Only one day remains until the third Preliminary Regatta starts and Alinghi Red Bull Racing enters this first phase of AC75 racing determined to prove themselves on the water…
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Orient Express Racing Team ready for challenge
Tuesday
Aug 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
France’s Orient Express Racing Team is all systems go to make the most of this week’s Preliminary Regatta, their final opportunity to test themselves against the other challenger teams before the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Barcelona gets under way…
America’s Cup: Alinghi dismasted again
Tuesday
Aug 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Barcelona, Spain (August 20, 2024) – Whilst training ahead of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta that starts on August 22, Alinghi Red Bull Racing suffered a rig failure onboard ‘BoatOne.’
‘Today there was a rig failure during the early stage of training on BoatOne. Everybody onboard is safe, and an investigation will be carried out in due course,” said Silvio Arrivabene, Swiss team Co-General Manager. “In the meantime, the team remains fully focused on racing.”
This is the second rig failure that the Swiss team have had to endure with a breakage occurring on June 13 whilst in training. Conditions today saw a southerly breeze coming down the Barceloneta beachfront with a mean of 12 knots and a calm sea state – according to Predict Wind.
No other team for the 37th America’s Cup has lost a rig since launching their new AC75s.
The Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta is on August 22-25 with the Challenger Selection Series to begin on August 29.
How to watch:
On all competition days, races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule. The races will be streaming live and free on the event website, YouTube, and Facebook. The races will also be broadcast in over 200 territories around the world. To check the available broadcast options, click here.
For live viewing opportunities, click here.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For competition details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Source: ACE, Scuttlebutt
America’s Cup: Are teams ready to show?
Monday
Aug 19
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 19
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Will it be the moment of truth, or the moment before the moment? Either way, the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta gets underway on August 22 with far more questions ahead of the competition than answers.
This is the third Preliminary Regatta on the journey to the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup but is the first to be sailed in the latest generation AC75 yachts, and the final preparation ahead of the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series beginning on August 29.
It’s a very simple fact that no team wants a bad, morale-sapping regatta at this stage but with the racing not counting towards points in the Louis Vuitton Cup, there could well be a number of different strategies at play and variances of approach team by team.
Everyone will be eyeing the competition with interest with a focus on performance in specific wind ranges. The Performance Analysts and coaching teams will be working overtime to analyze every aspect of the competition’s yachts and tactics and for sure, the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta will start to reveal profiles and nuances un-seen before.
What we do know is that relative speeds are incredibly close across the fleet. At this stage, there is simply no front-runner across all the conditions, and every team is more than capable of beating the others. The starts are key and the ability to sail a clean, powered-on race with great tactical and meteorological execution will, undoubtedly, produce results.
First up is a fascinating opening encounter between Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Orient Express Racing Team where the well-drilled Swiss will be looking for success against a French team that clearly has a very fast boat – particularly upwind.
Skipper of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Arnaud Psarofaghis and his co-helm Maxime Bachelin will be looking to use the high maneuverability of BoatOne whilst the French will be eyeing outright speed profile. This will be a close call but the form book from training would suggest a Swiss win.
Next up, is a blockbuster race between the finalists of the last America’s Cup in Auckland 2021 – Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. In training, these two teams have continued to set the standards in this America’s Cup cycle and with the reveal of their AC75 designs, it was clear that both teams have taken a step forward and, on the face of it, appear to have a similar speed profile across a wide range of conditions.
This could well come down to racecraft and skill from the respective afterguards with skipper and Cup winner Peter Burling alongside Nathan Outteridge for the Kiwis enjoying a solid and consistent relationship. Equally Luna Rossa, who have an abundance of helming talent, will most likely pair skipper Jimmy Spithill, one of the true global talents of the sport, with the experience of Francesco Bruni. This race is just too close to call.
Next up we will see INEOS Britannia and NYYC American Magic facing off with so many performance and boatspeed questions to be answered.
Can the American cyclor team, seated in a recumbent position facing aft, match the power output of the traditional set up on the British boat? How fast is Britannia now that her foils are shorn of the Pitot tubes and in race trim? And which hull design is fastest – the low profile of the Americans or the muscular aero profile of Britannia?
What is more certain is that we will see some top-class match racing with Ben Ainslie and either Dylan Fletcher-Scott or Giles Scott on the British boat matching up to Tom Slingsby and Paul Goodison on ‘Patriot’ – expect fireworks but picking a winner out of these two teams could well come down to outright performance in a specific condition.
The final race of the opening day sees Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli return to the racecourse for their second race of the day, this time against Orient Express Racing Team. What will be incredibly revealing here will be the pre-start and the relative upwind performances with the French more than capable of pressing hard and using their inherent hull-form speed. The race may well come down to maneuver execution, which is an area that Luna Rossa excel in, but this is match-up where we can expect the unexpected. Not to be missed.
Days two and three of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta see the format unfold and patterns emerging. By the end of Saturday, after three days of intense racing we are expecting the leaderboard points to be tight. The final day of racing on Sunday with New Zealand against USA, Italy against Switzerland, and France versus Britain could well be the final determinants for the top spots ahead of the grand final where the top two boats will fight it out in a one race, winner-takes-all decider.
The business end of this America’s Cup cycle is within touching distance and it’s almost time to reveal all. As the precursor to the Louis Vuitton Cup, this final test regatta has an importance and a resonance that can set the tone for the coming weeks.
How to watch:
On all competition days, races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule. The races will be streaming live and free on the event website, YouTube, and Facebook. The races will also be broadcast in over 200 territories around the world. To check the available broadcast options, click here.
For live viewing opportunities, click here.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For competition details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Source: ACE, Scuttlebutt
China to launch 2025 Match Racing Tour
Monday
Aug 19
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 19
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The World Match Racing Tour will start the 2025 season with a new event in China on January 8-12. Located 62 km from Hong Kong, the MACAO Match Cup will have teams compete in Far East 28R match racing edition boats for a total prize purse of USD100,000.
Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing. The winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion.
Previous champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL), and Ian Williams (GBR).
Since inception, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD23million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors.
Source: WMRT
How to watch the 37th America’s Cup
Thursday
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 37th America’s Cup has nearly arrived. Can the Kiwis be the first team to win three in a row? Will Great Britain regain their trophy? Has the USA team righted the wrongs from the 36th edition? Will the air temperature in Barcelona ever stop sizzling?
The first look at the five Challenger teams and the Defender will be the final Preliminary Regatta on August 22-25, 2024. The match racing format has four races per day, with the top two AC75s advancing to one-race, winner-takes-all Grand Final.
While the results from the event don’t impact the America’s Cup, they will certainly impact each team’s performance plan going forward. To win the 37th Cup, it is about improve or die, and it all gets real with the start of the Challenger Selection Series on August 29.
On all competition days, races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule.
For complete competition details, click here.
America’s Cup: Covergate – hostilities commence about deck fairings on American Magic
Thursday
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
A Rule Enquiry requesting an interpretation of the rules governing Surface Finishes seems to be aimed hobbling American Magic, a few days before the America’s Cup begins.
INside Britannia: Match Racing 101
Thursday
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Hear from our INEOS Britannia start coach & rules advisor, match racing legend Ian Williams about match racing tactics in the America’s Cup…
Last call for 2024 Rolex Big Boat Series
Thursday
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
For sailors who’ve competed in Rolex Big Boat Series over its 60-year history, “It’s the most fabulous event there is, period,” according to Chris Perkins, who’s raced it since the 1980s and is the 2024 Commodore of event host St. Francis Yacht Club…
RC44 Worlds in the Swiss Alps
Thursday
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 15
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 2024 RC44 World Championship will take place August 21-25 out of Brunnen on Lake Lucerne in the heart of Switzerland. The lake is surrounded by mountains and the wind is largely thermal, building typically to 12-18 knots in the afternoon but occasionally to as much as 25 knots, with flat water. The RC44 is designed with a removable stern section that allows it to be fitted into a 40-foot container for transport to the venue which is located 1,424 feet above sea level…
44Cup information – Event details – Facebook
2024 44Cup Schedule
February 28-March 3 – 44Cup Calero Marinas, Canary Islands
May 8-12 – 44Cup Baiona, Spain
June 19-23 – 44Cup Marstrand, Sweden
August 21-25 – RC44 World Championship Brunnen, Switzerland
November 20-24 – 44Cup Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Will USA’s radical design choices pay off?
Wednesday
Aug 14
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 14
2024
Posted by XS Editor
American Magic’s new AC75, Patriot, has garnered significant attention due to its unique approach. While all the teams are bound by the same set of design rules, it’s the subtle variations and innovative interpretations within these boundaries that could determine who ultimately claims victory at the America’s Cup in Barcelona.
The second generation of AC75s have seen incremental improvements across the board, yet American Magic’s Patriot stands out for several reasons. The American team has made some bold design choices that diverge from the more conventional paths taken by their rivals. Central to these decisions is the team’s focus on maximizing aerodynamic efficiency and optimizing the boat’s center of effort.
One of the most noticeable aspects of Patriot is its distinct hull design. – Full report
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For competition details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
America’s Cup: Power People – Théry Schir
Tuesday
Aug 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
For Théry Schir, a cyclor for Alinghi Red Bull Racing, and an incredibly popular member of the team, his journey into competitive sailing was mapped out from an early age but took a detour along the way…
Ten intense moments in the America’s Cup
Tuesday
Aug 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Ten days out from the start of the 2024 America’s Cup, here’s a video looking at the ten most intense moments in recent Cup regattas…
J/Teams crush Pacific Cup Race
Monday
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 2024 Pacific Cup Race fleet dashed out to the first turning mark just offshore of that infamous pile of rocks known as the Farallon Islands, then turned left to catch the trade winds flowing from the NNE to Hawaii about 2,277nm away…
Such a farce can never happen again
Monday
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
After Marseille mostly delivered marginal light winds for the Paris 2024 Olympics, French sailors shared on social media for how this was predictable, and to question why other more reliable venues were not chosen.
For double Olympic gold medalist Rodney Pattisson (GBR), it was all too much to watch as the conditions contributed to racing against the jury, and not with the wind:
Watching the Medal race for the ICLA 7 Class, I now an ancient gold medal winner was quite shocked and amazed at the first aborted attempt and then the eventual final Gold Medal Race for the Men’s Dinghy event.
From the start, with barely 5 knots of wind strength (the minimum permitted), it became a roll-your-boat contest watched but poorly and unfairly policed by a Jury boat. So poor in fact, that shortly before this race was abandoned, through lack of wind, one competitor managed to capsize his boat whilst gybing in the impossibly light conditions.
However, after the restart, worse still then followed, as the British boat was immediately penalized for using too much rudder movement at the Race Committee boat. Thereafter, the jury watched this particular boat like a hawk for the rest of the race, and ordered numerous additional penalty turns.
In fact, elsewhere the race was a yo-yo, tacking and gybing, rocking and rolling, pumping and ouching by all those competing, but amazingly this was ignored for the main part by the Jury boat who continued to focus their attention on victimizing still further the British boat.
Hardly surprising that after such treatment, this boat finished last in this Gold Medal Race. This was blatant UNFAIR treatment and surely an insult to the Sport and the rule as we know it. World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee must take responsibility for this and ensure that such a farce never happens again.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Medal Count (G-S-B) – 10 of 10 events completed
Netherlands: 2-0-2
Austria: 2-0-0
Italy: 2-0-0
Australia: 1-1-0
Israel: 1-1-0
Great Britain: 1-0-1
Spain: 1-0-0
France: 0-1-1
New Zealand: 0-1-1
Sweden: 0-1-1
Argentina: 0-1-0
Cyprus: 0-1-0
Denmark: 0-1-0
Japan: 0-1-0
Slovenia: 0-1-0
Norway: 0-0-1
Peru: 0-0-1
Singapore: 0-0-1
USA: 0-0-1
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda overall
Sunday
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
With the 2024 Champions already crowned, the final day of racing set up a Battle Royale for the remaining Podium Places, with three boats within three points of each other…
America’s Cup: USA vs Italians – Practice Races
Sunday
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Video shot on the water of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli lining up against American Magic in a Practice session staged off Barcelona earlier in the week, in fresh winds…
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda Day 6
Friday
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Andy Shaw and Rob Struckett take the 2024 International 14 World Championship with a day to spare. The British team continued their faultless series with a steady 2nd place in tricky conditions at Torbole, Lake Garda…
Paris 2024: Austria claims final gold
Friday
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Marseille, France (August 9, 2024) – The Men’s Kite is one of 10 Sailing events held at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Using the Formula Kite equipment, 20 nations completed a 7-race Opening Series on August 4-7, with the top 10 advancing to the Medal Series on August 8, with the final stages finished today. Here’s the final report:
For all competition reports, click here.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Valentin Bontus (AUT) put in a supreme performance in the first ever installment of the Men’s Kite at the Olympics to take gold. The Austrian rider dealt with delays, after action was cancelled yesterday due to time limitations, and kept his cool to claim the final sailing gold medal of the Paris 2024 Olympics…
VIDEO: How the America’s Cup began
Thursday
Aug 08
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 08
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Why was the most famous racing yacht in history facing the wrong way at the start? The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, and the story of how the America’s Cup came into being is also one of the best known.
But when PlanetSail’s Matt Sheahan was granted rare and exclusive access to the two exclusive yacht clubs that created this infamous trophy, he discovered some fascinating twists and turns to a story he thought he knew well. Visiting the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes and the New York Yacht Club, Sheahan finds out how and why the America’s Cup began.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For competition details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Medal Race beckons for 470 and Nacra 17 Classes
Tuesday
Aug 06
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 06
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti guaranteed themselves at least a silver heading into the Medal Race of the Mixed Multihull…
New J/40 Performance Cruising Yacht launched!
Monday
Aug 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The new J/40 performance cruising yacht just launched in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. She will be undergoing sea-trials this week with designer Al Johnstone aboard, joining Didier LeMoal and Fred Bouvier of J/Composites…
Preparing USA for the 37th America’s Cup
Sunday
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The New York Yacht Club American Magic team knows all about ‘so-close-yet-so far’ in this game, and they are more than determined to bring the America’s Cup trophy back to the club on West 44th Street that held it continuously for 132-years.
The Americans have hired well and are delivering consistent, high-level, ultra-competitive performances that have made everyone sit up in the Port Vell. From a pure design perspective, they didn’t take the middle path with a low-profile, full-on aero AC75 that is bristling with innovative thinking all over the boat.
Out on the water, day after day, they have been pushing the limits and working hard on the design details, trim perfection, and pure out-and-out racecraft. The results are there for all to see and with Terry Hutchinson, the world class skipper and campaigner guiding the campaign, it has been Tom Burnham who has brought the immensely talented squad up to speed.
Now in his fifth America’s Cup campaign, Burnham graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1993 and lives in Newport. He previously sailed on Young America in the 2000 America’s Cup, before joining Luna Rossa for their 2003 and 2007 campaigns, and was head coach of the Swedish team, Artemis Racing, in 2017…
America’s Cup: Final Practice session – Video
Sunday
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Justin Busuttil, a member of the now disbanded AC37 Joint Recon Team has shot some more videos in his “Rooftop Recon” Series. These show all the teams training around some official marks off Barcelona…
Paris 2024: USA get Bronze in Men’s Skiff
Friday
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Marseille, France (August 2, 2024) – The Men’s Skiff is one of 10 Sailing events held at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Using the 49er equipment, 20 teams competed in the 12-race Opening Series on July 28-31, with the top 10 advancing to the single, double-points Medal Race on August 1. When light air prevailed that day, the race was postponed to today to finalize the cumulative scores. Here’s the final report:
For all competition reports, click here.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Diego Botin and Florian Trittel (ESP) fulfilled a lifelong dream by mastering the Men’s Skiff to become Olympic champions.
The Spanish pair sailed impressively throughout the regatta, finishing top of the Opening Series by a narrow five-point margin. Botin and Trittel had not won an individual race heading into the decisive Medal Race, but they saved their best for last, dominating the fleet in an exceptional show on the water to cross the line first.
New Zealand’s Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie followed in the footsteps of fellow countrymen and Tokyo 49er silver medalists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, placing second overall. The Kiwis wrapped up the silver medal with an important third placed finish in the Medal Race, which saw them overtake Ireland’s Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove.
The Irish crew began the day in second, but dropped to fourth overall after an early crossing of the start line meant they had to restart the Medal Race.
USA’s Ian Barrows and Hans Henken, entering today in fourth, benefited from the shift in positions, managing to secure bronze after a brilliant fourth in the final sail.
“It’s a dream come true,” Botin said. “After years of putting the work in with the best team, with our families here, it doesn’t get any better…”
2024 Star Worlds in San Diego welcomes new talent
Friday
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The Star World Championship returns to San Diego, California, for the first time in over a decade, September 7-13, 2024. San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) expects upwards of 60 Star boats on the starting line under sunny, SoCal skies…
America’s Cup: Fickle breeze for Practice Day 2
Friday
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
All teams except for American Magic were on the water off Barcelona for the second day of official Practice. Unfortunately Barcelona copped the same weather pattern that frustrated the Olympic sailors at Marseille…
In pursuit of the Holy Grail
Thursday
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
by Jim Teeters, Head of the Offshore Ratings Office at US Sailing, and Alan Gilbert, former Chief Engineer, and Executive Vice President at S&S Swan, provide unique insights into yacht design and how rating systems have shaped competitive sailing over the decades:
The history of rating and handicapping sailboats goes back almost 200 years. As soon as two dissimilar boats raced each other, attempts were made to determine which yacht won. The approach used was to measure what was perceived as the critical speed producing characteristics of a yacht and plug these numbers into an algorithm.
That algorithm calculated the inherent speed of each of the two yachts in the form of a rating, typically expressed in units of length such as feet or meters. The rating difference would be converted into a time allowance given to the slower yacht. This time allowance reduced the slower boats elapsed time to what is termed “corrected” time. The boat with the faster (smaller) corrected time would be the winner. – Full report
Ep11: Road to the 37th America’s Cup
Thursday
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Matt Sheahan and his PlanetSail team share the latest episode in a regular series of features about the road to the America’s Cup that will take us from the first official event in Vilanova to the Cup match itself in October 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Here’s the episode synopsis:
No matter what angle you look at American Magic’s new Cup boat, she looks slippery. Low drag above and below the waterline characterizes the boat that the team hopes will take them all the way through to the America’s Cup.
This low-profile appearance also makes her look like the smallest boat in the fleet and explains why some argue that Patriot is the slickest of the Challengers.
But aside from their impressive AC75, when you look at the statistics, the NYYC American Magic team have clocked up the most time on the water with an estimated 338 days afloat across all of their boats.
So, we went to Barcelona to talk to the team to find out how they were feeling about their campaign and the new boat.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
iQFOiL: Right project, Right moment
Thursday
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The USA proved again at the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships to be one of the top sailing nations, but the challenge has been to convert the young talent into Olympic contenders. An obstacle has been an interruption in training, as many pursue collegiate dinghy racing rather than further refine technical skill.
But of the ten Olympic events, the Windsurfer and Kiteboard athletes are immune to this issue, and may even benefit from college competition. Could this be the new frontier for the USA Olympic Sailing Program? Coach Adrien Gaillard provides this report on progress with the new Olympic iQFOiL windsurfer:
The windsurfing youth summer block has just been as busy as it was successful for the America One Racing iQFOiL squad…
Record fleet at the M32 Europeans
Wednesday
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Thirteen M32s from five countries assembled for the European Championship. After a 15-race series, “Rated X” took the win; however, the rest of the fleet is close on Jake Julian’s heels, with only a few points separating the rest of the podium.
Welcome to WASZP Island
Wednesday
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
180 WASZPs are descending on Sandefjord Norway and WASZP Island (Seilerholmen) in what is set to become one of the most incredible events ever hosted!
Olympic Diary: July 30 – Breeze changes everything
Tuesday
Jul 30
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 30
2024
Posted by XS Editor
What a difference a day makes. Or rather how some breeze can change everything. After two days of light winds, surprisingly there was some very exaggerated points movement as a Force 3-4 breeze kicked in…
Beach weather continues for Paris 2024
Monday
Jul 29
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 29
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Marseille, France (July 29, 2024) – All four events on the schedule at the Paris 2024 Olympics – Men’s and Women’s Skiff and Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing – completed races today, but temperatures up to 86°F and low winds continued for the second day of competition. While the heat is expected to remain, more wind is in the upcoming forecast.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing:
Today saw the first ever slalom races in the history of Olympic sailing. A bit more wind in Marseille opened the window for some short-course downwind competition in the Windsurfing.
Unfortunately, the weather window didn’t stay open for very long, but in the Men, France’s Nicolas Goyard powered his iQFOiL board to victory in the one and only heat that took place. In the Women, event favorite from Great Britain, Emma Wilson, scored a first and second in two heats to take the early lead.
North America Results:
Men:
5. Noah Lyons (USA)
Women:
9. Mariana Aguilar Chavez Peon (MEX)
18. Dominique Stater (USA)
Men’s and Women’s Skiff:
Three more races in the Men’s and Women’s Skiff takes them pretty much to the halfway stage of the regatta. With predominantly light winds, the conditions seems to be suiting the New Zealanders, Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie very nicely in the 49er Men.
Of the six races completed, the Kiwis have won three of them, and the only other team to keep all their scores inside the top 10 are the Irish in second place.
Yet to win a race but sailing solidly and chipping away are the Spanish, Diego Botin and Florian Trittel, who have climbed up to third, albeit they’re nine points back on the Irish.
As for the Germans, well if any national Olympic committee is wondering whether or not it’s worth sending a team that barely looks worthy of the place, then take a look at Jakob Meggendorfer and Andreas Spranger…
57th Governor’s Cup overall
Sunday
Jul 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Cole Tapper (AUS), Jack Frewin and Hamish Vass representing the CYCA came back from a 2-0 deficit against defending two-time GovCup winner Jeffrey Petersen (USA) and crew Daniel Pegg and Enzo Menditto of Balboa Yacht Club to win the best-of-five finals…
US Sailing Team set for the Paris 2024 Olympics
Saturday
Jul 27
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 27
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Over the course of 12 days, 13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille for competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following a shortened runway of three years due to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games…
Olympic Diary: July 27 – Light winds forecast
Friday
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 2024 Olympic Sailing Regatta starts tomorrow, Sunday when the Womens Windsurfer face the starter at 1213hrs, for the first of four races to be sailed in their Event, on Day 1.
55-foot carbon fibre catamaran lightest in class
Friday
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The new Cure 55GT nears launch, sets new standards in weight and performance and utilises in-house composites technology…
21st International Canoe Worlds day 1
Tuesday
Jul 23
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 23
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 21st International 20 square meter Canoe World Championships kicked off in boisterous conditions on the first Monday of Travemünder Woche on the Baltic shores of Germany…
Eight Bells: Gloria Melges
Monday
Jul 22
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Gloria Melges, 93, a beloved member of the sailing community and an esteemed race committee officer, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024. Born in New Jersey on May 27, 1931, Gloria was raised spending summers aboard a Great Lakes cruising sailboat out of Chicago, where her father served as Commodore of the Columbia Yacht Club. This unique upbringing instilled in her a lifelong passion for the water and sailing.
Gloria pursued higher education at Northwestern University Dental School, where she graduated with honors. During her time at Northwestern, she met and fell in love with Wisconsin yachtsman Harry C. “Buddy” Melges Jr. Their relationship blossomed, but their time together was interrupted when Buddy went to serve in the Korean War. Despite the distance, their love grew stronger through the heartfelt letters they exchanged while he was away.
Upon Buddy’s return, he proposed to Gloria, and they were married shortly thereafter. Their deep bond and unwavering love for sailing became the foundation of their 69-year marriage, a passion they passed on to their three children: Laura, Harry III, and Hans. During their seven decades together, Gloria was a steadfast supporter of Buddy’s illustrious career, cheering for him both on and off the water.
Gloria’s legacy extends beyond her family. She was the first female Commodore of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, a testament to her trailblazing spirit.
Her contributions to the sport were highlighted by her outstanding work as a crew member in Classes A, E, and C, and her esteemed role as a Race Committee member and Principal Race Officer for Lake Geneva Yacht Club fleets, as well as at national and international events, including the Star Class World Championship, Pan American Games, and America’s Cup competitions.
In recognition of her exceptional service, Gloria was honored as the first recipient of the Huse Inland Lake Yachting Association Sportsmanship Trophy in November 2019. She also earned accolades as a US Sailing Senior Race Officer and an Inland Lake Sailing Association Senior Race Officer.
Her remarkable contributions were further acknowledged with the Ed Malone Judges Trophy as Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Committee/Judge of the Year, the Bilge Pullers Cannon as Outstanding Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Management Corps Volunteer, and twice with the Dr. and Mrs. Will F. Lyon Award for Outstanding Race Committee Service from the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.
Many sailors considered Gloria a “second mom,” having cultivated a warm and welcoming sailing community throughout the world. One of Gloria’s many favorite activities was hosting international competitors at their home on Geneva Lake. Along with Buddy, she helped create an environment where young sailors could thrive, learn, and develop a lifelong love for the sport. Her nurturing spirit left an indelible mark on the sailing world.
Beyond the water, friendships formed from her passion for crafts; participating in sewing, rosemaling, and rug-hooking clubs, as well as having served as the President of the Questers Association.
Survived by her three children, Laura Melges, Hans Melges, and Harry C. Melges III (Suzanne), Gloria is also remembered by her grandchildren, Olivia Arbaugh, Hunter Arbaugh, Harry C. Melges IV, Monroe Melges, Hans Melges, Maxx Melges, and Maverik Melges.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Clemons “Buddy” Melges Jr., her brother, Dr. Alfred “Boody” Wenzel, her sister-in-law, Marilyn Snudden, and by her parents, Alfred and Laura Wenzel. Family was the center of Gloria’s world, and she will forever be remembered for her infectious smile, hospitable nature, and her adoring love for Buddy.
Gloria will be deeply missed, but her gracious spirit will forever sail on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
If you would like to honor Gloria’s memory, donations can be made to the Geneva Lake Sailing School in the name of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center located at 1250 South Lake Shore Drive, Fontana, WI 53125.
A Celebration of Life for Gloria and Buddy will be held this fall.
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