SPINNAKER December '11 - ISSUE 27

ISSUE 27 - DEC 11

Esimit Europa 2 takes line honours

Renzo Grottesi – a sailor’s life

Winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race

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WELCOME A

s we settle down for sailing’s close season, there’s nothing better than to look back and recall a year of great sailing memories.

In this issue of Spinnaker, we interview Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard, co-skippers of Artie and winners of this year’s Rolex Middle Sea Race. A Maltese victory in the Rolex Middle Sea Race had been a long time coming – nine years, since 2002 when the 35-footer Market Wizard took top honours – but the wait only made victory all the more sweeter.

While the crew of Artie had been preparing for the Rolex Middle Sea Race for over a year, the Jaru team only had two days to get ready for the race. True, the crew had plenty of experience, having raced some 60 Rolex Middle Sea Races between them. But that’s not everything, especially when the competition is tougher than tough. Jamie Sammut, from the Jaru crew, tells the tale.

In this issue, we also interview Jochen Schümann and Renzo Grottesi.

Schümann, skipper of Esimit Europa 2, boasts a great sailing career – to date, he has won three Olympic Gold Medals, one silver and two firsts in the America’s Cup. And this year, he took the line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race.

Grottesi, owner of the Pita Maha, explains why the Rolex Middle Sea Race is a must-read chapter in every sailor’s life.

I take this opportunity to wish you all the best for the festive season and a new year full of sailing pleasures.

Read on and enjoy.

Georges Bonello DuPuis Commodore, Royal Malta Yacht Club

Editor Georges Bonello DuPuis Email: georges@rmyc.org Consulting Editor Stanley Borg Email: stanley@becommunications.com Design & Art Direction Porridge: www.weareporridge.com Email: hello@weareporridge.com Publication Co-ordinators Brian Cremona Cover credit Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo

Spinnaker is published by BE Communications Ltd, 37, Amery Street, Sliema, SLM 1702 for the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Printing Progress Press Distribution Spinnaker is the official publication of the Royal Malta Yacht Club and has a print run of 3,000 copies 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

8 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without written permission. Opinions expressed in Spinnaker are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. All reasonable care is taken to ensure truth and accuracy, but the editor and publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions in articles, advertising, photographs or illustrations.

Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome but cannot be returned without a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The editor is not responsible for material submitted for consideration. © 2011 Be Communications Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Contents 12 At long last After nine years, a Maltese boat has won the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Artie’s co-skippers say how it was a nail-biting countdown to the finish line.

16 Second and third helpings The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a must-read chapter in every sailor’s life, says Pita Maha owner Renzo Grottesi. And you’ll keep coming back for more.

20 A good line-up Jochen Schümann, skipper of Esimit Europa 2, on taking the line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011.

26 The leftover crew A last-minute, spontaneous campaign saw Team Jaru prepare for the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011 just two days before the start. Jamie Sammut survived to tell the tale.

32 What a show Spinnaker reviews three of the world’s most prestigious boat shows.

36 Riders to the sea From rough seas and calm winds to spectacular scenery and a nail-biting finale, the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011 had it all.

40 We are sailing Sailing news from around the world.

42 It was ‘another time’ in Gozo Constantly changing conditions and close racing added miles of excitement to the IIG Autumn Gozo Regatta, says Martin Meachen, crew member of the Otra Vez.

10 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

WINNERS

Artie’s crew at the prize giving of the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

At long last After nine years, a Maltese boat has won the Rolex Middle Sea Race. Artie’s co-skippers say how it was a nail-biting countdown to the finish line.

P

utting an end to the drought of Maltese winners, the J/122 Artie, co-skippered by Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard, was named the overall winner of the 2011 Rolex Middle Sea Race.

The last time a local boat won this ocean classic was in 2002 when the 35-footer Market Wizard took top honours.

Artie completed the 606-nautical mile course in an elapsed time of four days, four hours, 22 minutes, 54 seconds.

With an all-Maltese crew, Artie II is a J-122 boat specifically built for racing.

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It is owned by Lee Satariano and coskippered by one of Malta’s veteran yachtsman, Christian Ripard. The crew is composed of Matthew Gusman, Kurt Casapinta, John Cachia, Isaac Borg, Peter Valentino and Jan Rossi.

Once again, this year’s race was fought between the small boats, with the top three boats – Artie, AOC Rockall and Otra Vez, which is another Maltese J/122 – all under 40 feet. Since 2002, half of the overall winners have been drawn from the most competitive maxi and mini-maxis around, suggesting a big

boat bias. Artie’s win, in this sense, has redressed the balance.

“On the first night we had some problems with one instrument which troubled us throughout the race as our heading was 20 degrees off to our COG,” said co-skipper Lee Satariano.

“It was a devastating moment as we thought we had thrown it all away.

However, from then on our fortunes changed and we were sailing at full force.

In fact, later on that morning we reached the fleet in the Strait of Messina.

Artie. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

“Stromboli was a spectacular scene when we reached the second lot of the fleet of around 30 boats. Some of them were boats of a bigger category, and this was a huge boost to our morale.”

At that point Artie was on the leg from Lampedusa to Gozo. Ripard explained how the wind was very light and everyone was in the same conditions.

“We knew it would come in from the west-northwest. It sure did, but the boats behind us were to the west of us,

so they came in with the wind. Jaru was maybe seven miles behind us, just a dot on the horizon, when we were coming into the South Comino channel – we managed to finish about half a mile in front, as they were coming up with the breeze. It was very difficult coming down the coast because the wind wasn’t there for us. We made it to the finish just in time.”

Besides the duel with Jaru, Artie was also racing the clock against Chris Opielok’s Corby 36, AOC Rockall (GER), which according to the race tracking

system was leading overall for a good part of the race. Once Artie finished, AOC Rockall had a two-hour window to cross the line. However the weather was not in their favour and the Corby 36 crossed just before 6:00 pm, 29 minutes too late to beat Artie.

“The race was such an exciting one,” said Satariano. “The most memorable moment was on our way to the finish, when we were notified that we were so close to winning that Commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis had asked us to have the boat at the club.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 13

WINNERS “Stromboli was a spectacular scene when we reached the second lot of 30 boats. Some of them were boats of a bigger category, and this was a huge boost to our morale.”

“We were also told that we had secured second overall and that AOC Rockall was in Cirkewwa and had two hours to finish the race to be ahead of us. From that second on, it was a countdown until the dream came true.”

For co-skipper and helmsman Christian Ripard, the race was tough mentally.

“There were a lot of tactical decisions constantly, and you had to make the right decisions especially as we were racing among a big fleet. The first night was very difficult as there were patches where there was no wind. The next morning we came out of it badly, so we had to spend the rest of the race in catch-up mode. But that gave us fuel not to slip up. Looking back, I think we did quite well. We pushed the boat as hard as she would go.”

Lee Satariano, owner and co-skipper Artie and Christian Ripard, co-skipper Artie. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Last year, Artie had come close to winning the Rolex Middle Sea Race – the crew had sailed in three days, 34 minutes and 15 seconds, (corrected time of four days, six hours, five minutes and 52 seconds) and won second overall, first Maltese Boat IRC and second Maltese Boat ORC. Following Artie’s victory in the 2011 Rolex Middle Sea race, the boat has now achieved international standing and is recognised at an international level, as competition against some of the world’s best maxi yachts.

“Winning the race against such a competitive fleet is just spectacular,” says Satariano. “We are so proud to have put our country on the map.”

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Christian Ripard, co-skipper Artie, RMYC Commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis and Lee Satariano, owner and co-skipper Artie. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

INTERVIEW

Second and third helpings The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a must-read chapter in every sailor’s life, says Pita Maha owner Renzo Grottesi. And you’ll keep coming back for more.

Pita Maha at the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo

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WINNERS

What first attracted you to sailing?

RENZO GROTTESI The sea has always been my passion since I was a young boy. Then I developed a growing passion for windsurfing – it was a passion which I spent many years practising and which took me to a lot of places around the world.

S What memories do you have of your first sailing trip?

RG I remember years ago, I went on holiday with my brother – we took a Grand Soleil 39 and sailed to neighbouring Croatia. It was such a wonderful experience that on my return home, I was ready to buy my first sailing boat.

S What pushed you to pursue sailing regattas?

RG I spent several years sailing in Italian waters and then, together with several friends, I entered the world of racing.

Racing gives me a great adrenaline rush, a passion so hard to describe, and a strong contact with nature.

S What does it mean to be the owner of Pita Maha?

RG The boat which I own and race, Pita Maha, is the boat that has given me the most beautiful feelings and experiences. I spend a lot of time on board Pita Maha, most of the time racing.

S As owner, what are your responsibilities on Pita Maha?

RG Being the owner of a boat is a very difficult role. There are a lot of responsibilities that go with the role, especially those concerning the safety of my crew – you just cannot leave anything to chance. Of course, I also get to enjoy beautiful moments – I just love the tranquillity on board and having the crew with me.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 17

INTERVIEW

S What have been your most memorable and frightening experiences at sea?

RG My most memorable sailing experience is also my most frightening. I was racing the 500 by two in 2010 – we had 40-knot winds and rough seas. The transition to Tremiti Island was especially difficult – but all’s well that ends well because in the end, despite a lot of boats retiring, we managed to come in third.

S How would you describe the Rolex Middle Sea Race?

“Racing gives me a great adrenaline rush, a passion so hard to describe, and a strong contact with nature.”

RG If you sail and never raced the Rolex Middle Sea Race, you are missing out on a great experience. It is a mandatory chapter in every sailor’s life and you’ll keep returning year after year.

S Are you satisfied with your race in this year’s RMSR? RG Last year we had to retire because of various problems, so this year we had to obtain a good result. We didn’t leave anything to chance. In several passages – Stromboli, Favignana, Pantelleria – we were among the leading boats. Maybe with a bit of luck we could have stayed there. But I’m very happy with the result and I must thank my crew as well as the Royal Malta Yacht Club for the organisation and warm hospitality.

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INTERVIEW

Esimit Europa 2 at the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

A good line-up Jochen Schümann, skipper of Esimit Europa 2, on taking the line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011.

When did you start sailing and what first attracted you to it?

taking care of me and the sailing team and driving us to the events together with other families.

JOCHEN SCHUMANN My family did not sail, so I didn’t inherit my passion for sailing from them. I started when I was in school with a leisure course on building boats and sailing. I was actually more interested in building boats rather than sailing because I did not know anything about it. I remember we had to build optimists first and then following summer we were ready to sail.

Now I have children myself, but they do not accompany me to the races. But that is understandable because, when I turned professional, sailing became a kind of work for me. When people ask me this question, I always ask them – does your wife accompany you to the office?

S Since you are abroad most of the year, how does your family support you? Are they coming to the races?

JS It has changed over the years. My parents were the first to support me,

20 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

It is the same for me. There are events which my wife attends, but this does not happen often. If you come here for a week or just a few days you are travelling on your own. If you have a campaign like the America’s Cup during which you have to move to other places for three or four years – like when I

Esimit Europa 2 taking the line honours at the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011. Photo by Rolex / Rene Rossignaud.

moved to Auckland, New Zealand, for example – then the family moves with me, similar to other jobs abroad.

S What pushed you to pursue sailing as a profession?

JS It slowly evolved over the years when I was a teenager. When I became successful, I started doing it professionally, that is, training purposefully and preparing certain goals and regattas so that you work professionally but you are still not a pro. As I became successful there were requests to sail with other boats and projects. I am also a sports teacher with a diploma – I studied Sports Management in order to work as skipper, sports manager and sailor in these projects.

Eventually, sailing became my profession. Initially I was only a sailor but during the years I am active now it became my profession. This is very uncommon in Germany. There are a lot of professionals in English speaking

areas, but in German speaking areas, sailing is more a kind of leisure sport rather than a highly qualified one. This is apparent in the fact that many Englishspeaking individuals occupy positions as boat captains and management positions.

S Apart from the Rolex Middle Sea Race, have you competed in other offshore races like Rolex Sydney Hobart, Rolex Fastnet Race or the Giraglia Rolex Cup? JS This year, we sailed the Giraglia Rolex Cup with Esimit Europa and won the line honours. In total we didn’t win because there was one race during which we “parked” all the time. In the end the winners were the small boats that had better wind conditions. In the past I also raced the Fastnet Race and other races.

With regards to the Sydney Hobart, I haven’t raced it and I don’t intend to do so as I am not too keen on sailing around the world. Moreover, I am not an offshore

sailor – I prefer to sail on inland lakes and short regattas around the buoys in order to be back home at night.

It is a big challenge to sail with Esimit because it is a very fast boat. The vision to sail as a European team is very up to date at the moment, and goes with the political and economic vision. We are a perfect ambassador for this vision and for promoting the idea of Europe.

S What was your motivation to take part in the Rolex Middle Sea Race?

JS I had never been to Malta before, neither for sailing nor for vacation.

So, it’s the first time for me to be here and it is really fascinating, although I didn’t have a lot of time to go around.

The different bays and the natural harbours of Malta are very interesting, as are the fascinating walls which you can see everywhere. I always wonder what is hidden behind these thick walls.

Valletta is a very interesting city and I am planning to come here again on vacation some time.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 21

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SAILING

S What would you describe as the greatest achievements in your life?

Winning the gold medals? Winning the America’s Cup? JS I’ve won three Olympic Gold Medals, one silver and two firsts in the America’s Cup – these are my career highlights, as well as multiple world and European championship titles.

However, in sports success doesn’t last long – when I line up for a challenge, everything else is just very far behind.

I usually don’t look back but I like to think back to the great time we had when someone asks me.

S What fascinates you about sailing?

JS Sailing is so diversified – you sail with different people, different boats, the weather changes, there are so many different facets which you actually can’t describe. You just have to sail and experience sailing. This

is something I always recommend people who are interested in sailing and who want to know what is special about sailing. They just have to experience it. And there are so many possibilities to take part and to see whether you like it and if you like you can pursue it and might even become a sailor. I like sailing as much as I did 40 years ago and there is no reason to change that as long as I still like it.

S After having had such a successful career how do you motivate yourself for new projects like Esimit Europa?

JS It is just fun and it’s also fun to win, that’s why you put effort in it and try to be perfectly prepared and implement things perfectly. You will only be successful if you handle it like this.

S What are your future plans? What else do you want to achieve in your sailing career or in your life?

JS I am sailing with the All4One Team in the Audi Med Cup – we are called Audi Sailing Team powered by All4One. We are sailing with them for another two years in the AudiMedCup, which is in my opinion the best regatta service on monohulls, as it is a very well organised, well known, high-class circuit.

I will also continue sailing with Esimit Europa – we will try to strengthen our team and make it become even more European. We do not have English or Scandinavian sailors – we will see to get a few new young sailors. In our last event, we sailed with a second young German and a Russian in order to find out who fits into our team and we will keep on doing this with other sailors from other nationalities.

My third project concerns sailing on a wally and there we can also be found on several sailing events throughout the whole year. This is a lot of sailing, but only this keeps us fit and fresh.

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SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 25

RACING

The leftover crew

A last-minute, spontaneous campaign saw Team Jaru prepare for the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011 just two days before the start.

Jamie Sammut survived to tell the tale.

Rolex / Kurt Arrigo

S

unday, October 16 started like most others, until Commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis messaged me with news of trouble at the Royal Malta Yacht Club pontoons. I thundered down to the club to find mayhem – a 30kt NE bringing with it a building swell. With a number of Rolex Middle Sea Race boats already in place, the priority was the safety of crews, boats and our new pontoons.

The last thing on my mind at the end of that day was taking part in the 2011 edition of the RMSR. I could never have imagined what the next few days would bring.

MonDAy Five days to start We started the clean up and repairing the damage

26 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

the storm caused to the pontoons. The club was alive with activity, albeit not the normal activity expected before a race. Cranes, welders, trucks all positioned around the club. Calm and contained sailors were replaced with bare-chested welders with plumbers’ bums out. We didn’t care what they looked like, as long as they repaired the pontoons. With more boats arriving, the hype was building, my feet were starting to itch and my thoughts turned to the race.

Standing on the roof of the club house with Matthew Fiorini Lowell – unusual for us both not be racing this year – the conversation turned from broken pontoons to the race.

“Shall we do this race?”

All Maltese boats had crews and foreign entries were all sorted – there wasn’t really any chance for either of us to find a ride. Then a quick pause.

“What about Jaru, Andrew Calascione’s J-133?”

Out came the phone.

“Andrew, why are you not doing the RMSR? Let’s race.”

A very swift, “No, giving it a miss this year,” was delivered and that was that. At least I tried and it seemed both Matthew and I were staying on the rock this year.

TUESDAy

Sebastian, Andrew’s nephew.

“Let me speak to him – maybe I can twist his arm.”

With Seb’s backing and with a new boost of hope, I started calling up possible crew. Matthew and Seb were in. But three wasn’t a good number. Seb called me back in the evening and said Andrew had given him quite a few good reasons why he was not doing the race.

WEDnESDAy Three days to start Coastal Race day. Pontoons going back in the water. And the sun is out. Yet still no hope of racing.

Four days to start Not taking Andrew’s “No” lying down, I called

I called Darius, one of Andrew’s regular crew, to see if he could convince him.

THURSDAy Two days to start Crew meeting on board.

Overnight, John Ripard, Andrew’s brother-in-law, was contacted while overseas and informed he was taking part. His resistance was futile. Seb called Sean Borg, a great young bowman, and Andrew called in the services of another seasoned RMSR veteran, Matthew Degiorgio.

Now the crew was in place but the boat looked like it was set up for a weekend break in Comino. Not a racing sail in sight, furlers, cruising sails, anchor winches, bow rollers, loads of cruising comforts and more pots and pans than my mother’s kitchen, all had to go.

He was actually on the water in a press boat with Gordon following the Coastal Race – both these guys could be possible crew members since they were not taking part.

“Can you call Andrew and convince him to do the race.

Oh and you guys are coming too.”

With the wind in the background, all I could hear was, “You must be mad. It’s Wednesday!”

Reunited at the club an hour later, Matthew, Seb, Darius, Gordon and I were all in so Andrew didn’t not have much choice at this point. Darius and Andrew have done many RMSR races together, so if anyone could rekindle those magical moments, some sweet talk from Darius was all that was needed. A brief call from Darius, “Andrew is on his way to the club.” We have five minutes to make a plan.

Andrew arrived at the club to be bombarded by what was like a barrage of excited kids all jumping around him to get the go ahead and race his boat. Georges then came out and congratulated Andrew.

“Better late than never Drew, I just entered Jaru.”

Finally Andrew managed to get a word in and calmly said “Well, if we are going to do this, just get cracking and make a list of what needs to be done. I don’t have time to help with anything, and you guys are nuts.”

We had two days to prepare for a race that normally takes a whole year of preparation.

Although half the crew never sailed on this boat before, having all sailed with one another many times before and with some 60 Rolex Middle Sea Races between us, there was no need to prepare and practise, right? We were soon to find out.

Matthew rolled up his sleeves and emptied the boat in a few hours and covered the pontoon with these and other items Andrew didn’t even know he had. I went off to look for the racing sails at Andrew’s house, Darius took care of looking after safety. Seb and Sean got into sorting the boat’s hardware and Gordon had the most important role – food.

We were still far from being close to ready.

FRiDAy one day to start Scrutineering was carried out at 10:00am. Andrew, as charming as ever, had to be present. We passed with flying colours. Now we were officially eligible to race.

With works continuing, food being loaded and an ever growing to do list getting longer instead of shorter, we were faced with the challenge of getting the boat ready in less that 24 hours.

Some of us managed to go

for a very short sail in the evening and returned to confirm that we were far from ready to sail and that we only had one decent chute. In true sportmanship fashion, Sonke Stein, who owns an identical boat, offered us a spare sail.

We worked on into the night, but some things just could not be ready in time. We just knew we had to get to the start line and then it would all fall into place. Or maybe fall apart.

SATURDAy Start We planned to meet at 8:30am on board, yet by 9:00am only Gordon and Darius were there. Last minute items for the rest of us. Printing off last minute weather forecasts, buying some Musto socks – you know the score.

At 10:00am we were still on the dock. At 10:45, we slipped the line and were off for the start line to see the competition in full glory. Now we knew what we were up against.

At 11:00am our gun goes and we’re off, albeit with a lot of confusion on board. We quickly settled down and sailed to the first mark. Drop the chute, harden up and point our bow straight to Capo Passero.

So much is said and done on a RMSR that you just cannot ever recount a fraction of it.

What we do know is that we went into the race knowing we had a good boat, a great crew and weather which could give us a chance at a good overall result. Getting to sail as a team did take a while and mistakes were made. We were far from a well oiled crew but the mechanics were getting there and the cobwebs were literally being shaken off with every mile we sailed.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 27

RACING We were on a race and the boat and crew need to be pushed hard all the time.

If your body weight was not positioned perfectly to the millimetre, Matthew was quick to point that out and if Seb didn’t hear a winch grinding at all times, he would be up on deck to see why, glaring at the watch deep into their eyes to see why the sails were not constantly perfectly trimmed every nanosecond.

Go hard or go home was the order of the day, and the next day and the next day and the next day, until we crossed the finish line.

John on the other hand was a lot easier going. Maybe letting his son Seb make the calls allowed him to be more relaxed and able to concentrate on making the boat go fast. Just give him a homemade pie with loads of seeds in it and he’s over the moon. For him, freeze dried food is evil and he refuses to feed his crew such a substance. He believes that if his crew are fed well, they will work harder.

Andrew, the poor guy we hassled for days, was still perplexed.

His pride and joy had been taken over by a bunch of hooligans and as always took over the role of finding the best

weather and the fastest way around the course. Without the time to analyse or prepare anything he seemed to be stuck to his iPad for hours on end trying to get a web connection. Our weather man was feeding infrequent forecasts that we had often sailed through after we got the info. His spectacles made a welcome sight on deck during the night sessions and his precise driving made up for unusual preparation he lacked.

Matthew was in his element.

Sailing with John and Andrew, people who had taught him how to sail, he felt right at home at home. Never a dull moment with him around, and his eagerness and comments never stopped. Even when off watch, he keeps on going despite nursing severe burns to his feet and legs which he obtained only a few days prior to the race.

Gordon, the food man, kept coming out with a great variety of dishes – he cooked and watered the lot of us, day and night. His only downfall was when he refused to cook a fresh dish of pasta as we were entering the Comino channel. “No way guys, we are racing!” The second someone else offered to cook, Gordon took offence and was in the galley. Minutes later he presented the last great final hot meal of the race to all on deck.

Darius has been absent from the Rolex Middle Sea Race for over five years now. His excuse of being busy with work failed short of the mark this year and we managed to get him on board, together with his boss so no excuses this time. He quickly found his sea legs again and worked different positions around the boat.

Sean, our youngest crew member, was a rockstar

and ran the bow without a single hitch despite having a hangover that seemed to last three days. Everything was thrown at him, the sail changes just got more and more complicated, having to work with only one spihalyard after losing one coming through the Strait of Messina, and a Code Zero which never cooperated, was tougher than plywood, and once up was a huge dilemma to get back down.

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For more information, contact Dock Shop on Tel: 2134 0566, e-mail kate@dockshopmalta.com or call in at 112, Ponsonby Street, Gzira.

28 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 29

RACING

Matthew Degiorgio, the eldest of our crew, was fantastic.

Providing us with great chit chat on the rail, the man has a side to him which brings us all down to earth. I learnt more from him in one shift than a whole year in senior school.

MISSING SOMETHING?

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As for me, the crew had many comments to make. I was called so many names I almost felt like a bullied school boy.

Their perception changed pretty quickly when the Code Zero was up in 20 knots and brute force was needed to control this powerful sail. Now I was the man they needed – but despite saving the day the nicknames just kept coming.

After making a tactical blunder the first night, by Stromboli we had caught up with our class rivals. By then, the crew work and maneuvers were getting smoother all the time. We were all falling into the routine of less sleep and finding our positions on the boat. After some sketchy updates of results, our positioning was exciting and continued to push for the overall victory.

However, we just could not pull away enough from the eventual overall winner Artie. A last leg gamble didn’t pay off but we luckily maintained our position and finished an incredible first in class and fourth overall.

Jaru Boat owner: Andrew Calascione / John Ripard Boat skipper: Andrew Calascione / John Ripard Crew: Sebastian Ripard - Darius Goodwin - Sean Borg - Gordon Bugeja Jamie Sammut - Matthew Fiorini Lowell

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www.atozyachtneeds.com 30 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

B O AT S H O W S

What a show

Spinnaker reviews three of the world’s most prestigious boat shows.

Grand Pavois 2011 Photos by Gilles Delacuvellerie and Jean Michel Rieupeyrout.

The Grand Pavois International in-water boat show was held in the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle. In the six days of the show, more than 850 exhibitors displayed 300 boats on the water and 700 boats in the boat show. More than 94,000 people visited the show, which also hosted the City of Varna, Bulgaria, as Guest of Honour Country.

The Grand Pavois also exhibited two generations of mini 6.50. Claude Harlé displayed the Muscadet Juliénas with which she took part in the Mini Transat (now called The CharenteMaritime/Bahia Transat 6.50) in 1987. Very involved in the world of races, Harlé has been supporting the minis for nearly 40 years.

The new layout of the boat show obtained unanimous agreement from the exhibitors and the visitors. Spaces were optimised and streamlined, while the flow of visitors was improved.

In the events pontoon, the Yacht Club Classique La Rochelle, one of the Grand Pavois partners, displayed six boats.

Throughout six years of existence and after a decade of close collaboration with the Maritime Museum of La Rochelle, the Yacht Club Classique now has 300 members and over 200 classic yachts.

A number of spectacular events were also held at the show, including the christening of the 60-foot Macif, skippered by François Gabart, QOVOP adventures around the world, and prestigious boats displayed by the Yacht Club Classic La Rochelle, and a flashback on Anne Quéméré’s Transpacific – Quéméré spent 77 days at sea as she sailed from Lima to Peru and French Polynesia on board a small boat, towed by a six-metre kite.

32 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

The Grand Pavois 2011 was ample proof that, despite the difficult economic situation, the fact remains that French people still sail. In France, pleasure boating gathers around nine million occasional boaters, five million regular sailors and more than 500,000 motorboats and sailboats.

Genoa International Boat Show The Genoa International Boat Show is one of the leading and most complete boat shows in the world.

The 51st edition was opened by the Italian Minister for Transport and Infrastructures, Altero Matteoli and welcomed more than 226,000 visitors.

According to Sara Armella, President of Fiera di Genova SpA, the “Genoa Boat Show has confirmed its great attractiveness and remains one of the leading boat shows in the world thanks to its outstanding quality and incredibly wide offer.

“We believe that the drop in the number of visitors – which we expected and can be considered quite a natural phenomenon – has been compensated for by a series of new features that were immediately appreciated by both the exhibitors and the public.

I am referring to, for example, the evening opening on the first day, the GenovaInBlu programme, a generally better coordination with the city as a whole, the increase in sports-educational activities for children, and the addition of sections and initiatives aimed at raising the public’s awareness, like the exhibition on the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy.”

“In the light of the current market situation, the presence of 1,300 exhibitors represents an exceptional result, which has exceeded our expectations and has driven away any fears we might have on the eve of the boat show,” said Anton Francesco Albertoni, President of UCINAConfindustria Nautica.

The 51st edition also attracted many VIPs from the Italian show business, sports champions, and representatives of various sports federations, as well as the very special crew of the I love Barolo sailing boat that promoted the 7 Mosse per l’Italia project.

Navigar m’è dolce, the final stage of a programme including one hundred events promoted by UCINA to spread sea culture, involved almost 3,000 people during the nine days of the boat show. Most of the participants were children and teenagers. Moreover, 11 Italian Sailing Federation instructors and several Genoa Aquarium biologists and Rescue Association operators formed a fantastic team that managed to involve a huge number of people, proving once more the boat show’s vital role in attracting the public towards sea culture and sea sports.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 33

B O AT S H O W S

2011 PSP Southampton Boat Show The 2011 edition confirmed the PSP Southampton Boat Show as an exceptional showcase for the marine industry.

The purpose built marina, which boasts over two kilometres of pontoons, displayed more than 350 boats and in the 10 days of the show, welcomed more than 110,000 visitors to the over 580 exhibitor stalls and experienced activities on and off the water. During the show, there were also 11 world product and boat launches, as well as numerous UK and European debuts.

Visitor feedback was also very positive, which reflects that the show offers the ideal mix of products, features and activities. 2011 introduced an array of brand new attractions including the Great British Oyster Festival in association with The Shellfish Association of Great Britain, Michelin star celebrity Chef Shaun Rankin demonstrating in the Sea Kitchen Theatre along with show favourites try-a-dive and try-a-boat.

The impressive HMS Bulwark, the UK’s newest class of amphibious assault warship, made an appearance and welcomed almost 8,000 visitors aboard.

“The new elements to the show, as well as great show

highlights, have left 2011 on a high in a time of continuing and extremely challenging economic conditions. The atmosphere and dedication by all those involved is unparallel and something to certainly be proud of,” said Murray Ellis, Managing Director of National Boat Shows.

David Pougher, Chairman of National Boat Shows added that, “Business has been done here at the PSP Southampton Boat Show with steady sales across the range of boats, equipment and services on display. While many exhibitors may not have broken any records, visitors have certainly been buying at a level to what they can afford. The marine industry is experiencing the same challenges as many other industries within the current climate and by providing the best possible platform the show has given marine companies a much needed boost.

“Following the success of this year’s PSP Southampton Boat Show, we look forward to working towards an even more impressive show in London on January 6-15, 2012. The positive feedback from visitors and exhibitors alike gives us the drive to ensure the 2012 Tullett Prebon London Boat Show is an unmissable event,” Mr Pougher added.

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34 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

RACE REPORT

Co-skippers of Artie and crew receive a Rolex timepiece and the Rolex Middle Sea Race Trophy.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Riders to the sea

From rough seas and calm winds to spectacular scenery and a nail-biting finale, the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011 had it all.

P

utting an end to the drought of Maltese winners, the J/122 Artie, co-skippered by Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard, was named the overall winner of the 2011 Rolex Middle Sea Race. Artie completed the 606-nautical mile course in an elapsed time of four days, four hours, 22 minutes, 54 seconds. The last time a local boat won this ocean classic was in 2002 when the 35-footer Market Wizard took top honours.

Med Spirit (FRA) at the RMSR 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

36 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

This year’s race once again proved it could be a small boat affair with the top three boats – Artie, AOC Rockall (the German Corby 36) and Otra Vez (another Maltese J/122) – all under 40 feet. Since 2002 half of the overall winners have been drawn from competitive maxi and mini-maxis including Rambler, Morning Glory, Nokia, Alegre, and Atalanta II, all ranging in size from 65 to 90 feet in length and suggesting a big boat bias.

Artie has redressed the balance a little.

Lee Satariano and Christian Ripard on board Artie (MLT), winner of the RMSR 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Jaru (GBR) at the RMSR 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Title Class 4 pre-start manoeuvres at the RMSR 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

After finishing second overall in 2006 and 2010, owner Lee Satariano was clearly pleased with his first overall win.

“It’s a moment to enjoy – it is a dream come true. Since 2002 the fleet has grown bigger and the competition is tremendous.

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a beautiful track. The race is one you can never forget –every year something challenges you to go back out and enjoy the race,” he said.

Satariano was quick to credit Ripard and the rest of his crew.

“They have been preparing the boat the whole year and have been dedicated to the local races. The preparation for this race was even more intense – a lot of effort went into optimising the boat and sails. During the race the crew worked round the clock. Sometimes there were five to seven sail changes in 10 minutes – they worked fast and in any conditions. It was very nice for them to do so well in such a race.”

Alegre (GBR) at the RMSR 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

As to what made this year’s race unique, aside from the obvious winning, he added that, “Every corner had something we weren’t expecting – you were expecting one thing and then obviously facing different winds, rain, different directions, but it was totally exciting.”

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 37

RACE REPORT

The only mishap the crew of Artie experienced was during the first night off the southeast coast of Sicily, when they realised there was a problem in accessing the race tracker, a glitch they never resolved.

Alegre (GBR) passing Stromboli.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Ran (GBR) getting to the finish line. Photo

by Rolex / Rene Rossignaud.

38 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

“But psychologically it let us get on with the job and I think it helped. We could see our closest rivals, so we had motivation to keep the boat moving,� he said.

Class 4 after start. Photo

by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Nikata (GBR) at the RMSR 2011. Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Moon Shine (ITA) at the RMSR 2011. Photo

by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

Co-skipper and helmsman Christian Ripard said that, “It was tough mentally. There were a lot of tactical decisions constantly, and you had to make the right decisions. The first night was very difficult as there were patches of no wind. The next morning we came out of it badly, so we spent the rest of the race in catch-up mode. But that gave us fuel not to slip up.

Looking back, I think we did quite well. We pushed the boat as hard as she’d go.”

Beside Ripard and Satariano, Artie’s eight-man crew includes three 20-year olds.

Coral (RUS) in the Coastal Race, RMSR 2011.

Photo by Rolex / Kurt Arrigo.

“It proves the Maltese sailors may not be ’rock star’ professionals, but they can deliver and muck in with the best.

This race wasn’t a fluke – last year we pressed hard and we went back and proved the boys could do it,” said Ripard.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 39

NEWS

Sailing around the world

The nominees from left: Lorenzo Bressani (ITA), Anna Tunnicliffe (USA), Sarah-Quita Offringa (ARU), Rob Douglas (USA), Dee Caffari (GBR). Photo by: Rolex / Daniel Forster.

2011 iSAF Rolex World Sailors of the year A young fan Royal Malta Yacht Club Commodore Georges Bonello DuPuis received a charming letter of thanks from eightyear-old William Catto, who was in Malta for the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2011.

ISAF and Rolex are proud to announce that the male and female winners of the 2011 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Awards are Iker Martínez and Xabier Fernández (ESP) and Anna Tunnicliffe (USA).The two-man crew of Iker Martínez and Xabier Fernández were unable to attend the awards ceremony in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fittingly, they are currently at sea competing for Team Telefónica in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race from Alicante, Spain to Cape Town, South Africa. The Spanish duo have won the award 11 years after the first of their three nominations. Through a video feed recorded on the Team Telefónica boat, the pair confirmed that they will be celebrating this prestigious achievement despite the immediate distractions of an ocean race.

The letter reads: “Dear Commodore Bonello DuPuis.

Thank you very much for exchanging burgees with me on behalf of the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. We have given the RMYC burgee to the commodore here and it will be hung in the main lobby of the club house.

I really enjoyed the Rolex Middle Sea Race and am looking forward to coming back to the yacht club soon.”

United States athlete Anna Tunnicliffe was one of five nominees present at the ceremony, held in the impressive Cuartel de Ballaja. It is the second time that the ISAF Sailing World Cup champion in Women’s Match Racing has been awarded the honour, having previously achieved the recognition in 2009. An emotional Tunnicliffe was presented with the ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Trophy and Rolex timepiece.

The ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award is the highest award a sailor can receive in recognition of outstanding achievements. The awards are presented annually based on a worldwide selection process that incorporates an open invitation for nominations, followed by a vote amongst the over 130 member nations of the International Sailing Federation.

Fashion in the capital Sunlab announces the opening of a new flagship store in Republic Street, Valletta in conjunction with Kind’s.

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40 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

An absorbing race in the frame Boxing Day is normally a day of rest. Not so the crews of the 93 yachts currently aiming to be on the start line of the 67th Rolex Sydney Hobart. With 628 nautical miles ahead of them, the notorious Bass Strait ‘Paddock’, and a rendezvous with ‘a quiet little drink’ in Hobart, they have plenty to do and to think about.

According to Garry Linacre, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the organising authority for the contest, “This year’s race has attracted a great group of yachts with an exciting mix of brand new, recently acquired and well established boats that will provide strong competition for line honours and through the divisions. The race for the elusive Tattersall’s Cup for overall honours will again be absorbing.” All Australian states are represented on the entry list, and six international entries will sail for France, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.

The newest yacht in the race is likely to be the Ker 40 AFR Midnight Rambler (AUS), launched in September and co-owned by Ed Psaltis, Bob Thomas and Michael Bencsik.

Psaltis and Thomas are best remembered in the context of the race as having won overall the infamous 1998 edition, on a previous iteration of AFR Midnight Rambler. By contrast the oldest yacht is the 79-year old nine-metre Maluka of Kermandie (AUS), skippered

by Sean Langman. Langman is one of the race’s current crop of true characters. Unlike Psaltis and Thomas, he may not have won the race overall, or taken line honours. But he entertains with his entries and tries as hard as any to realise the dream. In 2002, Langman defied conventional wisdom in bringing his 66 foot ‘skiff on steroids’, Grundig, home safely and in the second fastest time ahead of several larger maxi yachts.

Wild Oats XI, the Reichel Pugh designed canting keeler, which set the current course record holder of one day 18 hours 40 minutes 10 seconds in 2005, is aiming for a sixth line honours

Also on the Investec roster is the American navigator, Stan Honey. A Volvo Ocean Race winner, Honey has raced on many of the sailing world’s recent winning and recordbreaking projects. Almost oddly, he has only attempted the Rolex Sydney Hobart once before in 2006. Honey is not the only American to be racing this year. Rives Potts’ 48-foot Carina (USA) is making the pilgrimage from the east coast of the USA via the 2011 Transatlantic Race, the Rolex Fastnet and a few places in between.

Jazz. Remarkably for such a seasoned campaigner, well-known in the northern hemisphere, Bull has not yet managed to win one of the big 600-mile offshore races, helping show how remarkable are the achievements of those that do. Bull has come mighty close. At last year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart he comfortably won his class, but was ousted from pole position for the main prize

by Geoff Boettcher’s Secret Men’s Business 3.5. The second time this has happened in this race. He hopes to go one better this year. The Jazz crew comprises a number of foreign nationals aiming to help him in this goal. Amongst them is Maltese sailing-legend Christian Ripard. Ripard is another coming to race with form and ambition, and, may prove the lucky charm Bull needs. In October, Ripard won the 606-nautical mile Rolex Middle Sea Race having finished second in the 2010 edition. Ripard was in Bull’s crew in the Rolex Sydney Hobart last year.

Another yacht participating this year with half an eye on the main prize is Chris Bull’s

The 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart starts from Sydney Harbour at 13.00 AEDT on December 26.

win from seven starts. Up against her is Anthony Bell’s similar-sized Investec Loyal.

What Investec Loyal lacks in winning pedigree compared to Wild Oats, she makes up for with an eclectic crew that accommodates some of the world’s best sailors and a number of Australian sporting celebrities, including the two-time Rugby World Cup winner Phil Kearns and former world title boxer Danny Green.

SPINNAKER / Issue 27 - 41

R E G AT TA

It was ‘another time’ in Gozo Constantly changing conditions and close racing added miles of excitement to the IIG Autumn Gozo Regatta, says Martin Meachen, crew member of the Otra Vez.

T

he infamously scary Grigale windy and wet forecast did not deter the 12 yachts that lined up for starters orders one Friday afternoon for the Autumn Gozo Regatta, organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and sponsored by IIG Bank.

The Force 6 Grigale forecast never materialised – still, a remnant heavy swell with a gusty 20-knot Easterly breeze greeted the fleet in the mouth of M’Xett Harbour for an exciting start.

The cruiser fleet led the assault with Amica, comfortably in its element, leading the way to secure its first bullet of the weekend.

Our very own Commodore, who was just as comfortable in his element, followed, behind the wheel of the RMYC’s latest hot arrival, Otra Vez, fresh from its remarkable third overall placing in the Rolex Middle Sea Race, and firing on all fours to secure its first bullet.

It was a fast, full on race with shoots up for the latter half as the breeze backed, in difficult conditions, especially for the trimmers and grinders.

David Attenborough would have been proud to capture the rare moment of Captain Bligh’s gestures.

42 - SPINNAKER / Issue 27

The boys on Moondance, with some older red skin help, claimed their first bullet in IRC 2. The urgency with which the boats rushed to Mgarr harbour may have been the result of the ever popular “Happy Hour” at Gleneagles, which had to be postponed to a later hour due the adventures of Harry, which fouled a trailing Guy in its prop and caught no joy.

On the second day, again the strong SE breeze forecasted never came, but we were blessed with ideal racing conditions, with the cruisers getting around Comino and the racers having a dash of fish farms in the mix. Very close racing ensued, with Juno opting for a short-cut – this caused frenzy on board Otra Vez and Elusive 2 as they desperately searched for something red to fly in protest.

I leave it to your imagination to wonder what was actually flown, but a good source indicated that the Commodore raced commando in the third race, with Otra Vez, Moondance and DU4 sharing the spoils in their respective classes.

In order to play by the book, the bridge opted to shorten the course for the third race to satisfy time limits, which nearly discounted the second race

with five seconds to spare.

Some more close racing ensued with Juno, Harry and Amica dominating their class. Then, as black clouds loomed, it was a rush back to the Mgarr marina to tie up and watch the footie as the skies opened up in a deluge.

On the third day, it was all up for grabs in all three classes. A fickle breeze was to determine the outcome as crews battled the everchanging wind strength and direction in the very flukey conditions. Boats parked as others passed by, to apparent anguish, with Jonathan on DU4 threatening hara-kiri and screaming “Why me?” as Otra Vez drifted past with all its crew sporting menacing grins.

Otra Vez was to repeat this phenomenon, this time in M’Xett harbour just metres from the finish, at the expense of Mr Podesta, who was not amused. However, Elusive 2 recovered to claim the line as Otra Vez opted to ram what’s left of the club pontoons.

Otra Vez claimed its third bullet, winning the IRC 1 racing class, while Moondance claimed its third bullet and secured the IRC 2 class. Amica crossed the line as the sun set

in the west but its two bullets and a second secured the cruiser class nonetheless.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend with a mixture of conditions and very close racing. The prize giving was held just after the conclusion of the fourth race at the club, where the trophies and other generous prizes were presented to the class winners by representatives of IIG Bank, sponsors of this years IIG Autumn Gozo Regatta.

Full results IRC Class 1 First - Otra Vez Second - Juno

IRC Class 2 First - Moondance Second - Harry

Cruiser Class First - Amica Second - DU4 Third -Misty Blue

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