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Monthly archives for April, 2022
Clipper Race: Crossing the International Date Line
Tuesday
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
In the coming days, the Clipper Race fleet is set to tick off the next big Race 10 milestone – crossing the International Date Line…
2022 Bermuda Gold Cup cancelled
Tuesday
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) has canceled the 2022 Bermuda Gold Cup, a prominent stage of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), due to be held October 18-22 in Hamilton, Bermuda.
“This is not a decision we have taken lightly and there were a few overriding concerns that have led to this outcome,” said Past Commodore Jon Corless, Chair of the RBYC International Sailing Events Committee. “Securing sufficient sponsorship was paramount for this prestigious event, which is renowned around the world for its standard of excellence and has proven challenging in these uncertain and fast changing times.”
After hosting the 2020 Bermuda Gold Cup during the pandemic, a failure to secure sufficient sponsorship in 2021 also led to the event’s cancellation…
Good for cars, Bad for boats
Tuesday
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
In a Reuters report, U.S. President Joe Biden will unveil plans to extend the availability of higher biofuel blends of gasoline during the summer to curb soaring fuel costs and to cut reliance on foreign energy sources, senior administration officials said.
The measure will allow Americans to keep buying E15, a gasoline that uses a 15% ethanol blend, from June 1 to Sept. 15. While E15 is only 10 cents cheaper on average and is less “energy dense,” meaning drivers would need to buy more fuel, it should still help lower expenses, the officials told reporters on a call previewing the announcement.
However, what Reuters omits is the danger of E15 on boat engines…
Antoine Mermod: IMOCA is stronger than ever
Tuesday
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 12
2022
Posted by XS Editor
As its Annual General Assembly in Lorient comes to a close, Antoine Mermod, President of IMOCA, says the Class is in better shape than ever before and with an exciting new season of racing to come…
New Antigua to Newport record
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The MOD70 Argo has set a new provisional Antigua to Newport record of 3 days, 0 hours, 15 minutes, shaving approximately 5.5 hours off the previous mark set in 2015 by sistership Phaedo. The time becomes official when ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council.
Departing April 6, the route began with pleasant and fast downwind conditions through the Caribbean Sea, but became progressively more difficult. Big downwind conditions east of Hatteras saw required slowing the trimaran to keep things under control. Then a fairly large and disorganized sea state made the last night of the trip one to forget, but bright sunshine and flatter seas allowed the team to send on the final day and storm into Newport just ahead of the sunset…
fame
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 11
2022
Posted by deleteme
Rescue of Wan Hai 176
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
It was a successful and safe conclusion for the Wan Hai 176, a 564-foot container ship which lost power after departing San Francisco Bay on April 8.
The ship was 12 miles off the California coastline when it went adrift, and with rough weather hampering efforts to rescue the ship, it was finally able to set its anchor seven miles off the coast of Point Reyes, a headland 30 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
More favorable weather conditions arrived April 10 when the Delta Deanna, a 112-foot tug, was able to pass tow lines to the Wan Hai 176’s crew at its anchored location. Once the lines and anchors were secured, the tug began towing the ship with the tugs Stacey Foss, Delta Billie, Delta Deanna, and Rachel Allen escorting the ship to an anchorage that evening in San Francisco Bay…
Zappy-J leads J/70 France Series
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The French J/70 Series is officially under way, and the fleet was treated to spectacular weather in Marseilles, France but just a little bit more wind than anyone bargained…
Clipper Race – Qingdao windbound by Typhoon
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 11
2022
Posted by deleteme
Clipper Race yacht Qingdao did not depart Japan as planned due to the a very strong Typhoon approaching Japan…
Cali Kids win spot in US Match Race Championships
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Jeffery Petersen from Balboa Yacht Club wins the third David Storrs Memorial Qualifier, qualifying him for the USMRC. Pearson Potts came in second right behind him, but not without a strong fight…
Be good to yourself – Sail Solo
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 11
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Peter Becker, a leader in the USA for introducing young people to big boat sailing, is all in for the 2022 Bermuda Short-Handed Return, a post Newport Bermuda Race return to Newport for Single- and Double-Handed Boats. Here he explains:
I have been working on ways to challenge myself, to create a new mind-space that will allow me to grow and expand the boundaries that engulf us over time. Sailing is one of the places where I truly feel skilled, confident, and peaceful. Despite this heightened sense of confidence, I realized that I had a blind spot. For my entire sailing life, I have not engaged with short-handed sailing, especially solo sailing.
It is easy to have the utmost respect for solo and double-handed sailors, they do amazing feats such as sailing non-stop around the world in remarkable boats like IMOCA 60s and Ultim Trimarans. But sailing the 2021 Bermuda 1-2 race became my awakening and my challenge. The first leg to Bermuda is sailed single-handed followed by a double-handed return to Newport…
Cruising in an Open 60 Racer
Monday
Apr 11
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 11
2022
Posted by deleteme
An ex-Vendée Globe racer is an unusual choice as a world cruiser, so why was it ours? Although we already both owned a pair of production boats, my partner, Timo, and I were searching for something to spice up our cruising life. We toyed with the idea of a classic schooner, but weren’t sure we could handle all the varnishing. Another option was to maybe find some kind of an old raceboat. That would certainly make for some exciting sailing! In the end location—or was it destiny?—played as big a role in our final destination as anything else, as we found ourselves anchored just a few boats away from just such a vessel, the Open 60 NV, in Opua, New Zealand.
After doing a little digging, we were fascinated and humbled by what we learned about NV’s history. Designed and built in 1989 by Hungarian sailor Nándor Fa, she took part in four singlehanded around-the-world races in the first decade of her life. Perhaps the highlight of her career was a fifth-place finish in the 1992-93 Vendée Globe with Nándor at the helm, making him the first non-French skipper ever to finish. She entered the Vendée Globe again in 2000, skippered by Russian adventurer Fedor Knovukhov, who sadly abandoned both the race and the boat in Sydney, Australia, due to technical problems. In Australia, the boat underwent further modifications, including having an extra 6ft added to her stern, after which she became a regular competitor in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) many offshore races, including the Rolex Sydney Hobart, in which she came in 8th in 2002…
Closure at Trofeo Sofía Mallorca
Sunday
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Palma, Spain (April 9, 2022) – Palma Bay witnessed 10 gold medal winning performances on the concluding day of the 2022 Trofeo Sofía Mallorca. With 1,015 competitors, this regatta launched the 2022 Hempel Sailing World Cup Circuit while also marking the start of a new Olympic cycle towards Paris 2024.
The Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca is unique among major multi-class Olympic regattas in delivering an overall winner. This year’s winners are Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti (ITA) who take the title after dominating the Nacra 17 division.
The winner is the boat with the lowest average points after dividing the total points in the regatta series by the number of races completed (including any discard). The Italians won nine of their 13 races, convincing overall winners.
With 11 to 15 knot winds from the north-west, the offshore breeze made for tricky Medal Race conditions. For the final report, click here.
Container ship threatens California coast
Sunday
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Point Reyes, CA (April 10, 2022) – The Wan Hai 176, a 564-foot container ship that lost engine power off the Northern California coast on April 8, hasn’t yet been secured, the U.S. Coast Guard said today.
The ship lost engine power while 12 miles offshore and went adrift during the afternoon with rough weather hampering efforts to rescue the ship. It is now located approximately seven miles off the coast of Point Reyes, a headland 30 miles from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.
None of the 21 people aboard are injured, but the ship is a carrying approximately 39,000 gallons of fuel. Due to the rough seas the towing vessels have been unable to deploy lines to tow the ship, the Coast Guard said.
The Singapore-flagged vessel began experiencing engine problems around 1:00 pm while en route to Seattle from Oakland, with the captain initially reporting that they were unable to properly anchor and were moving closer to shore at 3:45 pm The ship now remains at anchor as the rescue attempts continued.
Built in 2016, details of cargo are not available but video shows a load of container boxes.
Coast Guard Documentation Scam
Sunday
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
RCR Yachts, serving the boating community since 1972, provide this public service announcement:
Every year vessel owners must renew documentation with the U.S. Coast Guard which costs $26 on the USCG website. However, private companies send out similar, official looking renewal letters that demand twice or three times the actual USCG fee. The scam sites look very similar to the official USCG site.
The Coast Guard has issued warnings about such practices, but not everyone has gotten the word and even life-long boat owners have fell victim. If you choose to renew your documentation online, the website is: https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/1175233.
Tita & Banti overall winners at 51 Princesa Sofía
Sunday
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Palma Bay witnessed 10 gold medal winning performances on Saturday 9 April, the concluding day of the Trofeo Sofía Mallorca. With 1,015 competitors, this regatta made for a glorious start to the Hempel Sailing World Cup Circuit of 2022…
Black Jack wins Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Race
Sunday
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
After taking line honours and setting a new race record in the Club Marine Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race yesterday, Peter Harburg’s 100ft Black Jack has today been declared the overall winner of the RPAYC 226 nautical mile race…
NZL Sailing Team: Three top 10’s – Day 6 – Palma
Sunday
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 10
2022
Posted by XS Editor
New Zealand crews have placed in top seven overall in three events on the final day of the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma – the teams first international competition for two years…
Black Jack sets Coffs record
Saturday
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Black Jack, the super maxi owned by Peter Harburg, has smashed the race record and taken line honours early this morning, finishing the race at 06:31:31…
10 Nacra 15s set to compete at Pwllheli
Saturday
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Ten Nacra 15s will descend on the Welsh National Sailing Academy in Pwllheli this weekend to compete in the 2022 RYA Youth National Championships, with five days of racing set to take place from the 11th-15th April…
Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 preview
Saturday
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Superyacht Cup Palma 2022 is getting ready to greet new entries and familiar faces to the mid-summer festival of sail, as well as celebrating the welcome return of long-standing Preferred Hotel Partner, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts…
Restart sailing show #45 – WASZP
Saturday
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
In today’s show, filmed live from Palma we talk about the return of the World Cup regattas with over 1000 sailors taking part, flying boats with Hattie Rogers (Waszp, building a Moth and of course SailGP), and the importance of boat work…
Princess Sofia Regatta – Day 6 – Final Medal Race Results
Saturday
Apr 09
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 09
2022
Posted by deleteme
It is medal day at the Trofeo Sofia Mallorca Olympic classes regatta in Mallorca with hte first Gold going to Britain’s Mike Beckett…
Wearn and Ainsworth make Medal Races
Saturday
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 09
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Day 5 of the Princess Sofia Trophy was make or break time for Australian Sailing Team (AST) and Australian Sailing Squad (ASS) athletes competing in Palma…
Dragon Europeans – Wolf Waschkuhn is 2022 European Champion
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Switzerland’s Wolf Waschkuhn sailing with Charles Nankin and Rauiridh Scott is the winner of the Dragon 2022 European Championship…
Black Star Sailing Team to join 44Cup racing circuit
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Switzerland’s Black Star Sailing Team has confirmed it will join the 44Cup for the second event of the 2022 season in Cascais, Portugal over 11-15 May…
Oregon to San Francisco
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Hey all! I am looking to deliver my boat from near Portland to San Francisco. I would love to do it nonstop with 3 or 4 people but am not opposed to stopping in the many harbors if warranted.I have about 5 years of sailing experience on the San Francisco Bay and out of the gate. I have spares and tools on the boat. Dry suit, safety gear etc. It’s a Hunter Legend 40.5
If you’re looking for an adventure, send me a pm with your experience and a bit about yourself.
Cheers…
Top fives target for Tom Dolan
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Ireland’s leading solo offshore racer Tom Dolan has almost finished his training phase prior to the start of the five events which comprise the 2022 French Elite Offshore Racing Championship…
2022 M32 Miami Winter Series ends on high note
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Team Convexity got away with the win of both the event and the series and showed that they can not only defend a lead but fight back from a tough position…
Princess Sofia Regatta – Day 5 – Medal Race fields decided
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Final day of series racing at the Princess Sofia Regatta before the top ten of each class compete for the podium places on Saturday 9 April…
mix and match
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 08
2022
Posted by deleteme
The new Beneteau First 36 has finally taken its first tacks in Slovenian waters. Its architect Sam Manuard, explains to us how it revives the spirit of the old First with a mixed program for regattas and cruising and a spacious and intelligent interior. Read on thanks to bateaux.com
Uncharted territory with seized yachts
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Amid the atrocities occurring in Ukraine, it has given the public some joy to have obscenely expensive Russian yachts seized by foreign governments enforcing sanctions placed in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
However, that’s only where the story begins as explained by marine surveying and consulting company Van Ameyde McAuslands:
Seized maritime assets could pose a “significant risk” to ports, harbors, and marinas if there is no requirement to ensure mega yachts detained under sanction rules are properly maintained, made safe, or deactivated.
Safety concerns are now the issue following the seizure by port authorities across Europe of a number of high-profile mega yachts thought to be owned by Russian oligarchs…
Wearn moves up to third place on Day 4
Friday
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 08
2022
Posted by XS Editor
On Day 4 of the Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma, the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, 470 Mixed, 49er, 49er FX and Nacra 17 classes moved into the Finals stage and multiple athletes from the AST and Australian Sailing Squad made it into their respective Gold fleets…
Sun comes out for World Cup Palma
Thursday
Apr 07
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 07
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Palma, Spain (April 7, 2022) – The Bay of Palma turned on the perfect combination of sunshine and solid SW’ly winds for the fourth day of competition at the Trofeo Sofia Mallorca Olympic classes regatta, the first Hempel World Cup Circuit of 2022.
Canada’s Sarah Douglas is running away with the ILCA 6 Sofia Mallorca title. After four finals races she is already 20 points clear of Greece’s second placed Vasileia Karachaliou, strengthening her hand today with two more wins…
two and counting
Thursday
Apr 07
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 07
2022
Posted by deleteme
On April 1st, Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding launched the second hull of the LM46 series in Thomaston, Maine. Just like hull #1, Arcadia is a high-performance, cold-molded sailing yacht that features the comfort and ambiance of a wooden yacht, while delivering 10 knots of speed under both power and sail. The LM46 is a collaboration between Lyman-Morse founder Cabot Lyman, his son and company president Drew Lyman, and Kiwi designer Kevin Dibley.
Arcadia differs slightly from Hull #1 as she features a deeper 7’7” draft keel for better performance on the racecourse and a second head for increased comfort while either cruising or racing. The owner is what some would describe as a “Newport Bermuda Race Regular”, who previously owned a J/42 and has been a service customer of Lyman-Morse for decades…
Dragon Europeans – Wolf Waschkuhn takes lead
Thursday
Apr 07
2022
Posted by deleteme
Apr 07
2022
Posted by deleteme
The Dragon European Championship continues in San Remo with four races now completed…
Hydrogen Powered Foiling Chase Boat takes flight
Thursday
Apr 07
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 07
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Just one week after Emirates Team New Zealand first christened their hydrogen-powered foiling catamaran ‘Chase Zero’, the 10m prototype was up and foiling around the Waitemata harbour in Auckland today…
History of America’s Cup arbitration
Wednesday
Apr 06
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 06
2022
Posted by XS Editor
While the America’s Cup is intended to be a friendly competition between foreign countries, the pursuit of the prize tends to bring out the heat in people. In this report, Hesketh Henry provides the history of arbitrating the America’s Cup:
In 1970, after Australia was controversially disqualified in Race 2 of AC21, Sir Frank Packer “raged that protesting to the New York Yacht Club was like complaining to your mother-in-law about your wife”. Until then, the NYYC assumed the role of both competitor and referee in the America’s Cup.
Realizing this was no longer acceptable in modern sport, independent juries were subsequently appointed to resolve racing disputes. Even then, it took another 20 years until AC28 in 1992 before on-the-water umpiring was introduced…
NZL Sailing Team significant win in iQFoil – Day 3
Wednesday
Apr 06
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 06
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The New Zealand sailors are hanging tough at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma after a day highlighted by a first ever race win for Veerle ten Have in her first international windfoiling event…
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