Open de France et Régates Royales de Cannes 2018

Victoire de New Moon – BAH 21!

En attendant sagement – et impatiemment! – la bonne fenêtre météo…

Une flotte compacte de 11 bateaux s’est retrouvée à Cannes à la fin du mois de septembre, pour courir le championnat de France à l’occasion des régates royales. L’effectif n’a pas empêché cette flotte d’être un échantillon parfait de ce qu’est notre classe! Toutes les générations étaient présentes, Classiques, Evolutions et Modernes, et l’ensemble était particulièrement international! Etaient ainsi représentés: France, Australie, Pays-Bas, Suisse, Bahamas, Allemagne, Autriche et Grèce – dont il faut souligner pour cette dernière la première participation sur une régate internationale depuis longtemps…

Le plan initial était de quatre jours pleins de régates; mais des conditions plutôt peu tendres ont gardé les flottes à l’abri pendant les deux premiers jours, les 30 nœuds de vent levant un clapot creux et court peu propice. Les jeudi et vendredi ont cependant permis de courir cinq manches, par contraste dans du temps plutôt léger, le vent n’atteignant les 10 nœuds qu’en fin de chaudes journées ensoleillées. Ce petit temps s’est révélé favorable pour New Moon (BAH 21) qui remporte les trois manches du jeudi, mais un de ces points sera cependant transformé en OCS… Le vendredi a confirmé sa domination dans cet air du sud, talonné cependant encore plus que la veille par Otto (SUI 209): New Moon ne s’imposant qu’au cours du dernier bord durant la quatrième manche, celle-ci ayant pris des airs de match race au sommet!

Otto (SUI 209) et Ali Baba (GER 84) accompagnent ainsi New Moon (BAH 21) sur le podium, respectivement aux deuxième et troisième places. Feng Shui (NED 26) a fait preuve d’une belle régularité avec de nombreuses places de troisième, mais aura souffert d’une sixième place dans la première manche… Il faut souligner là la brillante performance d’Ali Baba, né en 1994! Certes les 5.5 Peterson/Melges sont connus pour être d’excellents bateaux, mais tout de même s’impose-t’il devant quelques beaucoup plus modernes. Lizza a aussi brillé: cet excellent classique date de 1952 et est né sous le numéro H 1 (=NED 1). C’est dire si nos classiques ne sont pas périmés! « The right boat with the right crew at the right place… »

Les résultats complets:

Rgs	Ident	Concurrents	P Ret	P tot	c.1	c.2	c.3	c.4	c.5	Club / Pays
1	BAH   21	NEW MOON  HOLOWESKO Mark BURGER Christoph VLASOV Peter	4.00	16.00	1 1.0	OCS 12.0	1 1.0	1 1.0	1 1.0	- -
2	SUI  209	OTTO  WILHELMSEN Bent Christian BERTHELSEN Lasse STRAHOUNIK Luka	7.00	9.00	2 2.0	1 1.0	2 2.0	2 2.0	2 2.0	- -
3	GER   84	ALI BABA  KALLKOWSKI Beata MELCHER Karsten RICHTER Wolf-E.	14.00	20.00	4 4.0	2 2.0	4 4.0	4 4.0	6 6.0	- -
4	NED   26	FENG SHUI  PASMAN Arrnd Jan STELLING Roto WOUD Evert	15.00	27.00	6 6.0	3 3.0	3 3.0	3 3.0	DNF 12.0	- -
5	GER   55	ORO NERO  UECK DR Henning BOSKAMP Grete DALLMEIER Udo	20.00	26.00	5 5.0	4 4.0	6 6.0	6 6.0	5 5.0	- -
6	GER   83	SILVERFOX  GRUENWALD Jorg SCHOLZ Michael GLASER Tom	22.00	34.00	3 3.0	6 6.0	5 5.0	8 8.0	DNF 12.0	- -
7	GRE   3	LIZZA  PAPAGIANNOPOULOS Stavros KAMBOURIDIS Panagiotis NOUTSOS Stelios	26.00	38.00	7 7.0	5 5.0	7 7.0	7 7.0	DNF 12.0	- -
8	AUT   26	MAGELLAN  STILLFRIED Christian-Begi DILGEV Nicolas THEODORAKOPOULOS John Taki	30.00	41.00	10 10.0	8 8.0	9 9.0	11 11.0	3 3.0	- -
9	AUS   61	ALPHA CRUCIS  CROSS Martin FARMER Pat WEINBERG Paul	33.00	45.00	DNF 12.0	DNC 12.0	DNF 12.0	5 5.0	4 4.0	- -
10	FRA   43	BAGHEERA VIII  DATRY Jean-bernard COLLIGNON Jean guillaume COLLIGNON HOUZELOT Marie	34.00	46.00	8 8.0	7 7.0	10 10.0	9 9.0	DNF 12.0	Y C L ODET GGVLS Y C FRANCE
11	GER   11	CHARYBDIS  SONNTAG Jorg	36.00	48.00	9 9.0	9 9.0	8 8.0	10 10.0	DNF 12.0

Cowes 2018: Championnat du monde, cinquième et dernier jour.

D’après Robert Deaves, le 24 août 2018

New Moon intervient dans la compétition pour s’arroger le titre de champion du monde des 5.5m à Cowes

 

New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) a remporté l’édition 2018 du championnat du monde des 5.5m JI organisé par le Royal Yacht Squadron à Cowes,à l’issue d’une dernière journée de régate palpitante dans le Solent. Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) termine à la deuxième place, suivie d’Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether) à la troisième.

 

Le jour final de ces régates a débuté avec du soleil et un bon vent, mais qui ont laissé plus tard la place à plusieurs fronts de plui accompagnés parfois d’un fort vent. ce fut néanmoins une fin tout à fait appropriée à un grand championnat à la compétition acharnée. Celle-ci fut très serrée, avec un groupe des cinq premiers bateaux menant clairement le reste de la flotte, chacun en lice de prétendre au titre de champion du monde. Trois d’entre eux ont déjà été sacrés par le passé, mais deux étaient en chasse de leur premier titre mondial.

Quoi qu’il en soit, New Mooon a levé tous les doutes dans la 8ème course, en menant quasiment du départ à l’arrivée et emportant sa quatrième victoire et s’arrogeant son premier titre mondial, pouvant alors se passer d’une manche. Le fort courant de jusant a consacré la gauche du parcours comme la seule option valable, New Moon n’a jamais paru menacée, seulement doublée un temps par Caracole, SUI 214 (Bernard Haissly, N. Berthoud, Daniel Stampfli) lors du second bord de portant. Avec tous ses concurrents directs suffisamment loin derrière, New Moon avait assez de points d’avance pour alors garantir son titre.

Les possibilités étaient ouvertes pour les autres positions du podium. Après avoir commencé la journée avec une cinquième place au général, Artemis XIVa enfoncé le pied au plancher pour la dernière course, dominant le côté gauche et, après avoir contourné la première bouée au vent juste derrière Clark Kent, NOR 64, (Petter Fjeld, Peter Hauff, Christen Horn Johannessen), s’est installé en tête et a pris le contrôle d’une course à embûches, avec un amoncellement d’épais nuages noirs de grains et un autre front arrivant sur le parcours juste après l’arrivée. Cela a suffit à les remonter à la troisième place, alors qu’une quatrième et une dixième place dans les deux manches laissait Marie-Françoise XIX à la deuxième place au classement général. Après un mauvais départ, New Moon montra pourquoi ils étaient champions du monde, s’en sortant au travers de toute la flotte sur chaque bord, pour finalement arriver quatrième.

Le premier meneur de la semaine, John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman),a lutté toute la journée mais une dixième et une quatorzième place étaient trop peu chères payées pour le maintenir sur le podium et il descendit à la cinquième place, alors qu’une onzième et une septième place permettaient à Black & Wjite de se maintenir au quatrième rang.

Des sept 5.5m Evolution participant, Joker, FRA 50, (Eric Polaillon, Adrien Polaillon, Antoine le Foyer de Costil)a été le meneur, avec un avantage serré sur le superbe Skylla, SUI 182, (Andre Bernheim, Alex Bernheim, Urs Werner). Carabella, ITA 73, (Alfredo Delli, Gianluca Marolli, Claudio Mazzanti)  fut le premier des deux Classiques. Ces deux meneurs avaient chacun emporté leur coupe respective la semaine précédente.

 

 

Holowesko spoke about finally winning the title, “There have been a lot of close calls on the world championship. We’ve had a lot of bad luck. But nothing went terribly wrong in this regatta and that’s a big help. We were six points up with two days to go last year. This year we were six points down with two days to go, and we won and that’s a very good feeling.”

He paid tribute to his crew, “These guys are really fantastic. I am really proud to sail with these guys. They do so much on and off the boat, and in between races. Very professional but also its an incredible amount of fun. We’ve always enjoyed ourselves sailing together. These guys dragged me into this class and drag me around the race course. It’s just been a blast.”

Front man Vlasov could not quite believe it. “We are world champions. That’s a big thing. Winning the 2018 world championship in Cowes is an incredibly wonderful thing to have happened to us, because it is Cowes. I have been in the class for almost 20 years now and I have come close a couple of times. To win it and win it here and also know that next year for the 100th anniversary of the Scandinavian Gold Cup, we get to sail and represent The Bahamas, and sail the Gold Cup in Helsinki, where it originated so it’s very, very exciting times for us in New Moon.”

Burger said, “This whole week was so incredibly close and you would have to get all the mental, all the current, a bit off what you would expect and have one upwind that didn’t turn out the way you expect and the whole mindset and confidence can change so rapidly.”

He said their preparation and confidence was the key to their success this week. “We got our act together, we took the right decisions before the regatta, started to prepare, came here early to learn about the place. We had superb boat speed. We had strong confidence towards the end of the series and we pulled it off so that was more than satisfying for everyone.”

The International 5.5 Metre fleet has immensely enjoyed its two weeks in Cowes. The Royal Yacht Squadron has been the perfect host for the class, a class that started its long story on these waters nearly 70 years ago. It had been 20 years since the fleet last came to Cowes.

Next year’s world championship heads to Nyländska Jaktklubben (NJK) in Helsinki, which is where the class and the club will celebrate the centenary of the Scandinavian Gold Cup, which has been sailed for by the 5.5 Metres since 1953.

 

Final results after 9 races

1 New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) 18
2 Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) 30
3 Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether) 30
4  Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenker, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) 36
5 John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) 40

Cowes 2018: Championnat du monde, quatrième jour

Par Robert Deaves

New Moon shoots to top with double bullet at 5.5 Worlds in Cowes

August 24, 2018

Cowes produced a complete contrast of conditions on the penultimate day of the 2018 International 5.5 Metre World Championship at the Royal Yacht Squadron with wind ranging from 5 to 22 knots. However New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) mastered both races to take two race wins and with it the overall lead with just two races to sail.

 

The defending champion, John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) was deep in both races at times, but salvaged a fourth in the second race to stay in contention, just three points adrift.
A third and a fitth dropped Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) to third, while Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenker, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) sailed an exceptional day, leading both races at times and ending up with two second places, but remains in fourth overall and within striking distance of the podium.

The top of the fleet is completed by Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether), who sailed a third and a fourth today. These five boats are almost out of touch of the rest of the fleet with an 18 points buffer to sixth.

Just two races remain to be sailed on Friday.

 

Video: Highlights from Day 4 of the World Championship

 

The day began with a storm front passing through and a short postponement before Race 6 was started. Black & White was fastest to the top mark, but on the downwind was caught by New Moon as they rounded opposite gate marks.New Moon got the best of the next upwind and just led round the top and as the wind started to fade away, extended hugely on the final downwind for a comfortable win from Black & White and Marie-Françoise XIX. On the final downwind the wind filled in from the right and sent most of the fleet across the line in one large group.

Then there was a long wait for the second race as the wind started shifting around causing the race committee to move position three times. At the start the breeze was 10-12 knots but it soon increased and at the first mark was 15 knots, and then rose to 18-22 knots on the second upwind and final downwind which caused quite a few broaches and hairy manoeuvres.

Black & White was again first to the top mark, but Marie-Françoise XIXsneaked inside. With the top make near the main channel the current was even stronger and caught some out who hit the mark. It was very close at the downwind gate, but the next two legs proved crucial with the wind increasing further.

 

It was turning into a three horse race with Black & White leading New Moonand Artemis XIV into a very tight second top mark, but the downwind was decisive with numerous broaches and many boats having problems. With skipper Kristian Nergaard saying he had not broached for 20 years, Artemis XIV again broached on the run, their third during these events, and lost ground.Black & White also had a few problems, while New Moon dropped their kite early to be safe. New Moon and Black & White rounded the gate together for the final upwind. It was a very tough leg with waves, lots of shifts and strong wind, but New Moon just held on to take their second bullet of the day fromBlack & White and Artemis XIV.

John B was leading going onto the day and after a poor first race was also deep in the second, but good boat handling in the stiff breeze kept them upright on the downwinds and they steered through the carnage around them to cross in fourth and keep their hopes of retaining their title alive.

There was a noticeable lack of energy as the sailors gathered for the evening dock party with tired arms and heavy legs and the forecast that Friday could be even windier.

 

 

Martin Cross from the only Australian boat here had a mixed day with an eighth and UFD, but was very excited after Australia was awarded the 2020 World Championship at he class AGM this week.

“Our day was a bit up and down. The first race was quite difficult with lots of changes. We got a good start and then we got involved with other boats and we rounded quite low down the fleet. We had an OK run and we rounded with a full line of other boats and after that we had a reasonable second beat and then the second run was really good and we made some places and then picked the shifts right on the final beat. So we rounded about fifth and then we gybed early which was a bad thing to do because the wind came in from the other side with a lot of pressure and we ended up drag racing into the finish with a lot of boats on the left hand side. We lost three places, and got an eighth, but that wad good.”

“In the second race we had a discussed in the crew not to be too aggressive at the start, because it was a U flag, and somehow we went OCS.”

Cross was pivotal in Australia making a bid to host the 2020 worlds. “We were so excited last night to be confirmed as the venue in January 2020 for the 5.5 world and Gold Cup and all the events that go with that. Australia is an iconic place for the 5.5. We were central to the 5.5 early in the 60s, 70s and 80s and it’s wonderful that we now have an ever growing fleet there. We are looking so much to inviting everyone and showing them why we love sailing at Pittwater. It’s a really special location. Our club, the Royal Prince Alfred, has been around for just over 150 years, so we are looking forward to inviting the world in 2020 and having some good fun, in the land of wonder, the land down under.”

 

Caracole, SUI 214, (Bernard Haissly, Nicolas Berthoud, Daniel Stampfli) lie in sixth and a tenth and an eighth today. Stampfli explained, “We had a good day today with some ups and downs. In the first race we hit the right corner, and were pretty good at the weather mark, until we hit the weather mark. So we lost a little time there. And then we gained some places on the first downwind and ended up in a big bunch of boats at the finish and we don’t really know how we ended up.”

He said today was quite hard sailing, “We still have some problems in heavy air. We are pretty god in light air, but with more breeze it is ore difficult for us, with less experience, and lighter weight.”

He started sailing 5.5s in 1986. “I have been sailing with several owners and now with Bernard Haissly. I like the 5.5 because it is a three man boat. It’s a good combination. Everyone has a lot of work and the three man boat is a good solution to me, and less of a problem than bigger boats with more crew. It’s easy to transport and move with everyone in one car It’s very convenient to move around.”

He says he likes sailing in Cowes. “I like the current factor. We have been here three times with the 5.5 and two times with the Sixes and we always had a good time.”

The world championship consists of nine races, and will conclude with two more races scheduled at the slightly earlier time of 10.30 on Friday 24 August.

Results after Race 7
1 New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) 13
2 John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) 16
3 Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) 19
4  Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenker, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) 22
5 Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether) 24

 

Cowes 2018: Championnat du monde, troisième jour

Par Robert Deaves

John B extends lead at 5.5 Metre worlds on Day 3 in Cowes but points remain close

August 23, 2018

The overnight leader at the 2018 International 5.5 Metre World Championship at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) extended her lead after a first and a fifth on the third day of the five-day regatta. A win for Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) moves her up to second, while the most consistent performance of the day from New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov), with a second and third, moves her up to third.

Wednesday’s forecast was almost a repeat of Tuesday, but was very different on the water. The racing finally got underway in just 5 knots from the south-west after more than an hour postponement on the water waiting for the promised wind. It fluctuated between 3-5 knots for the first race before slowly clearing skies heralded the expected 10-12 knots that arrived for the second race.

 

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Video: Highlights from Day 3 of the World Championship

 

Race 4 was all decided just out of the start. The right side was the place to be with Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenker, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) first out of the blocks and initially winning the right group. However then John B was gifted a line of pressure and a shift and sailed through everyone, tacked and was gone. The race for second was on. The wind dropped to less than four knots at times, but the right side continued to pay.John B sailed away to build a lead of more than two minutes. Black & Whiteheld off strong challenges from New Moon and Clark Kent, NOR 64, (Petter Fjeld, Peter Hauff, Christen Horn Johannessen) to remain in second. New Moon moved into third on the final upwind. As the fleet sailed the final run, the breeze finally built to set the scene for a great second race.

Marie-Françoise XIX got a great start at the pin end in Race 5 and was soon leading the group back across to the middle. The front of the fleet was very close as the wind picked up to 10-12 knots with the sun finally breaking through. Marie-Françoise XIX rounded first from New Moon and Black & White. With fantastic racing and sailing right through the fleet, Marie-Françoise XIX maintained her lead throughout, holding off New Moon in second. However Black & White got a little lost on the final upwind to drop to sixth, while Caracole, SUI 214, (Bernard Haissly, Nicolas Berthoud, Daniel Stampfli) moved up to third.

Overall leader John B recovered from a deep first mark rounding to cross in fifth, taking several boats on the final upwind, to extend her lead to six points,Marie-Françoise XIX and New Moon in second and third are separated by a single point with four races left to sail.

 

Silver Fox, GER 83, (Joerg Gruenwald, Michael Schulz, Dominik Zycki) is just outside the top 10 in 12th place. It was something of a homecoming for the boat as she was built by David Heritage, of Cowes, in 2008. Zycki is a former Finn and Star sailor and is enjoying his first 5.5 Metres.

He said, “I am very happy to be here. This is a legendary place for sailing and for every sailor. I have not been here before, so I think I missed a lot, so I am really happy that I can compete here in the 5.5 worlds.”

How he came to be sailing 5.5 Metres. “It was Robert Stanjeck, who gave me Michael’s number and said he was looking for a tactician for 5.5 racing, so I called him. Since then we have been sailing together, not every regatta, as I am also sailing Dragons and working. But I found time to do this and I am happy about that as I can meet all the guys in the class.”

“This is a very special class. And the boat is very complicated but very nice for sailing. You can change everything, and must really pay attention to everything you are changing so it’s complicated but nice for the sailor. I really like it.”

On the racing, “Today was our best day in the worlds. On the first two days we were sailing near the back of the fleet but today we sailed two races in the top ten. We were always fighting with the top guys, which is really great in the 5.5 because these guys sail really well and really fast and do not make many mistakes. Competing with them was really something special.”

“In the first race it was really light at times and we had to be really patent. Our boat is already ten years old and it’s a modern but it’s optimised for lighter conditions, so we were really fast and when you are fast in a 5.5 tactics is easy for me.”

“In the second race there was a stronger wind we had a great start and good first beat. We lost a bit downwind but gained on the last beat when the left paid a lot, and finally finished eighth. So we are happy with that. Two places in the top 10 is a very good result.”

 

Clark Kent is up to ninth overall after her best day so far. Skipper Petter Fjeld said, “We had a very nice day on the water. The breeze was increasing and we were waiting for sun, but it didn’t show up, so we had to dress up a little bit more with warmer clothing and then the breeze came in and supplied us with some beautiful sailing, but very difficult. The current was pushing us everywhere and there were lanes where the good guys, when they found the lanes, kind of disappeared. But we had a fourth and a seventh and that’s a lot better than yesterday so we are happy people and enjoying a beautiful day in Cowes.”

He has been sailing the boats for 27 years. “I started as a crew in 1991. A friend of mine got his father’s boat and we kept it going. I was also crewing for the Bahamians for some years and then I got my own boat.”

On why he enjoys 5.5 sailing, “These are my good friends. We get together a few times each year and go to nice places and it’s a beautiful boat to sail. It’s sad that not more people discover how nice they are and how good they are to sail. They are very well balanced, and beautiful. I sail with my best friends and we challenge our good friends from overseas.”

At the class AGM in the evening the gathered sailors voted overwhelmingly for the sunshine and warm climates, with several future venues decided. In 2020 the class will travel to Australia for the first time in 15 years for its world championship, while the 2020 European Championship will be held in Sanremo, Italy.

Racing in Cowes continues on Thursday with two more races scheduled from 1100. The world championship consists of nine races, and ends on Friday 24 August.

Results after Race 5
1 John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) 12
2 Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) 18
3 New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) 19
4  Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenker, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) 25
5 Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether) 30

Cowes 2018: championnat du monde, deuxième jour

Par Robert Deaves

Defending champions dominate Day 2 of 5.5 Metre World Championship in Cowes

August 21, 2018

Defending world champions, John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) put on the best performance on the second day of the 2018 International 5.5 Metre World Championship at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes with a first and a second place to move to the top of the leaderboard. Last week’s winner of the Scandinavian Gold Cup, Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether), remain in second while Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) climb to third after winning the second race of the day.

Tuesday threw another wide range of conditions at the 5.5 Metre fleet. Threats of rain didn’t materialise but the wind went from a very light southerly to a moderate south-westerly during the first race, and with clearing skies and high temperatures, it was a perfect day to be sailing.

 

Video: Highlights from Day 2 of the World Championship

 

 

Race 2 of the series started after a short postponement and a painfully slow beat from the mainland towards East Cowes. New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) rounded first but missed the incoming change. John B did not miss it and was first to gybe away to the west and the first to get the new breeze. They led at the gate and pulled away from the fleet for a huge win. The battle behind was between Duchess of B, NED 31, (V Bredero, Weibe de Witte, Paul Verhaar) and Artemis XIV, who eventually took second place.

The breeze had increased for the second race but decision over the current was still causing a huge split in the fleet with boats almost taking in both corners at some stage, looking for any advantage. After a slight mishap in the first race, Marie-Françoise XIX led round from Maitresse Gaat Vreemd, NED 35, (Piet van Opzeeland, Laurence Mead, Felix Trattner). These two battled it out at the front over the race of the race, but a problem with halyards onMaitresse Gaat Vreemd let the Swiss boat escape, while John B played the opposite side of the course to come back strong and take second.

Weibe de Witte from Duchess of B explained their race, “The first race was very good. We had a poor start but we got up well in free air, but because of the wndshift already at the top mark we gybed behind BAH 22 and that was were we made a head start. Kristian Nergaard was in third and then there were the three of us all the way round. We lost it on the last downwind after I made a little mistake with the buoys and he came to our left hand side and squeezed in between. But still a good race for us with the third, so quite satisfied with the day.”

He was pleasantly surprised by the conditions n Cowes, “The weather is nice. We heard all the horror stories about Cowes, always bad weather, but it has been fabulous since we’ve been here so I quite like Cowes.”

 

The fleet includes seven Evolution boats (those built between 1970 and 1993) and two Classic boats (those built before 1970). One of them is Auguste 1er,FRA 47, (Gurvan Jaouen, Anne Jaouen, Mael Duigou). Designed by Jean Berret and Olivier Racoupeau and built in 1992, she is reputedly better in a breeze than flat water, something that Duigou confirmed.

“The day was hard today because we had no speed in the first race. We were working a lot with the jib but we couldn’t find our speed. The second race we did better with more speed and went to the right places. Auguste 1er quite a good boat and we are very happy to be here.”

He started sailing in 5.5 Metre around 10 years ago, always with Gurvan. “He also has a Classic, and we do a lot of world cup and races in France. It is very pleasant to sail these boats. It’s a small boat but very fun and very hard to be first every time.”

Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenker, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) is in fifth place after a solid start to the series, though a series of mishaps including catching a navigation mark with the backstay and nearly losing a crew member overboard on Monday have not helped their chances. Tuesday was less eventful.

Middleman, Mark Dangel said, “We started with a very light wind, it was almost like sailing on Lake Zurich. We didn’t have the ultra light sail on but then there was a windshift and for the second beat and the wind was picking up and so we got back to our original good speed.”

“In the second race it got really difficult with the tide. We were going quite fast on port tack but we didn’t know whether it was good, but actually it turned out quite well, but trying to repeat it on the second and third beats didn’t work out that well.”

On sailing with Schenker and Shanks. “We are very glad we have Anthony on board. He is our local knowledge and we are trying to communicate between Swiss German and English and translate between them. But we are getting along very well together.”

Dangel has been sailing in the class since 1981 and says he has witnessed the whole evolution from Classic to Modern hulls. His first world championship was in 1981 in The Bahamas.

“I think I am probably one of the longest in the class. I think the boats are still a lot of fun but they need more attention. With a little bit more marketing we hope to bring the class more attention worldwide.”

He says it is still great fun. “The fun that we are a great family. We all know each other for a very long time. We love the people coming from all over the world to sail and there is a lot of tradition but also a spirit for a more modern construction. I think the class is ready for the next step and I am looking forward to some good ideas.”

“The boats are easy to handle, they have developed from a lead transporter to an almost dinghy like boat that you can manoeuvre very easily. You do not need a lot of force. They point very high and the only thing we perhaps miss is a reaching course.”

“But it’s difficult; the boats are expensive but there are far more expensive hobbies than this and I am looking forward to more people around the world to be attracted this class again.”

 

Cowes 2018: Championnat du monde, premier jour

Par Robert Deaves

New Moon begins 5.5 Metre World Championship with convincing win

August 21, 2018

The 2018 International 5.5 Metre World Championship at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, UK opened Monday with one afternoon race that was won by New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov).

Nearly, seventy years ago the first 5.5 Metre was launched in the Solent by Charles E Nicholson of the famous Camper & Nicholson yard. On the same waters today, 25 International 5.5 Metres, from ten nations, most looking very different from that first boat, began competing in the 56th world championship of the class, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2018. The Rule that governs how a 5.5 Metre is designed, was written in 1948 and the first boat,The Deb K-1, was designed in 1948 by Nicholson. That boat was first sailed in the Solent in 1949.

 

Video: Highlights from Day 1 of the World Championship

 

 

The day brought a range of English weather with early morning rain and light winds that changed through the afternoon to briefly bring moderate south-westerlies and some broken sunshine. It was a gentle start to what is expected to be a fiercely competitive week of racing.

After a slight delay caused by a wind change, the committee boat end proved very popular, with a crowd piling in at the gun. Beating against a flood tide, decisions over the current provided decisive and were quite varied.

New Moon started near the pin end on a lift and controlled the shifts perfectly on the left to lead that side up the first beat. Those who opted for the right side, came in a bit behind, but all the favourites were in the front group. New Moonquickly opened up a nice gap behind and then the interest was in the chasing group of John B, Artermis XIV and Marie-Françoise XIX.

 

John B was, for a while, clear second and rounded every mark in second place. However after rounding the top marka bout sixth, Artemis XIV, closed up on the third beat and the final downwind, to be within striking distance on the final upwind. Their decision to tack under the layline to the finish paid off as they took the final shift back and crossed ahead of John B by no more than two boatlengths.

 

 

Mark Holowesko of New Moon explained his race, “There was a bit a of jam at the start. We were going to start at the committee boat but there really wasn’t any room there. Then right at the start we felt there was a big lift on starboard, and we had a good line and lift of the start. It seemed everyone wanted to go right for the current but there was such a lift so we just played the shifts going up the course, rather than trying to get to what people thought was the favoured side. We had had pretty good boat speed and didn’t didn’t do anything stupid.”

On a close 1, 2 for the Bahamas boats, “Kristian is just super fast and he was charging the whole time. He caught up with Gavin on the third run and outsailed them towards the end.”

After finishing as runner-up to John B in 2017, New Moon is again one of the favourites this year, but perhaps with something to prove. He said a good start is important.

“It’s just comfortable to get a good race under your belt on the first race and stay out of trouble. That’s what we tried to do. The idea today was not to be super aggressive but just find a clean space to get off the line with speed, play the shifts, and that worked really well for us.”

On sailing in Cowes, “The current and the wind are a real challenge for those of us that have not sailed in such strong current before, so we befitted a lot being here the last five days sailing in a lot of different winds and current. But it took three to four days to get used to the current and the wind changes throughout the course. It’s a beautiful place to sail, very difficult but very beautiful.”

 

 

 

Mathias Dahlman, from John B, said, “Today we were working all the time on the left upwind and the middle downwind. We started at pin and worked up from that point. We rounded all the marks second, but finished third, so we were just beaten by Kristian Nergaarrd, but it was a close one. Our speed felt OK, so it is going to be interesting worlds this year.”

On the fleet, “It is very competitive. [Jurg] Menzi was doing very well on the upwinds today, and super fast. And those around us were going fast. It’s going to be a long regatta and a lot will happen due to the current and wind.”

On sailing a 5.5.”It’s one of the best boats. Upwind in a 5.5 is a real pleasure. It’s hard work but I enjoy it a lot, downwinds also. It’s a very nice boat to sail. It’s also very up to date with all the new technology with sails and fittings and I think most of the boats are about the same nowadays, so it’s up to the sailors about who is going to win.”

On the rest of his crew, “Sailing with Gavin is a pleasure. He is so kind and an excellent skipper. He steers the boat very well and to sail with Lars is really good. I am really lucky to be on board with them.”

John B is defending the title this year, “It’s a new regatta so I don’t think of it. Just race hard, do our best and see where we end up. Defending or not makes no difference.”

Racing continues on Tuesday. The world championship consists of nine races, with two more races scheduled each day from Tuesday to Friday from 11.00.

Results after Race 1
1 New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) 1
2 Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Spone, Trond Solli-Saether) 2
3 John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman) 3

 

Cowes 2018: Hanko Evolution Cup & Royal Kaag Classic Cup, jour #4

Par Robert Deaves

Great prelude to 5.5 Metre world championship, as Cups week concludes in Cowes

The week of traditional cup racing that precedes the International 5.5. Metre Class world championship concluded on Saturday with a stiff south-westerly giving everyone a final shakedown before next’s week’s main event.

 

Having already won the Scandinavian Gold Cup on Friday, Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Stone, Trond Solli-Saether) turned out Saturday for the second day of the King’s Cup. The King’s Cup has been kindly offered to the class by the Royal Yacht Squadron as a special prize for this year only. Taken from the Royal Collection, it is rather large and dates from 1923. However, the fortunate winner must leave the trophy with the Squadron.

Artemis XIV showed a clean pair of heels to the fleet in the first race of the day, a further confidence boost as Nergaard tries to secure his tenth world title next week. However, it was to no avail beyond further practice as New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) put overall victory beyond doubt with a second and a first to add to their two race wins from Friday. Feng Shui, NED 26, (Arend Jan Pasman, Ron Azier, Kim Chabani) took second overall with Black & White, SUI 219, (Daniel Schenher, Mark Dangel, Anthony Shanks) in third.

 

Christoph Burger on New Moon, said, “Today we had very nice sailing conditions on the Solent with the breeze around 15-18 knots out of the west-south-west. We took the day to test some settings on the boat and for getting some of our new sails out of the bag and try them.”

“Compared to yesterday, we did notice some more pronounced shifts, to a point that we debated whether shifts or tide was more important. SUI 219 went way left into the deep water channel during race one and they came back very strong to muscle their way in front of us at the top mark. We did get them later on by tacking below them and forcing them to tack away.”

« Feedback on board New Moon is good. We are ready for next week. The race course is really perfect with steady tide running downwind all throughout the regatta. We look forward to a well deserved lay-day tomorrow and being ready for the upcoming World Championship next week.”

 

 

 

Carabella, ITA 73, (Alfredo Delli, Gianluca Marolli, Claudio Mazzanti) added a fourth race win in the classic fleet racing for the Royal Kaag Classic Cup, to take the overall victory. It is the ninth time Carabella has won this cup, which was first sailed for in 1999. Carabella is a Briton Chance design, built in 1968 in Pittwater, Australia, and won the world championship in 1970.

In the Hankø Evolution Cup, donated by the Norwegian Class Association in 2009, it has been a battle all week between Joker, FRA 50, (Eric Polaillon, Adrien Polaillon, Antoine le Foyer de Costil) and Auguste 1er, FRA 47, (Gurvan Jaouen, Anne Jaouen, Mael Duigou). Auguste 1er took the first race of the day before Joker claimed her third win in the final race.

 

The fleet now has a day off before the 70th world championship begins on Monday. So far this year, victories have gone to Artemis XIV (Alpen Cup),Marie-Françoise XIX (Swiss Italian Open) and New Moon (German Dutch Open). There is little doubt these are the favourites next week, along with the defending champion, John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Lars Horn-Johannessen, Mathias Dahlman).

There are 26 boats entered from 10 countries, so the battle for the world title will fittingly be the toughest test of the year, and it will no doubt be firece. There are nine races planned from Monday to Friday, with the opening race scheduled at 14.00 on Monday.

 

Cowes 2018: Scandinavian Gold Cup, Hanko Evolution Cup et Royal Kaag Classic Cup – jour #3

Par Robert Deaves

Artemis XIV secures 5.5 Metre Scandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes after match race with Marie-Francoise XIX

One race was all that was needed for Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Kristoffer Stone, Trond Solli-Saether) to win the Scandinavian Gold Cup on Friday, at the Royal Yacht Squadron, with a one-on-one match race against Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko).

Only the previous race winners move forward to this final stage and the first to win three races wins the Gold Cup. Artemis XIV only needed one more win to secure victory; Marie-Françoise XIX needed two wins. However, the two former champions needed just one light wind final race, which the Norwegians led from start to finish to make it three race wins in a row, and take home the 99 year old trophy to Norway.

The Scandinavian Gold Cup is a strange format but one that is a strong tradition in the 5.5 Metre class. On winning for the tenth time (including three times with his father) Nergaard said, “It’s always nice to win this traditional trophy. Some people may say it’s a bit old-fashioned these days, but it’s an old tradition of the class and very nice to win.  It’s also not easy to win. It’s my first win since 2010 and I have done all of them since then.”

 

 

Highlights from Day 3 of the Scandinavian Gold Cup

 

The conditions were in complete contrast to the previous day with sunshine, and a short postponement waiting for the light breeze to arrive. After a few match race manoeuvres, Artemis XIV started above Marie-Françoise XIX and controlled the race all the way. At the first mark, she was 20 seconds ahead and extended this on each leg to win by around 90 seconds. As usual the current played a decisive role.

 

 

Nergaard explained, “Today we had a very strong current, and a short start line. It was really hard to keep the boat going to make the windward mark.”

“We chose to let Menzi start underneath us, and luff us, knowing that the current would bring us back down. So we were ahead at the start, but he managed to sneak through underneath us and forced us to tack off. But when he tacked we were in shallower water I think and we got ahead. We rounded the top mark ahead and after that just extended.”

“The guys did a great job for me both technically and tactically, so I am very happy with them.”

He also had a word of caution for next week’s world championship here. “It is not normal for the Gold Cup winner to also win the worlds, but we will be trying our best next week.”

 

The wind built through the day, allowing the other fleets some great racing in the Solent, with enough sunshine to make it rather pleasant.

 

 

Friday was also the first day of the Kings Cup. New Moon, BAH 21, (Mark Holowesko, Christoph Burger, Peter Vlasov) took both races without too much trouble.

Joker, FRA 50, (Eric Polaillon, Adrien Polaillon, Antoine le Foyer de Costil) leads the Hankø Evolution Cup after sharing the race wins again with Auguste 1er, FRA 47, (Gurvan Jaouen, Anne Jaouen, Mael Duigou).

In the Classic fleet Carabella, ITA 73, (Alfredo Delli, Gianluca Marolli, Claudio Mazzanti) has a two-point lead over Belphegor, SUI 78, (Bruno Engel, Antonian Bocherens, Bruno Allamand) after they picked up a win each for the Royal Kaag Classic Cup.

All three series conclude on Saturday. The sailors get a day off on Sunday, before the serious business of the world championship begins on Monday and runs through to Friday next week.

All results so far can be found here.

Cowes 2018: Scandinavian Gold Cup, Hanko Evolution Cup & Royal Kaag Classic Cup – jour #2

Par Robert Deaves

Artemis XIV strikes back to take lead in Scandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes

“Welcome to sunny Cowes,” they lied. “Due to bad visibility there will be a support boat with its navigation lights on half way up the course.” So began the second day of the Scandinavian Gold Cup at the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes. After losing Wednesday’s race by less than a boatlength Artemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, Trond Solli-Saether) struck back on Thursday with two race wins, despite nearly not making it to the start line, to take a 2:1 lead against Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko).

 

 

The Gold Cup fleet was also joined by a fleet of hardy Evolution and Classic 5.5 Metres for the first day of the Hankø Evolution Cup and the Royal Kaag Classic Cup.

 

 

Highlights from Day 2 of the Scandinavian Gold Cup

 

 

The second day of racing started with proper English weather with non-stop rain, dropping temperatures and a stiff south-westerly of about 15-20 knots. It was proper foul weather and it was going to get worse before it got better. The first attempt at Race 2 ended with an abandonment at the first mark following a 60-degree windshift that left the fleet unable to hoist spinnakers on the downwind.

After a short delay a new course was laid with the top marks now set towards Southampton. However, during the race the wind started to shift back to the south and also dropped to 1-2 knots, with nothing but the sound of raindrops on the water to keep the sailors company. The tide was also running fast catching out many unwary sailors who misjudged laylines and marks.

Marie-Françoise XIX had a useful lead at the top of the first beat, which was already becoming skewed, but on the second upwind, Artemis XIV sailed more inshore and popped out in the lead for the next four legs, which by now had become procession of one tack beats and tight reaches. Artemis XIV crossed ahead to level the score against Marie-Françoise XIX.

In the Gold Cup only race wins count and the first to win three races is the overall winner. After three races only race winners stay in the competition.

 

For the second race, the rain had eased and the wind was starting to come back, albeit slowly. The first few laps were slow progress with Artemis XIVagain finding the best course out of the tide to lead all the way and build a substantial lead at one point. Marie-Françoise XIX never recovered and trailed round in last. It was now 2:1 up for Artemis XIV and only those two boats now progress into Friday. Artemis XIV needs just one more win, while Marie-Françoise XIX needs two. To paraphrase a famous quote, there is no second.

 

 

Nergaard commented on the racing, “The first race was about getting all the way into the beach out of the current and the Swiss guys did a really good job on the first beat and were quite a way ahead of us on the downwind but on the second upwind we chose the left hand mark and went low to the beach and they seemed to be stuck in more current further out so we sailed through to leeward a and were ahead at the top mark. After that it was pretty much a reach back and forward. In the last two beats there was no tacking as the course was skewed. But it was a close race. We didn’t know if there would be a problem with the time limit but we were okay”

“The second race started in 5 knots and we figured it was about getting out into the current as it was going the other way by the time. We had a good start at the oin. Everyone was pushed over the line but we came from below and were OK and got a couple of shifts and were ahead all the way.”

He said the current was crucial, but you could not ignore the wind. “Also we saw the guys that went low closer to the land on the downwind, did better. It was really a matter of playing the current but you cannot forget the wind as well. You need to try to make a choice and play both.”

On building a big lead in the second race, “We find if we cover and be defensive, it doesn’t work around here for us so we figured we should be aggressive and believe in what we thought was good and I think that is why we extended.”

He explained they nearly ddn’t make the first start. “After having a little crash(with a channel marker) and a little breakdown with the block on the jib sheet, we are happy to get through the day with two wins.”

 

 

In the Evolution fleet, Auguste 1er, FRA 47, (Gurvan Jaouen, Anne Jaouen, Mael Duigou) and Joker, FRA 50, (Eric Polaillon, Adrien Polaillon, Antoine le Foyer de Costil) shared the race wins, while in the smaller Classic fleet, Carabella, ITA 73, (Alfredo Delli, Gianluca Marolli, Claudio Mazzanti), took both races.

Racing continues Friday with potentially two more races for the Scandinavian Gold Cup (but it may be all over with one more) scheduled from 11.00, while the Evolution and Classic fleets will race two more races. The Kings Cup, presented by the Royal Yacht Squadron will also begin and will be the largest of the four fleets racing, with two races scheduled on Friday and Saturday.

Results from Day 2 of all fleet can be found here.

 

 

 

Cowes 2018: Scandinavian Gold Cup, jour #1

Photo finish and tough racing on first day of Scandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes

August 15, 2018

Marie-Françoise XIX, SUI 218, (Jürg Menzi, Jurgen Eiermann, Bo Selko) took the first race win in the Scandinavian Gold Cup in Cowes on Wednesday after a tough opening test of skills and stamina. In an event where only the race win matters, Menzi battled throughout the race withArtemis XIV, NOR 57, (Kristian Nergaard, Johan Barne, Trond Solli-Saether), and beat his rival to the finish line by a couple of metres after 90 minutes of hard racing.

 

The Scandinavian Gold Cup pits ones boat from each nation against each other in a battle to win races. Only race wins matter and the first to three wins takes the historic 99-year old trophy. It is a hard trophy to win; consistency pays no dividends, only race wins gives overall victory.

Marie-Françoise XIX is defending her win from last year, and is up against former world champion Nergaard, as well as defending world champion John B, BAH 22, (Gavin McKinney, Mathias Dahlman).

The race is a true test with three windward-leeward legs and an offwind finish. It was a largely grey day with a few moments of sunshine, but with 10-22 knots and a sharp chop running in the Solent, it was a tough start to two weeks of racing.

 

 

Highlights from Day 1 of the Scandinavian Gold Cup

 

 

Artemis XIV rounded the top mark with a narrow lead over John B and Marie-Françoise XIX, but the conditions got the better of the two world champions with Artemis XIV broaching twice and John B broaching once to let Marie-Françoise XIX escape.

But the lead was short lived as Artemis XIV pulled right back and the two boats spent the next four legs almost locked together, battling for supremacy. They rounded the final top mark a few boatlengths apart, both hoisted spinnakers with twists, but Artemis XIV sorted hers first and soon the boats were overlapped, and would remain overlapped all the way to the finish.

 

Artemis XIV had the inside track and pushed Marie-Françoise XIX high, away from the finish. The final gybe would decide who took the first win. It looked like they had gone to far and John B was fast approaching down the rhumb line. Eventually they both gybed together. Marie-Françoise XIX had problems setting her spinnaker and it looked like a win for Artemis XIV. But Menzi got his boat under control and had the better tide angle and they crossed the finish line, still overlapped, but with the bow of Marie-Françoise XIX a few metres forward of Artemis XIV.

 

So the first win went to Menzi and his crew in one of the tightest finishes ever seen at the Gold Cup.

Bowman on Marie-Françoise XIX, Bo Selko, said it was a tough day for the crews.

“We had a good start and a good first upwind. We were third at the top mark, but it was really close with the first three boats altogether. We had a good downwind and a good second upwind when the wind picked up and there was more correct.”

“Then on the last downwind it was a bit funny because the two boats were together and we all the time pushed each other into the current and Gavin was coming from behind so in the end we gybed together and we took the win by about half a metre. I think it was good fun and a good race.”

 

 

Racing continues Thursday with two more races scheduled from 11.00, though an approaching storm front may delay proceedings. The Scandinavian Gold Cup fleet will also be joined by the Evolution and Classic fleets who will race for the Hankø Evolution Cup, the Royal Kaag Classic Cup.

Results from Day 1 of the Gold Cup here