In This Issue
• Declaration Time
• About that Ainslie Video...
• Nemesis
• Charleston Race Week Gets Set to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary -- Again
• Portugal Grand Prix
• Head to Wind
• Come fly with us - RAFYC and HRSC join forces
• 2021 Finn Masters Magazine is published
• Introducing The Yacht Racing Podcast EXTRA
• The Multi50 Class Is Ambitious For 2021
• Featured Charter: First 40
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Jeanneau 54 - Grace
• • Dazcat 1295
• • Infiniti 52R
• The Last Word: Calvin & Hobbes

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

Declaration Time
Monday 1 March at 16:03 local time was the deadline for both teams to define and finalise the configuration of their boats for the Match. With that deadline now passed, both teams will have laid out precisely the boat that they will use for the series with specific details on all the key areas such as the hull, rig, foils and many other areas of the boat including its precise weight.

Within these key areas there are various subsections that define each element in more detail. And while the AC75 and the rules that define it are complex, the bottom line is that there is barely any wriggle room once a team has staked its claim to the type of boat that they intend to race.

Overall the philosophy behind this subtly different approach was to encourage teams to prepare their boats to be an all-round boat.

This is a marked change from previous Cups where the rules on declaration allowed teams to turn up to each race day in the best configuration. The result was that teams would apply to the measurers for a new certificate ahead of each day’s racing.

The main exclusion to the rules this time around is the type and number of sails, but even then there are strict rules on the weight of the sails that are carried on board and corrector weights that may be required to ensure that the all up weight of the boat remains the same.

So, as teams looked ahead to weather data that is more than a week away they had to pin the tail on the donkey as to how their boat will be configured.

It’s no easy task, but there is a further complication and that is making a list of what their replacement items will be in the case of gear failure: Replacing a broken piece of kit is not as straightforward as you may think.

First, teams need to be able to demonstrate to the measurers that the gear failure was unintentional and then that it is not possible to effect a repair.

Assuming they are successful in doing this, teams can only use replacement items that have been included on the list that they made as part of their declaration and in their order of preference.

If a team is successful in their application, then their opponent automatically has the opportunity to make the same change.

www.americascup.com

About that Ainslie Video...
“When you’re not invited to the final press conference of the Prada Cup, which is run by, and funded by, and won by the Prada Team, I think that’s pretty disappointing.”

I involuntarily spat out my English breakfast tea when I heard Ben say that. Seriously? So Luna Rossa didn’t invite the Other Team to the press conference? What is a press conference for? Is it there purely for the media to blow smoke up the winner’s transom? Or do you think the journalists might want to get some final words from the emotionally raw team that is struggling to come to terms with just having been eliminated from the competition?

When I find myself getting cross about this stuff, I have to remind myself not to take this stuff seriously.

Embrace it! This is the America’s Cup.

The Cup is meant to be larger than life, it’s a soap opera where the sailing is but one small element of an ‘extremely important’ pissing contest.

The Italians appear not to care what the rest of the world thinks about them. It’s customary to think of the Defender as the bad guy in the America’s Cup, but this time I’m not so sure.

Four years ago in Bermuda, the Italians were as thick as thieves with Emirates Team New Zealand, evidenced by the moment when skipper Glenn Ashby called his team "naughty boys" for throwing away their $4k Louis Vuitton bags into the crowd at the America's Cup presentation ceremony.

www.stuff.co.nz/

Surely ‘team orders’ from the owner of a rival luxury brand, Mr Prada himself, one of ETNZ’s most important financial backers in 2017, Patrizio Bertelli. I suspect the ‘bag throwing’ was a childishly entertaining way of getting his own back on Russell Coutts and Oracle Team USA after he withdrew Luna Rossa’s participation in a not entirely unjustified huff two years earlier from the Bermuda campaign. Bertelli took his toys away and gave them to the Kiwis instead, and the Kiwis won.

The Italians have been very entertaining to watch and listen to on the race course. Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni’s personalities are as different as their nationalities and their heart rates. It has been compelling viewing. I just wish the Italian team wouldn’t behave like such dicks sometimes. But actually, secretly, you know what? I’m thinking, “Carry on as you are.” Don’t mess with the soap opera. -- Andy Rice. Sailjuice editor

www.sailjuice.com

Nemesis
This new generation of intelligent sailing display offers unparalleled visibility, with complete customisation or easy to use multi-function templates and automatic dashboards based on your angle of sail. Nemesis Displays allow you to define what data you see, when and how you see it, no matter what conditions, providing an intuitive link between your trusted instrument network and the real world. This all in one customisable display can be mounted in either Landscape or in Portrait and is designed for use on the mast or in the cockpit to display all the sailing data you need, as you need it. Choose from a wide choice of pre-set dashboards or use the simple drag & drop editor for complete customisation. Nemesis offers a wide choice of graphical gauges such as Sailsteer™, WindPlots, key digital speed, depth, angle data, tank levels, IP Camera, Views, histograms and much more.

New B&G Nemesis Sailing Display - YouTube

www.bandg.com

Charleston Race Week Gets Set to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary -- Again
This April, Charleston Race Week will celebrate its 25th anniversary. The event will actually be a reprise because like so many regattas last year, the actual anniversary - Race Week 2020 - was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. With safety paramount in their planning, the organizers in Charleston are forging ahead and making plans for a special edition of this annual sailing extravaganza, one befitting a silver anniversary.

According to Randy Draftz, the longtime event director for Race Week, he and his fellow organizers are following the guidelines put forth by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Town of Mt. Pleasant. Their safety-first approach means that a new set of protocols will be in place. For instance, he says every participant, whether they're a volunteer, crewmember, skipper or sponsor will have to provide personal information to facilitate contract tracing. And, the organizers are working with the professionals at the Medical University of South Carolina to ensure that all the chosen safety protocols will be working effectively.

"We're optimistic that things will be better regarding the pandemic by the time the event date rolls around, but we're still not taking any chances," Draftz says. "All of our steering committee members and everyone involved in planning the regatta is embracing a safety-first outlook. That means the event will look a little different, but we'll still deliver a fun, competitive and satisfying regatta that will live up to its reputation of being a genuine bucket-list event for sailors."

www.charlestonraceweek.com

Portugal Grand Prix
Vilamoura has developed around its marina, and is today one of the largest leisure and sports resorts in Europe.

At the heart of the Algarve in Portugal, Vilamoura has for over 50 years been an exceptional destination and lifestyle experience. Vilamoura is known for the quality and purity of its environment with an exceptional range of lifestyle choices and leisure opportunities including renowned championship golf courses, world-class equestrian facilities, water and land-based sports. With several of the region’s leading spas, two of the finest beaches in Europe and over 300 days of sunshine per year, Vilamoura is designed for relaxation.

This week sees Round 2 sailed from 2 February to 3 March. Fleet Racing in the Men's 470, Women's 470, Men's RS:X and Women's RS:X

Full results: www.vilamourasailing.com

Head to Wind
Amidst the itty-bitty crumbs of news emerging from the dockside as the Cup goes into yet another hibernation was the reveal that Auckland airport’s freight division had been busy over the weekend as Luna Rossa has flown in new sails and parts from Italy. An already quick platform is about to get additional horsepower in its race to bridge the gap to the rumoured rapier-fast Te Rehutai. With the measurement of the hull and foils done on Monday, just how much further they can develop that already beautiful sail-plan is an argument for those that have never sailed in development classes and it will be very interesting to see what has been allowed to flourish having secured the golden ticket to the Match.

For sure, every avenue of design and improvement has been green-lighted as Patrizio Bertelli throws everything and the marble, diamond encrusted sink at this probably once-in-a-lifetime shot at the greatest prize in sailing.

However, taking the temperature over the weekend of the sailor interviews and all of them are, after considerable pushing by the interviewers, marginally falling to a Kiwi win so long as the breeze stays in. The muscular hull-form of the Kiwi boat lends naturally to that argument but with the new tiny, flat foils it now looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime up top attempting ballet with Margot Fonteyn’s pins down below.

Magnus Wheatley's full grenade at rule69blog.wordpress.com

Come fly with us - RAFYC and HRSC join forces
The RAF Yacht Club and Hamble River Sailing Club have announced a greater level of engagement between the two clubs with mutual opportunities for both. Located just 400 metres apart on the River Hamble in prime positions on the river frontage, they offer contrasting activities and facilities that will bring additional benefits for the 1200 combined membership.

On the water, the RAFYC runs an extensive programme of cruising while HRSC focuses on racing including the annual Hamble Winter Series, and with differing hours of catering and bar opening the scope of enjoyment for members of both clubs will be increased. HRSC is pleased to offer members' rates to RAFYC members to attend its Sailing School courses, access to the Cadet programme for their children, and to join in with the Men-on-Board (MoB) and Women-on-Water (WoW) dinghy sailing groups. In return the RAFYC will also offer HRSC access to book for larger events at the Riverside Bar & Restaurant and Front Lawn, plus members' rates for use of its maintenance bay.

The two clubs have very different origins. The RAF Yacht Club began at Calshot in the 1930s, and after the Second World War its first task was to help bring back the so-called Windfall yachts from Germany. In 1951 the club moved to Riverside House in Hamble and nowadays membership is open to all, but the historic connection with the RAF is celebrated annually at its Battle of Britain Regatta in mid September.

HRSC was formed in 1919 by a group of nine Hamble men ‘to encourage the sport of small boat sailing and racing’. In the 1970s the current clubhouse was built by a group of dedicated members and provided an essential facility for the future well-being of the club. The Hamble Winter Series began in 1982 and with grants from the Flagstaff Trust, RYA, plus event and local sponsors, youth sailing and the Sailing School have flourished, as does Wednesday Evening Racing for keelboats. -- Jonty Sherwill

For membership details:
rafyc.org.uk
www.hrsc.org.uk

2021 Finn Masters Magazine is published
The 2021 Finn Masters Magazine has just been published and is winging its way to Finn Masters worldwide. While many still prefer the hard copy, it is also available to read online here.

In this issue, as well as a range of the usual articles and features, we talk to four Masters with very different backgrounds, but with similar views on the Finn class and the Master's events. They are also all either retiring from or joining the Finn Masters Committee this year.

Other content includes:

- Previews for upcoming events in Medemblik, Tihany, Helsinki and Puntala
- Proposal for 2023 from Kavala, Greece
- Changes to the Racing Rules, by Chris Watts
- Round up of Masters events across the world in 2020
- Summary of the 2020 Finn European Masters in Gdynia
- Plus all the usual news, views and results tables.

You can read it online here or download a PDF here.

Introducing The Yacht Racing Podcast EXTRA
Launched in February 2020 and hosted by British sailing journalist and editor of the Yacht Racing Life website, Justin Chisholm, The Yacht Racing Podcast EXTRA is a member-only subscription podcast featuring exclusive in-depth interviews with professional yacht racing's greatest protagonists and influencers.

Access to all our member-only episodes are available via monthly or annual subscription plans. Take advantage of our free 14-day trial to try us out for free. There is no term commitment and you can cancel your subscription at anytime.

March 2021 lineup

The March 2021 guest line-up on The Yacht Racing Podcast includes three stars of the professional ocean racing scene – British multiple around-the-world skipper Dee Caffari, French solo ocean maestro Yoann Richomme, and British solo skipper and Ultim sailor Sam Goodchild. Our two final episodes for March will be released shortly.

yachtracingpodcastextra.supercast.tech/

The Multi50 Class Is Ambitious For 2021
With two new builds last year, Arkema 4 and Planet Warriors, the return to the circuit in the spring of the former Ciela Village, bought by Leyton, the Multi50 class will offer a line-up of six or seven trimarans this season. The official programme will be unveiled on 16th March with a new look to the race format, new partners and some new locations. Tip & Shaft looks at what is going on.

The Multi50 did not do much racing in 2020. With the cancellation of the Transat CIC and the Quebec-Saint-Malo, the calendar was cut to two Grands Prix events (Brest and Saint Brieuc) and the Dhream Cup with three entrants, because of the Covid crisis. The skippers made the most of their boats to carry out PR operations.

Primonial (Sebastien Rogues) and GCA 1001 sourires (Gilles Lamire) organised major tours, as did Solidaires en Peloton-Arsep.

Relaunched ten days ago, the VPLP design which won the Dhream Cup and has clocked up 50,000 miles, will be fitted with a new mast in the spring.

As for the yards, the big news is the launch of two new boats. At the age of 56 after working as an entrepreneur and racing all sorts of boats (Formula 40, Orma, Multi50, ...) Fabrice Cahierc had a VPLP designed boat built at Persico. He hopes she will be lighter than Ciela Village and Solidaires en Peloton-Arsep.

The project got behind schedule after her launch last August with the foil housing having to be rebuilt to ensure they were totally watertight. Planet Warriors, whose name comes from Fabrice Cahierc's foundation, will be relaunched in Marseille on 4th March and delivered to the Atlantic, where she will make her racing debut.

As for Arkema 4, which is due to head for the Canaries to train, she has remained in Medoc since her launch in mid-September.

Full story in Tip & Shaft

Featured Charter
First 40

The Beneteau First 40 is a yacht that many would describe as the ultimate racer/cruiser. With its uncluttered deck layout, spacious cockpit and well fitted out interior, the First 40 offers you not just speed but comfort

The First 40 has proved itself over the years by notching up impressive race results and is a firm favourite for those looking to charter. Great for novice crews, but also a very popular boat with the more experienced teams looking to push for silverware.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Lucy Jackson - LV Yachting
Call: +44 (0) 20 3920 6261
Email:
lvyachting.com

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
Jeanneau 54 - Grace. POA EUR.

The Jeanneau 54 Yacht is a beautiful and practical sailing yacht, very much along the lines of her larger sister, the very successful Jeanneau 64.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sea Ventures (UK) Ltd
Swanwick Marina
Swanwick Shore Road
Swanwick
Hampshire SO31 1ZL
+44 (0)1489 565444

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Dazcat 1295. From 530,000 ex VAT GBP

The Dazcat 1295 has it all. Hand-engineered to an exceptional quality for stunning good looks, outstanding sailing performance, comfort and ease of ride for coastal and blue water cruising and racing.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

www.dazcat.com/d1295.html

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Infiniti 52 R POA EUR.

The Infiniti 52 R is a custom-designed Grand Prix racing yacht developed to take full advantage of the performance benefits of DSS. Ideally suited to race coastal and offshore in locations all over the world and competitive under all rating systems, the Infiniti 52 R changes the game in this size range. Developed in conjunction with 4-time Whitbread/Volvo winner Stu Bannatyne, the Infiniti 52 R was developed to fulfil the wishes of a number of clients who were looking for a yacht that would provide a significant performance increase over current options but able to sail and race with 50-60% of the crew traditionally required for yachts of this size.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Infiniti Yachts
Tel: +44 7920 395397
Email:

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

The Last Word
That's the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria! -- Calvin & Hobbes