Scuttlebutt Europe #2461 - 2 November
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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 Transat 6.50 1. David Raison, Team Work Evolution No series boats yet, the closest is 222 nm away. Top ten at pixel time... 1. Gwenole Gahinet, Asso Watever - Gwenolegahinet.Com www.charentemaritime-bahia.transat650.net Expresso Start on the Coffee Route In fact it is likely to be especially demanding for the faster boats, the leaders in the Multi 50 and IMOCA Open 60 classes are still expecting winds close to 50kts after a fast start, accompanied by big, confused seas. Immediately the duos will be off at high speed, setting a fierce pace which will require them to find their ultimate race level early in the passage, flying headlong first towards the stormy conditions and then a strategic puzzle which could influence the outcome of the race for all three classes. But the consensus among the fleets is that the delay of the held start could be made good further down the course to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica and ETA's very similar. The departure from the Channel looks to be at express speed, but relatively straightforward in terms of strategic options. The residual NW'ly swell from the depression will be hit at speed in a brisk S'ly breeze and so potentially the biggest question will be how to modulate the pace. Out to Ushant it will be quick, bouncy and at times unpleasant. The consensus though is that is then best to get west as quick as possible to get first the NW'ly-W'ly which will in turn present the opportunity to get south, if desired. The GOR Class40s Compress for the Final 1,000 Miles In fourth place, Conrad Colman and Hugo Ramon dropped quickly south with their new Akilaria RC2, Cessna Citation, moderating their course as the high-pressure system slipped east towards the southern tip of Africa, but were forced to watch their distance deficit to Financial Crisis grow exponentially as they closed on the main pack. Furthest south, skating across the top of the Roaring Forties, the South African duo of Nick Leggatt and Phillippa Hutton-Squire in fifth with their first generation Akilaria Phesheya-Racing kept hold of Nannini and Peggs and resisted the fast approach of Sec. Hayai with the Dutch duo of Nico Budel and Ruud van Rijsewijk in sixth. As the sun rose in the high latitudes of the South Atlantic on Tuesday morning, the main pack of GOR Class40s were spread over 180 miles in terms of distance to finish, south of the finish line's latitude, fanning out over 230 miles north-south for the final 1,000 miles to the Leg 1 finish in Cape Town with Nannini and Peggs leading the group after 37 days at sea. Global Ocean Race 2011-12 Leg 1 (Palma - Cape Town) results: 1. BSL: Ross and Campbell Field (NZL). Tyker 40 Class40. 32d 17h 13m 25s. Finish: 05:13:25 GMT 28/10/11. Distance: 7,300 miles. Average speed 9.3kts Global Ocean Race points at the end of Leg 1: 1. BSL has scored a total of 35 points in GOR Leg 1 (5 points for crossing the Fastnet Marine Insurance Scoring Gate in 2nd place + 30 points for 1st place in Leg 1).
You'd have to go around the world to find a better boot than Dubarry's Ultima or Shamrock - so they did. Green Dragon's raced round the world in Dubarry boots and their Southern Ocean feedback helped to create the world's best offshore boot. Top of the Dragons' list was a waterproof built-in gaiter with top draw-cord to make sure your foredeck forays don't result in a bootful of briney. They're warmer too, lined with GORE-TEX® Duratherm waterproof insulation, heel and toe reinforcement and a new super-supportive footbed inspired by Formula 1 technology. Dubarry Crosshaven - boots born in the Southern Ocean. Newport Bermuda Countdown Begins
The race continues recent tradition by starting in the mouth of Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay before a big audience on shore at Castle Hill. Next comes the crossing of the always challenging Gulf Stream. And the Bermuda Race experience is (as ever) capped by the magnificent prize-giving ceremony at Government House. After that, the fleet will disperse once again for the sail home, which is often a training ground for the next generation of Bermuda Race sailors. For old-timers, the race is almost a habit. But every old-timer was once a first-timer. In fact, one out of four entries in the 2010 race was commanded by a first-time skipper. The BROC puts a lot of energy into identifying men and women who want to make their first race, and then helping them through the planning and inspection process, advised by Bermuda Race Ambassadors assigned by the BROC. For more information about the Race Ambassador Program, contact Participation Chairman Fred Deichmann, . Early dates and deadlines include As always, the main prize is the classic St. David's Lighthouse Trophy, and it will go to the top cruiser-racer with an amateur crew. The 2010 winner, Carina, will be back after an around the world sail that includes the Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart races. -- John Rousmaniere Spinnaker Tales Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron will host the series on the physically demanding Waterloo Bay 'torture track' from December 27 to January 4. Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club's Ryan Palk a member of the Australian Olympic training squad and Queensland Academy of Sport representatives Klade Hauschildt (Noosa) and the Maroochydore Sailing Club's Mitchell and Madison Kennedy have increased their training schedules in recent weeks. All four gifted monotype sailors are listed as major contenders following excellent results from international and interstate regattas over the past 12 months. Ryan Palk who has spent most of the past year racing under the Australian Olympic Team banner and coached by former Olympic Bronze Medallist Michael Blackburn won his first Australian championship on Waterloo Bay which suggests he will be a strong contender. His long term training partner Klade Hauschildt also has the potential and the determination to make his presence felt when the sails are tensioned for the important points to determine the group of skippers to compete for the Gold Medal on January 4. Hauschildt has since recovered from a serious ankle injury which forced him out of Laser class racing for most of the winter months. However he is now back in full training and presents a distinct challenge to the major challengers including his good mate Ryan Palk. The brother and sister Maroochy River sailors Mitchell and Madison Kennedy already ranked among the rising teenage stars on the Australian Laser racing circuit are showing the same tactical skill expressed by their father Mark when he won the World Laser Masters championship. All three Kennedy's will separately compete for honours with Mitchell hoping to press home his tactical knowledge of Waterloo Bay to be nominated as a medal prospect in the Radial class while younger sister Madison who has represented Australia at the Junior Olympics is expected to be a major medal contender in the 4.7 rig class. Naturally father Mark who has played a major role in developing the skills of Mitchell and Madison has the proven skill and experience to add another major medal to his impressive trophy cabinet. As expected the 2012 Australian Laser class regatta has attracted an international standard fleet with the open championship including entries from skippers representing European, English, American and New Zealand clubs. This suggests the competition to qualify for the Gold Medal sail-off in all classes will hinge on the skills of the individual skipper to sail smart, limit their tactical errors and have the steering skills to sail fast in notorious Waterloo Bay 'slop'. -- Ian Grant Recruitment for Sunset+Vine; Associate Producer for the America's Cup Uncovered Production Team - At least three years' experience at AP level on broadcast programming - Technical post production skills (FCP) an advantage, as would experience working as part of a team producing weekly programming - Strong script writer and story teller - Thrive in a small dedicated team - Thorough knowledge and passion for the sport of sailing and the major international sailing events would be an advantage - Position would be London based with potential for travel to Americas Cup events and stand-alone shoots - Available from January 2012, salary commensurate with experience - Send CVs to Ann-Marie Mayhew with the subject heading 'AP for America's Cup Uncovered'. Interviews will be held mid-November French Solo Sailor Saved by Mobile Phone Florence Arthaud, 54, told a French TV station that she 'quite simply fell into the water while preparing to take a pee', while sailing alone on her 33ft (10m) yacht, The Argade II, near Corsica. Fortunately she held onto her phone, which she had only bought the previous week and was encased in a waterproof covering. She called her mother in Paris, who raised the alarm, and Ms Arthaud was rescued two hours later, suffering from hypothermia. Ms Arthaud is one of the world's top solo sailors and became the first woman to win a single-handed ocean race overall when she triumphed in the 1990 transatlantic Route du Rhum. -- Andrew Brook in Practical Boat Owner Phoenix Marine UK Laser Assn Masters' Inland Championships
The weather was very mild for the time of year and there was a good SW'erly breeze on Saturday that faded slightly overnight and then drifted to the South during Sunday's racing. The first start for the Standards was subject to a General Recall and the Race Officer Richard Hall moved swiftly to the Black Flag for the rest of the weekend. In the 28 strong Standard fleet all three top places went to local helmsmen with Alan Davis winning five of the six races sailed. With 36 boats entered in the Radial fleet the visitors were more in evidence at the front of the fleet. Ian Jones from Dovestones S.C. also won five of the races to take the overall title but the contest by Rob Cage (Bewl Valley) and Ian Gregory (Frensham Pond) for the next two places went to the last race. Cage, who was the only other helm to win a race, took 2nd by a few points. -- Report from Glyn Purnell / UKLA ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards 2011 One Week Away The ceremony will be held in the historic Cuartel de Ballaja, a former military barracks in the mid-19th century, and an impressive backdrop to a night that welcomes some of the best sailing talent the world has seen. This year there are four female and five male nominees who have been shortlisted for the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year award based on their achievements during the qualifying period of 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2011. The 2011 nominees are: Female Male www.sailing.org/worldsailor/37136.php Follow the Volvo Ocean Race with Free Mobile APP The free app, for iOS and Android, makes it simpler than ever for fans to keep tabs on their favourite teams as they race 39,000 nautical miles around the planet via a customised race tracker, powered with the same data that comes into the state-of-the-art Race Control room in Alicante, Spain, from where the fleet is tracked 24 hours a day. The race tracker provides the latest data including exact positions, boat speed, direction and weather conditions - so you can stay informed on the race no matter where in the world you are or what you are doing. You can also replay legs and find all you need to know about the race's 10 Host Ports. Developed by BeTomorrow, a leading company in innovative online services, the app transports fans to the heart of the Volvo Ocean Race action through multimedia geo-content including video, audio and text updates from the boats. Users can also stay up-to-date with the latest scores from the In-Port Races as well as the nine offshore legs. Jordi Neves, the Volvo Ocean Race's Director of Technology, said: "We now consume content on the move more than ever and our objective is to allow fans to follow the race no matter where they are. "Mobile platforms are key to engage new audience into this exciting race. We have put a considerable effort to provide a free app with all the data you can get out of the boat. "The app is one of the many ways you can follow the Volvo Ocean Race and we hope through using it fans will feel closer to the action than ever before." More than 16,000 people downloaded the race's iPhone app during the 2008-09 edition - over three installs for every hour of the nine-month race. Through the app, which also has an iPad version, fans can stay tuned in to all the action from the start of Leg 1 of the 2011-12 edition, which kicks off in Alicante on Saturday, November 5. The Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 app can be downloaded free from iTunes here. iOS: Android: North Sails Golf Day Raises 5,000 for the John Merricks Sailing Trust
Key figures in the marine industry enjoyed a round of golf with world-renowned sailors including Ian Williams, Chris Mason, Matt Cornwall, George Skuodos, Eddie Warden Owen and Ossie Stewart. This fantastic event always draws the support of former colleagues and friends of John's, Olympic medallists, Americas Cup sailors, yacht designers and keen amateur sailors who turn out to play whilst also remembering John and supporting the charity in his name. Winner of the day Rob Larke scored 44 Stableford points and was presented with the North Sails Trophy. In second place was James Hudson, whilst third place went to Jay Westwood. Meanwhile Mercedes Jones took the ladies prize and the team of James Hudson, Gavin Lacey, Mike Cole and Nick Irvine walked away with the Team Trophy of four Golf Day branded Jackets donated by Craftinsure. Rob Larke also won this year's Bandit Trophy - an annual trophy originally presented by Mark Tomson, the first Bandit winner. Musto sponsored the Nearest the Pin and Longest Drive competitions which were won by Scaff and Andy Greenwood respectively. Bob Fisher performed a marvellous job as auctioneer, coaxing a grand total of £1,095 for an array of diverse prizes, from bidders in the auction. Photographs were taken by Simon Margetson and Gareth Pullen and a selection are displayed at www.jmst.org.uk . High-resolution images can be ordered directly from Simon Margetson at www.simonmargetson.co.uk Huge thanks go to North Sails for managing the event, Peter Nash of the Seahorse Golf Society and every company and individual who donated prizes and the individual Hole Sponsors: Dimension Polyants; Osmotech; RF Composites; TT Rigging; Toolkit Websites; Soluxion IT; Grapefruit Graphics; Craftinsure. The John Merricks Sailing Trust supports young sailors and junior sailing projects in financial need. It has awarded over £250,000 to individuals or projects that seek to further youth sailing. If you or your project needs help please see www.jmst.org.uk for more details. Quest for China's Argonauts Hong Kong-based Frenchman Barot is not a modern-day Jason, the legendary Greek hero, leading the Argonauts in a perilous sea quest for the Golden Fleece. Yet, the mission to win the Challenger Series by the China Team comprising mainly mainland sailors is a task of massive proportions, one which Barot, the chief executive of the team, acknowledges will be as tough as that mythical adventure. "The aim by 2013 is to have seven members of the 11-man crew from China. Right now, we only have a couple and the goal is to unearth athletes in China who are willing to take on one of the biggest challenges in world sport," says Barot, a 25-year America's Cup veteran. His search will begin in earnest this week as the China Team - the crew only, and not the boat - take part in the fifth China Cup International Regatta in Shenzhen. Apart from keeping an eye on the racing, Barot will oversee a recruitment programme where he hopes to discover potential sailing talent that can man the yardarm. The Chinese were sailing the seven seas well before Columbus even dreamed of going on his voyage of discovery. Barot hopes to draw on this proud history to find the sailors of today, failing which he will settle for a basketball player or rugby player. "We are looking for former athletes, rowers, anyone with a sporting background," says Barot. "We want athletes because they have a competitive mentality. Before I became a sailor, I used to play rugby and I know how important the hunger to win is." -- Alvin Sallay, South China Morning Post, via Meltwater News: Featured Brokerage As a racing boat the Henderson 30 is unmatched. The sail plan allows total control in all conditions along with blistering downwind speed. "Reach Around" is located in Dana Point, California. If you look at race results from San Diego to Frisco if there is a Henderson in the harbor she is winning. Brokerage through Mariners Yacht and Ship Brokerage: www.yachtworld.com/mysb/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at The Last Word |
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A gloriously sunny and warm October morning greeted the 80 golfers who turned out for the fifteenth North Sails Golf Day on Friday 28th October at Cams Hall in Fareham. John 'Jonny' Merricks worked at North Sails and the first Golf Day, organised as it is today with the help of the Seahorse Golf Society, was set up to raise money for a Trust to be started in John's name. Since its inception 14 years ago the Golf Day has raised over £142,000.
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