When a skipper chooses his boat, it mirrors his personality and sailing style. Robert Scharr and his Yako undoubtedly stand out for their originality and minimalism…
Monthly archives for June, 2023
A2NR: Bone rattling, soul shaking
Thursday
Jun 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
For the seven class winners of the 2023 Annapolis-to-Newport Race, there was a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Simply finishing the 475-nautical classic was a real challenge this time around as horribly brutal conditions in the Atlantic Ocean made for an absolutely miserable experience.
With staggered starts on Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, the 39th edition of the biennial race will be remembered for the fact 31 of the 60 starters retired rather than risk damage to boat or crew in extreme conditions offshore.
Most boats pulled the plug while still in the Chesapeake Bay after carefully reviewing the forecast and confirming the worst — the fleet would be welcomed into the ocean by 20 to 30 knot winds and 10-to-12-foot seas. – Full report
Slow start back into the race
Thursday
Jun 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Ocean Race is back on course at full strength. At 6.15pm, Race Director Phil Lawrence sent the five IMOCAs off on the 800 nautical mile leg from Aarhus/Denmark via the fly-by in Kiel/Germany to The Hague/Netherlands…
Allen Europe class UK Nationals overall
Thursday
Jun 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 Allen UK Europe National Championships was hosted by Mount Batten Watersports Centre and Plymouth Youth Sailing, with four action packed days of racing!
USA names team for Olympic Test Event
Wednesday
Jun 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The US Sailing Team has confirmed the slate of 14 athletes who will represent the United States at the Paris 2024 Test Event taking place July 7-16, 2013 in Marseille, France. Held a year in advance of the Olympics, the Test Event will closely mirror the Games competition, with each country sending one boat per class.
The Test Event is used as a ‘dress rehearsal’ and will operate in the same format as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Test Events traditionally provides event organizers and Olympic authorities the opportunity to test personnel and venue staging, working to eliminate flaws in their plans in the lead up to the Olympic Games.
For the US athletes, the Paris 2024 Test Event is also the first opportunity to earn a nomination to Team USA for Paris 2024…
37th America’s Cup calling for volunteers for Barcelona
Wednesday
Jun 07
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jun 07
2023
Posted by deleteme
Organisers of the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona have announced the launch of the AC37 Volunteer Programme to create the largest and most passionate Volunteer Team in the history of the event…
R2AK: The Victoria lay day
Wednesday
Jun 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 7th edition of the 750 mile Race to Alaska (R2AK) began June 5 with a 40-mile “proving stage” from Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC. For those that finish within 36 hours, they are allowed to start the remaining 710 miles on June 8 to Ketchikan, AK. Here’s the Stage 1 conclusion report:
Let’s start with this: We hear you, we know, and we’re sorry. We feel it too.
In an age of internet ubiquity, when AI is poised to anticipate your every need, take your job and ply you with every fact and product ever created, R2AK is stuck in Windows 95. Today’s world operates at the speed of Amazon and Alexa. This year we’re struggling for even Clippy-level performance.
Blame solar flares, Russian hackers seeking revenge for the Ukrainian anthem we played at the start, or a guy named Shane in New Zealand, but one thing can’t be denied: the tracker suuuuucks this year.
It’s not heresy, the pain is real. For us too. Despite rumors and our need to make rent next week, so far there is no R2AK prime premium plus champagne room subscription package that gets you (and/or us) access to 100% reliable, accurate, and up-to-date information.
Our crew is working on it, but right now it looks like there’s a wellspring of suck that lies somewhere between the trackers, the satellite, and a guy named Shane in New Zealand…
Revival planned for Admiral’s Cup
Monday
Jun 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
If you raced under the IOR handicap system, did foredeck with wire guys for symmetrical spinnakers, or remember when ‘N Sync and Madonna topped the charts, then you may recall the demise of the Admiral’s Cup in 2001.
Established in 1957, The Admiral’s Cup was the unofficial world cup for offshore racing, with national teams coming to England with the latest designs for international bragging rights.
Great Britain won the trophy on nine occasions on their home waters, but Germany won four times, USA and Australia three times each, with Australia being the holders of this prized trophy. Victories were also achieved by France, Italy, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
But with rising stakes, the event burned itself out but a revival is planned for the Admiral’s Cup to be back for 2025 and held biennially thereafter by the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
The 2025 Admiral’s Cup will be organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club from Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. Racing will consist of a combination of inshore and offshore racing. Teams will comprise of two boats representing a Yacht Club or Country.
For further information: admiralscup@rorc.org
62nd Three Rivers Race
Monday
Jun 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
On Saturday 3rd June 2023 hundreds of sailors descended on Horning SC in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, some from as afield as New Zealand and the USA, in eager anticipation of the 62nd Three Rivers Race, sponsored by Yachtmaster Insurance and Panks…
IKA Kitefoil: World’s coolest yachts
Monday
Jun 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Yachting World has been asking top sailors and marine industry gurus to choose the coolest and most innovative yachts of our times, and Will Harris, co-skippering the IMOCA 60 Malizia in The Ocean Race, nominated the IKA Kitefoil. Here’s the report:
“Watching the gracefulness of kitefoil racing had me mesmerised the first time I saw it,” explains Will Harris. “It is an example of pure efficiency and use of all and any wind possible. From as low as 4 knots of wind reaching speeds of 30 knots on a 1.2m long board is incredible.”
Kitefoiling is now an Olympic sailing event, and will be making its debut at the 2024 Games. The class is a box rule, with a wide range of approved foil components, and choice of wing sizes. The foil kites use a ‘ram air’ principle so are self-inflating rather than pump-up tube kites.
“The racing looks like the kitefoils are doing a sort of ballet dance on the boards as they manoeuvre the kites and boards under their feet. It requires an unbelievable level of finesse and agility and the reward is pure adrenaline and very close and exciting racing,” adds Harris.
“I do kitefoiling myself and love it every time I go out since it’s made sub-10 knot conditions fun!”
IKA Kitefoil stats rating:
Top speed: 30+ knots
LOA: 1.55m/5ft
Launched: 2018
Berths: 0
Price: £3,000+
Adrenalin factor: 95%
For Yachting World’s list of cool boats, click here.
Team Malizia announces Leg 6 sailing crew
Sunday
Jun 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
German skipper Boris Herrmann will sail Leg 6 of The Ocean Race with co-skipper Will Harris, Rosalin Kuiper, Axelle Pillain, and onboard reporter Antoine Auriol.
11th Hour Racing Team completes podium
Sunday
Jun 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
11th Hour Racing Team has finished in third place in the Aarhus In-Port Race, extending its lead on the In-Port Race leaderboard by 2 points over rivals Team Malizia…
J/70 Corinthian World Cup overall
Sunday
Jun 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Unusual conditions for Lake Garda have dictated the fate of the last two days of the J/70 Corinthian World Cup which, after the six races held in the first two days, comes to an end with a “double” no-race due to lack of wind…
Dragon World Championship overall
Saturday
Jun 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The final day of the World Championship in Bodrum saw early rain and no wind. Consequently, the Race Officer Nino Shmueli kept the fleet ashore until conditions improved…
Finn World Masters overall
Friday
Jun 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Filipe Silva, from Portugal, has won the 2023 Finn World Masters at Nea Iraklitsa, Kavala, Greece, after no more races were possible on Friday. Laurent Hay, from France is second with Peter Mosny from Slovakia in third…
USA entry process for Youth Match Racing Worlds
Thursday
Jun 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 Youth Match Racing World Championship will be held December 9-15 in Sydney, Australia. To compete, sailors must be under the age of 23 in 2023. Using Elliott 7s, the selection process for the skipper representing the U.S. will be by resume, with the deadline for submitting an application is July 15, 2023…
Seagull Deterant
Thursday
Jun 01
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jun 01
2023
Posted by deleteme
I’m just collecting the best and or worse ideas for seagull repellant for boats on a mooring. One of the worse thing is getting ready on taking guests on a day sail and finding your boat looking like a crime scene with fish carcasses, and bird feces. Right now I have the boat covered in aviator netting. It works but a bit of a pain setting up. Looking for a quicker answer. I’ve seen dead seagull decoys, owls, snakes, and cats. Seeking personal remedies that work.
F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel backs new Germany SailGP Team
Thursday
Jun 01
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jun 01
2023
Posted by deleteme
Germany is be the tenth nation to join the SailGP global racing league when the fourth season on 16-17 June with the Rolex United States Sail Grand Prix at Navy Pier, Chicago…
Upwind performance test on the Elan E6
Thursday
Jun 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Testing the Elan E6 in challenging upwind conditions…
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