For Jimmy Horel, the Bay of Biscay in late September on the first section of the Défi Azimut 48-Hours, was a true baptism of fire…
Monthly archives for September, 2023
slip owership-the good, bad, and ugly
Saturday
Sep 30
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 30
2023
Posted by deleteme
I have read through other forums and info online. I think I have my head wrapped around the basic dangers and short comings of purchasing a slip. I am asking if anyone has any useful opinions/experience owning a slip at a Safe Harbour marina in…slip owership-the good, bad, and ugly
Cup Spy Sept 29: Missed day for Swiss, USA
Friday
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The breeze all but deserted Barcelona on Friday, disrupting a planned sailing day for the Swiss, and leaving the US team no option than to run with a plannned photo-shoot, usiung a towed up AC40…
Happening Right Now on San Francisco Bay
Friday
Sep 29
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 29
2023
Posted by deleteme
As we write these words and bang away on the keyboard, as the October issue of Latitude 38 is making its way to your local waterfront, mailbox and inbox, boats are making their way onto the water. Today marks the last day of the biennial International Folkboat Regatta, sailing out of Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon.
There’s actually a bit of wind in today’s weather reports — it may be summer making an encore and taking a bow with one final day of fog and snorting San Francisco sea breezes. Looking at today’s windy.com forecast, there is a sea of upper-atmosphere green enveloping the Bay around 2 p.m., suggesting a brisk 20 knots of breeze and the kind of conditions hearty sailors, wingers, kiters and windsurfers love and maybe even plan their lives around…
Building a Classe Mini for the future
Friday
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Classe Mini have announced plans to reduce their environmental impact and make the popular series more accessible by organising a new solo race for older boats…
winter live aboard slip <$80 month.
Friday
Sep 29
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 29
2023
Posted by deleteme
Decided to find a slip for the winter in the finger lakes, live aboard, amenities, under $500 for October through May, no insurance required, quiet, peaceful, and inexpensive. Less than $80 a month!!!
M32 Worlds at Newport, Rhode Island Day 1
Friday
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Twelve teams are in motion at the big dance in Newport, Rhode Island. Today was a tricky, shifty day at the M32 World Championship…
Pen Duick VI first across equator
Friday
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Skipper Marie Tabarly and her determined Pen Duick VI crew were first to cross the doldrums, reach the South Easterly Trades and yesterday morning first to cross the equator. She is now 337 nm ahead of their closest rivals Spirit of Helsinki…
Cup Spy Sept 26: Defence comes into focus
Wednesday
Sep 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team NZ sailed their AC75 for the first time in over a month, with co-helmsman Nathan Outteridge saying after the session that the Kiwis had shifted their focus to understanding the nuances of the venue…
there be pirates
Tuesday
Sep 26
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 26
2023
Posted by deleteme
At 12:09 UTC, Outlaw AU (08) / Captain Campbell Mackie, contacted McIntyre Ocean Globe race headquarters stating they’d come in contact with a sole male drifting in a 20ft canoe, 90nm off the coast of Dakar.
The distressed mariner, who doesn’t speak English or French, had no water, limited fuel in 2 small cans, no fishing gear and no sign of a radio. Campbell provided food and water and took the sailor under tow, but left him in the canoe making the best speed under motor to Dakar at 5knts in light winds.
OGR declared a Code Orange and contacted Senegal/Dakar MRCC, MRCC Dakar, JRCC /Maritime and Senegal Coast Guard asking for assistance in an immediate evacuation. More here.
The World Sailing Show
Tuesday
Sep 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The World Sailing Show delivers 30-minute episodes which feature news, profiles, and racing highlights from across the world of sailing.
The September episode of the World Sailing Show focuses on preparations for the 37th America’s Cup Barcelona with the first Preliminary Regatta already providing a tantalising glimpse at the action yet to come.
• Olympic qualification takes a major step forward
• 54th edition of the Solitaire du Figaro sets sail from Caen
• World Match Racing Tour set for an exciting conclusion in China for the first time
• Rolex TP52 World Championship heads to Barcelona
• All the news from around the sailing world
There is also an in-depth look at the progress of Olympic qualification following the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships in The Hague and with events on every continent rapidly approaching ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Olympic qualifying is well underway with the 2024 Olympic sailing events in Marseille less than a year away. The World Sailing Show has all the details and catches up with the most recent qualifiers, including new Formula Kite world champion Max Maeder of Singapore, 49erFX world champions Rebecca Netzler and Vilma Bobeck of Sweden, and Nacra 17 world and Olympic champions – as well as 2022 Rolex World Sailors of the Year, Ruggero Tita and Catarina Banti of Italy…
How clouds impact your race strategy
Tuesday
Sep 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The movement of clouds is easy to forget when the action is in front of you, but the key to your next race win may very well be above. Here’s how to play the clouds, by Chelsea Freas for Sailing World:
So many factors go into prepping for a typical around-the-buoys day race: rig tune, sail selection, start line bias, course skew, and currents, but one of my biggest pieces of advice to sailors is to remember to regularly “look up!” One overlooked component of sailing strategy is how the wind behaves around the clouds and by understanding how they can influence wind patterns at the surface, you can gain a competitive edge on the water, especially if you are the only one looking around at the clouds. Clouds are a big topic, of which entire books have been published, but to get you started, here are my five top tips for cloud management. – Full report
2023 505 North American Championship
Monday
Sep 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
In advance of the 2023 505 World Championship on September 26-October 1, the 2023 505 North American Championship was held September 23-24 in San Francisco, CA.
Fifty-four teams competed in the 6-race series with Mike Martin/ Adam Lowry (USA) claiming the title, followed by Eric Anderson/ Nic Baird (USA) in second and Nathan Batchelor/ Sam Pascoe (GBR) in third.
The North Americans was held on two sailing areas on San Francisco Bay, with the first day of racing held west of Alcatraz Island and the second day just west of Treasure Island.
Sixty teams representing eight nations are registered for the 10-race World Championship.
Event information – Race details – Entry list – Photos
Storms postpone 24th Mini Transat
Monday
Sep 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Rather than start 90 solo sailors on the first leg of the 2023 Mini Transat, the fleet of 21-foot Mini Class competitors were postponed on September 24 due to strong winds and large seas forecasted off Spain’s Cape Finisterre when the Mini fleet would be rounding this point.
Something about 40 knot winds and 10 foot high waves …
Instead, their 1400 nm course from Les Sables d’Olonne in France to the Canary Islands began a day later which has allowed the weather forecast to further develop and move slightly more north. Additionally, the race organization added a waypoint to keep the fleet towards the southern part of the Bay of Biscay to maintain distance from the low pressure system.
After two years of intense preparation, extra scrutiny is needed to dissect weather files to refine strategies as the first 48 hours of the race is expected to be in light winds, plus rounding Cape Finisterre promises to be challenging despite the change in the schedule.
The 24th edition follows the previous format of two stages, with the second extending from the Canary Islands to Guadeloupe. With divisions for prototype and production boats, the combined elapsed time for the two stages determines the overall winners…
bad man
Monday
Sep 25
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 25
2023
Posted by deleteme
The owner of Howard Boats in Barnstable, Mass was arraigned on charges of rape and indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over, the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office announced.
Peter Eastman, 57, of Barnstable, was arraigned in the Barnstable District Court on Sept. 11. Eastman already had bail on a separate matter — with charges including assault with a dangerous weapon and violation of a restraining order — which was removed during the recent arraignment.
On Tuesday, Eastman appeared in the Barnstable District Court, where the state’s motion to hold him without bail was allowed. There was a motion by the Commonwealth to hold Eastman on dangerousness in the sexual assault case, meaning, as a matter of procedure, the court revoked bail on his previous pending case and held him on dangerousness.
He is due back in court today.
Balmain 18ft Skiff Racing Team
Sunday
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
As we approach the start of the Australian 18 Footer League’s 2023-24 season, with Race 1 of the Spring Championship to be sailed on Sunday, October 8, the Balmain team is looking to build on its spectacular finish to 2022-23…
The Lesser of 2 Weevils!!
Sunday
Sep 24
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 24
2023
Posted by deleteme
We are on the island of Carriacou, part of Grenada and Hillsborough has 5 “supermarkets” and 1 Co-op. None are airconditioned, all are open in some way to the open air.
I call them the “Supermarkets without Food”.
Our shopping on Saturday to last us till Monday took in the Co-Op and 3 of the alleged Supermarkets.
They all have flour. In paper bags.
On Thursdays shop we bought a bag of flour and Marjorie was happily mixing up a batter for…
2023 Caribbean Foiling Championships update
Sunday
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Exciting news for competitors travelling from Guadeloupe to the Caribbean Foiling Championships. In a combined effort Compagnie des Iles du Nord (CIN) and Frigodom have teamed up to sponsor the shipping of a 20ft container to and from St Martin…
John Glenn, USSR, and the America’s Cup
Sunday
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It’s party time in Fremantle as the city celebrates the 40th anniversary of Australia II’s famous America’s Cup win in 1983 on September 26. Their victory was the first successful challenge of the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year defense of the Cup, ending both the longest winning streak in sporting history and U.S. domination of the racing series.
While it was a gut-punch for Newport, which took over hosting duties from New York City in 1930, historians believe the Australian accomplishment was best for the event. Releasing the trophy was from the shackles of New York Yacht Club allowed it to be truly shared with the world.
This anniversary is reliving not just the event as shared here by Kai Yves…
Emirates Great Britain secure back to back wins
Sunday
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 24
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After a weekend of two halves, Ben Ainslie’s Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team has secured back to back wins, adding the ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix title to his France Sail Grand Prix win from two weeks ago in Saint-Tropez…
Clipper Race 2: Hundred Years Cup Scoring Gate
Saturday
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Scoring Gate results are in for Race 2: Hundred Years Cup, and in a close battle the points were all to play for right up until the very end…
Cup Spy Aug 21: Brits get into fencing
Saturday
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Two Cup teams sailed – with American Magic focused on boat maneuvers, while the British tried a new style of wingfoil – equipped with ‘Fences’ designed to impede foil ventilation. Alinghi Red Bull Racing have repurposed their AC75 as a high dive platform…
“I still think about Vendée Globe all the time”
Saturday
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Ten years after he raced his last Vendée Globe, finishing sixth, British yachtsman Mike Golding is back on an IMOCA, making ready to compete on the upcoming Transat Jacques Vabre, and says he’d still love to do a fifth Vendée Globe…
Australia dominates opening day in Taranto
Saturday
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Tom Slingsby’s Australia team got off to a world class start in day 1 of the ROCKWOOL Italy Sail Grand Prix | Taranto in one of the windiest SailGP race days to date in Season 4 with an impressive 1-1-5 finish…
Strong line-up for Italy SailGP this weekend
Friday
Sep 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
This weekend, Switzerland SailGP Team will race in the Southern Italian city of Taranto, the second of three back-to-back European SailGP events…
Hospice Cup Draws Record Turnout off Annapolis
Friday
Sep 22
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 22
2023
Posted by deleteme
This year’s Hospice Cup off Annapolis on September 19 saw 94 racing boats competing on three different courses, a record turnout of participants, and record fundraising to support the four hospice partners: Capital Caring Health, Luminis Health Gilchrist Life Institute, Montgomery Hospice, and Talbot Hospice.
The 94 entries represented 13 classes, from Melges 15s and Snipes to J/105s, 40-footers and a Reichel-Pugh Aquila 45. The classes divided into three racing areas: an inner course for the smaller one-designs, a pursuit course around government marks for the handicapped classes and the Cal 25s, and a southern course for the J/105s and the Vipers.
The inner course was run by Drew Mutch, PRO for the Organizing Authority, Sailing Club of the Chesapeake. Mutch was able to get five competitive races off, leveraging the northwest breezes coming out of the Severn River. With 19 entries, the Harbor 20s were the largest class in the regatta…
America’s Cup: AC75 used for 18 metre high dive
Friday
Sep 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The new Alinghi Red Bull Racing home opened its doors to the public on Thursday for the first time with a busy schedule of events and activities to mark the special occasion…
SailGP: Wingless Kiwis awarded redress
Friday
Sep 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
NZSailGP Skipper Peter Burling said he was disappointed the decision was based on average points across the fleet, rather than the team’s performance so far this season…
Cup Spy Sept 17: A magic day for America
Sunday
Sep 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After being the first team to exit the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland, the New York Yacht Club’s American Magic won the first Preliminary Regatta of the 2024 America’s Cup…
Whittemore wins 2023 J/24 Worlds
Saturday
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Keith Whittemore’s Furio (USA), with team Willem van Waay, Marianne Schoke, Brian Thomas, and Melanie Edwards, have been crowned 2023 J/24 World Champions. Whittemore, who also won the 2019 J/24 World Championship in Miami, Florida USA, ended this event with only 25 net points in the full 10-race series.
After discarding a 19 from race seven, the Seattle, Washington-based helmsman kept scores in the top seven including three bullets. Ignazio Bonanno’s La Superba (ITA) was second with 40 points, followed by Tony Parker’s Bangor Packet (USA) in third with 52 net points. Parker has been sailing in the J/24 Class for all of its 45 years, and shipped his hull #58 to Greece.
Cillian Dickson’s Headcase of Ireland won the 23-boat Corinthian division, also placing fourth overall and tied on points with Parker. The crew included Ryan Glynn, Marcus Ryan, Louis Mulloy, and Sam O’Byrne. The all-amateur podium was also comprised of Stephan Mais’ Running Men of Germany and Alexandros Tagaropoulos’s Hellenic Police of Greece.
The IJCA awarded its perpetual Youth Turner Trophy to Papanikitas Spiridon-Eleftherios’s Hellenic Naval Academy.
Competitors reveled in gorgeous conditions for five days at the Nautical Club of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Top Three Overall:
1) Keith Whittemore, Furio, USA, 25 points
2) Ignazio Bonanno, La Superba, ITA, 40 points
3) Tony Parker, Bangor Packet, USA, 52 points
Top Three Corinthian:
1) Cillian Dickson, Headcase, IRL
2) Stephan Mais, Running Men, GER
3) Alexandros Tagaropoulos, Hellenic Police, GRE
Thirty-five boats from 10 nations and four continents competed from Argentina, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and the United States on September 12-16.
Event information – Race details – Results – Facebook
Source: J/24 Class
More bad news for NZL SailGP Team
Saturday
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After New Zealand suffered a huge blow following the first day of racing at France Sail Grand Prix | Saint-Tropez when the wing of their F50 collapsed, the bad news continues as a replacement rig can not be transported in time for the next event on September 23-24. As such, New Zealand will not be able to compete at Italy Sail Grand Prix in Taranto.
The league, which supplies the equipment, is now working towards a solution to get the Kiwi team back for the event on October 14-15 in Cádiz, Spain. Additionally, a review of SailGP rules around redress is underway with with all teams.
Following the full structural failure of the team’s wingsail, caused by the wing coming out of alignment, SailGP began investigating options to transport the fleet’s spare wing from New Zealand to Italy and fit it out such that it would be ready to race at the upcoming event.
But due to shipment timelines, along with the extensive setup and testing once it arrives on-site along with the short lead-time between events, it proved to be impossible to get the team on the start line in Taranto.
“We’re working closely with the league to chart a path forward from here,” said Wing trimmer and co-CEO Blair Tuke. “That includes reviewing the rules for redress and compensatory points to ensure this forced non participation does not further hinder our results this season.”
SailGP information – Taranto details – YouTube – How to watch
Cup Spy Sept 16: Day 2 – Plenty of French fizz
Saturday
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It was the Day of the Underdog in Race 1, with the newest entry Orient Express Racing Team taking the first race win of the 2024 America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta. The Italians finished second but were DSQ’d for being on the wrong side of the start…
Bart’s Bash 2023 so far
Saturday
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
As the first day comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who took part today. Whether you were out on the water or helping to fundraise for your event, we hope that you enjoyed joining together with the sailing community around the world…
Anchor hooks an unexploded bomb
Friday
Sep 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
A Dutch cruising couple were forced to abandon their brand new anchor and chain off the port of Pula, northern Croatia, after they discovered they were entangled with an unexploded bomb.
Experienced cruisers Daniel Steenstra and his wife employed a diver to find out why they were unable to weigh anchor after a night in North Harbour, Pula. The diver reported seeing a large cylindrical object rising from the seabed, approximately 2m in diameter, which the authorities then confirmed to be an unexploded Allied bomb that had been dropped during World War II.
Pula Harbour was a German submarine base during World War II and was attacked heavily as a result, but it is now a busy sailing hub with hundreds of charter yachts based at multiple marinas in the area. – Full report
PHOTO: A foil-assisted superyacht
Thursday
Sep 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The launch by Baltic Yachts of the ultra-light, foil-assisted 111-foot Raven for sailing trials off Jakobstad, Finland.
The yacht was first lowered into the water in mid-July, minus her side arms and T-shaped hydrofoils, so that all her systems could be tested before foiling commenced. This ensured that everything from her hydraulic, electrical and electronic systems, including her diesel electric propulsion were working.
Her Southern Spars mast was stepped, North 3Di sails bent on, and her water ballast tanks activated so that she could be assessed under sail without her foils. Although Raven is fitted with a fixed keel, without her foils, she needs the assistance of water ballast to maintain stability while sailing.
When this phase of commissioning was completed, Raven was lifted back onto the hard standing in Jakobstad so that her side arms and foils could be fitted and be prepared for further trials to test her ability as a foil-assisted ultra-lightweight superyacht.
2023-24 Clipper Race to descend Atlantic
Thursday
Sep 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Clipper 2023-24 Round the World Yacht Race is set to depart on its second race for the fleet of eleven identical Tony Castro designed Clipper 70s. After the teams completed passage from Portsmouth, UK to Puerto Sherry, Spain, their next course to Punta del Este, Uruguay will begin September 15 with an expected arrival window of October 12-16.
Sometimes La Solitaire is a war, sometimes a dance
Thursday
Sep 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The annual French solo, multi stage one design offshore race, La Solitaire du Figaro is an incredible sporting challenge and this year’s edition, the 54th La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec which finished into Piriac-sur-Mer this morning was no exception.
Clipper 2023-24 Race arrives in Puerto Sherry
Monday
Sep 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Race 1 of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has finished with Perseverance taking the win of the first race of the circumnavigation…
Dual defending champs prepare
Monday
Sep 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Of the many illustrious clubs from around the world that have competed in the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, the premiere fleet regatta for Corinthian crews, two have most consistently demonstrated the slick boatspeed…
What are the Indicators the Hurricane Season is Over? Atlantic
Monday
Sep 11
2023
Posted by deleteme
Sep 11
2023
Posted by deleteme
What indicators do the meteorologists use to determine that the Atlantic Hurricane Season is finished/finishing for the year?(Yes, I know its not now. We are at peak season). I can’t find a list of indicators on the net…
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