In This Issue
• Azzurra Make Dream Start to 2019 in Menorca
• Cetilar M32 European Series Pisa
• 21st Jersey Regatta
• A Strong Entry From Outside Of France For 50th Anniversary Solitaire Urgo Le Figaro
• Haulfryn Edinburgh Cup - 13 to 19 July
• Industry News
• Eight Bells: Richard Matthews
• Featured Brokerage:
• • JPK 1180 - "Sunrise"
• • Fast Foot Sally - Gambler 40
• • Sparkman & Stephens 52 Ft Sloop
• The Last Word: Srinivasa Ramanujan

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

Azzurra Make Dream Start to 2019 in Menorca
Photo by Max Ranchi, www.maxranchi.com. Click on image for photo gallery.

Menorca has been good to Azzurra when the 52 Super Series has visited in the past. In 2016 they turned a corner at the Menorca event to convert a bad season to a clear win the last event of the season in Cascais. And in 2017 the Italian-Argentine team clinched the season-long series title, partying long into the night in Mahon.

Today the Roemmers’ family team made a very strong start to the 2019 52 Super Series with a second and first from the first two races to jump out to a clear early lead at the Menorca 52 Super Series Sailing Week.

In light winds, just six to 11 knots of patchy breezes, it was the brand-new, straight-from-the-wrapper Bronenosec that took first blood in Race 1, Day 1 of 2019, to give Russian owner Vladimir Liubomirov the best welcome back to the world’s leading grand prix mononhull circuit after a year out.

With Croatian sailing hero Sime Fantela, the 470 Rio gold medal winner, promoted to the helm on what was his first ever 52 Super Series race, Bronenosec led all the way round the course to take the first winning gun of a highly anticipated season.

The new French team on the circuit, Team Vision Future who sail the 2015 former Sled, showed well in the second race only just losing their fifth to Quantum Racing on the finish line.

Regatta standings after two races
1. Azzurra (ARG/ITA) (Alberto / Pablo Roemmers) (2,1) 3 points
2. Platoon (GER) (Harm Muller-Spreer) (5,2) 7 p.
3. Bronenosec (RUS) (Vladimir Liubomirov) (1,7) 8 p.
4. Provezza (TUR) (Ergin Imre) (6,3) 9 p
5. Phoenix 12 (RSA) (Tina Plattner) (7,4) 11 p.
6. Phoenix 11 (RSA) (Hasso Plattner) (3,10) 13 p.
7. Quantum Racing (USA) (Doug DeVos) (8,5) 13 p.
8. Alegre (USA/GBR) (Andres Soriano) (4,11) 15 p.
9. Team Vision Future (FRA) (Jean Jacques Chaubbard) (10,6) 16 p.
10. Sled (USA) (Takashi Okura) (9,8) 17 p.
11. Gladiator (GBR) (Tony Langley) (11,9) 20 p.

Full results

www.52superseries.com

https://youtu.be/fK4AC8eT_9E

Cetilar M32 European Series Pisa
M32 catamaran racing returns to Italy over Friday 24th May until Sunday 26th May with the Cetilar M32 European Series Pisa taking place in Marina di Pisa. This will be the first event of the 2019 M32 European Series that subsequently visits the Netherlands and Sweden, before returning to Italy for the final event of the season on Lake Garda, immediately prior to the 2019 M32 World Championship (26-30 August).

Racing for the eight nimble M32 one design catamarans is being hosted in Pisa by Yacht Club Repubblica Marinara of Pisa and PharmaNutra.

PharmaNutra Chairman Dr Andrea Lacorte will be campaigning his M32 Vitamina Veloce at this first event of the season. His Vitamina Veloce finished a consistent third at every event on the M32 European Series last year. He returns with much the same Italian-Australian crew including his tactician, reigning Match Racing World Champion Torvar Mirsky.

Spindrift Racing, run by Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard - are joining the M32 European Series in 2019. Guichard says the Series represents a good way to train for two of his team's main goals this season: the World Match Racing Tour Final and the M32 World

Guichard won’t be helming the Spindrift Racing boat at the Cetilar M32 European Series Pisa. Standing in will be his old colleague Xavier Revil, once part of the French Olympic Tornado catamaran squad with him.

Favourite for the Cetilar M32 European Series will be Britain’s Ian Williams and his Team GAC Pindar that will include regular crew Pete Nicholas and Richard Sydenham and America’s Cup catamaran sailor and two time Extreme Sailing Series winner, Paul Campbell-James.

Another leading match racer Nicklas Dackhammar will be competing once again with Aston Harald boss Håkan Svensson on board the Swedish Cape Crow Vikings M32. The Vikings also include Dackhammer’s brother Pontus, plus Jakob Wilson and Fredrik Aurell.

2019 M32 European Series schedule
San Remo, Italy - 22-24 March (non-scoring warm-up event)

Marina di Pisa, Italy - 24-26 May
Medemblick, Holland - 21-23 June
Marstrand, Sweden - 19-21 July
Stenungsund, Sweden - 15-17 August (two days inshore racing followed by the Tjorn Runt)
Pre-Worlds, Riva del Garda, Italy - 24-25 August

(M32 World Championship, Riva del Garda, Italy - 26-30 August)

m32world.com/europe/

21st Jersey Regatta
Scheduled for 6th to 8th September, this year sees the 21st edition of the renowned Jersey Regatta, the Island's 'flagship' sailing event.

As ever, the Regatta is open to local and visiting boats, alike, with racing for sportsboat, cruiser/racer, Quarter Ton, dayboat, dinghy, sport catamaran and windsurfer classes. The 6th Spinlock IRC CI Regional Championship is included in the programme and will, undoubtedly, be a major attraction for the cruiser/racer fleet.

The Regatta gets under way on the Thursday evening with an ice-breaking reception and skippers' briefing. A distance race for the sportsboat and cruiser/racer classes opens the programme on Friday whilst Saturday and Sunday feature back-to-back racing with boats competing over distance, round-the-cans and/or Olympic-type courses. The 'small boat' classes race separately over Olympic-type courses in the beautiful confines of St Aubin's Bay. Trophies and prizes are awarded for each day and overall prizes are awarded for the best boats in each class.

Jersey Marinas will be providing complimentary berthing whilst Condor Ferries is offering discounted fares for those wishing to transport their boats to the Island for the event.

The closing date for entries is 29th August but why not take advantage of the attractively low entry fees that are made even more enticing with an 'early bird' fee for those entering no later than 12th August. The Notice of Race and entry form are available on the Regatta website, jerseyregatta.com

For further information, please contact the Regatta office, , or call 00 44 (0)1534 732229.

A Strong Entry From Outside Of France For 50th Anniversary Solitaire Urgo Le Figaro
The Solitaire URGO Le Figaro has always been a predominantly French affair which has shaped the careers of many of France’s leading ocean racers. The last time a non-French sailor claimed a leg victory in The Solitaire du Figaro was in 1998, when Ireland’s Damian Foxall won the fourth and final stage of that year's race. This year, with the introduction of the new foil assisted Figaro Beneteau 3 as the boat of choice, the playing field has been levelled for the skippers who are readying themselves for 2,130 nautical miles of racing across four legs between Nante (France), Kinsale (Ireland), Roscoff and Dieppe.

Could this be a chance for international talent to shine at what is recognised as the unofficial world championship of solo offshore racing? Among the 49 skippers taking the start in Nante for this 50th anniversary edition are seven non-French sailors, with entrants from Italy, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland.

The most experienced Figaro sailor amongst them is the UK’s Alan Roberts who is back for his fifth Solitaire racing SeaCat Service. In 2015, the then 24-year old Roberts secured the best ever British result in the Solitaire in 40 years when he finished in ninth place overall. He is widely recognised by the French experts as possessing all the skills and talent to better this position.

There is one Swiss national in this years’ Solitaire URGO Le Figrao in the experienced Justine Mettraux (Teamwork) whose offshore credentials are rock solid. The 32-year old is one of five female skippers who will compete, and when asked what her ambitions for the race are, Mettraux explained: “A top 10 finish. Given the level of competition, that would be a great success.”

La Solitaire URGO Le Figaro 2019 Schedule
May 27th: Arrival of the fleet in Nantes, France
June 2nd, Leg 1 start: Nantes, France - Kinsale, Ireland (via Fastnet Rock) - 500nm
June 9th, Leg 2 start: Kinsale, Ireland - Roscoff, France (via the Isle of Man) - 360nm
June 16th, Leg 3 start: Roscoff, France - Roscoff, France - 450nm
June 22nd, Leg 4 start: Roscoff, France - Dieppe, France - 460nm
June 26th: Anticipated arrival of first boats in Dieppe
June 29th: Postlogue and awards ceremony in Dieppe

www.lasolitaire-urgo.com/en/

Haulfryn Edinburgh Cup - 13 to 19 July
The 71st British Dragon national championship at South Caernarfonshire Yacht Club (SCYC) is set to be four days of thrilling keelboat racing in the waters of North Wales.

The home SCYC Dragon fleet will be joined by visiting Dragons from Ireland, Turkey and all four corners of the country. Following the two-day Northern Championship, Abersoch will see local experts race together against regional champions, past national champions; Martin Payne, Julia Bailey and Martin Byrne and current reigning champion Graham Bailey in the Haulfryn Edinburgh Cup.

This National Championship is embracing the future and growth of Dragon sailing with the introduction of a brand-new trophy and special entry offers.

Earlier this year Gavia Wilkinson-Cox donated the Seagull Trophy to the British Dragon Association with the aim to promote female Dragon helms, giving an added edge to the competition of Dragon one-design racing. From this July the Seagull Trophy will be presented to the top lady Corinthian helm annually at the Edinburgh Cup.

Following in these footsteps, entry to this year’s Haulfryn Edinburgh Cup is free to any all-female teams bit.ly/EdCup2019

There is also steps to encourage youth sailors to the world of Dragon sailing. SCYC, in conjunction with the British Dragon Association, are funding and supplying a Dragon to enter the Haulfryn Edinburgh Cup. There is a full package available with training, boat, mooring, sails and entry all covered.

The Edinburgh Cup has successfully been held in Abersoch at the SCYC in 1962, ’69, ’76, ’82, ’88, 2011 and 2016. Now in its 71st year the Edinburgh Cup remains a championship with a great deal of history. It has always been difficult to win and is revered by those who have won many other competitions and events.

www.britishdragons.org/edinburgh-cup/

Industry News
Nothing gets more attached to a boat, apart from the owner, than marine life teeming below it. Fighting hull fouling costs the global boat and shipping sectors a fortune each year and is environmentally unsound.

Dutchman Rik Breur says his Finsulate antifouling fibre wrap stops all that. The European Patent Office just named him a finalist in the 2019 European Inventor Awards in marine technology. Award winners will be announced in June.

Holder of a PhD in corrosion and biofouling from Delft University of Technology, Breur says he currently focuses on supplying Finsulate to the boat and yachting sectors “because consumers are looking for environmentally safe products. Yacht owners have used Finsulate in speeds of up to 30kt. But, Finsulate wrap also works on commercial ships, oil rigs and wind turbines at sea.”

Like a sea urchin’s prickly surface, his wrap of nylon microfibres prevents the growth of algae, barnacles and mussels on hulls, improving fuel efficiency by up to 40%. Hull fouling costs the shipping industry an estimated €20bn a year. But antifouling paints are toxic.

Finsulate wrap comes in rolls and has a self-adhesive side. The swaying of the prickly nylon spikes discourages algae, mussels, barnacles and other marine life from settling. Breurs says the fibres have been extensively tested to ensure they don’t fall off and become microplastic pollution.

Finsulate was named product of the year at the 2018 HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show. The European Inventor Award honours people not only for scientific or technological breakthroughs, but also for the impact their invention has on society and the economy.

www.ibinews.com

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Monte Carlo Yachts has announced that its Monfalcone production site in Italy, where the brand’s large motoryachts are built, is to take on production of the CNB Yachts brand’s monohull sailing superyachts from September 2019.

The Italian site is fully aligned with the brand’s needs, thanks to its flexible industrial capabilities, calibrated for producing luxury units requiring high levels of customisation and small series. With a painting booth, the dockside site is ideally located on the Adriatic Sea, which will also make it possible to bring CNB Yachts’ boats closer to their customers, who sail primarily in the Mediterranean.

CNB Yachts’ arrival in Italy follows the decision by Groupe Beneteau to specialise its Bordeaux site in building large multihull units. “In a buoyant market environment for multihulls, we want to effectively support the arrival on the market of our new EXCESS brand from next season, while continuing to develop Lagoon, which is the world leader for catamaran cruisers,” explains Yann Masselot, CEO of Construction Navale Bordeaux.

The proposed modification of activities at Construction Navale Bordeaux will be rolled out after consulting with employee representatives, with plans for all the employees concerned to continue with their missions within the Bordeaux-based company.

www.ibinews.com

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The transformation of the leading UK sailing yacht brand, Oyster Yachts, under Richard Hadida’s ownership has continued with the signing of a new agreement with Saxon Wharf landlord MDL for the next 10 years.

The Saxon Wharf site at Southampton is key to the future of the Oyster Yacht brand following its entry into administration in 2018 and purchase by Hadid, a gaming entrepreneur and Oyster yacht owner. Over the past year, and with a new management team, Oyster has been reshaping the business to take it forward and keep it as a globally-respected sail cruising yacht builder.

“Saxon Wharf provides the perfect South Coast base for us and complements our other sites at Wroxham, Ipswich, Palma and Newport Rhode Island,” said Clive Harrop, Chief Operating Officer at Oyster. “Not only do we have a highly-skilled and dedicated team onsite to assemble and refit our beautiful boats, we’re minutes from Solent cruising where we initially test all our projects, whether they’re bespoke, or a new build of a traditional favourite.”

Saxon Wharf, a marine service centre, features a 200-ton boat hoist and can accommodate boats up to 80m (262ft). Aside from Oyster, tenants onsite include commercial ventures such as on-shore storage, training and boat repair. MDL’s Dry Stack facility offers secure dry berthing and on-demand launching and lifting for boats up to 13m (42ft).

Since the purchase of Oyster by Hadida the group has been steadily reviewing and developing the brand and investment to enhance the capacity and production of the Saxon Wharf site is planned for the future.

A few weeks ago the first sailing yacht hull made in-house at Oyster Yachts’ moulding facility in Norfolk was transported to Saxon Wharf. This was the hull of the 22.74m (74.6ft) in-build Oyster 745 which is now being completed in the Southampton yard and is due to be launched in March next year and delivered in June 2020. Oyster is understood to have an orderbook that extends for at least a year ahead.

www.ibinews.com

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The long running saga of the Greek Cruising Tax, known as the TEPAI, was due for implementation on 2 April 2019 following the first attempt to introduce it in 2014.

On Thursday May 9th, the Greek Government finally put the Tax into operation.

However, the launch was beset with issues from the outset. These ranged from the lack of any method of registering or paying the tax, despite promises that all would be in place, to the proposed manual system comprising duplicate forms at the Port Police and Customs which couldn't be used as they had no stock!

Christopher Robb, who has been liaising with the Greek authorities on behalf of Cruising Association members, advises caution when entering your information if you use an internet browser that uses "Autofill" as it keeps overwriting field with the wrong information.

For example, at least 50% of boats are now called by their owner's name and the author's yacht is now called "Mr", as the boat name was overwritten by the Autofill which has been incorrectly programmed on the Greek System. Several other problems have been reported and the CA is actively monitoring the situation with the Ministry.

The CA insisted on a PR campaign to aid the yachting community

From the outset, the CA had insisted that there was proper Publicity for all tax changes effecting the yachting community and, for the first time, the Greek Government has endeavoured to oblige, providing a master document of how the tax works in the form of an FAQ's document (Frequently Asked Questions). This will be available online and will be used by the Port Police to help them in their training. The CA hopes that this will help make dealing with Port Police around Greece more consistent.

The CA has a joint understanding with the Ministry for new questions and answers to be added to the FAQ's to cover unexpected situations, with updates to be regularly published on line. The CA also constantly updates Greek Regulations on its own website.

To find out more about the tax, go to www.aade.gr/polites/etepai -- Peta Stuart-Hunt

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France’s Beneteau Group reported positive results for the first half of its financial year ending 28 February 2019, noting a sustained level of business across both its Boat and Housing divisions.

The builder said revenues in the Boat Division posted a 5.6% gain for the period to €403.8 million (at constant exchange rates), assesing its growth rate to be twice that of the global market which is edging upwards at an estimated 2-3%. The company confirmed its previous outlook for 2019, with expected full-year revenue gains of 4-6%.

The company noted mixed results across regional markets with good sales in North America and Central America, while multihulls continued to drive strong fleet sales to charter firms. Results across Continental Europe generally progressed well, but sharp declines in the UK and Turkey pulled overall sales for the region down slightly in the first half. Beneteau characterised Asian-Pacific sales as contracting with “low activity levels.”

As of 31 March, the company said its order book for boats is up +4.3% based on reported data (+2.9% at constant exchange rates).

www.ibinews.com

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The RYA are set to return to this year’s Poole Harbour Boat Show in association with Sunseeker International, from 07-09 June 2019. The free to attend, south coast boat show, promises a weekend of family fun and everything boating.

Experts from the RYA will be on hand throughout the weekend with all the information you need to get out on-the-water this summer. So whether you’re looking for ‘Try Sailing’ opportunities, training courses, or want to know more about RYA membership, make sure to stop by the RYA stand (ER28) - East Quay area in front of the Thistle Hotel - to talk to the team.

As well as a marina full of boats and more than 200 exhibitors, this year visitors will also be able to get on the water and try sailing, powerboating, kayaking and paddle boarding with free taster sessions.

Marking the launch of the RYA’s ‘Try Sailing’ initiative, running from June - September, the ‘on the water’ sessions - facilitated by Rockley Watersports, Dorset Marine Training and the Yacht Clubs of Poole - are set provide show visitors with an opportunity to have a go and find out which on-the-water activity is right for them. Simply turn up, book a slot and get on-the-water, no experience necessary!

www.rya.org.uk/go/PooleHarbour

Eight Bells: Richard Matthews
Richard Matthews, a noted world class sailor who served as navigator for two significant America’s Cup crews, died May 11 in Fairfield, CT. He was 88.

Matthews served as navigator on America’s Cup challenger Vim in 1958, and in the same role with Weatherly in 1962. His brother Don Matthews was on both crews as well. Vim was runner up in the challenger trials to the eventual winner Columbia, and Weatherly won the Cup over Australia’s Gretel.

“In those days, most of the world’s best sailors cut their teeth on Long Island Sound,” Matthews had said. “We met Bus (Emil) Mosbacher (who skippered both Vim and Weatherly) racing dinghies out of Larchmont Yacht Club and were lucky enough to stay with him through both Cup campaigns in ’58 and ’62.”

Matthews sailed internationally in both the Star and Tempest classes. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1970s, and was part of an internationally noted local fleet that included noted sailmaker Lowell North and America’s Cup Skipper and two-time world champion Tom Blackaller. He moved to Hawaii in the 1990s and eventually back to Newport, Rhode Island in 2005, always insisting on living near the water.

Matthews is survived by his three children - Richard Matthews Jr., Lynn Matthews-Douglass, and Howard Bradley Matthews - and brother Don Matthews, five-grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. The family asks that donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Southington, CT (860-828- 2828).

www.sailingscuttlebutt.com

Featured Brokerage
2018 JPK 1180 - "SUNRISE". 350000 GBP. Located in the UK.

A VERY unique opportunity! Ancasta Race Boats are happy to inform you that the 2018 JPK 1180 "Sunrise" is now for sale. Incredible opportunity of securing one of these boats now, rather than joining the near 2 year waiting list for a new build!

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Sam Pearson - Ancasta Race Boats
+64 277733717
+44 2380 106582

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Fast Foot Sally - Gambler 40. 350,000 SKR.

Fantastic yacht with excellent racing results. Perfect also fo cruising with 8 full length berths. Interior handcrafted mahogany. Top condition. Professionally maintained. Extremely well equipped.

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact owner:

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1944 Ciclon Sparkman & Stephens 52 Ft Sloop. 195,000 GBP. Located in Cyprus.

Launched in Cuba in 1944 she was rarely off the podium - beating such legends as STORMY WEATHER and TICONDEROGA. Of course beautiful and fast, is it time now to reintroduce her to her sisters ?

See listing details in Seahorse's RaceboatsOnly

Contact
Barney Sandeman

+44 (0)1202 330077
33 High Street
Poole, Dorset
BH15 1AB
United Kingdom

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

The Last Word
An equation for me has no meaning, unless it expresses a thought of God. -- Srinivasa Ramanujan

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