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SCUTTLEBUTT EUROPE #1572 - WEEKEND EDITION 26 - 27 JULY

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...

CHANGING TIMES FOR SAILORS IN OLYMPIC GAMES Greetings from Qingdao, where the final preparations are being made for the sailing regatta at the Olympic Games. This is my fourth Olympics and my second as a Finn sailor, the class in which I won a second gold medal in Athens four years ago, to go with the gold I won in the Laser class in Sydney in 2000 and the silver in Atlanta four years earlier.

Things have changed immensely for me since 1996. Then I was 19, fresh from winning the World Youth Championships, and because lottery funding had not yet come in, the sailors were proper amateurs. People had to beg their employers for time off work and some saved money by sleeping in the back of their cars. I owe a great deal to my parents, who financed my Olympic dream.

Rod Carr was the team manager in 1996 and it was his fourth Games, having been coach for the previous three. He had learnt from his experiences before Atlanta and had tried to put some facilities in place - on a small budget - to make life better for the British sailors. He struck a deal with the local sailing club in Savannah so that we could have a base to train from and rented a big old clap-board house in the grounds of the yacht club for us to live in during the Olympics.

The arrival of the lottery programme in 1997 has made a huge difference to the way we prepare. Great Britain has sent 18 sailors to Qingdao, but the support staff is larger. As well as coaches for each of the 11 classes, we have a series of "ologists" to look after us...

... As we near the start of the Games, the sea has been turning blue again. People were worried a few weeks ago because the race course had been covered in green algae, which was hard to sail through, but thousands of volunteers in fishing boats have been trying to clear the sea of sludge. The knock-on effect is that restaurant prices have rocketed because all the fishermen have been out catching algae instead of fish.

The only other worry is the surreal fog that descends quickly, making Qingdao resemble Gotham City. It is a reminder that we can have all the technical support, but if the weather closes in on us, we are helpless. Hopefully that will clear by the start of the regatta. Wish me luck. -- Ben Ainslie, the full article at http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/article4386600.ece

IN PRAISE OF ... TALL SHIPS >From Malin to Hebrides, Fair Isle and Viking, through seas made familiar by the shipping forecast, some 60 sailing ships are racing from Liverpool to Norway. The annual tall ships race, shows, magnificently, that the age of sail is not over. Around a million people are said to have come to see the ships in Liverpool, as the city's docks were filled, just as they were 150 years before, with sloops and barques, ketches and full-rigged square ships, a jumble of spars and masts that dominated the waterfront.

The ships come from all over the world, offering excitement and training to their crews, many of them young people who have never done anything like it before. The vessels are living things, kept at sea by people who love them; so much more vibrant than other ocean-going relics now tied up as museums. The Moshulu, which carried a young Eric Newby to Australia in 1939, a journey he described in The Last Grain Race, is now a restaurant in Philadelphia; the Falls of Clyde, the last floating four-masted ship in the world, may soon be sunk at sea because money cannot be found to preserve it.

More cheerful is the prospect of a new era of commercial sailing: this week the Kathleen & May, a 108-year-old triple-masted wooden ship arrives in Dublin carrying a cargo of 30,000 bottles of French wine. There are other schemes to attach giant kites to container ships, to cut their fuel consumption. The old rule of the sea, "steam gives way to sail", may soon be needed again. -- from the editors of the Guardian, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/24/sailing?gusrc=rss&feed=fromtheguardian

REVOLUTIONARY SAIL REVEALED FOR QINGDAO Last week, Dutch Team Zwitserleven Booth/Nieuwenhuis revealed its revolutionary sail for the Olympic competition in China. Because of the expected light winds in Qingdao, the Tornado duo focused on developing a special gennaker.

It is a lot flatter and smaller then the regular gennakers used on the Tornado. That allows the team to use this sail upwind in anything under 12 knots, something which is impossible with the traditional gennaker. Mitch Booth and Pim Nieuwenhuis believe that this will give them a big edge over the other competitors in the predominant light breezes of Qingdao.

"This afternoon, we were able to show its potential for the first time", said helmsman Mitch Booth on Monday evening. After several days of unusual strong winds, today the conditions were perfect for the new sail, 5-10 knots with plenty of chop and current. These are the normal conditions for Qingdao and Mitch Booth commented: "We sailed laps around the other five boats that joined us on the water and I think they will be scratching their heads tonight. We are fully stretched on the wire in 5-7 knots of breeze, while the other crews are still sitting on the hull." For months Booth and Nieuwenhuis kept their sail secret while developing it with designer Jay Glaser (USA) and sailmaker Ullman Sails Italy. They worked together with the teams from the USA and Puerto Rico to test and develop. No other competitors where allowed near the training facilities to keep the sail secret as long as possible.

Now it became clear that the Dutchmen were working on a special gennaker. Booth: "This sail is approximately seven square meters smaller then a conventional ones for the Tornado and it has a very flat shape. This allows us to use it upwind as well, which is the big advantage over other teams that are only able to use their gennakers downwind." About the risk of different circumstances during the Olympic Regatta, Mitch commented: "We can survive in the medium and strong air, but will have a huge benefit in the light conditions. We don't expect strong wind during this regatta, otherwise we wouldn't have chosen this direction." -- Diana Bogaards from http://www.teamzwitserleven.nl , cited in Adonnate.com: http://www.adonnante.com/article,10322,en,Revolutionary-sail-revealed-for-Qingdao

ARE YOU SAILING INTO A STORM THIS SUMMER? Summer cruising is upon us; the kids are breaking up from school and the cruise plan has been agreed.

How far are you planning to go? Is it coastal or are you heading across the Channel? Weather can be unreliable and armed with your best forecast, have you prepared for the Force 6 to 7 you just might encounter?

'Summer holiday storm jibs and trysails' are being offered from Doyle Europe with a 10% discount for orders placed and delivered during July and August 2008.

For further information, please contact Doyle Europe on +44 (0) 23 8033 2622 or email info@doylesails.co.uk

AN IMPERIAL POONA BURGEE FOR MY TENT, PLEASE... Regretably your humble narrator won't be making it to Cowes Week this year, despite my wife's pleas about this particular residence option...

"Camp Kerala...one of the most unquestionably glamourous places to stay in the UK." Vogue (Dec 07)

Having wowed the Glastonbury Festival over recent years, Camp Kerala's luxurious tented compound is now available for Cowes Week.

The Camp Kerala shikar tents are all built by the Maharaja of Jodhpurs own tent makers as perfect replicas of those used by his ancestors on hunting trips. Each is filled with original Rajastani furniture, Hungarian duck down duvets... Egyptian cotton sheets and pillows, sheepskin rugs, fresh flowers, fruit and much more, the tents provide the perfect sanctuary.

Kerala is a luxurious secure haven for those who want to see Cowes Week in sumptuous style. Close to the Royal Yacht Squadron, the authentic Shikar tents overlook some of the best of the racing in the Solent and beyond to the New Forest.

Tent accomodations are available for either the entire regatta, single night, or anything in between. A short walk to the main marina complex, access into the yachts clubs, bars and restaurants on the High Street couldn't be easier and there will be courtesy vehicles on hand for transporting the weary to and from Camp Kerala.

Come have drinks at Camp Kerala @ Skandia Cowes on 1st August 2008 at 6.30pm.

You will find Camp Kerala at Gurnard Cliff Farm, Off Rew Street, Gurnard, Isle of Wight PN31 8NU

RSVP jennifer@campkerala.com 01749 860077

http://www.campkerala.com

... AND HANG A WELCOME HOME DORADE CREW RIBBON ON MY TENT This great offer of a bit of history is from Sparkman & Stephens. I asked if it was OK to include this in Eurobutt, fearing that the fellows at S&S might not appreciate a few hundred inquiries from abroad, but they said to bring it on...

To all of our yachting friends and colleagues:

We bet you have never seen one of these. The Welcome Home Dorade Ribbon (click to enlarge).

In 1931 Dorade swept a fleet of larger sailing yachts to win the Transatlantic Race. Dorade then went on to win the Fastnet Race of that same year. This set the stage for the future success of the fledgling designer Olin Stephens, then 21. The boat was crewed by Olin, his brother Rod, their father and some friends.

Considering the economic depression at home, America was looking for any reason to celebrate. Upon their return to New York, a ticker tape parade was held on Broadway, starting with a reception at City Hall. Welcome Home ribbons were distributed among the crowd.

If you look closely at the gentleman in the second row to the far left (click image to enlarge) you will see he is wearing this very ribbon, as are others in the crowd. In celebration of Olin's 100th Birthday we have had a number of these commemorative ribbons made. At the recent Birthday party held at the New York Yacht Clubs' Harbor Court in Newport we saw almost everyone wearing these ribbons. It was a touching tribute to Olin.

We would like to offer these to our yachting friends as a small token of appreciation. They make a fine bookmark.

How to get one: Simply send an email to: info@sparkmanstephens.com with the subject line "Dorade Ribbon" and be sure to include mailing instructions: your name and address. We'll drop one in the mail to you, no matter where you are. There's no charge at all.

You can see an original copy of this ribbon by visiting the ongoing Sparkman & Stephens exhibit at the Museum of Yachting, Newport, Rhode Island.

http://www.sparkmanstephens.com

SAIL FOR GOLD BAR - SKANDIA COWES WEEK OPEN 1ST : 9TH AUGUST Once again the Sail for Gold Bar RIB is back to provide thirsty sailors at Skandia Cowes Week, with a refreshing cold beer as they cross the finish line! But, to be eligible for your complimentary Heineken, you will first have to fly the Sail for Gold Bar flag after racing.

To find out how to obtain your flag, go to http://www.sailforgoldbar.co.uk or simply come to the Bar on Cowes Parade with proof of your yacht's entry into Skandia Cowes Week.

See you on the water, or at the Sail for Gold Bar!

LIGHT CONDITIONS FOR FIGARO START The 50 sailors competing in this year's Solitaire du Figaro finally got off today on the first leg from La Rochelle in France to the Galician port of Vigo in Northern Spain. This is the first of three legs that make up 1,880 miles long race between France and Spain via the Northern Irish Sea.

The lack of wind forced the Race Committee to delay the start by just over an hour, but under grey skies and drizzle with a light southerly breeze, the impressive fleet of 50 Figaro's set sail for the 465-mile leg. Three boats suffered individual recalls, Romain Attanasio (DCNS 62), Laurent Guezigoux (Hillion) and Eric Drouglazet (Luisina).

Two miles into the race, Laurent Pellecuer (Docteur Valnet - Aromatherapie) and Jean Paul Mouren (M@rseillentreprises) led off the Radio France Mark. Both sailors joined forces earlier this year to win the coveted Transat AG2R race. Jean Paul, now 55 years old is on a record 22nd participation in the event.

La Solitaire, currently in it's 39th year, enjoys the continued participation of the world's top solo sailors, however with Michel Desjoyeaux preparing for his Vendee Globe this year and Alain Gautier, busy with America's Cup training commitments, the road is clear a whole new generation of very talented sailors. It is just these rock stars of solo sailing that have paved the pay for some for future sailors; Gautier has handed the Foncia Figaro boat tiller over to Nicolas Lunven, the rookie winner of the 2007 edition. Marc Thiercelin together with his sponsor DCNS is responsible for the two Figaro boats skippered by experienced sailors, Romain Attanasio and Christopher Pratt all hungry for success. -- Sabina Mollart-Rogerson

http://www.lasolitaire.com

BRITISH CLASSIC YACHT CLUB REGATTA - FINAL DAY Competitors were greeted by light winds and overcast skies on the final day of racing at the 2008 British Classic Yacht Club Regatta in Cowes. Many of the class series would be decided on the result of today's single race and there was a palpable air of anticipation as the fleet left the Cowes Yacht Haven this morning.

With the breeze remaining light, the big boats made slow but steady progress around the fifteen mile course and it was just over three hours later that Mariquita crossed the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club finish to take a line honours win. Some four minutes after came Tuiga, with Mariette hot on her heels. When the results had been calculated, Tuiga had taken a comprehensive handicap race win. Having performed impressively in the lightish conditions for such a big yacht, was Mariette was second and Kelpie corrected into third. This meant that in the overall standings Tuiga's win enabled her to retain her position at the top of the leader board and could celebrate a Class Zero win. Mariette finished just two points behind in second place with The Lady Anne third. There was no closer battle for the overall series than in Class Four, where going into the last race, Roger Dann's Leonie and Lance Rowell's Dorothy were tied on points. In the crucial final race the upper hand in that battle went to Leonie who finished second today behind Adam Gosling's Sinbad of Abersoch. Dorothy struggled to find her form and could only manage an eleventh. Today's results gave Roger Dann and his crew aboard Leonie a well deserved class victory by nine points from of Sinbad of Abersoch whose win leapfrogged them past Dorothy into second. In Class Two, despite winning the final race, Brian & Yvonne Turner's Clarion of Wight had to concede the overall series to Martin Thomas's Charm of Rhu by a margin of just three points. David Messon's Josephine, who at the beginning of the week had scored well in the Round the Island race, also put a consistent series together for the rest of the regatta, helping her to secure third overall. Throughout the regatta there was little doubt in Class Two about who the winning boat would be. David Murrin's Cetewayo won both legs of the Round the Island Race, the Ladies Day race as well as three other races to finish on eight points – twelve point six points ahead of the next boat. Their stellar performance during the week also earned David Murrin and his polished team aboard Cetewayo, the 2008 British Yacht Club Regatta overall title. The Brian Keelan Memorial Trophy for the best gaff rigged yacht was awarded to the Yacht Club De Monaco's Tuiga. Based upon the votes of all the competing skippers, Tim Blackman's Infanta was given the 'Je Ne Sais Quoi' award for the boat which most believed had 'that special something'. The Classic Boat Magazine prize for 'most gentlemanly behaviour' was given to Chris & Liz Day's Thendara, in recognition of their courteous conduct on the racecourse. Trophies were presented at a sumptuous Prizegiving Dinner at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club dinner this evening. On Saturday 26th of July all the competitors have been invited to take part in a Parade of Sail off the Royal Yacht Squadron at 1000, followed by a 'Payback' Race for Classes Two, Three and Four starting at 1130 from a Committee Boat line. Full results at http://www.rcyc.co.uk

GOSS GIVES BOAT A BIG THUMBS UP Sailor and adventurer Pete Goss has given a big thumbs up to his Cornish Lugger Spirit of Mystery after initial sea trials.

The first photos of the stunning 37-foot wooden vessel under sail were released today and Pete says that he is ecstatic.

The 46 year-old Westcountry sailor and adventurer was positively beaming after stepping ashore. He said: "She is a thing of beauty; an organic living object that is everything I dreamed of and more. She sails well and is safe, fun, simple and kind. I couldn't be happier."

The crew is now undergoing training every weekend wherever possible and will undertake a two-week sea passage to prepare for their epic journey to Australia, which will commence in October. Like the original crew, who were all related by either blood or marriage, it will be a family affair comprising: Pete Goss; his younger brother Andy; Pete's youngest son Eliot (who is 14); and Pete's brother-in-law Mark Maidment.

The boat will be available for the public to see at several events over the coming months including: - A weekend at the Classic Boat Rally at Sutton Harbour, Plymouth, commencing Friday 1 August - Spirit of Mystery is back at its 'spiritual birth place' on Monday 25 August, as Pete Goss opens the Newlyn Fish Festival and introduces Spirit of Mystery for her naming ceremony and blessing by the Mission to Seamen - The Southampton Boat Show, Friday 12 September - Spirit of Mystery will be a star attraction at the Boat Show press day

http://www.petegoss.com

FEATURED BROKERAGE 2004 32' Eigenbau Coast Flyer C 3200, 29,500 Euros, Located in Spain.

Most exceptional One Off Design, professional built in 2004. The owner sailed this single handed cat on the Med. He now wants to get a bigger cat and offers the Coast-Flyer in best Condition. The cat is equiped with demountable wheels and does not require a trailer.

Brokerage through Cat Sale GmbH & Co.: http://www.yachtworld.com/cat-sale/

Complete listing details and seller contact information at http://uk.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1471847

THE LAST WORD The word love has by no means the same sense for both sexes, and this is one cause of the serious misunderstandings that divide them. -- Simone de Beauvoir

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

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