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 Merriman and Trinter Win Race 5 of the 2010 Star World Championship Top ten after five races: 1. Iain Percy / Andrew Simpson, GBR, 9 points What's the French Maestro Michel Desjoyeaux Up To? The French maestro and twice-winner of the Vendee Globe is revealing all in a press conference in Paris Thursday. The project is mysteriously entitled F2014 and has caused much speculation across the Channel. The depiction of the Earth from space on the press blurb implies that it's a round the world plan. But who knows? It's been shrouded in deepest secrecy. It's doubtful that it's the next Vendee Globe because that's in 2012. One rumour is that Mich is the first to sign up for a Multi One-Design Race, the new round the world race for 70ft trimarans. That conclusion has being going round because the first of these new boats is being built at his brother Hubert's yard CDK in Port La Forêt, Brittany. It is due to be launched later this year. If it's true it would give an amazing shot in the arm to a race that could so easily be a pipedream. But as I say, we'll know for sure tomorrow. And Mich Desj's next project will be a big clue as to where the top French sailors may be heading next. -- Elaine Bunting in her blog at www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/1/elaine-bunting The Big Picture Takes Shape Barking Mad tactician Terry Hutchinson was intently reviewing the scoreboard after racing on Wednesday when he was asked if the American entry was a contender or a pretender in the 19-boat Farr 40 class. "Probably somewhere in between the two at this point, but if we don't get our act together and start sailing better we'll be in the pretender category," said Hutchinson, shaking his head about several missed opportunities that have Barking Mad in fifth place overall. Skipper Giovannia Maspero and the crew on Joe Fly increased their lead in the Farr 40 class to five points over fellow Italian entry Nerone (Massimo Mezzaroma) on the strength of a 5-2 line on Wednesday. Decision, a TP52 owned by Stephen Murray of New Orleans, La., became the first IRC 1 entry other than Bella Mente to win a race when it corrected to first in Race 6. Interlodge, a TP52 owned by Austin Fragomen of New York, has finished second in four of six races and heads the pack in what appears to be a battle to be runner-up to Bella Mente. John Kilroy steered Samba Pa Ti to victory in second start on Wednesday to extend his lead in Melges 32 class, largest of the regatta with 22 boats. Completion of six races allowed each boat to drop its worst result and Samba Pa Ti tossed a 14th suffered in Race 1. Perhaps the most surprising entry in Melges 32 is Yasha Samurai, a newcomer to the highly-competitive, professional-laden class. Owner Yukihiro Ishida of Tokyo, Japan, vaulted from 11th to fifth in the overall standings after winning Race 5 and dropping a 16th from Race 2 and was selected as Mount Gay Rum Boat of the Day. Full results at www.premiere-racing.com Camet Introduces "Nantucket" It's Newest Sailing Shorts Enjoy these lightweight, quick drying, comfortable shorts. www.camet.com/product_p/r2010.htm Classics and History The Australia Day Regatta will be sailed on the harbour from 1.30pm on Australia, next Tuesday, 26 January while the ocean race will start at 11am with the fleet heading down the coast to Botany Bay. Casual entries are also being received by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia for the Botany Bay Race, which is part of the club's Ocean Point Score, the Grant Thornton Short Ocean Point Score, with the Grant Thornton Short Haul (non-spinnaker) fleet also joining the race this year. A feature of the harbour regatta will be the emphasis on the early days of yacht racing in Sydney, with up to 30 original or replica 'old-timers' taking part in the Gaff-Riggers, Classic Yachts and Historical Skiffs divisions. Among entries for the classic yacht division are 1966 Sydney Hobart Race line honours winner Fidelis, now owned by Nigel Stoke, and the 8-metre class yacht Erica J, owned by Les Goodridge. Erica J last year celebrated her 60th anniversary and a career that included winning the coveted Sayonara Cup for Tasmania in 1953. The gaff-riggers division is headed by the famous Ranger, with octogenarian skipper Bill Gale again at the helm and proudly carrying the sail number A1 of the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club. The nine Historical Skiffs are all replicas of the spectacular gaff-rigged 18-footers that raced on Sydney Harbour a century ago, many helmed by modern-day skiff champions including John Winning (Australia IV) and Michael Chapman (Yendys). Built to the original plans, these icons of Sydney Harbour carry colour emblems rather than sail numbers on their massive mainsails. -- Peter Campbell Entries Open For J.P. Morgan Asset Management RTIR Following competitor feedback and the large number of entries received online in 2009, it has been decided that entries will be via the online system in 2010. However, paper entries can be made by contacting the Island Sailing Club direct. The 2010 Race, the 79th edition and the 6th to have J.P. Morgan Asset Management as its title sponsor, is being run on Saturday, 19th June. Around 16,000 sailors from across Europe and the USA, as well as from all over the UK, compete in upwards of 1,700 boats to follow the 50 nautical mile course around the Isle of Wight. Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, the fleet races westabout to The Needles, past St Catherine's Point, turning at Bembridge Ledge buoy and then heading back into the Solent. Spectators can find many vantage points on the mainland and around the Isle of Wight, to watch the race progress. Over 60 prizes are awarded and every boat completing this much-loved race receives a special Tankard marking the occasion. The multihull record stands at just 3 hours 8 minutes and 29 seconds and for a monohull, the record is 3 hours 53 minutes and 5 seconds. However, the bulk of the fleet crosses the line during the late afternoon or early evening. -- Peta Stuart-Hunt ISAF Sailor Classification Code Updated With Group 2 To Be Eliminated The ISAF Sailor Classification Code is a service provided by ISAF, giving events and classes a cost-free, international system for classification of sailors. It is incorporated in ISAF Regulation 22. Following a lengthy consultation process with sailors, classes and events which use the Code, the ISAF Sailor Classification Commission proposed the removal of the Group 2 category of classification with an implementation date of 1 April 2010. The ISAF Council approved this proposal at the ISAF Annual Conference in November. The new Classification Code which will be effective 1 April 2010, is now available and published on the ISAF website at www.sailing.org/classification/april2010code . The translations in French, Italian, German and Spanish will be published as they become available. Revised Frequently Asked Questions will be available on the website in English on 15 January. Translations will be available as soon as possible thereafter. The Commission will email all Group 2 sailors, some 450 people, in early January. They will be given full instructions on how and when to reapply. All existing Group 2 sailors will have to reapply.If they are only using their existing classification after 31 March they may apply from mid February. If they still need to use their existing classification before 1 April they may only apply after 31 March. Sailors who do not reapply by 8 April will be placed 'Under Review' and notified. Sailors applying for a Classification for the first time between now and 31 March who would be Group 2 will be asked for details of when they require to use their Classification. www.sailing.org/classification 2010 Extreme Sailing Series Europe Open For Official Entries "We continue negotiations with various potential main partners to support our long term plans for both the European and Asian series," commented Mark Turner, CEO of OC Group. "However, securing new partners before the European season kicks off is not absolutely necessary and won't affect our plans for 2010 - this year will be another spectacular season of Extreme 40 racing, racing that continues to change the way sailing is seen. We are keen to grow our original brand - Extreme Sailing Series - regardless of developments on the sponsor front as we go through the year," he concluded. Six existing teams from Europe and the Middle East, have already expressed strong commitment to rejoin the circuit for 2010, with several new teams anticipated to step-up to the start line in May 2010. The expectation and objective is once again to have 8 to 10 international, top level teams. OC Events, organiser of the circuit since its inception in 2007, is planning an official launch week commencing 15 May 2010 when the teams and their skippers will be presented officially for the first time. The 2010 series will be a five, possibly six event series, racing in iconic venues and cities in locations including the UK, France, Germany and Spain: Event 1: 27-30 May location tbc Final venues will be announced one by one over the coming weeks. Every Extreme 40 will continue to race with a 'fifth-man' onboard, a VIP guest, cameraman, photographer or reporter - an opportunity for them to be right in the heart of the action during actual racing. OC Events will also continue to provide a full PR and Media programme throughout 2010 including a host broadcaster service, TV news and a TV series for global broadcast media. All teams entered into the 2010 series will be invited to a briefing at OC Events' offices at East Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK on Tuesday 30 March covering the race management, media and hospitality aspects of the event. The closing date for entries to the 2010 series is 15 March 2010. www.extremesailingserieseurope.com Seahorse February 2010 Terry Hutchinson lines up a busy 2010, Giuliano Luzzato enjoys the return of the Azzurra, as does Mauro Pelaschier, Adam Minoprio takes the match race crown and time to check some of our sport's 'progress'? Tanguy De Lamotte and Bernard Stamm both have a 'very good' Chocolat, Jean-Pierre Dick is making the most of his time in New Zealand, America's Cup activity blossoms in Oz. Plus Dobbs Davis catches up on the back-story of BMW Oracle's mighty wing with Ben Hall. Ivor Wilkins, Patrice Carpentier, Rob Mundle, Carlos Pich Andy Rice talks to New Zealand skiff sailor Paul Roe about the now-foiling R-Class two-handers. If you haven't subscribed to Seahorse already we're keen to help you attend to that! - Please use the following promotional link and enjoy the hefty Scuttlebutt Europe discount... and it gets even better for 2 and 3 year subscriptions... London Boat Show Ovington Grand Prix In the B14 series it was a two way battle between Mark Barnes & Phil Eltringham and Chris Bines & Dave Gibbons. After 3 races and even with Barnes & Eltringham winning a race it was Bines & Gibbons that took the prize. The 49er class was dominated by Phil Sharp & Nick Murray who coped with the very demanding wind conditions provided by the buildings around the dock. Their boat handling not only ensured they were fast to react to the ever changing wind but impressed the crowds on the dock. Simon Potts & Andy Jeffrey took a well deserved second place from the new boys Austin Scully & Tom Brunton. The 29ers had the biggest turnout and all gave a fine display of boat handling with only a few capsizes. Chris Mathews & Ed Gibbons showed that time in the boat pays by winning all 3 races in spite of having to return to the start after an OCS. The rest of the places were all very close with tie breaks having to separate 2nd and 3rd. Adam Larvin & Tim Walton scraped 2nd from Ian Payne & Chris Berry who ended up 3rd. Praise must go to Alex Orton who had to step in at the last moment after her friend ended up with stitches from a tobogganing accident. -- Dave Hall Complete results on YachtsandYachting.com: Classic Yacht Symposium The 4th Symposium features an exceptional program that welcomes professionals and amateurs alike to attend expert presentations on a variety of subjects related to classic yacht design, restoration, replication and use. Friday's events include guided tours of some of Connecticut's best restoration yards, including a visit to Mystic Shipyard with a personal look at the recently restored Herreshoff New York 50 SPARTAN; a special presentation on board the CHARLES W. MORGAN at Mystic Seaport; and an in‐depth view of a Herreshoff New York 30 undergoing restoration at MP&G. The weekend's technical programs include seventeen original papers from the UK and across the US. Saturday's activities include a dinner open to all, featuring Roger Marshall, internationally acclaimed author and sailor, and special presentations. Following Sunday's presentations, attendees will be able to tour the N.G. Herreshoff Model Room at the Museum, as well as participate in open discussions and view Museum exhibits. There will also be networking and social opportunities available throughout the weekend. To register, and for more information on the program, visit the Museum's website, www.herreshoff.org , or contact at 1.401.253.5000 or ISAF Publishes 2010 Supplement to the Case Book for 2009-2012 The new supplement includes one new case, Case 113 which interprets rule 20.1, Room to Tack at an Obstruction: Hailing and Responding. This case was approved for publication at the ISAF Annual Conference in November 2009. The new Supplement also includes changes necessitated by the changes in the rules that took effect on 1 January 2010, as well as correction of a few errors in wording and typographical errors. Such changes were made in Cases 2, 10, 27, 55, 76, 93, 95 and 96. The 2010 Supplement and the complete version of The Case Book for 2009-2012, revised to include the changes contained in the Supplement, are available to download from the ISAF website at www.sailing.org/casebook The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2009-2012 is available from www.sailing.org/rrs . That page contains links to past editions and a more detailed account of the history and compilation of The Racing Rules and associated ISAF Publications. Letters To The Editor - * From Digby Fox: The Cup is a few days away now, the multihulls have sharpened their bows like jousting sticks and I'm delighted to be involved again. For a great intro to the whole gig, I stumbled across CNN Sailing's special feature, which is worth watching alone for Russell Coutts's analysis in part 2, and of course Shirley Robertson getting to sail on both machines. Superb. Check it out: edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/main.sail/ Featured Brokerage IOR Record Oldest boat to finish 1975 Fastnet Race - took the "Jolaire Block". Oldest boat to finish 1979 Fastnet Race - 13th overall in class II. Winner of the restricted division - took the Phillip Whitehead Cup and the "Jolaire Block". Won ISORA feeder race Holyhead - Cork 1976 Won Falmouth to Cork feeder race 1978 Raced in Classic regattasduring the nineties - 2004 Owned by present owner since June 1969 and is a reluctant sale due to ill health. Brokerage through Dickies International: www.yachtworld.com/dickies/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com The Last Word |
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