In This Issue
Wizard Wins the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy
RORC Caribbean 600: Class40 Fight to the Finish
US Sailing's 2018 Rolex Yachtsman And Yachtswomen Of The Year
Market Disruptor - J-Boats
OceanCat crosses the finish line in Guadaloupe
RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards
Cowes Classics Week welcomes Red Funnel
12 Metre Pre-Worlds Regatta and 12 Metre World Championship
Industry News
Featured Brokerage
The Last Word: Phil Proctor

Brought to you by Seahorse magazine and YachtScoring.com EuroSail News 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

Wizard Wins the RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy
Click on image for photo gallery.

Wizard Wins the RORC Caribbean 600 David and Peter Askew's American Volvo 70 Wizard has won the 2019 RORC Caribbean 600 Trophy, scoring the best corrected time under IRC. Wizard put in a near faultless performance to complete the 600 mile non-stop race in 43 hours 38 minutes and 44 seconds.

"That's awesome," commented David Askew on receiving the news. "This is the first time we have done this race and to win it overall is beyond our wildest possible dreams. It's a race we have followed and we have always wanted to be in Antigua, but we wanted to have the right boat to do the really prestigious ocean races; the races we dreamed about when we were younger. We really didn't have any expectations, but we prepared ourselves to perform as best as we could. I am in shock, I really can't believe it."

"Outstanding, really special," commented Peter Askew. Both myself, my brother and all the Wizard team are very competitive, so to start the year with a big win and part of our commitment to the Transatlantic Ocean Race Series, is just fantastic." Peter confirmed that the schedule for Wizard includes the Transatlantic Race, The Rolex Fastnet Race and the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Wizard's crew led by the Askew brothers was skippered by Charlie Enright (USA), Richard Clarke (CAN), Simon Fisher (GBR), Phillip Harmer (AUS), Robbie Kane (USA), Chris Maxted (AUS), Mark Towill (USA), Phil Trinter (USA), John von Schwarz (USA) , Mitchell White (AUS), Daryl Wislang (NZL).

caribbean600.rorc.org

RORC Caribbean 600: Class40 Fight to the Finish
In the early hours of Thursday 21 February, after two and a half days and nights of intense competition and over 600 miles of racing, it all came down to just a few minutes. Catherine Pourre's French Class40 Earendil won Line Honours for the Class40 Division for the second year in a row, this time defeating two of the rising stars of offshore racing. Hammering around the course was not enough; guile and tenacity also played their part.

Aymeric Chappellier's Aïna Enfance Et Avenir was second by just 3 minutes and 20 seconds. "It was an incredible race, a good fight on the water," commented Aymeric on arrival. "All three boats were close all the time, there was never time for a rest as we had to think about strategy and manoeuvres. Earendil made less mistakes than us, they played a good game and they are worthy winners. Our next race will be Le Defi Atlantique and the '600 has been a great way to get the crew together and to get everything right on the boat. We have had a few breakages and the race has been a good test of the new equipment installed after the Route du Rhum.

Earlier on the fourth day of the RORC Caribbean 600, John Gallagher's Gunboat 62 Chim Chim (USA) finished the race in an elapsed time of 2 days 2 hours 14 minutes and 12 seconds. After MOCRA time correction, Chim Chim has won the MOCRA class. Chim Chim hails from San Diego California and this is the first season in the Caribbean for the owners.

Potential class winners are emerging in the IRC Classes. IRC Zero has been won by David and Peter Askew (USA) racing their Volvo 70 Wizard. Two of the smallest boats in the class have also made the podium. British TP52 Tala is runner-up and Ker 46 Lady Mariposa, skippered by Nigel King (GBR) complete the class. podium. In IRC One, Gibb Kane's Bounty finished the race this morning and has set the bar for the class to better. -- Louay Habib

caribbean600.rorc.org

US Sailing's 2018 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswomen of the Year
J/70 World Champion, Jud Smith (Gloucester, Mass.), and Girl's International 420 Youth Sailing World Champions, Carmen and Emma Cowles (Larchmont, N.Y.), were selected as Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswomen of the Year for their remarkable sailing performances in 2018.

The selection follows the announcement in January of the three men and three women who were shortlisted for these prestigious awards and recognized as sailing's top performers of the year by US Sailing.

The slate of finalists, nominated by members of US Sailing and determined by US Sailing, was presented to a panel of 28 accomplished sailing media professionals and past winners of the awards, who analyzed the merits of each finalist and individually voted to determine the ultimate winners using a weighted point system (1st place vote - 5 points; 2nd place vote - 3 points; 3rd place vote - 1 point).

Jud Smith tallied 116 points, including 20 first place votes. Placing second was 2018 J/22 World Champion, Zeke Horowitz (Annapolis, Md.), with 86 points and seven first place votes. Will Welles (Portsmouth, R.I.), 2018 J/24 World Champion, finished third with 50 points and one first place vote.

Carmen and Emma Cowles collected 88 points and nine first place votes. The sister tandem narrowly edged a pair of past winners of the award, Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), 2018 Laser European Championship Silver Medalist, and Daniela Moroz (Lafayette, Calif.), 2018 Women's Formula Kiteboard Sailing World Champion. Railey and Moroz each had 82 points. Railey led all Yachtswomen finalists with 11 first place votes and Moroz had eight first place votes.

www.ussailing.org/news/rolexyofy-2018winners/

Market Disruptor - J-Boats
Seahorse Magazine J/Boats is one of the world's most successful brands, turning out a string of IRC winners. The new J/99 looks set to follow suit. In the shorthanded arena this one could be a killer... in the best possible way, of course!

The new J/99, built by J Composites in France, is J Boats' answer to extensive customer demand for a smaller 'adventure racer.' True to this globally successful brand's fundamental philosophy, it has an allround performance hull, rather than a boxy, hard-chined body with squat, Open-style stern sections like so many boats on the racecourse today.

The 32.6' J/99 is equipped with a powerful, easily controlled keelstepped rig, which optimises the boat's reaching and downwind sail configurations. As a result, the J/99 is designed to plane in 17+ knots of breeze, but won't drag extra wetted surface in light airs. It is designed to be IRC/ORC rating friendly, not too far from the successful J/97 but longer on the waterline with less overhang. The trial certificate for boat number one, which we sailed at the turn of the year on the Solent in seven to 10 knots of chilly breeze, comes in at 1.015, comparing favourably in between the JPK 1010 (about 1.006) and the Jeanneau SunFast 3600 (around 1.040).

Full article in the March issue of Seahorse

OceanCat crosses the finish line in Guadaloupe
Click on image to enlarge.

OceanCat Yesterday afternoon OceanCat has finally reached Guadalupe, bringing the attempt to break the Atlantic crossing record on a non-habitable 20 foot catamaran to a conclusion, the team traveled the 2551 nautical miles that separate Dakar from Guadaloupe in 14 days 3 hours and 40 minutes, a time that unfortunately didn't allow to break the record established in 2017 by Vittorio and Nico Malingri on Feel Good.

The protagonists are Tullio Picciolini, oceanic navigator and pilot in Alitalia, with over 50 thousand nautical miles in his career and Gianmarco Sardi, an athlete in the formula 18 and Mini 6.50 class.

OceanCat has passed the finish line around 3.30 pm (in Italy), ending a challenge that presented many difficulties in its path, in fact, in the previous days, the two navigators had to deal with the damage suffered in the collision with a floating object and the 180° overturning of the boat.

The 20-foot ocean catamaran designed by Studio Balance Arquitectura Naval from Sito Aviles Ramos is made entirely of carbon and characterized by the presence of 14 watertight compartments that ensure its unsinkability.

Among the on board equipment also two SP23 ALLinONE flexible solar panels produced by the Turin-based company Solbian, which in addition to using back-contact monocrystalline silicon cells capable of converting 24% of sunlight into electricity, have the peculiarity of integrating, within an aluminum cover, a sophisticated charge controller with MPPT algorithm capable of raising the voltage value to the level required by the battery.

The energy produced by the panels has ensured the correct functioning of the on-board instrumentation: compass, speed and wind detection systems and safety systems.

www.oceancat.it

RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards
Eleven promising sailors and windsurfers from across the UK have been revealed as winners of the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards.

Each of the regional and home country champions and their families have been invited to the official awards presentation taking place at 13:30 on Sunday 03 March, at the RYA Dinghy Show. The awards will be presented on the Main Stage by double Olympic silver medallist and RYA Director of Racing, Ian Walker.

Launched in 2014, the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards recognise the outstanding dedication, achievement and performance of talented young people in sailing, windsurfing and powerboating.

This year's winners are:
South - Alice Davis
South West - Noah Rees
London and South East - Freya Black and Millie Aldridge
East - Joseph Drake
Midlands - Lydia Barber
North East - Beth Miller
North West - Lorcan Knowles
Cymru Wales - Rhys Lewis
Scotland - Islay Watson
Northern Ireland - Erin McIlwaine

www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion

Cowes Classics Week welcomes Red Funnel as new signature sponsor and opens for entries
Cowes Classics Week, the largest classic yacht regatta in the world is delighted to announce today that Red Funnel has taken the role of Signature Sponsor for the event. Red Funnel will be providing invaluable support for both the organisers and competitors, enabling sailors and spectators to enjoy a week of competitive and fun racing in Cowes, the traditional home of yacht racing in the UK.

Cowes Classics Week runs from 27th July to 2nd August, with racing from Monday 29th July onwards. Run by sailors for sailors, the event is organised by the Royal London Yacht Club supported by the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Royal Thames YC, Cowes Corinthian YC, Royal Victoria YC and the Island SC.

The online entry system will be open from 7th March when regatta information and the Notice of Race will be available on www.cowesclassicsweek.org

12 Metre Pre-Worlds Regatta and 12 Metre World Championship
July 5-13, 2019
Newport, R.I

Pre-Worlds
Friday, July 5 - Sunday, July 7 (racing July 6-7)

World Championship
Monday, July 8 - Saturday, July 13 (racing July 9-13)

The 12 Metre Pre-Worlds Regatta and 12 Metre World Championship (organized by the International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA) America's Fleet and hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club and the 12 Metre Yacht Club) promises the largest-ever gathering of historic 12 Metre yachts in the U.S., with two dozen teams from seven countries competing. Entries include Italian Patrizio Bertelli's US-12 Nyala, the defending world champion, and four yachts that have successfully defended the America's Cup: US-16 Columbia (1958), US-22 Intrepid (1967 & 1970), US-26 Courageous (1974 & 1977) and US-30 Freedom (1980).

Newport hosted nine America's Cup competitions in 12 Metres from 1958 to 1983 and is world renowned for its connection to one of the oldest trophies in sporting history.

During the Worlds and the Pre-Worlds, most of the fleet will be berthed at Fort Adams where visitors will be able to view the yachts before and after racing. A large on-water spectator fleet is expected, and land-based spectators can catch the fleet sailing to and from racing at vantage points along the shores closest to Narragansett Bay's East Passage, including Fort Adams, Beavertail Light and Castle Hill.

12mrworlds.com

Industry News
The only show in the world dedicated to dinghy sailing, the RYA Dinghy Show in association with Yachts & Yachting and Suzuki will return to Alexandra Palace on 02-03 March.

Among this year's exhibitors are more than 80 class associations, providing visitors with insights into the class, the boats and the many activities they have lined up each year.

The RYA launched the Class Association Stage at the 2018 RYA Dinghy Show, featuring various different classes, spread throughout the weekend. The stage gave a platform to all exhibiting class associations, enabling them to speak to visitors about everything their class has to offer, and what was in store for the year ahead.

A resounding success, the Class Association Stage will be making a comeback at this year's show.

Classes will be presenting throughout the weekend so please take note of the timings below and don't miss your chance to hear all about what's going on in 2019. You can also view the schedule by picking up a copy of the official Show Guide (page 12) or downloading the Dinghy Show App.

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Michael Muller has been appointed Bavaria CEO, responsible for the activities of the entire group, including Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH in Germany and Nautitech Catamarans SAS in France.

The move follows on from a three-month tenure for Michael as MD for sales and marketing for the group. This position was previously vacant.

"At the moment our whole team is focussed on preparing for the 2019 delivery season. We will meet our quality pledge as well as our promised delivery dates, so that the boats on order get into the water for the spring."

And he said technological improvements are being incorporated into Bavaria's production lines.

To continue this, the management team has been strengthened by the addition of two product managers: Pascal Kuhn for sailing yachts and Siep Keizer for motor yachts.

Both will report to Erik Appel, the MD responsible for production.

The Bavaria Yachts Group currently employs 800 people with 550 permanent employees Giebelstadt, as well as around 50 temporary employees. Nautitech Catamarans SAS employs 250 people in Rochefort in France.

www.boatingbusiness.com

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Maine state representative Joyce "Jay" McCreight, Maine House District 51, has introduced an act that would establish and promote a system of safe disposal for expired marine flares, potentially solving an age-old disposal issue for the Pine Tree State's 100,000-plus registered recreational boat owners. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) applauds the introduction of the LD 430, the Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares Act, and supports its passage.

A hearing to discuss the bill is slated for Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Public Safety Committee Room at the Maine State House in Augusta. BoatUS urges recreational boaters to attend in support of the bill.

Due to the mandated 42-month expiration date from date of manufacture, most boaters need to replace their boat's emergency flares after three seasons of boating. However, without a system to safely accept and dispose of outdated flares, they continue to present a safety and storage hazard for boat owners. In normal operation, flares can burn as high as 2,900 F, and they commonly contain perchlorates that are a groundwater contaminant and health hazard.

The act would employ, on a voluntary basis, a network of local fire departments, marinas and municipalities, as well as groups that organize flare-disposal events to become collection points for the "timely pickup of the collected expired marine flares." It would also provide guidance on short-term storage of flares, develop a statewide education campaign, and require nonpolluting disposal of "all types of expired marine flares." The program would be available to recreational and commercial vessel operators.

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A new marine distribution company has been formed - set up by former Ocean Safety directors Charlie Mill and Richard Besse and business partners Simon Sheehan and Glynne Benge.

SeaFront Marine Group encompasses three subsidiary companies: C-Front Trading, Spares Marine and YouBoat and will focus on the distribution, sales and servicing of marine products and spares.

C-Front Trading distributes boat maintenance products and paint consumables. It is headed by Jack Sharland and Finley Mill and has been appointed as a Hempel paints distributor for commercial and professional applicators.

Spares Marine is an online company offering product information, support and spares. It is run by Steve and Nikki Walker and can provide detailed technical drawings for many brands' spare parts to be identified and provided.

In addition to spare parts, the company is also a service agent for McMurdo and Navionics. YouBoat chandlery is headed by Simon and Jayne Sheehan, who have more than 25 years' experience in marine retail. The shop, based in Gosport, is supported by a 10,000sqft warehousing facility.

www.boatingbusiness.com

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Barton Marine has signed a distribution partnership with E. P. Barrus and SailForce.

The agreement - to take effect from March 29 2019 - is aimed at building on Barton's current market position, providing increased levels of technical support, customer service, stock availability and merchandising improvements for the company's deck hardware range.

An extensive inventory of products from the Barton range will be stocked at the Barrus warehouse, supported by an online ordering platform. Orders placed before 3pm will be eligible for next day delivery.

There will be a transition period with Marathon Leisure fulfilling orders placed with them until March 29 after which Barrus will be the point of contact for new Barton orders.

www.boatingbusiness.com

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After having launched the Malvaux Interior Agency brand at the Equip'hotel Show in late 2018, the Group took advantage of Boot Dusseldorf to announce the launch of its Malvaux Marine brand.

By combining all the accumulated knowledge and skills of its subordinate companies, Malvaux Panels, Naviline, ST Bois and Barbeau, Malvaux Marine can promote a truly ‘vertical’ service dedicated to the design and production of boat and nautical interiors.

Malvaux Marine employs more than 400 staff on 4 production sites dedicated to working with the sector’s major players. Starting with its international sales team and in-house design office, it can produce everything from veneered or technical panels to finished furniture along with the ability to work in other the complimentary materials required for a high quality product. By combining these skills the brand reinforces the Group's desire to enhance its expertise in the boat building sector.

Malvaux Group was founded in 1928 with the constituent parts of Malvaux Marine having over 40 years of experience in carpentry, cabinet making and solid surface resins.

Come and visit their stand at the British Marine Expo in Southampton on March 26/27th.

For further information contact:
Central Sales: UK Sales :

Featured Brokerage
Raceboats Only 2013 IMERYS Class 40. 320,000 EUR. Located in Lorient, France.

Winner of the 2018 and 2017 Class 40 Championship, Imerys is fresh back from a podium in the Route du Rhum in great condition for immediate sale.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Phil Sharp:
+44 7973 378997

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Raceboats Only 2006 Corby 37 - "Aurora". 115000 GBP. Located in the UK.

PRICE DROP - One of the top boats in the IRC 2 class and taking an impressive 5th place at this years IRC Europeans, shows "Aurora" is still bang on the money. Some new sails for 2018 and upgraded keel work from Corby, makes her easier to handle for an owner-driver. Great package all round!

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats +64 277733717 +44 2380 016582

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Raceboats Only 1996 Nautor Swan 48R - ASSUAGE. 220,000 GBP. Located in Lymington, UK

Top performer at Championship level and also enjoying blue water cruising, the Swan 48 is one of the evergreen yachts of the range. ASSUAGE has had a very successful career and is ready for the next owner for racing or cruising.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Ben Cooper
+44 (0) 1590 679 222

See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/

The Last Word
What do they call a comedian who doesn't get any laughs? A philosopher. -- Phil Proctor

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