Yachts & Yachting - January 2018 UK

The performance sailing magazine
£4.50
8
Issue #1717 January 2018
yachtsandyachting.co.uk
TONY LAWSON - OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT WINNER

BRING IT ON! EXPERT ADVICE
SOUTHERN Offshore
sailing
OCEAN
Volvo skippers on the
How to get started
PLUS on board
safety essentials
ultimate challenge
NEW
STEP-BY-STEP
Keelboat
playbook
Perfect your
round-the-cans
manoeuvres
NEW AMERICA’S CUP DESIGN REVEALED

FOILING 100FT TRI SMOOTH STEERING SPORTSBOATS TICKET OFFER
How did the new Gitana fare Steve Cockerill’s advice for We review the latest class Save on London
in her Transatlantic debut? super-slick dinghy handling trends including the HP30s Boat Show entry
Survival Solutions
Compact Affordable Superb Battery Life
EPIRB1/E100G MOB1
Emergency Positioning Indicating Man Over Board [Personal Locator inc. AIS & DSC]
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EDF1
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AIS Alarm Box
ing system for AIS MOB and SART
info@oceansignal.com www.oceansignal.com
THIS MONTH 58
JANUARY 2018
Analysis & advice 58 Sportsboat review

We take a look at the classes,
18 America’s Cup class
COVER STORY: Bob Fisher
kit and initiatives at the top of
the sportsboat world
talks to Ben Ainslie about the
radical new America’s Cup boat
24 COVER
Tony Lawson
STORY: We speak to
Equipment
the winner of our Outstanding & travel 52
Achievement award, the man
behind Concise and a great 68 COVER STORY: All you need
Tech focus
supporter of offshore racing to know in our safety special

18
28 COVER STORY: Rob Kothe
Southern Ocean
74 Travel: 2018
All the news from the travel
speaks to a number of companies for the upcoming
famous faces soon to head boating holiday season
into the Southern Ocean
in the Volvo Ocean Race 80 London Boat Show
All the information needed
34 Transat Jaques Vabre
How did the new foiling
to make the best of the
show, plus our ticket offer
Ultim trimaran perform in
her first transatlantic test? 82 New kit
Hot new launches for 2018
38 Get into offshore
COVER STORY: Rupert 84 Boat news
New boats and concepts
Holmes takes a look at the
best routes into offshore
racing and considers the
essential qualifications
REGULARS 38
44 COVER
Keelboat playbook
STORY: The first in our
6 News
10 News Spotlight
KURT ARRIGO; PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILINGENERGY; C/O EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
new series of step-by-step

guides. This month, tacking 13 Bob Fisher
48 British 49er sailor, Fynn Sterritt
Faster hoists 14 Andi Robertson
offers his top tips for faster

17 Andy Rice
spinnaker hoists NEW! 86 Clubs & Classes News
52 Smooth steering
Dinghy guru Steve Cockerill on
90 Clubs & Classes
98 Position
how to steer your boat without
losing speed
January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 3

EDITORIAL
Editor Georgie Corlett-Pitt
georgie.corlett-pitt@chelseamagazines.com
Deputy Editor Toby Heppell
Art Editor Claire Wood
Senior Sub Editor Henry Giles
Clubs & Classes Editor Paula Irish
club@yachtsandyachting.co.uk
Contributors: Steve Cockerill, Bob Fisher, Rupert Holmes,

Paula Irish, Rob Kothe, Sue Pelling, Andy Rice,
Andi Robertson, Mark Rushall, Fynn Sterritt
Cover image: Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race -
LLOYD IMAGES/TEAM CONCISE

AkzoNobel enters the Southern Ocean
Inset: Emirates Team New Zealand - AC75 concept
ADVERTISING
Jodie Green
+44 (0)207 349 3722
Offshore momentum
jodie.green@chelseamagazines.com
Mark Harrington
+44 (0)207 349 3787
mark.harrington@chelseamagazines.com
A
Hannah Stanton-Warren
s news broke recently that World Back to offshore, and Britain is gradually +44 (0)207 349 3734
Sailing is working towards an making its mark. The vision is, necessarily, a hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com
offshore world championship, it long term one. News that Hugo Boss continues PUBLISHING
is fitting that Y&Y this month has to back Alex Thomson offers a boost for Managing Director Paul Dobson
Deputy Managing Director Steve Ross
thrown a special emphasis onto our chances in the next Vendée Globe.
Finance Director Vicki Gavin
the offshore scene; from the challenge facing the Another established project is that of Team Publisher Simon Temlett
Volvo Ocean Race crews as they battle the Southern Concise. It was a real honour to spend time Publishing Consultant Martin Nott
Ocean, to the Ultims in the Transat Jaques Vabre. this month with the team’s owner and director, Marketing Manager Sophie Mazrekaj
sophie.mazrekaj@chelseamagazines.com
It is really going to be something to watch these Tony Lawson, philanthropic supporter of
giant foiling tris race around the globe as planned British offshore sailing and deserving winner WEBSITE
yachtsandyachting.co.uk
for 2019. We’ve also tips for those inspired to of our Outstanding Achievement Award in
Yachts & Yachting is published by
start their own offshore campaign - see page 38. the Y&Y Awards; see interview page 24. The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd,
Offshore racing it seems is gathering I’m really looking forward to presenting Tony and Jubilee House, 2 Jubilee Place, London SW3 3TQ
ever more momentum. There are several all our winners at our special ceremony 11 January Tel: +44 (0)20 7349 3700
factors at play here, including high profile at the London Boat Show. Come along to show your SMALL PRINT
exposure for sponsors, a growing appetite for support for our nominees © The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd 2017.
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this year to be a partner. It was one of a number the advice portrayed herein. The Chelsea Magazine Company Ltd makes every
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management with the advent of foiling, how to between readers and advertisers. Yachts & Yachting welcomes letters.
increase participation, particularly of female sailors,

and of course, the recently revealed America’s SUBSCRIPTIONS AND
BACK ISSUE ENQUIRIES
Cup designs and their incredible potential. Georgie Corlett-Pitt, Editor
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covering the successful helm James For more information or to subscribe go to chelseamagazines.com
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and beyond, who specialises medal at both CHELSEA

and author of in the keelboat the Worlds and
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NEWS
Macif on the charge

François Gabart sailing his Ultim, Macif, has Coville – who himself set an incredibly fast new Australia in 19 days 14 hours and 10 minutes
continued his solo round the word record record last year on his Ultim, Sodebo. (averaging over 26 knots). The time is an
attempt with some impressive pace. Gabart’s pace in the early part of the record improvement of 1 day 12 hours and 59 minutes
As we go to press the Frenchman has just attempt was particularly fast and has already on the record set this time last year by Coville.
passed New Zealand, having set off from seen him take a number of records. When he Now entering into the Pacific the Frenchman
France a mere 24 days ago. entered the Indian Ocean, Gabart established a reports the boat is sailing well, bar a few
This impressive turn of speed sees him over new solo reference time between Ouessant and breakages which have been repaired. The
740 miles ahead of the pace set by Thomas Cape Leeuwin, located in the southwest of record stands at 49 days, 3 hours.
Clipper fatality buried at sea

Tragedy struck the Clipper Round the World race this month with
the report of the fatality of Simon Speirs, a crew member on board
CV30, (Great Britain) on Sunday 18 November.
Simon, 60, a keen sailor from Bristol, was on the foredeck
assisting with a headsail change when he was washed overboard.
The Clipper Race reports that he was clipped on with his safety
tether, but became separated from the yacht in the Southern
Ocean in a rough sea state, in 20 knots of wind gusting 40.
The team managed to recover Simon within 36 minutes, at which
point CPR was administered by three medically trained crew, which
included a GP, but he never regained consciousness. The cause of
ROLEX/KURT ARRIGO; SUE PELLING
death is unconfirmed at this time but thought to be by drowning.

With thousands of miles to the nearest land, a sea burial was
carried out with the agreement of Simon’s family. Our thoughts are
with those he leaves behind.
6 Yachts & Yachting January 2018

IN
NUMBERS THEY SAID…
46,000
“The fact that it was a foiling project has
just made the decision easier, and when
the opportunity came to join as a
HP30 agrees new rule co-director I jumped at the chance.”
At a meeting on Monday 20 November, the HP30 class agreed Rob Andrews announces his new position with Foiling World, and its
to coalesce the maximum length of high performance yachts innovative foiler, the F101.
around a length of 30ft.

With a wide range of boats available in this sector, it was “It is definitely really appealing from a
deemed unnecessary to have such a wide gap between the competition standpoint. But
shortest and the longest boats and, as a consequence the the one thing I would say
maximum length for new boats should be 30ft (9.2m). Existing about this boat is it will
boats (boats with an IRC age date or series date prior to the 1 amount in GB Sterling be very expensive. It
January 2015) may remain at 9.5m. Boats that will still comply raised at the Sail
are: C&C30, Extreme-26, FarEast28, Farr30, Farr280,
Aid UK fundraising won’t be a cheap
Henderson30, MC31, Open 7.5, Pauger30, Seascape 27 and
dinner for Caribbean campaign to be
Soto30, to name a few. The class is in the process of finalising
successful.”
class starts at as many events as possible and the HP30 Class
Nationals will be hosted in Poole at the International Paints
2,995
number of nautical
British America’s Cup team
Principal, Land Rover BAR’s
Ben Ainslie, predicts the new
foiling 75ft, keel-less
Regatta; for more sportsboat updates, see page 58. miles to be sailed monohull is going to err on
in the RORC the pricey side.
Transatlantic Race
I just realised that

it is the first time I
7 spent so much time
on this boat. You
actually start to build a
relationship, an intimacy.
Tonnage weight of the It is her and you, and nobody
new AC75, Land Rover
BAR’s CEO predicts
else around. It is something that
never happens when sailing
with a crew, or even solo for
22
short races.”
Francois Gabbart gets to know the trimaran Macif on his solo round
the world record attempt.
New America’s Cup boat Teams that have

“This morning perhaps the decision to
go into stealth mode by Brunel was an
entered the RORC
Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada have
Transatlantic Race, attempt to finally get away from us. I am
released early details of the monohull to be used for the a new record fleet
36th America’s Cup.
not sure, however, it has worked for
them as I can see their lights behind us
3
The new boat is a foiling, keel-less monohull with a pair of
ballasted foils. But, although the release gives a general outline
and a green triangle on my computer
of the class, there are still any number of specifics to be
screen once again!”
New course records Vestas 11th Hour Racing’s Simon Fisher reports on the not-quite
answered by the time the final class rule is released in March. in the Transat stealth mode (where Volvo teams can elect not to have their position
For a detailed analysis of the release, see page 18. Jacques Vabre reported for 24 hours once per leg) from Brunel.
In the interim, many Cup teams are turning to the TP52 to
keep their sailing team up to speed in monohull sailing. The
New York Yacht Club – which announced its intention to enter
“There’s drainage wind at night and no
47
the Cup in the autumn of 2017 – will be sailing in the TP52s as
wind in the morning. Then the gradient
wind comes in late morning and during
LLOYD IMAGES; JESÚS RENEDO/WORLD SAILING
will many members of Land Rover BAR – which has teamed up

with Tony Langley’s Gladiator TP52 campaign. the afternoon, as temperatures rise in
Most recently, Challenger of Record for the Cup, Luna Rossa Africa, it weakens the gradient and the
Prada has announced this month, it intends to participate in Knots, the speed to breeze drops here.”
beat if the new AC
the TP52 Super Series in 2018 with a two-boat campaign, boat is to be quicker
It was a real case of ‘it’s not normally like this’ in Lanzarote for the
RC44s, as reported by Star World Champion, Ed Adams.
perhaps indicating a willingness to spend big. than the last

¶
IN BRIEF
Recognised Swiss TV producer
Roman Brunisholz, from Cocoon
Productions, has won the inaugural
Mirabaud Sailing Video Award. His
video features a 10-year-old girl,
Marie, who sails an Optimist dinghy Star Champions
and dreams to compete offshore. The fifth edition of the their sailing
Star Sailors League achievements in
Raised The 21st North Sails Golf (SSL) Finals in Nassau, different classes
Day raised over £6,000 for the John Bahamas will take place throughout this year.
Merricks Sailing Trust, bringing the from 4-9 December, British Olympian Ben
total to date up to nearly £200,000. crowning the champion Saxton, the current
of champions for the Nacra 17 world
2017 Star Sailors champion, is amongst
League. the line-up of top
The regatta looks sailors competing for a
set to be a fiery affair $200,000 prize purse,
among the top 10 Star
Sailors of the SSL
along with Torben Grael
and Paul Cayard.
Yacht Racing Forum
Ranking and 15 VIP Fans can watch the The tenth Yacht Racing Forum attracted 270
skippers invited for event live online. industry experts and top international sailors to
Aarhus, Denmark to discuss some of the sport’s
biggest opportunities and challenges. The
impressive line-up of speakers included Ian
Walker, World Sailing’s Kim Andersen and Gary
Jobson, and Bart’s Bash founder Tony Bishop.
Foiled The Andrew Simpson Topics debated ranged from sustainability and
Foiling Centre in Portland will offer participation programmes, to design and
foiling courses from 2018. Learn to management of the America’s Cup, Volvo
Foil courses to Advanced Foiling Ocean Race and other high profile events.
Skills and Coaching in a variety of Also announced at the Forum was the winner
boats, will be available. The centre will of the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image of the Year.
have Lasers and RS Aeros, both of Sören Hesse took the top award for his unique
which will be adapted with Glide Free multi-layered aerial shot taken during the
kits. Additionally, America’s Cup team German 505 National Championships.
Artemis Racing donated two Foiling
Nacra 20s and two Phantoms.
Hugo Boss Hugo Boss has Duo to head VOR GREAT READING
confirmed its continued support of Following the shock announcement that Mark
Alex Thomson racing as the British Turner is set to step down as CEO of Volvo Ocean
VENICE MARINA Haven at the heart of an iconic port city
This month our sister

sailor aims to top the podium of the Race after what appears to be a difference of magazine, Sailing Today JANUARY 2018 | sailingtoday.co.uk | £4.50
WIN Tickets to London & Paris Boat Shows

HOME WATERS
next Vendée Globe, which starts in opinion as to the direction of the race’s future with
BOAT TEST
goes head-to-head boat Round Britain

The highs and lows of an epic passage
Double
Dufour
412 & 460 go
OVERSEAS head to head
2020. Though not yet announced, it the Volvo board, a pair of replacements have been testing with the Dufour 410
Idyllic Istria
Croatia's best kept secret
seems likely the partnership will build found to take over the role. and 60, discover the highs
a new IMOCA 60 for the race. Richard Brisius and Johan Salén have been and lows of sailing round ECO ISSUE INTERVIEW
Adrian
GO GREEN
appointed as President and co-President of the Britain and take on the Is electric propulsion the way forward?
The W1DA: the first zero emissions yacht?
Flanagan
Polonium, Putin and the
North East Passage
Skipper Giles Scott is expected to Volvo Ocean Race. The duo founded Atlant Ocean
LEE BOWING PAUL HEINEY WIND GENNIES TOM CUNLIFFE
complex issue of lee

Adaptnga acng Thejoy of fi ting Fnd therghteco power A novel way to retreve
techniqueforcruisng out ahead of tme foryourboatandbudget a manoverboard
JCLIPPER RACE/BRUCE SUTHERLAND; NSRI; IAN ROMAN; JACQUES VAPILLON
skipper an Extreme Sailing Series Racing together and have worked with seven Volvo bowing. Classic Boat goes
ass cBoat
JANUARY 2018
S W
IN
ET O
K SH
W
TICAT
O
B
regatta for the first time as he looks Ocean Race campaigns over the past 28 years, behind the scenes with T H E W O R L D’ S M O S T B E A U T I F U L B O A T S
Proper
to boost the Land Rover BAR starting as sailors in the 1989-90 race, before finding Colin Firth as Donald little yacht
But would Mr Mylne
have approved?
Academy entry in Mexico. success with team management, including winning Crowhurst, sail a pilot cutter
efforts EF Language (1997-98) and Ericsson 4 with a fin and bulb keel and PHOTO
SPECIAL
Headed The Barcelona World (2008-09), as well as second place finishers, Assa
30 years
provide a stunning photo

of classics
WINTER
TIPS
Oil lamps
Race 2018-19 has put together the Abloy (2001-02), and Intrum Justitia (1993-94).
and stoves
special celebrating 30 years COLIN FIRTH

IS CROWHURST Pilot cutter with
We go behind the scenes fin & bulb keel
Race Management team, which will Most recently, the pair managed Team SCA, the of classics. MODERN CLASSIC MALDON REGATTA LALLOWS BOATYARD
www c as i boat o k
£4 95
Historic new sloop Smacks and barges The Ted Heath years
be headed up by Jacques Caraës. all-female entry, in the last edition of the race.

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MAKING SAILS THE WAY YOU WANT
e
st. 965
1
WORLD SAILING
From an Offshore Worlds to Virtual Sailing, there was much to emerge
T
he World Sailing annual organisation is run, the removal of announced its intention to introduce the
conference has concluded in sailing from the Paralympics (and the Offshore World Championship.
Mexico, with a number of associated threat to Olympic sailing) or Selection of equipment, dates and
interesting and progressive some combination of factors, this year’s venue as well as arrangements of the
initiatives announced, conference seems to have bucked the Worlds will be decided by World Sailing’s
including a virtual world championship, trend and made some solid progress. board of directors in consultation with
an offshore world championship, and the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, so
some substantive discussion about CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR ALL there is a way to go yet, but the broad
gender balance within the sport. A long-standing issue for sailing is the idea will be to race offshore in a one
The annual conference, which takes disparate nature of the sport. Technically, design class. More contentious will be
place in a different country each year in of course, World Sailing represents global the introduction of a Virtual Sailing
November, is important with various governance for all aspects of sailing and World Championship. Here, a joining
committees discussing proposals that oversees the sport’s rules. But with Virtual Regatta to hold an officially
can have ramifications across the entire involvement in offshore sailing is sanctioned electronic championship was
sport globally. But this importance, minimal at best, and as a result it is easy announced. The resulting eSailing World
coupled with a circuitous system of to see World Sailing as merely the Championships will take place annually
committees and sub committees can also organisation responsible for running and will begin in 2018.
make it something of an exercise in Olympic and youth dinghy competitions. Already there has been a host of
indecision and red tape. In an attempt to rebalance this (and commentary on the suitability of virtual
But whether it is the appointment of possibly with a view to future Olympic sailing competitions being run by a
BRIAN CARLIN
Kim Andersen as the new CEO of the Games becoming more representative of sporting organisation and body. Kim
organisation, a mix up of how the the whole sport) World Sailing Andersen said: “Sailing is well suited to

NEWS SPOTLIGHT WORLD SAILING
SHAKE-UP
from this year’s World Sailing annual conference. TOBY HEPPELL reports
digital presentation. The sport requires Above OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS the proposal and the 49er and 49erFX
The closest there
constant inputs and an acquired skillset is to an Offshore
The racing format for the Tokyo 2020 fleets will now sail an opening series and
to manage the relationship between the Worlds at present Games was decided. The men’s and a single double points medal race. They
are events like the
boat and the forces of nature. Solitaire du Figaro
women’s 470, Finn, Laser and Laser also noted the Nacra 17 format had not
“The variety in boats, from dinghies, Radial will all sail an opening series, been fully tested but it’s expected they
windsurfers to 100 foot boats makes it followed by a double point medal race. will retain their opening series and a
especially rich as a gaming platform.” Men’s and women’s RS:X sailors will single medal race.
This may be true but a likely also sail an opening series and a double Finally, World Sailing has officially
expressed an interest to the International
Debate on the 49er and 49erFX medal race Paralympic Committee (IPC) to be
format proposed three races on the final day

included in the Paris 2024 Paralympic
Games Sports Programme.
The IPC officially confirmed that
consideration, also, is stamping World point medal race; however when the sailing was one of eight sports not
Sailing’s authority on the digital world wind conditions suit planing, they will currently on the Paralympic Programme
with a view to protecting its interests in have a reaching start and finish. that notified them about their intent to
sailing should automation continue World Sailing’s Council had a apply for Paris 2024. The process is
apace. Were this step not taken and a discussion and debate on the 49er and underway, at least. Places will be
electronic sports body founded for 49erFX medal race format. The Events available at the 2018 Asian Games, 2019
sailing, which would ultimately have the Committee proposed that three single Pan-Am Games and 2019 World
strongest claim to control of races where point races on the final day could be Championships. Further places will be
an ‘intelligent’ autopilot is used? sailed. However, Council voted against available at continental events.

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leg cramps but no more! It’s also really flexible which is great since the Laser
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Bob Fisher
OPINION
It would be a crying shame were the next America’s Cup not to be
held in New Zealand, but it is a possibility in the modern era
O
ne might be forgiven
for believing the next
America’s Cup venue is
Auckland, New Zealand,
but nothing in this
hyper-traditional event is anything but
settled in the way to which we once grew
accustomed. Not since Larry Ellison
took umbrage at the City Fathers of San
Francisco, who wanted a fair rent for
the waterside facilities, and couldn’t be
persuaded by the promise of increased
revenue in the city, so he upped his
event and took it out of the country, has And what of the future of the foiling monohull?
the cup seen a ‘traditional’ transition. Foil-assisted boats race across the oceans already
NZ$5 million was given to Team
New Zealand (in July 2017 from the the winning team wants to hold it in Above the contraption. One would suggest
Emirates Team
then national government) to get the their home waters – as was the custom New Zealand
very little if they foil as designed. What
ball rolling for the next America’s until the Swiss victory by Alinghi. training in a surprise this must be for the New
Auckland. But
Cup in 2021. It was made with the That was the last time that the Cup will this be the
York Yacht Club syndicate, which had
expectation it would be held in was held in Auckland. Dalton added next Cup venue? secured the exclusive services of the
Auckland, but it wasn’t conditional. that under the terms of the Protocol, if Botin partnership – hardly what it
A study made at the time pointed the America’s Cup wasn’t held in New expected. And what about all those
to hosting the Cup there could be Zealand, it would be held in the country who had secured sailing partnerships in
worth close to NZ$1 billion to national of the Challenger of Record, Italy. theTP52 class; they have perhaps found
economy and result in the creation of One hopes that the negotiations that they are barking up the wrong tree.
more than eight thousand jobs. The between ETNZ and the New Zealand The announcement of the new class
NZ$5 million was given to the team government regarding a multi-million by the Defender and the Challenger
to retain key members while it was dollar fee that the team requires for of Record comes as no surprise to
finalising the way the next regatta holding the Cup in Auckland come those who understand the ways of the
would be run and sponsorship and to fruition. It would mean success for America’s Cup. The Kiwis had mastered
associated funding put in place. both sides. While it may not actively the design of their foils, and the way
The government hoped that its scout for other locations, there is to sail on them when they won. It was
investment would help to protect considerable interest with plenty of highly unlikely, therefore, that they
the international property together money involved, although ETNZ would scrap foiling from their defence.
with skills and experience the team confirms its desire to hold the Cup And they obviously had no problems in
had generated in the past. It wasn’t in in New Zealand, and happily says convincing the Luna Rossa syndicate that
any way made conditional on AC36 that it is “making good progress with they were moving in the right direction.
being held in New Zealand because both council and government”. But what of the future of the foiling
it was realized that ETNZ needed They have even managed to get monohull? No less an authority as boat
to be able to negotiate freely, but one of their rival skippers, none other designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian, doubts
one understands that it was clearly than Sir Ben Ainslie, on their side. He there will be much of a trickledown
accepted that the home venue would indicated that it would be astonishing of foiling into the wider world of
be chosen. The Royal New Zealand and a huge shame if the next Cup sailing. Yet there are foil-assisted boats
Yacht Squadron has to decide the venue races weren’t in New Zealand. He said: racing across the oceans already. True,
and the type of course by August. “With the history of support for the they don’t come clear of the water,
CHRIS CAMERION/EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Necessarily offers have been received event in Auckland and New Zealand, it but one feels it will not be long.
from overseas countries: one such is would be an amazing occurrence and One of the biggest All in all, the proposed new boat will
names in yachting
reportedly an offer of US$80 million a real shame if that didn’t go ahead.” journalism, Bob
excite the spectators (live or watching
to go to the Middle East and there are And then there is the matter of the Fisher has a passion via television screens) and there will
and depth of
others in the wings. Grant Dalton, the ‘boat’. Just how much of the 75ft hull knowledge that’s
be close boat-to-boat challenges. What
head of the Kiwi team, confirmed that has any effect on the overall speed of second to none more can you ask of an America’s Cup?

Andi Robertson
YACHTS
What does it take to win? Louise Morton’s all-female Quarter Tonner team
aims to build a solid core crew and up practice time for the 2018 season
O
ne all-girls crew quietly
going about its business
is Cowes-based Louise
Morton’s team on
the Quarter Tonner
Bullit. Winners in 2016, Morton was
disappointed with her tenth this year
and so has stepped up her programme
for the 2018 challenge. She’s looking to
a solid core crew to commit to more
time on the water, making fewer changes
between events and, most importantly,
taking on a coach in the form of Andrew
Palfrey, the 2008 Star class Olympian
and past Etchells world champion.
“In essence we did not have enough I arrived almost directly from the J-Class Worlds
practice time this year, it was a very
busy year for work (Morton runs the
and so was exhausted and I think that showed
J-Class but has just resigned) and that
showed. The fleet has moved on and And, while she is an advocate for Above on the cards, two Fast 40+ racers and a
Bullit in action;
looking at Sam Laidlaw’s Aguila they much more integration of women the all-female
56 footer. It has had to expand its design
were impeccable, just very consistent. into top class grand prix crews, crew is out to win office and, I believe, has taken Pure
again in 2018
They were a reminder of what you theirs is not especially a campaign Engineering more or less in house. Of
have to do to win. I loved winning. I which is out to prove themselves course, it has also signed as the exclusive
did not enjoy coming tenth. We have a equal or better than a male team. design partners for New York Yacht
really good group of girls but it is not “I have sailed with male crews and Club’s Bella Mente Quantum Racing
so easy to have them commit fully as I have sailed with all women and I Association for the 36th America’s Cup.
some have babies now and so we have prefer sailing with the girls. We have “I guess this is a confirmation that
agreed what we need to do for 2018.” a great atmosphere on board, there we have been doing things right these
Says Morton: “I came to the Quarter Ton is a strict no blame culture. They are last 10 years.” Partner Adolfo Carrau
Cup almost directly from the J-Class nice people to spend a weekend or smiles: “When we look back 10 years
Worlds and so was pretty exhausted a few days with. There is a fabulous or so we only had the one TP52, but
and I think that showed on the water. level of confidence on board and I there has been so much hard work
We need to pick our peak regattas. am so fortunate to be able to sail with since: we take the TP52 class very
“On the water we have a well set- some of the best girls in Britain.” seriously and it is paying off for us now.
up boat. But, for example, Aguila She adds: “I do think we should be “There is not a lot of connection
turned up to every race with the same treated as equals and we have proven between the TP52 and the new Cup
crew, practised and well prepared and we can win together. It works well in the design, but in general there will be a lot
I think that is a useful benchmark. Quarter Tonner because the loads are of activity outside of the Cup as well
The standard of the fleet is very not so high. On bigger boats strength over the next four years. I cannot see
high and really any one of 12 teams can be an issue but I do want to see more that many teams coming in to do the
had a good chance of winning.” girls getting on in sailing. I do think that Cup. In the meantime the super pro
So Morton has already discussed a generally women can be missing that teams are going to push up the level of
work plan with Palfrey and will get going real drive and aggression that some guys the owners in the 52 Class. Away from
at the end of January. They will do some bring on board which they can channel, the Cup, I can only see growth in these
training weekends, then the Warsash but on the other hand I think we, as other areas. We have a lot of interest in
spring regattas, the Vice Admiral’s Cup, a crew, sail smoother and there is less the 52s and, now, the 72s but in general
leading up to the Quarter Ton Cup. friction than with some male crews.” I can see the Melges 40 coming on
Charlotte Lawrence, Lucy and Nicky Elsewhere, one design office which strong soon too. They are really good
Few people
Macgregor, Vicky Lenz and Bethan has never been busier is the Santander- can match Andi
boats which only now we are starting
Carden form a formidable core team. based Botin Partners. It has seven new Robertson’s insight to see the best of. They are super fast,
RICK TOMLINSON
into the big boat

Some, like Lawrence, have sailed TP52s at various advanced stages of world, both in the
accelerate quickly and it will take three
with Louise for more than 10 years. design, has the new Maxi 72 Bella Mente UK and globally to four years to see the fleets grow.”

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Andy Rice
DINGHIES
Is there really such a thing as natural talent? If we are honest with ourselves,
how often do we let ourselves think there is to provide an excuse
W
hy is it that some
people can get
into a boat they’ve
never raced before
and instantly do
well, while others who have been racing
that boat for most of their lives never
seem to get any better? It brings us back
to that old chestnut, that perennial
question about whether the lucky few
are just born with talent that the rest
of us can never aspire to match.
Ask any ‘talented’ athlete what
their secret is, however, and they’ll
say it’s down to hard work, grit and
determination. It’s easy to take a Every decision came easily and there was so much
disliking to the naturally talented
because they were ‘destined’ for success.
time to think. Team racing is sailing’s answer to futsal
It’s much easier to admire those that
have worked through blood, sweat would play one shot to my forehand, Above are so good on the ball. Futsal is played
Team racing, with
and tears to achieve their goals. one shot to my backhand, and then its fast decision
on a much smaller pitch with a heavier
I’ve just read a book called ‘Bounce’ back again, over and over,” he writes. making can ball, and a Liverpool University analysis
improve your
by Matthew Syed, who back in the 1990s The training was repetitive and fleet racing skills
of the game concluded that players
was Britain’s number one ranked table arduous, but nothing as to what he was touch the ball six times more per minute
tennis player. When he was about 10, to find out next. China has always been than in a traditional football game.
Matthew’s parents bought him and his the big daddy of table tennis, just as Reaction times and ball-handling have
brother Andrew a full-size table tennis Brazil has dominated world football. to be much quicker and more precise.
table for Christmas. They’d never showed So when Olympic champion Chen Futsal could well be the key to creating
any interest before, but once it was there Xinhua came to live in England, Syed great football players, young go-kart
they started playing against each other. approached the retired legend for some drivers go on to become great Formula
They got pretty good, good enough to coaching. Xinhua agreed, and subjected One drivers, and the best big boat
start playing for their school in Reading. Syed to the regime that had made him sailors almost always have come from a
Living nearby was a primary school great. No more the predictable routine, strong background in small dinghies.
teacher called Mr Charters whose but a series of quick fire balls being shot If you’ve ever struggled to see
passion and unorthodox approach seemingly at random by Xinhua at Syed. the tactical wood for the trees on a
to sports coaching had made him Over the coming weeks and months, championship racecourse, I could
the nation’s top coach in table tennis. Syed started to get the balls back as highly recommend team racing. After
Having seen the Syed brothers play, his reactions improved. So Xinhua three years of team racing competition
Mr Charters invited them to join his made the table 50 per cent wider than at university, getting back out on to a
local club called Omega, which was normal, and Syed was struggling to championship course in the Fireball
a hot-bed of table tennis talent; so cover the ground from side to side. fleet, every decision came so easily and
much so that in the mid-1980s just one When he went back to a standard- there was so much time to think. Team
street in Reading, Silverdale Road (the sized table again, though, it felt easy. racing is sailing’s answer to futsal. If
Syeds lived at number 119) accounted Syed’s conclusion, from his own you’ve ever seen the legendary sci-fi
for almost half of all of England’s experience and investigating other movie The Matrix, getting good at team
international table tennis stars. athletes and nations who have been racing is like operating in ‘Bullet Time’.
Syed’s argument is that he was not labelled as ‘talented’, is that they’re But more than anything, the next
born talented, but born lucky; lucky not innately talented. The talent we Musto Skiff sailor
time you’re beaten on the racecourse,
to have grown up in that unique set of observe is the result of what Syed calls Andy Rice has ask yourself if it’s a lack of talent that’s
unparalleled
TIM PIPER/JUICE PHOTOGRAPHY
circumstances. From the age of 15 to 19, ‘purposeful practice’. In the case of Brazil, knowledge of
holding you back. Or if you made
Syed become very skilled at table tennis Syed and others have concluded that the the dinghy sailing time for some purposeful practice,
scene, from
practising the standard routines used street game of futsal has played a strong grassroots to
is there a chance that you might
in England at the time. “My opponent role in creating so many players who Olympic level actually do better next time?

AMERICA’S CUP CLASS FEATURE
AC MONOHULL
REVEALED
After a promised return to a monohull, most expected a traditional
design for the next America’s Cup. Not so, as BOB FISHER reports
T
he general shape of the team praised his design coordinator, Above that the concept of the proposed boat
The released
craft to be raced in the 36th Dan Bernasconi and his work with renderings show
have reached this stage ahead of time.
America’s Cup was revealed the Italian design team, saying: “There a lot of potential, But there is more to come before
but are a long way
recently and there is no (has been) a lot of excitement building from revealing too
the class rule is due at the end of
doubt that it will have its around the boat in the development many specifics March. Dalton went on to say,
critics. Ever since Emirates Team New and in getting to this point.” excitingly, that: “The boat has the
Zealand won the Cup for the Royal New There is no doubt that the two teams potential to be faster than an AC50
Zealand Yacht Squadron in Bermuda have been burning the midnight oil to both upwind and downwind.”
in June, its design team has joined develop such a complex craft on paper Bernasconi described: “This design
forces with its Italian counterpart, the to the state it is now. Grant Dalton’s process has been new territory
Challenger of Record’s Luna Rossa praise for his team does not take into for the team, starting with a clean
design team, to produce the basic account the enormous amount he sheet to develop a class – and we’ve
outline of the single-hulled craft that personally has put in. The number loved it. We wanted to see how far
will be used in 2021 in Auckland. of Emirates Airline tickets between we could push the performance of
On revealing the initial design Auckland and Milan are too numerous monohulled yachts to create a foiling
concept, Grant Dalton, CEO of the Kiwi to list. His peregrinations have ensured boat that would be challenging to

FEATURE AMERICA’S CUP CLASS
AC75 IN DETAIL It will be challenging to sail, and will require

The released design for the an athletic and very talented crew
AC75 is for consultation with
interested parties, but the broad sail and thrilling to match race... We Above will be an extremely high performance
The ballasted
ideas are certainly there. can’t wait to see it on the water.” hydrofoils can be
boat bringing issues with it. He said:
configured in a “It will be challenging to sail, and
number of ways
Hull - Unlike the AC50 cats, the EARLY SUPPORTERS to enable, fast
will require an athletic and very
AC75 hull will be an open design. One has to consider the input of or safe foiling, talented crew. Every crew member
mooring and even
This means teams boats will the Challenger of Record, and Luna self-righting
will have a key role both in the
probably be visually different with Rossa admitted that the choice manoeuvres and in racing the boat;
key considerations being given of a single hulled vessel was a the tight crossings and the circling
to aerodynamic efficiency and fundamental condition for it to be in the pre-starts – which are part of
transitioning from foiling to floating. involved in the Cup once again. the America’s Cup tradition – will
Its chairman, Patrizio Bertelli, it be back on show, but at significantly
Foils - The hydrofoils will be will be remembered, pulled his team higher speeds. It is a new concept,
ballasted (probably built from from the last Cup because Oracle Team and I am sure that its development
Stainless Steel) to provide USA reduced the size of the catamaran will bring interesting surprises.”
righting moment as the boats without universal agreement – when
fly on their leeward foil with he had already completed a great deal BRITISH VIEWPOINT
the windward raised. They will of his design research. His reaction was As to Land Rover BAR’s position at
also keep boats upright when clear: “This is not a return to the past, this stage, Grant Simmer, the newly
stationary (both foils down). but rather a step towards the future.” appointed CEO, had this to say: “It
He went on to hint at trickle down is a severe challenge for the sailors;
Rig – Perhaps the biggest question technology reaching not just mainstream just as big a challenge for the design
mark. Stated aims are not to be racing yachts, but cruising yachts too. team, which has already tackled the
craned in each day, precluding That potential will surely satisfy many concept”, adding: “There is host of
a solid wing, perhaps a soft- critics of the far-fetched multihulls. concepts to be tackled by any of the
wing? There will also be a code The team director of Luna Rossa, Max design teams and they will be working
0 for downwind in the light. Sirena, summed up the new concept overtime, but as Grant specifically
from a sailor’s viewpoint, admitting it expressed: “It will be six days a week

AMERICA’S CUP CLASS FEATURE
here in the early stages, as we don’t a jump ahead if we get the conceptual Above left like the catamarans of the previous Cup.
Grant Simmer,
want to drain them too early. The load approach right from the start. This is the new CEO of
It is likely to be close to 100 feet high
will come on the design team once the a very exciting time for the team.” Land Rover BAR and tapered with a rounded leading
concept stage has been accomplished Grant’s appreciation of the situation Above right edge – not the ideal shape and size for
and when greater knowledge of the is clear. Each team must approach the Ben Ainslie is an extrusion. Presumably they will all
positive about the
design parameters is known.” planning of its design with care and new America’s be manufactured at the same factory
Ben Ainslie, when asked of his view remember the faults they made in Cup class and this will keep the measurers busy.
said: “The future of sailing just got a lot AC35 – they will be very relevant in It’s unlikely there will be any
more interesting,” adding that he was the configuration of the new concept’s reefing of the one-design mainsail.
looking forward to the next Cup, and design. True, the teams that were in Instead a smaller mainsail may be
describing the concept as an “incredible Bermuda have experience with foils, mandated, presumably when the wind
sporting and technical challenge”. but there is rather more to the 75ft reaches close to the limit for racing.
Perhaps somewhat pointed was monohull than that. To start with, This is likely to be in the 6–24 knots
his comment: “We look forward to it is basically unstable as it relies range and the craft is expected to
the opportunity to consult with them on the foils for the ‘keel’ effect. foil downwind in 7 knots True and
ahead of the final class rule being Where will this instability put the upwind in 9 knots True. These are quite
announced at the end of March.” crews in the pre-start manoeuvres? impressive figures for a 7-ton craft.
He went on: “We can’t wait to start The boats can have the foils sticking Simmer, when questioned about
tackling the design and engineering out (generally to windward) and this the construction of the BAR boats was
challenges in this new class. What alone will create problems for the firm: “We will be making some of the
we do know is that we’re going to be skippers and tacticians when at close component parts in-house,” he said, “but
foiling again, and that in the right quarters. And on the subject of foils, the 75ft hull is beyond us. For that we
conditions, this boat will be as quick how will they be moved and adjusted? will have to go outside.” When pressed
as or quicker than the AC50 foiling
catamarans raced in the last Cup.
“The sport has gained a lot of new
A new class of boat means a blank sheet of
fans and this boat, delivered with a paper... This is an exciting time for the team
global circuit and high-quality free-
to-air broadcast TV will cement This cannot be done manually, it has as to where this might be, he said: “Jason
their interest in the America’s Cup to be achieved by hydraulics and Carrington has taken a lease of the
and build on a very strong base.” thereby provides another problem. In (former) Green Marine facility, and that
Overall, Ainslie’s support of the last Cup most teams had four men would be perhaps our first choice, given
the concept is not surprising; last on grinders to generate the energy its proximity to our own headquarters.”
time his technical team came required to activate the hydraulics, and There is a very close liaison between
close, but peaked too soon. the Kiwis used pedal power to free up the new CEO and Ainslie as the head of
some hands needed for trim. This will the team – they share an office and as
CONCEPT CHALLENGES not happen in these new boats. Battery Grant said: “We discuss each problem
When asked what the British team’s power is the perceived answer and in before reaching a decision. Each of us
approach was likely to be, Simmer order to standardise this a one-design has our strengths and Ben knows the
replied: “This new class is a real challenge battery will probably be used. That will limits of each member of the team.”
for our design and sailing team. It’s also take some organising to ensure they all The first launch of an AC75 cannot be
a great opportunity. A new class of boat leave the dock with the same charge. before 31 March 2019, so there’s a little
means a blank sheet of paper, and while What could also take some over a year to go – not very long for the
we can use much of what was learned organisation is the mast, which looks designers and technicians to get their
in AC35 about systems, foils and the likely to support a double luffed sail to houses in order and in the meantime
associated design and engineering, give a soft aerofoil shape without having smaller concepts will be trialled: 2018
there’s also a great opportunity to take to go to the hassle of a ‘solid’ mainsail looks to be a very busy time.

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OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT Y&Y AWARDS
WINNE
Outs R
Achietvanding
ement
Y&Y
AWAR
DS
TONY LAWSON
A decade of dedication to the British offshore scene has
seen Team Concise smashing records and launching careers.
GEORGIE CORLETT-PITT talks to the man behind the project
O
n meeting Tony Lawson, high profile offshore sailors, including to sail, they are there to improve
his wholehearted Henry Bomby, Sam Goodchild, Jack performance and, ultimately, to win.”
passion for offshore Bouttell and Annabel Vose – just a few An ethos of fair play as well as being a
sailing is unmistakable. of the dozens of young sailors who have team player are clearly non-negotiable.
The force behind Team benefited from Lawson’s programme. Whilst Team Concise has no formal
Concise, Tony is a great supporter The team also attracts experienced recruitment process, consideration is
of British offshore racing and for the hands, with Jonny Malbon and Paul given to any aspiring young sailor who
past 10 years has been offering young Larsen involved from the start both as makes the effort to get in touch. This
sailors a unique opportunity to gain sailors and mentors, and most recently, includes a number of female sailors,
experience and break into ocean Giles Scott fortifying the team. several of whom have had the chance to
racing. Whether they are kickstarting Scott was on board when the MOD run their own campaigns on board the
a career in professional sailing or 70 tri had not one but two major wins snazily branded Class 40 HedKandi.
merely pursuing it to the highest this summer – firstly the Round the
possible level as a sport, ocean racing Island Race line honours record of EARLY EXPERIENCE
is at the forefront of the Team Concise 2 hours, 22 minutes, which the big Lawson’s enthusiasm for offshore
programme. Underlying that is Lawson’s blue boat broke by an incredibly tense sailing is perhaps not surprising when
aim to boost the British presence on the one minute, and again a few weeks you consider his first taste of sailing
international offshore scene. And with later, taking line honours in the Rolex (aged 18) was a transatlantic crossing
numerous wins and records set, he and
his team have certainly achieved that.
Lawson explains: “I have always been
Lawson firmly believes that
interested in the offshore side of things improvement comes in increments
above and beyond any other sort of
sailing; it’s an opportunity to build real Fastnet Race in 42 hours, 55 minutes. on a Dutch sailing cargo boat, on a
relationships and personal attachments, But far from being an academy passage from Guernsey to Barbados.
over days or weeks, rather than hours for rockstars, the team’s philosophy On landing in Carlisle Bay, Lawson was
at a time. It’s also an opportunity to is centred around nurturing talent immediately smitten by the warm blue
experience nature. Even powering and encouraging effective team waters, and for the next two and a half
along at 20-30 knots, the Atlantic is a relationships. Lawson firmly believes years made the island his home, teaching
unique place. It’s dangerous, yes, but that improvement comes in increments, geography at a private school. During
a great privilege at the same time.” something achieved by hard work the long school holidays, he grabbed
To date, the Team Concise fleet has and shared responsibility. “Everybody every opportunity to sail, undertaking
comprised a number of Class 40s, a on board has to contribute; the delivery trips and working in boatyards
MOD 70 trimaran, and most recently a regular question during training on the neighbouring island of Grenada.
GEORGIE CORLETT-PITT
Diam 24OD. The list of Team Concise is ‘what would you do to bring a A chance opportunity led to his first
alumni is impressive; the team has one per cent improvement?’ Our restaurant business, which in turn led
been a launch pad for a number of now team members are not there just to his first job in construction – an

Lawson’s
enthusiasm for
offshore sailing is
perhaps not
surprising...
his first taste, aged
18, was a transat
on a Dutch sailing
cargo boat
November 2017 Yachts & Yachting 25

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT Y&Y AWARDS
industry in which he has since gone on boat, practice on a small one first” – was Above such as the 2010 Round Britain and
The MOD 70
to forge a successful business – taking dispensed by Ned Collier Wakefield, Concise 10 fully
Ireland race (setting a new 40ft world
at that time, the chance to sail some of Lawson’s young skipper on board powered up in record), the Normandy Channel Race,
training earlier
the finest racers of the day, including a catamaran he had chartered with this year
the 2011 RORC Caribbean 600, the
Gitana 4, Lord Jim, Ticonderoga, friends and colleagues in Croatia. 2011 Transatlantic Race, and the 2011
Storm Voegl and a number of others. The fast-growing Class 40 seemed Transat Jacques Vabre Prologue.
Then came a friendly challenge from to hold the answer, and Concise 1 was In 2014, the team’s third British
visiting Antigua sailors, responsible soon commissioned. Despite hopes designed Class 40 hit the water. However,
for Antigua Sailing Week. By then, that the boat would be of British design repeated structural issues saw Ned and
Lawson had saved enough to buy his and build, circumstances conspired his team forced to retire, first from the
Round Britain and Ireland Race and
later the Transat Jacques Vabre. With the
The team took the win at the Worlds... boat out of action on safety grounds, the
Lawson’s dream was taking on form

team’s focus switched as an opportunity
to take on a MOD 70 trimaran arose.
Lawson recalls the sea trials
first boat, a Swan 44, and in 1974 he otherwise; the yard went bust and in taking place off Lorient, France, in
and his crew – including Don Street the end the boat was built in Tunisia, a sunny 12 knots, and laughs; “It’s
and Peter Bowker – won ASW overall. launching just in time for the team to fortunate there was not that much
He recalls: “I was probably the first make a successful debut in the 2008 wind. If it had been 30 knots I would
skipper with a professional approach.” Transat Jacques Vabre, finishing 12th. likely have stepped off the boat!”
To maximise performance, he banned In 2009, under Collier Wakefield’s The 70ft tri was christened Concise
alcohol on board – unthinkable at the watch, the team took the win at the 10. Ned sums it up as a “pretty vertical
time, but a move sold to the crew as an Class 40 Worlds. Lawson’s dream of learning curve”; fortunately the French
incentive to “go faster and get back to bolstering Britain’s presence in the made themselves available to give some
the bar sooner!” Their secret weapon offshore racing scene was already taking pointers. Despite having some hugely
was a ‘start cut’ spinnaker, much like on solid form with this, a particularly experienced sailors, Team Concise
a Code 0 – and they won with a day gratifying victory; the event was held on had limited multihull experience.
to spare, with Lawson captaining an home waters of the Solent and proved a One of the team’s high profile wins
overall British team win as well. real statement of intent to their French, was in the 2016 Round Barbados Race,
Dutch and German rivals, all caught when Concise 10, flying ‘local colours’
FROM CONCEPT TO SUCCESS on the back foot by this promising new supporting BTMI (Barbados Tourism
Fast forward to 2006, and Lawson, by team with an average age of just 20! Marketing Inc), took on rival MOD 70
then a self-confessed multihull fan, Experienced offshore sailors also 05 Phaedo in a gripping match race which
was considering commissioning a signed up, with Pete Goss sailing NEXT MONTH they won by 12 seconds – an incredible
Y&Y Awards:
LLOYD IMAGES/TEAM CONCISE
catamaran, primarily for cruising. The Concise 2 in the Route du Rhum. feat in multihulls made to race across
public vote
advice of a skipper stopped him in his Collier Wakefield and his team winners revealed oceans rather than tussling over feet and
tracks and made him re-consider. The continued to clock up the miles, On sale
inches. It was a real spectacle to watch,
advice – “if you are going to build a winning some high profile events 05 January and a great demonstration of crew skill.

REASONS TO BE PROUD Above fulfilled my hopes and the intentions he believes is due to a perception of
Lawson and Collier
A winter spent training hard in Barbados Wakefield (right)
behind the project, to open pathways elitisim – a barrier he is keen to break
resulted in more wins last summer. with the team for people to get into sailing either down. A strong supporter of grassroots
after breaking the
Lawson was on board for the Round Round the Island
as a hobby or as a career,” he says. projects, Lawson was one of the first to
the Island Race to share in taking the Race record “Team Concise is more than a name support the national sailing school in
record win. He’s on board for shorter on the side of our boats; it’s more about Antigua, providing a fleet of Concise
races, as well as for training, taking ethos and how we work as a team. It’s Optimists to kickstart the scheme.
on the job of “an active pair of eyes great to see relationships develop over
and ears” – a role that’s integral to days at sea, particularly when you’re wet FUTURE AMBITIONS
team development and that underpins and soaked and there’s the tension of What’s next for Lawson? It’s hard to top
the incremental gains they make. only being a heartbeat away from a flip. the team’s achievements of 2017, but
As he talks, Lawson’s admiration for “Compared to monohull racing, the MOD 70 is currently on standby
his sailors is obvious. “I am in total awe it’s at a different level in terms of for a number of record attempts.
of these guys when they are offshore,” energy and bravery. You’re going After that, plans are for record hunting
he says. “It is impossible to explain twice as fast and there’s no-one sitting in Scandinavia. It will be interesting
how intense it is – yes, you get there on the rail. It’s certainly character to see how they line up against the
quicker, but the stress is unbelievable. building. As sailors, these guys are in MOD 70 Maserati, back soon from
“On Concise 10 we’re sailing at a different place to keelboat sailors. Hong Kong with a full foil set-up.
speeds in excess of 40 knots - and It takes a special form of courage.” Concise 8 is also due a reappearance
that’s sustained. The forces involved Another source of pride for Lawson in 2018, after a lengthy re-build process
are phenomenal – both the physical has been the team’s international success. supervised by Gurrit. Lawson feels
strain on the boat itself and on the
As sailors, these guys are in a different

crew. One riding turn on a winch is
all it takes and the boat could flip.”
At a cost of roughly £1m per flip
(to replace the rig) and obvious safety place. It takes a special form of courage
considerations, a capsize is something
the team has to avoid at all costs. As one of a few top British teams to that this is still potentially a fast hull.
Lawson talks with pride of the have any profile on the scene, Lawson The test will come in the Sevenstar
young sailors who have progressed feels there’s a lot that can be learnt Round Britain and Ireland Race
from the Class 40 to the MOD 70 and from the marketing that surrounds the when the Class 40 is raced by Jack
on to other high profile projects, such French offshore teams in particular. Trigger, in the build up to his Route
as Jack Bouttell on the Volvo Ocean The lack of commercial support for du Rhum debut in November 2018.
Race and Sam Goodchild currently UK teams he sees as a block not just With Lawson’s philanthropic ethos
ALEX & DAVID IRWIN/SPORTOGRAPHY.TV
on standby with Spindrift for a Jules to the sport but to sailing’s potential behind it, Team Concise is sure to
Vernes attempt. “It’s certainly more than within British industry. Much of this have another fantastic year ahead.
The Y&Y Awards will be presented at the London Boat Show on Thursday 11 January 2018.

BACK TO THE
SOUTHERN
OCEAN
As VOR teams
take on the
toughest
ocean on earth
ROB KOTHE talks
to Peter Burling,
Steve Hayles,
Martine Grael
and others, as
they assess these
critical legs, with
challenges for
new and old
hands alike

FEATURE VOLVO OCEAN RACE
I
n 1611 Dutch explorer Hendrik
Brouwer halved the time of the
passage from Holland to Java
(Indonesia) by sailing down the
west coast of Africa and round the
Cape of Good Hope. He then sailed
in a band of westerly winds in the
latitudes 40-50 degrees, later called the
Roaring Forties, across the lower Indian
Ocean. He stepped off the conveyor
belt approaching Australia and sailed
up to Batavia (Jakarta). He then sailed
back down to the Forties to continue
eastwards across the Pacific and under
Cape Horn and up the Atlantic to home.
Starting in Europe with destinations in
Australia and New Zealand, the Roaring
Forties became the famed Clipper
freight highway of the 19th century.
While similar wind systems occur
in the northern hemisphere, the lack
of land in the south means there’s
little to stop these circumpolar winds.
Cold frontal systems roll round the
world, one after another, with water
temperatures of 3-5 degrees and stray
icebergs providing extreme conditions.
Ratchet forward to the second part
of the 20th century – the Golden
Globe Race in 1968-1969 was the
first Round the World Race. Its
Southern Ocean course was via the
Great Capes, Africa’s Cape of Good
Hope, Australia’s Cape Leeuwin,
and South America’s Cape Horn.
Following the same route was the
1982 solo BOC Challenge, later called
the Velux 5 Ocean and the Vendée

VOLVO OCEAN RACE FEATURE
Globe, a nonstop solo race established but we are privileged to experience it;
in 1989 inspired by the Golden Globe. very few people have been there. We
In 1973 came the first Whitbread are all looking forward to sailing there
race with its course following the but we will all be extremely happy and
Clipper route with stopovers variously grateful to come out the other side.
in Fremantle, Sydney, Auckland and “It’s an intense time, nothing relaxing.
Wellington over the next six races. Routing decisions are critical, but the
From 2001 it became the Volvo weather modelling is relying on sparse
Ocean Race (VOR), with Volvo taking data hence there is inaccuracy, so we
ownership but the southern legs followed are relying on old school methods like
the same pattern. In 2001, Sydney, then sat photos. More wind is not better.
Auckland, in 2006 in Melbourne. “Speed differences can be very great
Then commercial aspects of the for a boat with a breakage missing a front
race stopovers prevailed, in 2008 with and suddenly there are big splits in the
fleets after rounding the first Great fleet. Just keeping the boat running and
Cape then heading to India, thence keeping everyone safe is a big job. Eyes
to Singapore, China and on to Rio. In glued to the radar screen, watching for
2012 and 2014 it was Abu Dhabi and storms, on-deck manoeuvres are hard,
China, then down to Auckland to Itajai. adrenaline is high. In the Southern
Ocean very small things going wrong can
BALANCE OF SURVIVAL cascade incredibly quickly. It might start
Last year Mark Turner, the then VOR as a tiny problem, a sheet or a shackle
CEO, took the race back to its roots, or something like that and if you don’t
with the 6,500nm legs from Cape handle it well, it gets worse and worse
Town to Melbourne and 7,600nm Leg and there can be a big knock-on effect.
Auckland to Itajai, Brazil via Cape Horn “Then add two or three bad decisions
now being scored with double points. and pushing at the wrong time and
The decision has been widely suddenly you find yourself in a real
acclaimed as restoring the soul of the mess. With broken kit and people burnt
race. Obviously the seven skippers plan out, it’s a massive resource management
to win or podium in both legs, but it’s problem, honestly, the Southern Ocean.
interesting to listen to the sailors. “How hard you push and when, to
Steve Hayles, Sun Hung Kai sail thousands of miles, with a limited
Scallywag, is on board as navigator, number of people, while trying to eat
sailing in his sixth Whitbread-VOR and sleep and survive? That is why
race over the last 25 years, captures it’s such a fascinating challenge.”
the essence of this adventure: For the new ones it’s a different kind
“The Southern Ocean is a brutal place, of challenge. One of these is World
Sailor of the Year, New Zealand 49er

Olympic Gold and Silver medallist,
America’s Cup winning helmsman
Peter Burling sailing on Brunel.
“The Southern Ocean legs are
traditional and very cool parts of the
race,” says Peter. “I’m looking
forward to it to be honest. It is all
part of the learning, its why you want
to do this race, to see what it’s all
about. I’m looking forward to heavy
running. The boats get very wet on
board, and everyone gets tired, because
it’s quite physically demanding.
It’s all part of the challenge.
“Never having been there I can only
look at videos from these legs, I’ve
seen a lot of extended period swells, so
I’m looking forward to some surfing
to see what these boats can do.
“I’m not looking forward to the
exclusion zone, where you are gybing

The Southern Ocean
is a brutal place, but we
are privileged to experience
it; very few people have
been there
downwind every hour or so, to stay as Above run. It means all the small things count. conditions with big swell and strong
Emirates Team
far south as you can, and if that happens New Zealand into
Because all the boats are strictly one winds and see some albatross,” she says.
everyone will be down on sleep. the Furious Fifties design, it’s much more like Olympic “These conditions are dangerous so
on the 2011 VOR
“I don’t really know what to expect, sailing than the America’s Cup when I’m a bit worried about manoeuvring, it’s
in terms of how cold we are going to Facing page design and technology play such a going to be very wet, therefore slippery.
Shrouded in spray
get, and you don’t know how you are at the start of Leg big part. This comes down to sailing I’m also worried about the cold, so I will
going to perform, but I’ve got some 2, from Lisbon to skills, and how you set up the boat take a lot of layers, gloves and protection
Cape Town, in 2017
warm clothes so I should be alright. for different conditions, which is very to ensure I can still push hard.”
I’ve noted that everyone seems to lose similar to Olympic class 49er racing. Brazilian Olympic 49er FX Gold
the most weight down there as well.” “In the last leg, we were straight medallist Martine Grael, daughter of
into 30-35 knots. We were pushing sailing icon Torben Grael is sailing
HAMISH HOOPER/CAMPER ETNZ/VOLVO OCEAN RACE; AINHOA SANCHEZ/VOLVO OCEAN RACE
DRIVING ROLE the boat hard, it was very wet and aboard AkzoNobel, and she says that
Fellow Kiwi Olympic 49er gold despite everything, I felt comfortable. she is excited about the downwind sailing
and silver medallist and winning “I am really looking forward to the in a big race. However her concern is
America’s Cup trimmer extraordinaire two Southern legs, the first to Melbourne how her personal performance might
Blair Tuke is sailing on Mapfre. will be awesome, shorter and sharper be impacted by “Cold, wetness and
“My key role is driving, but you do than the leg from Auckland. It will seasickness and tiredness” She says:
a bit of everything on these boats,” he be cold, wet and tiring for sure.” I’m not sure if I will be able to manage
says. “Often after four hours on your Four times Nacra 17 World my energy. I don’t think we’ve had
watch, slaving away, sailing well, you Champion, double Olympian Marie conditions as tough as that yet.”
might have gained 0.8 of a nautical mile Riou is sailing on Dongfeng. Phil Lawrence, Volvo Ocean Race
or even a mile if you have had a good “I really want to experience the heavy director and his team are doing all

VOLVO OCEAN RACE FEATURE
boats to race nonstop to Melbourne.

The one-design Volvo Ocean 65 is much
You’re at the bottom of the world and planning sturdier, but the Southern Ocean throws
for that starts a long time before you get there

up many extremes. In the 1994-5 BOC
race Isabelle Autissier was rescued by
the Australian Navy after a capsize some
900 miles south of Australia and in the
1996 Vendée Globe Tony Bullimore
and Thierry Dubois were rescued
by the Australian Navy from broken
boats some 1,200 miles south. Now
competitors are required to keep within
800nm of Australia to facilitate rescue.
Someone who knows the area
well, and for years organised
sailing expeditions to Antarctica
is Don McIntyre. Don was a BOC
circumnavigator and is the organiser
of the round the world Golden Globe
Race 2018 and 2022: “When sailing deep
south you’re under a new set of rules and
it starts from a position of uncertainty
and often comes down to luck. It makes
no difference what boat you are on,
who you are with, who may or may not
they can to reduce risks for the sailors. to stop the upper level flow, and the Above be monitoring your 24 hour satellite
AkzoNobel lights
“What we have done is what the jetstream from west to east, the systems up beneath
telemetry of rig loads or VMG, etc. When
Vendée Globe did before us, have are usually moving at between 25-35 a cloud it all turns to chaos, and it can do so in
an exclusion zone all the way round knots, with the strongest conditions an instant, you are the only person you
Antarctica. This gives the teams the in the northeastern part of the frontal can rely on to stay alive. You are at the
widest possible racetrack they can sail system, so wind is not the issue. bottom of the world, and planning for
without the danger of encountering ice. Frontal systems generated off that starts a long time before you get
We will move the exclusion zones around the South American coast, then there, and you need to be absolutely
as we get more information on ice. (We east of southern Africa, each sure you really want to be there.”
will provide 1,500 to 2,000 miles notice with slightly different directions And so, to Table Bay on 10 December
so it does not impact on their strategy.) deliver very confused seas. for the start of the 6,500nm Leg 3, where
“Then at the end of this leg is the Volvo Ocean Race meteorologist seven Volvo 65s and their 65 crew
tricky issue of getting into Melbourne. and race control manager Gonzalo who really want to be there, are set to
If there is an ebbing tide out and a Infante says: “The main challenge experience more ‘Life at the Extreme’.
southwesterly gale, the Port Philip is the difficult sea state, that is what
entrance is evil. In fact, the authorities determines the speed at which boats
can close it as they did about 10 years can sail in the Southern Ocean. There
ago so what we have done is put a virtual you sail more with the waves than the MAPFRE WINS FIRST TEST
gate outside Melbourne which we wind. You basically sail where you can.” For the longest time in the early part of the second leg
could use as a finish if that happened. After leaving Cape Town and sailing of the Volvo Ocean Race to Cape Town it looked as
“Otherwise our intention is to finish past the Cape of Good Hope, the Volvo though a win was on the cards for Chinese / French team
it right off the Melbourne CBD [Central fleet may need to get south rapidly Dongfeng Racing. But, once again proving how close
Business District]. Then the fleet heads to the Roaring Forties to escape an the one design racing is in the Volvo Ocean 65s a single
up to Hong Kong and races back down Indian Ocean subtropical high, or strong tactical call shortly after crossing the equator from
to Auckland, then there is the second if they are lucky they will connect Mapfre, which Dongfeng was slightly late to cover, won
big southern leg from Auckland round with one of the South Atlantic lows the Spanish team the lead and they never looked back.
to Itajai. The big challenge is that it’s that reach up to South Africa. For some time it looked as though the late mistake
quite late in the season, Cape Horn Either way there will be plenty of from Dongfeng had lost them a podium position,
around 30 March can be stormy.” speed; there were lengthy periods dropping to fourth position but, once again, the
of 26-27 knot averages during team showed good boatspeed to claw their way
THE ‘CIRCLE LINE’ Leg 2 for these boats, so we will up the field and ultimately finish in second.
From South Africa to Cape Horn, no doubt see more, although the The final approach to the finish saw the fleet split in
following the great Circle Line, the conditions can be boat-breaking. two with Mapfre, Dongfeng, Vestas 11th Hour Racing and
further south you go the less distance Brunel all managing to pick up a favourable west-going
you must travel, so the fleet is likely to PAST TROUBLES weather system and AkzoNobel, Scallywag and Turn the
UGO FONOLLA/VOLVO OCEAN RACE
bump along the ice exclusion zone limit. In the VOR Cape Town to Melbourne Tide on Plastics all dropping off the system and fighting
In the Southern Ocean the fronts leg in 2005-06 two boats retired, for the minor positions. They finished in this order with
move faster than other places on the two more had to pitstop in Western Turn the Tide on plastics just 1 minute behind Scallywag.
globe, without continental land masses Australia for repairs, leaving just two

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The new giant foiling tri might have
been an impressive sight, but the star
of the Transat Jacques Vabre this year
was, once again, the competition
TRANSAT
JACQUES
VABRE
A
side from the nights the Atlantic from Le Havre to South the latest of which is the Maxi
drawing in and the America – this year Itajaí, Brazil. Edmond de Rothschild, Gitana
days getting colder, 17. Excitingly this new monster
another way to spot MEGA TRIMARANS trimaran was launched with fully
the approach of the The biggest boats competing in the lifting hydrofoils and was aiming to
European winter is usually the sheer TJV are the ‘Ultimes’ – one of the make the TJV her first major test.
number of boats setting off to either most exciting offshore classes of the Unfortunately the next newest
race across the Atlantic or head around moment. The circa 30m trimarans Ultime, Macif – fitted with ‘J’ foils a
the world. One such event in the former will be competing in a new race while after launch to help her skim
category, which has taken place every around the globe in 2019, which has the surface but not yet completely foil
other year since its inception in 1993, many an offshore racing enthusiast (though plans are in place to change
is the doublehanded Transat Jacques licking their lips with anticipation. that), was not competing in this year’s
Vabre (TJV) which sees multihulls, The race has inspired several TJV. Macif and her skipper Francois
IMOCA 60s and Class 40s racing across teams to bring new tris to market, Gabbart have taken the opportunity of

FEATURE TJV
I can tell you

that Edmond de
Rothschild overtaking
you upwind in 40
knots is beautiful

a good weather window to set off on a appendages and systems necessary for Above passed them. We thought maybe they
Malizia II, here at
singlehanded round the world record flight, but that’s not all. Innovation has the TJV start, was
wanted to play it safe. We didn’t know.”
attempt – as we go to press Gabbart a place all over the boat. In fact, we’re one of several new What they did not know, was that
generation IMOCA
is looking good, having set a new 24 developing some unique solutions 60s taking part
Josse and Thomas Rouxel were seriously
hour distance record in the Atlantic. with Pixel sur Mer regarding all the on hampered by some boat damage. On
It’s difficult to overstate how much board intelligence. With Gitana Team Tuesday, after the strong front rolled
sailing technology – and foiling in we’re pioneers, we’re preparing the through, Josse informed his shore crew
particular – has moved on in the last way forward and what we learn from of significant damage to the boat’s port
decade. In 2007 Rohan Veal become these miles in race configuration is foil. Beset by delamination issues, the
the first International Moth World extremely precious for the next stage of appendage was effectively unusable and
Champion sailing a foiling boat. Though the programme, and particularly for the was raised to avoid any further damage.
foiling had been experimented with singlehanded racing in 2018 and 2019.” Two days later, it was the turn of the
for years, this victory was the first starboard foil to show the same signs of
time it could be said to be probably PIONEER PROBLEMS damage, and in effect this left the duo
quicker than a non-foiling version of Clearly there is still some work to go to in non-foiling mode for the remaining
the boat around an entire course. prove the foiling oceanic tri concept is three-quarters of the race. Given the
Now, 10 years later, Gitana 17 was genuinely faster over a course. But early foils worked impressively in a number
launched with a lifting main foil and on it looked for all the world as though of sea trials, the indications seemed
rudder and a lifting foil – similar the new Gitana might well romp away to be that the damage was probably
to those used on the America’s Cup
AC50s – on each ama. This boat has
been designed with short-handed
Given the foils worked well in sea trials, the
offshore racing in mind and – designer damage was probably fatigue related
Guillaume Verdier claims – should
be able to cruise foiling at around 50 to victory. Indeed, eventual race winner, fatigue related. Clearly the issue will
knots for extended periods of time. Coville, offers this assessment of their need fixing in a new set – or possibly
But as they prepared for the start of early performance: “Leaving Le Havre, we in the repair of this set – but one thing
the TJV, where they would be competing said it would be a ‘mano-a-mano’. From is for certain: the boat’s potential has
with the much older, but proven and the first night, we saw that it was going been proved beyond any doubt.
significantly optimised Sodebo sailed to be super close. We saw them pass by
by Thomas Coville and Jean-Luc us in the same wind, I can tell you that ANOTHER RECORD
Nélias, the team had only sailed the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild overtaking Though much of the talk both before and
foiler a handful of times: “Gitana 17 is you upwind in 40 knots is beautiful. In after the race was of the newest Ultime,
JEAN-MARIE LIOT/ALEA/TJV2017; YVAN ZEDDA/ST-MICHEL VIRBAC
a highly specialised prototype, which front of Guernsey, they impressed us the impressive performance from Coville
brings together a series of innovative because their way of sailing said: ‘we are along with Nélias should not be ignored.
technologies where there is no shortcut here’. We were a little behind in this phase. In fact, their crossing time of 7 days 22
to the discovery and fine-tuning After the downwind descent following hours and 7 minutes represents a new
phase,” explained skipper Sébastien the front, a very nice front by the way, Transat Jacques Vabre record. It seems,
Josse, somewhat hesitantly ahead of we felt there was something weird. They the combination of Coville and the
the race start. “Naturally I’m thinking rolled the gennaker away in the night and Sodebo Ultime have found a particularly
here about the foils and the various shifted. So, we shifted to the west too and rich vein of form in the last year. Over

FEATURE TJV
the course of 2017 the skipper and his

trimaran have set a new round the world
record, a new North Atlantic record
and now a new TJV record. It should be
noted, too, that Nélias is a significant part
of the operation who not only partnered
Coville on the TJV but also provides
shore-based routing for the solo racing.
MORE DAMAGE
Behind the two front runners the
Maxi 80 trimaran, Prince de Bretagne,
with skippers Lionel Lemonchois and
Bernard Stamm, was looking likely to
set a quick time but after completing the
lion’s share of the 4,350nm course she
lost her mast just 19 miles out from the
coast. Both crew were okay but reported
being stunned by the breakage that
occurred in calm seas and moderate
winds. It seems a failed runner was
the ultimate cause of the rig drop.
Also suffering a rather more dramatic
incident was another multihull in 7 hours 36 minutes and 46 seconds. Above IMOCAs are really that much quicker
The winning
the form of the Multi 50, Drekan Dick also became the only sailor in IMOCA 60 St
than those which preceded them. St
Group, skippered by Frenchmen, the history of the event to have won Michel-Virbac in Michel-Virbac was one of six latest
semi-foiling mode
Christopher Pratt and Eric Defert. four times – the 52-year-old won the generation foilers in the race, and its
The trimaran flipped 300 miles west IMOCA class in 2003, 2005 and 2011. Below new route record certainly implies
Transat Jacques
of the Azores in big waves and with It was a first victory for Eliès Vabre winner pace, but it was actually the older
25 knot winds. They were eventually in the IMOCA class, after his of the Class 40, generation, foil-less SMA that provided
V&B; the Class 40
rescued by a passing Dutch freighter. Multi 50 win in 2013. fleet (bottom) the toughest competition throughout.
After leaving Le Havre on Sunday SMA closed to within 28 miles
SINGLE HULLED RECORDS 5 November Dick and Elis grabbed in the Doldrums before St Michel-
Jean-Pierre Dick and Yann Eliès on their the lead early on Tuesday 7 November Virbac escaped first and extended
semi-foiling IMOCA 60 St Michel- and never looked back. However the as she headed down the coast.
Virbac, won their class, setting a new race will still add to the debate of
class record for the route of 13 days whether the semi-foiling generation of CLASS 40
Maxime Sorel and Antoine Carpentier
on V and B, won the Class 40 and
were also record setters; they beat
the previous record of 22 days 13
hours 2 minutes 22 seconds set by
the Italian duo Giovanni Soldini and
Pietro D’Ali by a huge 05 days 02
hours 18 minutes and 07 seconds.
Brit Phil Sharp sailing with Spain’s
Pablo Santurde finished well in third,
whilst Miranda Merron and her French
co-skipper Halvard Mabire retired.

MAKE A BREAK:
OFFSHORE
How do you get started if you have little or no
experience of the offshore racing scene?
RUPERT HOLMES analyses what you need to know
to move from inshore to longer distance racing
FEATURE OFFSHORE
O
ffshore racing includes
some of the world’s
most intense sporting
events in any discipline.
The Vendée Globe solo
round the world race, for instance,
pitches competitors into full-on race
mode 24 hours a day for up to three
months without a break. Yet at a
grassroots level offshore racing is a
field accessible to people of all ages –
from teenagers to those well beyond
For some, it’s retirement age – and to a full gamut
simply a bucket
from the fittest of able bodied people
and those with significant disabilities.
list item... others For some it’s simply a bucket list item
to be able to tick off an iconic race like
get addicted to the Rolex Fastnet – or even a two-
the challenge handed Round Britain and Ireland.

Others get addicted to the utter escape
from day-to-day life, the challenge of
being pitched both against the elements
and other yachts, and the sheer beauty
of sailing out of sight of land.
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL
To be successful you need a mix of skills.
In particular, if you race offshore you
need to be prepared for a wider variety
of conditions than inshore racers are
likely to encounter. This works both
ways – as well as the potential to meet
stronger winds, well away from sheltered
water, a lot of offshore racing also takes
part in very light airs and calms. While
inshore races are normally postponed
until a sea breeze fills in, an offshore
event will invariably be started even in
next to no wind, providing the fleet can
clear the line. Therefore minimising
sail area to trim a few points off a boat’s
IRC rating may be counterproductive
– indeed, many successful offshore
boats opt for the maximum size
RACING
spinnakers their rigs can sensibly carry.
Equally, offshore fleets encounter a
wider range of wind angles, particularly
compared to windward-leeward
racing. Over the course of a season
you’ll spend more time on white-sail
reaches, or relatively tight spinnaker
legs and will need to be able to trim for
maximum speed at these wind angles.
Code zeros are important for light airs
reaching – although they may not be
used for great percentage of the time
KURT ARIGO/ROLEX
you’re racing they can make such a

dramatic difference to speed in certain

EW THE FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF CLASSIC BOAT
SAILOR’S ANNUAL
N
The Yachting Year takes

THE SAILOR’S ANNUAL 2018
MARINE you inside the classic
EVENTS
GUIDE world, looking at what is to
come over the year ahead,
from regattas to films to
books to boat launches,
YEAR as well as reviewing
New
the incredible events
WHAT’S of 2017, the year that
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FEATURE OFFSHORE
conditions that they have become an hard-won experience. Too many teams
essential part of the inventory. The attempt to emulate this but suffer from
consolation is that they can last a long lacking the sleep they need to operate
time – there are plenty that are still in effectively. It’s all too easy to have so
use on a boat that has covered well over many cold and dopey people on deck
10,000 miles with the sail on board. that avoiding accidents becomes a matter
When reaching in stronger winds of luck and manoeuvres are postponed
the jib top is the sail of choice. This until way beyond the optimum time.
is even less likely to be found in the In a longer race it’s important to get
inventory of an inshore race boat, into the rhythm of the watch-keeping
but it provides more drive than a system early – if everyone stays up the
headsail of the same area thanks to a first night, the entire crew will be well
deeper cut, while the higher clew both below par by the second evening. Better
prevents the head from twisting off and to get some sleep in as early as you can
keeps the sail clear of wave action. – during the first afternoon if possible.
ADAPTING YOUR SKILLS DEALING WITH MAL DE MER

If you’re a successful inshore racer this There’s more potential to get properly
knowledge and experience will stand cold, potentially dangerously so, when
you in good stead to be fast offshore. offshore than when sailing inshore. If
However, there are a number of common you’re sat on the rail for six hours on the
mistakes that even those with extensive same tack while being regularly hosed
offshore experience are still at risk of by spray, it’s asking a lot of even the best
making. Perhaps the most obvious of clothing systems to keep you warm.
these is to have the same person on the It can be very difficult for those who
helm for the bulk of a race. There are don’t have considerable experience to
very few individuals that can maintain judge exactly what garments might be
concentration for more than three or needed for the following few hours,
four hours – so failing to rotate drivers so don’t be afraid to put on a couple
will see you sliding down the fleet. of extra layers, as well as having top-
Night sailing is not rocket science, notch gloves and hats to hand. The
but it takes time to become accustomed problem of keeping warm is accentuated
to it, especially on overcast nights with when sailing at night and in the long
no moon. In particular, maintaining hours after dawn, before the sun is
the same speed at night when you can’t high enough in the sky to provide
see tell tales or waves requires practice. good warmth. It’s also exacerbated
The same is true for manoeuvres, by concerns about seasickness.
so training at night is essential.
Remember that night vision takes a
long time to establish and may not be
Maintaining speed at night when you can’t
fully developed even after 10 minutes. see tell tales or waves requires practice
Many people don’t give it sufficient time
and therefore overuse torches, and to needs to be focused further from the Top Many people who are feeling queasy
Middle distance
make matters worse, the back lights of boat than for inshore racing and shipping races such as
put themselves at risk of hypothermia
many instrument and MFD displays may not be following the predictable the Fastnet because they are worried that they will
are growing in
can’t be sufficiently dimmed for use on paths such vessels take in confined waters popularity
be sick if they go below decks. This is
a dark night, even when in night mode. such as the Solent and Thames Estuary, understandable – even among hugely
Above
so more time is needed to confirm Night sailing is a experienced offshore sailors many of
SEAMANSHIP AND SLEEPING whether a risk of collision exists. Equally, new skill for many us will be ill if bounced around inside
Cruising sailors often think that racers when crossing the English Channel, or the cabin for too long. However, one
lack the sense of seamanship in which southern North Sea, you’ll be racing important factor that’s often overlooked
they take pride, but more often than across some of the busiest shipping lanes is the benefit of lying horizontal with
not the reverse is true. When pushing in the world. It’s therefore vital to be able your eyes closed. This is a different
an offshore race boat hard you have to identify whether a risk of collision world, so just flop in a bunk, with
to have a heightened awareness of exists at an early stage and to be able to all your kit on if necessary, and lie
margins of safety and what might go identify vessels by their lights at night. down, warm up and get some rest.
DANIEL FORSTER/ROLEX; JEREMIE LECAUDEY/VOLVO OCEAN RACE
wrong – the most successful offshore Watch keeping routines will vary Although seasickness can be
racers have exemplary seamanship. considerably, depending on the race. debilitating for some, it’s very rare for
It may not be what wins a race, but Well practiced two-handed teams may it to be a barrier that prevents anyone
it’s what gets you consistently to the each only get a quick 10-20 minute sailing offshore. Don’t allow feeling ill
finish line, without unnecessarily power nap during a 150-200 mile race on your first lumpy race to dent your
endangering the boat or crew. that has only one night at sea. However, enthusiasm for offshore racing – many
For instance, when offshore the this ability to sleep easily and feel rested excellent sailors, including singlehanded
lookout for other traffic and competitors after such a short rest period is borne of round-the-world veterans succumb

OFFSHORE FEATURE
to sea sickness, but get by through Even so, keep a clear vision of the
learning what they need to do to avoid two most important elements. Firstly,
its worst effects. Your tolerance will which side (if any) of the course is
also improve with time; many feel likely to be favoured? Secondly, what’s
rough on the first windy offshore race the most advantageous approach to
of a season, but are ok following that. the finish? Clearly you don’t want to be
downwind and down-tide of the line,
PERSONAL SAFETY but equally in light airs being upwind
All the personal safety considerations of your destination is also slow.
that apply to inshore racing – particularly On a long race that passes significant
keeping clear of the boom and mainsheet headlands it’s also important to work
in a gybe (accidental or not) – are out in advance the states of tide at
just as applicable to offshore racing. which taking the inshore passage may
The use of harnesses and lifejackets be advantageous, or how far offshore
is more important than when sailing you would need to stand to escape the
inshore, and is vital at night, when the worst of a foul tide. The same applies
chances of recovering someone lost to avoiding dangerous waves in a tidal
overboard are significantly reduced, race with wind against tide conditions.
even with today’s technically advanced
safety equipment. RORC regulations SAFETY TRAINING
insist on a combined lifejacket and There are a number of worthwhile short
harness being used between the hours RYA courses; Personal Survival is a
of sunset and sunrise, when alone on two-day course covering seamanship
deck, when reefed, when the true wind and emergency situations, including
speed is 25 knots or more and when the abandoning to a liferaft, with a valuable
visibility is less than one nautical mile. practical session in a pool. It’s a
In heavy weather it should be routine requirement for a proportion of the crew
to clip on while still standing safely of some longer offshore races, such as the
below deck next to the companionway, Fastnet, to have this training, as well as
and remain clipped on until the safety a medical training equivalent to the one
of the cabin has been reached. A boat day RYA First Aid course. In addition,
that’s raced offshore will also have the RYA’s Yachtmaster scheme, although
a greater amount of complex safety geared towards the needs of cruising
equipment than one that solely races skippers, also provides much of the
inshore; expect a thorough safety background knowledge of seamanship
briefing, with the aim being that any needed by skippers and senior crew
item can be deployed immediately members of boats that race offshore.
should it be required, even at night.
MAKING THE BREAK Keep a clear vision of the elements – which

While there should be nothing that
prevents either an individual or a team
side of the course is likely to be favoured?
from diving straight into offshore
racing on their own boat, there’s Above make sure that the organisation you
also much benefit that can be gained
Training amateur
crews for the choose is one that gets good results, FIRST STEPS
through professional coaching. A sea Clipper Round rather than one whose market is While there are plenty of firms that
the World Race
school with a track record of good primarily aimed a creating a reassuring offer racing in 36-45ft IRC boats
offshore racing results can provide a environment for those who simply want there are fewer that offer more
structured programme that will develop to tick completing an offshore race off specialised opportunities. But
your skills and give you time on the their bucket list. Alternatively, bring an Dream or Two are among a number
water to put them into practice. experienced coach on board your own of Class 40s that take paying crew
Don’t discount this route, even if boat to accelerate getting both boat and on a full-on raceboat. For those
you’re an owner who wants to try crew up to speed as quickly as possible. looking to follow in the footsteps
offshore racing for the first time. In of the 78 Mini Transat sailors that
particular it can be helpful to observe the STRATEGY AND NAVIGATION are on their way to Martinique at
way a seasoned professional runs a boat, Routing for an offshore race is clearly the time of writing, then former
including safety and weather briefings, more complex than when racing inshore, OSTAR and Global Ocean Race
as well as asking a myriad of questions yet the basics remain the same. You sailor Marco Nannini’s Centro
from routing to sail choice. In any case need as much tidal data as possible, Italiano Vela Altura in Italy, which
it’s important to sail boats other than plus a clear idea of the weather. The has a fleet of Class 40s and Minis
your own, otherwise you risk becoming complications are that you won’t is well worth considering. Closer
C/O CLIPPER VENTURES
ossified in your own individual mindset know the finish time in your pre-start to home Equinox Sailing also has a
that may quickly become out of date. planning, and the longer time spans Mini based on the River Hamble.
If taking this route it’s important to introduce a further level of complexity.

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KEELBOAT PLAYBOOK: PART 1
TACKING
There’s more to a good tack on a big boat than initially meets
the eye. RUPERT HOLMES analyses what gives you the edge
T
acking is one of the most have perfect boat speed, a flawless race but typically the helm initiates the tack
basic of manoeuvres, but in terms of boat handling will often before checking the rest of the team
one that more than half the see you in the top third of the fleet. is ready, or trimmers are unclear as to
boats in many top-level fleets There’s also a further spin-off in exactly who is doing what and how
fail to get right with 100 spending time on getting tacking to avoid getting in each others’ way.
per cent reliability. Yet, as tacking is the right. The very process of creating the Over-steering out of the tack. The
manoeuvre that’s performed more than right communication and actions to second half of the turn, bearing away
any other, it’s also the one that gives the tack efficiently will help to coalesce from head to wind, should be slower
biggest potential for performance gains. teamwork on board in a way that will than the initial part. This also allows
In a big fleet, even the smallest slip also pay off for other manoeuvres. the jib to be trimmed efficiently,
can translate into a boat you have to with a minimum of winching.
duck on the next beat, while a bigger COMMON MISTAKES INCLUDE: Sheeting the jib on too hard and
PAUL WYETH
mistake propels you well down the Lack of communication. This can therefore stalling the airflow over
fleet. Conversely, even if you don’t manifest itself in a number of ways, the sail at just the point at which

KEELBOAT PLAYBOOK TACKING
you need to be in acceleration Above or to stay in the advantaged part of the applied, which increases drag when
CF40+ Girls
mode coming out of the tack. on Film; crew
course, combined with shorter-term the boat is already moving slowly.
Sheeting the headsail on too slowly hiking hard after decisions based on choosing the best flat
completing a tack
– this is particularly an issue with spot of water, or avoiding a gust/lull. 3. ENERGETIC HIKING
overlapping genoas. In inshore racing Given that one or two trimmers will
especially, if your crew work isn’t great, 2. SMOOTH AND have to leave the rail early, this is
then any benefit you gain from the extra ACCURATE STEERING a time for everyone else to hike as
sail area is likely to be lost in each tack The tack must be fast enough that hard as possible to compensate.
– and you’ll be paying a rating penalty drive is not lost for too long,
under IRC for the larger sail. yet not so quick that so much 4. TRIM THE MAINSAIL IN
No coordinated movement of crew rudder angle is applied that it As the boat luffs up, this helps to
weight. Roll tacking isn’t only for kills boat speed unnecessarily. both maintain power in the sail and
dinghies – crew weight of many racing The latter imperative makes to initiate the turn, which means less
yachts can represent 15 per cent of the tacking a yacht a much slower rudder angle is needed. As the boat falls
sailing displacement and for the Fast40+ process than tacking a dinghy and away on the new tack, the sheet needs
it’s closer to 25 per cent. That’s enough speed is always lost. This means to be eased to boost acceleration.
to have a significant effect on boat it pays to minimise the number
speed if it’s applied in the right way. of tacks you have to complete. 5. SMOOTH RELEASE OF
In addition, the boat must also THE OLD JIB SHEET
What does a good stop turning at exactly the optimum The optimum moment for this is a
wind angle to accelerate on the new fraction of a second before the sail would
tack incorporate? tack. The most common mistake back if it remained sheeted in. Leave
1. PERFECT TIMING is to not slow the rate of turn early it for too long and the backed sail will
This is a combination of tactical decision enough, resulting in over steering. slow the boat down, it will be harder
making – when to tack on a windshift, This means opposite rudder must be to sheet in efficiently on the new side,

TEAM BUILDING
Working well together is more
than just putting a bunch of
talented individuals on the
same boat. Effective team
work requires a high degree of
communication and practice –
without that boat handling falls
apart and it becomes impossible
to consistently post good results.
An additional challenge is that,
in all but the most expensive
professional teams, it’s inevitable
that some team members will be
weaker than others. That’s even
the case in the Fast40+ fleet,
where the class rules restrict
the number of pros on board to
only five. It’s tempting to view
the least experienced as being
there only to provide ballast,
but that’s counterproductive on
many levels, especially in an era
in which most owners struggle to
recruit reliable crew. One of the
best ways to motivate and retain
people is to demonstrate their
importance to your campaign
by investing in their skills.
The basic skills needed aren’t
rocket science – otherwise young
sailors would never be able to
rise up the ranks – and can be
easily communicated given a bit
of effort. A key is simply to talk and the bow will be blown downwind Above windward side as long as possible…
through each manoeuvre before of the new close-hauled course. On light modern
until the boat is starting to heel on the
boats, crew weight
it happens with the people sitting It’s important that the old sheet and teamwork new tack, then moving in unison across
each side of you on the rail – that doesn’t snag as it pays out, so it’s is increasingly
the boat and going into a full hike on
relevant
way everyone is clear about what worth flaking the tail and watching the other side as quickly as possible.
they need to do at each stage. If it for kinks where it passes through the
goes wrong, then, once the boat is first sheave ahead of the winch. 8. SPEED BUILD AND
settled down and is sailing fast on SQUEEZE UP TO COURSE
the next leg of the course, you can 6. EFFICIENT SHEETING IN Immediately after completing the tack
have a further conversation about As soon as the old sheet is released the a short speed build is needed. As the
how to do it better next time. new one should be coming in as fast as boat comes up to target speed gently
An end of day debrief – while still possible. With modern rigs favouring squeeze the sheets in and come up to
on the boat – is also a good step jibs instead of overlapping genoas, the optimum close-hauled course. This
in building team skills. Go around a minimum of winching should be needs mainsail and headsail trimmers,
each member of the team, asking needed. Look at the leech relative to plus the driver, to work in unison
everyone to highlight one aspect the trim marks on the spreader as you and communicate where necessary.
they thought went well during the sheet in – winding as fast as possible to In short, there’s a lot more going
day, plus an incident in which they the setting for acceleration. In light airs on in a tack than might be apparent
think they could have done better. especially, avoid the temptation to winch at first sight. And it all needs to be
The aim is not to point blame, in so far that the sail is over trimmed choreographed, where necessary right
but to have a positive conversation – doing so will kill your acceleration. down to the last hand movement. In
PAUL WYETH; SEQUENCE: C/O CARKEEK DESIGN PARTNERS
about how to improve the team’s particular, in order for the crew to move
overall performance. If there’s time 7. A ROLL TACK across the boat in unison, they will
this can be done while motoring Roll tacking isn’t only for dinghies or need to work out who goes around the
back to port at the end of the race, small sportsboats – it’s just as important front of the mast, who will be sliding
or over a beer before going ashore on an Etchells, a Quarter Tonner, across the coachroof and who, if anyone
when the boat has been packed up. an offshore yacht or in the Fast 40+ other than the driver and trimmers, will
fleet. That means staying on the old cross the cockpit. Clearly this will vary

KEELBOAT PLAYBOOK TACKING
1 2
3 4
5 6
enormously depending on the layout of
each boat and the size of the coach roof.
No wonder it can be so difficult to
get absolutely right. James Gair, who
runs Cowes Race School and has had
numerous podium results at high-level
events while sailing with inexperienced
paying crew, has simplified the process
as far as possible. When tacking the
call is simply: “Standby… 3, 2, 1.”
At “standby” the headsail trimmers
move into the boat, while everyone
else continues to hike hard. 7 8
At “3” the headsail sheet comes
out of the self-tailer and everyone
on the rail brings their head in.
At “2” the helm has just started to turn
the boat, the crew moves across to the To show what a good tack 2. As the helm goes down, crew is needed on the lee 7. The rig is powering up
looks like, this is Peter two trimmers head to the side than with other boats. as the crew starts to hike
other side and the old sheet is released. Morton’s Carkeek CF40+ lee side, while the rest of hard – the more body
At “1” all the crew is hiking Girls on Film, winner of the crew remains on the rail, 5. Head to wind – the weight you get out at
the 2017 One Ton Cup. hiking as hard as possible. remaining crew is leaving this stage, the faster the
and the jib has been trimmed This manoeuvre was the rail and the driver is boat will accelerate.
on for acceleration mode. completed in around 10-12 3. Turning towards head monitoring the rate of
seconds, but it may take to wind. Note that most of turn to ensure the boat 8. Note how straight the
This makes it a simple procedure, longer for a heavier and the crew is still on the rail, doesn’t turn through wake is coming out of
yet everyone knows what’s expected more traditional style of but now prepares to move too large an angle. the tack – there is no hint
raceboat, especially one across the boat in unison. of any oversteer. On a
of them at each moment. Once your with overlapping genoas. 6. Bearing away on to the lightweight powerful boat
team is functioning to this level they 4. The optimum moment to new tack. The jib is already like the Fast40+ the angle
1. The crew in full hiking release the jib sheet. Given sheeted to an acceleration between acceleration
will naturally seek to apply similar mode, moments before that Fast40+ designs have setting and the crew mode and pointing
discipline to other manoeuvres. the tack is initiated. running backstays, more moves to the new side. mode is very small.

FASTER HOISTS HOW TO WIN
FASTER HOISTS British Sailing Team 49er crew FYNN STERRITT explains
how to perfect your hoisting technique and what
to watch out for at the windward mark
T
here are several elements that it is best to break things down Above Boat set up onshore
that are crucial to get into component parts to ensure you As in other
areas, hoisting Firstly your boat’s hoisting system
right when hoisting your can make the most of every hoist. relies on good needs to be as efficient as possible
spinnaker, and generally they Being aware of the boats around you communication
in order that all your effort goes into
all come into play at some as you approach the mark and trying actually getting the kite to the top.
stage, no matter what class you are to anticipate what they are likely to do Ensure that all your blocks are running
sailing. When sailing a high performance will in turn help you to anticipate any smoothly; we find that a lubricant
boat like a 49er they just happen a bit boat-on-boat situations before they such as Allen Dry is good for this.
PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILING ENERGY
faster! Establishing a good relationship develop. Feed this knowledge into your Having the appropriate blocks for your
and clear communication with your plan, being ready to adapt: for example, system also has a big impact on the
crew are fundamental to everything it may be that you need to come out of speed of the hoist. Try larger diameter
running smoothly on the water. After the hoist higher than you would like. blocks if you’re still looking to reduce

IN ASSOCIATION WITH MANUFACTURERS OF PERFORMANCE HARDWARE
friction in the system. Additionally, get

afloat with plenty of time so that you
can do a trial hoist before the start
of the first race. That way you can be
certain that the kite will hoist perfectly
and with everything set up correctly.
Approaching the mark

In the 49er we ensure that our controls
are off before any hoisting actually
occurs. In different boats there will
be different methods for doing this,
which may change from hoist to hoist
depending on your hiking/trapezing
position and the conditions – but in
our boat, it is the crew which lets the
kicker and downhaul off just before
rounding the windward mark. Talk Above on what’s actually important. In light
through different scenarios to find Fynn and helm
James Peters
airs maintaining boat speed is generally
what works best in your boat. adjusting positions pretty key; keep things smooth.
The faster the boat is moving for light airs
Rushing to get to the halyard and hoist
through the water, the easier the hoist Below as quickly as possible may increase
Talk through
will be for the crew. This is because your windward the hull’s drag and could make the
the boat is moving at a similar speed mark approach whole manoeuvre much slower.
well in advance
to the wind, so the pressure on the Keeping the boat flat throughout
sail and sheets is reduced. Having our the bear away and hoist will have a big
sail controls already set for downwind impact on how good the hoist is. A flat
keeps the boat speed up and increases boat in the bear away keeps the boat
the speed of the whole manoeuvre. at full speed while during the hoist it
creates a stable platform for whoever
Boat handling is hoisting to get the kite up ASAP.
When it comes to the actual boat When pulling the kite, use the full
handling it’s important to keep the reach of your arm, extending your reach
whole manoeuvre in mind and focus fully out behind you. It’s surprising how
The faster the boat

is moving through the
water, the easier the
hoist will be

IN ASSOCIATION WITH MANUFACTURERS OF PERFORMANCE HARDWARE
You ideally want one hand on the sheet just If you want to gybe soon after the
hoist, going extra low during it decreases
as the other hand completes the hoist the chance of someone coming down
inside and stopping you from gybing.
many people find the speed of their Above has hit the top. In the 49er, you ideally If most of the downwind leg is on
Team Allen want one hand on the sheet just as
hoists is restricted simply because their sailors, Fynn and
one gybe then it becomes important to
torso blocks the full reach of their arms. James in action the other hand completes the hoist. have clear air the whole way. Hoisting on
Knowing how many pulls it takes to Below a higher angle will mean those behind
get the kite up can be very useful. You Use the full reach
of your arms and
Tactics and position don’t get a chance to give you dirty air.
don’t want to be putting extra time and know how many This is hugely important to consider. A
effort into pulling on the halyard when pulls are required poor hoist can cost you a lot of places,
it can’t go any further. Likewise, it also not just at the windward mark but
means you can switch straight onto also as a knock-on effect further down DON’T FORGET
trimming the kite sheet once the kite the run, whereas a good hoist can set There is plenty that can be done
you up to attack the boats in front. over the winter or away from the
Knowing what you are trying to boat to achieve faster hoists.
achieve before rounding the windward Perfect your systems – is there
mark often helps avoid the usual any friction in the halyard and
pitfalls. A prompt on the approach to blocks that could be removed,
whoever is making the decisions can could the system work better?
get them thinking ahead as to what Train for hoists – Using the full
is going to be the best rounding. His span of both arms is vital; think
or her response then keeps everyone through where you will stand and
in the boat on the same page so practice the torso twisting motion.
that nothing comes as a surprise. Balance muscles – Hoisting
ALEX IRWIN/SPORTOGRAPHY.TV
Factors such as what’s the long works core and front facing
gybe, where is the best pressure or muscles; work on your back
least number of boats can all have an muscles to stay balanced.
effect your positioning on the hoist.

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SMOOTH STEERING FEATURE
STEERING
FOR SPEED
WITHOUT USING
THE RUDDER!
STEVE COCKERILL explains the
relationship between body
weight, sheeting and steerage

W
hile using the rudder
to steer a dinghy is
one of the first things
most sailors learn
when they come into
the sport, most of the time it should in
fact be the last control they reach for,
says Steve Cockerill from Rooster Sailing.
It may sound counter-intuitive but
Steve’s talk at this year’s RYA Dinghy
Show will explain all. The multiple
national and international champion
– by his own admission a sailing
‘anorak’ when it comes to technical
details – is passionate about helping
people to sail better and faster.
And to do this he is adamant that
there are two fundamental sailing
rules which need to be observed:
the first is that if you pull the rudder
towards you, the boom goes towards
the water; the second is that if you
push the rudder away from you, the
boom goes away from the water.

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FEATURE SMOOTH STEERING
From there, Steve is able to dissect

what goes wrong for most mere
mortals at those tricky times around
the race track – like when you are
finding it impossible to bear away
in a big breeze, or gybe without
simultaneously taking a swim. Or that
time when you were actually relieved
to finally capsize after being unable
to pull your boat out of a death roll.
The most common mistake people
make is to think that the rudder is the
means by which you should steer a boat.
“You should use the rudder at times
because those two fundamental laws
always apply and the rudder can be
your friend as well,” says Steve. But, he
explains, the trick to truly mastering
your sailing is to learn how to control
your boat first and foremost using
the sheets and your body weight.
“Using the rudder in the normal way Above BEARING AWAY yacht - pull the rudder over nothing
Learning to rely
doesn’t really work,” he says. “It just more on sheeting
At the top mark there is an obvious happens, let the mainsheet out and it
effectively slows the boat down, which and body weight temptation to use the rudder to bears away. Likewise a three-masted
to turn the boat
is why you have to use something else steer onto the downwind leg, but square rigger won’t bear away until
first, and then the rudder can accentuate Below since any application of the rudder someone lets go of the yardarm, says
Although the
it. Lots of people sail around with their sea can be less is effectively like putting on the Steve, “because the rudder is the size
rudders all day long, thinking they’re forgiving, the brakes, it’s far from fast. So it’s not the of a dustbin lid and it won’t bear away
same principles
driving a car, but they’re not, they’re apply in waves method of choice for the best racing anywhere until you let the sails out”.
on a motorbike. It is misunderstood sailors, and in big winds and waves Tip: Always let the sail out first on
and that’s what I try to explain to trying to use the rudder like this is a bear away and heel the boat to
people - the whole thing is about not probably going to result in a capsize. windward to accelerate. Beware! Having
rudder steering but what it can do for Steve says: “If you pull the rudder made the turn around the mark you
you if you need it. Fundamentally you towards you it tends to put the boom in may then want to power up and be
steer using the sail, or sails, and by the water as it makes the boat heel to tempted to push the rudder away
moving your body weight. It’s about leeward, which in turn makes the boat from you. This will depower the boat
how to use the rudder for maximum want to head up, not bear away. And the and result in a splosh to windward!
speed around the race track – which more you pull the rudder towards you, Adjust your weight and sail instead.
is basically don’t use it unless you’re the more the back of the boat comes
trying to make a change in direction – out the water, which makes the bow THE FAST GYBE
and even then you don’t ever use the go in and again makes the boat want Because a gybe is just an extension
rudder to turn, you actually use it to to go towards the wind. With leeward of a bear away, if you do it the right
flatten or change the pitch of the boat.” heel, the rudder is a lifting plane and way the boat will accelerate rather
than decelerate. By heeling the boat to
Fundamentally, you sail using the sail, or windward and throwing the rig at the
wind, the boat will speed up into the
sails, and by moving your body weight gybe. This is great news as the faster
you’re going, the easier it is to gybe, as
lifts the back of the boat out of the the boom will just come over. You won’t
water. This moves the wetted surface have to fight with it against the wind.
area forward and increases weather As Steve points out, while it is possible
helm – making it harder to bear away. to get away with a lot of boat handling
“The real good guys don’t pull the errors on flat water, the sea is not so
rudder towards them, they let the sail forgiving, and the same fundamental
out - and that makes the boat heel laws can be used to your advantage
to windward and then they can bear in a big wave gybe: “You heel the boat
away very easily with the rudder. The until it starts to do a massive capsize
clever thing is because the boat is to windward – then when you use the
heeled to windward, the rudder sinks rudder to bear away, it is a sinking
JESUS RENEDO/SAILING ENEREGY; RYA
the transom, lifts the bow, moves plane that moves the wetted surface
the wetted surface area backwards area backward and because it also
and the boat bears away, usually follows the first law, which is as you
planing; it makes it go like a bomb!” bear away the boom goes towards the
The same principle applies in a water; it also stops you capsizing.”

SMOOTH STEERING FEATURE
GAINS TO WINDWARD
The more you understand what the
foils do, the more you can fine tune
how your boat responds on all parts
of the race course. Upwind in light to
moderate conditions, for example, Steve
says you can heel the boat to windward
but push the rudder to counteract the
hull that is now trying to bear away.
You are going to slow down a bit
but you have effectively twisted the
angle at which the boat is going
through the water - by creating a
gybing effect on the centreboard -
allowing you to crawl to windward.
Tip: Try this in light winds when you
are trying to climb higher for a
tactical advantage. In a two-person
boat on flat water, have the crew
as far forwards as possible to
reduce the wetted surface area.
Tip: Heel the boat to windward to bear “fundamentally you sail the boat with the Above
Downwind, focus
away into the gybe and keep the speed thing that’s flapping around in the wind”. on keeping the sail
on! Don’t back off in a breeze even if it
feels scary – fast is the key to success.
A happy sail is one that is set at 90
degrees to the wind on a run: “You can
at 90 degrees to
the wind direction STOP SWIMMING
be on a reach or a run or sailing by the Below
The need for
AND MORE...
DEATH ROLLS lee – but if the sail is set at 90 degrees balance – when The RYA
There are times of course when to the wind, it’s going to be stable, and sails are less Dinghy Show
than ‘happy’
using the rudder as your first then when you don’t set the sail at 90 presented
weapon of choice is useful, such degrees to the wind, it is an unhappy by Suzuki, in
as when swift action might be sail, and the boat actually wants to association with Yachts & Yachting
needed to deal with a death roll. take you to the place where the sail and Gill will take place at Alexandra
As with all Steve’s explanations, becomes 90 degrees to the wind again. Palace over the weekend of 3-4
he has some great video clips “If I am in a Laser on a reach and let March. Steve will be sharing all his
which demonstrate his theories in the sail out too far for reaching, the top tips on the stage in the RYA
practice. Among the most dramatic boat will heel to windward and go into a Knowledge Zone – it will be a must-
are those shot from a RIB and using death roll – the boat wants to bear away do session for anyone who wants
an on board camera to capture the until the sail is 90 degrees to the wind, to learn how to sail fast rather than
build up of tension down a windy that’s what a boat is designed to do. slow, or who wants to gybe without
run and the ultimate failure of a “The boat will take you where you tell capsizing, or avoid death rolls!
sailor to prevent a death roll. it to go with your weight and the sheets For more information and to
Again, the solution to avoiding but people do not realise that, they think buy tickets visit dinghyshow.org.uk
a swim is not to use the rudder as they’re in control of it through their rudder.
your instincts might dictate.
As Steve points out: “Most people
tend to push the rudder away from
The solution to avoiding a swim is not to use
them when they go into a death roll, the rudder as our instincts might dictate
which makes it happen quicker, instead
of pulling it towards them to power “That’s how you get death rolls taking
up. The sailor going down the run, place, because they’ve let the sail out
who when the boat rolls on top of him too far and the boat rolls on top of them,
pushes the rudder away from him, falls or a gust of wind will hit them and what
in. The sailor who when the boat heels tends to happen is the leech goes first
to windward bears away, doesn’t.” because it’s unsupported, and that’s
Tip: Don’t fight a death roll by pushing effectively let the sail out. A gust of
the rudder as it will act as a lifting plane wind can make it appear like you’ve let
JESUS RENEDO, PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILING ENERGY/WORLD SAILING
and put the bow down the mine. Let the sail out too far, which then lets the
the boat bear away until it returns to boat death roll to windward until the
stability, and assist this by pulling on sail comes back to being a happy sail
the rudder and sheeting in the sail. again at 90 degrees to the wind. But it’s
just borne you away in the process.”
HAPPY AND SAD SAILS Tip: Work hard with your main
It all links into Steve’s theory of and jib sheets to react to changes
having happy sails and sad sails, since in direction, shifts and gusts.

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SPORTSBOATS SEASON REVIEW
SPORTSBOATS 2017
The sportsboat
and small keelboat
sector spans many
diverse and
dynamic classes.
SUE PELLING takes a
look at how the
scene is changing
and what classes
are doing to
move forwards

SEASON REVIEW
W
ith the benefit of
having ‘two bites
of the cherry’ by
appealing to a wide
range of sailors
– namely those making a transition
from dinghy sailing, as well as big
boat sailors looking to downsize – the
sportsboat market is huge, spanning
everything from two-man dayboat
classes up to the latest pocket rocket
mini grand prix keelboat designs.
While there is a vast range of boats
in these categories to choose from to
suit all abilities, it is interesting that in
recent years, it is some of the more
traditional designs such as the Squib,
Sonata, Impala, Etchells and Flying 15
that have seen a resurgence. Thanks to
clever marketing by strong, supportive,
pro-active associations, many of these
classes have attracted a new, young
generation which is, by definition, the
single most effective way of ensuring
a healthy future for a class.
KURT ARRIGO

Class spotlight Above
The Squib class
Other class associations known for inviting them to compete at one of the
Overall the activity within the sportsboat hopes to mark
offering similar incentives include the nationwide qualifying events with the
sector is showing signs of real growth, its 50th with a Swallow class at Itchenor, who through aim to compete at a final at the end of
huge showing at
in all areas, not just within new or Cowes Week
their bursary boat scheme, offer two the year. We have tried to demonstrate
fashionable classes such as the J/70. teams of youngsters a chance to that clubs with keelboat fleets can run
The 2017 season has seen a notable compete at Lendy Cowes Week every ‘pay as you go’ or ‘pay for play’ events.
increase in some of the older one-design year. The J/24 class also has two boats Scarborough and the Royal Corinthian
classes, which appear to be starting on loan specifically for youngsters, YC, Burnham ran successful events
a new ‘life cycle’, giving newcomers and the 707 class, which successfully in 2017 using 707s, and Torbay used
the opportunity to snap up previously sponsored several youth teams in 2017, SB20s. Although it does rely on club
competitive boats at bargain prices. hopes to increase the number of boats support, more often than not, members
The Etchells class is an example that available for youth teams to four in 2018. have been prepared to lend the six
has proved how facilitating change required boats because they have
can work. Recognising the need to KEELBOAT LEAGUE INITIATIVE found it is excellent class publicity.”
introduce young blood by targeting the The RYA through its keelboat section As well as attracting more young
youth sector within the Etchells Youth introduced a new British Keelboat sailors, proactive classes that listen to
Academy, the class has succeeded in League initiative in 2016 and in just two what the sailors want in general are
lowering the average crew age from years has seen a 50 per cent growth in key. Less time, and less expendable
income is having an effect, which is
With the academy, the class succeeded in why Fenwick believes that making
adjustments to suit lifestyle changes is
lowering the average age from 50 to 30 the foremost requisite. “People simply
don’t have as much leisure time as they
50s to early 30s. Freeing up two boats participation. In 2017, this scheme, aimed used to so classes that have worked on
for the sole use of youth sailors at key at introducing club sailors to keelboat making life simple and therefore less
events has showcased the class as an sailing, saw 30 teams taking part with time consuming seem to be doing well.
exciting, competitive option for young the grand Final, in J/70s. Ben Saxton – The Keelboat League and the match
sailing teams. David Franks, Cowes Olympic Nacra 17 sailor and three-time racing events we run are good examples
Class Captain, commented: “Over the Endeavour Trophy winner – headed the of what many sailors want. They just
last five years, since the programme overall winning team from Itchenor SC. want to turn up to an event without
started, we have introduced 360 young Jack Fenwick, the RYA’s keelboat the hassle of towing the boat there,
sailors to Etchells, which is the best development manager commented: or rigging it – and they simply want to
thing to have happened to the class.” “The idea is to get clubs involved by use the time to actually go sailing.”

SEASON REVIEW SPORTSBOATS
Right
Smaller keelboats
such as the Sonata
are still bouncing
back from the
credit crunch
Below
Impalas in IRC
4 fleet, winter
series; Etchells are
working hard to
attract new sailors;
Swallow nationals
The situation is upbeat in the Sonata

class too – mainly because of the
equally vibrant used boat market, and
strong contingent of competitive sailors
joining from other classes including the
likes of Steve Goacher – the current
class champion. Chris Bentley, class
chairman says it is possible to buy a
kitted out boat for £1,500, which is
great for young sailors looking to have
a go at keelboat racing. “Sonatas can
be bought for a song. Being so well
built to a strict one design they are
HEALTHY USED BOAT MARKET also starting to attract the rock stars
Some classes such the 707s, Sonatas of our sailing world who, with a bit of
and Impalas are, in some ways, victims effort, can turn them into potent race
of their own success. Peak championship machines for not a lot of money.”
attendance in many classes coincided
with the ‘credit crunch’, which resulted BIG NUMBERS
in big drops in numbers and boats By far the biggest class of sportsboat
seemingly disappearing off the scene. in terms of growth over the last year is
Now, with good value for money, the J/70. With now more than 1,300
pedigree boats on the market, the boats on the water at over 70 UK
cycle appears to be starting again sailing clubs, and an impressive 175-
with numbers up all round. The 707s boat entry at the Porto Cervo world
saw 26 boats at its championship and, championship in 2017, this sportsboat is
with plans for the 2018 championship set to expand further as the UK (Torbay)
at Burnham-on-Crouch, numbers 2019 world championship approaches.
are expected to increase further. The J/88 is another owner-driver rule
Fenwick added: “There is no doubt boat enjoying steady growth among
the keelboat sector is recovering from young sailors, and doublehanded
the post credit crunch slump but I would sailing teams. The relatively new
say there has been an increase in the VX1 class, which hosted its inaugural
number of people getting involved in Gold Cup in 2017 at Riva del Garda,
small keelboat sailing, which is thanks now has 12 new boats in build at
to the class associations which have Ovington Boats. Numbers are up also
made big efforts to give more people in the Solent Sunbeam class with
the opportunity to get involved.” reports of a five per cent increase in
KEVIN LYNCH; PAUL WYETH; C/O ETCHELLS CLASS; MIKE SAMUELSON
The J/24 in its 40th anniversary year boats racing and, as the 2018 95th
saw a growth in club racing not least anniversary year events draw closer,
because it is possible to pick up a decent numbers are set to increase further.
competitive boat for as little as £2,000 Having won the Sportsboat of the
and, for a relatively low cost, leave it on year category at the Yachts & Yachting
the club mooring. Also, with the 2018 Awards 2017, the Sam Manuard-
world championship on Lake Garda, the designed Seascape 18 class, is starting
used boat market is expected to take off. to gain popularity. According to Vid

Slapničar, class media manager there championship, which is due to be Above anniversary, the class, feeling the
The J/24s
were 40 new boats on the circuit last held as part of Lendy Cowes Week. celebrated
responsibility to preserve the long and
season: “The Monocup series in Slovenia According to Nigel Grogan, class 40 years of rich history of the boat and class, is
international
in particular was always well supported chairman, the goal is to be the biggest success
planning to publish a history and photo
and if I had to estimate I would say there class at Cowes Week. “We have active book along with a new website.”
was a 20-30 per cent increase in entries fleets across the UK and Ireland and The Nordic Folkboat, which
in comparison with the year before.” offer competitive racing for combined celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2017,
Like the Seascape 18 and 24, the crew weight of between mustered a 76-strong entry to its Gold
award-winning Seascape 27 from 22-30 stone. We always have a Cup event in Denmark. Permission
the Manuard Yacht Design team is good entry at Cowes but given the was granted to fit a rigid boom vang,
beginning to make its name as a simple fact that Rondar, the new builder, in similar style to the Dragon class.
to sail and set up, performance racer. is now in production with the new, Numbers in terms of championship
One of the biggest turnouts to date, foam sandwich, self-draining Squib attendance were up also in the Flying
with a mix of Mini 6.50, Figaro, Finn and there is a healthy used boat 15 class, which celebrated its 70th
and Olympic sailors taking part, was market with fast boats starting anniversary in 2017. Over 50 boats made
at the recent 15th Regatta Jabuka – at £5,000, we are expecting big the trip to Falmouth for the nationals.
the 110 mile Croation offshore race things in our celebratory year.” Keith Jamieson, association secretary
from Vodice to Vodice via Jabuka.
With a whopping 79-boat turnout at
the 2017 SB20 world championship in Numbers were also up in the Flying 15 class,
Cowes at the end of August, there is no
doubt that activity in this 15-year-old
which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2017
one design, is on the rise again. Thanks
to the efforts by the passionate class ANNIVERSARY CLASSES said the class had a fantastic 70th
association, the youth contingent is as Celebrations to mark the 20th world anniversary year kicking off with a drinks
buoyant as the masters’ category, which championship in the Melges 24 class reception at the RYA Dinghy Show
confirms its status as a popular all round, took place in 2017 with 59 entries but in the presence of HRH The Duke of
value for money, performance racer. with the 25th anniversary of the class in Edinburgh’s Flying 15 Coweslip on loan
In terms of popularity, there is 2018 and the European championship from the Royal Collection. In an effort
PAUL TODD/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM
no doubt the Squib class will meet at Lake Garda, the class is preparing however, to rectify the slight downturn
expectations when it comes to for a bumper year. Piret Salmistu, in some open meeting turnouts,
projected number of entries at next international class media coordinator the class has a plan in place: “We
season’s special 50th anniversary said: “To celebrate this remarkable have recognised that it is either due

SEASON REVIEW SPORTSBOATS
Right
2017 was a
special year for
the Flying 15s
Below
J/80s racing in
the USA; Ajax
racing in Scotland;
XOD competition
during Cowes
Week
to possibly too many events on

the calendar or due to the current
economic climate. As a consequence
the association will be focusing its
efforts on regional events and the
primary championships in 2018.”
Tweaks to the class over the 2017
season include the introduction of a new
higher aspect ratio jib, easily adopted
with sight adjustment to existing jib
sheeting arrangements. Jamieson says
the change has been “popular across
the fleet, improving safety, better vision
to leeward and easier to sheet”.
DID YOU KNOW? Jamieson says there is also a
The XOD X80, Lass won the developing trend back to twin spinnaker
Captain’s Cup [the premier class poles (previously popular in the 70s), this
trophy] for the fifth consecutive time in carbon and with the addition of
year in 2017. This is an achievement lazy guys. “As a probable result of these
unprecedented in the 87-year two changes we are seeing lighter crew
history of the Captain’s Cup since weights down from 190kg+ to 159kg+.”
it was first awarded in 1930.
LOCAL ONE DESIGNS
David Heritage Racing Yachts Pockets of local one-designs around
has managed to complete the the country continue to thrive. While
re-build of the glassfibre Victory the upkeep of these classics tends to be
mould that was destroyed costly, the benefits of enjoying top class,
in the 2016 Cowes fire. local racing, is becoming an attractive
option, particularly for those with less
A total of 25 new Phil Morrison- time on their hands for travelling.
tweaked Petticrow V6 Dragons The Ajax class celebrated its
were built in 2017 and at the 50th anniversary in 2017 and plans
world championship the V6 are in place for a 50th anniversary
dominated the fleet with a national championship this year.
first, third and a fifth place. In the south, the XOD remains one of
the largest Solent fleets with a 58-strong
The largest UK fleet of RS entry at Lendy Cowes Week. Malcolm
Elites is based at Hayling Island Taylor, class press officer reports on the
SC with over 20 boats regularly efforts to retain the class’s strict one-
DAVID HARDING; INGRID ABERY; C/O AJAX CLASS; TOM SHAW
racing. The fleet in Antigua is design status: “There were a few non-
also now in double figures. contentious changes in 2017 that bring
sail material and boat measuring in line
A total prize purse of $200,000 with World Sailing’s Equipment rules, and
is up for grabs at the annual we have sought to better define details
Star Sailors League Final. like boom packing and bilge sumps,
stem heights and toe rail dimensions.”

SPORTSBOATS SEASON REVIEW
JOINING FORCES: HP30 CLASS

While plenty of small keelboats The Diam
now enjoy a healthy class racing
scene, there is also a new concept to
24OD high
provide mixed class racing for boats performance
at the top end of this size bracket.
The HP30 class, based on a similar trimaran has really
box rule model to the highly successful
Fast40+, has been re-launched for
made its mark
2018 and is currently working with the
RORC rating office to clarify class rules. or extracted results in mixed fleets,
Broadly speaking, it will offer depending on numbers available.”
fleet racing for fast sailboats up
to 30ft (9.2m) LOA including the
FarEast28R, Farr280, Farr30, MULTIHULLS
Henderson 30, Soto30, C&C30, Thanks to stability, speed and ease of
MC31, Open 7.5, Extreme 26, and handling, multihulls of this size are seeing
Pauger30. Existing boats (boats with a boost, with several recent launches.
an IRC age date or series date prior Since it was introduced as the new
to 1 January 2015) remain at 9.5m. class for the Tour de France à la Voile in
For new classes such as the Farr280, 2015, the Diam 24OD high performance
which won the Sportsboat IRC division trimaran has really made its mark
at Lendy Cowes Week in 2017, the HP30 globally with Fluid Boat Services
appointed UK agent and a British class
association supporting a UK race circuit.
CELEBRATIONS The Australian Morelli and Melvin
Many classes celebrated a designed SuperFoiler is a 26ft foiling
significant birthday last season with trimaran launched in 2017. It has a
more festivities planned for 2018... solid deck and with three trapezes
designed in similar vein to the popular
2017 CELEBRATIONS 18ft Skiff with a grand prix circuit
Melges 24 – 20th anniversary and TV coverage scheduled.
world championship From Verdier, specialists in the field
J/24 – 40th anniversary of of foiling yachts including the likes of
the first production boat Hugo Boss and Comanche, comes
Nordic Folkboat – the new 26ft foiling catamaran – Easy
75th anniversary To Fly. Built by the French-based
Flying 15 – 70th anniversary Absolute Dreamer this carbon-fibre
Ajax – 50th anniversary S-foils speedster is designed for one
design racing for a crew of three.
2018 LANDMARKS
Squib – 50th anniversary
Ajax – 50th championship
anniversary PROVISIONAL 2018 HP30
Solent Sunbeam – CLASS RACING SCHEDULE
95th anniversary RORC Easter Challenge
Swallow – 70th anniversary – 29 March - 1 April
Melges 24 – 25th anniversary Royal Southern May
Regatta – 12-13 May
NEW SPORTSBOAT Vice Admirals Cup – 18-20 May
LAUNCHES IN 2017 Above, from top class is the perfect option because it Poole Regatta – 26-
The Seascape18;
Dufour Dakka 24 – open cockpit, The Farr280;
offers a professionally run circuit of top 28 May (possible HP30
car towable, lift-keel dayboat the new Diam class racing, bringing together the many national championship)
24OD trimaran
FarEast19 – entry-level performance racers in this size range. Royal Southern June
sportsboat for clubs, and schools Joe Hall, HP30 class manager says Regatta – 23-24 June
Diam 24OD – launched in the UK there is scope for more classes to join in Round the Island Race – 1 July
this year, a 24ft tri popular in Fance the racing too. ”There is plenty of choice Royal Southern July
TOM GRUITT; PAUL TODD/OUTSIDEIMAGES; RICK TOMLINSON
Superfoiler – set to be raced and for varying sizes of budget and there are Regatta – 14-15 July
televised this winter in Australia other boats which could be optimised Lendy Cowes Week – 4-11 August
Easy to Fly – an S-foiled cat to fit the rule with minor changes.” Dartmouth Regatta – 30
speedster from France Hall says the class has received a August-1 September
BR31 - Ben Rogerson designed lot of positive input, and explains: “We Royal Southern September
ultra modern carbon fibre racer have come up with an outline schedule Regatta – 8-9 September
of events providing HP30 class starts

CLASS WINNER 2016
FA R R YACH T SA LE S E U R O P E
Te l e p h on e : + 44 ( 0 ) 7774 1 3 8 7 77
YACHT SALES E ma i l : j oe @fa rrya c h t s a l e s .co m
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probably not a silent secret
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Bank/Building Society account number Bank sort code yachtsandyacht
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RIDE
Toby Heppell
gets an insig
Expert coverage of
ht into life on
a Volvo 65
and comes
away with
new respect
Signature Date
was lucky enough
on Team Akzono to get a ride
bel during the Id heard a fair
all aspects of racing,

opening of the bit about the
Volvo Ocean sailors in the boats from
Race practice last race and Above
series (a k a entirely positive not all of it Leg 0 reaching note other teams
for a lap of the Leg 0) Some of the were at times
Isle I had heard grumbles from The Needles
I stepped ashore of Wight immediately
presented to St Catherin fairly differen
t sail combin running
some time later themselves point in 35 e’s
were able to ations and
day in awe of that clearly the 65s knots match
the skill and quickest when are at their round the world one another In a
from club regattas and

it takes to sail commitment
COMPLETE THE FORM & SEND TO:

sailed with a race selectio
these boats at amount of heel significant to have up and n of what
performance max mum enough to feel when is just
day and night not to mention alien to the forecast as linked
three hours After just make getting as it is to the
I was wet tired the boats somewh around conditions current
just being in (desp te at tricky Then but teams will
the guest spot) is the difficu there to consider which also have
for a shower and ready ty of
and some dry max speed Througkeeping the boats at combin
class championships
clothes offers the most ation of sails
It was blow ng hout the race flexibility and
35 knots round fighting tooth we were least strain on puts the
the back of the and nail with
Yachts & Yachting, Sovereign Park, Lathkill Street,

island with third but what Brunel the rest of the
big waves and fairly was most surprisi for also maintai
ning decent
rig while
the ng were
com ng on board amount of water quite a bit of pace There was
After just
analysis
in the form of this subject through and discussion on
ready for a three hours I was wet

constantly
and waves washing spray
to the Olympic class

out our sland
the deck every down lap
shower and
third wave or
staggering It so
s hard to imagine was , tired, and
some dry clot
Market Harborough, LE16 9EF, UK
the breezier
parts of the race during
any chance of
getting
there is
the distances
won hes
the same course and lost when both on
The effort involved dry or warm with the same
circuit and the Volvo

from the whole I can t rememb sails up It is well known
team is also er the last time
something to was rac ng a that the 65s
one design era respect one design where I under crewed are
has many detracto The differences could speed what I saw on
and th s was
borne out by
t has kept the rs but be as much a AkzoNobel
race merely from 0 5 knot
edition attractin alive and another keep trimmers having often w th
g into its maximu ng the boat locked to ditch trimmin
teams is pretty seven competing m performance duty or grinder g
Ocean Race
impressive The But though s stop grindin
g in
If you wish to gift more than one subscription, you can write additional recipients’ name and address details
clearly has is these can be order to pick
to ramp up pressureffect it negat ves in viewed as up on some
other task
sailors themsel e a one Finally all teams
ves It was pretty on the makes for some design fleet it actually and trying to were exper ment
that any lapse obvious interesting racing get a feel on ng
in concentration There were a
on a separate sheet of paper. Unless you request otherwise, gift subscriptions will commence with the first
punished by would be significant number modes for the the various
a significant boats
to competitors loss in mileage passes between
Brunel and ourselve
of going on between The two boat tuning
Again maintai AkzoNobel in s on run up to the some teams
that level of ning just one lap in the
race will be
issue to be published after Christmas.

focus and mostly we of the island
t me is someth for 30 days at a had the same invaluable as
a l crew have
I believe
ng I cannot Though we and sails up tuning time been short on
fathom!
CEAN ACE
the same sai Brunel kept I would also

plan I was interestlargely lack of tuning imagine
time will manifes this
ed to
A NH A ANCHEZ/VOLVO
30 Yachts a close opening t into

& Yacht ng two legs down
November Town as teams to Cape
2017
try to gauge
performance
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OFFSHORE
SAFETY CHECKLIST
A
truism that is often EPIRBS AND PLBS Above in the sea, while a PLB must be held
Crossing oceans
heard is that it is the Emergency Position Locating Beacons or coastal racing,
with its retractable antenna pointing
skipper and crew that and Personal Locator Beacons have long your boat must towards the sky. In addition EPIRBs
meet 'Category'
make a boat safe, not the been the gold standard in indicating requirements
can be either manually or automatically
emergency equipment distress when offshore, as they send a activated, whereas PLBs are activated
carried on board. However, even message directly to a satellite system. manually to prevent false alarms.
the best seamanship can’t mitigate It’s well worth choosing a model with In both cases battery replacement
every risk and when things go wrong a built-in GPS – indeed the OSRs is relatively expensive; however the
offshore there’s no substitute for now require this for new units. The latest models are cheaper then they
having the right kit available. reason is simple – units with a GPS have been in the past, and battery life
That is where the Offshore Special transmit an accurate position within has extended to seven or 10 years. This
Regulations (see boxout, p70) a couple of minutes of activation, means it may no longer be economic
administered by World Sailing (formerly whereas non-GPS models can take to replace the battery of older units. It’s
ISAF) come in. They specify the safety almost an hour to provide a position rarely worth paying extra for an EPIRB
criteria, covering design and build within a range of around three miles. with a user-replaceable battery as these
standards, equipment to be carried, Unlike EPIRBs, PLBs (Personal cost more to manufacture, so the higher
and crew training, for races of any Locator Beacons) are designed to be up-front cost negates later savings.
type, whether an afternoon around carried by each person to raise an EPIRBs are mandatory for all boats in
the buoys in the Solent, or a trans- alarm in a man overboard situation Category 0, 1 and 2 (e.g. Rolex Fastnet)
ocean adventure. The past few years and mark their position. It’s therefore races. The unit must be registered to
have seen much development of new important to recognise that there are key the boat, through the Coastguard’s
MARTIN KERUZORE/VOLVO OCEAN RACE
and improved safety and emergency differences between PLBs and EPIRBs 05 UK Beacon Registry. It’s worth noting
kit for offshore racing, along with beyond the obvious ones of physical that for a number of years this process
NEXT MONTH
increasing regulation that requires size and transmit time (24 hours vs 48 Bags and holdalls has taken around 10 weeks, so it’s
more of this new equipment to be hours). Most importantly, an EPIRB On sale worth buying these items well in
carried, especially on longer races. will transmit while it’s floating free 05 January advance of the start of the season.

TECH FOCUS OFFSHORE SAFETY
1. The RescueMe
EPIRB 1 from
Ocean Signal
2. McMurdo's
SmartFind G8
AIS and EPIRB
3. Ocean Signal's
1
E100 EPIRB can
be purchased
with or without
GPS locators
4. RescueMe PLB1
from Ocean Signa
is the smallest,
waterproof PLB
RUPERT HOLMES
runs through the
2
essential items
you need on 5. The FastFind
board to keep 4
220 is a compact
PLB and will
you and your slip into the
smallest pocket
crew safe, 6. The McMurdo
particularly Smartfind S2
clips on a lifej
3
when venturing 7. RescueMe

distress flare
offshore LED technolo
for signalling
8. Crewsaver 6
Skyite 2 Flare
PERSONAL AIS TRANSMITTERS 9. Pyrotechn

A drawback of PLBs is that their signal flares in use d
can’t be received by a vessel at sea, so if 5 safety trainin
you lose visual sight of a person in the
water your own ability to rescue them
is seriously diminished. Personal AIS
transmitters, however, will display their
position on your own boat’s AIS display
(often overlaid on the chartplotter).
The personal AIS transmitter therefore 7
gives a yacht’s crew far more chance of
locating and therefore rescuing a person
in the water than a PLB. Some models
also have a DSC function which activates
the alarm on any DSC equipped VHF 8
transceivers within range. In most cases
the unit is attached to the lifejacket and
fitted so that it is activated when the
jacket inflates. At the moment these
are required for all crew in Category
0 and 1 races, although in future this
is likely to extend to shorter races.
MFDs and stand-alone AIS displays
running relatively recent software
will show the target as a red symbol, 9
rather than the default black triangle.

It would seem like a natural step though it requires annual maintenance
to include both a PLB and a personal in the same way that lifejackets do. It’s
AIS transmitter in the same device. worth noting that the type of lifebuoy
However, there is a regulatory hurdle lights with user-replaceable batteries
to overcome, as PLBs are required to tend to be extremely unreliable. It is
1 be manually activated, while the AIS therefore worth going for the sealed and
unit is best activated automatically. completely waterproof type that will
typically have a five year battery life.
DISTRESS FLARES While all lifejackets should be fitted
Thanks to the advances in other methods with lights, at night it’s still very difficult
of signalling distress, there is no longer to determine the distance you are
a requirement to carry red parachute from the light. Spinlock developed its
1. The Crewsaver flares, and the requirement for white Lume-On device that makes the bladder
rescue sling can collision-avoiding flares was dropped of the jacket glow for this reason – it
2 be deployed to some time ago. This means it’s necessary makes it significantly easier to judge
assist a MOB only to carry four pinpoint red handheld the final approach to the casualty.
flares and a pair of orange smoke flares. It’s also important to have a viable plan
2. A traditional
It’s worth noting that many chandlers for getting a crewmember back on board.
horse-shoe float
have not yet caught up with these In reasonably calm conditions a boarding
and light from
changes and are continuing to promote ladder on the back of the boat may be all
Ocean Safety
the old-style larger RORC packs. that’s necessary. However if there’s a sea
High tech electronic flares, which of any size running, then recovery over
now usually feature LED lights, are the transom risks a head injury, with
also worth considering. These have the back of the boat slamming down
the advantage of several hours of in waves. It’s therefore sensible to plan
3 battery life, rather than around 40 how you would recover someone, who is
3. Crewsaver's take
on the traditional seconds for a conventional hand-held potentially unconscious, from amidships.
horse-shoe float red, and have a longer shelf life. On a boat that is sufficiently large to
have big winches, then a lifting stop
4. Spinlock's Lume-
CREW OVERBOARD EQUIPMENT attached to the ends of the spinnaker
On lights up a
We covered lifejackets and harnesses halyard may be all that’s needed.
lifejacket's bladder
in a recent issue of Y&Y, but it’s worth
noting the 2018 OSRs will require all CLASS B AIS TRANSPONDER
crew on Category 3 and longer races An AIS transponder, which allows you
4
to have a mid-point snaphook on a 2m to see the position of other AIS equipped
tether. Beyond that, the requirements for vessels and also transmits your own
basic man overboard kit are for a pair of vessel data, is a requirement for Category
5. The Jonbuoy lifebuoys, each with a drogue and light, 2 and longer races (Category 3 in the
Inflatable Rescue plus a danbouy and a lifesling. Given case of RORC). Although it’s possible
Sling is designed for that this represents a lot of clutter and to buy a standalone unit with its own
quick recovery of a windage at the back of the boat, most screen, it’s generally more convenient
MOB, packing into choose a route that will at least reduce to have one that will integrate with the
a soft or hard case this. The Jonbuoy inflatable danbuoy, for boat’s other electronics, so that targets
instance, is particularly popular, even can be overlaid on a chart plotter –
5
OFFSHORE SPECIAL REGULATIONS
World Sailing has four different categories that cover the requirements
for offshore and oceanic racing. There are also two special categories –
one for inshore (big boat) racing and one for inshore dinghy racing.
The entire document, which runs to more than 50 pages, plus a
further 55 pages of appendices, is essential reading for anyone who
races on a big boat – it can be downloaded for free at sailing.org
Category 0 is for trans-oceanic races, including races which pass through
areas in which air or sea temperatures are likely to be less than 5 degrees C
and where boats must be self-sufficient for extended periods and capable
of withstanding storms and emergencies without outside assistance.
Category 1 is similar, but without the low temperatures of ‘Cat 0’. As an
example, most transatlantic races are Category 1. Category 2 covers races of
extended duration along or not far removed from shorelines where a high degree
of self-sufficiency is required. This includes races such as the Rolex Fastnet.

1. Ocean Signal
ATB1 Class B AIS 1
Transponder and
2
GPS antenna
2. Exposure's Verso
Mk2 Headtorch is a
leader in its class
3. The McMurdo
SmartFind M5 4
AIS Class A
Transponder with
MOB rescue display
4. The lightweight,
carbon, floating,
LED flashlight
from Exposure
if you can’t access the information of the boat. For deck work and sail LIFERAFTS AND GRAB BAGS
on deck then it is of limited use. trimming it’s important that the torch In the UK this is normally a requirement
is not too bright, otherwise everyone’s for Category 3 (e.g. cross-Channel)
RADAR REFLECTORS night vision gets wrecked. A red bulb is and longer races. If buying a new raft
It’s easy to assume that, if you can be ideal and there are plenty of waterproof it must comply with the ISO9650 or
seen by other boats on AIS, an effective LED head torches that will do this job. specific SOLAS standards, although
radar reflector is of less importance. It’s also worth doing what you can older models that comply with other
However, many commercial vessels to minimise the need to flash torches standards (as defined in the OSRs) are
still use radar as their primary collision around. GlowFast luminous camber still acceptable. It’s important to note
avoidance tool. When in open water, stripes on the sails, and on spreader that a raft stowed in a valise may only
where a yacht under sail is the stand marks, are a huge advantage be kept in a dedicated self-draining
on vessel it can therefore be helpful for a modest cost. Similarly, the deck locker, or below decks on a boat
to show up clearly on radar. company’s clutch labels are a launched before June 2001. In the latter
Unfortunately, even in the largest sizes, worthwhile investment, especially case, it must be possible to get the raft to
passive reflectors don’t reliably reflect a if you don’t sail with exactly the the rail within 15 seconds. If you want
strong signal. It’s therefore worthwhile same crew through the season. to keep the raft on deck, then it must be
considering an active reflector, such as There’s also a RORC requirement in a canister and a raft weighing more
the EchoMax product(s), that amplifies to have a bright deck torch and/or a than 40kg must be located such that it
the strength of the reflected signal.
Ideally an RTE should work with both Luminous camber stripes on the sails and
on spreader marks are a huge advantage
X and S band radar, which maximises
your chances of being seen. My own
experience of using such a system
is that every ship I’ve spoken to has searchlight that is capable of continuous can be easily launched without lifting.
already identified my boat through a use, plus a floating waterproof ISO9650 rafts have the option of
combination of radar and AIS. That’s torch that can be thrown into less than 24 hour or greater than 24
a huge help in a potential collision the sea as a marker for a man hour equipment packs. Items missing
situation with only 10 minutes left to run. overboard incident at night. from the former can be kept in a grab
The Exposure range has some bag ready for immediate use should
TORCHES excellent models for both these purposes you need to abandon the boat.
There are a number of different that retain charge throughout a 600
requirements for torches on board. mile race, will float with the beam FIREFIGHTING
One is a personal torch for each pointing skywards and are also bright It’s easy to gloss over this aspect of safety,
crewmember, the other for the safety enough for use as a searchlight. but a fire on board has the potential

1. Crewsaver's
new liferaft range
launched this year
4 2. McMurdo's Grab
Bag provides space
for emergency
necessities
3. Ocean Safety's
Grab Bag comes
with a see through 3
panel and roll-
top opening
4. Seago's four
person coastal
leisure liferaft
in action
to be one of the most frightening EMERGENCY TILLER B y

situations you can meet offshore. In A carbon tiller may look trendy, but properly calibrated, and the calibration
many cases yachts are underspecified the OSRs require you to carry a spare is readjusted as the batteries age, they
in this department and the OSR tiller unless the main one is made of will tell you exactly the percentage
requirements should be considered metal. Given that’s the case, it may charge left in the batteries and the time
as a bare minimum. It’s important to be better to go for an unbreakable remaining until you have to recharge.
recognise that extinguishers do not have option in the first place. This is the A simpler – and lower cost – option
an infinite lifespan and ideally should route taken by the Figaro class in is just to wire in a digital voltmeter.
be weighed and serviced annually. both the Figaro 2 and retained for While this will not give you all the
the Figaro 3 (see test in next issue). information that a sophisticated
RIG CUTTERS battery monitor will provide, it
In the past these were typically a pair BATTERY MONITOR will indicate the most important
of bolt cutters that would slice through There are no requirements to have a single criteria – you need to start
6-7mm standing rigging. Today’s larger battery monitoring system, however, charging when the voltage has
and higher stability boats require a more repeated deep discharges of the service dropped to around 12.2V.
powerful solution. There are options bank will drastically shorten its lifespan.
available, including hydraulic cutters, In longer races there’s a surprising
models with an explosive charge and number of boats that end up suffering
even cordless angle grinders. All require from power failure. However this can TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
care with use, including eye protection, be avoided by ensuring the batteries In addition to carrying the appropriate equipment,
which should be stowed with the device. are recharged before they reach maintaining it and ensuring that everyone on board is
It’s well worth getting a test sample loads and 50 per cent of capacity. familiar with it, the Offshore Special Regulations also
of wire or rod that matches the largest The big question is, how do you know specify further training for a proportion of the crew to
diameter standing rigging on your boat when the batteries reach that point? ensure they are kept abreast of the basics of what to do
(a rigger should be happy to supply an Many people rely on guesswork, but in an emergency situation.
off-cut or a one metre length) and use that simply doesn’t do the job. It might These cover First Aid and Sea Survival with again the
that to test your equipment to make sure be fine when the batteries are new, but precise requirements differing for different offshore
it works effectively. It’s also worth noting not as their capacity declines with age. categories and whether the boat is raced fully crewed
that cutting away Dyneema halyards will That’s where battery monitors such as or doublehanded.
quickly dull the best of knife blades. Victron’s BMV 700 series and Nasa’s

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² HYHU\RQH·V ZRUVW QLJKWPDUH searchlight is designed to do just that – make
the difference between life and death.
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trimming and searching. Battery indication and
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suitable for every job on-board.
Be seen with the MOB Strobe
Visit www.exposurelights.com for more
information.
One night, it might just make the difference.
MADE IN
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THE ATACAMA [AT-UH-KAM-UH] DRYSUIT

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NEW IN 2018 TRAVEL

T
he traditional sailing holiday destinations to its portfolio for the it a perfect hub for sailing around
destinations of the Med and 2018 season. Holidaymakers can now Istria and northern Adriatic islands.
the Caribbean offer a huge enjoy a wider choice with bases now in The Sunsail holiday regular will
range of beach club and Pula in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, doubtless be delighted that the company
charter companies to choose and Naples, Italy. The stunning setting has added a new Italian base in Sicily
from that include flotilla, skippered of Naples from the base at Pozzuoli to its portfolio, making it Sunsail’s
and bareboat charter, and even by the provides the perfect platform to explore fifth location in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
cabin berths – and there’s plenty of new the coastline. In Montenegro the base The new Portorosa base in northeast
options in store for next season. Read is located in Kotor, inside the Boka Sicily offers temperate weather (average
on for some ideas and inspiration... Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), a UNESCO temperature of 28 degress C from March
protected natural wonder spreading for to November) and mild winds, which
CROATIA, ITALY, MONTENEGRO 28km along the East Adriatic coastline. make it a great starting point for tours
Dream Yacht Charter operates 800 The Pula base in Croatia is located in of the Sicilian coast, or voyages north
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boats in more than 40 locations around ACI Marina Pomer on the southern around the UNESCO-protected Aeolian
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NEW HORIZONS
Find out what the booming sailing holiday sector will be offering in
terms of exciting, new options for 2018, as SUE PELLING reports
sailingholidays.com
Flotilla sailing in the Greek Islands or
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TRAVEL NEW IN 2018
With 40 years of experience running

successful flotillas in the Greek Islands
Barrie Neilson and his team at Sailing
Holidays knows how important is to
listen to feedback. By popular demand
the two week Faraway Islands Flotilla
in the Ionian Islands is back in 2018
but only for two dates in the summer
holidays – 29 July and 12 August.
Corfu and Paxos islands largely shelter
the sailing area but regular afternoon
breezes ensure a good sail in the north
to the remote Faraway Islands.
Seafarer Cruising & Sailing Holidays
eight-berth Sunsail 38 premier yachts, it from – from 38-57ft – this is likely to Above specialises in both worldwide flotillas
Kassiopi, a village
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and beach club sailing in Nikiana
dramatic islands and volcanoes that rise also upgraded its Ionian flotilla fleet to Sailing Holidays and Kefalos, and offer a residential
theatrically from the sea. Other updates include new Sun Odyssey 349s and 419s. Below watersports instructor course.
on the Sunsail flotilla portfolio include a Fun afloat with Seafarer’s cabin charter product, ideal
Dream Yacht
make over for the popular Mljet flotilla BALEARICS Charter; for solo travellers, is popular with
itinerary with new stops adding history Mallorca Yacht Charter is offering Sunsail flotilla guaranteed weekly departures in the
under sail
and intrigue to an already magical week. a ‘too-good-to miss’ opportunity with Cyclades and Ionian planned for 2018.
Sunsail’s Meganisi flotilla now includes a its buy one get one half price offer for Other new features for 2018 include
chance to explore Paleros, enjoy dolphin its low season in 2018. With bases in Kefalonia as a start base for its Ionian
spotting in the Ionian as well as a chance Alcudia and Pollenca and a fleet of flotilla, which gives scope to sail a
to explore Greek and Byzantine ruins. eight Jeanneau yachts to choose from, lot further south. The two-country
Nautilus, which specialises in this is a perfect option to explore flotilla covering Dalmatian coast
worldwide bareboat and flotilla holidays the beautiful east coast, and a good and the bay of Kotor in Monetengro,
including destinations in the Med, start point for a Balearic cruise. was a popular addition in 2017, as
Atlantic/Baltic, Caribbean and Far East was the South of France Cote D’Azur
has added a new Croatia flotilla to its GREECE flotilla, and both are back for 2018.
schedule. Aimed at those who want to Some charter companies, such as Sail Ionian is a well-established family-
spend less time travelling to the start Ocean Elements and Neilson have run, holiday charter and training centre
port, Trogir is based only 15 minutes beach club bases, which gives the option based on the island of Lefkas, in Vliho
from Split airport. With a huge range to mix and match. A popular choice Bay, just 45 minutes from Preveza
of yachts and catamarans to choose for a fortnight’s holiday is a week at a
dinghy/watersports base, followed by
a week flotilla or individual charter.
For the 2018 season, Ocean Elements
PEAK BOOKING is launching a host of new activities
‘Sunshine Saturday’ – the second at its resorts and hotels in Greece.
Saturday of the year – is annually The Nautica Beach Club at Porto Heli
the holiday sector’s busiest day. has introduced foiling to its already
The spike in holiday bookings at extensive range of courses, which
this time of year is a direct means it is now possible to learn the
reflection of post-festive, back to basics of foiling in a week – more on
work syndrome. And this year, it this page 78. There have been upgrades
coincides nicely with London Boat across the flotilla and yacht fleet of
Show’s new feature – the Boating & Jeanneaus, as well as the introduction
Watersports Holiday Show. Howard of a ‘North Ionian’ flotilla route to
Pridding, chief executive officer at complement its South Ionian route.
British Marine explains: Founded by experienced professional
“Watersports and boating holidays skipper Malcolm Marshall in 2017,
are clearly growth sectors and are Aegean Sailing offers bespoke sailing
really important ones for us for holidays aboard a skippered, luxuriously
attracting the next generation of equipped Baltic 43 performance
boaters. Plus, January is the busiest sailing yacht based on the island of
time for people booking holidays, Aegina – a short hop from the Port of
SAILING HOLIDAYS; DREAM YACHT CHARTER; SUNSAIL
making the all-new Boating & Piraeus. For the 2018 season Aegean
Watersports Holiday Show the Sailing has introduced archaeological
perfect time to further promote sea cruises to include a passage through
charter, flotilla, inland hire and the Corinth Canal and visits to
boating activity breaks.” Delphi, Epidavros, Mycaenae and
the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina.

NEW IN 2018 TRAVEL
airport. The company has introduced for Right

A Waszp-eye
the 2018 season 10 or 11-aay charters view of Minorca
or shorter three or four day trips as a
Below
direct result of more flights into Preveza Palma; family
arriving on Wednesdays. Sail Ionian has fun with Ocean
Elements; a
also expanded its fleet for 2018 to include Croatian berth
Bavaria Cruise 37s, two Cabin Bavaria with Nautilus
Vision 42s and a Bavaria 46 Style.
CARIBBEAN
MedSailors, which offers skippered
sailing holidays in Croatia, Greece, Turkey
and Italy, has for 2018, introduced a two
Caribbean routes – Antigua and Barbuda.
Its sister company YachtGetaways,
which offers premier charter holidays Beach clubs
across the Mediterranean has not With foiling fast becoming all the rage, offer Laser and Hobie masterclass weeks
only added an Italian Explorer it is not surprising to see beach club in addition to its comprehensive holiday
route to its 2018 schedule, but also holiday centres taking the opportunity season schedule. Wildwind’s 2018
a new Caribbean Explorer route to expand their services to include a Laser race training weeks with resident
including Antigua and Barbuda. foiling option. For the 2018 season expert Aaron Smith commence on 6,
Minorca Sailing, Wildwind and 13 and 20 May. Multihull race training
Ocean Elements to name a few will headed by Joe Bennett will be held on
have staff qualified to teach foiling. two weeks starting 13 and 20 May.
Ocean Elements has invested in a Having put the foiling Waszp class to
fleet of F101 foiling trimarans (aimed the test in 2017, the team at Minorca
at confident Laser sailors) and, at the Sailing are preparing for 2018 with
Vassiliki resort it is possible to learn the imminent arrival of two brand-
to foil on a windsurfer. From 2018 new Waszps, and a selection of foiling
onwards all clubs including Leda, the windsurfers. This means it will be
Surf Hotel and Xenia (Vassiliki) and possible to venture to Ses Salines in the
Nautica Bay (Porto Heli) offer five bay of Fornells and experience the joys
days of free inclusive RYA tuition and of foiling in a warm, safe environment.
courses for sailing and windsurfing. Europa Holidays, which offers
And, as always, all performance boats tailored holidays including day sailing
such as the RS Aero RS100, RS200, experiences on the eastern side of Lake
RS500 and 800 are offered free for use. Garda near Malcesine, Italy, is also
By popular demand, the changeover targeting foiling. Having hosted the
day at Club Leda, Pelion has switched International Moth World Championship
to Saturday rather than Friday. in 2017, the company, keen to share its
As well as a new foiling feature for knowledge, has added the foiling Waszp
2018, Vassiliki-based Wildwind on the to its already good range of dinghy,
Greek island of Lefkas, will once again catamaran and windsurfer fleets.
INDEPENDENT YACHT CHARTERS

For those who want to simply charter countries. Demand in its popular and
a yacht there is a host of yacht off-the-radar destinations has led to
charter representatives offering a additional locations such as Australia,
wide selection. Most are for cruising Panama, South Africa and Cuba.
but some companies, like Scarlet Next season will also see the Canary
Oyster, offer charter for racing. Islands, Seychelles, Maldives and
Proteus Yacht Charters represents Thailand included, and special one-
more than 4,000 yachts anchored in day crewed cruises for honeymoons
100 locations. For 2018 the company or other special occasions.
has introduced canal boat vacations Looking ahead to summer 2018,
MINORCA; OCEAN ELEMENTS; PROTEUS YACHT CHARTERS
throughout Europe – from Ireland the company is planning on a

to Venice and, as with all bookings, website re-vamp to make it easier
Proteus works on a fee-free system. for customers to compare prices
Zizoo works with charter and dates. Also new for 2018 is cabin
companies around the world to offer only offerings on select routes across
over 11,000 boats in more than 35 the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

BE IN YOUR
ELEMENT
YACHT & BEACH CLUB HOLIDAYS
Lefkas Marina | Vassiliki
Horto, Pelion | Porto Heli
GREECE
7NTS FROM
£504
W/FLIGHTS
020 3949 8358

sales@oceanelements.co.uk
oceanelements.com
LONDON BOAT SHOW PREVIEW
LONDON
BOAT SHOWRe-defined and reimagined, the new look
London Boat Show may be shorter in duration,
but it’s promising more of a spectacle than ever
before. We preview what’s in store
T
he London Boat Show has end, the inaugural Bespoke London Facing page and adventures. Drawn from across
Something
been continually evolving showcase of boutique brands at the for everyone,
the breadth of the boating world,
each year, more or less since other, and the London Boat Show itself whatever your celebrities will include Vendée Globe
boating interest
it began in 1955. This year, occupying the middle of the hall. veteran, Mike Golding, TV star and
however, there is significant For those worrying that this division circumnavigator Conrad Humphries,
change afoot, which organisers say is the of sections might water down pure-boat and for keen Radio 4 listeners, the
biggest shake-up of the event since the parts of the show, organisers assure us voice of the shipping forecast, Zeb
move to ExCel in London back in 2004. this is not the case. Instead, the space has Soames, will be sharing the low down
The show, which takes place in been utilised to create a more efficient on Dogger Bank and the Faroe Isles!
early January and, as such, sets the and exciting experience, with clearer On top of this will be the usual array
tone for much of the year across a sectioning and easier navigation. of début boats and hottest new products
broad range of maritime areas, will for 2018. And don’t forget to stop by
now take place over a five-day period EVENTS AND THINGS TO DO stand WA010 for the latest copy of
whereas previously it covered 10. The show is débuting new events – some Y&Y and fantastic subscription deals.
Add the dates to your diary now: of which have already been announced,
Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 January, and some are set to surprise visitors
the show is open daily from 10am as they walk the vast exhibition hall.
to 6pm, with a special late night The Lock & Waterside Pub is part of SPECIAL OFFER
opening on Thursday until 8pm. a new fun eating and drinking area for Tickets are available at a
The show will also be divided into families to enjoy a taste of country life discounted rate for Yachts
three separate and distinct sections in the heart of east London. There’ll & Yachting readers.
this year with the new Boating and be narrow boats and river cruisers Simply visit the London Boat
Watersports Holiday Show at one passing by, and a children’s play area Show booking website at
for when the little ones get restless. nbs-london.yourticketbooking.com
There’s also a Beach Club and and when prompted use the
Activity Pool this year, both building promotional code EX12.
Y&Y AWARDS on the success of the smaller activity
The London Boat Show will pool at the show in 2017.
also host Yachts & Yachting’s The Classic Boat Collection at the
prestigious Awards night where entrance to the event will provide a
we honour winners in 13 categories treat for classic boat fans. Curators will
as chosen by you, our readers. be on hand to discuss boat history.
Come along and show your The Legends Theatre, hosted by Sky
support on 11 January. Details Sports presenter Alec Wilkinson, will
at yachtsandyachting.co.uk bring together a league of elite sailors
who will share their stories, insights

TYPHOON MULTISPORT HINGE DIGITAL YACHT NOMAD
Typhoon International has unveiled the Nomad is a new, portable
Typhoon Multisport 5 Hinge. As the AIS navigation solution from
name suggests, the revolutionary hinge Digital Yacht. Designed
zip-entry system has been incorporated for recreational boaters
into the suit so it’s extremely easy to and professional mariners,
put on, whilst providing unrivalled it offers a full function
freedom of movement. The Multisport Class B AIS transponder
5 Hinge is manufactured using with a wireless and USB
Typhoon’s unique, durable and abrasion interface built in for tablets
resistant T4 QuadPly fabric, which and PCs - all in a portable,
is fully breathable and completely compact package.
waterproof. The Multisport 5 Hinge digitalyacht.co.uk
was designed with kayakers in mind £570
but has become popular for dinghy
sailing and personal watercraft.
typhoon-int.co.uk
£549.95
Our pick of the
KIT
best new products
for racing sailors
launching for 2018
INNOVATIONS
ROOSTER LACE TIDY - TRIED & TESTED
We recently put to test the new and improved
Rooster Pro Laced Boot Easi-Fit on a chilly
weekend sailing. Despite wearing them with
a drysuit and thick socks, the boots were
extremely easy to put on and take off given
the wider neoprene gusset and adjustable
laces. The wrap-around ribbed sole offered
great grip and one of the real perks was
the Lace Tidy Gaiters (pictured), which
prevent laces coming undone or catching.
roostersailing.com
£67.95 (Pro Lace Boot) £6.95 (Lace Tidy Gaiter)
SCANSTRUT’S VENTURE CONNECT CONVERSION KIT

Scanstrut’s Venture Connect Conversion Kit, which picked
up the prestigious overall DAME Award at METS, adapts an
RS Venture from standard configuration to make it suitable
for those with disabilities. The plug-and-play kit includes a
combined battery and control pack, a powered mainsheet
winch, joystick control and sip-puff headset option. It
enables conversion of the boat to one suitable for use by
those with a range of disabilities, in just 30 minutes.
scanstrut.com
£POA

KIT 2018 PREVIEW
IGNITE DRYSUIT
Innovative clothing
manufacturer, Ocean
Rodeo has launched this
foul weather gear, which
also works as a drysuit. The
manufacturer says that the
Ignite lends unparalleled
versatility to on water
endeavours. Wearers
can switch between foul
weather gear or full drysuit
protection in moments with
OLAS FLOAT ON the Standby Mode concept
The OLAS Float On is a 120-lumen waterproof torch, water activated of ‘unfurlable’ layers.
floating strobe and man overboard alarm all in one compact product. In oceanrodeo.com
an man overboard emergency, if the light is worn by the MOB or thrown £879
after the MOB it will trigger an alarm and record the GPS location on
any connected mobile devices with the free OLAS app. 6 seconds
after landing in the water the Strobe will illuminate for up to 20 hours.
alertandfind.com
£98.95
PLATH CREWWATCHER
Plath CrewWatcher is a smart app-based
MOB monitor and rescue system. Using a
phone or tablet and a small beacon for each
crew, it constantly checks if everyone is still
on board. Within seconds of a MOB or
water immersion, the app automatically
sounds the alarm and visually directs the
rescuer. Fast, affordable, automatic, and
simple to use, even for children and pets.
weems-plath.com
£89.99
INTEGRA HARNESS
The Integra is a unique combination of STANDARD HORIZON
your buoyancy aid and trapeze harness FLOATING VHF
combined into one. Designed for any The new HX210E is a 6W
trapeze sailor, the Integra has been floating handheld VHF
conceived to allow freedom of movement receiver. The handset
with each panel intended to move with features a high capacity
the body. Manufacturers, Blood Red, are Lithium Ion battery, which
a group of dinghy sailing friends who has allowed for a smaller
launched the product via kickstarter to case. It’s buoyant and
increase movement around a boat when waterproof to 1 metre for
wearing a harness and keep weight 30 minutes, and is designed
down - the whole thing weighs just 1.1kg. to float face up if dropped
Look out for a Tried & Tested overboard. There is also
coming soon in Y&Y. a water-activated strobe
bloodredclothing.com light, allowing the radio
£230 to be found at night.
standardhorizon.co.uk
£134.95

FARR280 CLUB RACE
NEW Following the success of the Farr280 Grand Prix, which hit
the ground running and has seen a plethora of top teams moving into
the class, a new Club Race version has been launched.
The new Farr280 Club Race version has been developed
with a view to increasing the accessibility of this boat to
BOAT
a significantly broader sailing community, but making
the entry cost of the boat considerably lower.
Where the Grand Prix version of the boat is fast and will
appeal to top-end racers, the Club Racer is pitched at yacht
NEWS
clubs or Corinthian owners. As such, though she is designed
to compete in high performance mixed sportsboat fleets,
including the HP30 Class, different rig options and the
removal of hydraulics have enabled a cheaper boat.
farr280.com
from $106,960
RS Cat 14
NEW Popular UK marque, RS, is set to launch a
new beach catamaran in December at the Paris Boat
Show. RS says the boat takes the enjoyment and
handling associated with beach cats to a new level.
Like its bigger sister, the RS Cat 16, RS has yet again
focused on producing a high level of stiffness, despite
the rotomoulded construction – which should make
the boat perfect, not only for training and recreational
sailing, but also as a true performance pathway class.
The design’s special system for joining the beams to
the hulls gives increased stiffness compared to other
rotomoulded catamarans, with the bonus of allowing
the boat to be disassembled quickly for storage
or transport. Also available with a bigger XL rig.
rssailing.com
from £6,970

Volvo cat concept
NEW It is important to note straight
off the bat, that this is merely one
proposal put forward for a foiling Volvo
Ocean Race catamaran, which would
take over the In-Port element of the
event’s racing should Mark Turner’s
vision of the future come to fruition.
Given that Turner has since stepped
away from the organisation, use
of foiling cats in the near future is
now looking less and less likely.
That said, this design does offer up
some exciting possibilities and, even
if it never is actually raced, supplies
some interesting talking points in much
the same way a concept car might.
Two key features really catch the
eye. First, there is the forward main
foil which, the designers claim, would
act like a forward steering canard,
increasing manoeuvrability. It also,
they say, would provide the bulk of the
hydrodynamic lift, making pitchpoles
much less likely. The second obvious
break from tradition is the enclosed
cockpit, which should improve
aerodynamic efficiency and also allow
for the safe inclusion of a guest seat in
a high performance foiler such as this.
styacht.com
Sweden Yachts
MERGER Sweden Yachts, Malö Yachts,
CR Yachts and Regina of Vindö Yachts,

have all amalgamated and will now
form Sweden Yachts Group.
CR Yachts and Regina of Vindö
have now both moved all production
and employees to the Malö shipyard
at Kungsviken, Orust, where Sweden
Yachts are also produced.
Several boats have entered
production at the yard already, with
examples including the Sweden Yachts
54 (pictured), Sweden Yachts 45, Regina
40, Regina 43 and the CR 380 DS.
All yacht hulls and interiors will
continue to be built by hand.
Sails, stainless-steel fittings, covers
and other products are sourced
from selected local companies,
as they have been to date.
swedenyachts.se

CLUBS & CLASSES NEWS
Submit your news reports to club@YachtsandYachting.co.uk
CLUBS CLASSES
NEWS
In our regular section for club racers, Paula Irish puts the spotlight on to
clubs and classes, with news reports from around the country
Club remembers Roger

and supports RNLI
Sutton Bingham SC held testing, gusty conditions,
a special open event in and Phantom sailor Simon
memory of Roger Battersby, Hawkes from Wimbleball
who sadly passed away came out on top; he
last summer, together was presented with the
with the club’s annual new annual trophy by
fundraiser for the RNLI. Roger’s parents.
Roger was a long-time An RNLI pursuit race
member of the club and was then held in the
a passionate dinghy afternoon in lighter but still
racer in a variety classes; extremely shifty conditions,
Roger’s Race attracted with Hawkes again taking
25 entries, including nine the win, and in total the
visitors who knew and had club raised £408 for the
competed against Roger RNLI. For sailors wanting
on the racing circuit. to support the event next
Itchenor sailors storm east coast of America The race was full of year, the date will be
thrills and spills with Sunday 4 November 2018.
Itchenor SC, celebrating its 90th anniversary, has teams from around the world invited to compete
spread its sails to gain international recognition for honours. The team – comprising George
on the east coast of America. The club was invited Yeoman, Tim Saxton, Sam Littlejohn, Rosie
to take part in the New York YC Invitational Cup Sibthorp, Sophie Ormsby and Holly Scott – was
and also the US Team Racing Championship approached directly by the event chairman due
for the coveted George R Hinman Trophy. to their status as UK national champions and
First up, the Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup saw winners of the prestigious Wilson Trophy, where
a young Itchenor team, led by Barry Sampson, they beat the current US national champions.
hold its own over 12 races among world class Itchenor faced incredibly strong competition,
sailors, including Olympians, coming top four in sailing brand new modified 420s, and with
several races and eventually taking the ninth spot. two wins out of three races, got off to a
The US Team Racing Championship at strong start, but after two days of tight racing
Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, New York, then couldn’t manage to maintain this success
saw Itchenor’s Birdham Bandits among only 12 against the well-drilled American teams.
Golf day raises over £6,000 for John Merricks

SAFFRON GALLAGHER; RICHARD LANGDON AND ALASTAIR HYDE-TETLEY, OCEAN IMAGES
The 21st North Sails Golf Day raised more Brad Butterworth third, and Ali Essex
than £6,000 for the John Merricks ending the day as first lady.
Sailing Trust. 92 golfers, including former Olympian John ‘Jonny’ Merricks
colleagues and friends, as well as many worked at North Sails and since its
top professional sailors, and marine inception 20 years ago the event has
industry figures, all turned out to play a raised almost £200,000 to support
round of golf at Cams Hall Estate Golf young sailors. JMST trustee Ian Walker
Club whilst remembering John and said: “What a fantastic day. I can’t thank
raising money for the charity. everybody enough for their support.”
The winner of the day was Paul Olympic sailors Luke Patience and
Hobson with Oliver Surman second, Stuart Bithell, were the auctioneers.

¶
IN BRIEF
Exe date The Exe Sails Starcross
Steamer will be on Sunday 25
February 2018; due to the tide the first
start will be at 12:30. The Exe Sails
Steamer, Pirate Pursuit at Penzance SC,
Exe Sails Roadford Rocket and Exmoor
Ales Wimbleball Beastie are now part of
a larger 10-event series with overall prizes
at the end. Visit sailingsw.co.uk
Icicle The Bough Beech Icicle Open
Ripon youth and juniors celebrate in style Series 2018 begins on Sunday 7 January
and runs until Sunday 25 February 2018.
Ripon SC’s Youth and kept a secret by the committee The Y&J section now The 16-race series over eight Sundays at
Junior section celebrated and so came as a great includes activities for young Bough Beech SC in Kent will have an
the end of their season in surprise at the prize-giving and ‘pre-sailors’ to encourage average lap format. Entry is £60 for
style, with 48 young sailors party! The boats will enable them to join in until they are doublehanders, £40 singlehanders, or
taking to the water for a more youth and juniors to old enough to participate £10 per boat for one day, with reduced
final improver session and benefit from club equipment on the sailing courses. rates for youth sailors.
fun on-the-water games. while they learn to sail. The evening prize-giving
RS gap Plans for a number of RS200
The club, which also Fiona Spence, youth and was sponsored by Mill Volvo
celebrated its 60th anniversary, junior sailing secretary, said: Knaresborough, regional traveller circuits in 2018 are
unveiled three new RS Teras “2017 was a brilliant year for which has generously already underway but there is a gap in
funded by the Eric Twiname youth and junior sailing at supported the club’s the Midlands. If you would like to help the
Trust in partnership with RS RSC and 2018 promises to be youth and junior activities RS Association develop an RS200
Sailing – their arrival had been just as good, if not better.” throughout the season. Midland Tour contact sally@rs-
association.com
Cat open The Grafham Cat open that

had to be postponed due to Storm Brian
Vision solution sees success
has been rescheduled for this spring,
for RS Feva ace Oliver on 17-18 March 2018.
RS Feva sailor Oliver Kent credits his
optometrist for helping him to gain selection RS Aero The RS Aero Northern Circuit
to the National Junior Squad. The 15-year-old is expanding to visit fresh locations and
from Harrogate is short-sighted and says when new RS Aero fleets. Look out for details
he started sailing at Ripon and Yorkshire Dales on the UK events page for the coming
sailing clubs, “glasses were not ideal as I needed season at rsaerosailing.org
windscreen wipers on them most of the time”.
Harrogate optometrist Chris Nixon (now Hansa Fundraising is underway to
New watersports centre for Oliver’s sponsor!) tried him on Ortho-k contact help send a GBR team to participate in
lenses – and he and his crew, Tom Storey, won the Hansa World Championships in
Andrew Simpson Foundation the RS Feva Grand Prix series in 2017 and were Hiroshima, October 2018. Visit
The Andrew Simpson Foundation, which fourth at both the Nationals and Worlds. mydonate.bt.com/charities/hansaclassuk
has been getting people on the water from its
centre at Weymouth and Portland National
Sailing Academy since 2014, now has a
second watersports centre in Portsmouth.
TELL US ALL
Portsmouth City Council has transferred its ABOUT IT!
Portsmouth Watersports Centre to the Andrew Do you have any club or class
association news? These pages have
SIMON MOSS; ANDREW SIMPSON FOUNDATION
Simpson Foundation. It will deliver RYA sailing

and windsurfing courses and instructor training. been launched just for you and we’d
Cllr Linda Symes, Cabinet Member for love you to make the most of them!
Culture, Leisure and Sport (above) officially Email us at:
handed the keys over to Andrew Simpson club@yachtsandyachting.co.uk
Foundation CEO Richard Percy.

Resurgence of RS600s
Following a great season – you are invited to let the
in 2017, the RS600 Class association know via its
Association is on the class Facebook page.
look out for decent second- Next year’s RS600
hand boats for people calendar of events has
wanting to join the fun been released, kicking
next year. If you think you off with a stand at the
would like to sell yours - or RYA Dinghy Show, 3-4
know of unloved or unused March, and Inlands at
boats in your dinghy park Grafham on 12-13 May.
Big event plans for an extended Banbury

Banbury SC hopes to host more national local youngsters and adults to enjoy sailing.
sailing events after having 66 visiting sailors Among the participants was 13-year-old Ollie
for the National School Sailing Association Dale from Cransley SC, who only learned to sail
Singlehanded Team Racing Championships in 2017 and said: “Sailing was something my Fireball Worlds call
– the biggest event staged by the club since mum and I wanted to do together so we took an The 2019 Fireball Worlds will is once again looking
opening its £135,000 extension last summer. RYA course at Cransley... it’s now become ‘our take place at Pointe Claire forward to greeting fellow
YC of Montreal, Quebec, international Fireballers.
Club volunteers aged six to 70 plus ensured the thing’. I felt proud to have achieved a third place
Canada; the club hosted The Championship at
event ran smoothly, with 128 races in Toppers in one of the races even though I’m a beginner.” the Worlds in 1986 and the end of August 2019
completed over two days; commodore Rob Lancashire ‘B’ beat Cambridgeshire ‘A’ to take with the largest fleet of will be preceded by a
Ward hopes hosting big events can inspire more the NSSA Single Handed Team Racing crown. Fireballs in North America, short warm-up event.
Sign up opening for Merlins

The Merlin Rocket Owners’ Association has announced
that their 2017 national championship sponsors, Aspire
Financial Advisors, have signed up to once again give
their support for the 2018 edition of the event.
Entry for the national championship – set to take
place at the ever-popular Lyme Regis SC from 18-24
August – is expected to open in late December.
Entries for Sharp’s Doom Bar Merlin Rocket Week
at Salcombe, 8-13 July 2018, are already open and
it is once again expected to receive a huge number
of early entries. In 2017 the regatta sold out well
before the event! Visit: salcombeyc.org.uk
Early bird entry deadline for RYA

Youth Nationals announced
The deadline for early bird entries for the 2018 RYA Youth National Championships at
Largs SC is midnight on 31 January 2018.
BANBURY SAILING CLUB; MARC TURNER
The event returns to Largs this coming season, 30 March-6 April, for the first time
since 2013. The standard entry deadline is midnight 4 March 2018.
Selection for coveted spots to represent GBR at the Youth Sailing World
Championships in Corpus Christi, USA, in July 2018, will be up for grabs. Classes
competing will be the Laser Standard, Laser Radial, 420, 29er and Nacra 15.

CLUBS
Join the Clubs

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For further information call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734 or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com
One of the largest Cruising in Company Programmes

on the South Coast
ROYAL CORNWALL YACHT CLUB
The Royal Cornwall is a very sailor-friendly club, running
as it does a number of dinghy and bigger boat events.
Chichester
The clubhouse is set very much in the centre of Falmouth, Yacht Club
which provides a great venue for events especially in the 01243 512918
summer with plenty to do and lots of accommodation. cyc.co.uk
Q YACHTS Q DINGHIES Q MOTORS Q TRAINING Q CRUISING
“The best sailing in the North” Poole Yacht Club

8KUKVYYY[QTMUJKTGFCNGUUE Off the water the club offers a range of social activities for
all members, young or old – whatever their interests we
have a full programme of events throughout the year..
New Harbour Rd W, Poole BH15 4AQ, UK
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Welcome to Datchet Water Sailing Club

The family-friendly racing club West of London. Datchet Water Sailing Club is a modern
club set on a large inland reservoir (Queen Mother Reservoir) providing a complete
package for every type of sailor. It is set with magnificent views overlooking Windsor
Castle, with easy access from M3, M4, M25 & M40 and close to Central London.
DWSC can offer you:

Racing – Wednesday evenings and Corporate membership Conference
Sundays and party facilities
Sailing – 5 days a week Excellent shore facilities – all within
Boat Hire – modern fleet easy reach of London and M4 / M25.
Training –Adult and Junior on dinghies or
A club house with a comfortable upstairs
cats, also power boat courses
lounge offering great views of the
Facilities for Mono Hulls, Cats, Keel
reservoir and Windsor castle beyond.
Boats, Windsurfing, SUP, Radio sailing
WWW.DWSC.CO.UK
Datchet Water Sailing Club, Queen Mother Reservoir Horton Road, Horton Berkshire SL3 9NT
Telephone: +44 (0) 1753 683872 Email: manager@dwsc.co.uk

CLUBS & CLASSES
Submit your event reports to club@YachtsandYachting.co.uk
CLUBS
Unseasonably warm sunshine extended summer for a number of classes holding their end of
season events; the first named storms of winter soon followed! Paula Irish reports
29er Eurocup
The 29er Eurocup at Vela
Garda Trentino, Lake Garda,
concluded after nine races
for the record 120 teams
with victory for French duo
Theo Revil and Gautier
Guevel; British team Nick
Robins and Billy
Vennis-Ozanne placed third
overall, a point from second.
Phantom Finale
The final event in the
Eastern Travellers Series for
the Phantom class took
place at Alton Water. Alton
Water’s Matt House counted
PAUL WYETH/PWPICTURES.COM
two seconds and two wins
RORC season’s points winners from the five-races to take

the meeting, with Ben Falat
from Waveney and Oulton
Broad claiming second.
More than 500 boats and 4,000 plus by RORC commodore Michael Boyd, The youth sailors at RORC are the
sailors took part in the RORC Season’s the corinthian team retaining the title future of offshore sailing.” Melges 24
Points Championship, with teams flying from 2016. Gilles Fournier & Corinne Two outstanding results were in IRC European series
the flags of 30 different nations. Migraine’s J/133 Pintia was second and Two Handed and IRC Four. Rob Miles Quinton’s Gill Race
While the majority of the 13 races Thomas Kneen’s JPK 1080 Sunrise third. Craigie’s racing Sun Fast 3600 Bellino Team with Geoff Carveth
helming won the 2017
were in the English Channel, also Lisa was also awarded RORC Yacht of with Deb Fish, was the winner of IRC
edition. At Luino, Italy, after
included were the Atlantic, Caribbean, the Year for ‘outstanding racing’. Two Handed in a fleet of 78 teams, and six events that moved all
Celtic Sea, Mediterranean and North Lisa’s Nick Jones said: “Michael Noel Racine’s French JPK 10.10 Foggy over Europe – from
Sea – plus the Rolex Fastnet Race. (Boyd) has been an inspiration to the Dew secured IRC Four in a fleet of 116 Portoroz to Riva del Garda,
Overall winner was Nick and Suzi young crew, whose energy and tenacity boats, with two races to spare. Foggy Marstrand, Helsinki,
Jones’ British First 44.7 Lisa, skippered has been fundamental to our success. Dew’s winning streak dates back to 2013. Medemblik and Luino - the
series concluded having
seen 90 teams from 18
nations joining the circuit.
Laser Inlands demonstrate
diverse class demographics 4000 Inlands
at Rutland
The Laser Noble Marine Inland Championships at Grafham Water The 4000 Inlands at Rutland
demonstrated how the three rigs cater for a range of sailors – in the SC was tight in champagne
Radial fleet the top five were a Youth, Senior, Master, Lady and a local! conditions. By race six locals
Steve Tylecote and Alex Litt
A 150-strong fleet of Laser sailors found rain with a gusty and shifty
had the event sewn up. Neil
7-16 knots on day one giving way to higher winds with lower Heffernan and Jo Morrison
temperatures the next day, and with lots of sunshine. (QMSC) secured the
In the 43-boat Standard fleet, despite a final race black flag, Sam runner-up spot with Trevor
Whaley took the title. Joe Mullan mounted a good challenge to finish and Adrien Peirce (SNEL)
second with Alistair Goodwin third overall. taking a well-earned third.
A total of 61 Radials took part and national champion Ben Whaley
sailed a near perfect series to finish first overall and first Youth. Ben Contender Inlands
PAUL WILLIAMSON
Elvin finished a consistent second, Jon Emmett, was third and first The Contender UK Travellers
Master, Chloe Barr was fourth and first Lady. Series concluded at Rutland

CLUBS & CLASSES
National 12 Gul finale
Twenty-six National 12s took to the
water at Northampton SC for their Gul
series finale and inland championships.
A nice Force 3-4 saw three races to
conclude the Gul series, with the gusts and
shifts providing overtaking options. Race
wins went to Ian and Alex Gore, Tom and
Robbie Stewart, and Graham Camm and
DAVE SCOTT
Zoe Ballantyne. At the prize-giving in the

evening, it was Camm-Ballantyne who had
Another successful year for NW Travellers claimed the Gul Series victory, with Tom
and Robert/Isobel Stewart second and
The Northwest Senior Traveller Series concluded the one to catch. Supernova sailor Andy Flitcroft
Jeremy and Luke Hartley third.
on a blustery Tuesday at Elton SC; this mid-week (Bolton) mounted a challenge, finishing second
Sunday for the inland championship,
series for the over-50s, now in its seventh season, overall. On the less breezy days Solo sailor Dave
saw both bullets going to Camm and
saw more than 40 boats taking part in one or Woodhead (Elton) also began to post race wins,
Ballantyne, who also took this title.
more of the seven events. ultimately claiming third overall. Supernova sailor
This year was windier than average. From Mark Platt (Bolton) was fourth.
the outset Blaze sailor Mark Fearnley (South In all, 21 races were sailed with 12 to count; 51
Windermere) showed blistering pace and became sailors took part from 13 clubs.
SC with the inland ahead of Bailey, with Jack

championship and despite Oakley (Royal Hospital
a forecast of strong School) third.
northerly winds saw 30
sailors competing. Amid
OK End of Season
KEVAN BLOOR
many capsizes in over 30
Kiwi Luke Gower took
knots, Stuart Jones
victory at the OK End of
(Datchet) just pipped Simon
Season Championship to
Mussell (Highcliffe) for the
Bumper numbers
cap a fine season home and
NIGEL DENCHFIELD
first bullet. Race two saw

overseas. Conditions on day
Mussell surge ahead only to
for GP14 Super 8
one were ideal for the
succumb to sloppy tacking
23-strong fleet with winds
technique. Tim Holden
(Halifax) sailed a steady
of 10-18mph. As Gower lined management and as the Sandal takes Sprint The GP14 Craftinsure Super 8 Series
up for the final race, he breeze freshened to around
race to win. On day two,
knew he had done enough 25 knots the 38-strong fleet 15 Inland title proved one of the most successful ever
Jones dominated all three with 218 sailors and 29 boats qualifying.
to win the event; he raced also had an exciting time Storm Brian caused the Grafham
races, reading the shifts to It was close for the top spot but in
around in 17th place. downwind. Cat Open to be cancelled but the
take the inland title their first year together, P&B’s Fergus
He also won the draw for The RS Aero 5 fleet was Sprint 15 Inland Championship
together with the year-long Barnham and Andy Hunter (Snettisham/
a new sail sponsored by dominated by youth duo
traveller series title. Inlands went ahead; many did not make Nantwich) became the pair to beat,
North Sails. William Caiger (Sevenoaks
runner-up was Holden, the trip in view of the forecast,
School) and Ned winning the inlands at Bassenthwaite
from Mussell in third. but about 15 attended and nine
Stattersfield (Wells Next and Southern Area Championship at
Marco Polo Race signed on in a Force 5-6 westerly
The Sea) with William Brightlingsea on the way to claiming the
Young sailors from the
RS Tera End of Season Royal Corinthian YC’s Otters
ultimately taking all the for four races held in rapid Super 8 Crown. John Hayes and Joel
A breezy first day for the bullets and Ned closing out succession. James (Southport) were the Scottish
section at Burnham took a
Rooster Sailing RS Tera End the seconds. Top Lady in David Ball led the first race, Champions at Annandale and took the
clean sweep at the end of
of Season Championships third was Jackie Craven then in race two Chris Tillyer
season Marco Polo Race; Super 8 second place overall; Andy
at Draycote Water saw (Yorkshire Dales). overtook Ball and promptly
the breezy event saw Smith and Phil Hodgkins
Jonathan Bailey (Hunts) The RS Aero 7 fleet saw
competitors aged up to 76, buried his bow and stopped (Bassenthwaite) won the Northern Areas
taking three bullets to Fergus Barnham
but it was 12-year-olds Ollie dead; Ball bore away to avoid a at Derwent to muscle into third overall.
claim the overnight lead in (Snettisham Beach) taking
Mears and Jemima Cook collision, capsized and drifted
the Pro fleet, while Abby two wins before Peter
who took first and second
Hire (RLym) had a great Barton (Lymington Town) off to a DNF while Tillyer took
in their Oppies, with RS
lead in the Sport fleet. Feva national champion and Steve Cockerill (Stokes the gun. Thomas Sandal took
Following a revitalising fish Ben Hutton-Penman Bay) fought back with a win the next win and Ball the last
and chip supper, with a finishing third. apiece. Barnham clinched one, but with two DNFs
welcome lie in due to the the deal on day two with a resulting from capsize and gear
clocks going back, the 1,2 to add the RS Aero 7
failure finished fourth overall.
68-strong fleet was back RS Aero Inlands Inlands to his GP14 inlands
for more on day two with The Magic Marine RS Aero title. Cockerill’s final race So local Sandal took the title
the wind still fresh. UK Inland Championships at bullet put him one point up with Tillyer (Marconi) the
A good day for Luke Anstey Northampton SC had gusts on Barton for second runner-up and Jenny Ball
RICHARD CRAIG
(Frensham) saw him clinch and shifts which required overall. Top youth was Noah (Marconi) third. Dave Ball got
the Pro title just a point some clever risk Rees (Torpoint Mosquito). the chairman’s spot prize.

CLUBS & CLASSES
RS200 Regional
Champions
Over 500 RS200 sailors from across
the UK took part in five successful
regional series for the class in 2017.
The tours – organised by dedicated
volunteer regional reps John Teague,
Julian Bradley, Jon Ward, Robin
Parsons and Matt Morson – provide a
one-day close-to-home circuit.
PAUL WYETH
Winners were: 2ndhanddinghies.
com SW Ugly Tour: Matt Mee and
Emma Norris (Burghfield/Red Wharf
Bay). SEAS SE Area Series: David
Schools triumph at Eric Twiname
Jessop and Sophie Mear (Grafham team racing championships
Water). Rope for Boats RS Sailing Forty teams comprising some 200 sailors battled it out at
Northern Tour: Ollie Groves and the RYA Eric Twiname Youth and Junior Team Racing
Esther Parkhurst/Reg Grayson Championships at Oxford SC. Juniors competed in RS
(Beaver). Fox’s Marine and Country Fevas and the youth teams in Fireflys, with school teams
Great Eastern Tour: David Jessop taking the top honours in both. Norwich School saw Will
ANDREW JONES
and Sophie Mears, (Grafham Water). Pank, Seb Gotto, Joshua Means and Grace Pank crowned
JP Watersports Scottish Tour: junior champions, and Sevenoaks A – Matthew Caiger,
Annabel Richards, Nick Davies, Charlie Cooper, Cossie
Ronald and Tor Miller.
Lewis and Federico Roma – won the youth championship.
Lark Masters celebrate
“The RYA offered commentary ashore as well as coverage class anniversary
online,” said Bruce Aitken of the Eric Twiname Trust. The results are in, after 50 years of
testing. The elixir of youth, with elements
of love-potion and time travel, does
indeed exist. The secret is Lark sailing.
For the presentation of these findings,
legendary class ex-chairman Tim Fells
pulled out all the stops for the Lark Class
50th Anniversary and Masters meeting at
Salcombe YC. A host of class superstars
gathered in 34 Larks, with eight more
JIM CHAMP
present. Jason Andrews and Zeb Elliott

won overall and were first apprentices.
Andrew and Katie Shorrock were second
and first masters, with John and Vicky
PAUL HARGREAVES
Fireball Inlands Brickwood third. The wizard that is Bob

Suggitt – with young apprentice and
at Draycote national champion Stuart Hydon – was
Tom Gillard and Geoff Edwards took
a string of bullets in gusty and shifty Perfect conditions and fourth and first grand-master. Later, a
black-tie dinner rounded things off.
conditions at Draycote Water to win
the Fireball Inland Championship
close races at NE Youths
with a race to spare. The RYA North East Youth (Windermere School)
Just under 40 boats competed at a Championships at second. RS200 fleet victory FORTHCOMING
windy but unseasonably warm and
sunny Draycote and it was also the
Yorkshire Dales SC saw 50
plus competitors battling
went to Ollie Groves-Esther
Parkhurst (Beaver) ahead
EVENTS
1 January 14 January
final round of the Golden Dolphin for honours in 29ers, 420s, of locals Henry and Jamie
New Year’s Day Pursuit, Tipsy Icicle Series, Leigh &
traveller series. Lasers and RS200s. Rastrick in second and Leigh & Lowton SC Lowton SC
Going into the sixth and final race, A memorable weekend of Robert Richardson-Emily New Year’s Day Pursuit, 21 January
the battle for second was on with four close racing owed support Ingham (Ullswater) in third. Draycote Water SC Tipsy Icicle Series, Leigh &
boats in the mix. to headline sponsor Laser honours went to 6 January Lowton SC
Gillard-Edwards (Sheffield Viking) Rooster Sailing and further James Tulley (Yorkshire Bloody Mary, Queen Mary IRC & Sportsboats Winter
finished its clean sweep with a final support from Ovington Dales) with Sam Sailing Club Series, inc IRC Inlands,
bullet while Dave Hall and Paul Boats and Nestle UK. Rutherford (RYA NI) 7 January Windermere Cruising
Tipsy Icicle Series, Leigh & Association
Constable (Blackwater) pulled a third In the 29er fleet, Toby second and Tom Storey
Lowton SC Snowflake Races 1&2,
out of the bag to take the runner up Cope and Harry Pulford (Yorkshire Dales) third. IRC & Sportsboats Winter Chichester YC
spot just ahead of Peter and Tom (Carsington) finished first Emily Biggar-Szymon Series, inc IRC Inlands, 28 January
Kyne (Brightlingsea) who completed overall with Pierce Harris Matyjaszczuk (Solway) won Windermere Cruising Tipsy Icicle Series, Leigh
the podium. and Alfie Cogger through in the 420. Association & Lowton SC

CLASSES
Class Connections
Be part of this new section and promote your class association by booking your advertisement today
For further information call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734 or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com
Whatever class you sail,

Fernhurst Books have a
book for you!
www.fernhurstbooks.com
Fireball. 50+ years in the making
www.facebook.com/UKFireballClass www.youtube.com/user/SailFireball www.fireballsailing.org.uk
Join the GP14 Association and

enjoy the following benefits: Going places in 2017!
A friendly team dedicated to maintaining the true one-
design features of your GP14 and available
at an affordable rate which will
maintain its intrinsic value.
www.gp14.org
DEVOTI Oxford
Weir Wood TRAINING
Weir Wood OPEN
2nd-3rd April
16th April
17th April
D-ONE Paignton (POSH)
Europeans (Lipno CZE)
7th-8th May
17th-19th June
CLASS Gorleston REGATTA
Torquay NATIONALS
Lymington REGATTA
25th-26th June
8th-10th July
30th-31st July
OPEN RACING Win
£5ou0ch0ed
Lyme Regis REGATTA 6th-7th August
Thorpe Bay 3rd-4th September
Sunt hers Gold Cup (Garda ITA) 15th-18th September
Vouc Northampton Inlands 22nd-23rd October
http://www.d-oneassociation.org/unitedkingdom
CLASS SECRETARY: ben@d-onesailing.org
www.laser.org.uk
JOIN US TODAY
& SEE WHERE Teign Corinthian Open - 2nd April
THE VOYAGE Olton Mere K1 Open - 15th April

Windermere Long Distance K1 Open - 13th May
WILL TAKE YOU! UK Laser Association
so o
Rutland Water K1 Open, 3rd - 4th June
Oxford K1 Open - 15th July
Heron
Datchet Water: The 2017 K1 Nationals and Open - 8-10th September
Broxbourne K1 Open - 28th October
Dinghy Class Association
The K1 Keel Dinghy is fast and forgiving,

with a friendly class and full race programme.
Join the fun! www.k1association.org

DIRECTORY
Directory
To book in the Directory call Hannah Stanton on +44 (0) 20 7349 3734
or email hannah.stanton@chelseamagazines.com,
COPY DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE IS 18/12/2017
COVERS DINGHIES & SKIFFS

TOPPER 47222 Proven track record( just google
www.rainandsun.co.uk
search sail number or Jack Berry) Full race kit,
new type stainless transom rudder fitting, new
type gooseneck / boom fittings,under and over
rain covers,foil bag, mast bag, trolley. Fast affordable
Dinghy covers .co.uandsun

Tel:
k
023
boat priced to sell £1500 Option of double
stack box trailer and also 4.2 sail for separate
negotiations. £1500 Tel 07960 874365 (WEST
803
4 88 MERSEA)
54
ACCESS DINGHY Access 2.3 m dinghy for disabled
sailors. Weighted keel for stability, joystick steering.
Complete and ready to sail. £300 Tel 01579
342144 (LISKEARD)
Call Philip Bull on 023 8034 8854 ENTERPRISE 22816 Built by Thresher with bow and
side tanks, no b/bags comes with Rapied combi
with new wheel bearings , top o/Boom pvc cover,
COVERS DINGHIES & SKIFFS Procter mast and Boom with fly away jib stick, slot
gasket new this year, Purple main and jib, photos
LASER STANDARD XD 210615 Championship on request £900 Tel 07771 551955 (SOUTHEND-
winning boat in excellent condition. Straight spars, ON-SEA)
Banks Dinghy Covers two top sections, two booms, carbon tiller & two
carbon tiller extensions, Neil Pryde U/O covers, foil
FIREBALL 15122 ‘SIMPLES IV’ Weathermark built
by Richard Wagstaff. Full Harken fit out, Choice of
bag, mark 2 sail in good condition, trolley. £4500 Tel M7 or Cumulus rig. Hyde sails. Covers and trolley.
High Quality & British Made 07899 901485 / 01314 493682 (TITCHFIELD) Successful fast boat – 1st inlands, 4th Nationals
2016 plus many more wins. £8850 Tel 07802
LASER 4.7 Very lightly used 2005 laser 4.7 for sale. 611599 (RAYLEIGH)
Overboom, Flat top, Trailing Nearly new main sail, road and launching trailers,
SOLO SAILING DINGHY NO 3011 Seamark Nunn /
carbon fibre tiller. The foils are in a good condition
and Undercovers and the boat has been kept under cover. Sale Markraft White GRP hull with wooden deck Recently
number 182673. £1900 Tel 07582 041772 revarnished, dry since 2013 Sails: 1 Kevlar Sobstad
More than 200 classes (WARSASH) + 2 spares Proctor mast, launching trolley Under
and over covers Good condition for age. £800 Tel
Range of high quality materials BLAZE MKII 670 Well sorted and reroped MKII blaze 07879 434246 (EMSWORTH)
Comes with New Rooster carbon tiller extension 2 LASER 1 - 201907 (2016) Only launched 3 times.
north sails - 1 brand new unused Sail number 670, Std MKII sail unused. Full Harken XD fit out. Only thing
carbon racks and wings Combi trailer, 3covers Fast you will need is a tiller extension. Gunwhale hung
Banks Sails and dry boat ready to sail. £3150 Tel 07505 211913 launching trolley – used but in good condition.
(WOODBRIDGE ) Road trailer – used but in good condition. Under
01489 582444
BYTE CII BUILT BY OVINGTON (2008) Sail number and top cover – used but in OK condition. £4500
www.banks.co.uk Tel 07554 232035 (MILFORD ON SEA )
2950, in good clean condition and comes
enquiries@banks.co.uk complete, ready to race and also includes cover, FIREBALL K14065 Wooden boat, built by Severn
launching trolley and road trailer. Great exciting Sailboats in 1989. Good condition. Green hull
racing dinghy for the lighter person. Based Warsash, with sapele varnished decks. Boom up cover.
DINGHIES & SKIFFS Hampshire and collect from there or local delivery Combination trailer. 2 suits sails (P+B/Speed. Pump
possible. £1450 Tel 07711 473240 (SOUTHAMPTON) action spinnaker hoist.Professional encapsulated
TOPPER CX 14 Boats are in a good condition. Price foils. Competitive boat at club level. Ready to
includes main, jib and spinnaker. [TRADE]. £5500 Tel SOLO 4298 Thresher build. Mid blue hull, varnished sail. Photos available. £550 Tel 01939 272984
01305 457400 (PORTLAND UK) deck and cockpit. Well maintained, with light use (ELLESMERE)
for past few years. For sale as moving house. Ready
TOPPER CX 12 Boats are in a good condition.Price to sail/race, complete with a combi road/launch RS500 Very Good Condition, well looked after boat.
includes main, jib, and spinnaker. [TRADE]. £4300 Tel trailer, undercover, breathable deep cover for Great boat to sail & race. Includes: Launching
01305 457400 (PORTLAND UK) wooden boats, 2 sails, Milanes Foils, Measurement Trolley, Spinnaker, Rudder which is stored in a
padded rudder bag, Rigging Manual, Jib & Main &
TOPPER ARGO Boats are in a good condition.Price certificate. Photos available on request. £2000 Tel
07913 400915 (GUILDFORD) righting lines. New Cover August 2016. Sensible offers
includes main, jib, spinnaker, launching trolley and top
considered. Will be sadly missed but progressing to
cover. [TRADE]. £5600 Tel 01305 457400 (PORTLAND UK)
420 DINGHY 53327 Blueblue 2008 build, complete Dart 18. £2000 Tel 07960 360471 (WIRRAL)
TOPPER HARKEN RACE Boats are in a good condition. and ready to race with West Mersea trailer,
2017 hulls numbers. Price includes launching trolley launching trolley, spare mast, top and bottom GRADUATE 2950 Alpha Grad, professionally built
and top cover. [TRADE]. £2300 Tel 01305 457400 covers, new spinnaker pole and Simon Cooke foils. wooden boat, new design main, flyaway pole,
(PORTLAND UK) £2500 Tel 01590 670028 (LYMINGTON) Muscle box, Kitted out for racing, combi trolley/
RS QUBA 6 month old boats.Boats are in good trailer, certificate, boom-up cover, undercover, one
condition and includes a main sail and launching DRASCOMBE DABBER Road trailer 2.5 mercury owner from new, good racing record. . £950 Tel
LASER STD XD 204680, 2013. Excellent trolley. [TRADE]. £2100 Tel 01305 457400 (PORTLAND UK) anchor oars. £750 Tel 01978 861749 (LLANGOLLEN) 020 8393 4816 (CHEAM)
condition, combi trolley/trailer, 3 x
rolled sails, 2 x spare top masts, top INSURANCE
and bottom covers, GRP foils, carbon
tiller and extension, foil bag. Original
documentation and certificate. £3300
Tel 01243 376344 / 07803 597552
(EMSWORTH ) Yacht & Dinghy insurance
MIRROR 70783 GRP BY TRIDENT Good condition,
2-part mast, racing + cruising sails. Boom Up Cover.
Oars. Located at MBSC. £ONO. £2000 Tel 01245
at the touch of a button
352108 (MAYLANDSEA)
Includes New for Old cover
LASER 85669 ‘MERLIN’ Hull has been completely
refurbished as new. Sold with rudder, daggerboard, O 24 hour claims help line and simple online claims tracking
boom and cover. All new 1917. Sale due to health.
£1500 Tel 0208 3670117 (ENFIELD)
O Multi-boat insurance discount - insure two or more boats for less
O Underwritten by Navigators & General
TOPPER TOPAZ Boats are in a good condition less
than 6 months old. Price includes main, jib, and
A trading name of Zurich Insurance plc
launching trolley. [TRADE]. £2300 Tel 01305 457400
(PORTLAND UK)
TOPPER CX 16 Boats are in a good condition.Price

www.craftinsure.com or call: 03452 607888
includes main, jib and spinnaker. [TRADE]. £5995 Tel Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
01305 457400 (PORTLAND UK)

DIRECTORY
KEELBOATS INSURANCE
ENIGMA 34 MARK MILLS ONE DESIGN

DAY RACER 34ft Day Racing Yacht
with Carbon Fibre Mast, Quantum Sails
and Nexus NX2 Instruments built 2007.
Enigma comes with her own cradle.
She is narrow with a 1 Tonne Bulb Keel
an ideal club racer she performs well
down wind and in wind speeds of up 1/6TH SHARE IN VERY WELL ORGANISED
to 15 knots. £25000 Tel 07712 187713 GROUP Jeanneau Sunfast 40, lying in
(OBAN) the Canaries, is an exceptionally well
maintained yacht. Recently refurbished
Saloon, 2017, and new Standing
Rigging 2016. £10000 Tel 03333
208538 (CANARY ISLANDS)
VX ONE GBR 173 Lightly used VX One

PURBROOK HERON 23’ 1964 in great condition (Full professional KEELBOATS
ROSSITERS Surveyed 2017. Yanmar polish at Ovington Boats) with good
10hp. Sleeps 2. New heads. Anchor set of North sails. Complete and ready VANCOUVER 32 Built by Pheon 1980. Present (2nd) VICKERS 347 ( ROBERTS DESIGN ) Vickers 347 built
winch. Depth sounder. Garmin plotter. owner since 1997. Full details on request describing to the Fisher design. New mattress & upholstery +
to race again Includes: Combi trailer,
VHF. Lying ashore. [Price is ONO]. £6150 £30,000 spent on new engine, sails and equipment. just been varnished/ painted all wood work re sealed
Top/Under Cover, Lifting strop, Fender, and new non-slip redone. BMW 40 hp motor. SSB/
Tel 01590 681357 / 07802 511170 Also survey reports. Afloat until 04/11/17 then ashore
Jib sock, Foil bag. [TRADE]. £17990 Tel Vhf radio’s/Chart plotter/ radar/ fish finder/ radio
(LYMINGTON) until March 2018. Come for a sail. £46000 Tel 01235
01912 576011 (NORTH SHIELDS) 523769 / 07469219106 (SOUTHAMPTON) telephone/ 2 auto pilots/water maker/ inverter/ solar
panels/ battery monitor. ONCO. £69000 Tel 27762
MID SIXTIES FLYING 15 ‘FIREBIRD’ Red Fibreglass 34’ VAN DE STADT LEGEND CRUISER SAILING YACHT SB20 GBR3710 Chill Pill+: White hull, built 2013, 558257 / 27399732490 (DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA)
Hull with ply decks, In excellent condition. Cover and Quest, 1986, traditional 6 berth cruiser, large teak excellent condition, 3 sets of sails (newest set lightly
good road trailer. Sale due to health. £1000 Tel 0208 interior saloon, well equipped . Saab 16hp engine, 2 used), euro spec road trailer (never immersed). SAINT CLASS YACHT Rare and much sought after
3670117 (ENFIELD) 12v batteries,full sets of sails.Currently can be viewed £21500 Tel 07718 920536 (HAMBLE) 1978 Classic Saint Class Yacht with folding mast
at Larkmans Boatyard, Melton. £15000 Tel 01933 system. Length:26ft, Beam 6ft, Draft 3ft 2ins 2012
J24 4269 CACOON J24 J-Boats Italy 2005 Fully
461280 / 07736 086463 (MELTON) 1/6 SHARE CATALINA MORGAN 45 1993 45 foot 6hp ultra longshaft tohatsu outboard 10hrs from new
Optimized, Carbon Pole, Harken low speed centre cockpit yacht. Two cabins,large saloon, fully So £6k of boat and engine for: £2750. £2750 Tel
winches, double axle trailer inc Lightboard,harken / BIANCA 107 (35FT) Very well maintained, full refit of equipped galley with air con, sprayhood bimini 07759125602 (HICKLING )
Seldonblocks - measurement cert - VAT invoice as all sails, Osmosis and copper coat treatment 2011 and aft sundeck. The yacht is owned by a long
(warranty 2019). The BIANCA 107 is in good condition established friendly syndicate and currently based JOECULL - IMMACULATE SB3 Racing sails 2 spins,
paid from J Boats Italy. £15000 Tel 07725 215 860 /
and is a fast sailor! https://sites.google.com/view/ in Corfu. In recent years the yacht has undergone outboard motor (5hrs), road trailer, fenders, all the
01752 343714 (PLYMOUTH)
bianca-107-sailboat-f or-sale. £29534 Tel +3161 professional service and repair and new equipment. gear. £9000 Tel 00353 18392864 00353 863731738
BENETEAU OCEANIS 473 2004, one owner, 75hp 2304492 (THE NETHERLANDS) £11000 Tel 07862 226124 / 07587 158955 (CORFU) (DUBLIN)
yamaha engine,little used, well maintained and
equipped, heating/air conditioning, dinghy / TRAILERS
outboard, life raft, electric winches. white hull , teak
decks. tax paid. £110000 Tel 01565 830834 (PALMA,
MALLORCA)
• Combination Trailers •
SWALLOW YACHTS BAY CRUISER 23 Bay cruiser 23. • Double and Triple Stackers •
Built 2015.Very good condition. £39000 Tel 07770
FREE • Yacht trailers to 3.5 tonnes •
860730 (PLYMOUTH) MAINLAND
DELIVERY • Power boat trailers to 3.5 tonnes •
BENETEAU FIRST 235 First 235, 1989. Wing keel. OF LAUNCH
Renovated in 2015. New full batten sails, new TROLLEYS IN
shrouds, new vinyl headliner, carpeting and
matresses. Johnson 8HP. £11900 Tel 00385
KIT FORM
Tel: 0870 909 9887
98783777 (CROATIA, ZADAR) or 01206 255276
X119 Fast cruiser racer well known in RORC and JOG
fleets for front of fleet placings.9 completed Fastnets
sales@merseatrailers.com
with present owner.IRC 3 winner in X yachts regatta.
Sleeps 12 in 4 cabins. Quality sails.2 GARMIN
www.merseatrailers.com
GPS,DSC VHF, AIS, 460 Mhz beacon, Raymarine Nav. Bosco House, Harwich Road,
Maintained regardless of cost. £45000 Tel 02382 Great Bromley, Essex, CO7 7UL
061 351 / 07770 365559 (HAMBLE)

DIRECTORY TECHNICAL DIRECTORY
KEELBOATS DRY SUITS

ANDERSON 22 22ft lifting keel with 4 berths, red hull. J24 WESTERLY BUILT 1978 Priced to sell Fully
Includes 5hp Yamaha outboard fits inboard well. refurbished 2016. Copper coat anti-fouling. On
Good sails inc. spinnaker. GPS, VHF radio and usual the water in poole Large selection of sails (3
instruments. Simple cooker. Complete with tender, sets). Life ring,anchor, out board engine, fenders,
2.5hp outboard and launching trolley. Laying up cushions all included Road trailer with new rims,
cradle. Boat at Marchwood YC. £3500 Tel 01794 tyres and mud guards. Only selling due to buying
515045 / 07759 916385 (SOUTHAMPTON ) a bigger boat. £4000 Tel 07983 024311 (POOLE)
J24 JIVE ROGERS 4261 Excellent condition 0$'( 72 0($685(
SB20 NUMBER IRL 3148 Excellent condition. %(632.( '5<68,76
with interesting history, 2014 Survey. IRC 0.887
Ready to race. 1 – Main & Jib. 3 – Gennakers. '5<68,7 5(3$,56
Very fast and successful, well set up with well
Mast, boom and carbon gennaker pole. Keel ZZZKDPPRQGGU\VXLWVFRXN
maintained trailer. Set of North regatta sails in
hoist. Keel buffers. Tacktick Compass. 2 –
excellent condition and set of Hyde sails in good
Gennaker launch bags (blue). Rudder blade plus
condition,carbon pole, tacktick and rig tensioner.
cover sleeve. Top cover. Lifting straps. Engine
£8350 Tel 07734 757595 / 01208 873654 (FOWEY)
bracket. 2.5 hp engine. Many accessories. Road
Trailer. £10000 Tel 00353 863731738 (DUBLIN)
ENGINEERING
HUNTER SONATA 22FT YACHT & TRAILER Built 1978,
Sail No 8342. Hull Deck GRP. road trailer. Fin Keel.
Mercury 5hp outboard engine. Anchor warps INTERNATIONAL STAR CLASS YACHT Star Class,
fenders. One set of good sails & spinnaker. Mast keel racing yacht 22ft white. Sail No. 6857
and rigging. Radio and charger. Tender. Currently “Grace”. 1985. Ready to sail. 3 sets of Sails.
Ashore. Delivery at cost. £2250 Tel 07710 528035 Road trailer. Fibreglass. £1500 Tel 07980 859801
(TRURO ) (STALHAM)
MARINE TAPES SAILS
EQUIPMENT
T: (01929) 554308
The Sail Loft,
16 Sandford ROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE
Lane Ind Est, date your boat with go-fast gear and optimise
Wareham, Dorset, stem configurations that will make your sailin
BH20 4DY ter, easier, more enjoyable and safer. For th
www.kempsails.com est Ronstan products and personalised servic
prove your boats performance contact Jason ww.sailtek.org.uk
ww.ronstan.co.uk
MULTIHULLS
bile: (+44) 0776 5401617
TORNADO 404 Light use Marstrom Hulls and Carbon ail: sailtek@btinternet.com
Mast; One good main; One good & one older
jib; One good & two virtually unused Gennaker;
wood epoxy Foils; Good Tramp with stainless rod
attachment; Telescopic Carbon Tiller/bar; Two foot MATERIALS
straps each side; Lots of fitting replaced in last year.
OTHER EQUIPMENT £5495 Tel 07790 495372 (SOUTHAMPTON)
PAIR HARKEN PERFORMA 40 WINCHES Pair of SPRINT 15 CATAMARAN Sail number 1237, 2 piece
Harken 40 Self-Tailing Quattro Performa™ Winch — mast, Coloured main & jib (with battens), White main
2 Drum, 2 Speed. Perfect condition, lightly used, & jib with red batten pocket stripes to match hulls
removed from my Sunfast 3600. £1200 Tel 07775 (with battens), Trapeze wires, Standard & Long tiller
706626 (TWICKENHAM) extensions, Trolley. £1200 Tel 07881 379416 / 01422
706867 (HALIFAX)
BRAND NEW OMC JOHNSON 35 HP, electric
outboard with stand, tanks and fittings. Prestige
condition. Sale due to health. £2000 Tel 0208
3670117 (ENFIELD) TRAILERS/TROLLIES
CHRIS CRAFT 1952 U22 SPORTSMAN Length: 22 TRAILER BRAKED Two wheel heavy duty braked ‘A
feet. Year manufactured: 1952. Restoration begin frame’ road trailer with jockey wheel. Polycarbonate
date: 2012. Restoration end date: 2014. Price: decking. Good condition - recently serviced . Trailer
98 000 EUR. Features: Hydro tab; Sea jet thrusters; light Board, BARGAIN - No offers. buyer collects. £700
Tel 01590 672496 Evenings (NEW FOREST)
RIGGING
JL audio; Biotoilet; Sink; Fridge; Original 1959 year
allspars
engine; Hydraulic steering system; Electronic
shifting system. TRADE. £86316 Tel +3706 9914666
(KLAIPEDA)
8’ FIBREGLASS ROWING DINGHY WITH ROWLOCKS

The Directory is the place to
& OARS. 8’White fibreglass rowing dinghy with advertise call +44 (0)207 349 3700
rowlocks & oars. Very good condition.Trolley. £125
Tel 07836 269202 (CAMBERLEY) Award Winning
Professional Riggers on Your Doorstep
RIGGING
www.allspars.co.uk 01752 266766 01489 876876
Workshop
www.rigituk.com
Itchen Marine Ltd,
Authorised Service & Parts Centre * Awarded Retailer of the Year in 2015
American Wharf, Elm Street,

Southampton SO14 5GA ROPES
Masts, Spars Office and Rigging Shop
and Rigging Shepard's Wharf Marina

Medina Road, Cowes
Specialists Isle of Wight PO31 7HT
07593 220 213 /

07932 677 191 Super 12 & GP12 HMPE High Performance Ropes Supporting the Fast 40+ Class
Solent Based FREEPHONE

One Stop Rigging Centre 0808 281 9423
pawel.barwicz@rigituk.com
Working in partnership with amanda.mochrie@rigituk.com
the worlds leading marine suppliers www.rigituk.com

6SHFLDOLVWV LQ WKH VXSSO\ RI ´0RRUIRUOHVVµ
¶0RRULQJ (TXLSPHQW· 7RRUGHURQOLQHSOHDVHYLVLW

RXUZHEVLWHIRUIXOOUDQJH
RIPRRULQJSURGXFWV
www.boatgeardirect.co.uk
The New Voyager Still available at
PRO 800F Horizontal
Anchor these low prices!
Channel Anchor £399.00
Stainless Steel (8mm S/S Gypsy) Dock Bumpers
Introductory Offer Prices For Vessels Up To 30ft 6WUDLJKW
V Series FP [ FP
6kg £35.00 10kg £59.00
15kg £79.00 20kg £105.00
VS600 £499.00 £39.95
6kg £29.95
25kg £139.00 33kg £175.00 10kg £43.75 For vessels up to 30ft
16kg £57.95 8mm S/S G ps
Flexible
Cruising Anchor Corner
2.5kg £12.75 £29.50
4.5kg £19.90 PRO 900E Horizontal
Set Offer
7kg £29.50 £449.00 £99.95
10kg £39.75 (8mm S/S Gypsy) [ FP %XPSHUV
14kg £49.95 For Vessels up to 35ft [ )OH[LEOH &RUQHU
20kg £54.75
VS1000 £549.00 PRO 900M Horizontal Fender Step
Available in White,
Trefoil Anchor VS1000C £599.00 £495.00 Navy & Blue
Yacht Legs (Bruce Pattern)

2kg £17.50
(C = With Capstan)
For vessels up to 42ft
(8mm S/S Gypsy)
For Vessels Up To 45ft
Still at the low price of
£39.95
Small 5kg £29.50 8mm S/S G ps
600 - 900mm 7.5kg £36.95
Pro 710 Series
VS1500 12v
£69.00 each 10kg £45.75 Suitable for vessels
Medium 15kg £57.50 £749.00 up to 20ft (Horizontal)
900 - 1400mm 20kg £89.75 VS1500 24v 710F £199.00
30kg £119.00
£99.00 each £799.00 (6mm Nylon Gypsy)
Rope & Chain Sets
Large 316 Stainless
1200 - 1900mm Trefoil Anchor 710FS £249.00 (Suitable for Windlass)
Nylon Multiplait
£129.00 each (Bruce Pattern) (6mm S/S Gypsy) Spliced to
G40 Calibrated Chain
5kg £99.95
Low prices maintained 7.5kg £149.00
10kg £199.98 30m x 10mm Nylon Multiplait
30m x 6x18.5mm DIN766 Chain
15kg £249.00
‘TITAN’ GRADE 40 20kg
VS1500C
£399.00
£119.00
30m x 12mm Nylon Multiplait
Galvanised Calibrated Chain 12v £849.00 30m x 7x22 DIN766 Chain
Suitable for use with Windlass

316 Stainless VS1500C £169.50
30m x 12mm Nylon Multiplait
Delta Type 30m x 8x24 DIN766 Chain
6x18.5 DIN766 £2.95 mtr 24v £899.00 EC1000S £199.00
5kg £99.00
With Capstan Stainless 12v CAPSTAN 30m x 14mm Nylon Multiplait
7x22 DIN766 £3.75 mtr 10kg £169.00 (For Rope Only) c/w Foot Switch 30m x 8x24 DIN766 Chain
16kg £249.00 For vessels up to 60ft £229.00
8x24 DIN766 £5.25 mtr
10x28 DIN766 £7.95 mtr 20kg £399.00 10mm S/S G s £389.00 30m x 14mm Nylon Multiplait
30m x 10x28 DIN766 Chain
£299.00
10x30 EN818-3 £7.75 mtr Deck Foot 30m x 16mm Nylon Multiplait
Mushroom Switch 30m x 10x30 EN813 Chain
12x36 EN818-3 £9.90 mtr (Mooring Anchor) £329.00
11kg £35.00 £17.50
Please call us for advice on 22kg £59.00 Hand
SPLICING SERVICE
Mounting Our on-site riggers can
suitability for your windlass. 33kg £75.00 Remote make up mooring / anchor
Bracket lines to your specification
*Test Certificate supplied with chain. 45kg £99.00 £29.95
5 mtr Cable £39.95 Call for details
316 Stainless Chain Railway Wheel 3 STRAND NYLON
Sinkers
Admiralty Pattern 10mm £0.90 mtr 12mm £1.20 mtr
6x18.5mm £7.95 mtr Mooring Anchors 14mm £1.50 mtr 16mm £1.95 mtr
NJ WR NJ 18mm £2.45 mtr 20mm £3.20 mtr
8x24mm £12.50 mtr 24mm £3.95 mtr 28mm £4.75 mtr
10x28mm £18.95 mtr These are offered Mooring/Anchor Rope
c/w 1mtr of 38mm
tail chain welded NYLON 8 PLAIT ROPE
Used Chain through the centre.
Used Chain is often available 30kg to 250kg 12mm £1.40 mtr 14mm £1.80 mtr
16mm £2.25 mtr 18mm £2.90 mtr
from 25mm to 50mm. It is ideal Please call for From 20mm £3.50 mtr 24mm £4.25 mtr
for use as ground tackle.
Please call for details
details £89.00 Mooring/Anchor Rope
Mail Order Tel: 01473 655541 Carriage = £9.95 up to 10kg & £12.95 up to 30kg All prices include vat
Carriage charge is to most UK mainland destinations only. Please email or call for at 20% and correct
Email: sales@boatgeardirect.co.uk at time of print.
Scottish Highlands & Isles, English Islands, N Ireland & Eire, Plus European destinations.
SUPPORTED BY
POSITION
noblemarine.co.uk | 01636 707606
No. 84 The salute

Farewell brave friends, may luck be with you
A
s his team sails into the distant fog,
alive with gusts and who knows
what else, this coach strikes a
solitary pose, saluting the team
he has trained with over recent
months as they head into the unknown. DIFFICULTY RATING: 1/5
Offshore racing can be an exhilarating and scary
experience at the best of times. For this team to
be heading out into the open ocean in an RC44
– which is already broaching as the first gusts To look on with
hit – is brave in extremis. The coach in his RIB
knows this and his forlorn salute before he dashes knowledge but lack the
back towards the safety of the coast says it all. ability to help is the curse
of the coach
On the other hand, this might just depict
a nasty squall during inshore racing on the
RC44 circuit, it’s hard to tell which. Either
PEDRO MARTINEZ/MARTINEZ STUDIO
way it clearly shows the impotence of the

coach forced to stand back and watch...

ENGINEER
CONSULTANT
BUILDER
STUDENT
FARMER
DENTIST
ACHIEVE
SOMETHING
REMARKABLE
An adventure like no other
raced by people like you since 1996
Become one of the elite few to circumnavigate the globe, or sign up to cross an ocean.
Apply now for the only global yacht race crewed by people like you, from all walks of life
and more than 40 nations. No previous experience is required.
clipperroundtheworld.com

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The performance sailing magazine

TONY LAWSON - OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT WINNER

NEW AMERICA’S CUP DESIGN REVEALED

Analysis & advice 58 Sportsboat review

supporter of offshore racing to know in our safety special

new series of step-by-step

offers his top tips for faster

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 3

Contributors: Steve Cockerill, Bob Fisher, Rupert Holmes,

Cover image: Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race -

LLOYD IMAGES/TEAM CONCISE

increase participation, particularly of female sailors,

WRITERS THIS MONTH INCLUDE… Back Issues: www.chelseamagazines.com/shop

and beyond, who specialises medal at both CHELSEA

4 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Winter sailing on the island of Mauritius

Blessed with azure waters, sandy white beaches

Rather go sailing in summer? See greece.wildwind.co.uk

Macif on the charge

Clipper fatality buried at sea

death is unconﬁrmed at this time but thought to be by drowning.

6 Yachts & Yachting January 2018

around a length of 30ft.

I just realised that

New America’s Cup boat Teams that have

will many members of Land Rover BAR – which has teamed up

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 7

This month our sister

WIN Tickets to London & Paris Boat Shows

goes head-to-head boat Round Britain

complex issue of lee

provide a stunning photo

special celebrating 30 years COLIN FIRTH

8 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

With many years of expertise in a wide range

Many of our team compete regularly and use

Choose Hyde Sails –

MAKING SAILS THE WAY YOU WANT

10 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

format proposed three races on the ﬁnal day

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 11

The above is heartfelt thanks and feedback.

STAYING WARM AND DRY

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 13

into the big boat

14 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

BUY NOW & SAVE

P ROU D SPO NSO RS & PARTNE RS

NO MORE CLEANING. NO MORE PROBLEMS.

More information at gillsc.com/blackwater

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 17

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 19

AC75 IN DETAIL It will be challenging to sail, and will require

January 2018 Yachts & Yachting 21

22 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

Based in Lavrio and Lefkas

24 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

November 2017 Yachts & Yachting 25

Lawson’s dream was taking on form

26 Yachts & Yachting January 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk