EuroSail News #5443 - 1 November

In This Issue
• TJV: Internationals on the dock in Lorient
• A ridge of high pressure
• Tools to be used - Synapse Marine
• Some Tricks, Some Treats to Start J/70 World Championship
• Coffee Table Christmas Books - An Absorbing Interest
• The America's Cup Comes To The Red Sea
• Dolan halts Round Ireland record challenge in Dingle
• Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Charter Opportunities
• Ocean Globe Race: Countdown to Southern Ocean
• Letters to the Editor
• Featured Charter: J122 El Ocaso
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Volvo Ocean 65 - VO65 NO6
• • Elan E4
• • 2017 J/V Pac52 "Warrior Won"
• The Last Word: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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

Transat Jacques Vabre: Internationals on the dock in Lorient
Brian Thompson and Alister Richardson, 17th on Tquila, “We had a good start. Entering the Alderney Race the wind got quite extreme and really tested ourselves and the boat. And so I am glad the mast is still in the boat considering the slamming. After we passed there we noticed that the ballast tanks had emptied into the boat. Luckily we noticed that before we tacked or it would have flooded the electronics, so we managed to empty it but then we had no ballast on for the rest of the race, that has cost us some time. But to have got through this first leg and only be an hour and eight minutes in the grand scheme of things that is not too bad. It is not a big deal and a lot of miles to go, so we are overall pretty pleased.

We had up to 40kts at times, big seas with wind against tide, and hence damage on the other boats. Tactically it was very interesting to see how all the Figaro sailors in the fleet played all the corners and the tidal advantages. Considering we had no ballast we could have been half an hour quicker. We are in the peloton, that’s great.”

Young German duo Lennart Burke and Melwin Fink were 23rd on Sign For Com: “We snapped a couple of electrical cables and so lost our wind data and from then on it was hard. Sometimes we drove around like blind chickens. It was like a witches cauldron at times. But the boat is in good shape and well proven so we know we can step on the gas in the next leg.”

Pam Lee (IRL) ENGIE, DFDS BRITTANY FERRIES 27t: “It was good for us to get this finished, it was a bit of a test run in a way and we came through it with the us and the boat in good shape. But the conditions were insane, really insane. But now we can refocus on the main bit of the race.

transatjacquesvabre.org

Transat Jacques Vabre: A ridge of high pressure
On the Atlantic coast and from what lies ahead in the next 48 hours, it is hard to imagine that the famous Azores High even exists. But it certainly does. It is in fact this high-pressure system that is partly responsible for the way low-pressure systems move to its North and how the trade winds are blowing to its South.

One high-pressure system is not like another in terms of its shape, but in general the winds circulate clockwise around it in the Northern Hemisphere. We often find a narrower area extending from them that we call a “ridge,” where the highest pressure can be found in the central axis.

In practical terms, the ridge that the ULTIM Boats are about to attempt to cross is stationary stretching out from East to West at the latitude of Gibraltar. To its North, the competitors will feel the wind dropping off and veering from SW to West and then to NW. After passing through its centre, where the wind is generally very light (dark blue area), the boats will gybe and to the South of the ridge, they will pick up winds that become stronger and stronger and tend to blow increasingly from the East, which should allow them to pick up speed.

transatjacquesvabre.org

Tools to be used - Synapse Marine
From grand prix raceboats to superyachts, Synapse is taking load sensing to a whole new level and turning America’s Cup style data analysis into a more accessible, easy-to-use solution for a wider range of sailors

The sharp end of sailing is a numbers game and load sensors play a pivotal role. The volume of data can easily become overwhelming and it’s often a challenge to calibrate, manage, store and interpret it effectively. What has been missing in the marketplace, until now, is a fully integrated solution. North Technology Group has created a new division - Synapse, a spin-off from their composite rigging maker, Future Fibres - to fill that gap.

The load-sensing systems that most grand prix sailing teams rely on are complex and highly bespoke.

Full article in the November issue of Seahorse

Some Tricks, Some Treats to Start J/70 World Championship
St. Petersburg, Florida USA: Eighty-three teams from 14 nations have come together for the J/70 World Championship at St. Petersburg Yacht Club in Florida, launching on Halloween Day and continuing through Saturday, November 4. Following a short onshore postponement, the excitement took to the waters of sunny Tampa Bay for two races in winds that began at 6 knots and increased to 12 by day’s end. Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy (USA) with Taylor Canfield, Scott Ewing and Ian Liberty compiled a consistent day of a fourth and second for 6 points. Luis Albert’s Patakin (ESP) holds second place at 15 points, four ahead of Peter Duncan’s Relative Obscurity (USA). Ryan Cox’s DL (USA) stands atop the 27-boat Corinthian Division, and Tim Ryan’s Vamos (AUS) leads the 14-boat One-Pro Division.

Teams were anxious for the start of Race One, as 11 boats were identified UFD. The top three finishers were: Ralph Rosa’s Mindset (BRA), Jack Franco’s 3 Ball JT (USA) and Cate Muller-Terhune’s Casting Couch (USA). The Race Committee adjusted the line due to a wind shift prior to Race Two. In this contest, there were six more UFD penalties. Withstanding were Peter Duncan’s Relative Obscurity (USA), Laura Grondin’s Dark Energy (USA) and Charlie Thompson’s Brutus III (GBR).

An army of volunteers, International Measurers and SPYC staff conducted four days of registration and inspections, culminating in a spirited opening ceremony on Monday evening. Festivities included champagne from the SPYC Officers, flag bearers of the junior sailing program, and presentations from America’s Cup Ed Baird and local mayor Ken Welch, among others.

Full results on Yachtscoring.com

Coffee Table Christmas Books - An Absorbing Interest
Your humble narrator is downsizing his library a bit, and has on offer a number of rare items. One of them from the late Bob Fisher, his magnum opus, An Absorbing Interest- A History 1851-2003.

The first volume chronicles the America's Cup from the start of the competition in 1851 through to 1967. Bob Fisher has left no stone unturned in producing an objective and authoritative account of each event. The evolution of the America's Cup is carefully tracked, with the characters, the designs and the races themselves all sharing centre stage. Just as boat speed must be combined with tactical skill to succeed on the water, so scholarship and carefully crafted prose are united in this exceptional work.

The second volume follows the extraordinary events between 1970 and 2003. There's the inside story on the court cases and personality clashes as well as the cutting edge designs and thrilling battles between the world's greatest sailors. The tale is told up to the 32rd America's Cup which marked the end of an era and the returning of the cup to Europe for the first time in 152 years. An Absorbing Interest is fully illustrated and includes paintings and artwork that recorded the action of the first cups as well as some of the finest photography from subsequent years.

Two volumes in slip case. Near new condition. This was a limited print run.

Yours for $350 including shipping via USPS media mail to the lower 48 US states. Shipping cost elsewhere on request.

Contact

The America's Cup Comes To The Red Sea
The countdown is on for the second Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America's Cup with the Red Sea city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia getting ready to host the world's finest foiling sailors all eager to sail in the pristine waters from the 29th of November through to the 2nd of December 2023.

For fans and spectators in Jeddah, this second Preliminary Regatta will be the most accessible sporting contest with Jeddah's famous 'Corniche' playing host to the Race Village and Fan Zone to catch all the action on jumbo screens in real-time whilst enjoying the various activations and restaurant pop-up facilities. The Race Village is open to the public at no cost, with all the racing streamed on the big screens and entertainment on the main stage.

All the racing will be shown free-to-air globally on YouTube whilst locally the Saudi Sports Channel will also be streaming the races live on MBC's Shahid platform. Entry to the Fan Zone and Race Village is also free and tickets can be obtained through the America's Cup website.

Event Schedule
Wednesday 29 November: Official Practice Race Day
Thursday 30 November: First Day of Racing
Friday 1 December: Second Day of Racing
Saturday 2 December: Third & Final Day of Racing and Prizegiving

americascup.com

Dolan halts Round Ireland record challenge in Dingle
Because of a rapidly worsening forecast, Irish sailor Tom Dolan has had to stop his solo Round Ireland sailing record attempt in Dingle, despite being more than 80 miles - or about 10 hours - ahead of the existing record pace after having sailed more than half the 688 miles course on his boat Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan.

Winds to storm force 9 and 5 metre seas with a very short, confused wave period are about to hit the SW of Ireland and Dolan was not prepared to take the risk on his 36 foot Figaro Beneteau 3, particularly with no safe havens to shelter in on the SW and S of Ireland.

"I am gutted, I really am because it was going so well and I was quick with some really high sustained speeds around the NE corner where there was flat water." Said Dolan when he was safely tied up in Dingle. "I was getting gale force 9 warnings on the VHF radio and it was getting worse. 24 hours ago it was looking difficult bit doable but not now."

"I will take stock in a while but immediately I need to look after the boat. But there are worse things going on in the world and for sure there are worse places to be than Dingle." -- Andi Robertson

tomdolanracing.com

Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Charter Opportunities
The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta Team is putting a tab on our website this year for yacht owners who desire to charter. We are often contacted by racers interested in finding a boat to charter and hope this will help them do this and help you fill your spots.

If you are interested in being included once you have registered for Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta on Yacht Scoring, email with the details that prospective charterers may need such as accommodations (stay aboard or day race only), who to contact, any website you may have. We will not put any pricing info on our website as this will be solely between you and charterers.

The Regatta Team and the Antigua Yacht Club will not be responsible for any charterers, owners or issues that could arise from your charter, this is intended to be another tool to help both the charterers and the yacht owners.

For more information please visit antiguaclassics.com

Email Regatta Coordinator at

Ocean Globe Race: Countdown to Southern Ocean
After 7,000 miles and 46 days of intense racing, just 33 minutes separated Neptune FR (56) and Triana FR (66) as they crossed the finish line in Table Bay Harbour, Cape Town. The 1977 former Whitbread entrant, Neptune, took 7th in line honours and 11th in IRC ranking.

Much respected helmsman, Erwan Gourdon, was at the big orange wheel when the 60-foot aluminum sloop crossed the line.

Earlier in the race the crew were forced to gather rainwater after issues with a filter in their desalinator, arriving with just enough water on board to get by. They also ran out of gas, resulting in them eating cold tinned food for the last few days.

Helmed by skipper Jean d’Arthuys, the 53-foot Swan, Triana FR (66), crossed the line just 33 minutes after Neptune, taking 4th in IRC ranking, first in Adventure Class and 8th in line honours. They impressed many during the race with their speeds, keeping up with larger Flyer Class yachts.

oceangloberace.com

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 Elwood P. Dowd:

Whoever wrote the story about the J 70 Worlds being held "in the sleepy little retirement city of St. Petersburg, Florida" has not been to St. Petersburg recently. While it is true that in the past, St. Petersburg might have deserved that rather snide description, anyone who has been to St. Petersburg recently, especially its very active and vibrant weekend downtown night life scene, can tell you that St. Petersburg is hardly "sleepy" anymore.

Featured Charter
J122 El Ocaso. Located in Caribbean 2023/2024.

‘El Ocaso is a 40-foot J/122, beautifully presented and one of the most successful IRC racers of her generation. Quick and responsive, powerful and stable, the J122 is easy to handle and delivers all round performance. Available for charter in the Caribbean.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

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

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
Volvo Ocean 65 - VO65 NO6. 400000 EUR. Located in Auckland, New Zealand.

Volvo Ocean 65 Ex. TURN THE TIDE, and ready to ship for the next owner - for The Volvo Ocean Race, and other events. Shrink wrapped and ready to go.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Ben Cooper
Berthon UK
Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222
E-Mail:

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1964 Kialoa II S & S Classic Racing Yacht. 920,000 ex Vat EUR. Located in Hamble, UK. A rare opportunity to purchase a classic boat with huge provenance.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Owen Clarke Performance Yacht Brokerage Services
Unit 21, Hamble Yacht Services
Port Hamble
Hants
SO31 4NN
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 2380 174 134

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2017 J/V Pac52 “Warrior Won”. POA USD.