Cape Horn is now well behind the sailors in this edition of The Ocean Race, as leader Team Malizia battles Holcim-PRB for the stage win at Itajaí..
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2023 Foiling Awards
Thursday
Mar 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The prize-giving ceremony of the sixth edition of the Foiling Awards took place at the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, in front of an audience of more than 250 guests…
The Sailors Log: Dave Perry
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Tom Darling, host of the Conversations with Classic Boats podcast series, has launched a new production, The Sailors Log, which brings the listener classic conversation with the most interesting people in the sport.
Episode One features Dave Perry, noted college sailing ace, match racer, and author of the book, now in its 10th edition, Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2024.
Dave is well known for his entertaining presentations on the rules and is enthused about being the rules advisor for the US Olympic Team at the 2024 Olympics. With episodes released every six weeks, candidates to feature can be nominated by clicking here.
Rolex Fastnet Race: The two-handed revolution
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Offshore yacht racing’s greatest evolution recently has been the rise of doublehanding. No better demonstration of this is there than the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s 50th Rolex Fastnet Race…
A Guide to Bowsprit Configuration
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
A bowsprit is now an almost inevitable feature of a racing yacht or performance cruiser and there are also a number of off-the-shelf retrofit options available. The uptake is due in part to the popularity of asymmetric downwind sails…
WBV and New York Yacht Club American Magic
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
We spoke to Daniel Henderson of WBV about their seat suspension system specifically designed, tested and manufactured in the UK, to significantly reduce wave shock…
An opportunity to try something new
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 US Sailing Championship of Champions will be held October 22-23, with the invitees competing in Radio Controlled DragonFlite 95s on White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX. As the use of an RC boat for the event has stirred opinion, Committee Chair Shannon Bush provides background on the decision.
Historically, the event is raced in fleets of 20 boats that are evenly matched, to offer sailors who qualify the opportunity to apply from winning of their own one design National, North American, or World championship to compete against the best of the best.
With the challenges that come with finding evenly matched fleets and clubs willing to take on hosting the championship, 2023 presented an exciting opportunity to do something new and showcase a popular and growing side of our sport that is inclusive, technical, affordable, and regarded as tough to win by many of the names we regularly see at the top of regatta scoresheets.
Is it experimental and ground-breaking? Yes. Will some people be outside their comfort zone? Yes. Will it be a challenge? Yes. Will it be the same fun factor as year’s past? ABSOLUTELY! Competitors will still have to use their sailing smarts and the rules to race these boats. Change is not always a bad thing. Sometimes, you have to mix it up to make everything you know and love about sailing “new” again. Careful, you may actually enjoy it!
The DF95 class, (a member of US Sailing and a recognized one-design class with thousands of members), is excited to share with one design sailors why this class is so fast growing and provide the opportunity for traditional one-design sailors to try something new…
11th Hour Racing Team begins race to north
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Rounding Cape Horn is one of the great moments of any sailor’s career, although the enjoyment tends to come later, a few weeks, months, or even years later, according to skipper Charlie Enright (USA)…
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 31
Wednesday
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After passing Cape Horn and escaping the south, the big weather challenges haven’t quite ended for The Ocean Race sailors yet…
Joanna wins Cervia Winter J/24 Championship
Tuesday
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
With the last three races held last Saturday and nothing happening on Sunday due to adverse weather conditions, the curtain fell on the XVI Winter Championship – XVII Stefano Pirini Memoria hosted by the Circolo Nautico Cervia…
A special moment: Answers, insights of project 408
Tuesday
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Today’s hull turning of Royal Huisman project 408, Aquarius II, in Vollenhove: home to the world’s finest superyacht building…
Speedmeute wins APCC J/80 Women’s Cup
Tuesday
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The women’s teams sailed in a fleet of matched J/80 one-design class sailboats supplied to the competitors. The racing was hard fought, and close, and came down to the final two races of the nine-race series on the final day…
Update from 37th America’s Cup venue
Tuesday
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Barcelona, Spain (March 28, 2023) – It has been exactly one year since the announcement that Barcelona had secured the venue rights as the host city for the 37th America’s Cup and following the signing of the agreement, work has been ongoing transforming the Port Vell and Port Olímpic areas ready to host the competing teams who are setting up bases and will be onsite from Summer 2023.
All around the Port Vell, building work is now at pace as the construction of the team’s bases takes shape. For the teams themselves, winter training has been an intense period with new boats launched, new design ideas coming to fruition and sailing techniques honed through long hours on the water.
Spreading the message of the America’s Cup across Catalonia and Spain and engaging with the widest possible audience is very much key to the mission of America’s Cup Events Limited and its CEO, Grant Dalton, is enthused by the opportunity of an event with such a broad audience.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in September/October 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• K-Challenge Racing (FRA)
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 30
Tuesday
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Team Malizia continues to head the leaderboard in leg 3 of The Ocean Race after leading the fleet around Cape Horn…
Dreams of solo circumnavigation
Tuesday
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The inaugural Global Solo Challenge 2023-24 seeks to be a budget-friendly solo, non-stop race around the world. For boats from 32 to 55 feet with an IRC rating below 1.370, a pursuit start over 11 weeks begins in A Coruña, Spain, with the first boat to return deemed the winner. This report features a recent entrant:
Two eyes as blue as the sea and looking into the distance, so far that they dream of sailing around the world solo. A big and generous heart that wants to share his passion for the sea and show the stars to others, even to those who have never seen them or can no longer see them due to a visual impairment.
Louis Robein, a French sailor approaching his seventies, had to earn the right to sail. Born in Moselle, a town home to coal mines in northeastern France, on the border between Germany and Luxembourg, he developed a passion for sailing late, around the age of 18, but then never stopped.
At 24 years old, when he started working, he began to consistently engage in sailing. In 1994, as an amateur, he took part in his first Solitaire du Figaro, one of the toughest and most demanding races in the solo racing circuit in France. Louis ended up participating in eight editions of the Solitaire.
“At the first edition I took part in, I discovered the thrill of competition because I was not used to racing, let alone solo. I came from recreational sailing, so from a safety point of view, I was very prepared but not competitive at all. My goal was to see what I was truly capable of doing. I was very well received by the organization and then by the professionals, who encouraged me to persevere…
International Moth GP at Queen Mary
Monday
Mar 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
A forecast depleted fleet of 9 moths got their entries in on time and landed in the capital for the first Grand Prix event of the year at London’s Queen Mary SC…
Science and The Ocean Race
Sunday
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After a long hiatus, The Ocean Race is back, but this year, as reported by Yvonne Gordon of the Guardian, while dodging icebergs, cracking masts and suffering the occasional ‘hull sandwich failure’, the teams are gathering crucial data from places even research vessels rarely reach.
The Southern Ocean is not somewhere most people choose to spend an hour, let alone a month. Circling the icy continent of Antarctica, it is the planet’s wildest and most remote ocean. Point Nemo, just to the north in the South Pacific, is the farthest location from land on Earth, 1,670 miles (2,688km) away from the closest shore. The nearest humans are generally those in the International Space Station when it passes overhead.
But, four sailing teams came through that part of the world, part of the marathon race round the bottom of the Earth, from Cape Town in South Africa to Itajaí in Brazil.
By the time these 18-metre (60ft) Imoca monohull sailing yachts neared Point Nemo, the five sailors on each boat had already been at sea for 23 days, with another two weeks to go before they reach port in early April. And this is just leg three, the longest portion of the even longer Ocean Race, a 32,000-nautical-mile dash around the world that started in January and finishes in July.
Competition is fierce and racing is close, even after three weeks at sea. Boat speeds on leg three so far have been up to 40.5 knots, the equivalent of gale force winds, and the vessels have, subject to ratification, broken the 24-hour distance record multiple times. The crews survive on freeze-dried food (rehydrated with hot water from a kettle, there’s no kitchen), and operate a four-hour alternating watch system. Nobody gets much sleep. The toilet is a bucket…
Lots of action for Lightnings
Sunday
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The junior team of Bobby Starck, brother Adam Starck, and Buck Rathbun navigated the tricky currents and tight boat traffic on the Wilmington and Skidaway Rivers to take home the 2023 Deep South Regatta in Savannah, Georgia. David Starck with crew Jenna Probst and Debbie Probst finished a point back in second place, which also secured the overall 2023 Southern Circuit Championship for his team on PatStrong.
Ched Proctor with crew Eric Oetgen and Laura Goldberg took home third place and finished second overall in the Southern Circuit. Under-30 skipper Tanner Probst with crew Abbie Probst and Dominique Wright lost the tiebreaker to Proctor and finished third overall in the Southern Circuit. Full results of the Southern Circuit, Deep South Regatta and the Winter Championship are included below.
The Lightning Class has always worked to remove barriers to allow juniors and under-30 competitors to compete in our event. Specifically, the Helen and Jay Limbaugh fund was established to support the education, training and promotion of junior sailoring in the Class. For the 2023 Southern Circuit, the Limbaugh Fund reimbursed 50% of the entry fees of any under-30 skipper.
That saved competitors like Bobby and Tanner, and 6 other under-30 skippers, up to $300 each over the past week. Further information on the Limbaugh Fund and the Lightning Boat Grant program can be found at www.lightningclass.org
Finally, the Southern Circuit is like a big family reunion for the Lightning Class. Like all family reunions, sometimes there is a little friction. Luckily, the class have an amazing Class member and boat builder in Tom Allen to help smooth these situations over (sometimes late into the night). That’s family, see you next Southern Circuit in St. Pete and Miami.
IRCRecords fall on the Solent
Sunday
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
With a favourable, albeit very gusty SW wind and big tides in the Solent, three Jeanneau Sun Fast boats challenged the IRCRecords™ Nab Tower Course, each having a frothing Friday sail…
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 28
Sunday
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After 48 hours of building wind and seas, with gusts over 40 knots and waves approaching 7 metres, conditions are starting to moderate on Sunday with the IMOCA fleet turning south to squeeze between Cape Horn and the ice exclusion zone…
Huntingdon Radio Yacht Club Red Nose Day Challenge
Saturday
Mar 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Here at Huntingdon Radio Yacht Club we love an event, the most recent being Red Nose Day Racing, (a week late, but we had to celebrate St Patrick’s Day last week)…
Registration open for the Rolex Big Boat Series
Saturday
Mar 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 25
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Notice of Race is posted and registration is open for the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series, hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, California…
Following the money within US Sailing
Thursday
Mar 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
When the relationship fractured between US Sailing Board of Directors and the leadership of the U.S. Olympic Sailing Program, among the issues was the allocation of money.
The result was significant resignations within the Olympic Program and the United States Sailing Foundation, an entity re-imagined in 2019 to support Youth Sailing and Olympic Sailing.
John Schoendorf, Treasurer for US Sailing, offers his observations:
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 25
Thursday
Mar 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The weather is forecast to provide one final taste of Southern Ocean conditions on the approach to Cape Horn…
Communist alliance for 2024 Olympics
Thursday
Mar 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have made a sweeping affirmation of their alignment across a host of issues – and shared mistrust of the United States – in a lengthy statement following talks between the two leaders in Moscow this week.
Their meeting, which took place under the shadow of Russia’s onslaught in Ukraine, left no question about Beijing’s commitment to developing its rapport with Moscow, despite Putin’s growing isolation on the global stage as its devastating war continues into its second year.
Regarding the Paris 2024 Olympics, the communist leaders welcome the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) move to allow Russians to compete as neutrals. While many nations are petitioning to ban Russia’s participation, there are fears at the IOC that expelling the nation could lead to rival breakaway sporting events which could challenge the Olympics. – Full report
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 23
Tuesday
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The four IMOCAs charging towards Cape Horn are approaching Point Nemo on Tuesday. Defined as the most isolated, remote place on earth, Point Nemo is a spot in south Pacific Ocean, 2,688 kilometres from the nearest land…
America’s Cup: The return of a winner
Tuesday
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand built two AC75s to successfully defend their America’s Cup title in 2021, and now both boats have returned to action. While the Kiwi’s first boat was sold to challenger Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI), the boat that won the 36th edition has been out of sight for two years. But no longer…
Emirates Team New Zealand’s winning yacht, named Te Rehutai, emerged from the shed after a long hibernation on March 20, sporting new livery and and technical changes to adapt to the 37th America’s Cup AC75 class rules.
One of the more obvious changes for Te Rehutai is the installation of bikes as a power source as opposed to the former grinding pedestals from AC36. While banned for the 2021 Cup, the rules were revised for 2024 in part to help power the AC75s which will sail with three less crew in 2024…
MOD70: “We built them tough!”
Tuesday
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
While the one design intentions of the MOD70 Class did not succeed, the trimaran has proven to be a reliable offshore competitor since its launch 13 years ago. Vincent Lauriot Prévost and Quentin Lucet of VPLP Design, the architect of these boats, provides an update:
The distillation of four generations of ORMA trimarans (from Pierre 1er to Groupama 2), the MOD 70s were designed to be competitive for at least ten years at the pinnacle of racing. While the one-design circuit that accompanied their 2010 launch was abandoned after two years, a victim of circumstance, these trimarans built by CDK Technologies have never stopped sailing…
2023 Newport Harbor to Cabo San Lucas race
Tuesday
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 Newport Harbor to Cabo San Lucas race results are in and Liz and Dave Moore’s Santa Cruz 52 Westerly representing New York Yacht Club and Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club is 1st in ORR class E and 2nd overall ORR corrected time monohull…
Cunningham wins Etchells North American Championship
Monday
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jim Cunningham (USA) won the 2023 Coral Reef Cup, held March 17-19 in Miami, FL. The event, which attracted 46 teams, also counted as the Etchells North American Championship and the final chance for teams to race at the venue for the 2023 Etchells World Championship to be held April 16-21.
Following a four-event Winter Series held on Biscayne Bay which endured multiple abandonments due to weather, class meteorologist Chelsea Carlson of Sea-Tactics was pleased to see the venue return to form. “Finally really nice conditions in Miami,” she said. “Exactly what we are hoping for in April and good preparation for the teams. Friday we had a southeasterly at 11-14 knots, Saturday was a 6-11 knot southerly, and Sunday was northeast 10-15.”
At the end of Friday after 3 races, Steve Benjamin with his brand new Etchells, Stella Blue (USA 1427), was at the top of the podium with all top 10 finishes with George Francisco’s American Baby (USA 1454) just behind followed by the Winter Series Champion Jim Cunningham’s Lifted (USA 1504).
Saturday started with winds in the 8-12 knot range but then died to 5 knots, so the fifth race was postponed until the breeze filled back in. Once six races were completed, teams could throw out their worst race. Cunningham climbed to the top of the results on Saturday and continued to hold onto his momentum through Sunday becoming the new 2023 North American Champion.
Cunningham and crew Steve Hunt, Erik Shampain, and Serena Vilage are finally the brides not the bridesmaids after multiple recent second-place finishes – including the 2022 North Americans held at Shelter Harbor Yacht Club on Long Island…
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 22
Monday
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The four IMOCAs pushing east through the southern latitudes of the Pacific Ocean are seeing better speeds today, following a weekend of light winds…
When going fast isn’t enough
Monday
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The evolution of high-performance racing always results in somebody figuring how to go faster than everyone else. Whether its monohulls, multihulls, or boards, the early days can be lopsided
But as time marches on, the chasing pack figures it out and the early leaders can’t just be faster to win. They need to have more tools in their toolbox.
The WingFoil is the latest example as competitors sort out how to ride a foiling board powered by a hand-held wing. Reigning World Champion Paula Novotna (CZE) has been dominating the women but is finding her advantage diminishing…
ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Highlights
Monday
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
All the best moments from the inaugural New Zealand Sail Grand Prix in Christchurch, featuring epic racing and a first time winner…
Canada wins SailGP Christchurch
Sunday
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Phil Robertson’s Canada made history by securing its first ever SailGP win at ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch on March 18-19 held at Lyttelton Harbour.
In one of the closest Final battles of the season, the Canadians went head to head with Peter Burling’s Kiwi team, with tight crosses and lead changes throughout. Season leader Australia finished third.
Training time was limited for all nine teams when practice was canceled before day one due forecasted high winds, and there was no time prior to racing both days due to dolphins on the race course.
The Final had a perfect start by all three boats but it was Canada that was first at Mark One with the all-important inside track.
Despite falling off the foils and even picking up a boundary penalty on the final downwind leg, the Canadians were consistently faster than the Kiwis and crossed the line to pick up 10 season points.
SailGP information – New Zealand details – Season 3 scoreboard – YouTube – How to watch
Final Results – New Zealand
1. Canada (Phil Robertson), 5-3-1-4-1
2. New Zealand (Peter Burling), 2-1-2-2-3-2
3. Australia (Tom Slingsby), 4-2-9-1-1-3
4. Great Britain (Ben Ainslie), 3-4-3-4-6
5. France (Quintin Delapierre), 1-6-5-3-7
6. United States (Jimmy Spithill), 8-5-4-9-2
7. Switzerland (Sebastien Schneiter), 6-7-6-8-5
8. Denmark (Nicolai Sehested), 7-8-8-6-8
9. Spain (Jordi Xammar/Diego Botin), 9-9-7-5-9
Note: Before the final three-boat race, NZL won the 5-race series followed by AUS and CAN.
Ralph Roberts passes at 86yrs
Sunday
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Ralph Roberts, double Olympic representative in the Finn and Flying Dutchman classes. He won the Prince of Wales Trophy in 1956 at Cowes Isale of Wight, before going on to win five NZ titles in the Finn and again in the FD class…
Season 3 rollercoaster ride continues
Sunday
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Rounding out an up-and-down event on a high note, Jimmy Spithill’s United States SailGP Team finished the final fleet race in second place, but ultimately leave the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix | Christchurch with sixth-place overall…
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 21
Sunday
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
On Saturday it seemed as if the race couldn’t get any closer. By Sunday morning UTC that was proved wrong. Today, all four teams are lined up on a 13 mile line…
Thomas Ruyant’s new TR Racing IMOCA launched
Sunday
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
At the top of the IMOCA Class, teams, designers, skippers and commercial partners are fighting for supremacy, and every now and again something new appears and everyone has to take stock…
Clipper 2023-24 Race skippers announced
Saturday
Mar 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The eleven skippers set to lead teams of amateur sailors from all walks of life around the globe has been revealed…
Boris Herrmann’s Vendée Globe adventure
Saturday
Mar 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mar 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Boris Herrmann is the first German to have competed in the Vendée Globe, the most famous and toughest race in the world. After a fantastic race, he finished in a barely dreamed-of fifth place with his race yacht…
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