Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailed on Saturday. With the Italians continuing to test the recent upgrades to their LEQ12…
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Sweden’s Berntsson wins Bermuda Gold Cup
Sunday
Oct 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Swedish skipper Johnie Berntsson has won the King Edward VII Gold Cup, the championship trophy of the Bermuda Gold Cup match racing tournament, for the third time since 2008…
18ft Skiff 2023-24 Spring Championship Race 1
Sunday
Oct 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Australian 18 Footers League’s 89th consecutive 18ft skiff racing season began on Sydney Harbour today, when the club staged Race 1 of the 2023-24 Spring Championship…
Antigua Yacht Club Marina offices burned down
Saturday
Oct 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
As many of you will have heard already, very sadly during tropical storm Philippe that passed over Antigua and Barbuda last Monday night, the Antigua YC Marina offices burned down which included Skullduggery cafe, Cloggy’s and shops within that block…
Blackwater Sailing Club Optimist Open
Saturday
Oct 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Indian Summer arrived just in time for this year’s Optimist Open meeting at Blackwater Sailing Club; a one-day event and indicator for the East’s regional training group RTG. This year with a bumper entry of over 80 boats…
Live Ocean Racing: Kiwis 5th in Spain
Saturday
Oct 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Live Ocean Racing has finished the ETF26 Series season in 4th place, after wrapping up the season finale in 5th place…
An action-packed Global Solo Challenge in October
Friday
Oct 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Another three are preparing to set sail in two weeks, and the docks at Marina Coruña are beginning to welcome other skippers, including the nine competitors who will animate the event’s most significant departure on October 28…
Coca-Cola joins the 37th America’s Cup
Friday
Oct 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
On Friday morning, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners signed an agreement at its Martorelles (Barcelona) plant, through which the company becomes a sponsor of the 37th America’s Cup.
Guinness World Record for Gimson & Burnett
Thursday
Oct 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Gimson and Burnett achieve Guinness World Record sailing from Northern Ireland to Scotland, while campaigning for climate change awareness…
Cup Spy Oct 4: Fresh breeze arrives in Barcelona
Wednesday
Oct 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Five teams sailed off Barcelona in fresh winds – but generally below the maximum strength for racing. The best option for Barcelona would seem to be a good all round boat, rather than one that is moded for a particular set of expected weather conditions.
SailGP doubles down in the UAE
Tuesday
Oct 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The fourth season for the SailGP sports league has expanded from 12 to 13 events with the addition of the Dubai Sail Grand Prix in Mina Rashid on December 9-10. This adds a second event in the United Arab Emirates, filling a gap between the Spain Sail Grand Prix (October 14-15) and Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix (January 13-14).
“Following our successful debut (at the venue) last year, returning to Dubai will help to amplify our ambitions to grow the sport across the UAE,” said SailGP CEO Russell Coutts. “…we are looking forward to what the Dubai event can bring this year by welcoming even more fans to the race stadium at Mina Rashid.”
Mina Rashid, also referred to as Port Rashid, is a man-made cruise terminal and was Dubai’s first commercial port. As cargo operations moved to Jebel Ali Port in 2018, it currently serves as a seafront coastal destination, tourist cruise destination, and residential area.
“Mina Rashid Marina is the perfect destination for all things maritime,” said Hamza Mustafa, Chief Operating Officer at P&O Marinas. “Our partnership (with SailGP) cements our commitment to making Dubai a leading maritime hub and a global destination for yachting and sailing enthusiasts.”
For additional details, click here.
Best Boat Nominees 2024
Monday
Oct 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It’s boat show season in the USA which triggers the magazines to host their ‘best boat’ contests. Here is the preview from SAIL magazine:
One thing you can say for sure about sailboat designers and builders, they are always up for a challenge—whether that’s finding new ways to provide comfort and glamour to a sailboat’s living spaces while delivering improved performance; seeking more environmentally sustainable propulsion systems, charging methods, or building processes; improving what’s tried and true; or stretching into new thinking about some aspect of sailing.
All of this and more is reflected in the designs that are nominees for SAIL’s Top 10 Best Boats for 2024. From comfort and performance to size range and customizable options, we’re seeing production boats deliver more than ever before…
The Kitchen Maker 18ft Skiff Racing Team
Sunday
Oct 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Australian 18 Footers League is always aware of the need to develop a good relationship with its sponsorship partners, so it’s no surprise that The Kitchen Maker will be lining up for its 13th consecutive season.
Whitbread Round the World Race 85-86 Official Film
Sunday
Oct 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The latest in the series of historical re-uploads… The 1985-86 Whitbread Round the World Race. Lionel Péan skippered L’esprit d’équipe to victory over 14 other teams, marking the first time a French team would win the race…
Around the world in a 5-metre boat
Sunday
Oct 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Polish adventure-seeker Arek Pawelek will attempt to singlehandedly circumnavigate the globe, non-stop and unassisted in his 5-metre boat Elblag. Believed to be the smallest boat to attempt the feat, he departed September 28 from Plymouth, England. Pawelek’s expects the route around the capes of Africa, Australia, and South America will require 300 days to complete.
While no official record is maintained for the feat, the smallest yacht to previously circumnavigate the globe is understood to be Poland’s Szymon Kuczynski who completed the course in a 6.36-metre boat Atlantic Puffin in 2017.
Pawelek’s adventurous nature first attracted attention in 1998 when he participated in sailing across the Atlantic from Cadiz to Barbados on a 4.4-metre-long inflatable boat. He has been a treasure hunter and will produce a documentary about his voyage.
“People have asked why I want to sail such a small boat,” he said. “I was searching for a new adventure and considered sailing the world on my 2.7 metre long dinghy. My wife, unsurprisingly, was concerned about this and suggested I sail the world in Elblag instead.
“I like sailing on small boats. I feel more confident on small boats than on large sailing yachts. For years, I have been trying to show other sailors that sailing doesn’t have to be very expensive and can be made on a budget. I encourage others to buy or build small yachts and try to sail at sea.”
Tracker: https://share.garmin.com/T9NXY
They were our eyes and ears on board
Saturday
Sep 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sep 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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