In This Issue
18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship, Races 6 & 7
The Ocean Race 2021-22 route is announced
Robline Product News 2020: Sirius Grip
Arbitration Panel confirms cancellation of ACWS Sardina
RYA announces 2020 Youth National Championships postponement
Windy start - 52 Super series
Cheddar Ales Chase Cancelled
38th Garda Lake Meeting Optimist postponed
The CA responds to the Budget Statement concerning the use of Red Diesel
Letters to the Editor
Featured Charter
Featured Brokerage:
• • TP52 - "Gladiator"
• • GC32 Malizia MON 023 For Sale or Charter
• • INTUITION for sale
The Last Word: Ram Dass

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

18ft Skiffs JJ Giltinan Championship, Races 6 & 7
Photo by Michael Chittenden. Click on image for photo gallery.

WHAT The defending champion Honda Marine team of David McDiarmid, Matt Steven and Brad Collins hold a narrow points lead over their nearest rival as the fleet goes into the final two races of the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour tomorrow.

After each team drops the worst placing from the seven races sailed to date, Honda Marine leads former World champions Seve Jarvin, Sam Newton and Scott Babbage, in Winning Group, by just four points, so every placing in each of the two races will be critical.

Honda Marine has a net total of 11 points, Winning Group is on 15 points. Shaw & Partners Financial Services (James Dorron, Harry Bethwaite, Tim Westwood) is third on 28, followed by Smeg (Micah Lane) 29, Tech2 (Jack Macartney) 35, and Finport Finance (Keagan York) 43.

In today's first race, sailed over a windward-return two-lap course in a 13-18 knots NE wind, Honda Marine came from behind early in the race to defeat Smeg (Micah Lane, Ricky Bridge, Peter Harris) by 44s, with Winning Group a further 35s back in third place.

C-Tech (Alex Vallings) was fourth, followed by Shaw & Partners Financial Services and Finport Finance.

Honda Marine trailed the early leader, Shaw & Partners, to the top mark but powered downwind under her big rig (her opponents had smaller #2 rigs) to hold a 7s margin at the bottom mark.

Over the final lap of the course, Honda Marine out-sailed the rest of the fleet to go on to an impressive 44s victory.

In the latter race (Race 7), Winning Group won the start and quickly opened up a clear 45s break over Noakesailing (Sean Langman), Smeg, Tech2, Noakes Blue (Yvette Heritage), Bird & Bear (Tom Clout), Finport Finance, Vintec (Kirk Mitchell) and Honda Marine, which was 1m30s behind the leaders.

AeroMedia Live Broadcast team will be out on Sydney Harbour to capture all the action, which can be viewed LIVE online at https://www.18footers.com and clicking on the '18 Footers TV' link.

Results after 7 races, 1 throwout
1. Honda Marine (David McDiarmid, Matt Steven, Brad Collins) - 11 points
2. Winning Group (Seve Jarvin , Scott Babbage, Sam Newton) - 15
3. Shaw & Partners Financial Services (James Dorron, Harry Bethwaite, Tim Westwood) - 28
4. Smeg (Micah Lane, Ricky Bridge , Peter Harris) - 29
5. Tech2 (Jack Macartney, Charlie Wyatt, Trent Barnabas) - 35
6. Finport Finance / Breene & Breene Solicitors (Keagan York, Mat Stenta, Angus Williams) - 43
7. Bird and Bear (Tom Clout, John Walton, Cameron MacDonald) - 50
8. Yandoo (John Winning Snr, Mike Kennedy, Jasper Warren) - 50
9. URM (Marcus Ashley Jones, Cam Gundy, Lewis Brake) - 62
10. C-Tech (Alex Vallings, Sam Trethewey, Matt Coutts) - 63
11. Noakes Blue (Yvette Heritage, Rory Hunter , Oliver Scott-Mackie ) - 64
12. thekitchenmaker.com.au (Jordan Girdis, Lachlan Doyle, Tom Quigley) - 64
13. Noakesailing (Sean Langman, Ed Powys, Nathan Edwards) - 66
14. Rag & Famish Hotel (Bryce Edwards, Jacob Broom, Rory Cox) - 66
15. Maersk Line (Peron Pearse, Eli Liefting , Harry Clark ) - 69
16. The Oak Double Bay / 4 Pines (Aron Everett, Courtney Mahar, Charlie Gundy) - 72
17. AppliancesOnline.com.au (Brett Van Munster, Phil Marshall, Peter Mackie) - 74
18. Vintec (Kirk Mitchell, Pete Nicholson, Matt Wark) - 79
19. Birkenhead Point Marina (Tom Anderson, Elliot Scali, Tom Arkens) - 100
20. Queenslander (David Hayter, Nathaniel Dutton , Elliott Mahar ) - 104
21. Ilve (Pedro Vozone, Matt Doyle, Jerome Watts) - 111
22. Dal Zotto (Jack Sprague, Josh Feldman, Marc Chapon) - 125
23. Lumix (Alex Watson, Cooper Richmond, Ben Roxburgh) - 126
24. QMC (Matt Rogers , Darren Rogers , Steve Wilson) - 138

www.18footers.com

The Ocean Race 2021-22 route is announced
The next edition of The Ocean Race, scheduled to start from Alicante, Spain in October 2021, will visit 10 international cities, including the start port and the Grand Finale finish in Genoa, Italy in the summer of 2022.

For the first time, The Ocean Race is now open to the high-tech, foiling IMOCA 60 class, in addition to the one-design VO65 boats that provided record-breaking performance and such close, compelling racing in the 2017-18 edition of the race - the closest Race of all-time.

"As we open up the design and innovation elements of the race again with the IMOCA class, confirming the race route for our teams has taken on an added importance as the designers look to optimise performance for the conditions," said Johan Salén, the Managing Director of The Ocean Race.

"This route is more compact at 38,000 nautical miles and with two less stopovers compared with the last race but it includes two significant Southern Ocean legs, where crews on both the IMOCA 60s and the VO65s will have an opportunity to add their stories to the legend of this race."

The Race Route for The Ocean Race 2021-22:
Alicante, Spain - Race Start
*Cabo Verde
Cape Town, South Africa
*Shenzhen, China
Auckland, New Zealand
Itajaí, Brazil
Newport, RI, USA
Aarhus, Denmark
The Hague, Netherlands
*Genoa, Italy - The Grand Finale
(* indicates a new host city)

"The 2021-22 race course keeps the Southern Ocean at the heart of the race, and the new foiling IMOCA boats plus the returning VO65s means more epic racing and great human stories."

The introduction of the IMOCA fleet into The Ocean Race presents a new opportunity for sailors to race in the world's most challenging and competitive fully-crewed event.

Paul Meilhat, the winner of the 2018 Route du Rhum and the current leader of the IMOCA sailor rankings, is among those looking to make the transition.

"The Ocean Race is one of the most global events in sport, and the racecourse for 2021-22 underlines why it is so special - with some of the best offshore sailing conditions around, and a massive commercial reach touching six continents," he said.

"It has long been my dream to compete in The Ocean Race and test myself against the best sailors in one of the most challenging races in the sport."

www.theoceanrace.com

Robline Product News 2020: Sirius Grip
Robline The well-known Robline Sirius line is definitely one of the high runners among the Robline assortment. Our best-seller Sirius 500 even got an upgrade this year - the Sirius Grip. As the name already promises, this rope is like the Sirius 500, with an even better grip due to some staplefiber used in the cover. Besides this, the overall construction stayed the same and therefore the beloved advantages of its compactness and longevity are unchanged. When using the Sirius Grip as a sheet, your hands will just love it while the use of a cruising halyard is unaffected by this new material mix.

This Sirius Grip is available in 3 colours: red-white, blue-white and black white and in the diameters of 8, 10, 12 and 14 millimeters.

For further information please visit www.roblineropes.com
Or contact your local dealer.

Arbitration Panel confirms cancellation of ACWS Sardina
The Arbitration Panel for the 36th America's Cup has confirmed in its ruling that the first event in the 36th America's Cup - America's Cup World Series Sardenga - Cagliari is cancelled.

The ruling follows an application lodged by Challenger American Magic, New York Yacht Club, on March 5 seeking exemption from competing at America's Cup World Series event and the associated penalties for not doing so under the Protocol.

The America's Cup World Series Portsmouth is still proceeding, subject to UK government regulations relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The official statement reads:

Following the submission to the America's Cup Arbitration Panel by the New York Yacht Club / American Magic regarding its participation in the ACWS Sardegna - Cagliari and the subsequent responses of COR 36, the Defender and INEOS Team UK, the Panel published today its decision, summarised as follows.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the restrictive measures imposed by various governments the Panel has decided that it has become objectively impossible to hold the ACWS Sardegna - Cagliari event from the 23rd to the 26th of April 2020 and has cancelled the event, relieving the competitors and the organizers from their obligations arising out from the Protocol.

The Panel has also decided that it does not have the power to postpone the ACWS Sardegna - Cagliari, to impose the organization of additional ACWS events or to rule that any sailing blackouts not provided for in the Protocol should occur, since it does not have the power to change the Protocol.

A postponement of the ACWS Sardegna - Cagliari could therefore only be achieved with the mutual agreement of the Challenger of Record and the Defender. As the Defender was not prepared to agree to a change of date of the ACWS Sardinia-Cagliari, the event is now definitely cancelled.

www.americascup.com

www.sail-world.com

RYA announces 2020 Youth National Championships postponement
Following the latest Government advice regarding the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 RYA Youth National Championships is postponed. The prestigious regatta, the UK's premier youth racing event, was due to take place from April 3 to 10 in Pwllheli, north Wales.

Around 750 young people and adults from all over the UK were expected to be on site at Plas Heli, the Welsh National Sailing Academy and Events Centre. However, last night the Government advised against mass gatherings, to minimise social contact and avoid non-essential travel to curb the spread of the virus. In light of this all non-essential RYA Racing activity has been suspended until April 30 in the first instance when the situation will be reviewed.

It will be the first time since the Youth Nationals began in 1978 that the event has not taken place as planned. Refunds will be issued automatically for all competitors. Please contact if you have not received a refund by April 3.

The RYA's intention will be to run the event later in the year and we will now work with the youth classes to deliver a new plan. More details on this will be announced in due course.

rya.org.uk

Windy start - 52 Super series
52 Super series The requirement to ship to Cape Town, South Africa mid-January meant the 'off-season' for the 52 Super Series shore crews was extremely busy. Winter leave has been pretty much non-existent, particularly since many teams chose to convene in the middle of December in Valencia to validate changes, introduce new crew and check sail design updates.

That's not to say that there have been many big changes to boats and hardware for 2020. Falling in line with fellow Vrolijk design Platoon's 2019 initiative, Provezza are the only other team to bite the bullet and add a third pedestal behind the traveller.

Weight aft, lifting the bow more and earlier off the wind in the breezier conditions is a goal for the Vrolijk pair which were a little off the pace of the quickest Botín designs in the breeze in Cascais and Porto Cervo last year. In stronger winds the two Vrolijk boats are also looking to sail with more rake, while kites are more twisted, reducing heel angle - a direction most of the fleet are taking this season.

Full article in the April issue of Seahorse

Cheddar Ales Chase Cancelled
The first of the spring/summer events of this season's Great British Sailing Challenge is cancelled due to coronavirus....

Statement in part from the Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club:

Whilst adhering to the latest government advice on social distancing, we want all our members to be healthy and well, and to be able to get out on the water whenever possible. We are following the RYA guidance and that of Alistair Dickson, Director of Sport Development at the RYA, who says: "While we have brought these measures in to adhere to government advice on limiting the spread of coronavirus, it doesn't mean that people can't go sailing at all. In fact, getting out on the water can be a great way to look after your physical and mental health in these challenging times."

You can read the full RYA statement here

38th Garda Lake Meeting Optimist postponed to June due to the health emergency
Riva del Garda, March 17th 2020 - It is because of the global pandemic COVID-19 that the Fraglia Vela Riva has decided to postpone the 38th edition of the Garda Lake Meeting Optimist, an event that, over the last years, has always brought on the Northern shore of Garda Lake at least a thousand young sailors from all over the World.

Originally scheduled between 8 and 12 of April, as every year overlapped with Easter Holidays, thanks to the close collaboration between Fraglia Vela Riva and the Italian Sailing Federation, the 2020 edition of the event could be postponed to June 11-14.

The decision was taken taking following the provisions issued by the Italian government, the guidelines suggested by the WHO and the measures taken by almost all the Countries in which the participants of the event reside.

fragliavelariva.it

The CA responds to the Budget Statement concerning the use of Red Diesel
Following the proposals for the future use of Red Diesel in the Budget Statement on Wednesday 11 March 2020, the Cruising Association (CA) notes that from April 2022, private pleasure vessels will no longer be able to use Red Diesel for propulsion but will be able and are indeed entitled to use it for on-board heating purposes.

Other marine commercial vessels such as fishing boats will still be able to use Red Diesel but at the lower duty rate. Our pleasure craft already pay the standard White Diesel rate for propulsion but for heating, the lower duty rate is applicable.

However, the CA's assessment is that, for now, private pleasure craft should continue to use Red Diesel as they currently do since it is still the only easily available diesel fuel. CA Members, and other sailors, might wish to follow the CA's advice on using Red Diesel when sailing to EU State waters in this coming season.

The CA's Regulations and Technical Services (RATS) Group has already spoken to the Treasury on this issue and HMRC has said they will shortly continue their contact with us (and other interested groups). This will allow the CA to continue discussions on the future use of Red Diesel by private pleasure craft. It will also ensure that there will be satisfactory solutions to all of the known problems arising from this change to marine diesel for all recreational uses throughout the United Kingdom.

The CA welcomes the Government announcement of its intention to ensure private pleasure craft users are not worse off in terms of the fuel duty they pay following any changes to the entitlement to use Red Diesel.

www.theca.org.uk

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 Alistair Skinner:

The recent returnee from the USA to China in the "expert interview" might not be aware that mask wearing by Chinese before the COVID-19 outbreak initially had nothing to do with what was claimed to be "pop-culture". For a long time, socially conscious Chinese would wear a mask if they had a cold or were coughing and sneezing especially in crowed areas like buses and the metro. And yes, people well beyond the 'k-pop' age would wear them. In fact I witnessed many times, frowns from people when someone was coughing on the metro without a mask. (In Shanghai or Hong Kong I am a regular Metro or MTR user) Oh and by the way, Netflix is not commonly available in China without a VPN but there are ample Chinese alternatives. Plus if you want to speak to people there is always Wechat.

Being stuck inside and working from home is perhaps not easy to adjust to but most of China hasn't been on a government lock down and in Guangdong which is actually 3rd in the death rates outside Hubei Province (not 1st) although many businesses are closed or working from home and temperature checks are far more frequent there is actually NO American style "stay in place" order. Our supermarkets - there are 4 within easy distance of our home - (about a 45 minute drive from Shenzhen) have not displayed empty shelves of anything except, peculiarly, bacon and cheese which can easily be explained through supply chain difficulties and not panic buying. (Chinese don't have a penchant for either product)

I feel for the people of Wuhan and the other cities in Hubei Province (about 10 or 11 in total) who HAVE been in genuine lockdown where it must feel a little like house arrest. I doubt if other countries are not as strict as China has been with the outbreak that they will see a turnaround in the figures anything like as quickly as China has achieved. Still scary here as it only takes one person who is positive to come in contact with you and you become a statistic yourself. Take care, don't believe the "masks are useless" rubbish, if you yourself are positive, wearing a mask reduces the chance of onward transmission - think of the more 'at risk' like your parents or grandparents. Stay safe people, better to take measures over and above than get hit with this thing.

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