In This Issue
• Caudrelier's win deciphered
• The Iron Lady of Dubai
• Harken Electric Winches Help Sailing Gloves Last Longer
• The Northern Lights of Ireland's Top Sailing
• Britannia refined - Carrswood Yachts
• RORC Easter Challenge
• Limosa The Famous Project
• Optiorange 2024 - 530 Optimists
• NASA and Japan to launch world's 1st wooden satellite
• Featured Charter: Beneteau First 36 #42
• Featured Brokerage:
• • MOD 70 - Maserati Multi 70
• • Corby Spirit of Tradition - Spirit Of Joyride
• • Advanced A62
• • Gunboat 80
• • Reichal/Pugh 69 - Moneypenny
• The Last Word: Raoul Wallenberg

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

Caudrelier's win deciphered
Photo by Alexis Courcoux / OC Sport - Pen Duick. Click on image to enlarge.

From his duel with Tom Laperche in the South Atlantic to his finish and the overall victory on the inaugural Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest, French skipper Charles Caudrelier has delivered an outsanding allround performance aboard a boat, Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, that had previously not made it further east on a round -the-world attempt than Cape Agulhas.

One of the team's routers and Caudrelier's co-skipper on the Transat Jacques Vabre, Erwan Israël, looks back at the key moments of a magical win composed of equal parts control, management and composure.

The duel with Tom Laperche. "After the start, the first transition took place at Madeira. Charles didn't make any mistakes, he was quite calm and we knew with the weather that the breeze was heading. In fact, it was thanks to that shift that he and Tom got away with them. It was tense off the coast of Brazil where SVR-Lazartigue was just a little faster than us. Charles was putting the pressure on: he was worried that Tom would get away with it by being the first to benefit from a front that they both eventually took. At one point in the South Atlantic, Tom decided to gybe to get a little more wind and Charles stayed a little more north. We were already in the mindset of not pushing the boat to 150%, but of managing a round the world race. And Charles took advantage of this to take the lead before the damage to SVR-Lazartigue."

A team win.

"It's a long job being a router on a round-the-world race (laughs)! We thought it was going to be a bit less intense than a transatlantic race, that there would have been periods which were a little quieter, but in reality it was often very intense! One of the keys to success in keeping on it during stressful and tough times is the good understanding between everyone in the routing cell with Benjamin Schwartz and Julien Villion, who are both very talented.

arkeaultimchallengebrest.com/en

The Iron Lady of Dubai - how to win the SB20 World Championship
Photo by Mikey Brignall, Dubai Offshore Sailing Club. Click on image to enlarge.

We have our new SB20 World Champion. Team Kidzink of Charlotte Borghesi, Pippa Kenton-Page, Artem Basalkin and Goncalo Lopes marked not only the first UAE victory in the competition, but also a historic moment as Charlotte Borghesi became the first female helmswoman to claim the championship with a 50% female team. How this became possible and what are the team's plans for the future we asked the members of this winning crew.

The overwhelming dominance of team Kidzink through the whole Championship with race results ranging from 16th to the 2nd made many followers of the event speechless. Moreover, the team won the title without scoring a single bullet.

Charlotte hopes for the continued longevity of her sailing project foreseeing its activity for many years to come. The team's upcoming intentions are to test their skills in the Italian summer league in the RS21 Class, followed by the RS21 Worlds in Gerona, Spain in early September. Their ambitious itinerary continues with the plans to participate in the SB20 Europeans in Malta in late September – early October.

The SB20 Class continues to march over the continents and the the next big international event is scheduled for Malta on the 24th of September with the SB20 Europeans to be hosted by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. -- Anna Zyk

worlds2024.sb20class.org

Harken Electric Winches Help Sailing Gloves Last Longer
Electric winches have been called the best non-liquid attitude adjusters ever created for the sailor. If you've recently solo-cranked a main to the top of a rig and enjoyed that first-thing-in-the-morning combination out-of-breath/ crook-in-the neck feeling, you can imagine how electric winches put smiles on faces like no other equipment you can add. Here's a secret; if you own manual Harken winches, they were designed upfront to be electrified right now. All you need is an extended center drive shaft, a motor with mounts, electrical wiring and switches. Every Harken winch built since 1999 comes ready for electrification. And Harken offers electrification kits that include motors, gearboxes, electronics, switches…everything you need. It's easier than you might imagine.

You don't have Harken winches? No worries. We make a full range of electrics with geometries and motor sizes to make replacing your existing manual models easy. Included in that range: our unique "Rewind" models that are activated by IN and OUT buttons to safely ease or trim loaded sails without ever removing sheet from self-tailer. You've suspected electric is the way to go for quite awhile. If not now, when? February was made for electrifying winches. Let's GO!

This refit project starring new Harken Electric winches just might convince you.

harken.com

The Northern Lights of Ireland's Top Sailing
Before the advent of GP14s, Cadets and Enterprises, the boat of choice for Ballyholme youngsters was the robust 14ft Insect, so heavy she had to be kept on moorings despite the very exposed nature of the anchorage. Click on image to enlarge.

Back in the day, Bangor Grammar School was seen by a small but significant sector of its pupils as a sailing school with a grammar problem. This was in a time when it was an establishment of friendly size, located along the suburban College Avenue on usefully higher ground within a mile of Ballyholme Bay on the south shore of Belfast Lough. In a brisk sou'west breeze, the BGS's unsupervised group of boat-mad delinquents could zap out of school by bike the moment the bell rang, and coast down to Ballyholme Yacht Club with scarcely any use of the pedals.

The more alert – skilled sailors of course - free-wheeled nearly all the way to this small bit of sailing heaven. There, some managed a bit of private-enterprise term-time sailing, but others – forbidden by their parents to indulge in the distraction of boats in study time – hung out secretly in the magic recesses of the boatman's hut in a rich aroma of Stockholm tar and the boatmen's heavy tobacco smoke.

There was little or no formalised sailing instruction. It was assumed that you absorbed sailing ability by some sort of osmosis, either through being of a sailing family, or from friends who had inspired an interest. When we think that in effect Ballyholme is now Northern Ireland's national dinghy sailor centre, and a highly organised place with formalized instruction at all level of sailing while all the keelboats have long since been safely moved from the exposed moorings to Bangor Marina, it's clear the past at Ballyholme is a very different country.

Read WM Nixon's full article in Afloat magazine

Britannia refined - Carrswood Yachts
Now seriously for sale, the majestic gaff cutter Alexa of London is an improved version of the iconic Royal Yacht, with great potential for long-distance cruising

Have you ever wondered what it was like to sail the first Royal Yacht Britannia? The 37.5- metre (123ft) gaff cutter Alexa of London - now seriously for sale - is built on the same beautiful classic lines as GL Watson's iconic original, which was one of the most successful racing yachts of all time.

With the same immense sail area, similar displacement and better weight distribution, Alexa carves through the sea with the super-smooth, steady motion that Britannia was renowned for, rather than bouncing over the waves like a typical modern yacht. When fully powered up she pulls a dramatic displacement wave behind her like a vintage 12-Metre, which adds another dimension to the joy of sailing in a fresh breeze. The view forward from her helm, past the low deckhouse and across a huge expanse of flush teak decks with a graceful positive sheer, is just as elegant as her perfect silhouette when seen from afar.

Full article in the March issue of Seahorse

RORC Easter Challenge
Racing in The Solent - Video debriefs at Royal Yacht Squadron
29-31 March 2024

The RORC Easter Challenge is designed to kick-start any teams racing season. Held over the Easter Weekend for over 20 years, the Royal Ocean Racing Club training regatta offers a fantastic opportunity for world class coaching which is complimentary for all entrants.

"The overall aim of the RORC Easter Challenge is to improve the performance of any team, regardless of their skill level, we want the sailors to gain from it, and the coaches have been chosen especially with that in mind," commented RORC Racing Manager Steve Cole. "The RORC Race Team will split the fleets into IRC classes but for this regatta we also try to put boats together that have similar training requirements, this makes the best use of the coaches at the regatta. The coaching system is very interactive."

Mason King will once again lead the coaching team with Ian Walker and North Sails experts providing on the water coaching, as well as video debriefs after racing on Friday and Saturday. World Sailing Rules on outside assistance are relaxed, so for no additional cost to all the teams, hand-picked coaches provide pin-point assistance to get crews of any level up to speed. Three days of racing are organised in The Solent from Easter Friday to Easter Sunday. -- Louay Habib/RORC

rorc.org

All female Limosa The Famous Project crew set for Atlantic return challenge
Fresh from an excellent third place on the RORC Caribbean 600 race and multiple training laps around the island of Antigua itself, the seven strong The Famous Project crew left Antigua on Tuesday 27th February for their first all-female ocean passage across the Atlantic, heading to Portimao, Portugal on their MOD70 The Famous Project Limosa.

As they build up towards their 2025 all-female challenge for the Jules Verne Trophy, when they will sail the record holding Ultim IDEC Sport, this Transatlantic passage is an important stage in training up the team, strengthening cohesion and building skills over an extended period on the flighty, fast 70 foot trimaran which needs to be sailed 'on the edge' to achieve the best performance.

The seven strong team will be co-skippers Alexia Barrier (FRA) and Dee Caffari (GBR), Pam Lee (IRL), Joan Mulloy (IRL), Annie Lush (GBR), Annemieke Bes (NED) and Deborah Blair (GBR). Mediawoman is Muriel Vandenbempt.

thefamousproject.io

Optiorange 2024 brings 530 Optimists from 29 countries to Valencia
Optiorange 2024 starts its countdown. In just two days, Thursday, February 29th, the regatta starts, the Children's Sailing competition in the Real Club Náutico de Valencia, concluding this coming Sunday, March 3rd, and it does so with record numbers: 530 sailors from 29 countries.

The Valencia event will be attended by countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Latvia, Malta, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, as well as others such as Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Estonia, United Kingdom, Greece, Holland, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Ukraine, Sweden and the United States, the latter with 32 representatives.

Four intense days lie ahead with a total of 12 races scheduled, a maximum of three per day, and with two days scheduled for the qualifying heats and two for the finals, provided that the program can be fulfilled, established at least by completing 4 races in the 5 groups scheduled, in which the 530 sailors are integrated. The starting time for the first race of the day has been set for Thursday at 12.00 noon, while the remaining three races will start at 11.30 a.m., weather permitting.

optiorangevalencia.es

NASA and Japan to launch world's 1st wooden satellite
Artist's illustration of a wooden square satellite. Image by Kyoto University. Click on image to enlarge.

NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) are planning to launch the world's first wooden satellite into space in a bid to make spaceflight more sustainable.

LignoSat, a coffee mug-size satellite made from magnolia wood, is set to launch into Earth's orbit by summer 2024, according to the space agencies.

Wood doesn't burn or rot in the lifeless vacuum of space, but it will incinerate into a fine ash upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere, making it a surprisingly useful, biodegradable material for future satellites. After successfully testing their wood samples aboard the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year, the scientists believe the test satellite is fit for launch.

"Three wood specimens were tested and showed no deformation after space exposure," the researchers said in a statement in May. "Despite the extreme environment of outer space involving significant temperature changes and exposure to intense cosmic rays and dangerous solar particles for 10 months, tests confirmed no decomposition or deformations, such as cracking, warping, peeling or surface damage."

To decide which wood to use, the scientists sent three wood samples - magnolia, cherry or birch - to the ISS to be kept in a module that was exposed to space. The researchers settled upon magnolia because it is less likely to split or break during manufacture.

space.com

Hat tip to SouthernWoodenboatSailing.com

Featured Charter
BENETEAU First 36 #42. From 3150 Euros/week. Located in Marina Pirovac, Adriatic Sea, Croatia.

One of the most awarded boats in history is now available for bareboat charter in Croatia. Experience the thrill of high-performance racing boats on your family holidays without sacrificing onboard comfort. She is brand new and fully equipped for cruising and racing.

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Portuss d.o.o., Tit Plevnik
Email:
Phone: +386 31 212 432
Booking Code: Seahorse First 36

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
MOD 70 - Maserati Multi 70. 1,450,000 EUR.

WILD, EXCITING, FAST AND FUN - A real opportunity to have a ocean racing MOD right away. Step onboard and be competitive!

Maserati Multi70, flying trimaran holder of the Channel record, Fastnet record, record in the Rorc Transat and winner of many other ocean races, is for sale, ready to race.

The only full electric MOD 70, Maserati Multi 70 has been massively optimized and developed to fly over the ocean. The boat is race and record ready, with impressive recent results.

Sale includes two sets of foils: MOD original foils and new flying foils, an equipped container, and a large sail wardrobe.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
email
ph. +39 335 276311

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1991 / Refit 2020-2022 Corby Spirit of Tradition - SPIRIT OF JOYRIDE. POA. Located in Lymington, UK.

Reborn ULDB as a Spirit of Tradition. Started life as JOYRIDE from the Corby stable and now a glorious recreation of history in a turbocharged package. Ripe to shock in Spirit of Tradition regattas all over the world.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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

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Advanced A62. POA EUR.

A Quantum leap in Hydrodynamic Technology. A true “Gran Turismo”, the A62 melds state-of-the art hydro and aero hull dynamics with seductive deck styling and appeal.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Advanced Yachts
Via Brera 6, Milan - 20121 - Italy
Tel: +39 02 433507224
Mobile: +39 335 7055966

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Gunboat 80. POA EUR.

Step up to the Gunboat 80 The evolution of innovation: Featuring the signature draw-dropping design, elevated performance, and unmatched quality of the Gunboat 68 in a stately 80-footer.

With the launch of the Gunboat 68, in no time clients came to us with requests to build upon this new benchmark series with a larger Gunboat. Thus the Gunboat 80 manifests ambitions of the most discerning clients for more space, more speed and a high level of customizability. The owner sets the cursor from superyacht-style cruising to performance-optimized racing. Exquisite dreams become a reality.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

gunboat.com

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Reichel/Pugh 69 - Moneypenny. 750,000 EUR.

Moneypenny has been maintained to the highest standards by Noakes Group and dry sailed from its Sydney yard.

She has a significant sail wardrobe from Doyle. Recent modifications and improvements to water ballast systems and keel have been carried out.

Moneypenny finished 3rd in IRC overall, 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and was the CYCA’s 2022-23 blue water champion. This is an exciting and rewarding yacht for sailing at the highest levels on the world’s yacht racing circuits.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
For more information, please contact Sean Langman by email:

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

The Last Word
I encounter one example after another of how relative truth is. -- Raoul Wallenberg

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