In This Issue
• 18ft Skiffs Winnings 2024 JJ Giltinan Championship
• Anthony Marchand: "It's not been easy!"
• Marlow Ropes environmental management system
• Zephyra To Be Launched In June, Re-Born in Maine
• 2024 Aegean 600
• Cup Spy March 2: Luna Rossa retire test boat
• New Leadership for the SuperYacht Racing Association
• Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge
• Double Handed World Offshore Championship
• Featured Charter: Mystic
• Featured Brokerage:
• • Botin 65 - ARTEMIS
• • Carkeek 47 "Stark Raving Mad IX"
• • YYACHTS Y8
• • 2017 J/V Pac52 "Warrior Won"
• • 2011 Judel Vrolijk TP52 / IRC 52
• The Last Word: Gene Hill

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

18ft Skiffs Winnings 2024 JJ Giltinan Championship
The Danish team. Photo by Sail Media. Click on image for photo gallery.

The outcome of the Winnings 2024 JJ Giltinan Championship is still wide open between the three leading teams with just three more races to be sailed, as the 27-boat fleet focuses on winning the coveted JJ Giltinan World 18 footer trophy currently being contested on Sydney Harbour.

With six races of the nine-race regatta now completed, each team's worst race result to date is excluded from the net score and reflects a truer position as the event moves closer to completion next Sunday.

After today's two races Yandoo (Micah Lane, Fang Warren and Lewis Brake) and Andoo (John Winning Jr, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton) share the lead with net scores each of eight points, followed by Rag & Famish Hotel (Harry Price, Josh McKnight and Finn Rodowicz) on 13 points.

Finport Finance (Keagan York) is fourth on 27 points, followed by New Zealand's ASCC (Eli Liefting) on 31, Germany's Black Knight (Heinrich Von Bayern) on 33, Marine Outlet (John Cooley) 38, Queensland's Big Foot Bags and Covers (Dave Hayter) 40, Balmain (Henry Larkings) 40 and Lazarus (Tom Cunich) on 42 points.

Following yesterday's racing, a protest by the Yandoo crew (which finished first over the finish line after sailing the entire course) for being declared OCS in Race 3, resulted in the skiff being reinstated as the winner and every other finishing skiff being placed one position further back than originally recorded.

Tomorrow's full-course Race 7 will determine which of the two leaders is likely to go into the weekend's final two races with the lead and whether Rag & Famish Hotel can reduce the five-point margin. -- Frank Quealey, Australian 18 Footers League Ltd.

18footers.com

Anthony Marchand: "It's not been easy!"
Fourth placed ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest skipper Anthony Marchand has really been feeling the fatigue recently. His last few days have been especially trying. In light airs for a week he has constantly been on the alert working what little breezes he has had, and all the time fighting against any comeback of Eric Peron. The heat has been truly oppressive but he has stuck to task and is still enjoying the challenges of his first ever solo round the world race. And his hard work has delivered a small dividend. His is now over 500 miles ahead of Peron's ULTIM ADAGIO and his ETA on the finish line is early next week

How do you sum up these last few days?
There were so many transitions to deal with. Sometimes along the coast, I wanted to fall asleep, I had the impression that I was on the verge of just blacking out, that I was going to run aground. We had to do a lot of manoeuvres, sail changes, J2, J1. It wasn't easy. But in the end, it paid off being close to the coast. It was a hard but rewarding time.

It seems like for all of the skippers on this ARKEA ULTM CHALLENGE-Brest, the climb up the South Atlantic was complex... I haven't really watched the others too much but it's clear that it hasn't been easy for anyone. I had the feeling that the weather was never in my favour. Even looking ahead for me right now for the future, it doesn't look fun!

What exactly do the next few days look like?
Initially it will be quite simple with a passage due north up to the Azores anticyclone. Then, there will be two options: either a route south of the anticyclone, more reaching, or around the anticyclone to find a more downwind route. The low pressure systems are rather active, there will be a lot of sea afterwards... We are still thinking about the best option to take.

arkeaultimchallengebrest.com/en

Marlow Ropes environmental management system
Jon Mitchell and Paul Dyer with ISO 14001 Certification. Click on image to enlarge.

Marlow Ropes, the British-made high performance Leisure Marine rope brand and world leader in high-performance synthetic fibre rope manufacturing, is proud to announce its achievement of ISO 14001:2015 certification for its environmental management system (EMS). This prestigious international standard recognises Marlow's commitment to minimising its environmental impact and operating sustainably throughout its entire value chain via its Blue Ocean® manifesto.

"Achieving ISO 14001 certification is a significant milestone for Marlow Ropes, reflecting our long-standing dedication to environmental stewardship," said Jon Mitchell, Managing Director of Marlow Ropes. "This certification reinforces our commitment to quality manufacturing and operating responsibly, whilst doing as much as we can to minimise our footprint on the planet."

Read more here:

marlowropes.com

Classic Yacht Dublin Bay 24 Zephyra To Be Launched In June, Re-Born in Maine
"The ideal size to teach classic boat-building" - Zephyra being re-born in the Apprenticeshop in Maine. Click on image to enlarge.

The concept of the Dublin Bay 24, envisaged as a 24ft waterline 37ft LOA Bermuda-rigged racer-cruiser, was first suggested in 1934 at a Committee Meeting of the innovative yet "homeless" Royal Alfred YC in Dun Laoghaire by the owner-skipper of the DB 21 Garavogue, Gordon Campbell aka Lord Glenavy. Yet by the time the idea began to gain traction in 1937, it had been taken under the wing of the Dublin Bay Sailing Club, as too - though much more recently - has the RAYC itself.

But though the first of the DB24 boats - in all, eight were to be built in Scotland - came under construction at designer Alfred Mylne's boatyard on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde by late 1938, the total leisure-boat construction shutdown of World War II (1939-1945) meant they didn't finally race as the premier Dublin Bay OD class until 1947.

Yet it was 25th September 2004 before the class had their last official race with Dublin Bay SC. And by this time, an ambitious scheme was starting to develop whereby one central organisation would buy up all the boats, including anything that remained of Vandra. The plan was to have them restored by recognized international classic specialists to become the Royal Alfred One Designs, available for fleet hire for racing as a special attraction with a new sailing-orientated resort hotel being planned on the French Riviera.

"Finding Zephyra"
In time, all the existing boats including Periwinkle had been bought up by the new grouping except for Zephyra, and were assembling in Dublin to be moved to classic yards, mainly in France. As for Zephyra, "she's in Mayo" made for a very wide search area. But it so happened that I was walking our little dog out the back of a castle-hotel in Mayo early in the summer of 2007, and there in a corner, barely showing above an overgrown wall, was a tiny glimpse of a boat of interest which proved to be Zephyra, by now rapidly disappearing into the undergrowth.

WM Nixon's full story in Afloat.ie

2024 Aegean 600
Click on image to enlarge.

Organizers at the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club (HORC) are pleased to announce the 2024 edition of the Aegean 600 is now open for entry. The event is being held over 5-13 July 2024 and is co-organized by the host venue at Olympic Marine.

Now in its fourth annual edition, the race has grown in interest and popularity every year, with last year's third edition attracting 500 sailors racing on 45 yachts from 16 nations. What attracts them is this race's unique format: a scenic offshore journey of 605 miles that starts and finishes under the watchful gaze of the Ancient Temple of Poseidon poised on the sea cliff above Attica's Cape Sounio.

Besides this amazing and historic start and finish venue, the course itself is a spectacular tour that passes 13 iconic Greek islands, including a lap around the volcanic caldera of Santorini in the first part of the race and later towards end of the race through a gap at the islands of Dilos and Mykonos.

The ever-present northerly Meltemi winds that can peak to over 30 knots propels the fleet around this course, challenging their skills in both seamanship and navigation, yet also delivering clear sunny skies, starry nights and warm waters throughout.

Seaworthy monohulls of minimum length of 9.00 m and seaworthy multihulls of length 9.15 m and larger are welcome to enter with ORC and/or IRC certificates.

Recognized offshore class yachts such as Dehler 30 One Designs, Class 40's, Mini 6.5's, Figaro 2's and Figaro 3's are also welcome to enter. The event will also welcome Maxi yachts as a race on the 2024 International Maxi Class (IMA's) calendar of events.

Notice of Race

aegean600.com/the_race/

Cup Spy March 2: Luna Rossa retire test boat
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli was the only team to sail on Saturday, having missed a planned sailing day due to lack of wind on the Friday.

It transpired that this was the last sail for the Italian team's custom design LEQ12 test boat, which is being retired, temporarily at least.

In the update we have expanded on the sailing days for each team in January and February. Surprisingly Emirates Team New Zealand has sailed the least of all teams except the French.

- INEOS Britannia - did not sail; they are on a three-week break and must also resolve the issues arising from a lithium battery fire on their newest AC40 Sienna. In January and February, the team sailed a total of 17 days. For all their lost time, the British team sailed for two days more than the Kiwis in January and February.

- Alinghi Red Bull Racing: Last Friday, they sailed their AC75 from Barcelona and are now the only team sailing an AC75. They are one of four teams expected to launch their AC75 race boats in April. In January and February, the team sailed 31 days in total - the highest of any team. That included two eight-day sessions each month sailing in Jeddah - sail testing and developing their match racing playbook.

- Emirates Team New Zealand - Their sailing program has been disrupted by the late return of their one design AC40-OD. The other AC40 is being used as a LEQ12 test boat. The Cup Defenders sailed for nine days in January and six in February for 15 days in total, the lowest of all teams except France. This low total sailing days is surprising, given that Auckland has had one of its best summers for years. It may point to the team moving even further into a reliance on technology - with the actual sailing being to verify what they see on the design computers. Alternatively, this period was blocked out on the assumption they would have two AC40s available. They could have match-raced and developed their America's Cup playbook as several other teams have.

- American Magic - The team has sailed a mix of one and two AC40 sessions. Their AC75 Patriot was retired on January 23, 2024. They sailed for 12 days in January and 14 in February for 26 days - the second highest of the six AC teams. Although they got a late start into this America's Cup, they have been getting through the work, and co-helm Tom Slingsby has been sailing well in the SailGP circuit. They have yet to announce a launch date for their AC75. A few weeks ago, the sailing team boss commented that they were making a very late run with their AC75 raceboat launch and that a team could not leave their launch much later than the New York YC challenger.

- Orient Express Racing Team - the French sailed for one day in January and four days in February, undertaking testing (when they had to be accompanied by the AC37 Joint Recon team). They have sailed their One-Design mode (not accompanied by Recon teams and not scored in Sailing Days calculations).

- Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - sailed on Sunday to make up for their lost day on Saturday, when the wind failed to appear as forecast. Today was the last day sailing the team's custom design LEQ12 - and today's test sail probably brings the Italians to the end of a test block. In many ways, their LEQ12 has been quite impressive, as has its pairing with their AC40. The LEQ12 has been 'dumbed down' to get closer to the performance of the AC40. To the surprise of some, using two dissimilar boats has mimicked what they can expect in the Louis Vuitton Cup and maybe America's Cup, when the boats used will not be one-design with similar sailing characteristics. It will be interesting to see how the lessons learned from the LEQ12 will transfer to their AC75 race boat, which is due for launch in early April. The Italians sailed for nine days in January and ten days in February for 19 days in total - nine days less than American Magic and 13 days less than the Swiss.

sail-world.com

New Leadership for the SuperYacht Racing Association
The Super Yacht Racing Association (SYRA) is very pleased to announce Shirley Robertson as the new Manager of the association. With a wealth of experience and success in the sport and a notable presence in superyacht racing, Robertson brings a valuable perspective and new energy to the SYRA.

Shirley Robertson OBE made history by becoming the first British woman to win Olympic Gold Medals at consecutive Olympic Games and has become one of the most recognisable faces in the sport of sailing.

"We are delighted to have Shirley assume the role of Manager of the SYRA, taking the lead of an organization that is essential to superyacht racing," said SYRA Chairperson Kate Branagh. "The last decade saw many crucial areas addressed to enhance safe sailing and fair racing in this unique segment of sailboat racing. The SYRA's priorities have shifted in recent years to fleet building, achieving more broad-based participation and expanding membership in the association, areas that Shirley will excel in."

With a reputation for a strong work ethic and attention to detail, away from the Olympic race track Robertson's sailing career soon led to a parallel career as one of sailing's leading broadcasters.

The SYRA is a non-profit organisation established in May, 2011. Membership is open to any superyacht owner (or owner's representative) who participate in superyacht regattas, superyacht event organisers, and superyacht industry related companies. The mission of the SuperYacht Racing Association is to enhance the enjoyment of superyacht owners by pursuing all possible measures to ensure safe and fair racing along with meaningful competition.

or call (+1) 781-639-9501

Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge
To complement its recently announced IMA Caribbean Maxi Multihull Series, the International Maxi Association is to hold its first IMA Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge in 2024.

Like the new Caribbean series (that last weekend saw the completion of its third and penultimate event, St Maarten Heineken Regatta), the IMA Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge (MMMC) will comprise a mix of both inshore and offshore events. The majority of these already feature in the IMA's maxi monohull series.

The new IMA Mediterranean Maxi Multihull Challenge will begin in July with the fourth edition of the Aegean 600, organised by the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club.

The Mediterranean's newest 600 mile offshore race has been gaining rapidly in popularity thanks to its course that takes competitors on an anti-clockwise lap of the Aegean Sea. This meanders around numerous famous islands including tourist destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos, others known from ancient Greece such as the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion, from where the race starts and finishes or Rhodes, known for its 'Colossus', to some from mythology such Milos (famous as the inspiration for the Venus de Milo statute).

Despite being held mid-summer, the race is gaining a reputation for being windy and if this proves true this year then the MOD70 trimarans taking part stand a good chance of breaking the race's record, set in 2022 by Adrian Keller's Irens 84 catamaran Allegra with a time of 2 days 5 hours 36 minutes 2 seconds. -- James Boyd / International Maxi Association

internationalmaxiassociation.com

Lorient Grand Large confirmed as host of 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship
Lorient Grand Large, Yacht Club de France and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) will host the 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship as a fleet of Sun Fast 30 One Design takes to the water off the coast of Brittany in September 2024.

The 2024 Double Handed World Offshore Championship will be a mixed event run jointly between three organisations, each bringing their expertise to deliver the event. Lorient Grand Large will assume the leadership role for the organising group, while RORC will deliver the race management and Yacht Club de France will bring their network of volunteers and control of the one-design rules.

The agreement with World Sailing covers three World Championships, with the event moving to Cowes, on the Isle of Wight in 2025, and then to a venue to be confirmed in 2026.

A collaboration between Jeanneau and Multiplast, the fleet of Sun Fast 30 One Design will be supplied by Cap Regatta. It is one of the first production model sailboats built from a recyclable resin, which highlights the latest developments in sustainable boat building. The Sun Fast 30 One Design is an affordable one design boat with confirmed worldwide orders of over 40 boats to be produced in 2024. It is comparable with the majority of double-handed boats around the globe, meaning it will be accessible to sailors already accustomed to double handed offshore racing. The selection of the boat and the event organisers was the result of a World Sailing tender process endorsed by the Oceanic and Offshore Committee as the expert World Sailing Committee.

Lorient Grand Large has been a centre of excellence for competitive sailing since 1997. It is home to elite level teams in the Ultim, IMOCA and Ocean 50 classes, as well as the Mini 6.50, Figaro, Class40. The venue has hosted several major events in recent years, including The Ocean Race, Solitaire du Figaro, and the Retour à La Base.

sailing.org

Featured Charter
MYSTIC. 21,000 per week EUR.

A 22m YYacht, Y7 MYSTIC is now available with her crew for charters in the Mediterranean for up to 6 guests.

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West Mediterranean: French Riviera | Corsica | Marseille to Saint Tropez

See listing details in Seahorse Charters

Contact
Charter Department
Bernard-Gallay
Phone : +33 (0)467 66 39 93
Mail : or

bernard-gallay.com/yacht-charter/mystic

See the the Seahorse charter collection

Featured Brokerage
Botin 65 - ARTEMIS. 1250000 USD. Located in San Francisco, USA.

Built by Knierim in 2013, ARTEMIS is the dream of competitive performance, whilst being easy to sail shorthanded and in turn key condition.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

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

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Carkeek 47 “Stark Raving Mad IX”. POA.

Major upgrades and refit in 2021. Over twenty podium finishes across three seasons including Newport, RI and the Caribbean.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Expressions of interest for this exceptional boat, along with POA to:
+1-949-466-9210

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YYACHTS Y8. POA EUR.

One size. Two boats. Lots of options.

The Y8 gives you the choice. Optionally available in a dc version with a longer aft body and a secure center cockpit, or you can opt for a raised saloon with extra space in the srd variant.

Equal to any Y8, as well as all other YYachts, the inimitable ease and performance. For greater strength and lighter weight we laminate all hulls and decks with carbon fibre and epoxy resin and anneal them until final cure

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Contact
T. +49 3834 5858 77-0
E.

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2017 J/V Pac52 "Warrior Won". POA USD.

2017 J/V Pac52 "Warrior Won", one of the worlds most potent offshore racing yachts is for sale.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Collin Leon
+1.516.361.9156

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2011 Judel Vrolijk TP52 / IRC 52. POA EUR. Located in Western Australia.

This TP / IRC 52 has so much pedigree, built as Azzura then to become Shogun, Ichi Ban, Envy Scooters and now Crush. She has as excellent performance record under IRC and ORC and comes complete with an extensive up to date inventory that will sure to impress.

- Offshore and Inshore modes
- Wheel steering & Tiller steering
- Optimised IRC /ORC keel package 2023 by Judel Vrolijk
- New standing rigging & turnbuckles 2021
- Excellent North sails wardrobe
- Cat 1 offshore safety
- Professionally maintained

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact

T: +61 414 332 255

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

The Last Word
No one can fully understand the meaning of love unless he's owned a dog. -- Gene Hill

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