Andy Shaw and Rob Struckett take the 2024 International 14 World Championship with a day to spare. The British team continued their faultless series with a steady 2nd place in tricky conditions at Torbole, Lake Garda…

Read more on Sail-World

Why was the most famous racing yacht in history facing the wrong way at the start? The America’s Cup is the oldest international sporting trophy in the world, and the story of how the America’s Cup came into being is also one of the best known.

But when PlanetSail’s Matt Sheahan was granted rare and exclusive access to the two exclusive yacht clubs that created this infamous trophy, he discovered some fascinating twists and turns to a story he thought he knew well. Visiting the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes and the New York Yacht Club, Sheahan finds out how and why the America’s Cup began.

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 competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Read more on Scuttlebutt

The new J/40 performance cruising yacht just launched in Les Sables d’Olonne, France. She will be undergoing sea-trials this week with designer Al Johnstone aboard, joining Didier LeMoal and Fred Bouvier of J/Composites…

Read more on Sail-World

Justin Busuttil, a member of the now disbanded AC37 Joint Recon Team has shot some more videos in his “Rooftop Recon” Series. These show all the teams training around some official marks off Barcelona…

Read more on Sail-World

The Star World Championship returns to San Diego, California, for the first time in over a decade, September 7-13, 2024. San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC) expects upwards of 60 Star boats on the starting line under sunny, SoCal skies…

Read more on Sail-World

by Jim Teeters, Head of the Offshore Ratings Office at US Sailing, and Alan Gilbert, former Chief Engineer, and Executive Vice President at S&S Swan, provide unique insights into yacht design and how rating systems have shaped competitive sailing over the decades:

The history of rating and handicapping sailboats goes back almost 200 years. As soon as two dissimilar boats raced each other, attempts were made to determine which yacht won. The approach used was to measure what was perceived as the critical speed producing characteristics of a yacht and plug these numbers into an algorithm.

That algorithm calculated the inherent speed of each of the two yachts in the form of a rating, typically expressed in units of length such as feet or meters. The rating difference would be converted into a time allowance given to the slower yacht. This time allowance reduced the slower boats elapsed time to what is termed “corrected” time. The boat with the faster (smaller) corrected time would be the winner. – Full report

Read more on Scuttlebutt

The USA proved again at the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships to be one of the top sailing nations, but the challenge has been to convert the young talent into Olympic contenders. An obstacle has been an interruption in training, as many pursue collegiate dinghy racing rather than further refine technical skill.

But of the ten Olympic events, the Windsurfer and Kiteboard athletes are immune to this issue, and may even benefit from college competition. Could this be the new frontier for the USA Olympic Sailing Program? Coach Adrien Gaillard provides this report on progress with the new Olympic iQFOiL windsurfer:

The windsurfing youth summer block has just been as busy as it was successful for the America One Racing iQFOiL squad…

Read more on Scuttlebutt

180 WASZPs are descending on Sandefjord Norway and WASZP Island (Seilerholmen) in what is set to become one of the most incredible events ever hosted!

Read more on Sail-World

Over the course of 12 days, 13 American athletes in nine classes will take to the Bay of Marseille for competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, following a shortened runway of three years due to the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games…

Read more on Sail-World

The new Cure 55GT nears launch, sets new standards in weight and performance and utilises in-house composites technology…

Read more on Sail-World

Gloria Melges, 93, a beloved member of the sailing community and an esteemed race committee officer, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024. Born in New Jersey on May 27, 1931, Gloria was raised spending summers aboard a Great Lakes cruising sailboat out of Chicago, where her father served as Commodore of the Columbia Yacht Club. This unique upbringing instilled in her a lifelong passion for the water and sailing.

Gloria pursued higher education at Northwestern University Dental School, where she graduated with honors. During her time at Northwestern, she met and fell in love with Wisconsin yachtsman Harry C. “Buddy” Melges Jr. Their relationship blossomed, but their time together was interrupted when Buddy went to serve in the Korean War. Despite the distance, their love grew stronger through the heartfelt letters they exchanged while he was away.

Upon Buddy’s return, he proposed to Gloria, and they were married shortly thereafter. Their deep bond and unwavering love for sailing became the foundation of their 69-year marriage, a passion they passed on to their three children: Laura, Harry III, and Hans. During their seven decades together, Gloria was a steadfast supporter of Buddy’s illustrious career, cheering for him both on and off the water.

Gloria’s legacy extends beyond her family. She was the first female Commodore of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, a testament to her trailblazing spirit.

Her contributions to the sport were highlighted by her outstanding work as a crew member in Classes A, E, and C, and her esteemed role as a Race Committee member and Principal Race Officer for Lake Geneva Yacht Club fleets, as well as at national and international events, including the Star Class World Championship, Pan American Games, and America’s Cup competitions.

In recognition of her exceptional service, Gloria was honored as the first recipient of the Huse Inland Lake Yachting Association Sportsmanship Trophy in November 2019. She also earned accolades as a US Sailing Senior Race Officer and an Inland Lake Sailing Association Senior Race Officer.

Her remarkable contributions were further acknowledged with the Ed Malone Judges Trophy as Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Committee/Judge of the Year, the Bilge Pullers Cannon as Outstanding Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Management Corps Volunteer, and twice with the Dr. and Mrs. Will F. Lyon Award for Outstanding Race Committee Service from the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.

Many sailors considered Gloria a “second mom,” having cultivated a warm and welcoming sailing community throughout the world. One of Gloria’s many favorite activities was hosting international competitors at their home on Geneva Lake. Along with Buddy, she helped create an environment where young sailors could thrive, learn, and develop a lifelong love for the sport. Her nurturing spirit left an indelible mark on the sailing world.

Beyond the water, friendships formed from her passion for crafts; participating in sewing, rosemaling, and rug-hooking clubs, as well as having served as the President of the Questers Association.

Survived by her three children, Laura Melges, Hans Melges, and Harry C. Melges III (Suzanne), Gloria is also remembered by her grandchildren, Olivia Arbaugh, Hunter Arbaugh, Harry C. Melges IV, Monroe Melges, Hans Melges, Maxx Melges, and Maverik Melges.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Clemons “Buddy” Melges Jr., her brother, Dr. Alfred “Boody” Wenzel, her sister-in-law, Marilyn Snudden, and by her parents, Alfred and Laura Wenzel. Family was the center of Gloria’s world, and she will forever be remembered for her infectious smile, hospitable nature, and her adoring love for Buddy.

Gloria will be deeply missed, but her gracious spirit will forever sail on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

If you would like to honor Gloria’s memory, donations can be made to the Geneva Lake Sailing School in the name of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center located at 1250 South Lake Shore Drive, Fontana, WI 53125.

A Celebration of Life for Gloria and Buddy will be held this fall.

Read more on Scuttlebutt

We delve into the past, and round-up all videos which show sailing in the Flying Dutchman class of racing dinghy…

Read more on Sail-World

What’s it like to take a Cruiser/Racer racing? Not just any racing, mind you, but two of the world’s most famous courses. The Transpac and the Hobart. This was the premise presented to Charles Ettienne-Devanneaux ahead of our most recent chat…

Read more on Sail-World

The announcement of SailGP’s Season 5 racing schedule and venues, along with the publication latest edition of video ‘Racing on the Edge’ reveals plenty on the shape and momentum of the professional sailing league.

Read more on Sail-World

With the shared recon program coming to an end on June 22, the teams for the 37th America’s Cup now enter a ‘dark’ period of reconnaissance where they will look to bring on the innovations, the technology, and the break-throughs that will ultimately determine their campaign’s fate.

Only one team can win; there really is no second in the America’s Cup but there are clear pointers as to who should perform well and what we can expect when racing starts at the third Preliminary Regatta at the end of August ahead of the Louis Vuitton Cup starting in earnest in September.

This report will review each team’s campaign progress and look at the positives and negatives of their assault on the world’s premier sailing trophy: click here

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)

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Read more on Scuttlebutt

Cup Spy: June 13 – Swiss drop rig

Read more on Sail-World

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

Read more on Scuttlebutt