The bull is back and looking leaner and meaner with fire-streak decals down her aft hull run-off following the repair post their capsize three weeks ago in an intense thunderstorm…
Monthly archives for September, 2022
Etchells World Championship – First win to Steve Benjamin of the USA
Wednesday
Sep 21
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 21
2022
Posted by deleteme
One race completed on the second day of racing for the 2022 International Etchells World Championships…
The DCSolar Power Move – Making Power Portable
Wednesday
Sep 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
If you are planning a longer voyage offshore, the question of how to charge your batteries to keep your electronics running is of paramount importance. Solar or Photovoltaic (PV) panels have obvious advantages…
The New-Generation IMOCA 60s
Wednesday
Sep 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The 60-foot IMOCA is the grand prix offshore class, and with a slew of these new foilers lining up for The Ocean Race 2022-23 and Véndee Globe 2024, the round-the-world racing scene is going gangbusters. Report by Ed Gorman for Sailing World:
New boats in the IMOCA class are coming out of the sheds thick and fast on the Atlantic coast of France, many of them at the old German World War II U-boat base at Lorient in Brittany. These days, in the fleet made famous by the solo nonstop Vendée Globe round-the-world race, there’s a lot of pizzazz on these occasions.
Boats no longer appear and then get quietly lowered into the water. In a class in which millions of euros are being spent on new designs, promotions and messaging, first launches are now previewed by the release of sophisticated video treatments, and the reveals take place with theatrical precision.
It is an astonishing fact in a world teetering on the edge of recession that no less than 14 new IMOCA yachts are hitting the water in the summer of 2022 and into the early months of next year as the arms race in solo offshore sailing gets underway in the buildup to the next Vendée Globe starting in November 2024.
The sorts of commercial partners that are paying for these vessels and their skippers range from French banks to alcohol retailers, meat-products suppliers, chocolate manufacturers, insurance companies and companies organizing behind charitable causes. International sponsors include software businesses, watchmakers, hotel chains and global-logistics multinationals. Unlike the America’s Cup, there’s not a billionaire in sight. – Full report
The Golden Globe Race is as tough as it gets
Tuesday
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race made history delivering the first ever solo non- stop unassisted voyage around the world. Nine started, one finished, one died, one boat was lost. The legend of this amazing adventure was born…
Marine Industry Salary Survey results out
Tuesday
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Specialist recruitment consultancy Marine Resources has released its Marine Industry Salary Survey Report 2022. Marine Resources aim to reassess the landscape through the report, helping understand and benchmark employment trends and salaries…
ORC classes at the Rolex Big Boat Series
Tuesday
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
After seven races sailed over four days on breezy San Francisco Bay, there are two new skippers who are wearing Rolex watches for winning their ORC classes in the St Francis Yacht Club’s Rolex Big Boat Series…
America’s Cup: AC40 is tested in Auckland
Tuesday
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The exciting new AC40 that will be used to pave the way for women and youth into the America’s Cup has touched the water for the first time in Auckland with ETNZ continuing its extensive commissioning process out of the shed and onto the water…
Notice to Mariners: 2023 Hurricane Season in Full Force
Tuesday
Sep 20
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 20
2022
Posted by deleteme
There’s so much going on in the news that you would be in good company if you didn’t realize the first major storm to hit the Caribbean was in full force. Hurricane Fiona is currently raging over the Turks and Caicos and is projected to make its way north in the coming three days.
Puerto Rico was hit particularly hard, with a near-total power blackout and more than one million people without running water. National Guard troops have rescued hundreds of people stranded by mudslides and flooding, but the crisis continues. The US territory hadn’t fully recovered from the last direct hurricane hit which destroyed the power grid, exacerbating Fiona’s power and infrastructural damage…
For more information, click here for NOAA’s forecast maps and here for the NHC’s public advisory.
2022 Golden Globe Race – Guy deBoer hits rocks off Fuerteventura
Monday
Sep 19
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 19
2022
Posted by deleteme
Guy deBoer (USA) sailing in the 2022 Golden Globe Race has crashed into rocks at night on the north coast of Fuerteventura, Las Palmas in the Canaries…
A-Class Europeans at Lake Garda overall
Monday
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The final day of many championship regattas can sometimes be a foregone conclusion. One sailor can totally dominate, leaving the rest to battle for the crumbs. At Garda neither fleet overnight leader could rest on their laurels…
A fascinating outing for The Ocean Race IMOCAs
Monday
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération 48 Hours served up the perfect short test for the 2022 IMOCA fleet, as the boats heading for The Ocean Race, and the majority in solo configuration, took on a triangle course in the Bay of Biscay…
Being old has its privileges
Monday
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Gstaad Yacht Club was founded in 1998 by a group of sailor enthusiasts with the vision to ‘create a unique global yacht club away from the waters, instead of another local club by the waters’. Based in the Swiss mountains, the club has more than 400 members from over 35 different countries, and on September 29 will host the 11th edition of the Centenary Trophy in Saint Tropez, France.
Back in 2011 the Gstaad Yacht Club launched this regatta for boats that are one hundred or more years old. Over the years, the Centenary Trophy has gathered some of the most gorgeous and best performing classic yachts from the past century…
Details: https://gyccentenarytrophy.com/
Hobie 16 Worlds in Spain day 5
Monday
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Today was the first day of racing for the Women/Youth/Grand Masters and Great Grand Masters…
Star Worlds Celebrates 100 Years
Monday
Sep 19
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 19
2022
Posted by deleteme
The 2022 Star Worlds featured six days of intense racing where the final and deciding gold medal win went to Diego Negri and Sergio Lambertenghi of Italy.
During some of the toughest sailing conditions in the race’s recent history, sailors and race management overcame daily challenges ranging from light air and very choppy seas to strong, gusty, and cold winds. The epic battle took place in Marblehead waters and featured 85 boats from 13 countries, many who were former World Champions, Olympians and among the best sailors in the world today.
For the Italians, a third-place finish on the final day sealed their win. “It was really a tough Championship,” said Negri who defended his 2021 Worlds title and won the 100th-anniversary championship. “We played this way from the beginning… stay calm and we are going to win the Championship. It was great fun, a lot of intensity. I thank Sergio who was with me the last few years, always supporting me. He has been great, today especially, so I am very, very happy.”
The final race was on Saturday and featured a large spectator fleet, no surprise given a number of Marblehead sailors, including Jud Smith and Tomas Hornos who placed ninth, on the course. The battle of the Star worlds came down to the final race with Mateusz Kusznierewicz (POL) and Bruno Prada (USA) leading to the first mark, chased by Negri/Lambertenghi, and Croatia’s Tonci Stipanovic and Tudor Bilic, who had their work cut out to close the points needed for a podium finish.
For more results, click here.
Photo by Mattias Capizzano
2022 Star Class World Championship – Day 2
Tuesday
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
An impressive race 2 win to Jørgen Schönherr (DEN) and Markus Koy who controlled the fleet from start to finish.
A Scow Atlas Title!
Tuesday
Sep 13
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 13
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The A Scow is a unique class: it features the largest spinnaker trimmed sans-winch in all conditions and looks more like a 38-foot-long surfboard than a sailboat to some.
First AC40 Hull delivered to Emirates Team New Zealand
Tuesday
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
The first AC40 off the production line was unloaded from its ship and transported into the Emirates Team New Zealand base in a typically understated fashion last week.
470 European Championships – Wrigley and McIntyre open with a win
Tuesday
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
Flying start for Britain’s Martin Wrigley and Eilidh McIntyre, winning their first race on the opening day of racing at the 470 Mixed European Championship.
New Boats: J/9
Tuesday
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sep 13
2022
Posted by deleteme
Although they don’t generally make it into print, there’s often a backstory to the boat tests we do at SAIL: case in point my sail trial of the J/9, winner in the “daysailer” category of SAIL’s 2022 Best Boats” awards. Checking the forecast before setting out from Boston for Newport, Rhode Island, it looked like we’d be in for a pretty spirited sail with windspeeds in the mid-20s. Sure enough, crossing the Sakonnet River Bridge it was blowing stink. Great! I thought, the perfect day to put a boat like the 28ft J/9—the first in a planned series of daysailers from J/Boats—through its paces.
The reason I was so happy to discover we were going to have a hatful of wind is that I was curious how the boat was going to fare in less-than-ideal conditions. Obviously, there are plenty of boats out there that can be used for “daysailing.” However, I would argue a true “daysailer” is not just a boat that can be used for the occasional afternoon jaunt, but a boat that takes care of its crew (including guests who might not be as thrilled about sailing with the boat on its ear as their host), in the same way a seakindly, bluewater passagemaker will take care of its crew in the rough stuff off soundings.
Sure enough, coming around Fort Adams with long-time J/boats designer Al Johnstone and SAIL’s managing editor, Lydia Mullan, aboard we immediately started rocketing across Narragansett Bay with a solid 20 knots of wind gusting to 25 and more. The J/9, though, couldn’t have been happier.
Better still, Al expressly designed the boat to handle as well under main alone as under main and jib, and while this works in terms of convenience, say, when sailing singlehanded on and off a mooring, it’s also a great way to de-power the rig. With this in mind, after tacking back and forth under full sail a bit, we rolled up the headsail and continued on pretty as you please, gossiping to our heart’s content without a care in the world. The boat’s helm, moderately proportioned hull and 4ft 11in keel remained admirably well-balanced throughout, making the boat a joy to sail. A 3ft 11in shoal-draft keel is also available for thin-water sailing.
Complementing the boat’s easy sailing qualities is an expansive cockpit, easy-to-board open transom and comfy cockpit benches with equally comfy, practical wraparound cushions and electrical auxiliary inboard power. (Inboard diesel power or outboard power are also available as options.) Belowdecks, there’s a cozy little cabin, complete with opening ports for ventilation, storage compartments bench seating and even a proper marine head forward. With its sharp, slightly tumblehome bow, truncated transom and nicely modeled cabintrunk, the boat is also darn good looking. In short, no matter what the weather, it would be hard to find a better “daysailer” than the new J/9…
SailGP, Golden Globe Race, Tasar Worlds news
Tuesday
Sep 13
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 13
2022
Posted by XS Editor
If you follow SailGP, you’re aware that it’s been a tough run for the American-flagged team during the first half of the Grand Prix sailing league’s third season. That all changed last weekend on the waters off of Saint Tropez, France.
Alinghi RBR’s coach describes a tempestuous Day 1
Monday
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Swiss team coach/consultant and experienced AC75 sailor Pietro Sibello, formerly a mainsail trimmer with Italian team Luna Rossa, describes an eventful first sailing day for the new Alinghi Red Bull Racing team.
High emotion as 2022 Golden Globe Race sets off
Monday
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Emotions ran high as family and friends bid farewell to 16 skippers setting out from Les Sables d’Olonne on one of the most gruelling challenges on the planet.
Malice wins RORC Cherbourg Race
Monday
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The 2022 RORC Season’s Championship concluded on Saturday 3rd September with the finish of the 75-mile Cherbourg Race. A light southerly wind, oscillating both to the east and the west, giving a strategic edge to the race.
Sweet sixteen for Golden Globe 2022-23
Monday
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Les Sables d’Olonne, France (September 4, 2022) – Family and friends bid farewell to 16 skippers competing in the Golden Globe Race, a solo non-stop voyage sailing small 32-36 ft old fashion yachts without technology and no assistance. Following years of intense preparations and safety checks, the competitors would now endure nine months of total isolation with only high frequency radios to speak.
The people of Sables d’Olonne provided their iconic support as thousands lined the wall along the harbor channel where classic and historic yachts, competitors of the Golden Globe Race, traditional Olonnois yachts and local yachts paraded towards the startline.
“We couldn’t have wished for a better home port for the GGR than Les Sables d’Olonne,” said Don McIntyre, President and Founder of the race. “To watch the sailors depart the marina was both humbling, exciting, and electric. We were all swept up in the emotion and human spirit on display. Trying to imagine the hardships and joy these sailors and dreamers will experience in the months ahead was hard.”
It was Britain’s Simon Curwen who crossed the line first, followed shortly by France’s Damien Guillou on PRB, later joined by Kirsten Neuschäfer. The trio who led the previous Gijon prologue quickly took the lead of the fleet towards Cape Finisterre, 350 miles south-west of Les Sables d’Olonne, which they are expected to reach in 3 to 4 days.
Popular local French sailor Arnaud Gaist crossed the start line early by about one minute and was asked by the official starter to recross the line. He failed to do so which will be addressed later, but as he sails the smallest yachts in the fleet, it is not expected to have a significant impact.
Christian Dumard, the meteorologist for legendary races such as the Vendée Globe, the Volvo Ocean Race and the Mini Transat, anticipates the conditions for the first few days of the race are going to be tough. “After a start in good conditions, the low-pressure system to the west of the Celtic Sea will bring strong south westerly winds,” said Dumard. – Read on
50 entries taking part in Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
Monday
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The 32nd edition of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup officially kicked off today with the skippers’ briefing and Welcome cocktail on the terrace of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda.
J Class at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup day 1
Monday
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 05
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Triumphant on their debut as a team at the Superyacht Cup Palma in July, Swedish flagged Svea continued their winning ways today when they took first blood in the four-boat J Class at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.
SailGP: Coutts reflects on Copenhagen
Friday
Sep 02
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 02
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Coutts: “I don’t think any SailGP team right now could swap out their wing trimmer or flight controller, and retain the same performance. None of them have the depth to have true substitutes in those key positions”
Noble Marine 2022 UK Musto Skiff Nationals day 1
Friday
Sep 02
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 02
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The first day of the 2022 Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff National Championships kicked off with plenty of wind, but this also meant the fleet would have to navigate large rolling waves on the shore just to get off the beach and out to the start line.
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