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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 40th International Rolex Regatta
The seventy-two boat fleet with crews hailing from the Caribbean, U.S. and Europe, reveled in the 12 to 15 knots of breeze under clear sunny skies. The one-design Melges 32 class and the one-design IC-24 class along with the beach cats both competed on their own one-design courses, while the rest of the fleet raced round-the-islands in Pillsbury Sound. Kid-power prevailed in CSA Racing 2. St. Croix's Jack Bishop, with a crew of 14- to 17-year-old sailors aboard the J/100 Bad Girl took home the prize. A double bullet day secured the lead for the J/39, Crystal, in the CSA Non-Spinnaker class. In the IRC class, it was the UK's Jeremy Pilkington's Baltic 78, Lupa of London, which finished with a flawless series of six wins. Puerto Rico's Efrain 'Fraito' Lugo picked up his tenth Rolex timepiece. This year, it was in the IC-24 class. It was the father-and-son team of St. Thomas' John and 14-year-old Kai Holmberg that championed the Beach Cat class aboard their Hobie 16, Humbug. Lastly, the BVI's Peter Haycraft was awarded the Commodore's Trophy. Haycraft's boats, including his current Sirena 38, Pipedream, have raced in all forty IRRs. The St. Thomas Yacht Club-hosted IRR is the oldest regatta in Rolex's portfolio of international sailing events and dates back to 1974. * The final day of racing at the 2013 OtterBox® Melges 32 Virgin Islands Sailing Series Event No. 2, held in conjunction with the 40th Anniversary edition of the International Rolex Regatta, hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) awarded 21-year old Dalton DeVos on Delta division honors. In addition to winning his first ever Melges 32 regatta, he also went home with one of four Rolex watches presented as International Regatta trophies. DeVos first sailed in the fleet at the raw age of 18, alongside of his father Doug. Now, some three years later, Dalton has driven his Delta Melges 32 to victory in St. Thomas accompanied by none other than world famous tactican Jonathan McKee and crew comprised of Morgan Reeser, Zach Hurst, Cody Schlup, William Sleeman, Linda Lindquist-Bishop and Nate Smith. Finishing a proud second overall was Jason Carroll aboard Argo, followed by Richard Goransson's Inga From Sweden in third. The last triptych of races were held offshore in comparison to the previous days 'bay style' racing. Windward/leeward configurations, a solid 2-3 feet of chop and an absolutely near perfect 12-15 knots of breeze greeted the nine-strong fleet for the final Sunday afternoon showdown. Top three by class: Melges 32 (One Design - 9 Boats) See melges32.com CSA - Racing 1 (CSA - 9 Boats) CSA - Racing 2 (CSA - 11 Boats) CSA - Non-Spinnaker (CSA - 10 Boats) IRC (IRC - 5 Boats) Beach Cats (Portsmouth - 8 Boats) IC 24 (One Design - 16 Boats) www.rolexcupregatta.com/index2.php British Sailing Heavyweights Boost Team Aberdeen Singapore Team Aberdeen Singapore will race as the invitational team, a concept that enables local sailors in each region the global Series visits to compete with and against some of the world's best. Scott, an aspiring Olympic sailor representing Singapore and Asia's highest ranked Laser sailor in the ISAF world rankings, will skipper the boat and also assume the role of tactician whilst Justin, a gold medal winning match racer in the Asian Games, will take on the headsail trimmer position. However, the man in the driving seat of Team Aberdeen Singapore will be none other than Robert Greenhalgh, winner of the first-ever Extreme Sailing Series in 2007, who boasts three Volvo Ocean Races, seven Atlantic crossings, three World Championships titles and a host of European titles. Fulfilling the role of mainsail trimmer is seasoned Extreme 40 sailor Andrew Walsh, 31, who has four editions of Extreme Sailing Series under his belt, including a third position as helm of BT in 2008. Eight Extreme 40s will line-up in Singapore for what is expected to be a tense light wind event held within the confines of the world famous Marina Bay from the 11th to 14th April. Fans and spectators will enjoy complimentary access to the Race Village at The Promontory Team Aberdeen Singapore will be represented by: Position / Name Walk On Water With New Footwear From Gill As always from this brand, these are technically developed products designed to be worn on deck. 100% marine grade materials are used throughout, sure grip is provided by a unique design developed by Gill that keeps 80% of the sole in contact with the deck at all times, quick drying materials are utilised where appropriate. At the pinnacle of the collection is the Pro Racer Performance trainer which is super-lightweight and incorporates a unique hidden lacing system that keeps the front of the shoe completely clear from risk of getting caught when moving fast on deck. Whether you are looking for a cool and stylish pair of deck shoes or an out and out race trainer, there is an option to cover every angle. Shop the Gill footwear range at www.gillmarine.com OK Dinghy World Championship In Thailand
It has been exactly a decade since the OK Dinghy class held its last world championship outside its traditional haunts of Europe, New Zealand and Australia. In 2003, the class held its first world championship in Asia, in Goa, India, and a return to the region has long been a dream of many in the class. The OK Dinghy has a special place in Thai sailing history, as His Majesty the King of Thailand, King Bhumibol, won the gold medal in the OK Dinghy at the Fourth Southeast Asian Peninsular Games (SEAP) Games in 1967 in Phuket. This day has been commemorated ever since as National Sports Day in honour of his achievement. His Majesty the King sailed the OK Dinghy for many years, having built his own boat, and even travelled to Frensham Pond in the UK for some 'incognito' training in the 1960s. There have been OK Dinghies in Thailand for more than 40 years, though these days they are mainly sailed by the navy personnel. The two strong Thai entries, Khun Veerasit Puangnak and Khun Manut Photong, bring a wealth of experience. Veerasit represented Thailand in the Laser class at the Sydney Olympics, and both Veerasit and Manut are ex-Thai Laser National Champions. The race team will be headed by Kevin Wilson (AUS, IRO), while the International Jury will be chaired by Bill Bell (IJ AUS) and include Neil Semple (IJ GBR) Radm. Prasart Sribhadung (IJ THA), Omar Kwan (NJ MYA) and Rut Subniran (IJ THA). The first sailors are already preparing their boats at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. The practice race will be held on Saturday 30 March with a further 10 races scheduled from Sunday 31 March to Friday 5 April. Tuesday 2 April is scheduled as a lay day. Club website: www.varuna.org Lionheart at the Bucket Regatta
Hanuman, Lionheart, Rainbow, Ranger and Velsheda will fleet race together during the annual St Barths Bucket Regatta, the first time five J Class yachts have lined up together since the 1930's. The J Class Association today announced that spectators around the world will be able to follow the J Class racing during the St Barths Bucket Regatta via equipment provided by TracTrac Live Tracking. Results will be calculated using the JCA handicap. The St Barths Bucket will take place from 28-31 March 2013. It is organized by The Bucket Association, St Barths, which is affiliated with and sanctioned by the Federation Francaise de Voile (FFV). The Bucket is well known for its popular pursuit racing format, with the first boat to finish winning the day. In a departure from tradition, the J Class will have their own fleet start just prior to the pursuit class yachts. "In the interest of safety and fair racing, we intended on having a fleet start for the racing oriented superyachts this year," said Event Director and Race Chairman Peter Craig. "With five J's gracing the same starting line and with St Barthelemy as the backdrop it should make for some spectacular racing and race viewing." Racing will take place in the vicinity of St Barthelemy and its adjoining islands. The courses are expected to be coastal courses using islands, rocks, inflatable and government buoys as marks of the course. J Class yachts can be followed at www.tractrac.com www.bucketregattas.com/stbarths/ Sovereigns Cup - 26th - 29th June 2013- 'Gourmet Racing'! Renowned for its warm welcome, Sovereign's Cup provides racing under IRC fleets as well as the Irish Performance handicapping system 'ECHO', on both windward leeward and round the cans courses. Renowned for its competitive yet fun ethos, Sovereign's Cup has seen entries ranging from TP 52'S to GK 24's, all of whom are extended the same hearty welcome. Entries for this year's event are registering at an unprecedented level which is testament to the value for money and reputation of the event. Notable entries thus far include the Ker 40, 'Keromino', Corby 37, 'Impetuous', the J-109 'Storm', together with a plethora of 1720's and Quarter tonners competing for their European and Irish Championships respectively. Taking place from 26th - 29th June 2013, The Covestone Asset Management Sovereign's Cup offering competitive IRC racing in the picturesque "Gourmet Capital of Ireland" provides the perfect regatta destination this year. For more information or to register see www.sovereignscup.com or contact Volvo Rigs The New Zealand rig specialist will supply all the masts, booms and rigging for the 2014-15 and 2017-18 races. Masts 1 and 2 are in the final fit out stage and the first two booms and spreaders have been completed. They will soon be shipped to Green Marine in the UK, where the first hull and deck arrived recently for assembly. High modulus rigs 3, 4 and 5 are at the internal fit out and painting stage while the 6th and 7th rigs are being laminated. In the video, Volvo Ocean Race veteran Rob Salthouse is checking out progress at the Southern Spars factory in Auckland and gives us an expert insight into the One Design rig build. Former Camper MCM Hamish Hooper handled the filmmaking. View the video at www.volvooceanrace.com Cool Breeze for Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series Tokoloshe (Mills 40 - Michael Bartholomew) chalked up a second win in IRC1. Puma Logic (Reflex 38 - Sailing Logic) knocked last week's winner Mitchellson Interceptor into second place by just under a minute in IRC2. Both are now level on points. Mike Bridges' Elan 37 Elaine put in a faultless performance to take IRC3 ahead of Starspray. In the one design classes only six seconds separated Offbeat (David McLeman) from Jahmali (Mike and Sarah Willis) in the J/109s. Mefisto (Kevin Sussmilch) stormed round the course to take the Sigma 38 class again, this week by a clear 11 minutes. It was Mefisto's lucky day as they not only picked up the champagne as a class winner but were also drawn randomly to receive this week's SLAM jacket. In the smaller new J/70 class North Sails (Ruairidh Scott) was competing for the first time and took two first and one second places but Ian Atkins in Boats.com heads on series points. Life on an SB20, with no shelter from the cold, must have been tough and the turnout was understandably down. Chill Pill (Scott Graham and Nick Elder) had a good day, posting three bullets, followed by Whyaduck (Tom and Richard Clay). The Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series takes a break over the Easter holiday and returns on Sunday 7th April, by which time spring must surely be in the air. In the meantime, the annual RORC Easter Regatta is being held from 29th to 31st March. Complete results of all classes at www.warsashspringseries.org.uk New Challenges Ahead Held across Club Nàutic S'Arenal and Club Marítimo San Antonio de la Playa over 900 sailors will fight for the titles in the ten Olympic events. Thirty seven of the 38-boat Nacra 17 fleet will take to ISAF Sailing World Cup race action in Palma for the first time. ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami victors Sarah Newberry and John Casey (USA) are the only team racing from the inaugural appearance of the multihull in January. From skiff sailors to former windsurfers the fleet welcomes a blend of sailing talent who are looking to apply their skills and mind set to the Olympic multihull. A strong Finn fleet at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma welcomes 76 sailors and includes World #1 Brendan Casey (AUS), Olympic veterans and fresh new faces. Moving back to the Finn fresh from winning gold in the Star at the London 2012 Olympic Sailing Competition is Sweden's Max Salminen. The Swede took a memorable gold on the final day of the competition with Freddie Loof when it looked like gold would go the way of the British team. Salminen last sailed the Finn in 2010. Salminen will be joined by ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami Champion Caleb Paine (USA), 2011 World Champion Giles Scott and London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Jonathan Lobert (FRA). There is a strong contingent of Danish, Spanish, French, British, German, Italian, Russian and Swedish crews that will make up the bulk of the 81-boat 49er fleet. The entrants include Olympic bronze medallists Allan Norregaard and Peter Lang who have gone their separate ways, Norregaard is sailing with Alders Thomson and Lang is crew with Beijing 2008 gold medallist Jonas Warrer. Athens 2004 gold medallist and Beijing 2008 silver medallist Iker Martinez (ESP) has also teamed up with Iago Lopez. Racing is scheduled to start at 11:00 local time on 1 April through to 6 April across the ten events. www.trofeoprincesasofia.org Junior Art Competition Launched Building on the success of last year's competition which was won by 10-year old Izzy Shepard, a member of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, the competition will be run for youth sailors across the Solent. The challenge this year is to depict Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week through the theme of 'sea life and sailing'. Creativity is encouraged and entrants are invited to use the medium and materials of their choosing. The only restriction is keeping the artwork to a size of 42cm x 42cm, and submitting it by the deadline of Wednesday 24 July 2013. Entries will be judged by a panel which includes Aberdeen Asset Management sailing ambassador and double Olympic Gold Medallist, Shirley Robertson. The winning artwork will be showcased at Cowes Week and the winning artist will receive a VIP hospitality day for them and three guests at the regatta, including a boat trip on the Solent to watch the racing, as well as an Aberdeen sailing pack. Once again, Aberdeen will donate £1,000 to the sailing club affiliated with the winning artist. The runner-up will receive an Aberdeen sailing pack, and a donation of £500 will also be made by Aberdeen to their nominated sailing club. This year, there will be an additional prize for the best artwork by a child aged 10 years or under, who will also win an Aberdeen sailing pack and a donation of £500 to their associated sailing club. Featured Brokerage Very good Cruiser with Racer performance. Brokerage through Bach Yachting International: www.yachtworld.com/bachyachting/ Complete listing details and seller contact information at uk.yachtworld.com The Last Word |
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