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SCUTTLEBUTT EUROPE #1496 - WEEKEND EDITION 26-27 APRIL

Brought to you by boats.com Europe ( http://www.boats.com ) and Yachtworld.com Europe ( http://www.yachtworld.com ) Scuttlebutt Europe is a digest of sailing news and opinions, regatta results, new boat and gear information and letters from sailors -- with a European emphasis. Contributions welcome, send to editor@scuttlebutteurope.com

EDITORIALS, OPINIONS AND THE RUMOUR MILL...

THANK YOU, RACE COMMITTEE On the north coast of Texas, you can see all the way to Oklahoma.

But what I carried away from Lakefest on Lake Texoma was a renewed appreciation for the volunteers who make sailboat racing possible. My friend "Johnny" did a little Hobie cat racing in his youth, but he's not a sailor at heart. He's a powerboater who "likes to look at sailboats" and for seven years has brought out one or another Savannah Jane to serve as signal boat for Lakefest. You know-I hope you know-that you can judge the importance of a sailboat race by how many motorboats it takes to run it.

The ladies of the Texoma Sailing Club who raised flags and kept the scoring have been at this so long that they run their own show. You don't tell these women what to do.

And if you've never breathed the early morning air or hunted down the breeze of the day-if you've never done your time on race committee-you're missing something. It's really pretty cool.

The certified RC people and judges who came in from Houston, Oklahoma City and the like to work with PRO Jim Tichenor were smooth as clockwork. I think the sailors on the 50-some raceboats know this, but I'll say it anyway.

We are blessed. And it's not that Texoma Sailing Club is unique, rather that all across this country there are volunteers who turn out to make sailing happen. At Fairhope Yacht Club, on the shores of Mobile Bay, people have worked for months (more like a year) to be ready for Saturday's 50th Anniversary Dauphin Island Race. There's a race to prepare, yes, but what surrounds the race is just as important. This is one of the great sailors-and-all-their-cousins-and-aunties reunions of the Deep South. It's a spirit thing. Also a spirit thing-what Long Beach Yacht Club does with its Congressional Cup. Over time, this event has been a leader in developing features we now take for granted on the match racing circuit: identical boats and sails, assigned ends, on-course judging, etc. LBYC also embraces the Congressional Cup as a communal celebration of what it means to be "us." Making the Congressional Cup happen is at the heart of club life.

Thank you, race committee. -- Kimball Livingston in his superb blog, http://sailmagazine.blogspot.com

WINNING THE STAR WORLDS What an awesome result for the Polish team Mateusz Kusnierewicz and Dominik Zycki winning the Star Worlds. But how relevant is beating a 104-boat fleet compared with the Olympic challenge of short course racing against a fleet of just 16? Iain Percy is hoping that the answer is "not very". He and crew Bart Simpson had a shocking week in Miami, albeit in a borrowed boat. They won one race, but the rest of the week was a catalogue of disaster - broken shroud, OCS, you name it.

"It's just been one of those weeks where it's all been decided with a throw of the dice - and we've thrown a lot of ones and not many sixes!" said Percy afterwards.

So where's the silver lining for the Brits? Well, back in 2000 a certain Mateusz Kusnierewicz won the Finn Gold Cup just months before the Sydney Games. And the young Pole was the reigning Olympic Champion from Savannah four years previously. He was the man to beat. Meanwhile, still quite new to the fleet, Iain Percy had moments of brilliance at that Weymouth event, but ruined it with a clutch of OCSs and other unwanted letters on his score sheet. I can't remember where he finished, but nor probably does he.

A few months later, who won the gold medal on the fluky waters of Sydney Harbour? Iain Percy, with Mateusz out of the medals. The Brit will take some comfort from that history lesson, and he drew a comparison with last week's failed mission against the one that really matters in Qingdao. "I know it is easy to come up with excuses, but it has been one of those weeks where if it is going to happen it is going to happen to us, and with such big fleets at the Star Worlds, any mistake costs you dear. In that sense the racing here is really kind of irrelevant to the racing we're going to be experiencing at the Games where it's just 15 other boats, and it's not so costly if you miss a windshift."

Of course you have to cling to this type of thinking when things are against you, but there is some truth to it. Qingdao is a very different task to Miami. The one constant in the Star fleet, however, is the irrepressible ability of Robert Scheidt and Bruno Prada to keep themselves in the chocoloates no matter what the challenge. The Brazilians took the bronze last week in Miami. In the past three Star Worlds, they have recorded results of 2,1,3. Torben Grael may not be in China to defend his Olympic title from Athens, but at the moment all the signs are that the gold medal is still most likely headed towards Brazil again. -- Andy Rice, http://sailjuiceblog.com

J CLASS ACTION IN ANTIGUA View the latest J Class photo gallery and video images on the J Class website from the 2008 Antigua Classics Week, run by Antigua Yacht Club.

Images include the J Class yacht Ranger, on board action from Velsheda, as well as the classic yachts Adela and Eleonora.

One video shows a tight finish with just 6 seconds between the close rival yachts Velsheda and Ranger after 2 hours of racing.

A recent Yachting World article featuring all the latest news "J Class fleet set to double" can also be read on the website.

To view these exciting images, video and the article from Yachting World: visit http://www.jclassyachts.com

AMERICA'S CUP DESIGNER COMPETITION In order to put in place the most efficient design team possible, Marc Pajot and Team French Spirit are launching the first designer competition in the history of the America's Cup.

While it is probable that the 33rd America's cup will be run on a multihull yacht exclusively between the defender Alinghi (SNG) and the challenger BMW Oracle (GGYC), Marc Pajot, CEO and team manager of Team French Spirit is already looking towards the 34th edition of this event.

Six French and two foreign naval architects will be selected to take part in the Designer Contest, which is held in cooperation with DGA's tank testing facilities in Val de Reuil and the Ecole Centrale in Nantes.

The Technical vision:

After having established a point of reference by looking at standard boat models, the selection will take into account the overall global analysis of the projects, hull performance based on water-tank testing and digital simulations, as well as

- Innovations of the project in terms of design - Resources of the designer's office

The Selection Panel:

A team of experts has been put together under the presidency of Philippe Gouard technical director of the French Sailing Federation (FFV):

- Bertrand Alessandrini : Hydrodynamics - Bruno Dubois : Sail designer - Jacques & Nicolas Fauroux, Naval architects - Bertrand Pace : Helmsman Nr 1 & in charge of the Design Team - Frank de Rivoyre : Structural engineer - Yann Roux : Aerodynamics, VPP & coordination

http://www.teamfrenchspirit.com

SPIRIT OF YACHTING 2008 - TELEVISION SCHEDULING INFORMATION Spirit of Yachting 2008 is a series of ten half-hour programmes featuring some of the very best yachting events taking place this year. Starting with the Rolex China Sea Race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay in the Philippines, the series moves to Miami and the recently completed Rolex Farr 40 World Championship before heading to Europe for the Rolex Capri Sailing Week, which takes place in May. The final programme in the series will the Rolex Sydney Hobart, which starts each year on Boxing Day.

The programmes will be shown around the world and scheduling information will be posted to regattanews.com at: http://www.regattanews.com/television_spirit2008.asp

The scheduling information will include details of stations, dates and times. The information will be updated regularly and for the moment the following stations have listings posted:

SKY (UK & Eire) is showing the first of the ten programmes on Monday 28/4/08 at 19:00 (BST) (repeat times and subsequent programming information are available)

CNBC EUROPE is showing the first of the ten programmes on Saturday 3/5/08 at 17.30 (CET) (repeat times and subsequent programming information are available)

ESPN STAR SPORTS commences its broadcasting in Taiwan on 6/5/08 (Start Taiwan): pan-Asia on 7/5/08 (Star Asia) and on 8/5/08 in Hong Kong (Star Hong Kong), India (Star India) and pan-South-East Asia (Star Southeast Asia) (repeat time information is available)

VIASPORT 1 will be showing the series in Sweden starting on Sunday 10/5/08 (repeat times and subsequent programming is available)

ESPN CLASSIC is showing the first programme on 21/5/08 in the UK; on 25/05/08 in Italy; pan-Europe on 29/5/08 and in France on 30/5/08 (repeat times and subsequent programming dates are available)

SPORT + broadcasts the series in France, starting on Monday 7/7/08 (subsequent programming dates are available)

Expect more listings shortly and if your region is not yet covered do keep checking back.

For more information about the events covered in Spirit of Yachting series please visit http://www.regattanews.com

RACING THE CLASSICS Back in the 60's Classic yachts, which were gathered in English Harbor Antigua, had begun chartering and the captains and crews challenged each other to a race down to Guadeloupe and back to celebrate the end of the charter season. From this informal race, Antigua Race Week was formalized in 1967, and in those days all of the yachts were classics. As the years grew on, the classic yachts were slowly outnumbered but the faster sleeker modern racing yachts and 20 years later the Classic Class had diminished to a few boats and was abandoned in 1987. However this same year seven classic yachts turned out and were placed in Cruising Class 3 with the bare boats. The class was so unmatched that it was downright dangerous, so Captain Uli Pruesse hosted a meeting onboard Aschanti of Saba with several classic skippers and in 1988 the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta was born, with 7 boats.

The Regatta has evolved into what it is today with the help of a faithful and long standing committee, and some friends who have brought notoriety to the event. In 1991, Elizabeth Meyer brought her newly refitted Endeavour and Baron Edmond Rothschild brought his 6-meter "Spirit of St Kitts" and "CSR" became the first Sponsor and inaugurated the Concours d' Elegance. After a few years, Boat International Magazine and our good friend Christian Chalmin took over the Concours d' Elegance and with the publicity their magazine gave us we gained worldwide recognition. In 1996 we created the "Spirit of Tradition Class" which has now been accepted all over the world, which gives the "New" classics, built along the lines of the old, a chance to sail alongside their sisterships. In 1999 we celebrated the first race between the J class yachts in 60 years. Mt Gay Rum has sponsored the regatta for many years, and we have recently added Officine Panerai as our first ever Platinum Sponsor.

The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta has maintained a steady growth, hosting between 50 and 60 yachts every year and enjoys a wonderful variety of competitors including traditional craft from the islands, classic ketches, sloops, schooners, and yawls making the bulk of the fleet, together with the stunningly beautiful Spirit of Tradition yachts, J Class yachts, and Tall Ships. All of which makes a wonderful spectacle of sail, in the ideal trade wind sailing conditions of the Caribbean. The sailing combined with Antiguan hospitality, plenty of rum, sunshine, and great camaraderie, in a friendly relaxed atmosphere, places the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, in a class of it's own.

http://www.antiguaclassics.com

A CLASSIC DOWN UNDER Classic gaff-rigged Couta boats are one of the worlds largest heritage boat fleets as well as one of Australia's largest active fleets. It started with a fish - the barracouta (Thyrsites atun). "Couta" as they are known, became the mainstay of the 'fish and chips' trade supplying Melbourne with an abundance of inexpensive fish. The first back to port got the best price and so began the development to build faster boats giving birth to the impressive performance they are known for.

When Tim Phillips first spotted MERMERUS sailing in Port Phillip Bay she was one of only two Couta boats remaining afloat. She was built in 1938 by Ken Lacco at Rosebud for the MacKinnon fishing family of Sorrento, who still own her today. This encounter was a turning point for Tim, who with considerable assistance from Ken Lacco, set about turning his building skills to the preservation and restoration of the Couta boat fleet of Port Phillip Bay. With a committed kernel of enthusiasts, the Couta Boat revival was started. The fleet now has over one hundred boats in three states of Australia.

Coutas are of course no longer fishing boats; new boats cost upward of $100,000. They attract people who either have a bit of money or who are absolutely passionate about the boats - often both. In any event, the fleet is very active. The sailing is of a high calibre - for example, Nigel Abbot, who owns ROMY C2003 is a past World and National Fireball Champion and America's Cup winning skipper John Bertrand is sometimes to be seen at the helm of C03 DARNEY.

The boats vary in size with the big ones about 26' and they go down to about 18'. They are sailed in two divisions and have a handicapping system.

"Spars of wood and gloss varnish provide the frame work to fly a very large area of sail," says Abbot. "With only a Jib and Mainsail the boats sail fast upwind and down. Historic references fade somewhat when the racing begins as sailors work luff sag, sheet angles and halyard tensions like an Etchell to produce sail shapes any trimmer would be proud of."

Boats are crewed with a team of five or more working in an open cockpit without the aid of winches. Wooden cheeked blocks and basic tackle add the challenge of working these classics around the course. However at the end of it all the boat is a wonderful forum for a cold beer. There are a number of more social races, one of which is to sail across the bay to Queenscliff and have a BBQ of barracouta.

http://www.woodenboatshop.com.au/default.asp?MenuID=Couta_Boats/189/1476/ http://www.coutaboatclub.com http://www.sscbc.com.au

LAUNCHINGS * Every spring has it's "flavour of the week" in boatbuilding. Last spring it was electrical headsail furling and aft mounted anchor winches, the spring before that it was light tan Alcantara upholstery. This spring, thanks to (Finn Gulf) 43001 being visible in production with a very sexy metallic black paint finish, the "de rigeur" thing has been metallic paint finishes. We have some FG41's in build being finished with metallic topsides in various hues, and all three of the first FG43:s are being finished in metallic; black, copper and dark grey respectively. Boat owners have traditionally been extremely conservative in regards to aesthetics - Flag Blue and Snow White have been the predominant colours of choice for our customers, but this may be the trickle down effect from superyachts becoming visible in smaller boats, and considering the fact that a painted surface is actually superior to traditional gelcoat this is not a bad thing. We also calculated that the net savings on an FG43 in total weight comparing traditional gelcoat with a painted surface is roughly 50 kg - in favour of paint. So be bold, go metallic! You've been officially pimped! -- Anders Kurten, http://www.fg43.com/blog.php?page=pimp

* Inspired by the owner's love for the Gloucester Schooners, "Meteor" is a traditional Schooner for the experienced sailor and marine entrepreneur designed and built to the latest yachting standards. Comfortable and performance orientated. Her design was based on the Dykstra & Partners designed "Borkumriff IV", also built at Royal Huisman Shipyard.

"Meteor" has a tradional Schooner rig but constructed from carbon fibre to enhance her sailing performance.

Loa : 51.59 meter (incl. bowsprit) Lod : 45.67 meter Lwl : 35.81 meter Beam : 9,2 meter Draft : 4,3 meter Displacement : 300 tons Material : Alustar Shipyard : Royal Huisman Shipyard Naval Architects : Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects / JG Alden Design Exterior Styling : Dykstra & Partners Naval Architects Interior Design : John Munford Design

World Superyacht Award Judges:

Winner Sailing Yacht of the Year Of the entire fleet finalist sailing yachts, the judges considered that the gaff-rigged schooner Meteor combined the best appearance, technology and appropriate interior design, while being a seaworthy high-performance offshore cruiser in all wind and sea conditions. -- http://www.worldsuperyachtawards.com

* Quebramar, last year's champion of the up-and-coming GP42 class, is now back on the water in Valencia after having modified their boat during the last couple of months. The team has now been renamed to Iberdrola-Quebramar, its main two sponsors, and officially forms part of the America's Cup challenger Desafío Iberdrola-Quebramar, also renamed to reflect the new reality. In fact, together with the TP52 boat, they will be the team's only racing activity this season, given the standstill in the America's Cup.

The yacht, helmed by Laureano Wizner and crewed entirely by Desafío Iberdrola-Quebramar's sailors, carried the first test session under excellent conditions.

The Quebramar GP42 Cup promises to provide thrill and excitement this year, with 4 new boats joining the ranks, one from Spain and France each and two from Italy. Don't forget to check the official GP42 website for all the latest news and photos. -- http://valenciasailing.blogspot.com

http://www.gp42.net

* The newest STP65, Moneypenny, designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by McConaghy's Boat Yard in Australia, was launched the second week of April and has tested in Sydney Harbor with "fine results," according to its owner Jim Swartz (San Francisco, Calif.). "It feels very nimble," he grinned, clearly pleased that the rocket ship performance conceptualized in the development of the STP65 Box Rule looks to be as much a reality for him as it has been for Roger Sturgeon (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), who now has a season's worth of trophies to add to his shelf since the June 2007 launching of the first STP65, the Farr-designed Rosebud.

"It's going to be really exciting," said Swartz about his coming match-up with Rosebud this summer in Newport, R.I., when the boats will participate in the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta presented by Rolex before setting off in the famously testing Newport to Bermuda Race. "There are a lot of people around the world watching this closely," he added, explaining that the STP65 rule and class, jointly developed by the Storm Trysail Club and the Transpacific Yacht Club, will transfer to an owner's association for administration once there are five boats built.

The third boat due to launch is Udo Schutz's (Selters, Germany) Container, which is under construction at Knierim Boatyard in Kiel, Germany. As of March, the hull and most of the interior structure had been finished, and the lamination of the deck had started. Container should be delivered to its owner by the end of June, with the first race scheduled to be Spain's Copa del Rey regatta in late July.

The STP65 rule, bylaws and other supporting information can be found at http://www.stp-65.org

* Dixon Yacht Design is using their extensive knowledge of designing classically styled yachts in partnership with two other companies to produce a new range of 'classic' yachts. The vessels, which will have the name Opus, are classic yachts with a difference however. It is only their outward appearance which can in any way be described as, 'classic'.

The guiding principals, which have now evolved into the Opus, are very much those of the first owner who, while wanting a yacht with the exterior styling of a yacht from the 1930's did not want the limitations that normally go with vessels of that era. Two areas above all others had to be addressed by the design team; the interior had to be spacious, welcoming, and relaxing; a far cry from the narrow and uncomfortable interiors of yesterday. Secondly, the yachts sail plan had to provide a vessel which would be easily managed by a short handed or family crew.

A sloop rig is standard on the Opus 68 but in line with the first owners requirement to have a yacht which is easy to handle the first vessel is being rigged as a schooner; a solution which will provide the owner with many 'sail set' options depending on the weather conditions. The sail plan will be easy to handle with manual winches but subsequent 68's can be supplied with either electric or hydraulically powered winches if required. -- http://www.sailbeautiful.com

FEATURED BROKERAGE 1995 Rogers 25, EUR 15,500 Tax Paid. Located in Kinsale, Cork, Ireland.

Current owner has replaced or upgraded a substancial amount of her equipement over the last four years. She is an ideal & fun club racing boat.

Brokerage through Sovereign Yacht Sales: http://www.yachtworld.com/sovereignsailing/

Complete listing details and seller contact information at http://uk.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1882025

THE LAST WORD Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. -- Mark Twain

The opinions expressed in Scuttlebutt Europe do not necessarily reflect those of its editors or sponsors.

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About YachtWorld.com Formed in 1995, YachtWorld.com is the premier online sales channel for yacht brokers around the world. The site lists more than 110,000 boats for sale in 115 countries by some 2,500 brokers in 60 countries. The total value of boats listed is over $40 billion. Headquartered in Seattle, YachtWorld.com has its European headquarters in the United Kingdom, with sales offices in Germany, Italy and Russia and sales representation in Dubai, Australia and China.

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