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Monthly archives for October, 2022
Finn Class launches new World Ranking
Sunday
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
After months of development, the Finn Class is excited to announce the launch of its new World Ranking list…
18ft Skiff Spring Championship race 2
Sunday
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 23
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The young Oak Double Bay-4 Pines team of Alex Marinelli, Matt Doyle and Darcy McCracken won their first 18 footer race when they led home the 16-strong Australian 18 Footers League fleet in Race 2 of the Spring Championship on Sydney Harbour today…
Non twist rope?
Sunday
Oct 23
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 23
2022
Posted by deleteme
My dinghy davit lines get all twisted up and then it binds up. Anyone know of a line that doesn’t twist up so much?
Cup Spy: A wet day for the Swiss
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Alinghi Red Bull Racing turned an interesting display of sailing in a rather turbulent Barcelona seastate. Designer Marcelino Botin, agreed afterwards that the the swell and chop could have a big effect on the design of team raceboats for Barcelona 2024…
America’s Cup: Prada out as Cup event sponsor
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The America’s Cup is looking for new sponsors after Italian fashion giant Prada was squeezed out of the next regatta in Barcelona in 2024. The event sponsorship model will change to be a multi-level Olympic sponsorship…
2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race underway
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Grand Harbour performed some magic today, as an assembled 118 yachts set off on the 43rd Rolex Middle Sea Race…
Mellow forecast for 43rd Middle Sea Race
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
A global fleet will compete in the 2022 Rolex Middle Sea Race, with the 43rd edition starting October 22, attracting a fleet of 120 yachts from 25 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, as well as most of Europe.
Five maxi multihulls and two maxi monohulls are expected to lead the charge around the 606 nautical mile course, albeit at a more gentlemanly pace than last year. The prevailing forecast is for a light wind race, in complete contrast to the dream conditions of 2021.
Experienced navigator and race router Mike Broughton noted how high pressure was dominating the central Mediterranean. “There will be no records this year, but on the plus side there should be no rain,” he said.
The first sections of the course all the way up to the Messina Strait look extremely tricky, but the front runners should expect decent breeze as they exit the Strait and head to Stromboli. “This wind will be on the nose, as will the medium, mid-teens breeze likely to be encountered from the Egadi Islands down to Lampedusa on the western side of the course.”
In other words, this is going to be a test of patience, mental resilience and a determination to eke out every tenth of a knot possible…
No excuse to lose for 11th Hour Racing
Saturday
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 22
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The US entry 11th Hour Racing Team provides this update on their preparation for the crewed, around the world race on October 22, 2022:
There are now less than 100 days until the start of The Ocean Race, 85 to be precise, and our team is in full training mode.
Based out of our second home in Concarneau, Brittany, France, the shore crew is working around the clock at the MerConcept base to ensure the boat is kept in peak condition for the sailors.
Having completed a two week session in late September, which included training with the prestigious Pôle Finisterre, the whole team will come together once again in Concarneau in mid-November. Soon after, the sailors will set off for Cascais, Portugal, and the last stint of training before heading to Valencia. Spain. Our final destination is, of course, Alicante, Spain, where we will arrive in the new year for the start of The Ocean Race on January 15, 2023.
The training at the small center of excellence in Brittany is a unique opportunity to collaborate with the best in the world of offshore sailing. They’re picky about who they select and you must play by their rules.
During one of the training days, the team’s Media Crew Member Amory Ross was on the phone from the 60 foot performance race boat as it was dealing with 35 knots of wind:
“It’s errrrrr, well [SLAM] let’s just say the sea is [SLAM] angry,” says Amory as he’s thrown around the cockpit. “We’re out here [SLAM] seeing waves between three to five meters and it’s [SLAM] pretty gnarly. You can see Charlie behind me and [SLAM] we’ve got a lot of learning to do out here.”
So, what exactly are they doing in the Bay of Biscay, alongside ten other boats? The answer is mining for gold…
2022 iQFOiL Worlds at Brest, France day 5
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Day 5 at the iQFOiL World Championships in Brest started strong with the wind gusting close to 50 knots and intermittent rain during the whole first part of the day…
African Diaspora Maritime and the America’s Cup
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Stan “The Fan” Charles and Gary Stein talk with Charles M. Kithcart, CEO of Baltimore-based African Diaspora Maritime, about ADM’s plan to launch the first predominantly Black team for the 2024 America’s Cup.
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 opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on by March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in September/October 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)
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Project Landspeed frustrated by more rain
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
It has not been an easy few days for the Land Speed Team on Lake Gairdner. Like much of Eastern Australia, it too has seen more precipitation than welcome…
Making the turn in the Golden Globe
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 21
2022
Posted by XS Editor
(October 20, 2022; Day 47) – Cards are reshuffled and more breakage for the fleet in the Golden Globe Race as the South Atlantic starts testing boats and sailors with the next film drop in Cape Town.
The Southern Hemisphere has not been overly welcoming, and the fleet has been consistently in confused seas over 4 metres and winds averaging 15 to 20 knots with occasional gusts to 40. Boats and sailors have taken a toll with several sailors injured, and a few boats needing repairs.
Damien Guillou (FRA) on his PRB entry called Golden Globe Race control today to advise that the stainless steel rudder shaft of his wind vane broke at the top of the rudder. The rudder was secured by a safety line so was not lost, and Damien continues sailing upwind for now without self steering.
He has a complete spare rudder shaft which will need replacing. He must remove the main transmission gear of the unit, pulling the broken shaft out and then sliding a new shaft in before replacing the main gear. Not an easy job as he then will have to go over the side to replace the rudder…
unstopable
Friday
Oct 21
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 21
2022
Posted by deleteme
After several years on the Figaro circuit, Xavier Macaire and his sponsor, Goupe SNEF have decided to embark on a larger project: the Class40 .
Construction of a new boat, competition, analysis of the class… Xavier Macaire answers our questions.
American Magic seeks a permanent base
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
New York Yacht Club American Magic is back in Pensacola for another winter, and the team is looking to make the Florida venue a permanent winter training location.
Terry Hutchinson, skipper and president of sailing operations for American Magic, told the News Journal that the team hopes to have a permanent brick-and-mortar facility at the Port of Pensacola in the coming years.
“Our goal has to be when we get done with (the America’s Cup) in 2024, we’re coming back to the American Magic High-Performance Training Center or the American Magic America’s Cup base here in Pensacola, Florida,” Hutchinson said. “So, we have a place to return to, we have a place that we can go straight back into our training facility and pick up right where we left off, win, lose or draw…”
Donald Lawson: Solo and nonstop
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Captain Donald Lawson, who acquired an ORMA trimaran in April 2022, is preparing for sailing solo and nonstop around the world, with a start date in February 2023 from Honolulu.
Launched in 2004 as Groupama 2, Lawson’s boat earned five ORMA championships under skipper Franck Cammas. America’s Cup challenger Oracle Team USA used the boat as a training platform for the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010, and then under new ownership in 2014, it set the Transpac Race record in 2017 as Mighty Merloe.
Anticipating an elapsed time fewer than 70 days, the 40-year-old from Baltimore seeks to be the First African American to Non-Stop Solo-circumnavigate the World, Fastest American (Rich Wilson 107d), First American on a Multihull Solo, and Fastest Person on a 60-foot boat (Armel le Clech holds it at 73 days from Vendee Globe as the Outright and Monohull for 59ft 11inches and shorter).
Donald Lawson Racing: https://captaindonaldlawson.com/
WSSRC: https://www.sailspeedrecords.com/records
2022 iQFOiL Worlds at Brest, France day 3
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Another shifty day from the East with the breeze coming straight off the hills, causing mayhem for some and jubilation for others across the fleets…
Doublehanded dinghy sailors can relax
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
For the new Mixed Two Person Dinghy event at Paris 2024, for everyone that has paired up in the 470 Class for this new Olympic event, they can all exhale now. Triple Olympic medalist Mat Belcher OAM has announced his retirement from Olympic sailing.
Australia’s most successful Olympic sailor, Belcher had been considering a tilt at the new Mixed 470 class at the Paris 2024 games before calling time on his decorated career. Belcher represented Australia at three Olympic Games and returned with a haul of two Gold and one Silver medal.
“It was an incredibly difficult decision, I have been a member of this team for the past 22 years so closing that chapter was not a decision I took lightly,” said Belcher.
“I have been so lucky. I have sailed with some of the greatest athletes in the world, been a part of such a successful team and have been coached by some of the greats including Victor (Kovalenko). It has been a long and rewarding journey, but I am now 40-years old with a young family so the time is right for me to move on to the next phase of my life.”
Belcher began his career campaigning in the 470 class under Kovalenko immediately after he had coached Tom King OAM and Mark Turnbull OAM to Gold at the Sydney Olympics. Belcher was forced to wait his time to get his chance to compete at an Olympics, but when it came at London 2012 he and crew Malcolm Page OAM rode the wave of Aussie success at Weymouth to a long-awaited Gold Medal…
Cup Spy: American Magic gets on their bikes
Thursday
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 20
2022
Posted by XS Editor
American Magic became the first America’s Cup team to test the use of cyclors on an AC75. In a dockside interview immediately after the session the team said they didn’t have enough data yet to be able to say if the bikes will be a permanent fixture…
Cup Spy: Two very different worlds
Wednesday
Oct 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
After a day off – American Magic resumed sailing off Pensacola, in conditions that were a striking contrast to what was seen off Barcelona the day before…
The new X4³ MKII
Wednesday
Oct 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 19
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Replacing the popular X43 the X4³ is the second generation of what has been one of X-Yachts most popular performance/cruisers…
America’s Cup: Powered by peddles
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
When Team New Zealand won the 2017 America’s Cup with cyclists in place of winch grinders, it was the execution of a well-known fact – leg muscles are stronger than arm muscles. The lack of mobility with peddling stations had previously discouraged the option, or perhaps it was tradition, but the need for power had them go for it.
Their victory led to the launch of the AC75 for the 2021 Match, and clever design detail developed systems in which arm strength was sufficient, with class rules now banning the cycling option. However, with the rules for 2024 Match reducing crew size from 11 to 8 sailors, the need for power has returned.
With the cycling ban also removed, the option is back on the table, and curiosity reigns on whether peddles will again replace the handles. British challenger have already declared four of their ten person sailing team as cyclors, and now SRAM, one of the largest manufacturers of bike parts in the world, has partnered with the New York Yacht Club American Magic racing team in their bid to win the 37th America’s Cup.
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)
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Globe40: Sound of one hand clapping
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
American Joe Harris along with Roger Junet are competing in the Globe40, a multi-leg doublehanded round the world race in Class40s. Seven teams were at the beginning on June 26, with five teams now on the third leg from Mauritius to Auckland, New Zealand.
After leaving the Indian Ocean island nation on September 11th, Harris files this report from onboard GryphonSolo2 on October 15, 2022:
So we are on a very long approach to Cape Reinga (at the northern tip of New Zealand), which has been the goal since we exited the Bass Strait (bottom of Australia) a month or so ago (kidding) and have had nothing but upwind conditions the whole way. Three hundred miles to go…
This has been both mentally challenging and boring, as our predicted ETA into Auckland gets continually pushed back. Roger and I are trying to keep our motivation and sanity by downloading multiple GRIB weather files and running multiple routing scenarios on Adrena and also reading and sleeping a lot as there is nothing else to do. “Meanwhile” (as Stephen Colbert would say), my lovely wife Kim has arrived in Auckland and is touring the city by herself as we wallow our way to Auckland…
VIDEO: How the tide really works
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Waterlust team presents environmental science in creative ways, and in this video they explore the science behind why and how the tide changes…
Experience: Up the Mast
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
I gazed aft over Hazel James’ port quarter and patted her well-travelled 31ft hull. “It’s time to sail, girl. We’ve got a long way to go,” I said.
As the Virgin Islands sank below the horizon, my thoughts were filled with Caribbean memories, a curious and sundry collage of trade-wind sailing, cruising friends and shimmering turquoise water the color of Hazel’s hull. After a poignant moment or two, though, I turned my attention forward again, from the past to the future—not some dreamy and distant future, but the imminent challenge of the 1,200-nautical-mile single-handed passage that lay ahead.
By happenstance, the voyage I was on straddled not one but two epochs. I had embarked from South Florida in the “before time,” prior to the pandemic, with the goal of reaching the Virgin Islands via The Bahamas. Not surprisingly the upwind passage against the prevailing currents from The Bahamas to the Virgins had lived up to its expectations. However, as recompense for all my southward efforts, I now hoped to be rewarded with an “easy” downwind island-hop northward, from the Virgins to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the Turks and Caicos, and then on through the Bahamas to Florida, with a sprinkling of single overnight sails. From a theatergoer’s perspective, it was a simple and understandable morality play—good things happen to good people who invest the time and effort. Then, of course, there was the reason I had embarked on this voyage in the first place—to help process the grief from my sister and my wife’s recent but unrelated deaths—by far, the two most awful things that have ever happened to me. I deserved an easy passage home, or so I thought. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus had other plans for me, and with international borders sealed throughout the region, my passage home was now going to have to be nonstop.
In the cockpit I considered my situation and told myself, Oh, well, even if I can’t island-hop, at least I should have hundreds of miles of fair winds and following seas under Hazel’s cruising spinnaker. And with that, I clipped-in to my jackline and tether system and made my way to the foredeck to set the chute…
Got a good story to share? Send it to sailmail@sailmagazine.com
elusive speed
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Back in 1978 I was trying to hitch a ride across the Atlantic from South Africa to Uruguay. The skipper’s girlfriend was a pretty blond. I was trying to chat her up until I realized that she was unavailable, so I switched angles. “Where is your boyfriend?” I asked, “if he’s not here on the boat?”
She replied, “he’s at Weymouth Speed Week. In England. On a boat called Crossbow.” I was just 20 at the time and a little wet behind the ears. This was big news and I have had a fascination with Speed Week ever since.
Weymouth Speed Week celebrates its 50th anniversary this week, a major milestone by any measure. It began in 1972 under the direction of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). Weymouth is located on the southwest coast of England and has hosted all kinds of crazies, and I use that term fondly, for those who want to set a record as the fastest sailboat. And it has come a long way from the early days of just sailboats. These days it’s the kiteboarders and windsurfers who have started to dominate but sadly, and probably for good reason, other venues have been chosen for those seeking the outright record…
no debate
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Sam Manuard is a renowned architect in the world of scow, officiating in both IMOCA and Class40.
On the eve of the start of the Route du Rhum 2022 and one year after the launch of the new plans for the Transat Jacques Vabre, he gives us his opinion on the evolution of the Class40. Read on.
Cup Spy: American Magic leaps to Version 2
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 17
2022
Posted by XS Editor
US Challenger NYYC American Magic has thrown down the gauntlet to other 2024 America’s Cup teams, with the relaunch and sailing of their turbo’d AC75 Patriot…
Parent and Gramm of USA crowned F18 World Champions
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Ravi Parent and Severin Gramm of the USA are 2022 International Formula 18 World Champions…
going…going…
Monday
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
Oct 17
2022
Posted by deleteme
The Environment
The Mississippi River’s water level continues its downward trajectory, with substantial implications for agriculture and commerce in the American heartland. The depth is approaching a historic low last seen in 1988, and it is slowing barge traffic to a crawl.
The river gauge now sits at -8.9 feet at Memphis, three feet lower than it was last weekend, and there is little if any relief in the forecast. The water level at Memphis could approach -10 feet by the end of the month, according to a National Weather Service Forecast, and the extended forecast predicts below-normal precipitation throughout the Mississippi Basin for at least the next 30 days.
“There is no rain in sight, that is the bottom line,” Corps of Engineers spokesperson Lisa Parker told the Wall Street Journal. “The rivers are just bottoming out.” Read on.
Project Landspeed: A creep of frustration
Sunday
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The creep of water was accompanied by the creep of frustration on Lake Gairdner for Glenn Ashby and the land speed team as near perfect winds blew across the wetted lake surface restricting any sailing again…
Daniela Moroz wins sixth World title
Sunday
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Daniela Moroz (USA) won her sixth consecutive Formula Kite World title at the 2022 Championship held October 11-16 in Cagliari, Italy. One hundred fifty riders from 44 countries competed in men’s and women’s divisions, with Toni Vodisek (SLO) taking the men’s title.
After qualifying races advanced the top riders to the Gold Fleet, it was then the focus to finish in the top ten to advance to the Medal Race Series. As the top qualifiers, both Moroz and Vodisek had an easier route to the title, needing to win just one more race for the crown (see format).
Moroz made it look easy as she foiled to victory in the one and only race in the women’s final. Vodisek (SLO) crashed out of his first finals race, with Max Maeder (SGP) pulling all square for race two. This time Maeder crashed and Vodisek seized his chance, winning the world title with the 16-year-old Maeder in second and Axel Mazella (FRA) moved to third after defending world champion and Theo de Ramecourt (FRA) was disqualified for starting too soon.
Denmark, USA win at ILCA 6 Worlds
Sunday
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Denmark’s Tokyo Olympic gold medalist and Rio Olympic bronze medalist Anne-Marie Rindom was named 2022 ILCA 6 World Champion in the women’s fleet, with American Peter Barnard securing the men’s title in the 12-race series held October 11-16 on Galveston Bay in Kemah, Texas. – Full report
18ft Skiff Spring Championship race 1
Sunday
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The Shaw and Partners Financial Services team of Jim Colley, Charlie Wyatt and Tom Quigley, took out the opening race of the Australian 18 Footers League’s 2022-23 season when it came from behind to win Race 1 of the 18ft Spring Championship…
Eight Bells: Jeremy Rogers
Sunday
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 16
2022
Posted by XS Editor
British yacht builder Jeremy Rogers MBE, most famous for co-creating the iconic Contessa 32 and Contessa 26, has died at the age of 85. As an esteemed designer and passionate racing sailor, he founded his eponymous boatyard in Lymington, Hampshire, in the United Kingdom.
Rogers was born in September 1937, and as a child his mother evacuated him and his brothers to rural Canada during the Second World War. There they occupied themselves during snow-bound Ottawa winters building model boats.
After the war the family returned to the UK, settling in Keyhaven just outside Lymington, where Jeremy and his younger brother Jonathan began sailing Cadets. He built his first dinghy at primary school, building a home-built Cadet dinghy whilst at Clayesmore School in Dorset, aged just 10…
Charlie Dixon – Youth iQFoil Multiple World Champ
Saturday
Oct 15
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 15
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Many congratulations to talented 17-year-old Blackwater Sailing Club cadet sailor Charlie Dixon who has been crowned iQFoil Youth World Champion at the Youth World Championships in the Hague held from 8-15 July 2022…
Globe 40 duel on NZ coast
Friday
Oct 14
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 14
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The lead boats in the Globe40 around the world race are making slow progress down the Northland coast. Just under 3nm separate the lead boats in the two-person around the world race…
Character building day at the ILCA 6 Worlds
Friday
Oct 14
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 14
2022
Posted by XS Editor
It was another antagonising day on Galveston Bay at the ILCA6 World Championships as the Tropical Storm in the Gulf of Mexico continued to disrupt the weather in the area…
F18 Worlds at Clearwater Beach, Florida day 2
Friday
Oct 14
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 14
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The wind was a no-show again on Day 2 of the 2022 Immunolin F18 World Championship in Clearwater Beach, Florida…
America’s Cup: Luna Rossa launch Prototype
Thursday
Oct 13
2022
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 13
2022
Posted by XS Editor
The futuristic Luna Rossa Prototype, that will showcase the team’s return to on-water training, was launched today at 2 pm local time at the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli base…
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