Brought to you by Yachtworld.com Europe and boats.com Europe, 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Three Months Babysitting Due...
After three months at sea, dodging icebergs and fighting storm-force winds, the record-breaking yachtsman and new dad Damien Foxall has a lot of babysitting to make up -- by order of the President of Ireland.

Little Oisin Foxall was just four months old when his dad set sail on a round-the-world challenge of a lifetime.

And now that he has returned safe and well -- and victorious in the Barcelona World Race -- it's time for mum Suzy-Ann Leclerc to put her feet up.

The family were joined at Aras an Uachtarain yesterday by Mr Foxall's co-skipper, Frenchman Jean-Pierre Dick, for an official reception with President Mary McAleese.

Welcoming them home, the President remarked that the new dad was back just in time for Oisin's teething and to make up for three months of babysitting duties.

"What an extraordinary story, an absolutely wonderful story . . . you have made history and we are so proud of you at home," she told the two sailors.

"The toughest thing about the race was the duration," Foxall said. "Physically, you just get on with it, it's very tough, cold and tiring. The mental side is very, very hard. Three months at sea is a long time. It's like doing a football match every day for three months," he explained. -- Breda Heffernan, www.independent.ie/national-news/record-breaker-returns-1292439.html

Glyn Charles Memorial Pursuit Race
The Glyn Charles Memorial Pursuit Race will be held on Saturday 26 April, at Hayling Island Sailing Club, in memory of one of the UK's top sailors and one of the sports great characters. The race has become an annual spectacle set in the stunning setting of Chichester Harbour, where Glyn spent much of his time sailing at Bosham, Hayling and Emsworth.

A fun, competitive race around the cans, Glyn's race attracts entries from all classes and ages, pitting their wits to win a stunning array of prizes. Over 130 boats took to the water in 2007 to vie for the overall first prize, a Neilson Active Holidays beach club trip, and fabulous prizes from Gill, Billabong, Basilica, Dee Caffari, Tactick, Holt, Ellen MacArthur and many other generous sponsors, were awarded across all the classes in the fleet.

The annual Pursuit Race attracts entries from across the UK, who turn out for a great days sailing to remember Glyn. The race is open to all dinghies and keelboats. There's someone to race against throughout the fleet as crafts entered include the tiniest Fairey Ducklings and the oldest of cruising Wayfarers, the classic Swallows and X-boats, Fireballs and Merlin Rockets up against RS800's and 400's, through to the latest foiling skiffs.

Glyn, who was on the pathway to become one of the nations top sailors, was tragically lost during the 1998 Sydney Hobart, aged 33. The UK Star representative at the 1996 Olympics, and former Laser champion, Glyn also skippered the United Airlines Ultra 30 and had many offshore credits, including winning the Admirals Cup.

The memorial race is organised by a group of Glyn's close friends, and all funds raised are donated to the John Merrick's Sailing Trust. John who died in 1997 was a fellow Olympic team mate and close friend. The Trust set up in his honour, provides sailing opportunities for young and disadvantaged people, and is a cause dear to Glyn's heart.

For more information on the race see: www.hisc.co.uk or contact HISC

To provide prizes or sponsorship please contact: Liz Rushall - This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or +44 (0) 1243 372547

Chartering With Ondeck
This winter join Ondeck for the finest inshore racing in the world. We have places for individuals or whole crews aboard our fleet of Farr 40's Farr 65's and the Volvo 60 Pindar (pictured at right, ex-Team Newscorp). Chartering with Ondeck means service, professionalism and efficiency. With bases in Antigua and USVI, Ondeck can offer unrivalled local knowledge and dedicated shore support. Fuel, mooring fees, race fees and yacht cleaning is included, allowing you the luxury to rock up, race and relax. Feel the thrill of high-performance yacht racing in the clear waters and warm trade winds of the Caribbean!

For more information www.ondeck.co.uk

Solo Sailing Greats Gather In London
Photo: The Best of British, some of the IMOCA 60 skippers at the Artemis Transat Launch, L-R Jonny Malbon, Brian Thompson and Mike Golding. Photo by OnEdition
It is an event rarely seen in the sporting world of solo sailing, the gathering of many of the great solo sailors from the past, present and future who came together to celebrate the official launch of the 13th edition of the oldest solo race history, now known as The Artemis Transat.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, who won the race in 2000 aged 23 years and went onto finish 2nd in the solo Vendee Globe, stood alongside Mike Richey (aged 90) who competed in every edition of the race from 1964 onboard the famous Jester. The first edition of the race in 1960 was founded by Lt Col Blondie Hasler and Sir Francis Chichester (Gipsy Moth III) who was the first to reach New York after 40 days - it now takes the modern-day IMOCA 60 racing machines a little over 10 days to cross the 2800-mile course to Boston. "I think the reason The Artemis Transat is so special is that it is THE race that kicked off and started solo sailing," commented MacArthur.

From the other side of the channel came French legends Loick Peyron, who won the race twice in 1992 and 1996 - only he and Eric Tabarly hold that claim to fame - and Florence Arthaud who achieved unprecedented levels of acclaim in her home country for her participation in this race and the solo Route du Rhum.

Britain's Mike Golding OBE (Ecover) who won the race in 2004 has every intention of defending his IMOCA 60 title but he will be facing tough competition from the other skippers representing one of the strongest field of IMOCA 60 solo skippers in the history of the race. Fellow Brits Brian Thompson (Pindar), Jonny Malbon (Artemis Ocean Racing), Dee Caffari (Aviva) and Samantha Davies (Roxy) all pose a strong threat, whilst the combined force of the very best of the French solo sailors including Michel Desjoyeaux (Foncia), Seb Josse (BT), Vincent Riou (PRB) and Roland Jourdain (Veolia Environnement) to name a few, will make the IMOCA 60 title a hotly contested affair.

Alex Bennett (Fujifilm), who will be racing in the smaller Class 40 fleet, carries the hopes of the host city Plymouth on his shoulders and he will be racing against up to 15 other Class 40 skippers including Italian maestro Giovanni Soldini and, hopefully, Florence Arthaud.

The Artemis Transat will start on Sunday, 11th May, 2008 from Sutton Harbour Plymouth and will finish at Rowes Wharf, Boston Harbour Hotel, Boston whilst the smaller Class 40 fleet will finish at the Corinthian Yacht Club, Marblehead.

2008 entry list for The Artemis Transat at 15.2.08:

IMOCA
Akena Veranda/ Arnaud Boissieres (FRA)
Artemis/ Jonny Malbon (UK)
Aviva/ Dee Caffari (UK)
BritAir/ Armel Le Cleac'h (FRA)
BT / Sebastien Josse (FRA)
Ecover/ Mike Golding (UK)
Foncia / Michel Desjoyaux (FRA)
Pakea Bizkaia 2009/ Unai Basurko (BASQ)
Pindar/ Brian Thompson (UK)
PRB/ Vincent Riou (FRA)
Roxy/ Samantha Davies (GBR)
Veolia Environnement/ Roland Jourdain (FRA)
Generali/ Yann Elies (FRA)
Cervin En R/ Yannick Bestaven (FRA)
Gitana Eighty/ Loick Peyron (FRA)
Groupe Bel/ Kito de Pavant (FRA)
Safran/ Marc Guillemot (FRA)

Class40
Appart'City/ Yvan Noblet (FRA)
Fujifilm/ Alex Bennett (UK)
Groupe Partouche/ Christophe Coatnoan (FRA)
Mistral Loisirs-Elior/ Thierry Bouchard (FRA)
Ocean Eleven/ Louis Duc (FRA)
Prevoir VIE/ Benoit Parnaudeau (FRA)
Telecom Italia/ Giovani Soldini (ITA)
Miranda Merron (UK)
Patrick Carpentier (FRA)
Halvard Mabire (FRA)

The deadline for entries was the 15.2.08, although the Organising Authority has the right to accept entries post-deadline subject to their discretion. This is especially applica!ble to some of the Class 40 skippers who are still in the process of securing funding to do the race.

www.thetransat.com

Rambler Scores a Hat Trick
Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Though some of the fleet have yet to finish, the Iate Clube Rio do Janeiro confirmed that American George David's 90-foot "Rambler" managed a hat trick in the 22nd Rolex Buenos Aires - Rio de Janeiro Race, taking line honours, the overall handicap win and setting a new race record for the course, taking 9 hours off the previous record.

The American boat was the first boat to finish the 1,123-nautical mile race last Thursday, covering the course between the Argentinean capital of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, with a new race record in elapsed time of 4 days, 9 hours, 55 minutes and 45 seconds. "Rambler" saw her goal and expectations achieved when today she was officially named the corrected time winner of the race as well.

The Reichel Pugh-designed "Rambler's" corrected finish time of 105 hours, 55 minutes and 45 seconds, could not be beat by any of the four rivals that have since finished: "Fortuna III", "Esperanza", "Clipper" and "Cangrejo".

Skipper Ken Read, said, "Well, we are obviously thrilled and a bit surprised with the "hat trick". The amazing thing - this is the third hat trick in less than a year for "Rambler" and the team. Many boats go through a life-time waiting for one. A testament to the owner, the boat, and the entire team."

Skipper Ken Read, who is heading back to the US to skipper his PUMA Ocean Racing team which is preparing for the upcoming 2008/9 Volvo Ocean Race, which starts in October, continued, "Now it is on to a Volvo 70 for some of the "Rambler" crew, and the hope that we can create our own records while participating in the Volvo Ocean Race.

At press time, five boats were still racing, all less than 150 miles from the finish in the Baía de Guanabara at Rio, but in very slow conditions. Calculating their handicaps, none of these could beat the time of "Rambler", giving the triple crown to the powerful super-maxi from the New York Yacht Club.

To track the fleet, go to the Virtual Race Monitor at: www.hmh.com.ar/vrm/vrs/

www.regattanews.com and www.yca.org.ar

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Bjorn Hansen Named Sailor Of The Year
Bjorn Hansen, Gamla Stans YS, and his crew have won the "Swedish Sailor of the year 2007" award.

"Obviously it feels great, unbelievably really", says Bjorn Hansen.

"Often the helmsman get all the credit but we are a team that has won this award. 2007 our team consisted of 19 members who were alternating in the crew and they all contributed to our good results. Some of them have been part of the team for several years and we should also remember the around 60 crew members who have helped the team develop from 1997 till today.

The team did a lot of good results last year, but Bjorn Hansen does not hesitate to decide the pinnacle of the year. - Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand, it was at our home turf and that makes it off course a special feeling when making a good result. All since I crewed in the first Match Cup Sweden in 1994 I have dreamed about standing at the top of the podium in Marstrand.

Bjorn Hansen, Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap, and his crew became the first Swedish crew to win Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand. Later they proceeded to the final at Bermuda Gold Cup and finished third at Monsoon Cup in Malaysia. The team finished fourth in the World Matchracing Tour, the matchracing World Championship Series. They also received the award for the seamanship, team work and humility they showed during Match Cup Sweden in tough international and national competition and in extra ordinary weather conditions.

www.teamhansen.se

Nucci Novi Ceppellini
Photo by Jonathan Drake/Getty Images
Genoa, Italy: It is with deep regret ISAF announces that ISAF Vice-President Nucci Novi Ceppellini passed away on Friday 15 February 2008 in Genoa, Italy aged 65 years after a brave fight against cancer.

Nucci was committed to the sport of sailing throughout her life, as an active and successful sailor, national race official and in the sport's management. Nucci's legacy is immense and her capacity to get things done has touched many areas of the sport.

As a Vice-President of the Yacht Club Italiano for many years, Nucci's early involvement in sailing administration was through her responsibility to organize the many national and international events hosted by the club.

Nucci became involved with ISAF in 1986 as a member of the Women's Sailing Committee, before going on to lead the Committee as the Chairman from 1990 through to 1998.

During her Chairmanship of the Women's Sailing Committee, and as a direct result of Nucci's leadership, amongst the initiatives undertaken were the introduction of ISAF Women's Sailing Seminars, the ISAF Women's World Match Race Rankings, the ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship and the increased representation of women across all the sport's activities. Nucci was the driving force to increase women's representation across the Committees and decision making bodies of ISAF, a campaign which has been rewarded with ISAF's commitment to achieving gender equality across its structure.

Nucci was tireless in her encouragement and mentoring of those women new to ISAF and promoted others to become involved.

ISAF expresses its sincere condolences to Nucci's husband Giovanni, children Antonio, Andrea, Alexander and Cristina, family members and her many friends in the sailing world and beyond.

ISAF's full obituary at www.sailing.org/22240.php

* Editor's note: What I loved most about Nucci was her great sense of humour... for a number of years when I was the ISAF's webmaster, I produced an April Fools newspage full of complete BS. Invariably I was upbraided by a number of blue-blazered poobahs about how horrible it was and how I was tarnishing the ISAF brand, etc., etc.

On more than one occasion Nucci quietly pulled me aside at an ISAF conference and not only told me how much she enjoyed the April Fools news bits, but also provided some story line ideas for the next year. The ISAF was very lucky to have her as Vice President. My personal condolences to her family and her many friends.

ACCBANK Cork Week Online Entry
Drawing on years of experience, both as a competitor at and organiser of events, Dave Meagher, Chairman of the ACCBank Cork Week Race Committee, has designed an on-line entry system for this year's event, which takes place from July 12th to 18th 2008. "Effectively, all you need is your Sail Number and a credit card and you're on your way to competing at the world's friendliest Regatta," says Meagher. The on-line system automatically picks up boat details from the IRC Database.

For those entering before February 1st 2008 , the Organising Committee have decided to maintain the 2006 Entry Fee. "Many of our competitors have been coming to ACCBank Cork Week for many years and we see this as a way of recognising their loyalty to the event," Dave continued, "as a Committee, we are always looking for ways to facilitate our visitors and as an added bonus this year, we have decided to offer FREE entry to the 100th on-line entrant. "

Check out www.corkweek.ie for on-line entry and we also invite you to register to the ACCBank Cork Week 2008 Newsletter in order to receive future updates.

Short Tacks
* Just a week after she left Cape Town (South Africa), Bostik is sailing on the Southern depressions' motorway in the Indian Ocean, at 46 to 48 degrees South, i.e. in the heart of the Roaring Forties, not far from the Kerguelen Islands. It's now time for Charles Caudrelier and Liz Wardley to test double-handed the first Veolia Oceans one-design, in the exact conditions for which she has been imagined by Yvan Griboval and then designed by Jean-Marie Finot, Pascal Conq and their associates from Group Finot-Conq, with the help of Michel Desjoyeaux, technical consultant whose experience was invaluable. Bostik is sailing on the exact course of the SolOceans, heading towards Wellington (New Zealand). Charles

To follow Bostik's progression, enjoy the "Road to SolOceans" videos and for all the latest news on the SolOceans, visit the website: www.soloceans.com

* The Technical Department of the RYA have been collating the information provided by clubs during 2007 and are about to announce the Portsmouth Numbers 2008 for classes under the Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme.

These figures will be available on the RYA website from the 29 February 2008 at www.rya.org.uk/KnowledgeBase/technical/pys.htm

* Loick Peyron has become the eleventh skipper officially to complete his registration for the Vendee Globe. A race legend is therefore back in the competition. On board Lada-Poch, the yachtsman from la Baule was present in the very first Vendee, which he finished a few hours after Titouan Lamazou in 1990, after the spectacular rescue of Philippe Poupon's Fleury Michon. Eighteen years on, and Loick Peyron is back for a third Vendee Globe (after retiring in 1992/1993) and this time with some strong arguments in his favour: on board the brand new Farr design, Gitana Eighty, Loick recently walked away with the Transat Ecover BtoB single-handed race on the sistership to the boat to be sailed by Jean-Pierre Dick, who has just won the Barcelona World Race.

American, Rich Wilson has become the twelfth person to sign up officially for the Vendee Globe 2008-2009. This will be his first appearance in the event, on board a boat from a previous generation (1999), but which is well loved by race fans: Great American II is in fact none other than the former Solidaires, the Nivelt design built and sailed by Thierry Dubois, who was forced to retire with electronic problems in the 2000/2001 edition. The monohull then became Patrice Carpentier's VM Materiaux in the last race. Rich Wilson will be the only American representative in this Vendee Globe.

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* From Richard Powell: Is that a keel poking up from the middle hull of Groupama 3...?

* From Maja Kise: Apart from the lawyers, Who is benefitting from the current AC conflict ?

"In preps for their DOG cat challenge, the Oracle AC team has bought a share of the D35 catamaran Banque Gonet, which is entered to race in this summer's series of D35's regattas on Lake Geneva. The other half of that cat belongs to a cofounder of the D35 class, Nicolas Gonet, who we hear is a popular and respected Swiss sailor."

First, Nicolas Gonet bought the Cat from its owner only last year and he is not a founder of the D35 class.

Apparently, Alinghi tried to charter the catamaran from Gonet in preps for the DoG Challenge. At first there were ongoing discussions until quite recently, when the Defender was told that the boat was under offer so a charter was out of the question, but a sale would be possible.

An offer to buy was made, but not accepted and it did seem that someone else had put in a better offer.

That was until a couple of days ago when Ernesto Bertarelli received a phone call offering him to buy the boat for 1 million? Around 3 times the build price!!! .

If someone is trying to make a lot of money out the current conflict it may well be a SWISS BANKER!

Editor: Ernesto Bertarelli released this statement today... it appears that the 'better offer' referred to above was from BMW Oracle...

"Regarding the concerns raised by Mr Nicolas Gonet, owner of SUI-8, about his participation in the Decision 35 Class, I would like to say that I will not support any move to exclude his boat from the circuit, should this issue be raised at the next General Assembly.

As expressed in the previous Assembly, I must highlight that the Class was founded on Lake Geneva by sailors for friendly competition and in my opinion the fact that Gonet intends to introduce BMW Oracle Racing to the circuit goes against the original spirit of the Class. In addition, I believe it is questionable that a team in litigation with the Societe Nautique de Genève (SNG), one of the host clubs, competes in events organised by this club. However, for the better of the sport, I prefer to keep the fight on the water." -- from BYM News, bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=22890

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The Last Word
A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. -- George Bernard Shaw