SPINNAKER DEC '12 - ISSUE 31

ISSUE 31 - DECEMBER 12

IIG Bank Gozo Race RMSR 2012 in pictures Taking line honours RMSR 2012 the Malta team

Contents 10 A grand spectacle With a record 83 entries, the 33rd edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race had all the drama of a classic race on the high seas.

23 The Malta team Maltese skippers share their experiences at this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race.

25 Remembering John Chris Dougall remembers the happy days of the Dougall brothers.

28 Pride of Malta This year’s edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race was a gruelling battle with the elements. But what a thrilling race it was.

Cover credit Hi Fidelity (RSA) sailing to win the 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race. Photo

by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Editor Teddie Borg Email: teddie@maltanet.net Consulting Editor Stanley Borg Email: stanley@becommunications.com Design & Art Direction Porridge: www.weareporridge.com Email: hello@weareporridge.com Publication Co-ordinator Brian Cremona Printing Progress Press Distribution Spinnaker is the official publication of the Royal Malta Yacht Club and is distributed to all RMYC members, boat and yacht importers, marine outlets, boats berthed at local marinas, ministries and embassies.

For information regarding promotion and advertising: Tel: 00 356 2134 2155, 2131 4719 Email: spinnaker@becommunications.com

10

of quality publications

30 Rolex Middle Sea Race 2012

YEARS

Results

32 Line masters Esimit Europa 2 celebrates the third successive line honours at the 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

38 Changes ahoy ISAF International Race Officer Peter Dimech explains the changes in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2013-2016.

4 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

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WELCOME Commodore’s Message The sailing season is nearing to a close and we are already looking forward to the end of year festivities.

becoming more active with members taking part in social activities and using the club facilities regularly.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race went exceptionally well with a record entry of 82 boats starting from the Grand Harbour.

Despite the light winds, most boats managed to finish the race. Another memorable event was wrapped up with a prize giving ceremony in the historic setting of the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

The festive season is upon us and the RMYC will be hosting its members at the annual Christmas drinks party at the club. On Boxing Day, after the annual fun race, members will gather at the club for drinks and may donate towards the RMYC’s contribution to the L-Istrina Fund. A New Year’s Eve gala dinner and party will again see the year out in style.

Since then the Royal Malta Yacht Club has held three other racing events: the IIG Gozo Weekend Regatta, the Raymarine Double Handed Round Malta and Gozo Race and the Medcomms Round Malta Race.

It has been a good year with all races showing an increased participation over the previous year. The club too is

On behalf of the RMYC I take this opportunity to wish you all a joyful holiday season and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Godwin Zammit Commodore RMYC

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 7

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s all over bar the memories I have been involved in all the Middle Sea Races since 1996 and I am sincerely convinced that this year’s edition was the best of them all, with a new record of 83 participating yachts from 19 countries.

Another milestone is the outstanding performance of the Maltese team comprised of only eight boats against the might of the rest of the highly experienced entrants. Once again Malta won the Nations Cup through the determined efforts of the best three local boats – XP-Act, Gasanmamo Comanche Raider and Artie RTFX, last year’s RMSR winner.

South Africa took over 40 years to hit the headlines in this world-renowned classic race in the Mediterranean by being the ninth nation to register its name on the trophy. Eddie de Villiers, skipper of a Welbourne 46 boat, was overjoyed with his crew’s unexpected win and while promising to return, he appreciated both our organisation and hospitality. Above all he felt that winning the RMSR is the pinnacle of every skipper in modern racing.

Booth Mitch Swiss, skipper of Kuka Light, one of the favourites, confessed that his navigator found this course the most exciting and most strenuous in the world even though he experienced seven editions of the famous Sydney Hobart Race.

In fact, the RMSR was once again showered with appreciative comments from well-known and experienced skippers and crew members – the best race course in the world, the most hazardous with long tedious hours for lack of wind, with skies that suddenly scare the daylights out of every crew with a barrage of thunder and lighting, and to cap it all, having to deal with the savage gusts of 35 to 45 knots and the mental and physical strength needed to cope with the unpredictable conditions.

This is what makes this course spectacularly pleasant to race round the various adventurous picturesque backdrops – two live volcanoes and 19 islands on the way.

More than that, this special edition once again entertained the maxi yacht Esimit Europa 2 that succeeded in equalling the

record of the Italian yacht Benbow (1975-1977) by winning the Line Honours in three consecutive years (2010-12). Apart from all this excitement, RMYC feels indebted towards Esimit Europa 2 owner Igor Simcic for his initiative to present a remarkable trophy to our Commodore Godwin Zammit for any boat that beats their mark-up of 68hrs 43m 24s which his maxi yacht has established, prior to the RMSR a 700NM passage record from Trieste to Malta. Undoubtedly, this is an added opportunity to promote our classical course as whoever wins this trophy will end up racing the Rolex Middle Sea Race afterwards.

Another new trophy was introduced to the best Russian boat due to the big fleet that came from Russia to try their luck in the Mediterranean.

This year the Italians provided the biggest team with 29 boats, followed by two strong teams from Russian and UK (12 boats each), Germany (seven), Austria (six) and Croatia (four).

There is every reason to believe that in the next two years, the participation record will hit a century of entries, thus creating a beautiful problem for the club to be able to accommodate safe berths for the whole fleet. Admittedly, RMYC had to struggle this time to solve this berthing problem and it had to split the whole fleet into two marinas and the club’s pontoons. More maxi and mini maxi yachts are expected to join in and there will be more new countries interested in this global recognition race around the maritime fraternity. It’s time for the powers-that-be to smarten up by investing in safer marinas with the explicit vision to protect Marsamxett Harbour with the much needed breakwater at Tigne Point, that will eventually ensure economic revenue by creating elaborate docking for both super yachts and boats around Sliema harbour. This will eventually ensure the yearly financial overseas revenue that Rolex Middle Sea Race creates every year.

It’s all there for the taking and if ever this will be heeded, then Marsamxett Harbour will turn out to be the most important strategic marina in the middle of the Mediterranean.

Teddie Borg

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 9

ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

A g r a n d s p e c ta c l e With a record 83 entries, the 33rd edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race had all the drama of a classic race on the high seas.

All photos by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Double handed Faiaoahe (FRA) on the go.

10 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

Mick 1 (GBR) slowly progressing towards Stromboli.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 11

ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

Crew working onboard E1 (AUT).

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ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

Ran 2 (GBR) approaching the finish line in Marsamxett Harbour.

14 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

XP-Act Banks Sails Racing approaching the finish line in Malta.

Plis Play (ESP) progressing up to the top of Sicily.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 15

ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

Rosa di Mare (FIN) negotiating by the Strait of Messina.

16 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

Spinnaker duel between XP-Act (MLT) and Zenhea Takesha (ITA).

18 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo (MLT) exits the Strait of Messina in breeze.

Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) at the front of the fleet.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 19

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ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

The Malta team Maltese skippers share their experiences at this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Maltese skippers and owners taking part in the race (L to R) Lee Satarino (Artie), Aaron Gatt Floridia (Otra Vez), Jonathan Gambin (DU 4), Arthur Podesta (Elusive), Kevin Dingli (Fekruna), Ramon Sant Hill (Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo), Jonas Diamantino (Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo). Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Christian Ripard, Artie RTFX

Jonathan Gambin, DU4

This year’s RMSR went well for us on Artie RTFX – we led the race (Overall and Class) for 400 miles, only to be let down with little wind in the final stages of the race.

This year’s RMSR was “a difficult race” as one of my racing colleagues correctly put it – it was characterised by light winds mostly from the rear, with long spells of no wind at all.

The crew and boat performed very well and we were punching well above our weight, as long as we had the same weather conditions as our competition. But this is offshore yacht racing and yachts of different sizes have different optimum conditions – when we had ours we did fine but when the conditions favoured the larger yachts then they did fine too and left us behind.

On the whole we had fun and we feel that we finished in a respectable position. It’s a very challenging race for the crew and tacticians/navigators – still, the RMSR is the one which I enjoy most as it is the most demanding offshore race in this category.

Considering that we were short crewed (five) on DU4, which is a 45ft performance cruiser, these conditions did not allow for much rest. For most of the race I would take a short break in the cockpit and get up on any sign of the slightest breeze. These conditions led to a long slow race which, as we all know, led to many crews being short of water and food. However we stuck it out and managed to finish the race in a respectable time. On the bright side we enjoyed some lovely sailing in calm sea and nice weather.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 23

RMSR

Lee Satariano, Artie RTFX The 33rd edition of the RMSR was a particular one due to the light winds throughout the race – the crew needed to be fully focused on keeping the boat moving possibly at every moment.

As Christian (Ripard) would say, “Speed is king.” We had a brilliant start and a fantastic night – as we made our way to the Strait of Messina we got our tactics right and were overall leading the race to Stromboli. Around Stromboli we got stuck for a while. The leg between Stromboli and Favignana was quite tricky as it was all about keeping the boat moving in super light conditions and constantly looking out for the patches with wind.

Artie RTFX and Strekosa at the start of the RMSR 2012. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Once we reached Favignana we then had to decide to play a shift or not outside Pantelleria which was to stay further west then hopefully have the new southerly once passed Pantelleria – unfortunately we didn’t take the shift and lost quit a bit on the leg. Around Pantelleria we were again the leading boat but lost over 10 miles to our competitor ahead.

The night going to Lampedusa we hit a squall but luckily enough it was a downwind leg and lasted for a good two to three hours. On the last leg from Lampedusa we played a good shift by keeping further up from the run line.

This paid off – however, a few miles out of Cirkewwa the wind just went completely, which left us struggling to get to the finishing line.

We were satisfied with the result although we were first overall at many stages of the race. The crew just kept the boat moving constantly withmany sail changes, constant trimming and patience which has again given us a very positive result by winning our group in IRC and ORC fifth overall and first Maltese boat in.

I wish to thank my co-skipper Christian Ripard and the crew Matthew Gusman, Peter Valentino, Jan Rossi, Gordon Bugeja, John Cachia, Tom Sammut Alessi and Sam Pizzuto. Special thanks to our sponsor RTFX for the full support throughout the year.

Aaron Gatt Floridia, Otra Vez This year’s race was very challenging. The light winds required maximum concentration from the crew to keep the boat moving and route selection was more critical than usual.

Despite the lack of wind, the race was always exciting with plenty of boats around us all the time and frequent position changes.

Towards the second half of the race we did encounter some more wind but we were just a little late for the squalls that ran across the course as the new front moved in.

As always though, the race is a learning experience and the whole crew on Otra Vez had an excellent time. We’re looking forward to next year’s edition.

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24 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

M E M O R I ES

Remembering John Chris Dougall remembers the happy days of the Dougall brothers.

W

hen I think of John, what comes to my mind is a man who had such a zest for life and the desire to live it in a relaxed and serene environment.

John’s ultimate place for that environment was on board Platypus. I would get a call from John just out of the blue and he would say, “Hey mate, I was thinking about doing this to the boat. What do you think?” Well naturally I would give my opinion and advise him on what I thought he should do and of course nine times out of 10 he would do something different or just discard the idea anyway.

I particularly remember one time when I gave him very little choice though. John decided to do the round Malta double-handed race and asked me to do it with him. This particular year the racecourse was south bound. It was a perfect, windy day and the usual long upwind leg first, before getting around the back side of Malta and starting the downwind leg naturally. Platypus was loaded with all the creature comforts that you can fit on a boat and wasn’t the fasted upwind boat in the world – by the time we turned the corner we were all the way at the back of the fleet.

It was a windy day and the prudent thing to do was certainly not to fly a spinnaker – so the entire fleet were just sail reaching or running with a poled out head sail which we decided to do. Now while this was the prudent thing to do and John was comfortable with it, I wasn’t too happy about staying at the back of the fleet for the rest of the day so I said, “Hey Johnno, son, let’s get the bag up.” John replies, “No way mate, no way.”

But five seconds later he says, “Righto, get it up then.”

Within 35 minutes of being barely in control we were pretty close to second or third place. By the time we had to jibe, we ran into a large piece of rock.

“Well all I can say now is Johnno, you were right mate. Sorry I don’t listen to you more often.”

I love you JD and will miss you eternally. Rest in peace bro.

“Well all I can say now is Johnno, you were right mate.

Sorry I don’t listen to you more often.”

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 25

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ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE

Pride of Malta This year’s edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race was a gruelling battle with the elements. But what a thrilling race it was.

T

he Rolex Middle Sea Race has turned into a marathon offshore racing event. For this year’s edition of this classic race, Esimit Europa 2 took three and a half days to complete the course but for over half the fleet, it took close to double that. Just completing the gruelling course is praiseworthy but several class winners were also decided, including the prestigious honour of being the first Maltese boat to cross the finish line.

Josef Schultheis and Paolo Semeraro’s Xp44, XP-Act crossed the finish line to win Class 3. The team had three Maltese sailors on board: Timmy Camilleri, Zach Cassar Torregiani and Sebastian Ripard.

“That was a long race and we are very happy with our performance,” said Sebastian Ripard. “The Xp44 is a great yacht but fully fitted out and considering the light conditions, we did very well to take the class.

“The last night at sea was a tough one. After we came around Lampedusa, a massive squall caught us by surprise.

We had too much sail up and we just had to run before it. The situation was pretty bad but it got worse when the force of the wind meant we couldn’t get the sails down as we would have liked and everybody was scrambling around on deck getting the sail down as best we could.”

Crew work onboard Esimit Europa 2. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

While XP-Act had three Maltese sailors on board, the first all Maltese yacht to cross the finish line was Artie RTFX. Last year’s overall winner was also the winner of Class 4.

“We did our best. It was a great race and everybody did a great job and worked really hard. However, we just kept getting stuck in patches of no wind, which was very frustrating. This is a difficult race but the first night makes or breaks it and we worked very hard the first night and we got it right.

Artie is a great boat and she did really well. This race took a whole day longer than last year and it was really tiring

28 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

Esimit Europa 2 claims line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2012. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

“I was anxious watching them close the gap on us but in a way that was fantastic.” Christian Ripard mentally – we were always looking for the way out and we could never relax.

“I would say luck wasn’t on our side at Capo San Vito, on the northwest corner. We were just too late to get the wind at the corner and we probably lost 20 miles just because of that. The yachts slightly larger than us just managed to ride the good weather – if we had managed to turn that corner with them, we would probably be singing by now.”

Artie RTFX was under considerable pressure to be the first Maltese boat home. Jonas Diamantino and Ramon Sant Hill’s ILC40, Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo pushed them all the way to the finish, as Christian Ripard explains.

“Comanche caught up about 20 miles on us. I was anxious watching them close the gap on us but in a way that was fantastic. There are a lot of good people doing the race this year. All of the crew on Artie are amateurs but they are top class sailors – we have had more or less the same crew for the last three races. I am the old man on the boat but they really know what they are doing and they keep me young. Many of them are dinghy champions who have got into keelboat racing – they are the future of yachting in Malta and the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a major opportunity for Malta and a fantastic showcase for our sport.”

XP-Act (MLT) sailing at good speed. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Comanche Raider II Gasanmamo (MLT) exits the Strait of Messina in breeze.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

BMW sterling service

Esimit Europa 2, the official partner of BMW, recently marked their latest victory in the last race of the season by achieving lines honours for the third consecutive year in the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

At this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race, BMW provided the exclusive VIP shuttle service with the new BMW 3 series throughout the week of the event. This VIP shuttle service was also taken advantage of during the Esimit VIP Event hosted by BMW, attended by both press and VIPs. The guests were invited to a private tour on this famous yacht, given by the executive director Matej Knez and the captain of the boat. Afterwards the guests were invited to enjoy again the official BMW shuttle service of the Rolex Middle Sea Race to their preferred destination.

For more information please contact Muscats Motors on 2326 4581.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 29

RMSR 2012 ROLEX Middle Sea Race 2012 RESULTS

1: Trophies at the 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race prize giving. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

2: 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race prize giving.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

3: Malcolm Lowell Jr. and Malcolm Lowell Sr. present Eddie De Villiers with the Rolex timepiece awarded to the overall winner.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

30 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

Boat Name

Boat Type

Class

Pos

HI FIDELITY

Welbourne 46

Class 2

1

SPEEDY

Marten49

Class 2

2

XP-ACT Banks Sails Racing

Xp44

Class 3

3

OPTIMUM 3 - ASPIDA

FARR 52 OD

Class 2

4

ARTIE-RTFX

J122

Class 4

5

RAN

JV72

Class 1

6

CANTANKEROUS

Cookson 50

Class 2

7

PLIS PLAY

Swan 80

Class 2

8

STIG

Baltic 72 Grand Prix

Class 1

9

ZENHEA TAKESHA

Mylius 14e55

Class 3

10

VARUNA

Ker 51

Class 2

11

LUPA OF LONDON

Baltic 78

Class 1

12

COMANCHE RAIDER II GASANMAMO

ILC 40

Class 3

13

SEAWOLF OF SOUTHAMPTON

Pronavia 38

Class 4

14

B2 NATALI

Vismara V 62’

Class 2

15

LITTLE EMILY

Beneteau First 40.7

Class 4

16

SAILING TEAM BELKA

First 40,7

Class 4

17

VISCONTE

Raketa 970

Class 4

18

MICK 1

First 40.7

Class 4

19

THREE SISTERS

First 40.7

Class 4

20

PITA MAHA

X 40

Class 4

21

LISA

First 44.7

Class 3

22

FULCRUM II

Pogo 40S2

Class 2

23

JSTORM

J111

Class 4

24

OTRA VEZ

J 122

Class 4

25

KOHINOOR

Carter 55

Class 4

26

ELANKA II

Elan 350 RP

Class 4

27

REBEL URBAN H. DESIGN

first 40 cr

Class 4

28

GEISHA Kabestan

IMX40

Class 4

29

VOLA VIOLA

Grand Soleil 40’

Class 4

30

LE COQ HARDI

X-41

Class 3

31

TON TON KABESTAN

Dufour 44

Class 4

32

Strekosa

Salona 41

Class 4

33

SAILING LOGIC - LANCELOT 2

First 40

Class 4

34

VENTO DI SARDEGNA

Open 50

Class 1

35

TRUSTMARQUE QUOKKA

Grand Soleil 43

Class 4

36

MED SPIRIT

Prototype

Class 1

37

Keep it clean

ROLEX Middle Sea Race 2012 RESULTS Boat Name

Boat Type

Class

Pos

Oiltanking Juno

J 122

Class 3

38

ESIMIT EUROPA 2

Maxi

Class 1

39

ELUSIVE

FIRST 45

Class 3

40

DU 4

Dufour 45.Performance

Class 4

41

KUKA_LIGHT

Extreme 42

Class 1

42

NOONMARK VI

Swan 56

Class 3

43

ABRACADABRA RACING

First 47.7 Reg

Class 4

44

LIBERTINE

COMET 45 S

Class 3

45

JOKER

Bavaria 50 Vision

Class 3

46

SCIARA

First 44.7

Class 3

47

AMBER MILES

XP 44

Class 3

48

ORION

Salona 44

Class 3

49

DINAH

JOD 35 (mod)

Class 4

50

SABRE

Marina 36 Carbon

Class 3

51

VOSCIA’

Comet 45 S

Class 3

52

BCUBE

COMET 51 S

Class 3

53

AQUA

First 45F5

Class 4

54

MATCH POINT

BAVARIJA 42 MATCH

Class 4

55

ROSA DI MARE

AKILARIA CLASS 40

Class 2

56

VAQUITA

Class40

Class 2

57

SHAKTI

Rogers 46

Class 2

58

AKI SPORTS THREE

Akilaria 40

Class 2

59

ATAME

fast 42

Class 3

60

E1

VO 70

Class 1

61

AAG BIG ONE

Volvo Ocean Race WOR60

Class 1

62

ALEXANDRA DREAMS

Hanse 430

Class 4

76

BELLAMIA

Sun Fast 43

Class 4

76

FAIAOAHE

Prototype

Class 4

76

FEKRUNA

BENETEAU OCEANIS 411 CELEBRATION

Class 4

76

FOREIGN AFFAIR

Swan 46MKII

Class 4

76

GALILEO

BENETEAU FIRST 47.7

Class 4

76

GLOBAL YACHT RACING - EH01

Beneteau 47.7

Class 3

76

MAGIA

GRAND SOLEIL 39 NEW

Class 4

76

NORTHERN CHILD

Swan 51

Class 4

76

POGO 1

Pogo 40

Class 3

76

SKIPPERCLUB

Elan 431

Class 4

76

SNOW WOLF

Swan 48

Class 4

76

VIKESHA II

Xp44

Class 3

76

WINDRIVEN

Dehler 34

Class 4

76

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SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 31

LINE HONOURS

Line masters Esimit Europa 2 celebrates the third successive line honours at the 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

E

simit Europa 2 (SLO) has claimed line honours at the 2012 Rolex Middle Sea Race. The 30.48m/100-ft maxi crossed the finish line in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta on Wednesday, October 24 at 01:13.15 CEST, sealing a third straight line honours win.

32 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

Igor Simcic’s crew completed the 606nm course in 3 days, 13 hours, 33 minutes and 15 seconds (85 hours, 33 minutes and 15 seconds), an elapsed time significantly slower than the race record of 47 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds set by George David’s 27.43m/90-ft Maxi Rambler (USA) in 2007.

“It was a very long race and hopefully the longest we’ll ever have to do,” reflected skipper Jochen Schümann, relieved to arrive in Malta. “As we expected it was a light race. After the passage through the Strait of Messina, the fleet caught up with us at Stromboli, which is not good enough for a 100-footer.”

At Stromboli Esimit headed inland, finding breeze while her rivals slowed down.

“After that tactical move, we led comfortably for the rest of the race despite having to park several times especially behind the islands in front of Trapani.” The line honours time set by Esimit Europa 2 is over 24 hours slower than her two previous successes at the RMSR, proving how difficult this year’s race has been for the fastest boats.

At 08:09.56 CEST, Niklas Zennström’s Rán 2 (GBR) became the second boat to cross the finish line, arriving after 92 hours,

29 minutes and 56 seconds at sea. In doing so, the 21.94m/72-ft mini maxi put herself in pole position on handicap, and set the bar for the remainder of the fleet.

“It was a very long race and during the first half it seemed like it might be even longer,” commented Zennström.

“It was quite frustrating at times and we ran out of food. Racing against Stig – a rival mini maxi – though made the light racing a lot more enjoyable.”

Alessandro Rombelli’s Stig (ITA) was the third boat to cross the finish line in Malta, arriving some 1 hour 20 minutes after Rán 2.

1: Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) at the front of the fleet. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo./ 2: Ran 2 (GBR), Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) and Stig (ITA) rounding the mark at the start of the 33rd Rolex Malta Sea Race. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo./ 3: Matej Knez, Esimit Europa 2 (SLO) representative, and Malcolm Lowell, of Edwards Lowell Co. Ltd. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 33

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NEWS RoyalRoyal Malta Malta YachtYacht Club Club

ROYAL MALTA YACHT CLUB Offshore Offshore Challenge Challenge TrophyTrophy 2012 2012

Race Race

Malta-Marzamemi Malta-Marzamemi Race Race Marzamemi-Malta Marzamemi-Malta Race Race Malta-Ragusa Malta-Ragusa Race Race Ragusa-Malta Ragusa-Malta Race Race Malta-Syracuse Malta-Syracuse Race Race Vega Race Vega Race Rolex Middle RolexSea Middle Race Sea Race

Race Results Race Results

OFFSHORE CHALLENGE TROPHY 2012 RACE RESULTS Race

Total Total Points Points Basic Factor Basic Basic FactorFactor Basic Basic FactorFactor Basic Basic FactorFactor Basic Basic FactorFactor Basic Basic FactorFactor Basic Basic FactorFactor Basic Factor 1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

5

5

6

6

7

7

Number of Number Startersof Starters31

31

29

29

15

15

14

14

18

18

9

9

12

12

Points

Race

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Points

Pts Fact No. 11 12 13 14 1.25 5 1.25 6 2.57

Pts Fact 1 1 1 1 1.25 1.25 2.5 POS.

POS.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 33 34 35 35 37 37 37 37 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 33 34 35 35 37 37 37 37 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41

YACHT YACHT

Juno Juno 10.0 Comanche Comanche Raider Raider II 10.0 II LartistaLartista 10.0 Windriven Windriven 10.0 TontonTonton 10.0 Moondance Moondance 10.0 Inspiration Inspiration 10.0 Sailaway Sailaway 10.0 Xp-act Xp-act Artie Artie 10.0 Rebel Rebel 10.0 Otra Vez Otra Vez GeishaGeisha Kaimana Kaimana 10.0 Whistler Whistler 10.0 Le MerLe Mer 10.0 Fekruna Fekruna 10.0 ElusiveElusive 2 2 DU 4 DU 4 10.0 Amuni Amuni Time Out Time Out MalteseMaltese Falcon Falcon II II Manana Manana 10.0 Aziza Aziza 10.0 Atame Atame Windward Windward 10.0 Primavera Primavera II II 10.0 Café deCafé Paris de Paris 10.0 Liara BLiara B 10.0 For Pete's For Sake Pete's Sake Vanquish Vanquish 10.0 10.0 Excellance Excellance Swnymor Swnymor 10.0 10.0 Vivace Vivace Kon Tiki Kon Tiki 10.0 Spirit ofSpirit the Winds of the Winds 10.0 Mawimbi Mawimbi 10.0 Windchaser Windchaser 10.0 BreezerBreezer 10.0 VikeshaVikesha 2 2 AugustAugust Rush Rush Lataka-Be Lataka-Be J-LanceJ-Lance Los Amigos Los Amigos XplaneXplane AllergroAllergro Andante Andante WizardWizard 10.0

10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

94.0 10.0 100.0 10.0 90.0 10.0 70.0 10.0 78.0 10.0 86.0 10.0 66.0 10.0 83.0 10.0

94.0 94.0 100.0 100.0 90.0 90.0 70.0 70.0 78.0 78.0 86.0 86.0 66.0 66.0 83.0 83.0

94.0 94.0 88.0 100.0 74.0 90.0 66.0 70.0 78.0 77.0 86.0 72.0 66.0 68.0 83.0

94.0 94.0 88.0 88.0 74.0 74.0 66.0 66.0

94.0 94.0 88.0 88.0 77.0 74.0 10.0 66.0

94.0 94.0 88.0 88.0 77.0 77.0 10.0 10.0

95.0 94.0 10.0 88.0 10.0 77.0 10.0 10.0

118.8 95.0 12.5 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

75.0 118.8 93.8 75.0 70.0 93.8 175.0 70.0 79.0 12.5 98.8 79.0 82.0 98.8 205.0 82.0 72.0 10.0 90.0 72.0 90.0 83.0 10.0 103.8 83.0 10.0 103.8 10.0 10.0 72.0 180.0 72.0

77.0 77.0 84.0 77.0 84.0 84.0 84.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 85.0 106.3 85.0 106.3 68.0 68.0 80.0 68.0 80.0 80.0 10.0 80.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 58.5 10.0 58.5 58.5 84.0 58.5 84.0 84.0 72.0 84.0 72.0 72.0

92.0 230.0 92.0 86.0 215.0 86.0 72.0 78.0 195.0 78.0 75.0 187.5 75.0

10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

76.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 61.0 10.0 65.0 10.0

10.0 10.0 63.0 10.0

10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 80.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

74.0 10.0 72.0 10.0 59.0 10.0 68.0 10.0

10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

64.0 10.0 60.0 10.0 59.5 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

10.0 10.0

10.0

76.0 76.0 80.0 76.0 80.0 80.0 10.0 80.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 70.0 10.0 70.0 70.0 74.0 70.0 74.0 74.0 10.0 74.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 61.0 61.0 61.0 81.0 101.3 81.0 101.3 65.0 65.0 65.0 69.0 86.3 69.0 10.0 86.3 10.0 10.0 68.0 170.0 68.0 66.0 165.0 66.0 63.0 63.0 62.0 63.0 62.0 62.0 10.0 62.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 89.0 10.0 111.3 89.0 111.3 89.0 111.3 89.0 111.3 10.0 10.0 10.0 68.0 85.0 68.0 85.0 80.0 80.0 80.0 68.0 85.0 68.0 85.0 74.0 74.0 74.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 59.0 59.0 59.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 68.0 68.0 68.0 64.0 64.0 64.0 10.0 64.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 64.0 64.0 64.0 60.0 60.0 60.0 59.5 59.5 59.5 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

679.5 175.0 602.3 205.0 351.0 279.8 10.0 268.0 180.0 257.0 254.3 251.0 230.0 230.0 225.0 215.0 224.5 195.0 195.0 187.5 187.5 176.0 174.0 172.3 171.3 10.0 170.0 170.0 165.0 165.0 155.0 121.3 111.3 105.0 90.0 85.0 84.0 82.0 79.0 78.0 74.0 74.0 70.0 69.5 40.0 40.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

679.5 602.3 351.0 279.8 268.0 257.0 254.3 251.0 230.0 225.0 224.5 195.0 187.5 176.0 174.0 172.3 171.3 170.0 165.0 155.0 121.3 111.3 105.0 90.0 85.0 84.0 82.0 79.0 78.0 74.0 74.0 70.0 69.5 40.0 40.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 35

RAC ES

A satisfying weekend A good investment by IIG Bank in Gozo.

O

n Friday, November 16, a confused swell and a dying easterly breeze welcomed 15 yachts for the annual weekend pilgrimage to Gozo organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and sponsored by IIG Bank. It was to be a fetch to the North Comino Channel and a short kite sprint to the finish characterised by menacing current.

Depending on which side of the channel one chose was to be a deciding factor in the result, as Otravez was to find out.

Tonton, Moondance and Xplane dominated their respective classes. As the sun set, the yachts rushed to secure a berth and crews made their way for evening prayers at the Gleneagles waterhole.

The second day greeted the fleet with both ends of the spectrum with long, shifty and sometimes windless conditions in the first race and a breezy short second race. The race

36 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

committee wisely opted not to have problems with drifting marks, using the Fessej Rock as the windward mark. Racing was very close – Otravez played its joker to overcome Friday’s disappointment and came back stronger to dominate its class. Jlance, Sailaway, Xplane and About Time shared the spoils in their respective classes. Then the hungry crews were off to Sicilia Bella for an enjoyable meal organised by the club.

On day three, with Racer Class I and the Cruiser Class basically decided, it was all up for grabs in Racer Class II. A stiff WSW breeze with prospects of looming black clouds greeted the yachts for the fourth and final passage race home. The 20-knot breeze eventually eased off, but provided a spectacular start in the North Comino Channel and a fast reach through the South Channel, and a procession with kites up to the finish.

Comanche Raider II took line honours but it was not enough to knock Otravez off the podium in Racer Class I. Xplane won the race and its class in the cruisers, while Sailaway sailed away with Racer Class II. At the prize giving Commodore Godwin Zammit gave a detailed account of a satisfying weekend in Gozo which was well organised with regards to the respective sailing races and also the social activities. IIG Bank representative Mr Nigel Stibbs also welcomed all participants, especially the winners. Before presenting the winners with their prizes, he re-affirmed the Bank’s sponsorship for next year. Mr Stibbs was instrumental in offering all kinds of assistance to all those who wished to use the services of llG Bank (Malta).

Finding the wind Martin Meachen on board Sailaway, first in Racer Class 2.

What a weekend. We had an amazing start to the racing weekend with a nice north breeze. The breeze was dying down and by the time we approached the channel the breeze almost left us completely. However, with the sail up and some good tactics we finished in a good position. After that, we went straight to the happy hour for some cold beers.

On Saturday two races were planned – however it was a painful start to the first race with very limited wind. The course took us round Fessej Rock, downwind to the Comino fish farms, back upwind to Fessej Rock and to the finish line.

The second race was in doubt since there was almost no wind. However, our race officer Peter Dimech found a patch of wind from under Comino cliffs to the finish line. We had a beautiful short race with some upwind and some downwind sailing.

At this stage, Racer Class II was heating up with three boats almost at par. It was all up to the outcome of the Sunday race to decide the final ranking. The race started off in a spectacular way at the south Comino channel with winds blowing in excess of 25knots. After rounding Comino, the question that was posed was, who will be the first to venture in putting up his spinnaker.

Playing safe and administrating the lead gain by Sailaway, one by one all the boats put up their colourful spinnakers. By then, the wind started dying down again to the point that the progress at Marsamxett Harbour to the finish line in front of the club was slow.

IIG Bank Gozo Regatta Overall results Racer Class I 1st Otravez 2nd Comanche Raider II 3rd Elusive II

Racer Class II 1st Sailaway 2nd Moondance 3rd J-Lance

Cruiser Class 1st Xplane 2nd About Time 3rd Kon Tiki

Sailaway had a fantastic race and with the solid teamwork that is constantly maturing managed to finish first in Racer Cass II.

Marine surveys and consultancy Malta Yacht Surveys deliver professional pre-purchase and insurance surveys, registry services and consultancy for yachts, superyachts and small commercial ships. Principal Surveyor John Ross is a Government Surveyor of Ships for Malta, and an Examiner for the UK Codes of Practice. For more information visit www.MaltaYachtSurveys.com, e-mail jr@MaltaYachtSurveys.com or call on +356 9928 9271.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 37

RU L ES

Changes ahoy ISAF International Race Officer Peter Dimech explains the changes in the Racing Rules of Sailing 2013-2016.

W

ith effect from January 1, 2013, the RRS 2013-2016 come into force. ISAF have published the RRS with added reasons for these changes. I have collected these and am reproducing those concerning definitions. Changes to the rules will be dealt with in the next issue of Spinnaker.

The underlined text refers to new or changed definitions.

Fleet leaving Malta at the start of the 33rd Rolex Middle Sea Race. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

38 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

Finish A boat finishes when any part of her hull, or crew, or equipment in normal position, crosses the finishing line from the course side. However, she has not finished if after crossing the finishing line she: (a] takes a penalty under rule 44.2 (b) corrects an error under rule 28.2 made at the line, or (c) continues to sail the course.

Reason: Many race committees set a course that requires boats to sail two or more laps, with the added requirement that they cross the finishing line at the end of each lap. This course is frequently used for informal local races. Technically speaking, under the current definition, the boats “finish” at the end of the first lap, but obviously that is not what is intended when such a course is used. The same issue can arise when other types of courses are used. As Q&A E7 (Q&A 2009-026) shows, there are situations when a boat inadvertently crosses the finishing line in the direction of the course from the last mark well before she has finished sailing the course. The addition of “continues to sail the course” to the second sentence proposed in Proposal 3 makes it clear that, if such a boat continues to sail the course after crossing the line, she has not finished.

This submission was prepared by the Rule 28 Working Party.

Keep Clear A boat keeps clear of a right-of-way boat: (a) if the right-of-way boat can sail her course with no need to take avoiding action, and (b) when the boats are overlapped, if the right-of-way boat can also change course in both directions without immediately making contact.

ISAF Reasons: When two same tack boats are sailing alongside each other, the windward boat must give space, commonly known as “wriggle room”,

for the leeward boat to change course both towards her and away from her.

In the same circumstances it is logical, consistent and has safety advantages to allow the same space to a starboard tack boat sailing downwind alongside a port tack boat. This submission was prepared by the ISAF Section C Working Party.

Mark-Room Room for a boat to leave a mark on the required side. Also: (a) room to sail to the mark when her proper course is to sail close to it, and (b) room to round the mark as necessary to sail the course.

However, mark-room for a boat does not include room to tack unless she is overlapped inside and to windward of the boat required to give mark-room and she would be fetching the mark after her tack.

Reason/s: This revision corrects flaws and removes ambiguities from the current definition as follows: The current definition includes room to sail to the mark when the mark is a passing or finishing mark that is nowhere near the boat’s proper course. That provision is unnecessary, and gives the boat entitled to mark-room more power than she needs to pass the mark in a seamanlike way. The proposed definition removes this flaw. he word “at” in the current • Tdefinition and the change of

rights during the transition from “to” to “at” the mark have caused difficulties in interpretation. The proposed definition does not use “at” terminology and avoids the “to” to “at” transition. It replaces these by rights that depend on a boat’s proper course and the rounding necessary to sail the course. This is easier to judge, less ambiguous, and takes other boats into account.

definition grants room to • Tsailhe acurrent proper course while at the mark,

which is a broader right than is needed for orderly mark roundings. Under the proposed definition, the right of the boat that has mark-room is always to sail a seamanlike course (to or round the mark).

he current definition’s provision for • Troom to tack can be interpreted to give

rights to tack in situations where the tack is not to fetch the mark, which was not intended. The proposed definition clarifies when that provision should apply.

ecause of 1 and 2 above, an extra • Brule 18.2(c)(2), covering the situation

when a boat required to give markroom establishes an inside overlap, is proposed in a separate submission.

Room The space a boat needs in the existing conditions, including space to comply with her obligations under the rules of Part 2 and rule 31, while manoeuvring promptly in a seamanlike way.

Reason: When several boats come together it is common that a ‘middle’ boat is simultaneously entitled to room from one boat and required to give room to or keep clear of another. The proposal provides a clear answer to the question of whether the boat required to give room to such a ‘middle’ boat has to allow for that boat’s obligations to other boats.

Similarly, consider three boats L, M and W, overlapped and on the same tack with L to leeward, W to windward and M between them. L has no proper course restriction and she luffs. The rules should be explicit that L’s obligation to M under rule 16.1, to give M room to keep clear, should also include allowing for M’s obligation under rule 16.1 to give W room to keep clear. The proposed addition to the definition of room makes it clear that a boat required to give room has not complied with the rules if she compels another boat to break a rule of Part 2. The proposal also provides that room include the space needed to avoid touching a mark.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 39

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NEWS

Raymarine Double Handed 2012 The double-handed figure of eight race has now become a classic race organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club. It’s always a challenging race, irrespective of the weather conditions, or whether one is on a small or big boat, as both can be demanding in different ways.

A number of days before race day the forecast was showing a strong southwesterly, which later died somewhat to 14-19 knots. Who would have ever thought that the fleet would have to limp off the start line in hardly any breeze at all? There seemed to be a wind line slightly off-shore and out of the shadow of the fortifications of Valletta, but it was the boats which hugged the Grand Harbour breakwater which first got the puff of wind that helped them get moving. The fleet sailed into the 16-18 knots of true wind good and proper once they rounded the Munxar cardinal buoy, having to beat to Filfla.

manoeuvres – getting it right is all about planning ahead and doing things systematically. Everyone is double handed after all. Most boats managed to keep spinnakers or A-sails up all the way to Tigne point and it was the boats that kept a good distance offshore that managed to keep a steadier breeze for longer, with those close inshore getting becalmed at Dragonara. If we thought there was little wind to start in the morning, the nautical mile stretch to the finish line from Tigne point was even worse. With not a breath of wind in sight it took most the good part of an hour to get across the line.

XP-Act managed to hold its lead on all the other boats to be first to get a finish gun, with just about enough time in the bank to clinch 1st in class and overall from Ton Ton by a mere 48 seconds. Sailaway claimed a comfortable win among the smaller boat racing class, while Xplane were winners of the cruising class. A big well done to all those who finished the race.

This year’s race was a relatively fast one, first since there was a nice breeze over most of the race course, and secondly because one could manage to bee-line most of it, making for a very smooth track. This meant there was a lot of tight reaching involved, not much tacking, and not much downwind work.

The seas were big on the western sides of both Malta and Gozo, where the exposed areas had seen a building breeze for a few days, and the cliffs only turned these waves into a proper washing machine. San Dimitri area is renowned for producing big waves, and it sure lived up to expectations as crews had to battle some nasty ones here, with boats falling off a few of the bigger waves. It was a sigh of relief come Xlendi where the worst was over and boats were well past the half way mark.

Some boats hoisted a spinnaker soon after and made progress to and through the south Comino channel pretty fast.

A race like this is definitely a non-stop job. There’s no point in rushing through

Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Above: Start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

A fleet of 79 yachts has been declared for the 68th Rolex Sydney Hobart.

The eclectic mix ranges in size from 10.3 metres (33.8 feet) to 30.48 metres (100-feet), and includes three international entries, nine former race winners, the defending overall champion, yachts representing each and every Australian state and the

Australian Capital Territory, and four yachts to have tasted line honours success.

Four 100-foot maxi yachts – RagamuffinLoyal, Wild Oats XI, Wild Thing and Lahana – look likely to form a breakaway group at the head of the competition, with old adversaries preparing to lock horns.

Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI has won line honours five times and is the current race record-holder, having set the standard of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds in 2005. Conditions in the intervening years have proved frustrating, denying a serious tilt at this benchmark time.

Last year, Investec Loyal beat Wild Oats XI to the finish line by a mere three minutes, eight seconds; racing this year as Ragamuffin-Loyal, under the leadership of the legendary Syd Fischer, she once again poses the biggest threat to Wild Oats. Fischer is set to compete in the race for a staggering 44th time and his crew will benefit from the shrewdness and expertise of one of Australia’s great yachtsmen, twice a line honours winner (in 1988 and 1990), and an overall race winner in 1992.

The Tattersall’s Cup, awarded to the overall race winner, remains the coveted prize, and all 80 boats start with a theoretical chance of victory.

The conditions, teamwork, skill and an element of luck will all help determine the eventual result. Since Rolex began its sponsorship of the event in 2002, all but one overall race winner have come from the 40-65ft range, where the majority of the fleet lies. Defending champion Loki, on the back of another successful season, is seeking to become the first boat to defend the overall title since 1965.

The race start, as is tradition, will take place on December 26. As Australia relaxes during the summer festive season, hundreds of thousands of spectators will witness the race start from the shore and on the waters of Sydney Harbour or on television and the internet. Anticipation of the first finishers in Hobart will build around the world as the latest edition of this iconic race unfolds.

SPINNAKER / Issue 31 - 41

MEMBERS W E L C O M E N E W R O Y A L M A LT A YA C H T C LU B M E M B E R S Members List Patrick Rodney Thomas Jonathan & Meg Gardner Faline Edwards Marcel Casolani Chris Busutill Leaver Lord & Lady Grifitths of Inwood Adrian Vella Duca Roberta Zammit Cutajar Timothy & Harriet Reilly Kevin Anastasi

Status Associate Family Full Full Associate Family Full Associate Family Cadet

Dr Weiner - Horn

Full

Oscar Berkenbosch

Full

Mark Camilleri Mathew Brushwood

Full Cadet

Pal Hernes

Full

Stephen Evans

Full

Claudio Bugeja

Full

Adrian Joseph Thompson

Full

Vivegnis Bernard

Full

Annelise Coppini JJF Bowring & Anastasia Rybus Gordon Spiteri Michael & Maria Spiteri

Full Family Full Family

Paula Mompalao Depiro

Associate

Desmond Kellher

Associate

Nicola Schulz

Associate

Philip Spray

Associate

Rosemary Cornwell

Associate

Marion Gruebl

Associate

Noel Aquilina

Full

Josette Flores Martin

Full

Derek Musgrove Thomas Sammut Alessi

Associate Cadet

Nancy Farrugia

Full

Serkis Matheous

Associate

Claudio Maria Marciano Di Scala

Associate

Philip & Pauline Batty Robert Galea Gurzkos Vadym

Family Full Full

Andrew & Alexandra Steet

Family

John & Pamela Horsburgh

Family

Pascal Pace

42 - SPINNAKER / Issue 31

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