Issue #2826 - 1 May

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

Blazing In Antigua
Photo by Tim Wright, www.photoaction.com. Click on image to enlarge.

After two days of relatively calm weather by Antiguan standards, full Trade Wind power returned to deliver a spectacular day of action at Antigua Sailing Week. Big breeze and blazing sunshine whipped up the racing action, especially in the big boat classes, which were fully powered up all day. The race committee responded to the change in conditions by altering the schedule for CSA 1 & 2 to a brace of races on a long windward leeward course off the southwest corner of Antigua and there was some ballistic action.

With 10 yachts, 60 feet or over, the 46th edition of Antigua Sailing Week has one of the largest big boat fleets for many years. With solid breeze throughout the day, the fleet was a spectacular sight pounding to windward along the rocky shoreline.

In CSA 1, Eduardo Wong Lu Vega's Peruvian Kuankun may be the smallest boat in the fleet but the team continued to nail the start line to avoid the bigger yachts. However, in the first race of the day, HM King Harald of Norway's RP78, Whisper took the gun and the win on corrected time by nearly 10 minutes. Kuankun fought back to win the second race and retain the class lead.

In CSA 2, Hector Velarde's Nelson Marek 92, Locura had a fantastic battle on the water with Frers 94, Bristolian.

After five races in CSA 2, three yachts are now on equal points. Locura leads the class but only on countback from Christian Potthoff-Sewing's JV53, Auliana with X-612 Nix in third. Unfortunately Alan Edwards' Swan 65, Spirit had to retire from the last race of the day with a torn mainsail. -- Louay Habib

www.sailingweek.com

Sir Keith Mills Prepares to Invest 'Millions' In Sailing
Plans to wrestle the IMOCA 60 sailing circuit out of French hands and develop it around the world are to be given a multi million euro cash injection by British businessman Sir Keith Mills.

A marketing expert who made his fortune creating Air Miles and the Nectar card before leading the campaign to bring the Olympics to London, Mills has now turned his attentions to sailing, after identifying races such as the Vendee Globe and the Barcelona World Race as marketing opportunities which could help grow the IMOCA 60 class around the world.

Last year, he bought the global commercial rights to the IMOCA 60 class, which for years has been driven by the French, describing it as 'one of the best products' he had ever worked with.

He then launched Open Sports Management (OSM) as a vehicle to commercialise the sport in the same way that Bernie Ecclestone turned F1 motor-racing into a multi-million pound business.

For years Mills has been a supporter of British solo skipper Alex Thomson, after they sailed together in the Clipper Race in 1998-99 and established a sports marketing business with Thomson to handle his multi-million pound Hugo Boss sponsorship deal.

More recently, he decided to back a British America's Cup campaign in partnership with his friend Charles Dunstone, the boss of Carphone Warehouse. -- Kate Laven in The Telegraph

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/

Marinepool Perce Jacket and Trousers - Ultra Light Weight Technology
Perce jacket and trousers are the the latest Marinepool sailing clothing novelties. They  combine highest functionality with outstanding design and comfort; indeed, both jacket and trousers are made of ultra light weight 3-layer fabrics that guarantee excellent freedom of movement. Of course the Perce's high quality rip stop fabric is fully waterproof, highly breathable and durable water repellent.

Special features of the Perce jackets are the 3D performance cut on elbows supporting ergonomics, top of the range materials, Marinepool´s remarkable 3-layer technology as well as welded water-resistant zippers with Polyurethane frame.

Perce Jacket is available in a male and female cut and in a selection of various colors. While the male style is offered in ocean blue, navy and black, the more waisted style for women is available in white, ocean blue and black.

Similar to the jacket, Perce Trousers are exceptionally functional and smartly designed.  Fully taped seams, reflex prints at the lower leg and pre-shaped knees together with reinforcements on seat panel and knee make these trousers real all rounders. Moreover, adjustable stretch shoulder straps, elastic waist inserts as well as fully adjustable ankle fasteners allow a comfortable and uncompromising fit.

Learn more about Marinepool´s performance sailing clothing range on: www.marinepool.com

RC44 Class Return To Europe
Photo by Nico Martinez, www.martinezstudio.es. Click on image to enlarge.

Having travelled over 4000 nm across the Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, through the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean, the 13 strong fleet of RC44 have arrived in Trapani for round two of the 2013 RC44 Championship Tour. The teams spanning eight nations are ready for the first day of racing on Wednesday 1st May.

After an impressive start to the season in Muscat, Oman back in February, the Russian team Katusha will look to continue their excellent start to the season. With new tactician Andy Horton (USA) calling the shots, Katusha stand at the top of both the fleet and match racing tables after one of this five event series.

2012 RC44 Fleet Race Champions, Team Aqua are in second overall with Torbjorn Tornqvist's (SWE) Artemis Racing in third. Paul Cayard (USA) will be the man stood by Tornqvist's side this week in Italy, as the Swedish team's longstanding tactician Morgan Larson (USA) competes in the next act of the Extreme Sailing Series in China.

Racing in home waters will be Massimo Barranco and his Team Italia, part of the team hosting the RC44 Trapani Cup with the Vela del Sud Sailing Team, a group who are devoted to creating an international yachting hub in Sicily.Trapani has a history of hosting top international yachting events, but wants to continue their long maritime tradition as Massimo Barranco explained.

The strong Scerocco wind is due to settle before the first day of racing on Wednesday 1st May. Day one will see the annual Match Race Championship continue, before four days of fleet racing for the RC44 Trapani Cup.

Racing gets underway at 11.30 (CET) Wednesday 1st May, follow all the action via the live tracking and race blog at www.rc44.com

Grand Finale for Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series
The final gathering for the Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series and Spring Championship took place over 27th/28th April 2013. Over the eight race days race officers have run over 170 separate races.

The prizegiving for the Brooks Macdonald Warsash Spring Series and Spring Championship takes place on Friday 17th May and all competitors are welcome to join the race management team at Shore House, Warsash to celebrate another enjoyable event.

Provisional class winners

IRC1 Tokoloshe (Michael Bartholomew)
IRC2 Puma Logic (Sailing Logic)
IRC3 Elaine (Mike Bridges)
IRC 4 Menace (Tim Rees, Derek and James Morland)
J/109 Jahmali (Mike and Sarah Willis)
Sigma 38 Mefisto (Kevin Sussmilch)
J/70 North Sails (Ruairidh Scott)
J/80 Betty (Jon Powell)
SB20 Whyaduck (Tom and Richard Clay)

www.warsashspringseries.org.uk

Lifeboat Challenge
Hamble Yacht Services was tasked with replicating the look of the "Life of Pi" movie boat for young adventurer Mike Perham's recent lifeboat challenge helping to raise awareness to the RNLI.

The challenge saw the 20 year old, who is the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the globe by water, spend 227 hours (9 days) in the lifeboat - an hour for every day Pi spends at sea in the film.

During the challenge he documented his days at sea by way of a video diary and his blog.

It took Hamble Yacht Services a week to transform an old lifeboat into an authentic replica of the boat used in the movie.

A volunteer crew from the RNLI were also on hand throughout the challenge in case he encountered any difficulties.

www.boatingbusiness.com

What Direction For The Kirby Torch?
However you look at it, the current situation with the Laser class is a quagmire. It's not good for the class, it's not good for sailing, and right now it's hard to see a solution when the parties seemingly won't even speak to each other, let alone negotiate a solution.

As a sailor, my thoughts are that the Kirby Sailboat has moved a long way from its roots. A mainsail now costs £395 (or £450 rolled) whereas replica mainsails are available for £140. When racing at the top level sails last a week and top sections can last anywhere between 2 weeks and 12 months.

So, how about if the Kirby Torch became the affordable, car-toppable boat again? A new Class Association which embraced the replica market. Yes, replica parts would have to be brought into line so that they were ensured to be one-design, but this can't be too hard as many of them are currently designed to comply with Bruce Kirby's original build specifications.

There are loads of hulls in various states of repair around the world that could be revived and back out on the water for minimal outlay. This could get more people back out on the water and would be great for the marine industry as a whole - as we all know when you get hooked into sailing, whatever the class of boat you sail, you inevitably ending up wanting more. This could be a whole new route to get people into the sport that we love.

A couple of changes could be made from the outset to the new class; a mainsail design that lasts longer and a top-section that holds its shape seem the most obvious.

Would Bruce Kirby go for this? I don't know, but it would certainly secure his legacy. -- Mark Jardine in YachtsandYachting.com

Full editorial at www.yachtsandyachting.com

Volvo Car UK Launches Sailing Academies
Continuing its long-term support for British Sailing, Volvo Car UK has launched the 'Volvo Sailing Academy' initiative - a series of free, family-friendly sailing and powerkiting experiences to introduce beginners, young and old, to the sport.

Britain's top sailors and medallists are supporting the nationwide events with some, including Olympic silver medallists Saskia Clark and Stuart Bithell, making appearances to inspire and mentor guests during the unique taster session.

470 medallist, Saskia Clark will be launching the first event in association with Hayling Island Sailing Club Open Day on Monday 6th May. Stuart Bithell, who is back competing and on the road to Rio 2016 along with his new crew, Chris Grube will be heading along to the second event, in association with Rutland Water Sailing Club Open day on Saturday 1st June. Both events will also offer a powerkiting experience with Extreme British Kitesurfer and World Speed Record Holder, Sam Lutman-Pauc and Dom Moore, an influential figure in the British Kitesurfing World

The first stand alone Volvo Sailing Academy follows on Saturday 6th July at Queen Mary Sailing Club where Team SCA 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race crew, Annie Lush and Olympic silver medallist, Hannah Mills will be coaching, inspiring and entertaining with their sailing stories.

All the 2013 events are free of charge but places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book a place for you and your family: volvo.intotheblue.biz

There are also eight weekend academies being planned for 2014, with Volvo Car UK in discussions with a number of potential Academy venues.

www.volvocarssailing.co.uk/sailing-academy

Industry News
Elvstrom Sails are the new standard sail supplier for all HANSE yachts, from the 325 to the new 575, as well as new Dehler and Moody yachts.

Of particular interest is the Elvstrom FCL Upgrade Package (Fast Cruising Laminate), a high-performance cruising sail set, which has been developed specifically for HANSE clients by Jesper Bank. It can be ordered as an option or as part of the Performance Package.

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The ORACLE TEAM USA chase boats, named Chase Boat YANMAR1 and Chase Boat YANMAR2, are each powered by two Yanmar 8LV-370Z diesel sterndrive engines. Using the latest technology to create a superior power package, each Yanmar 8LV 370 mhp diesel engine is paired to a Yanmar ZT370 drive with dual propellers.

The Yanmar 8LV is a 4.46 liter, V-8 engine, using twin turbochargers and common rail fuel injection to deliver smooth, quiet and powerful acceleration paired with superior fuel economy. Without sacrificing Yanmar's diesel fuel economy and durability, high-end performance is comparable to a V-8 gas engine. The 8LV is also EPA Tier 3 compliant.

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According to event organiser KINTEX Inc, the 2013 Korea International Boat Show has completely sold out.

Special advisor Tim Coventry, who is responsible for international relations, told IBI: "We have 60 overseas exhibitors from 10 countries and 154 domestic exhibitors. Country pavilions will be from China, Japan, the NMMA, Italy and South Africa. Last year we had 91 overseas and 99 domestic. The over 50 per cent increase in domestic exhibitors supported by a further year-on-year increase in leisure boat registrations indicates strong evidence of market development."

Confirming that the show will go ahead as planned, Coventry commented on the current political situation between North and South Korea. "The people of the South are well used to the bellicose and threatening behaviour of North Korea and have found it hard to understand why the international media have made such a big story of what they consider to be just a badly behaved nuisance rather than a real threat to peace," he said. "In spite of all this, we are looking at what will be the largest boat show in Korea to date and almost certainly now one of the leading shows in the Asian region."

For the trade, there will be an industry conference focusing on Asian boating market information and issues, as well as a business-to-business match-making program.

The Korea International Boat Show has relocated to the new KINTEX Exhibition Centre in Seoul City for its 6th edition from May 30 to June 2, 2013.

IBI News: plus.ibinews.com

Not Sailing But Very Cool
Click on image to enlarge.

This hurricane is over 1,200 miles across, has winds of 330 mph, has been spinning for years, and is leaving scientists still searching for answers. NASA's Cassini spacecraft has provided scientists the first close-up, visible-light views of a massive hurricane spinning around Saturn's north pole.

This system has an eye about 20 times larger than the average hurricane eye on Earth. The hurricane swirls inside a large, mysterious, six-sided weather pattern known as the hexagon. "We did a double take when we saw this vortex because it looks so much like a hurricane on Earth," said Andrew Ingersoll, a Cassini imaging team member at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

wtkr.com/2013/04/30/tracking-a-giga-hurricane/

Featured Brokerage
1982 International 12 Metre. 139,000 GBP. Located in Essex, United Kingdom.

Built for Peter De Savary in 1982 by W A Souter & Sons in Cowes as the British contender for the America's Cup in 1983 and designed by Ed Dubois - Sail number K21. A newer Ian Howlett design with wings, 'Victory 83', was eventually used in the 1983 America's Cup even though it was considered that K21 'Victory of Burnham' was the faster boat. 'Victory of Burnham' last raced in the Jubilee Regatta in 2001 in the 'Modern Division' and came 3rd in class.

Brokerage through Clarke & Carter Interyacht Ltd.: www.yachtworld.com/clarkeandcarter/

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

The Last Word
Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you. -- Oscar Wilde

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