In This Issue
• Cowes Week 2021 Opens For Entries
• Stuffed
• Coming to a store near you... the best of all worlds - Cobra International
• For the Record
• 2021 IRC European Championships for Hyeres
• Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
• Royal Western Yacht Club Early Entry extended for the Plymouth Lonely Rock Race
• Hutchinson to receive America and the Sea Award
• Inaugural Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship
• A New Cork Harbour Rankin Dinghy is Born 61 Years Later
• Featured Charter
• Featured Brokerage:
• • NEEL 65 Evolution - Trimaran
• • Baltic Yachts 64
• • Outremer 51 - New Boat
• The Last Word: Jon Stewart

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

Cowes Week 2021 Opens For Entries
Cowes Week Ltd (CWL) is delighted to announce that entries for Cowes Week 2021 will open at 12 noon on Monday 29 March. Whilst this is somewhat later than usual, the event is carrying over nearly 200 entries from 2020 and the team have been inundated with questions about the opening of the entry website so have every expectation that it will be a bumper year for entries.

For 2021, there will be eight IRC classes, Black Group One Designs such as the J/109 as well as 17 One Design Day Boat classes in the White Group.

A completely new class to Cowes Week this year is the Club Cruiser Division where it is planned to run two starts each day, depending on the number of entries. There will be a further four starts in the Performance Cruiser Division. The decision was taken to split cruisers into Performance and Club divisions to recognise the very different performance characteristics across the range of yacht designs, as well as the sometimes more family orientated crew lists in the Club cruisers. The team behind Cowes Week believe this will deliver high-quality racing for everybody, with similar boats and like-minded crews in the different divisions and are delighted to be able to offer a new trophy for the Club Cruiser Division sponsored by The Cruising Association.

CWL is also excited to announce the first ever Cowes Week opening party which will take place on Saturday July 31st after race day one.

For the first time there will be a daily prize giving, open to all competitors, to be held on the Parade at 18:00 hours each day celebrating the race winners across the regatta, which is hoped will become a great social occasion in its own right. After the prize giving there will still be plenty of time to enjoy all of the social events throughout the town, at yacht clubs, pubs, bars and restaurants, all subject to the Covid guidelines in place at that time.

www.cowesweek.co.uk

Stuffed
The Italians think it's a farce, the Kiwis know it's a lifeline. The Americans are saying that Patriot 'deserves a next chapter' and Jim Ratcliffe has acknowledged the obvious that they need to build a new boat to be competitive. Spithill hasn't signed but 90% of the Italian design team is secured...quite what they signed up for is anyone's guess?

The Cup rumour mill is in full swing. Has Simmer retired? Will Ben have a desk job? Is Giles in the picture? Is Deano the only option for Magic? Larry's confirmed...until he isn't. Ernesto is a dead cert for 2024. China are nailed on...and Jimmy is going there. Blimey. It's all going on. And 99% of it is pure speculation. But what's absolutely clear is that there is real excitement building for the next Cup. The Sail GP circuit will be a hotbed of rumours and we've only got 29 days to go until the first series in Bermuda.

The Isle of Wight rumour won't die. It's the talk of Cowes at the moment. Everyone knows something. They spoke to so-and-so who's really in the know and who's related to so-and-so personally. And he works at that boatyard and they've been contacted by someone connected with that team and they're building new sheds there. Dredgers are being sourced. It's great. It's a lifeline of rumour amidst the gloom of the pandemic and there's a buzz in the air.

The full grenade from Magnus Wheatley in Rule69Blog

Coming to a store near you... the best of all worlds - Cobra International
We have long been huge fans of the Skeeta production foiler, fast, light and... user friendly! Now Skeeta and their builders Cobra International have something for those (lucky) kids too

Since 1999, when Dr Ian Ward and John Ilett independently put centreline foils on International Moths and revolutionised the sport of dinghy sailing, some of the greatest innovators in small craft design have been chasing the Holy Grail. The challenge was to develop a foiling dinghy that delivers the same levels of performance and exhilaration while also being less fragile and complex than a Moth, much less difficult to sail and affordable enough to suit the average sailor's budget. Jim and David French, a father-andson team from Melbourne, Australia realised they'd cracked it in 2016 with their Skeeta design, a beautifully simple flying scow. The next step was to find a manufacturer for large-scale production and the best candidate was Cobra International.

Unless you're into board sports, Cobra International could well be the biggest boatbuilder you've never heard of. Based in Thailand with about 100,000 square metres of hi-tech production facilities and a highly skilled workforce of 2,500, they currently produce about 80 per cent of the world's windsurfers, large numbers of surf and SUP boards, and carbon composite components for larger craft.

Full article in the April Issue of Seahorse

For the Record
The WSSR Council announces the establishment of a new World Record:

Record: Monaco to Porto Cervo
Yacht: Maserati Multi 70
Name: Giovanni Soldini and a crew of 5.
Date: 21st March 2021.
Start time: 00;18;54 UTC on the 21/03/21
Finish time: 08;09;38 UTC on the 21/03/21
Elapsed time: 7 hours 50 minutes and 44 seconds
Course length: 195 NM
Average speed: 24.85 kts
Comments: Previous Record: "Phaedo 3". Brian Thompson. GBR. Nov 16.
7h 53m 31s

John Reed
Secretary to the WSSR Council
sailspeedrecords.com

2021 IRC European Championships for Hyeres
The fifth edition of the IRC European Championship will take place in Hyeres, France, organised by the COYCH (Cercle d'Organisation du Yachting de Compétition Hyérois), in collaboration with the UNCL (Union Nationale pour la Course au Large).

Following Cork Week in 2016, Marseille in 2017, Cowes in 2018, and San Remo in 2019 which crowned the French team of Absolutely, the 2021 edition of the European IRC Championship will take place in Hyeres from 23 to 27 June with four days of racing on one of the most competitive & popular sailing areas in the Mediterranean.

Alternating between the North and the South of Europe (the Channel and the Mediterranean Sea), the IRC European Championship is a flagship event of the 2021 IRC season and aims to bring together more than 60 boats.

The 2021 IRC European Championship is open to all IRC rated boats. It will consist of a minimum of four coastal or tactical races (coefficient 1) and a long coastal race (coefficient 2).

2021 IRC Europeans Programme
Wednesday 23 June 09:00 - 18:00 Registration and rating inspection
Thursday 24 June 09:30 - Briefing / 12:00 Racing
Friday 25 June Racing
Saturday 26 June Racing
Sunday 27 June Racing and awards ceremony

afloat.ie/sail/sailing-clubs/

Seahorse Sailor Of The Month
This month's nominees:

Rufus Henry (NZL)
After a quick brainstorm we realised there is one 'right' nomination to represent the whole of Emirates Team New Zealand. Rufus is the younger brother of Te Rehutai grinder Finn Henry and is the team's 'Everywhere Man', a job Rufus has carried out superbly (also scaring his chaseboat co-driver whenever he can). The America's Cup prizegiving was the chance at last for the world to see that there is a lot more to this team than 11 extraordinary sailors (plus Grant Dalton!)

Ari Huusela (FIN)
Every finisher a winner. The former airline pilot called it his 'one chance only' race around the planet, one that he executed with great care to finish 25th and last in a time of 116 days, 36 days after Charlie Dalin and Apivia. 'I was crying most of last night, I've been thinking about this [the finish] for so long. I am so thankful to my team and also to Alex Thomson who first pushed me and helped me to get this project started. And all the people here for me! What a beautiful day'

Last Month's winner:
Kojiro Shiraishi (JPN)
'All of Japan is proud of Kojiro' - Yuko Katsuka; 'He never gave up with the spirit of Yukoh… now I too have decided to learn ocean sailing' - Keiichi Uezumi; 'I have really enjoyed Clarisse's cute vlog but I am sorry that I am Japanese so I vote for Kojiro!!!' - Jun Wakiyama; 'He is a hero and gave a lot of advice to my son when he was little' - Yoshihisa Nakagawa; 'He spent a week repairing his mainsail but he never considered giving up and retiring' - Chako Tobari.

View past winners of Sailor of the Month

Seahorse Sailor of the Month is sponsored by Musto, Harken McLube & Dubarry. Who needs silverware, our prizes are usable!

Cast your vote, submit comments, even suggest a candidate for next month at seahorsemagazine.com/sailor-of-the-month/vote-for-sailor-of-the-month

Royal Western Yacht Club Early Entry extended for the Plymouth Lonely Rock Race
The Royal Western Yacht Club is happy to inform all that the early entry rate will continue up to June 1st for the Plymouth Lonely Rock Race 2021.

Following numerous requests for this race to be formed, the PLR will start and finish in Plymouth, rounding the Fastnet Rock to port and leaving the Isles of Scilly to port on the return. A short 200-mile qualifier is required to enter, as per the NoR available on the website. The Wolf Rock Race will be accepted as a qualifier to the PLR2021 - rwyc.org/wolf-rock-race/

The 508-mile course, 100 miles shorter than the original Fastnet Racecourse will also be the highest-ranking points race for the new, Southwest offshore Group Series (SOGS). Classes will be offered for IRC & MOCRA. Cruiser and one design classes can be accepted. Options on crew numbers are solo, double handed, ½ IRC crew number as well as full crew.

A strong entry is expected for the race, particularly as the start and finish is from the same UK port. COVID management will be much easier and for the UK entrants the city has the Penzance to London Paddington railway line for those needing to get home quickly.

rwyc.org/plymouth-lonely-rock-race/

The entry will be limited to the first 70 boats.

Hutchinson to receive America and the Sea Award
Mystic Seaport Museum will present its 2021 America and the Sea Award to Terry Hutchinson, who was the skipper, executive director, and tactician for the New York Yacht Club American Magic challenge for the 36th America's Cup.

The America and the Sea Award recognizes those individuals and organizations whose extraordinary achievements in the world of maritime exploration, competition, scholarship, and design best exemplify the American character.

Beyond his racing accomplishments, Hutchinson will be honored for his efforts guiding the American Magic campaign in which he exemplified the very pinnacle of competitive sailing, both in victory, and in defeat.

Hutchinson's reputation as an outstanding sailor and teammate began with his college sailing career at Old Dominion University, where he helped lead the team to four national championships, and continued through 16 World Championship wins, and 5 America's Cup campaigns. Hutchinson has been twice named the Rolex Yachtsman of the Year.

Mystic Seaport Museum will recognize Hutchinson's exceptional career by awarding him the America and the Sea Award on September 14, 2021. The award presentation will take place at the Metropolitan Club in New York City.

www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

Inaugural Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship
Entries are now open for the inaugural Hyde Sails Under-19 Match Racing Championship at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, 26-27 June 2021.

Teams will be competing in Elliott 6M keelboats and benefit from an on board player-coach to help them get the most from the event, making it a great opportunity for both novice and more experienced crews to develop their skills. Match racing coaches will also be on hand to provide support on the water and run virtual debriefs after racing.

British Keelboat Sailing is inviting entries from mixed teams of three and the winner will qualify for the National Match Racing Championship Grand Final in RS21s at Queen Mary SC in October 2021.

The Notice of Race and entry for the championship, which is part of the RYA National Match Racing Series, can be found at www.ryamatchracing.co.uk

A New Cork Harbour Rankin Dinghy is Born 61 Years Later
From right to left; the original mould, the new shell, and a finished product Credit: Rankin Class Association. Click on image to enlarge.

Sixty-one years after the first Rankin came off a mould in Cobh, a new one has been built from the same mould.

"From the roots of this revered dinghy class in Cork Harbour, a new boat has been built," the Class announced.

This is part of the rebuild and restoration project through which Rankin enthusiasts have rekindled interest in the class.

The roots of the Rankins are to be found in the mid-1950s when Eddie Twomey and Eric Rankin produced the line drawings of the Rankin prototype. The first two prototype boats were built in July 1956 in Eric's workshop on Lynch's Quay, Cobh.

They were an integral part of the RCYC when it was based in Cobh. The boats proved extremely popular. Their light construction made them easy to handle and "effortless to row, motor or sail, so they were an ideal family boat for Cork Harbour conditions," the Rankin enthusiasts say. When the RCYC club moved to Crosshaven, "they became a choice mode of river transport, for commuting ashore long before the days of RIBs and the club marina was built," according to one of the leaders of the revival, Conor English in Crosshaven.

afloat.ie/sail/

Featured Charter
Araok - 58ft Ipanama Catamaran. From 24,000 per week EUR. Located in France / Caribbean

Designed to comfortably share simple day trips or long-haul cruises with family or friends, the flagship catamaran Ipanema 58 features a myriad of decadent and spacious areas in which to relax. Host long lazy lunches in the stunning 25m2 cockpit.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Lisa Spiller
Charter Manager
Bernard-Gallay
Phone 1 : +33(0)6 33 42 45 09
Phone 2 : +33 (0)467 66 39 93
Mail :

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
NEEL 65 EVOLUTION - Trimaran. POA EUR.

NEEL 65 - The flagship of the range.

Sail in a new way with the NEEL 65 EVOLUTION... A new and unique angle on cruise-oriented navigation, in “Sport-Chic mode. The furniture design code, in a highly contemporary style using simple and refine materials. The saloon with its sleek lines, enjoys a wide panoramic view.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
4 rue Virginie Heriot
Plateau nautique BP 23085
17032 La Rochelle Cedex - France
Tel. : +33 546 290 871

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1991 Baltic Yachts 64. 695000 EUR. Located in Tuscany, Italy

Comprehensively upgraded, refitted and modified example of the iconic S&S designed Baltic 64. The penultimate boat launched and maintained regardless of cost.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Lead Broker: Michele Antonini - Grabau International (Italia)
Tel ITA: +39 333 74 89 281
Tel UK: +44 7989575669
Email:

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Outremer 51 - New Boat. POA EUR.

The Outremer 51 is THE reference blue water catamaran for families sailing around the world. This best seller was awarded European Yacht Of the Year and Boat Of the Year.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

Tel : +33.467 560 263

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

The Last Word
If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies. -- Jon Stewart

Editorial and letter submissions to

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