a third. In second place were Trevor Fisher and Heather King from Royal St George Yacht Club in East Down. And then it was Greystones again, with Sean Cleary and Steven Tyner amassing a first, second, third and two fourth place finishes to end up in third place overall.

Paul McLaughlin and Mick McKinley were first home from the five local crews that took part in the RS400 class, finishing fifth overall.

Gerry and Avril Cannon lifted a prize as the first mixed crew home in the 400s, while Sarah and Ciara Byrne in an RS200 were the first all-woman crew home.

Richard Doig and Dr Michael Hill from East Antrim Boat Club kindly officiated as Race Officer and Assistant Race Officer for the series.

Top five, 200 Fleet:

1. Roy Van Moonen / Glen Reid, Greystones Sailing Club, 5 points
2. Trevor Fisher / Heather King, Royal St. George YC, 9
3. Sean Cleary / Steven TYner, GSC, 10
4. Graeme Noonan / Brian McCarthy, GSC, 12
5. Clive Coffey / Liam Coffey, Newcastle YC, 20

Top five, 400 Fleet:

1. Simon Herriott / Tom Moran, GSC, 8 points
2. Michael McAlister / Michael Patton, Royal Nothern Ireland YC, 10
3. Liam Donnelly / Andrew Vaughan, RNIYC, 11
4. Emmet Ryan / James Ryan, Royal St. George, 11
5. Paul McLaughlin / Mick McKinley, Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club, 17

Classic Yachts Gather in Porto Cervo
Porto Cervo, Italy: The fleet of seven classic sailing yachts gathered in Porto Cervo for the Veteran Big Boat Rally, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda from 12th to 15th September, has attracted several curious onlookers, drawn not so much by the size of the fleet, but by the size of each individual yacht. With four of the participating veteran yachts boasting an overall length of more than 40 metres, the sight of these sailing giants of bygone days with their vast sail plans parading through the islands of the La Maddalena archipelago is one not to be missed.

One participant that is particularly familiar with Sardinian waters, and which participated at the inauguration of Porto Cervo Marina in 1976, is the 42-metre Croce del Sud. The classic triple masted schooner was commissioned by the Granelli family in 1933 and has never changed ownership, despite having been commandeered by the German army during World War II and used as officers' quarters. The yacht is now in the capable hands of Bruno Mentasti, son-in-law of the original owner.

The largest of the "big boats" participating in the rally is the 55 metre schooner Elena. Built in 2009 to the exacting standards of the original N.G. Herreshoff design, this reproduction of the 1910 yacht of the same name has been meticulously constructed in steel using 320 hand-drawn plans supplied by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston and information from the family-run Herreshoff design office in Rhode Island.

The 49.5 metre Eleonora is also a reproduction of a Herreshoff design. Westward was the 1910 sistership to Elena and today's Eleonora is a scaled-down version of the two masted schooner. With a sail area of 1,100 m2 Eleonora regularly competes in classic sailing regattas in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

The 38 metre Mariette is another twin masted schooner designed and built by Hereshoff and launched in 1915. Following an extensive refit in early 2010 Mariette has been sailing in classic yacht regattas around the world.

Moonbeam IV, owned by Xavier Tancogne, is the largest of four Moonbeam yachts commissioned by Charles Plumtre Johnson and her construction was begun in 1914 but was not completed until after the war in 1920. In 1950 Prince Rainier of Monaco bought Moonbeam and the 35 metre gaff cutter hosted the newly-wed couple of the Prince and Grace Kelly on their honeymoon.

The 36.55 metre Bermudian ketch Sylvia was launched in 1925. Her teak hull was built by Camper and Nicholson in the UK and at the beginning of this century she spent several years completing a round the world trip.

Launched in 1907, the gaff yawl Veronique is the most senoir of the classic yachts participating in the Veteran Big Boat Rally. Boasting over 20 years of experience in classic regattas, at 18.9 metres in length she is also the smallest of the fleet.

Racing is schedule to begin Tuesday, 13th September at 11.30 a.m. Approximately 8 knots of easterly wind are forecast.

www.yccs.com

PSP Southampton Boat Show Exclusive Deal...See the Show and Go Big Boat Sailing!
Click on image to enlarge.

OnDeck Ondeck, the global sailing, training & events company are delighted to launch their new 'Sail'n'Show' product at this years' PSP Southampton Boat Show (Fri 16th - Sun 25th September 2011) With morning and afternoon 4 hour sessions you get an instructional sail on their magnificent Farr 65 racing yachts + entry into the show + Champagne reception = an astonishing day out!

Get a taste of BIG BOAT sailing and talk to the professional crew about Caribbean Regattas, Round the Island Race, Cows Week, BIG BOAT Weekends and their new 7 day 1000 mile challenge. Just GBP£49pp / whole boat exclusivity £499 + vat (up to 12 guests)

Limited availability remains so to grab yourself a bargain & unforgettable day out call +44(0)1983 284300 or email :

(Minimum age sixteen (with guardian for under 18s) - Wet weather gear and safety equipment provided)

ondecksailing.com

Industry News
After 82 years of continuous operation in New York City, the Sparkman & Stephens New York design and brokerage office has relocated to Greenwich, Connecticut, effective today.

Our principal motivation for the move is to be closer to the sailing communities and boat yards of Long Island Sound and New England and also where many of our clients spend their leisure time, rather then their working hours. It will also move us that much closer to our Newport, Rhode Island office.

Located only thirty miles from Manhattan, transportation is made simple via interstate 95, the Merritt Parkway, and Metro North Railroad. Express trains from New York City's Grand Central Terminal are 45 minutes in duration. For air travelers, Westchester County Airport is just minutes away. LaGuardia and JFK airports are also within easy reach. -- www.sparkmanstephens.com

-----------------------------------------------

Alcaidesa Marina, the 600 berth marina located in the sheltered waters of Algeciras Bay and only ten minute's walk from Gibraltar airport, prepares to open a brand new boat lifting facility with a 70 ton hoist and service centre. The opening of this facility in November 2011 will add to the range of services and facilities for vessels and their crew.

It is an ideal location for those who wish to have a convenient base in Southern Spain, at the gateway to the Mediterranean. With customers from over 20 countries Alcaidesa Marina has a truly international feel. Conveniently located for Gibralter airport where improvements are planned shortly to allow more European flights, Alcaidesa Marina is only an hour's drive from Malaga and Jerez international airports.

Alcaidesa Marina is exhibiting at the Southampton Boat show stand J063 where information will be available on all the facilities and services including an exclusive offer of a free trip from the UK to the marine (terms and conditions apply).

Find out more about this Marina at the entrance to the Mediterranean: www.puertodeportivoalcaidesa.es

Or visit Stand No. J063 at the Southampton International Boat Show

-----------------------------------------------

SP-High Modulus, the marine business of Gurit, has today launched 'PVCell G-Foam', a closed cell, cross-linked PVC foam to enhance its core materials offering.

PVCell G-Foam provides high strength to weight ratio for all composite applications. PVCell G-Foam has secured industry certification from Germanischer Lloyd (GL) (G60-G100), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), and Registro Italiano Navale (RINA).

SP-High Modulus, will be exhibiting at the forthcoming Monaco Yacht Show from 21st – 24th September 2011 in the Darse Sud Tent, stand QS1, where staff will be available to discuss this year's product portfolio including PVCell G-Foam as well as Corecell™ M-Foam, B3 SmartPac and Spabond 540.

www.gurit.com/marine

Featured Brokerage
Featured Brokerage Boat 2003 Nautor Swan 45. 295,000 GBP. Located In Lymington, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

Skipper maintained and race ready example of this great class, which offers good one design and IRC racing. Cruising inventory also.

Brokerage through Berthon International: www.yachtworld.com/berthon/

Complete listing details and seller contact information at
uk.yachtworld.com

The Last Word
A little rudeness and disrespect can elevate a meaningless interaction to a battle of wills and add drama to an otherwise dull day. -- Calvin & Hobbes

Bookmark and Share

Use this box to send a copy of this issue of the Scuttlebutt Europe Newsletter to a friend:
[FORWARDFORM]

Or [FORWARD] for a page where you can send copies to up to a dozen friends.

[USERTRACK]

About Boats.com
Boats.com provides marketing and Web services to boat builders, dealers, brokers and service companies throughout the global recreational marine industry. The Boats.com Website provides consumer access to information, boat listings and financial and insurance products. With more than 143,000 new and used boat listings from more than 5,500 brokers, dealers and manufacturers, Boats.com is the largest concentration of recreational marine industry marketing in the world.

See the Boats Blog at Boats.com -- www.boats.com/blog/

To subscribe, unsubscribe, and select HTML or Text format visit scuttlebutteurope.com

Editorial and letter submissions to

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.scuttlebutteurope.com/advertise.html

Search the Archives

SEARCH SEARCH

Our Partners

Seahorse Magazine

YachtScoring.com

Wight Vodka

Robline Ropes

Harken

Marlow

Navico

Translate