In This Issue
• Percy-Ekstrom claim 2019 SSL Finals in three-way photo finish
• Hyundai 49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 World Championships
• Director Of Sailing - Royal Canadian Yacht Club
• Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
• Qingdao clinch narrow victory in Clipper fourth race
• 2020 Tour Voile
• What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
• Sail Melbourne Summer Of Sailing
• For the Record
• Eight bells - Patrick Pym
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Beneteau First 40.7
• • Vismara Buzzi V60 Open
• • Swan 100-103 'Hoppetosse'
• The Last Word: Charles Dickens
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
The 11th annual Wight Vodka Best Sailor's Bar search is on... Send us your thoughts and drink recipes...
Percy-Ekstrom claim 2019 SSL Finals in three-way photo finish
After an ultra-light wind Quarter and Semi-Finals, the wind on the Nassau’s Montagu Bay finally filled in to provide the best conditions for the four boat finale to the 2019 SSL Finals, the event that seeks to determine the ‘star of the sailing world’.
While the Quarter and Semi-Finals had shown the rich get richer, both with run-away winners, this was not the case in the Final.
Star World Champions Poland’s Mateusz Kusznierewicz and his Brazilian uber-crew Bruno Prada dropped off the pace on the first upwind, and it was Norwegian-US duo Eivind Melleby and Josh Revkin who led around the top mark ahead of France’s Xavier Rohart and Pierre-Alexis Ponsot with Anglo-Swedish duo Iain Percy and Anders Ekström third. The top three running out of pressure on the first run allowed Kusznierewicz-Prada to recover and as the leaders all rounded the port leeward gate mark, Kusznierewicz-Prada split right. Halfway up the second beat it was all even again between the four.
Comitted to the left paid for Percy-Ekstrom giving them a tiny lead at the top mark ahead of the French and Melleby-Revkin. They and Rohart-Ponsot gybed early on the final run, but, as the breeze went soft, Melleby-Revkin looked threatening in their own breeze. Coming into the line the lead trio were all overlapped pumping frantically. Initially Rohart-Ponsot appeared ahead but Percy-Ekström finished first. The Olympic legends were crowned SSL Finals champions - 2019’s stars of the sailing world.
Final top ten
1. Ian Percy (GBR) - Anders Ekstrom (SWE)
2. Xavier Rohart - Pierre-Alexis Ponsot (FRA)
3. Eivind Melleby (NOR) - Joshua Revkin (USA)
4. Mateusz Kusznierewicz (Pol) - Bruno Prada (BRA)
5. Lorenzo Chiavarini (GBR) - Kilian Weise (GER)
6. Diego Negri (ITA) - Frithjof Kleen (GER)
7. Henrique Haddad - Henry Boening (BRA)
8. Oskary Muhonen (Fin) - Vitalii Kushnir (UKR)
9. Paul Cayard - Phil Trinter (USA)
10. Eric Doyle - Payson Infelise (USA)
starsailors.com
finals.starsailors.com
Hyundai 49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 World Championships
Challenging Auckland wind and waves played their part in determining the outcome of the Hyundai 49er, 49erFX & Nacra 17 World Championships. We have three winners, but anyone watching the groundbreaking live coverage will know that there were no runaway winners from this epic regatta.
49er: Germans Make Kiwis Sweat For Their 5th World Title
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke have won a fifth world title to add to the four consecutive victories they enjoyed between 2013 and 2016. This will be one of the sweetest victories, however, not least because it’s on home waters, but also because of how hard the Kiwis were forced to work for this gold medal.
49erFX: Brazilian Capsize Confirms Dutch Victory
The 49erFX Championship was a prize fight between the Olympic Gold medallists Martine Grael & Kahena Kunze and the reigning World Champions Annemiek Bekkering and Annette Duetz. The Brazilians used some downwind magic in the first race of the morning to pull in front, but the Dutch sailed perfect beats in race two. The overall lead changed in both races with the Dutch ultimately taking a 2-point advantage into the Medal Race. In other words, no advantage at all, under the double-points format of the Medal Race.
With the rest of the fleet hurtling toward the leeward gate the Dutch played it fairly safe and rounded but the Brazilians, hot on their tail, couldn’t release the spinnaker halyard and ended up in a spectacular capsize with Grael jumping clear of the boat as they flipped over the leeward mark.
Essentially the race for gold was over at that point, with the Dutch guiding their boat safely around the course to claim their gold.
Bekkering and Duetz are now the only two-time 49erFX World Champions in the history of the skiff class, and they won the European Championship earlier this year as well. While Grael and Kunze are never to be ignored, the Dutch may have taken over their status as favourites for Tokyo 2020 next summer.
NACRA 17: Italians Prevail In 3-Way Catfight
The Nacra 17 Medal Race was a three-way battle for gold, with only 3 points separating Bissaro/Frascari (ITA 5), Cenholt/Lubeck (DEN 71) and Waterhouse/Darmanin (AUS 2). Each of these three teams took different paths up the first beat, none of which worked out tremendously. However it was the Italians who were ahead of the Danish, with the Australians back in last place. The Italians shifted over in the second upwind and forced the Danes backwards with a tight cover on DEN 71. The Danes had one final chance to make the pass they needed on the final downwind, but the Italians were not to be denied and took Championship victory by just a few boat lengths.
Final top five
49er
1. Peter Burling / Blair Tuke, NZL, 86 points
2. Erik Heil / Thomas Ploessel, GER, 92
3. Dylan Fletcher-Scott / Stuart Bithell, GBR, 130
4. Diego Botin / Iago Lopez Marra, ESP, 131
5. Logan Beck / Oscar Gunn, NZL, 143
49erFX
1. Annemiek Bekkering / Annette Duetz, NED, 96
2. Martine Soffiatti Grael / Kahena Kunze, BRA, 110
3. Ida Marie Baad Nielsen / Marie Thusgaard Olsen, DEN, 124
4. Helene Naess / Marie Ronningen, NOR, 127
5. Tina Lutz / Susann Beucke , GER, 128
NACRA 17
1. Vittorio Bissaro / Maelle Frascari, ITA, 93
2. Lin Cenholt / Cp Lubeck, DEN, 96
3. Jason Waterhouse / Lisa Darmanin, AUS, 103
4. John Gimson / Anna Burnet, GBR, 109
5. Tara Pacheco / Florian Trittel Paul, ESP, 111
Director Of Sailing - Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Toronto, ON, Canada
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club is recognized as a Top 50 Platinum Yacht Club (2020-2021) and operates year-round from two facilities. The Club has a reputation for excellence in the promotion of every aspect of yacht racing and cruising. From Club Fleet Championships to International Events, RCYC attracts sailors from all over the world. Our sailing programs include Racing, Adult Sailing, Junior Sailing and Clinics led by experts throughout the year.
Reporting to the GM/COO, the Director will champion the Club's vision to be one of the top sailing clubs in the world. In collaboration with the GM/COO and key stakeholders, the Director will develop and implement a strategic plan that includes best-in-class programs and coaching to meet the needs of Sailors of all levels - from beginners to elite Olympic Athletes. The Director will ensure that Sailors have access to the services and support needed to pursue both the pure enjoyment of sailing, and to achieve excellence in their performance in the sport.
For more information please view the full posting: DIRECTOR OF SAILING
Qualified candidates can apply at the following email by January 6, 2020:
Wight Vodka Best Sailors Bar
Tonight's featured establishment is one that has been around for many years, is always nominated as one of the best in the world. Bayview Yacht Club is also one of the first yacht clubs to have an extensive presence on the internet, with a website that's gone through many iterations since the mid 90s.
It also holds one of the two big factors in this year's award... drink recipe and story. One of our favorites:
"I met my wife at Bayview racing Melges 24s. She was racing on a boat from out of town and I assumed she was also from out of town. Our tactician knew better and told me so. After racing I drank more than my share of beer from her boyfriend’s cooler in the parking lot and left, only to wind up kissing her for the first time in the same parking lot about 3 months later."
Their famed drink was created by the late Jerome Adams who served old and new friends for decades. The Hummer:
The recipe:
1-1/2 oz. Bacardi
1-1/2 oz. Kahlua
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
A couple of ice cubes
It works best if you blend and then let sit in the freezer for a bit to make sure it is milkshake consistency.
Fire up your blender, and then tell us about YOUR favorite bar ... with a story and a recipe please. This year's winner will receive a custom made-to-order 3D map from Latitude Kinsale. A serious prize for a serious sailors bar.
Qingdao clinch narrow victory in Clipper fourth race
After a three-week game of cat and mouse across the Southern Ocean, between the two leading Clipper Race teams, it was Qingdao which clinched a narrow victory. The team, flying the flag for China’s sailing city, pipped closest rival Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam to the finish line in Fremantle, Australia, crossing the finish line at 18:41:35 UTC on 7 December.
In the final days of their race, the frontrunners Qingdao and Ha Long Bay Viet Nam, hunkered down to play their last strategic moves around incoming weather systems. Crossing the finish line just a little over an hour behind Qingdao, Ha Long Bay, Viet Nam claimed a well-earnt second place on the Race 4 podium, crossing the line at 19:54:07 UTC.
The race for the final podium spot went to Imagine your Korea which, under the lead of Clipper Race Skipper Dan Smith, enjoyed its first podium result of the 40,000 mile circumnavigation so far.
The race for remaining positions is still well and truly on, with every point helping to increase the teams’ overall leaderboard rank.
2020 Tour Voile
Click to enlarge for 2020 course map
The Tour Voile will again be the major event of next July. The 43rd edition will be introducing new features unveiled today at the Nautic Paris Boat Show.
In keeping with a tradition going back no fewer than 33 editions, Dunkirk will host the start of the 2020 Tour Voile. The competitors will be thrown in at the deep end, with two days of nautical stadium courses and a coastal raid course along the Flemish dunes. The teams will then set sail for Normandy for the next two Acts.
First comes Dieppe in the Seine-Maritime department, which will be hosting the Tour Voile for the 29th time, followed by Barneville-Carteret in Manche. This special Act will mark the grand return of the offshore leg so sorely missed by the crews. The sailors will tackle this leg for the first time on board their Diam 24 one design yachts to make their way to Erquy in the Cotes-d'Armor department, which will host Act 4. The Grand-Ouest marathon will come to an end in the Gulf of Morbihan, specifically in Arzon.
It will then be time for the crews to head to Serre-Ponçon in the southern Alps for an unprecedented Act that promises a thrilling showdown - the Tour Voile's first ever on an inland body of water. Finally, Nice will host the seventh and final act for the seventh year in a row. Just a few weeks after kicking off the Tour de France bicycle race, the Baie des Anges will hail the champions of the Tour Voile at the end of a 100% nautical stadium course Act.
The Super Final, always as decisive as it was in 2019, when the duel between Beijaflore and Cheminées Poujoulat went down to the wire, will be held on Sunday 19 July.
What's New In The 2020 Tour Voile
- Changes to the heat format to increase sailing time and to make heats more open to new entrants and easier to understand for spectators: fleet race format, upwind starts and a larger course
- A rejuvenated youth classification, with the age limit lowered from 26 to 23 years old.
- A rookie classification for teams with crews made up of a majority of members sailing on board Diam 24 od yachts for the first time.
- DBOX yacht transportation for all teams: the Organisation will now take care of handling and transportation to reduce the logistical burden on teams during transfers and boost security.
Seahorse January 2020
What's in the Latest Edition Of Seahorse Magazine
Update
Busier than you think, but a huge amount to go, Mule to Defiant, a (pleasingly) smooth transition, speaking to le homme himself, keeping the Hobart fleet safe and Juan Kouyoumdjian's little rocket really starts to rumble. Plus Guillaume Verdier's secret green weapon. Rob Kothe, Dave Kellet, Terry Hutchinson, Jack Griffin, David Raison, Axel Capron
Just plain wet
Ainhoa Sanchez
Thinking big
... but it's still about working with what you have. Rob Weiland
Missed opportunity
When World Sailing gathered in Bermuda in November it looked as if many of those prayers were about to be answered... Ian Walker
Thrillingly close
The second edition of The Nations Trophy attracted teams from 14 countries... and an impressive turn-out of the world’s best sailors
Paul Cayard - Right again
Young and dumb vs old and smart
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Sail Melbourne Summer Of Sailing
Melbourne will once again be the focus of the Olympic sailing world as over the summer of 2019 / 2020 through the continued support of the State Government of Victoria will host six of the ten Olympic Class World Championships.
The 2019 Finn Gold Cup will kick off the summer in December, before being followed by the RS Aero World Championships (BRYC), the Australian Youth Championships (SSCBC), the annual Sail Melbourne International Regatta (also at RBYC), then the 2020 Laser Standard and 2020 Radial World Championships (SYC), the 49er / FX and Nacra17 World Championships (RGYC) in Geelong and closed out with the Laser Masters World Championships in March in Geelong.
Port Phillip will be jumping with world class sailing from the juniors right through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympians.
www.sailmelbourne.com.au/home/
For the Record
The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record:
Record: Around the Isle of Wight. 40ft Singlehanded.
Yacht: “Oceans Lab” Class 40.
Name: Phil Sharp. GBR
Dates:.1st December 2019
Start time: 08; 24; 39 UTC
Finish time: 13; 29; 43 UTC
Elapsed time: 5 hours 5 minutes and 4 seconds
Distance: 50 nm
Average speed: 9.83 kts
Comments: Previous benchmark: “Pixel Flyer” Alex Alley. GBR. June 17. 6h 29m 32s
This record speed will also set a benchmark for the 60ft category.
John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council
sailspeedrecords.com
Eight bells - Patrick Pym
It is with great sadness that we inform club members that our friend Patrick Pym has died at the age of 83. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Mary and all his family. A long standing member of Hamble River Sailing Club, Patrick was one of the six HRSC members selected for the 1972 Great Britain Olympic sailing team, competing in the Finn single-handed class. Always a highly competitive sailor, in later years Patrick’s contribution to club sailing aboard the Quarter Tonner ‘Needlework’ helped ensure racing of the highest standard.
Funeral details will be posted here when known, and a full obituary will be published in due course. -- Jonty Sherwill
Letters To The Editor -
Letters are limited to 350 words. No personal attacks are permitted. We do require your name but your email address will not be published without your permission.
* From Peter Sweetman:
Am I alone in thinking that whilst the IOC is criticised for limiting participants to 350 that someone has failed to notice that year by year the number of officials increase.
Is it really necessary to have sixty Internationally appointed officials plus a far larger contingent of locally recruited officials, even knowing the importance of the Olympic Regatta.
A jury of 29 members seems preposterous, you only get eleven if you murder somebody!
Featured Brokerage
2001 Beneteau First 40.7- Philosophie IV. 89,950 GBP. Located in Hamble, UK.
Superbly maintained and analytically optimised, race winning Beneteau 40.7 now available for s
Philosophie IV only had three outings last season, posting two bullets and a third in three of the RORC Channel Races: Myth of Malham, Cowes to Dinard & Morgan Cup. With a comprehensive inventory of equipment and sails, this boat will deliver some great results and a huge amount of enjoyment for the next team.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
FYS Europe: +447774 138777
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1996 Vismara Buzzi V60 Open. 150,000 EUR, Located in Sicily, Italy.
Quite possibly the most innovative and ground-breaking yacht ever to be launched. Employing much of the design and technology now regarded as cutting edge, but 20yrs ahead of her time. A totally unique opportunity.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
GRABAU INTERNATIONAL
Lead broker - Alex Grabau
Tel: +44 (0)1590 673715
Email:
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2006 Swan 100-103 'Hoppetosse'. Located in Palma de Mallorca.
Hoppetosse is a superyacht and masterpiece built by Nautor’s Swan and launched in 2006. She combines the performance of a racing yacht with world-class comfort and opulence. The Swan 100 FD's deck lines give the yacht a very impressive sleek and racing oriented look. The cockpit concept features two spacious L-shaped sofas with large cockpit tables on either side of the centre-line companionway. In addition the helmsman seats are extended aft to form another seating area on the aft deck. The coaming continues aft of the L-shaped helmsman seats awarding a sleek and elegant profile.
See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly
Contact
Lorenzo Bortolotti
Nautor's Swan Brokerage
T. +377 97 97 95 07
See the RaceboatsOnly.com collection at seahorsemagazine.com/brokerage/
The Last Word
I do come home at Christmas. We all do, or we all should. We all come home, or ought to come home, for a short holiday - the longer, the better - from the great boarding school where we are forever working at our arithmetical slates, to take, and give a rest. -- Charles Dickens
Editorial and letter submissions to
Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html