In this fourth episode of the STOPOVER series, we meet up with the crews of The Ocean Race at the end of a 35-day marathon in the Southern Ocean, a unique moment of reunion savoured by all before setting sail again towards Newport…
Monthly archives for April, 2023
America’s Cup – Preliminary series regatta set for Saudi Arabia
Friday
Apr 28
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 28
2023
Posted by deleteme
The second America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta will be held on the waters of the Red Sea off Jeddah, Saudi Arabia…
Cup Spy – April 27: Swiss improve AC75 handling
Friday
Apr 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailed their AC75 out of Barcelona, with one of the objectives being to improve their foiling tacks and gybes – which they achieved, but with more work to do…
Golden Globe Race – Simon Curwen first boat to finish in Les Sables d’Olonne
Friday
Apr 28
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 28
2023
Posted by deleteme
Simon Curwen of Britain sailed up the Channel to Les Sables d’Olonneas Thursday, the first boat home despite his stop in Puerto Montt to repair a broken windvane…
The Ocean Race Leg 4 Day 6
Friday
Apr 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It’s been a long speed contest for the four IMOCA racing to the northeast, away from the Brazilian coast. For over 24 hours they had been racing close to the wind on port tack, heading offshore…
The Ocean Race Leg 4 Day 5
Thursday
Apr 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Near 0500 UTC, while the boat was racing east in moderate northerly winds and sea state, the mast on Team Holcim-PRB came crashing down…
The Ocean Race – Team Holcim-PRB working to get boat and crew to safety
Thursday
Apr 27
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 27
2023
Posted by deleteme
Team Holcim-PRB, is working on recovery plan after dismasting during the night, approximately 20 miles off the coast of Brazil. Near 05:00 UTC, while the boat was racing east in moderate northerly winds and sea state, the mast on Team Holcim-PRB came crashing down. Skipper Kevin Escoffier had a message sent to Race Control that…
Golden Globe: Kirsten Neuschäfer Wins
Thursday
Apr 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
(April 27, 2023) – The Golden Globe Race competitor Kirsten Neuschäfer, a South African whose life as a sailor has practically defined the word “adventure,” today won the 2022-23 edition, becoming the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race.
British solo sailor Simon Curwen crossed the finish line after 234 days and 22 hours of racing. Curwen is the first solo skipper to complete the course. However, he is not eligible to win the event, which is a non-stop race, as he had to put into Puerto Montt in Chile to make repairs to his windvane system. This demoted him to ‘Chichester’ class, although he resumed racing after making repairs ashore.
Neuschäfer finished in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, where she began nearly eight months and some 30,000 miles ago, crossing the line to a massive hero’s welcome. In sharp contrast to the rough conditions she experienced during much of her voyage, Neuschafer, aboard her 36-foot Minnehaha, spent the last few hours with almost no wind, inching into the harbor.
In her 36-foot Cape George cutter Minnehaha, Neuschäfer not only won, she took line honors as well, without needing the 35-hour time allowance she earned by rescuing fellow sailor Tapio Lehtinen when his boat sank south of Cape of Good Hope.
She was first to round Cape Horn, and though the leg up the Atlantic saw her lead diminish, she never stopped pushing herself or her boat.
In ocean-racing terms, it was a photo finish for the final week, with GGR veteran Abhilash Tomy, racing his Rustler 36, Bayanat, at times within 45 miles of Neuschäfer. In the end, she pulled away; when she crossed the line, Tomy was about 135 miles behind, predicted to take second place…
NZL vs AUS: Who will take SailGP finale?
Thursday
Apr 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
At the top of the Championship leaderboard with a dominating 11-point lead, defending champions Australia remain the team to beat heading into the final installment of Season 3, SailGP San Francisco. Peter Burling’s New Zealand meanwhile currently sits in second place with a comfortable four-point lead ahead of France in third.
Ahead of the 2022-23 Grand Final, May 6-7, SailGP digs into the data and compare the teams’ performances to see which one has the edge heading into the San Francisco shootout.
With such a dominating points lead, Australia is the only team guaranteed a spot in the three-boat, winner-takes-all Grand Final regardless of how the team places throughout fleet racing. New Zealand doesn’t have the same security however, and could fall out of the top three. But for this to happen, Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team would need to win fleet racing, France would need to finish second and the Kiwis in sixth…
Antigua Sailing Week: It’s a go!
Wednesday
Apr 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
For 2023, the 54th edition of Antigua Sailing Week is all set with the famous regatta’s on-the-water action kicking off with a spectacular curtain raiser on April 29th; the stand-alone Peters & May Round Antigua Race. Five days of red-hot racing follow for Antigua Sailing Week, with legendary shoreside celebrations and daily prize giving.
New to the race program for 2023 will be the Antigua Wing Foil Championships with two days of in-harbor racing and a one-day downwinder on Lay Day, as well an RS Elite One Design class.
Antigua Sailing Week is a melting pot of nations; boats from 18 countries are competing at the 54th edition. Sailors come from all-over the world to experience Antigua & Barbuda, a spectacular Caribbean destination surrounded by world class sailing waters. The racing is not the only source of fun and thrills, shoreside the party-scene after racing is renowned.
By mid-regatta, the Reggae in the Park live gig is followed by all the laughter you can handle on Pigeon Point Beach for Lucky Eddi’s Lay Day. The Final Prize Giving in Nelson’s Dockyard is always a memorable night. Taking a bow on the main stage by winning your class at Antigua Sailing Week is the aim, but it’s also the pathway to the ultimate goal, the big one – lifting the Lord Nelson Trophy…
Event Details – https://sailingweek.com
N2E 75: The countdown is on
Wednesday
Apr 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Hosted by the Newport Ocean Sailing Association, the beloved 125-mile Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race sails for the 75th time on Friday, April 28, 2023.
140 sailboats, an eclectic mix of serious sailors campaigning multi-million-dollar yachts racing alongside recreational cruisers – from 30 to 85 feet – will cross the start line starting at 11 a.m. off the Balboa Pier. Skippers hail from nine different states with one from Ontario, Canada, and one from Mexico.
Racers will sail on one of two courses, the extended run around the Coronado Islands finishing in San Diego, and the perennial favorite; the classic course to festive Ensenada. Sailing enthusiasts, friends, and family can watch the start action from the end of the Balboa pier.
N2E has long been known as a family event. Sailing on Jerry Fiat’s trophy-claiming Farrier 32 SRX Taniwha will be Peter Sangmeister. At 21, Sangmeister was tasked to pull the boat out of storage and put it together in preparation for the ORCA class start. Just 10 minutes before the ORCA start will be the UL-MAXI Class in which Sangmeister’s father John will be competing. John Sangmeister, a NOSA board member and speaker at last week’s Yachtsman’s Luncheon will helm Rock N Roll, an Andrews Dencho 68.
Returning for just his second year aboard a new L30 is Charles Ullman; son of sailing legend and Ullman Sails founder Dave Ullman, and grandson of NOSA founding member Charles Ullman. The eldest Ullman was the first handicap committee chairman and devised two racing categories; Long-Distance Racing and Arbitrary classes.
Last year Ullman sailed the first L30 in California in the Dana Point race. The boat, now named Dartt, is stepping up to the San Diego course. A sister ship, last seen on a trailer in Arizona, is registered for the Ensenada course. The skipper of that boat will be Rodion Luka, the brainchild of the L30 brand and a decorated Ukrainian yachtsman.
Luka is a 2004 Olympic Games silver medalist, the 2005 Class 49er World Champion, a European Champion, a Volvo Ocean Racer, and President of the Sailing Federation of Ukraine.
Weather conditions are not projected to be akin to last year’s near-gale conditions. Those 25+ knot winds blew Manouch Moshayed’s Rio100, a custom Bakewell White, into Ensenada before sunset for a record-breaking elapsed time of 07:02:17. Not far aft in Rio100’s wake, all but one in the Maxi fleet also broke the old record. Although John Brynjolfsson’s TP52 Saga, missed the old record by mere minutes, he won the battle for best-in-class honors and left Mexico with three trophies…
Derbyshire Youth Sailing event at Burton
Wednesday
Apr 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
This year’s Derbyshire Youth Sailing (DYS) handicap series got off to a flying start with the season opener at Burton Sailing Club on Saturday 22nd April. The weather was perfect, to ease the competitors into the new season, with a gentle breeze…
coming forward
Wednesday
Apr 26
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 26
2023
Posted by deleteme
Yesterday, we chastised those who know the names of alleged sexual harassers at the Etchells 22 Worlds, (See Stop Pussy-Footing Around.) and yet are refusing to do the right thing and in effect, covering for and enabling the guilty. We find that cowardice really disturbing.
In the story below, a woman who suffered at the hands of a total creep, and has decided to step forward and tell her story. We salute you, Samantha Evans.
I’m sure most of you in the sailing industry will remember this post on Sailing Anarchy that kept being taken down because he threatened the media outlets. The story of the shower creep that filmed women. James Gair aka chippy.
It did go to court and he was found guilty of voyeurism and given a suspended sentence. Yet, he managed to mostly keep it quiet and continue as though not much had happened. Today I am standing up and being brave- I was one of the victims he filmed.
Not many people will know it was actually me as I kept it relatively quiet as I was in shock and also scared; I was the one that found the camera and took it to the police after viewing to confirm he’d deliberately filmed us but I’ve worried for years of the consequences to my life by people knowing it was me and also his reaction. It’s impacted my sailing, withdrew me from a sport I loved, and changed me.
To put it into context, we were friends and I often sailed on his program, helped with corporate guests and stayed in the crew house. 1 hour before this shower incident where he hid a camera to film us without our permission, we had been discussing a potential project where I was going to use his crew house, his boat and him to co-skipper an offshore programme and potentially a Fastnet campaign with my school pupils.
I almost endangered minors both female and male by the trust id had in him. This could have been them which really impacts me. Unfortunately, he picked me and I found the camera. It was not the first time he had done this either. Police found videos going back over years including the family he had filmed.
For me, it impacted me more deeply at the time than I realised. Due to a court case pending for around 6 months, I stayed away from Cowes or South Coast sailing and after the trial and sentence, due to him receiving a custodial suspended sentence and no jail time (I understand some community service and being listed on the sexual offenders register) I was too frightened to go to Cowes for fear of seeing him. I only went sailing on the south coast when I needed to as my enjoyment had been completely removed.
After several years of “out of sight out of mind” (I’m very good at compartmentalizing) I’d not thought about it until I returned to Cowes last summer for a couple of days sailing.
Seeing his boat, brought it all back, the fear, the anxiety and I felt sick. He then saw me and decided to intimidate me by loitering in the race village less than 5m away from me and my baby for a good 30 minutes (attempting to talk and engage in conversation to the crew I was sailing with) and I did my best to be unaffected and ignore.
After a while I couldn’t handle it- I had a full breakdown in tears, hyperventilating and a friend had to help escort me away to a safe place as I was shaking and close to hysterics. I let him win by this and he’s been winning for over 6 years now, by continuing to sail and still operating commercially with unknowing customers and clients on his boat.
Why am I posting this now? It’s taken me this long to have the confidence and be brave enough. Victims of sexual predators, voyeurs, or abuse should not have to feel scared, frightened, or intimidated by their abusers and the perpetrators should not be able to get away with the damage they’ve done and continue to intimidate. After seeing another post today from a female being harassed in sailing and so many accounts of pro athletes recently across the sports arenas speaking up, it’s time for me to be strong enough to speak out too and share my story.
Women, it’s time to stand together. Thanks to my friends that did know at the time for their support and that have helped protect me over the years that knew of this incident and to all the decent men out there shocked by this behavior; Thank you I am a survivor and can tell my story. – Samantha Evans…
Cup Spy – April 24: USA has wipe out in chop
Tuesday
Apr 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The America’s Cup Arbitration Panel has ruled that an interpretation requested by the Swiss was lodged too late. American Magic got off to a bad start, capsizing soon after dropping the line from their Chase boat. Luna Rossa had a solid testing day…
Golden Globe Race Day 232
Tuesday
Apr 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The trio of Simon, Kirsten and Abhilash are close now sailing within 170 miles of each other as they approach the Bay of Biscay and the final run toward Les Sables d’Olonne…
Race to the Start for the Vendée Globe
Tuesday
Apr 25
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 25
2023
Posted by deleteme
In 2020, 30-year-old Clarisse Crémer set off on one of the most ambitious feats in sailing—the Vendée Globe. Alongside 32 other competitors, she left Les Sables-d’Olonne to race around the planet alone without stopping on a 60-foot monohull. Among the fleet were some of the greatest offshore solo racers of the modern era: Alex Thomson, Sam Davies, Jérémie Beyou, and Kevin Escoffier just to name a few. Of the 33 competitors, only 25 finished.
As the field winnowed down, Crémer held fast. For nearly three months, she fought to finish, ultimately setting a new course record for female competitors at 87 days, 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 25 seconds. The record had been in place for 20 years, since Ellen MacArthur’s historic 2001 second-place finish. A 12th-place finish was enough for Crémer to beat her pace by more than a week.
“I have had the Vendée Globe 2024 in mind since I last rounded the Cape of Good Hope [during the 2020 edition],” Crémer recalls. Shortly after completing the race, she secured the continuation of her 2020 sponsorship with Banque Populaire. Preparations for the next campaign began…
The Ocean Race Leg 4 Day 3
Tuesday
Apr 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It hasn’t been a straightforward start to leg 4 of The Ocean Race as the IMOCA teams zig-zag away from the coast of Brazil, seeking favourable conditions to the east, whilst keeping an eye on the overall goal of making miles north…
The Ocean Race Leg 4 start in Itajaí
Monday
Apr 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nearly 350,000 fans visited the Ocean Live Park in Itajaí, Brazil this month to celebrate The Ocean Race stopover. And on Sunday, Leg 4 of The Ocean Race got under way, as the five-boat IMOCA fleet set out from Itajaí…
Keeping America’s Cup team in Pensacola
Monday
Apr 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Pensacola is looking to build a $15 million Center for Maritime Excellence at the Port of Pensacola that will serve as the Florida training headquarters for the New York Yacht Club American Magic sail racing team.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said the city would be seeking a $10 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast and a $5 million grant from the Governor’s Job Growth Grant Fund to build the Center for Maritime Excellence…
The Ocean Race Leg 4 Day 2
Monday
Apr 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It was GUYOT environnement – Team Europe sailor Annie Lush who said the opening days of Leg 4 would be a “trim off” and this is how it has come to pass…
11th Hour Racing and Malizia to duel for top spot
Friday
Apr 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Itajaí In Port Race takes place at 1410 local time in Brazil on Friday afternoon (1710 UTC). The forecast is for light winds, which could make for challenging and changeable racing on a course set near the currents from the Itajaí-Açu River…
Ian Williams into Congressional Cup semifinals
Friday
Apr 21
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 21
2023
Posted by deleteme
Ian Williams (GBR), Chris Poole (USA), Jeppe Borch (DEN) and Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL) advance to the Congressional Cup semifinals at Long Beach YC…
Game time at Charleston Race Week
Friday
Apr 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
When Steve Attard took charge of planning the Hobie 33 National Championship, his thoughts immediately turned to Charleston Race Week. Priority one was picking a venue and Attard realized being part of an existing regatta would dramatically reduce the logistical challenges.
“It made a lot of sense to me because Charleston Race Week provides all the on and off the water support,” Attard said. “I heard the currents and conditions were challenging and figured that would be a nice change of pace.”
Hobie 33 will become just the latest in a long line of classes to contest championships at the 27th Charleston Race Week, being held in 2023 on April 21-23 in Charleston, South Carolina. Ten one-design classes along with ORC divisions will compete on three separate circles set on Charleston Harbor.
Veteran regatta manager Taran Teague will once again serve as the overall principal race officer. Chip Till will handle PRO duties on Circle One (VX One, J/24, RS 21, J22/Inshore PHRF), Mark Foster will manage Circle Two (Melges 24, J/70), and Matt Hill will oversee Circle Three (J/88, J/105, Melges 32, Hobie 33). Bruce Bingman and Ray Redness return as principal race officers for the offshore courses being sailed by the ORC A, Pursuit Spinnaker A, Pursuit Spinnaker B, and Pursuit Non-Spinnaker classes.
As usual, the J/70 class is the largest of the regatta with 40 boats roughly evenly split between professional teams and Corinthian crews. Dallas, Texas skipper Bruno Pasquinelli is the defending champion at Charleston Race Week and will have a top-flight crew aboard Stampede. Last year, Morgan Reeser called tactics as Pasquinelli notched two bullets and finished fifth or better in five others on the way to winning by a comfortable 14-point margin…
Event information – Race details – Entry list
Source: CRW Events
Qualifying done at Congressional Cup
Friday
Apr 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Long Beach, CA (April 20, 2023) – The ten teams competing in the 58th Congressional Cup regatta (April 18-22) have completed the qualifying double round robin stage to advance the top four into the knock-out rounds. Staying perfect through his 18 races was world #1 ranked Chris Poole (USA) who is eager to claim victory after finishing third in 2022. Also advancing to the semi-finals is reigning 2022 Congressional Cup Champion Ian Williams (GBR), Jeppe Borch (DEN), and 2022 Open Match Racing World Champion Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL). – Full report
Field set for 75th California classic
Thursday
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
With registration now closed, the 2023 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race has attracted 140 entries for the 75th edition that starts April 28 off the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach, CA. Competitors will either be racing on the 88 nm course to San Diego or the 123 nm course to Ensenada, Mexico.
The start will see two highly decorated multihulls face off in the quest for top, perhaps near back-to-back honors.
Last year, NOSA Staff Commodore Bills Gibbs and crew, (returning for his 23rd race) sailed away with five top trophies for the best time of Wahoo, his Schionning 1400 catamaran. In 2021, it was Jerry Fiat’s Farrier 32 SRX Taniwha that was the big winner, also taking home five trophies for best overall honors. Taniwha regretfully sat out last year’s race as the forecast for squally waves was deemed too risky for the lightweight trimaran.
Other winners who set personal bests last year are also back. Last year’s winning-most newcomer, John Brynjolfsson, will defend Saga’s in UL Maxi class, and Standish Fleming’s J/125 Nereid will look to repeat his trophy-winning coastal run.
While more than 20 sailors will take to the start line next for the very first time, and another 30 are returning. NOSA gratefully welcomes back Alec Oberschmidt aboard Staghound for an amazing-53rd time. Newport Beach’s own IT’S OK, thanks to Andy Rose and crew, will celebrate their 52nd horn, while multiple-time PHRF winner Andy Horning will revel in Day Tripper IIs 26th time to Ensenada.
New for 2023 is a strong showing by the growing J/111 fleet with five boats sailing in a competitive field of 16 J boats.
Golden Globe Race: Return of the heroes
Thursday
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It’s been nearly eight months since they set out to conquer the oceans. Using just the wind and a simple sextant, this epic solo round-the-world sailing race has been undertaken with no stopovers and no technology…
a happy ending
Thursday
Apr 20
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 20
2023
Posted by deleteme
This week at the International Optimist South American Champs 3 US Sailors received DSQ’s by the international jury from a protest by the technical committee, based on their actions and that of the USODA Team Head Coach, Fernando “Happy” Alegre, breaking multiple SI and NOR rules.
Coach Happy Alegre has been the USODA Head National Team Coach and leads many of the international regattas.
USODA has started to take some action against the coach:
Letter From USODA:
“Many of you are aware of the unfortunate events that transpired at SAMs this week involving Coach Happy. For those of you who are not, the findings of the international jury at the SAMs regatta are posted online. Yesterday, USODA removed Happy as coach for the USA SAMs team based on the findings of the SAMs international jury and he has been replaced by Pepe Bettini.
I am writing to inform all of the USNT families that Happy is also suspended as the USNT coach effective immediately. Happy has been informed of his suspension from USNT. Decisions regarding Happy’s future with USNT will be made after the USODA Executive Committee disciplinary hearing which will be held per our by laws and code of conduct…
Search suspended for missing Americans
Thursday
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The U.S. Coast Guard has been informed that the Mexican Navy (SEMAR) has suspended their search on April 19 for three American mariners aboard the La Fitte 44 Ocean Bound, which was last heard from on April 4 near Mazatlán, Mexico.
Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross aboard the sailboat reportedly left Mazatlán on April 4 en route to San Diego, Calif., with plans to stop in Cabo San Lucas on April 6, report in and reprovision. However, they did not report in or arrive in Cabo San Lucas.
Search and rescue coordinators contacted marinas throughout Baja, Mexico, which resulted in no sightings of the vessel. Urgent marine information broadcasts were also issued over VHF radio, but yielded no additional information.
The search was suspended pending further developments after SEMAR and U.S. Coast Guard responders conducted 281 cumulative search hours covering approximately 200,057 square nautical miles, an area larger than the state of California, off Mexico’s northern Pacific coast with no sign of the missing sailing vessel nor its passengers…
New look, new faces for 52 Super Series champions
Thursday
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
When the 2023 52 Super Series season opens on May 2nd with the first races of the 52 Super Series Saint-Tropez Sailing Week, the first of five regattas this year, it will be a very different crew line up aboard the defending champions…
bottom bound?
Wednesday
Apr 19
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 19
2023
Posted by deleteme
The search for three missing American sailors continues off the coast of Baja California, two weeks after their boat departed Mazatlan and sailed out of contact.
Experienced sailors Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien and William Goss departed the Mexican resort city on April 4, bound for Cabo San Lucas. Their vessel, the 41-foot cruiser Ocean Bound, never arrived. After about five days without contact, their families notified the authorities, and began a massive search effort.
Ocean Bound is a Robert Perry-designed Lafitte 44, an older fiberglass cruising yacht design known for sturdy build and good seakeeping. The last examples were delivered in the late 1980s. According to the Coast Guard, the vessel would have experienced a gale with 30-plus knots of wind and 15-20 foot seas during the short 200 nm transit. More here.
Modernizing the International 110
Wednesday
Apr 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
First built in 1939, the International 110 refers to itself as the ‘worlds first sportboat’. At 24-feet, the double-endeder is sailed by a crew of two, with one on the trapeze, and feels like a dinghy but with the stability of a keel. While still popular in a handful of USA pockets, Joe Berkeley reports for Sailing World on how an injection of interest is underway:
There must be something in the soil at Point Farm in Warren, Rhode Island. On this land, Steve Clark has reaped everything from traditional dories to C-class catamarans to International Canoes, and all sorts of genetically modified vessels in between. His latest crop is a brand-new International 110 crafted from sheets of mere marine plywood.
Members of the International 110 class talked about the creation of a kit boat for decades. When Clark rejoined the class, the dream became reality in short order. As the previous co-owner of Vanguard Sailboats, Clark was accustomed to building 3,000 sailboats per year. In the glory days, it took his firm about 18 hours to build a Sunfish.
Why is he putting his time and talent into building a kit for a one-design first built in 1939? With a mischievous grin, Clark says: “It’s the same reason why a dog licks his balls. Because he can.” At the age of 69, Clark is retired and still enjoys boatbuilding. He came back to the 110 because he saw it as a “geezer Canoe.” – Full report
The coolest catamarans and multihulls
Wednesday
Apr 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
by Toby Heppell, Yachting World
As with beauty, coolness is in the eye of the beholder. While for some, speed is secondary to function or comfort, inherently any list of coolest catamarans and multihulls is likely to tip towards the high performance designs, whether they are historic trend setters or modern record holders.
We’ve asked a plethora or personalities from the sailing world, from top designers to racer for their thoughts on the coolest catamarans and multihulls. Each selection holds a special place in the heart of one of sailing’s biggest names. Reading about their favorites demonstrates it isn’t always the absolute latest technology that makes some of the boats the coolest catamarans and multihulls out there. – Full report
Etchells World Championship – Day 2 produces wins for Canada and USA
Tuesday
Apr 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
After two races the Canadian team of Luke Lawerence, Andrew Macrae and Brad Boston take a two point lead. at the 2023 Etchells World Championship…
Cup Spy: Kiwis do rough water session
Tuesday
Apr 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Questions as to whether AC75s could be raced in a confused Barcelona sea state in the 2024 America’s Cup were partially answered Tuesday by the America’s Cup champions in a bleak four-hour sailing session on the Hauraki Gulf…
Cup Spy – April 12-14: Back from the break
Monday
Apr 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Four of the teams resumed sailing in their test boats, or AC40 One Designs after the Easter break. Emirates Team New Zealand resumed sailing in their AC75 on Thursday (13th) and Friday (14th) of last week – see separate report…
Sailing named national sport of Bahamas
Saturday
Apr 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The House of Assembly named Sailing the national sport of The Bahamas when it passed a resolution on April 12, 2023.
Agriculture, Marine Resources, and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting moved the resolution, expressing delight in what he said was a long-awaited announcement.
“I am so happy to be here to support this historic resolution to name sailing the national sport of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This has been a long-awaited announcement by Bahamians far and wide,” Sweeting said.
“We have witnessed its evolution, and it is a sport that has won the hearts of Bahamians and the millions of visitors to The Bahamas. It is a sport that subtly reminds us of who we are – a friendly, maritime people that continues to make waves internationally by sailing with vigor and grace – the underpinnings of the Bahamian spirit…
Ficker Cup Regatta at Long Beach YC day 1
Saturday
Apr 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jeffrey Petersen (USA) was undefeated on Day One of the Ficker Cup: a Grade Two regatta hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club, precursor to Congressional Cup, and 2023 World Match Racing Tour opener…
Doublehanded Knockdown
Saturday
Apr 15
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 15
2023
Posted by deleteme
The Cruising Club of America (CCA) is a collection of 1,400 ocean sailors with extensive offshore seamanship, command experience, and a shared passion for making adventurous use of the seas. Their experiences and expertise make them, collectively, one of the most reliable sources of information on offshore sailing. In partnership with SAIL, the CCA is sharing some of this hard-won know-how in
SAIL e-newsletters.
After several years of struggling to find sufficient crew for overnight races on our J/44, I decided to do a few things last winter to make the boat easier to race doublehanded. In addition to modifying the racing headsails to fit on the furler, I added a luff line to the mainsail and replaced the autopilot.
The first test of the new configuration was to be the 186-mile Block Island Race, which is run annually by the Storm Trysail Club from Stamford, Connecticut, around Block Island and back. Starting the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend, this event is well known for breezy conditions, with cold water and lots of wind shear. Indeed, during the first 18 hours of the race, we saw fast reaching, a stormy midnight beat down the east coast of Block Island, and several patches of light-air drifting. This being more of a sprint than a marathon, neither I, nor my co-skipper, Todd, slept more than an hour or so.
By mid-afternoon Saturday, we were not more than 10 miles from Stamford Harbor in light winds, reaching in 5-8 knots under A1 and full mainsail. As we worked to keep the boat moving and keep track of the fleet consolidating near the finish, we noticed a band of dark clouds approaching over Long Island. This was not unexpected, as we knew a front would bring clearing weather and easterlies the next day.
As the leading edge of the front approached, it became clear that several boats in front of us were struggling to get sail in, and we decided we ought to do the same ourselves. Springing into action, we raised the genoa (the Number 1 was ready on the foredeck, having been dropped despite the roller furling) and moved to douse the spinnaker. No sooner had we attempted to trip the tack line (which failed) than we were hit with a 65-knot gust (as measured by a nearby still-upright competitor) and driving rain.
The boat went immediately over on its side, as the autopilot tried in vain to stay on course. At the time, I was caught outside the lifelines standing on the bowsprit trying to manually release the tack, and Todd was struggling in the cockpit to release sheets and disengage the autopilot. When I did finally release the tack, the sail, by that time in ribbons, was streaming far behind the boat with much more force than we could possibly overcome to bring it back aboard. Knowing we had no alternative, we released the halyard, which ran out through the masthead and allowed the sail to rest on the water.
By the time we dragged it and 150 feet of halyard back aboard, the squall was beginning to pass and we were able to slowly bring the boat back up and regain way. Although bruised and embarrassed, we were thankful to have escaped worse damage…
Sam Goodchild unveils IMOCA: For The Planet
Saturday
Apr 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Apr 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
One month on from the launch in Lorient of Thomas Ruyant’s new boat, FOR PEOPLE, today it’s the turn of British sailor Sam Goodchild to unveil his new steed FOR THE PLANET (Ex LinkedOut)…
World Sailing Statement welcomes new guidance from the International Olympic Committee
Friday
Apr 14
2023
Posted by deleteme
Apr 14
2023
Posted by deleteme
World Sailing welcomes the new guidance from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board…
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