Cup Spy: June 13 – Swiss drop rig
Monthly archives for June, 2024
The Race to Alaska is On
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Many professional races bill themselves as among the most difficult feats in sailing, but I would argue that the comparatively small and ragtag R2AK should also hold a space on the list. The race is a two-legged beast from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska, with a stop in Victoria, BC, along the way. The first leg (Port Townsend to Victoria) is a 40-mile proving ground (called, yes, The Proving Grounds), while the second 710-mile slog (Victoria to Ketchikan) is the real deal. The race itself bills it “like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear. There are squalls, killer whales, tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.”
Unlike more traditional sailing events, this one lives by its own quirky set of rules—for one, that there are very few rules (and certainly no handicapping or complicated classes). Among them is that any vessel is eligible, provided that it does not have an engine. This means that the race is populated with unusual retrofit designs to let competitors row or paddle when they’re becalmed (or sometimes just row in general with no sails). There is enormous variety in the boats and people who attempt it.
This year, SAIL Technical Editor Adam Cove is making the trek solo in a Marshall 18 that’s been updated with oars and a custom tiller to accommodate the space taken up by the oars. Named Team Wily Wildcat, he finished The Proving Grounds (leg one) in fine style. He’s been sharing his race prep process on our Instagram page, and he’ll be updating us as he travels—when he has time!—so head on over to @sailmagazine on Instagram or catch our Facebook page for Adam’s updates.
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(If you want to hear about previous races, SAIL contributor Norris Comer had a very different experience of the race in 2022 with a crew of three other people on a Corsair 760. Read his award-winning article about it here.
The winner gets $10,000 nailed to a tree in Alaska. The second-place boat gets a set of steak knives, and everyone else gets nothing but the satisfaction of knowing they made it—which is no small thing.
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If you’re interested in following along this year’s race, the best way to do it is by signing up for the race organization’s newsletter, which provides pithy, sardonic, and frequently irreverent daily updates on the fleet. You can also check out the race tracker by clicking here.
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Go Team Wily Wildcat! (And best of luck to all the racers.)
Foiling Week 2024 Preview
We Are Foiling is proud to carry on the tradition of dedicating every edition of the Foiling Week to a relevant Social Theme. 2024 will be inspired to YOUTH sailing and many projects and initiatives have been set (and will be) to support it all year long.
port-starboard?
Helluva a story. So who has the right o’ way?
A seaplane lifted off directly into the side of a boat while setting off on a Saturday sightseeing flight from a harbor in Vancouver, Canada. The pilot and five passengers onboard De Haviland DHC-2 Beaver escaped the crash uninjured, CBC News reports.
Those on the boat weren’t as lucky, with two people being sent to the hospital with injuries.
Barcelona anticipates big payday
The value of hosting the America’s Cup is not easy math, as the advance forecast is typically full of optimism while the post-event calculation has led to debt and drama. Here’s an excerpt on the topic from the New Zealand Herald:
In less than three months, the America’s Cup regatta will descend on Barcelona with a big payday forecast for the region that Auckland will miss out on.
When racing commences, it will cap off a years-long period expected to have a positive economic impact of €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion US) for Barcelona, according to a report commissioned and undertaken by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in May 2023.
By comparison, New Zealand’s economy was left $2.9 million NZ (1.8 million US) worse off from hosting the 36th America’s Cup in 2021, an official cost-benefit report revealed. – Full report
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 was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 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)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For more schedule details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Cup Spy: June 7 – Four AC75s fight for searoom
Five teams sailed on Friday – four out of Barcelona in AC75s, enjoying a 15kt southerly seabreeze and reasonable seaway…
300 Finns head to Tuscany beach for World Masters
Three hundred Finn Masters can’t be wrong when they all head to the same venue. The 2024 Finn World Masters begins next week at the Puntala Camp & Resort beside the Tyrrhenian Sea sea, 13 years after it was last held there.
The dark horse of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is off and running.
The dark horse of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is off and running. Persistence and tenacity were the order of the day for Orient Express Racing Team…
two skippers?
From our friends at Stephens/Waring Design…
Last year, 76-ft Zemphira racked up an impressive array of hardware, culminating in an impressive first-place overall SoT ranking for the CYCS 2023 season. We connected with the yacht’s two skippers, Kirsty Morrison and Andrew Parente, to understand the magic behind the winning boat.
How did you first discover your love for sailing?
Kirsty: My father was an avid sailor. I grew up in London and when I was 8 years old he built me an Optimist dinghy in the spare bedroom. They were originally designed so they could be built out of 2 pieces of plywood. He forgot about getting it down the staircase so he had to take the bedroom window out and lower it out of the opening. I used to race it on a reservoir near Heathrow Airport. Entirely unglamorous, but it got me started.
Andrew: Sailing a sunfish around Third Beach in Middletown RI.
What is your experience and career path to becoming a skipper? Read on.
Franck Cammas on the New York Vendée
As Head of Performance of the Orient Express Racing Team – the French challenger for the America’s Cup – Franck Cammas has his work cut out.
gotta be the fins
The Italian team #204 Acrobatica sailed by Alberto Riva and Jean Marre completed their dominate two-week run, becoming the 2024 Atlantic Cup Champions. Their first place finish in the Coastal Series yesterday guaranteed them victory for the overall Atlantic Cup. More here.
New York Vendée – Britain has three skippers in the top ten
As James Harayda (Gentoo Sailing Team) clings to tenth, Britain has three skippers in the top ten. Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) is fifth and Pip Hare (Medallia) seventh…
Official cocktail of the America’s Cup
Following the lead by Scuttlebutt Sailing News in celebrating the House Drinks in the sport, the 37th America’s Cup now has its official cocktail too. Called the Copa America, it was created by a group of cocktail bars in Barcelona, a region which apparently ranks in the Top 10 cities with the best cocktail bars in the world.
The Copa América includes Bacardí Carta Blanca, salted honey cordial with thyme, Appletiser, Alquimia ratafia, smoked with rosemary, and is served with a gastronomic apple and tajín snack.
The drink was created in collaboration with six bars, representing the same number of teams participating in the main America’s Cup competition, and can be found at 30 venues.
Multiple threats to Paris 2024
As sure as the sun rises in the east, the Olympic Games bring drama to the host city. Maybe its best the 2024 Sailing events are 500 miles to the south in Marseille, based on this report from insidethegames:
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games, a highly anticipated international event, face numerous threats due to their high-profile nature and global significance. Research conducted by Recorded Future’s Insikt Group has identified several key risks, including cybercriminal activities, hacktivist disruptions, and state-sponsored espionage and influence operations.
The event’s extensive security measures are designed to counter potential terrorist threats. However, it remains a potential target for violent extremists and opportunistic criminal groups.
The Paris Olympics, drawing athletes from over 200 nations, widespread media coverage, and millions of spectators, present a prime target for those seeking to cause harm, disrupt proceedings, enrich themselves through criminal activities, or embarrass the host nation. Based on a comprehensive assessment of past attacks, identified threats, and the geopolitical context, Insikt Group has pinpointed several high-priority threats to the Games. – Full report
Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17
Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9
Details:
• Paris website: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
• World Sailing microsite: https://paris2024.sailing.org/
Not all locals in love with America’s Cup
Around 40 activists blocked entry to the America’s Cup official store on Wednesday (June 5) to complain about the sailing competition, but also what they consider large projects that “break up the territory.”
The block was promoted by several pro-environmental organizations, such as Futuro Vegetal, End Fossil, Arran, and Fridays for Future, in coordination with the ‘No a la Copa Amèrica’ platform. The event was scheduled ahead of an environmental demonstration in Barcelona on June 8.
Some activists blocked the store’s entry door for around two hours, while others were already inside. Those outside hold a poster reading ‘Let’s finish with capitalism, and save our planet!’ while chanting ‘America’s Cup is killing our neighborhoods.’ – Full report
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 was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 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)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For more schedule details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Boris Herrmann gambles on the North for victory in New York Vendée solo race to France
Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé et Prévoyance) is back in the lead of the New York Vendée Les Sables d’Olonneat some 500 miles north west of the Azores….
Massive orca in the middle of the Atlantic!
Klaus Rønn Madsen wins Open Title and Tom Morris National UK Europe Class Championship
Denmark’s Klaus Rønn Madsen was the winner of the UK Europe Class UK Open Championship and Tom Morris the UK National Championship…
SailGP:Big win for Brits in Halifax
The Final Day of Rockwool SailGP Canada was one of the most dramatic in the event’s four year history, as the British team sailed effortlessly to win in the rain at Halifax…
Cup Spy May 29: AC75s at the Barcelona Dodgems
Four teams teams sailed on Wednesday in the congested waters off Barcelona in ideal foiling conditions. All teams conducted similar sessions focussed around racing drills, with the chase boats being used to provide a competitive edge to the training.
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