In This Issue
• Charlie Dalin (APIVIA) First To Finish The Ninth Vendee Globe
• Boris Herrmann In Collision With Fishing Boat
• Club Secretary - Sea View Yacht Club
• Newport Bermuda Race-Prep Series Begins with Bucket List Webinar in February
• Midnight Seeks Enthusiastic Capable Crew
• America’s Cup: 15 minutes with Ben Ainslie
• America's Cup - How Crews Handle Their AC75s
• 2020 Blue Water Medal Awarded to Randall Reeves
• The Ultimate in Socially Distant Sailing
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: Curanta Cridhe - 50ft Catamaran
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Swan 82-010 Grey Goose
• • HH66 - New Boat
• • X-Yachts X43 - 'Parallax'
• The Last Word: H.L. Mencken

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

Charlie Dalin (APIVIA) First To Finish The Ninth Vendee Globe
After an immaculately executed race, at 19h 35m 47s UTC this evening, after 80 days 6hrs 15mins 47secs since the start on Sunday 8th November, French skipper Charlie Dalin emerged from a damp, misty Bay of Biscay to break the finish line of the Vendee Globe, the solo, non-stop race round the world race, in first position and in doing so realised the ocean racing dreams of his youth.

But the 36-year-old skipper of APIVIA, who on Sunday November 8th started as one of the favourites to win this ninth edition of the Vendee Globe, now has to wait until two of his closest rivals have crossed the Les Sables d’Olonne finish line to see if victory is his.

Both Germany’s Boris Herrmann and French skipper Yannick Bestaven were allocated time allowances of six hours and ten hours and 15 minutes respectively for time and distance lost during their participation in the search for, and rescue of, stricken Kevin Escoffier whose IMOCA PRB effectively broke in two suddenly on November 30th, 550 miles SW of Cape Town, South Africa.

Although the win may end up going to one of the other two skippers - and the clock started when Dalin crossed the line - nothing can detract from Dalin’s immaculate, measured performance.

He has been the most regular and consistent leader throughout the 24,300 nautical mile race - which follows the traditional three capes route. His well prepared and optimised boat was launched early in the race quadrennial to maximise training miles. Dalin served notice he would be a serious contender when he won 2019’s Transat Jacques Vabre with Yann Eliès and finished second in July’s 3566 mile Vendee Arctic Les Sables race.

Dalin led at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Leeuwin, and was a second to rival Bestaven at Cape Horn. That was despite damage to the bearing part of his port-side foil housing which meant his performance was compromised on starboard tack at least since he reported the problem on 14th December.

When he made a well-executed temporary repair, Dalin, who qualified as a naval architect in Southampton, England, kept himself in the race and still managed to offset the speed deficit he had on his closest challengers.

Boris Herrmann In Collision With Fishing Boat
At 1950hrs UTC this evening while racing in third place, some 90 miles from the Vendee Globe finish line off Les Sables d’Olonne German skipper Boris Herrmann (Seaexplorer-Yacht Club de Monaco) was in collision with a fishing boat. He reports damage to his starboard foil and some other damage but he is unharmed and has secured the boat and is proceeding towards the finish line at reduced speed.

Top ten at Ranking on 27 Jan 2021 - 21h (UTC)
1. Charlie Dalin - APIVIA, Arrival date: 27/01/2021 20:30:00 Race time: 80d 06h 15m 47s
2. Louis Burton - Valley 2 Office, 49.1 nm to finish
3. Boris Herrmann - SEAEXPLORER - Yacht Club De Monaco, 87.16 nm to finish
4. Thomas Ruyant - LinkedOut, 116.5 nm to finish
5. Yannick Bestaven - Maitre CoQ IV, 134.09 nm to finish
6. Damien Seguin - GROUPE APICIL, 233.53 nm to finish
7. Giancarlo Pedote - Prysmian Group, 237.64 nm to finish
8. Jean Le Cam - Yes We Cam!, 388.98 nm to finish
9. Benjamin Dutreux - OMIA - WATER FAMILY, 558.9 nm to finish
10. Maxime Sorel - V and B-MAYENNE, 778.45 nm to finish

Tracker

www.vendeeglobe.org

Club Secretary - Sea View Yacht Club
Salary - Competitive

We are a Yacht Club on the Isle of Wight. While our 1,700 members include the first woman to captain a boat in the Whitbread around the world race and an Olympic multi-gold winner, the majority are sailing families.

We are looking for a senior executive to lead all business activities within the club including budget management, managing the team, operations management (including Food & Beverage), social and sailing activities.

We have a range activities including:
- A vibrant members’ summer season
- An extensive suite of members’ training courses as an RYA Accredited Sail Training Academy
- A quality racing program
- An exciting sailing program for Isle of Wight Schools
- A thriving chartering business

On the water we enjoy both racing and sailing our:
- Fleet of over 200 privately owned Sea View One Design dinghies (this class, founded in 1931, is the largest locally built one-design dinghy class anywhere in the world)
- Large fleet of Club owned sailing dinghies including Optimists, Teras, Picos, Toppers, Lasers, Fevas, Visions, Buzzes and Dart 16 Catamarans
- Fleet of Club owned, unique racing keel boats - the Seaview Mermaids

The Candidate will have:
- A strong leadership style: The ability to lead from the front, and work as part of a small full time team with our Director of Sailing and House Management
- Great communication skills: To communicate effectively with Members, Flag Officers, Charterers, staff, suppliers, and the local community
- A proven track record in operational management skills including:
- - Financial management from developing budgets to delivering results
- - Some food and beverage experience
- - HR awareness and people management experience
- - Understanding of and ability to deliver a modern and effective office environment including technology solutions and streamlined processes
- - Ensuring compliance with all current Health & Safety and environmental regulations

An enthusiasm for the sea is highly desirable, but individual sailing experience is not essential.

This is a permanent full-time position based in Seaview on the Isle of Wight. You will need to live on the Isle of Wight for this position.

To apply, please send a CV by email to Commodore John Edwards together with a short covering letter that explains why you are interested and why you believe you will stand out from other applicants. Please provide details of your current position and renumeration.

Applications to be made by 12 February 2021.

Newport Bermuda Race-Prep Series Begins with Bucket List Webinar in February
A new series of free webinars by the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee, sponsored by Bermuda Tourism Authority and Goslings Rum, will whet your appetite and give you the tools to prepare for the race in 2022.

Why is the race known informally as the "Thrash to the Onion Patch" a must-sail race for so many offshore sailors? The course covers 635 miles of open ocean - departing the chilly spring waters off Newport, crossing the turbulent, rapidly flowing Gulf Stream, and finally approaching the reef-encircled islands of Bermuda. Not a challenge to take lightly, the race gives captains the chance to take their own measure - stepping up and taking responsibility for preparing their boats and crews, crossing the starting line, and navigating safely to the finish and then home again.

The 2021 Race Prep webinar series begins February 9, 7pm EST, with an interactive introduction to the race: "The Newport Bermuda Race is on Your Bucket List."

Aspiring competitors will be invited to ask questions and sign up to work with special "race ambassadors" for assistance as they tackle race preparation and training over the next year until the race starts on June 17, 2022.

Register on the Race-Prep Webinar page for one or all six webinars, and submit your questions in advance.

There is no charge for the one-hour event, and prospective crew are welcome to attend as well as captains. Registration is required at bermudarace.com/webinar/ where you can also review and sign up for future webinars, including "Bermuda Race Tent Party - Sea Stories from Young and Old" and "To Finish First, You First Must Finish - Safety & Yacht Preparation for the Bermuda Race." (Note: webinar topics and schedule subject to change.)

Midnight Seeks Enthusiastic Capable Crew
Captain/Chef/Mate
The Oyster 82 Midnight will be back afloat Ipswich in April, refreshed and ready for passage to the Med, where the season will comprise a mix of charter and owner's use. She will then head for the Caribbean and on to Scotland and Ireland in '22.

Her owner, Oyster's founder, is a keen racer and part of Midnight's duties will be to provide regatta support for a vintage gaff cutter and a new IRC 52.

Crew with relevant experience are invited to email their CV in confidence. It may be possible to arrange interviews in Antigua up to 28 Jan, thereafter in the UK.

Email only please to

America’s Cup: 15 minutes with Ben Ainslie
Getting face time with any of the America’s Cup Challenger teams down in Auckland right now is far from easy. That’s no surprise – they are each in the thick of their individual battles to make it through the Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series and into March’s Match for the 36 America’s Cup. So when our request for 15 minutes with Ineos Team UK skipper and team principal Ben Ainslie got greenlighted, our editor Justin Chisholm jumped at the opportunity.

I began by offering sincere congratulations to Ben and the entire team for its performance so far in the Prada Cup and wondered if the mainstream media – particularly back home in the UK – had woken up to the fact that the British crew were back on form and taking scalps down in Auckland.

“Yes a bit,” Ainslie said. “I think the fact that a British team has made it to the final of the Challenger Selection Series is a big draw, and also having fantastic races like the one against the Italians really helps.

“I think with a new development class there is always the chance that the racing would not be close and so a race with nine lead changes and close crosses like that final one is something that is good for the sport and for the America’s Cup. Hopefully there will be plenty more like that.”

Although the Ineos Team UK yacht and its crew are clearly firing on cylinders now – five wins from five races is undeniable evidence of that – it would be wrong not to ask why a turnaround was needed in the first place. It’s a difficult question to ask, but how did the team get to the America’s Cup World Series – Auckland in such poor shape? What had gone wrong?

Justin's full interview in Yachtracing.life

America's Cup - How Crews Handle Their AC75s
The spectacle of an AC75 at speed in flight is breathtaking but to learn to fly these boats at speeds that have rarely been achieved has meant that teams have had to climb a near vertical learning curve. The technology is new, as is the concept and even the language that the crew use to communicate, so how do the crews handle an AC75? Matt Sheahan talks to foiling supremo, multiple world champion, former America's Cup sailor, Olympic gold medallist....you get the idea....

Nathan Outteridge who has been studying these boats and the way that they are sailed since they were first launched here in Auckland. It's a fascinating insight, in fact so good that we have made the feature in two parts as we simply couldn't bear to leave any of it out. And anyway, you'll need a break to take on board some new concepts and fill up your glasses for the next part.

2020 Blue Water Medal Awarded to Randall Reeves
Randall Reeves has been named winner of the 2020 Blue Water Medal by the Cruising Club of America (CCA) for sailing his 45-foot aluminum cutter, Moli, alone around Antarctica and then through the Northwest Passage in a single season - departing and arriving from San Francisco.

Reeves, 57, is the first person to imagine and accomplish the 39,000-nautical-mile voyage, which creates a "Figure 8" track around the world, keeping the Americas to port and Antarctica to starboard.

The prestigious Blue Water Medal was first awarded in 1923. It will be formally presented to Reeves at the CCA Annual Awards ceremony, a virtual event this year on March 7. The ceremony will include recognition for winners of other CCA Awards, including 2019 Blue Water Medal winner Jean Luc Van Den Heede, who was unable to attend last year's ceremony.

During the voyage, Reeves trailed along in his wake an armada of wannabe adventurers and admirers through his frequent blog entries and onboard videos shared on his website. Reeves has a way about him— gracious, caring, and humble with a self-effacing humor. He has proven his ability to master the oceans without losing his appreciation for the help he has received and the wonders of the people he has met along the way. On October 19, 2019, 385 days after setting out, Reeves sailed Moli under the Golden Gate Bridge to complete the first singlehanded "Figure 8" around Antarctica and the Americas. -- John Burnham

cruisingclub.org

The Ultimate in Socially Distant Sailing
Port Charlotte Florida: The singlehanded 2.4 Meter might just be the ultimate socially distant sailing platform. The sailor is alone in the boat away from any potential Covid germs. 12 of those brave sailors took to the water for the 2021 CanAm Series Event 1.

Dee Smith won the event with an impressive scoreline. After 6 races, Smith threw out a 3rd place for a final score of 8 pts. Canadian Bruce Millar was one point back in 2nd place with 9 pts. Jeff Linton rounded out the podium with 14 pts.

Martin Holmgren, Roger Strube and the rest of the RC members did their usual bang up job with a strong focus on the racing. While the social side of the event was curtailed do to pandemic protocols, the sailors enjoyed the varied conditions, convenience of the venue and the wonderful hospitality from the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club.

Racing continues later this week with 2021 CanAm Series event 2 starting on January 28. There are 5 events in the series running all the way into April.

As always the fleet is welcoming of newcomers and makes quality charter boats available.

Complete Results

US 2.4 Meter site with links to upcoming events

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 Sue Pelling: re: Bob Fisher - a special memory Our dear friend Bob Fisher was one of the greatest characters in the sailing world and, most of all, was a true gentleman. He will be greatly missed by all.

I, like most who were fortunate enough to meet and know Bob well, have special happy memories of spending time with him.

One of my most memorable and extremely happy occasions with Bob was in Auckland in 2003 while we were reporting on the 31st America’s Cup. One day at the end of a tough day in the press office Bob invited me to share a bottle of CloudyBay on a balcony overlooking Waitematā Harbour.

I remember savouring those special moments with Bob as we watched the sun go down and chatted, not about the America’s Cup but about dinghy sailing. It was so refreshing to be able to have an interesting conversation about class development and the finer points of sailing National 12s and International 14s in particular.

While watching the Prada Cup in Auckland on television a couple of weeks ago, it occurred to me that Bob must have been in his element enjoying three of his favourite passions - the America’s Cup, drinking Cloudy Bay and reminiscing about development class dinghy racing!

In press offices around the world I am sure most would agree that Bob’s strong personality and his ability to light up a room with fun and laughter will be greatly missed.

Rest in Peace dear Bob

* From Guy Gurney:

I'm so sorry to see Bob Fisher leave us. A good friend, always fun, always loyal to friends, always passionate about the sport of sailing. I have many photos of him since we first met racing Hornets in the mid-late 1960's, but I think this is my favourite: a party in the Marina in Cowes aboard his yacht, with rum punch in the liferaft stowage space. Always ready for a party! Love to Dee..

Featured Charter
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Featured Brokerage
2006 Swan 82 'Grey Goose'. 2,950,000 EUR VAT Paid. Located in Valencia, Spain

This Nautor's Swan 82 FD "Grey Goose" has been built for two defined missions. One is luxurious and short handed family cruising with performance but without any stress on deck. The second mission is competitive racing in all conditions inshore as well as offshore and even transatlantic racing. She is not a pure race boat even more she demonstrates the real Swan DNA by accomplishing both missions in a perfect manner beeing comfortable, sea worthy and very fast. She has proven her outstanding performance in several racing events and in numerous family holidays cruises.

See listing details in Nautors Swan brokerage

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HH66 - NEW BOAT

An alluring range of dual purpose yachts for an expanding sector. "A race boat in disguise" by design, the 66 has been turning heads and collecting accolades and silver around the world. Boat no 6 is set to launch later this year, the lightest and fastest to-date.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
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www.hhcatamarans.com

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2019 X-Yachts X43 - PARALLAX. 450000 EUR. Located in Southampton, UK

Almost brand new X43 - launched in September 2019 and has only been delivered from Denmark to the UK. Has many benefits and upgrades from the standard yacht and MUST BE SOLD in 2020. Massive saving on a new yacht.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
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The Last Word
We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart. -- H.L. Mencken

Editorial and letter submissions to

Advertising inquiries to Graeme Beeson: or see www.eurosailnews.com/advertise.html