For this second day, riders completed a lap around Tintamarre island, a qualifying race for the last race of around the island taking place on Sunday…
Monthly archives for December, 2021
damn that looks cold
Sunday
Dec 12
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 12
2021
Posted by deleteme
Friend Peter Huston took this amazing shot from today: This is the Point Abino lighthouse, north shore of Lake Erie, 10 miles west of Buffalo, NY. Here is the same shot, taken only three hours earlier! That is one helluva lot of water movement!
Star Southern Hemisphere Championship day 3
Sunday
Dec 12
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 12
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Day Three of the 2021 Star Southern Hemisphere Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is in the books with another two fair races on the Rio de Plata for the 25 teams attending the event…
18ft Skiff NSW Championship in Sydney race 4
Sunday
Dec 12
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 12
2021
Posted by XS Editor
The defending champion Tech2 team of Jack Macartney, Charlie Wyatt and Lewis Brake produced a brilliant finishing burst to grab a last-minute victory in Race 4 of the 2021-2022 NSW 18ft Skiff Championship on Sydney Harbour today…
America’s Cup: Dunphy vs Dalts
Sunday
Dec 12
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 12
2021
Posted by XS Editor
When I first read the ETNZ media release that accompanied Grant Dalton’s address at the annual meeting of the RNZYS, the thought that sprang to mind (and to misquote William Shakespeare) was: “Methinks thou dost protest too much.”
Star Southern Hemisphere Championship day 2
Saturday
Dec 11
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 11
2021
Posted by XS Editor
A long wait for the 25 teams attending the Southern Hemisphere in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Day Two. The wind came in later than expected from East/South-East and the first warning signal was only blown with about 10 knots at 14.30 local time…
Caribbean Foiling Championships day 1
Saturday
Dec 11
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 11
2021
Posted by XS Editor
This Friday, December 10 marked the first day of the 2021 Caribbean Foiling Championships in Orient Bay. This is the second edition of these long-awaited watersports championships, postponed due to Covid…
A Game Changer
Friday
Dec 10
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 10
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Men’s 49er Olympic Champion Dylan Fletcher and Mike Lennon, CEO of Lennon Sails, took to the water in their Moths to try out the latest wireless load sensor from Cyclops Marine, paired with the Sailmon MAX display..
Star Southern Hemisphere Championship day 1
Friday
Dec 10
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 10
2021
Posted by XS Editor
A beautiful day in Buenos Aires welcomed the 25 teams gathered on Rio de la Plata from the main South American countries to attend the 2021 Star Southern Hemisphere Championship…
Reefing Downwind
Friday
Dec 10
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 10
2021
Posted by deleteme
We’re broad reaching with two reefs already in the main and the breeze rapidly building. We’ve already seen gusts in the upper 20s and a few above 30 knots. A third reef is clearly needed, but luffing up to depower the mainsail will see the apparent wind spike from the low 20s to the mid 30s. What’s the best option?
At this point, a captain is likely to fall into one of two camps. Some will say rounding up is unavoidable—you need to reef and therefore have to bring the apparent wind forward of the beam. Others will tell you to keep sailing downwind, minimizing the apparent wind strength, and reef with the wind aft. Which is correct?
I’m firmly in the latter camp. For a start, avoiding wildly flogging canvas is kinder to the boat. Just as important, turning broadside onto the waves or bringing them forward of the beam will also be uncomfortable for the crew and is liable to fire-hose everyone with spray. This in turn can lead to cold, seasickness, tiredness and other related problems.
Never forget, the power of the wind increases with the square of windspeed. Therefore sailing at 6 knots on a dead run in 20 knots of true wind and then rounding up with the wind 60 degrees off the bow sees the force of the wind experienced by the boat increase by a factor of more than 2.5…
Nautor Group says no to boot Düsseldorf
Friday
Dec 10
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 10
2021
Posted by XS Editor
After forced to cancel in 2021, the world’s leading water sports trade fair was committed to hold the 2022 boot Düsseldorf on January 22-30., but exhibitors are becoming less committed as the pandemic gains new traction in Düsseldorf, Germany. Here’s a message from Nautor Group CEO Giovanni Pomati:
BOOT Düsseldorf represents a very important event for us at Nautor. It’s the occasion for us to start the New Year with our clients and existing Owners, as well as meet new passionate sailors.
BOOT Düsseldorf is one of our most important shows and the biggest indoor event where the industry showcase is awe-inspiring, the atmosphere is brilliant and where a high profile audience gather together to visit the latest projects and innovations.
It’s an unmissable occasion to connect with the international nautical world and to learn about all that is new in the industry…
Eight Bells: Ross Cameron
Thursday
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Ross Cameron, who has competed, supported and organized sailing in the Kingston, Ontario area for more than 65 years, died on December 5, 2021. He was 78.
Cameron, who began sailing off Toronto Island as a boy, moved to Kingston in 1967 to become an elementary school teacher. Since that time, Cameron has been a fixture on Kingston waters, first as a sailor, then as a volunteer and then as race director of Canadian Olympic-training Regatta, Kingston (CORK).
Cameron has sat on the Kingston Yacht Club’s board since 1979 and has also served as CORK’s chairman from 1985 to 2003, and would be named CORK’s Volunteer of the Year in 2005. He also started the CORK Youth Festival, which drew more than 500 16- to 19-year-old novice sailors to this end of Lake Ontario every year…
ORC Double Handed Worlds in 2022
Thursday
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
The first ever ORC Double Handed World Championship will be in 2022 when Royal Swedish Yacht Club hosts the event July 3-7 in Stockholm, Sweden. The championship is a part of the Gotland Runt – the world´s largest annual offshore race which has been organized by the Royal Swedish Yacht Club since 1937 and is regarded as the season’s highlight in offshore sailing in the Baltic. – Full report
double up
Thursday
Dec 09
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 09
2021
Posted by deleteme
Straight from the PR machine, this seems like a really good idea. We can see doublehanded sailing really take off. One problem being that you kind of need a boat designed and built for this, which equals expensive, which equals what do I do with my old boat, which equals do I really want to do this? Life is hard.
Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) will host the first-ever ORC Double Handed World Championship in July 2022. With the start in the middle of Stockholm and an intricate navigation race through the archipelago before reaching the open sea, and sailing around the island of Gotland it will be a true challenge for the competitors…
eggcelent
Thursday
Dec 09
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 09
2021
Posted by deleteme
Not a new story, but one that we just ran across. Pretty amazing, actually. Does anybody know the whereabouts of the chicken these days?
When 21-year-old Frenchman Guirec Soudée set off in his rusty 30-foot sailing boat in 2014, he had little sailing experience and no communication equipment.
He was also totally alone onboard. Or at least he was… until he came across a Rhode Island Red hen. “I met Monique and we fell in love,” he says. She was to become his confidante and best friend during a five-year trip around the world.
Monique was quick to gain her sea legs, and when the pair arrived in the Caribbean, he decided he’d teach her how to swim. It wasn’t hard to persuade his feathered friend to enter the sea with him, because like a dog she followed him everywhere. So when Monique had mastered swimming – the chicken enjoyed tagging along on his surfboard, and his windsurf board…
Introducing the Sailmon MAX
Thursday
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Traditionally, dinghy sailing has been all about feel and experience, but now sailors are able to improve their performance by seeing exactly what their strengths are and where they can make improvements, thanks to sailing GPS computers…
America’s Cup sailors wing foiling at Tarifa
Thursday
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Professional America’s Cup, Sail GP & Olympic sailors Pete Burling, Nathan Outteridge and Blair Tuke, explore Tarifa (Spain) between Sail GP events…
SailGP Takes the Stage
Wednesday
Dec 08
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 08
2021
Posted by deleteme
Many have tried, but virtually all have failed and none have sustained. Now, finally, there is one circuit that might just have hit on a formula to make sailboat racing a mainstream sport. This means not just a one-hit wonder held every few years, but a series with mass appeal that can maintain and build an audience via an annual circuit of repeated events, just like motor racing’s Formula 1 or sports like golf and tennis.
Well on its way to achieving this is SailGP (sailgp.com). Unquestionably, it helps that it is bankrolled by one of America’s richest men, Larry Ellison, and masterminded and executed by one of the world’s most accomplished sailors/pioneers, Russell Coutts. But there’s no denying the thing itself has serious legs.
SailGP has been in Coutts’ mind for years. In 2007 he and Paul Cayard announced the World Sailing Series—a prize-money driven circuit for 70ft catamarans that never came to fruition. Since joining forces with Ellison, he also delivered in the 34th and 35th America’s Cups, held in AC72 catamarans on San Francisco Bay and four years later in AC50s in Bermuda. With these events, though, Coutts and Ellison were shackled by the constraints of the America’s Cup Deed of Gift and intervention by third parties such as the Challenger of Record. With SailGP, they could design a circuit all their own from the bottom up…
18ft Skiffs: John ‘Steamer’ Stanley
Wednesday
Dec 08
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 08
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Since the birth of the 18 footer class on Sydney Harbour in January 1892, there has been an incredible number of stories about the competitors, the clubs, the rules, the boats, supporters and sponsors during the following 130 years…
Marstrand to host 49er Short Track Worlds
Wednesday
Dec 08
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 08
2021
Posted by XS Editor
The Short Tack World Championship is an action-packed tournament format that showcases the best of sailing in a fan friendly package. The world’s best 49er and 49erFX sailors will race in the word’s best amphitheatre for sailing…
Bill Koch to support US Sailing
Tuesday
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Accomplished sailor and businessman William I. “Bill” Koch has been appointed to the US Sailing Foundation Board of Directors. Koch will serve on the organization’s board as Director from November 2021 until November 2024. The US Sailing Foundation is the fundraising arm of US Sailing in support of its programs and activities. – Full report
VIDEO: Ride along at high speed
Tuesday
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
This video provides three angles of Bjorn Dunkerbeck windsurfing at over 100 km/h (54+ knots) at the 2021 Luderitz Speed Challenge in Lüderitz, Namibia…
ETNZ confirms several key sailing crew re-signed
Tuesday
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Update from Royal NZ Yacht Squadron ahead of the Annual General Meeting scheduled for December 9, covering the Team’s budget breakdown given the changed structure for the 37th America’s Cup, progress on the prototype Hydrogen foiling Chase boat build…
SailGP to race in New Zealand from 2023
Tuesday
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 07
2021
Posted by XS Editor
SailGP and New Zealand Major Events have secured a four-year deal to bring adrenaline-filled racing to New Zealand shores…
Belgium statement at ILCA 6 Worlds
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Mussanah, Oman (December 6, 2021) – Two races were completed today for the final day of the 2021 ILCA 6 World Championships, and once again, with varying conditions and strong competition, the leaderboard was shifted around for the final results. Only seven points separate the top five women, and only eight points separate the top four men.
In the women’s fleet, Belgium’s Emma Plasschaert took home the title by remaining consistent and steady with two top-ten finishes today and rising to the top from fifth place yesterday. This is Plasschaert’s second world title and a shiny consolation prize after a fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“Today, I went to the last day without any expectation, and just wanted to have three good races,” said Plasschaert. “I ended up with two good ones. It is a little bit surreal to come back on shore and not knowing what the points are. Am obviously super stoked about it and proud to be world champion!”
Agata Barwinska of Poland, who kept herself at the top of the fleet throughout the event, picked a bad day to have her worst day with a 21st and 12th, leaving her tied with Plasschaert but losing on countback.
The IMOCA skippers getting ready to return
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
There is nothing like an IMOCA sailor who is stuck on land. Just ask Pip Hare, the British Vendée Globe finisher who did not take part in the Transat Jacques Vabre as she and her team continue preparing their new boat for next season…
irc inspired
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 06
2021
Posted by deleteme
Swedish shipping company Wallenius and engineering company Alfa Laval have completed the terms of their previously announced joint venture to develop wind propulsion for a broad range of commercial vessels. The new company, AlfaWall Oceanbird will focus on the development and realization of technology for fully wind-powered vessel propulsion.
“Wind has a key role to play in decarbonizing the marine industry,” says Peter Nielsen, Business Unit President, Alfa Laval Marine Division. “Together with Wallenius, we will harness this abundant natural force to meet both climate needs and those of maritime business.”
The companies, which previously worked together on solutions for ballast water treatment, will combine to focus on the opportunities for wind power. They will pursue an innovative means of wind propulsion based on telescopic wing sails, based on designs pursued by Wallenius in its concept of a wind-power vehicle carrier known as Oceanbird. According to the companies, this solution could reduce emissions by 90 percent on the largest ocean-going vessels…
America’s Cup: Special General Meeting cancelled
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
The Special General Meeting requested by a group of Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron members, set down for Thursday evening, will not go ahead after the requisition was withdrawn on Monday…
2021 Transat Jacques Vabre – Final finisher Terre Exotique
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 06
2021
Posted by deleteme
The 2021 Transat Jacques Vabre ended Sunday with the very last boat, the Class40 Terre Exotique, crossing the finish line less than an hour before the cut-off time…
talk talk
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 06
2021
Posted by deleteme
I smile a wry smile every time I see or hear talk of a boycott of the Winter Olympic Games because of the human rights situation in China and think they will be punishing China by doing so.
They are however completely wrong; the Games will still go ahead and the only people being punished will be the boycotting country’s own citizen athletes who have worked long and hard – 4 years or more for the hope of competing for a medal, or perhaps even a record-equalling medal or defense of a title.
I remember the 1980 Games in Moscow were to ‘punish’ the then regime several countries boycotted the Games with some countries leaving it up to the individual sports organizations to make the decision to go or not…
Global Solo Challenge welcomes the 38th entry
Monday
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 06
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Belgian Dirk Gunst from Ostende has an impressive sailing experience both cruising on long distance passages and racing in the double-handed Round Britain and Ireland and Azores and Back Race and Single-handed in the OSTAR 1996 and 2000…
Three medals for USA at Junior Pan Ams
Sunday
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
The inaugural Junior Pan American Games had men’s and women’s events held December 2-4 on Lake Calima in Cali, Colombia. Argentina and USA led the medal count with three each in the one person dinghy and windsurfing while Mexico claimed two medals in the windsurfing events. – Details
Dicey fourth day at ILCA 6 Worlds
Sunday
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Mussanah, Oman (December 4, 2021) – Two races were completed today in all fleets at the 2021 ILCA 6 World Championships. With yet another day of light and shifty wind, there were long periods of waiting on shore and on the water for the sailors. The competition remains extremely tight, between the difficult conditions and strong fleet, and only 10 points separates the top five women after today.
In the women’s division, the leaderboard continues to move around. Poland’s Agata Barwinska, gold medalist at 2021 Kiel Week and Senior European Championships, rose to first overall with a third and tenth in today’s races. Germany’s Julia Büsselberg has returned to the top three now with two solid races and the ability to drop her BFD race from yesterday…
No wind for 2021 J/70 Midwinters
Sunday
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Fifty-seven J/70s came for the start of the 2021-2022 Winter Series and the postponed 2021 J/70 Midwinter Championship, with the first of three events planned for December 3-5 in Tampa, FL. However, a lack of breeze prevailed, allowing only one race which was not enough to constitute a Championship. The lone race winner was Superior 2 comprised of Bryce Kalow, Ian Coleman, Chris Stocke, and Kim Sandbulte. – Details
18ft Skiff NSW Championship in Sydney race 3
Sunday
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
The Yandoo team of John Winning, Mike Kennedy and Fang Warren lead the NSW 18ft Skiff Championship following a dominating performance to take out Race 3 of the championship on Sydney Harbour today…
505 Class looks forward to 2022
Sunday
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 05
2021
Posted by XS Editor
2021 is coming to an end and hopefully we say goodbye to the worst of Covid. So what is planned for 2022?
ILCA6 Radial World Championships – Day 5 and everything is up for grabs
Sunday
Dec 05
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 05
2021
Posted by deleteme
The penultimate day of the ILCA 6 World Championship set-up a two-boat showdown for both classes on Monday…
ILCA6 Radial World Championships – Agata Barwinska leads after Day 4
Saturday
Dec 04
2021
Posted by deleteme
Dec 04
2021
Posted by deleteme
After two races Saturday, Agata Barwinska (3, 10) of Poland takes a five point lead in the Women’s championship, with two days of racing remainng…
2021 ILCA 6 Radial Worlds in Oman day 3
Saturday
Dec 04
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 04
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Day three of the 2021 ILCA 6 Worlds was once again influenced by the wind. Just two races in the men’s category and one in the women’s were completed at Barceló Resort Mussanah as the sailors struggled to get to grips with the changing wind patterns…
KiteFoil World Series Gran Canaria day 3
Saturday
Dec 04
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 04
2021
Posted by XS Editor
Day three of the 2021 KiteFoil World Series Gran Canaria saw the breeze gusting too strongly for the riders to get out through the shore break at Playa de las Burras. Again no racing, but few murmurs of disappointment from the fleet…
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