For Théry Schir, a cyclor for Alinghi Red Bull Racing, and an incredibly popular member of the team, his journey into competitive sailing was mapped out from an early age but took a detour along the way…
Posts by
Ten intense moments in the America’s Cup
Tuesday
Aug 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Ten days out from the start of the 2024 America’s Cup, here’s a video looking at the ten most intense moments in recent Cup regattas…
J/Teams crush Pacific Cup Race
Monday
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 2024 Pacific Cup Race fleet dashed out to the first turning mark just offshore of that infamous pile of rocks known as the Farallon Islands, then turned left to catch the trade winds flowing from the NNE to Hawaii about 2,277nm away…
Such a farce can never happen again
Monday
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
After Marseille mostly delivered marginal light winds for the Paris 2024 Olympics, French sailors shared on social media for how this was predictable, and to question why other more reliable venues were not chosen.
For double Olympic gold medalist Rodney Pattisson (GBR), it was all too much to watch as the conditions contributed to racing against the jury, and not with the wind:
Watching the Medal race for the ICLA 7 Class, I now an ancient gold medal winner was quite shocked and amazed at the first aborted attempt and then the eventual final Gold Medal Race for the Men’s Dinghy event.
From the start, with barely 5 knots of wind strength (the minimum permitted), it became a roll-your-boat contest watched but poorly and unfairly policed by a Jury boat. So poor in fact, that shortly before this race was abandoned, through lack of wind, one competitor managed to capsize his boat whilst gybing in the impossibly light conditions.
However, after the restart, worse still then followed, as the British boat was immediately penalized for using too much rudder movement at the Race Committee boat. Thereafter, the jury watched this particular boat like a hawk for the rest of the race, and ordered numerous additional penalty turns.
In fact, elsewhere the race was a yo-yo, tacking and gybing, rocking and rolling, pumping and ouching by all those competing, but amazingly this was ignored for the main part by the Jury boat who continued to focus their attention on victimizing still further the British boat.
Hardly surprising that after such treatment, this boat finished last in this Gold Medal Race. This was blatant UNFAIR treatment and surely an insult to the Sport and the rule as we know it. World Sailing and the International Olympic Committee must take responsibility for this and ensure that such a farce never happens again.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Medal Count (G-S-B) – 10 of 10 events completed
Netherlands: 2-0-2
Austria: 2-0-0
Italy: 2-0-0
Australia: 1-1-0
Israel: 1-1-0
Great Britain: 1-0-1
Spain: 1-0-0
France: 0-1-1
New Zealand: 0-1-1
Sweden: 0-1-1
Argentina: 0-1-0
Cyprus: 0-1-0
Denmark: 0-1-0
Japan: 0-1-0
Slovenia: 0-1-0
Norway: 0-0-1
Peru: 0-0-1
Singapore: 0-0-1
USA: 0-0-1
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda overall
Sunday
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
With the 2024 Champions already crowned, the final day of racing set up a Battle Royale for the remaining Podium Places, with three boats within three points of each other…
America’s Cup: USA vs Italians – Practice Races
Sunday
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Video shot on the water of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli lining up against American Magic in a Practice session staged off Barcelona earlier in the week, in fresh winds…
International 14 Worlds at Lake Garda Day 6
Friday
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
Paris 2024: Austria claims final gold
Friday
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Marseille, France (August 9, 2024) – The Men’s Kite is one of 10 Sailing events held at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Using the Formula Kite equipment, 20 nations completed a 7-race Opening Series on August 4-7, with the top 10 advancing to the Medal Series on August 8, with the final stages finished today. Here’s the final report:
For all competition reports, click here.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Valentin Bontus (AUT) put in a supreme performance in the first ever installment of the Men’s Kite at the Olympics to take gold. The Austrian rider dealt with delays, after action was cancelled yesterday due to time limitations, and kept his cool to claim the final sailing gold medal of the Paris 2024 Olympics…
VIDEO: How the America’s Cup began
Thursday
Aug 08
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 08
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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
Medal Race beckons for 470 and Nacra 17 Classes
Tuesday
Aug 06
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 06
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Ruggero Tita and Caterina Banti guaranteed themselves at least a silver heading into the Medal Race of the Mixed Multihull…
New J/40 Performance Cruising Yacht launched!
Monday
Aug 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
Preparing USA for the 37th America’s Cup
Sunday
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The New York Yacht Club American Magic team knows all about ‘so-close-yet-so far’ in this game, and they are more than determined to bring the America’s Cup trophy back to the club on West 44th Street that held it continuously for 132-years.
The Americans have hired well and are delivering consistent, high-level, ultra-competitive performances that have made everyone sit up in the Port Vell. From a pure design perspective, they didn’t take the middle path with a low-profile, full-on aero AC75 that is bristling with innovative thinking all over the boat.
Out on the water, day after day, they have been pushing the limits and working hard on the design details, trim perfection, and pure out-and-out racecraft. The results are there for all to see and with Terry Hutchinson, the world class skipper and campaigner guiding the campaign, it has been Tom Burnham who has brought the immensely talented squad up to speed.
Now in his fifth America’s Cup campaign, Burnham graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1993 and lives in Newport. He previously sailed on Young America in the 2000 America’s Cup, before joining Luna Rossa for their 2003 and 2007 campaigns, and was head coach of the Swedish team, Artemis Racing, in 2017…
America’s Cup: Final Practice session – Video
Sunday
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
Paris 2024: USA get Bronze in Men’s Skiff
Friday
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Marseille, France (August 2, 2024) – The Men’s Skiff is one of 10 Sailing events held at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Using the 49er equipment, 20 teams competed in the 12-race Opening Series on July 28-31, with the top 10 advancing to the single, double-points Medal Race on August 1. When light air prevailed that day, the race was postponed to today to finalize the cumulative scores. Here’s the final report:
For all competition reports, click here.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Diego Botin and Florian Trittel (ESP) fulfilled a lifelong dream by mastering the Men’s Skiff to become Olympic champions.
The Spanish pair sailed impressively throughout the regatta, finishing top of the Opening Series by a narrow five-point margin. Botin and Trittel had not won an individual race heading into the decisive Medal Race, but they saved their best for last, dominating the fleet in an exceptional show on the water to cross the line first.
New Zealand’s Isaac McHardie and William McKenzie followed in the footsteps of fellow countrymen and Tokyo 49er silver medalists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, placing second overall. The Kiwis wrapped up the silver medal with an important third placed finish in the Medal Race, which saw them overtake Ireland’s Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove.
The Irish crew began the day in second, but dropped to fourth overall after an early crossing of the start line meant they had to restart the Medal Race.
USA’s Ian Barrows and Hans Henken, entering today in fourth, benefited from the shift in positions, managing to secure bronze after a brilliant fourth in the final sail.
“It’s a dream come true,” Botin said. “After years of putting the work in with the best team, with our families here, it doesn’t get any better…”
2024 Star Worlds in San Diego welcomes new talent
Friday
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
America’s Cup: Fickle breeze for Practice Day 2
Friday
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
All teams except for American Magic were on the water off Barcelona for the second day of official Practice. Unfortunately Barcelona copped the same weather pattern that frustrated the Olympic sailors at Marseille…
In pursuit of the Holy Grail
Thursday
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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
Ep11: Road to the 37th America’s Cup
Thursday
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Matt Sheahan and his PlanetSail team share the latest episode in a regular series of features about the road to the America’s Cup that will take us from the first official event in Vilanova to the Cup match itself in October 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Here’s the episode synopsis:
No matter what angle you look at American Magic’s new Cup boat, she looks slippery. Low drag above and below the waterline characterizes the boat that the team hopes will take them all the way through to the America’s Cup.
This low-profile appearance also makes her look like the smallest boat in the fleet and explains why some argue that Patriot is the slickest of the Challengers.
But aside from their impressive AC75, when you look at the statistics, the NYYC American Magic team have clocked up the most time on the water with an estimated 338 days afloat across all of their boats.
So, we went to Barcelona to talk to the team to find out how they were feeling about their campaign and the new boat.
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
iQFOiL: Right project, Right moment
Thursday
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Aug 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
Record fleet at the M32 Europeans
Wednesday
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Thirteen M32s from five countries assembled for the European Championship. After a 15-race series, “Rated X” took the win; however, the rest of the fleet is close on Jake Julian’s heels, with only a few points separating the rest of the podium.
Welcome to WASZP Island
Wednesday
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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!
Olympic Diary: July 30 – Breeze changes everything
Tuesday
Jul 30
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 30
2024
Posted by XS Editor
What a difference a day makes. Or rather how some breeze can change everything. After two days of light winds, surprisingly there was some very exaggerated points movement as a Force 3-4 breeze kicked in…
Beach weather continues for Paris 2024
Monday
Jul 29
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 29
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Marseille, France (July 29, 2024) – All four events on the schedule at the Paris 2024 Olympics – Men’s and Women’s Skiff and Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing – completed races today, but temperatures up to 86°F and low winds continued for the second day of competition. While the heat is expected to remain, more wind is in the upcoming forecast.
Event details – Results – Notice Board
Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing:
Today saw the first ever slalom races in the history of Olympic sailing. A bit more wind in Marseille opened the window for some short-course downwind competition in the Windsurfing.
Unfortunately, the weather window didn’t stay open for very long, but in the Men, France’s Nicolas Goyard powered his iQFOiL board to victory in the one and only heat that took place. In the Women, event favorite from Great Britain, Emma Wilson, scored a first and second in two heats to take the early lead.
North America Results:
Men:
5. Noah Lyons (USA)
Women:
9. Mariana Aguilar Chavez Peon (MEX)
18. Dominique Stater (USA)
Men’s and Women’s Skiff:
Three more races in the Men’s and Women’s Skiff takes them pretty much to the halfway stage of the regatta. With predominantly light winds, the conditions seems to be suiting the New Zealanders, Isaac McHardie and Will McKenzie very nicely in the 49er Men.
Of the six races completed, the Kiwis have won three of them, and the only other team to keep all their scores inside the top 10 are the Irish in second place.
Yet to win a race but sailing solidly and chipping away are the Spanish, Diego Botin and Florian Trittel, who have climbed up to third, albeit they’re nine points back on the Irish.
As for the Germans, well if any national Olympic committee is wondering whether or not it’s worth sending a team that barely looks worthy of the place, then take a look at Jakob Meggendorfer and Andreas Spranger…
57th Governor’s Cup overall
Sunday
Jul 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Cole Tapper (AUS), Jack Frewin and Hamish Vass representing the CYCA came back from a 2-0 deficit against defending two-time GovCup winner Jeffrey Petersen (USA) and crew Daniel Pegg and Enzo Menditto of Balboa Yacht Club to win the best-of-five finals…
US Sailing Team set for the Paris 2024 Olympics
Saturday
Jul 27
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 27
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
Olympic Diary: July 27 – Light winds forecast
Friday
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 2024 Olympic Sailing Regatta starts tomorrow, Sunday when the Womens Windsurfer face the starter at 1213hrs, for the first of four races to be sailed in their Event, on Day 1.
55-foot carbon fibre catamaran lightest in class
Friday
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 26
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The new Cure 55GT nears launch, sets new standards in weight and performance and utilises in-house composites technology…
21st International Canoe Worlds day 1
Tuesday
Jul 23
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 23
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 21st International 20 square meter Canoe World Championships kicked off in boisterous conditions on the first Monday of Travemünder Woche on the Baltic shores of Germany…
Eight Bells: Gloria Melges
Monday
Jul 22
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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.
America’s Cup: Rigs and Sail sheeting analysed
Sunday
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
America’s Cup analyst Tom Morris (Mozzy Sails) looks at two aspects of the AC75 developments – the rigs – and visits North Sails and Southern Spars facilities in UK.
The oldest footage of the Flying Dutchman class
Sunday
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
We delve into the past, and round-up all videos which show sailing in the Flying Dutchman class of racing dinghy…
MOB recovery success story from Race to Mackinac
Saturday
Jul 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
In the thick of Saturday night storms with winds approaching 40 knots, Callisto crewmember Shawn Dougherty was moving forward on the deck to assist the spinnaker takedown and got knocked overboard when a large gust jolted the boat…
Never again! (Except for next time…)
Wednesday
Jul 17
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 17
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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…
SailGP Championships & looking ahead to Paris 2024
Tuesday
Jul 16
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 16
2024
Posted by XS Editor
One of the most interesting storylines in SailGP’s Season 4 has been the question of whether the Australia SailGP Team could clench a fourth-straight season championship. Instead, bragging rights went to the Spanish…
SailGP: Three teams put on Notice
Tuesday
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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.
America’s Cup: Can France make history?
Tuesday
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The French involvement in the America’s Cup dates back to the 1970 event, and despite their success elsewhere in the sport, this has been a mountain they’ve yet to summit. After an early exit during the 2017 edition, they return again in 2024 to change history.
But to do so, they must overcome long odds. They were the last team to enter, and the only team to not design their own boat, having bought the technical details from the New Zealand defender. But French skipper and co-pilot Quentin Delapierre, 31, remains an optimist.
“The 75 is a beautiful boat which we are really proud of,” he reports. “The tech team did an unbelievable job, which they had to do in a rush, which is not easy, but the French nation showed we are able to build this kind of boat. The main challenge for us now is to bring everything together, and make sure the systems are reliable.”
As the last of the five Cup challenger teams to get on the water, Delapierre and his crew have no illusions about the challenge ahead even before racing starts, but he paid tribute to the tech and electronics teams who were able to create a simulator which made an enormous difference to their transition.
“When we went sailing in the AC75 it felt familiar. We had been in the AC40 sailing manually of course, and when we transferred to the 75 it was certainly very different, but the hours and hours we had spent in the simulator made the transition easier — I would say we felt very much at home.
“The simulator is a new tool for sailing over the past few years, and since the arrival of the AC75 we have been pushing hard to translate all that we have learnt. It has been a really good start, but we have a way to go.”
While winless in the America’s Cup, the French are not alone among the challenges as Italy has been trying since 1983 to hold the trophy, and British futility dates back to 1870. Will a new nation win in 2024? Standing by.
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
Tragedy in the Aegean 600
Tuesday
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
A fatality occurred during the 4th edition of the Aegean 600, a 605 nm course around the islands of the Aegean Sea. Starting July 7 from the southernmost tip of Attica in Greece, the 2024 fleet of 69 monohulls and multihulls hailing from 24 nations faced winds of over 40 knots in the island channels followed by near-calms in the island lees.
After passing through the gate at Santorini in the early morning hours (the fastest boats had already passed in the night), the bulk of the fleet was heading downwind en route to the southern end of the course towards the passing point at Kassos. It was then when the Pogo 44 Heaven was reportedly struggling with their spinnaker in the late afternoon, with two crew members falling overboard.
The team managed to retrieve one crew member who was severely injured within 7-8 minutes and the other soon thereafter. The team called for emergency help given the severe internal damage they observed in the injured crew, and a rescue helicopter was called to the scene.
However, the injured crew remained unresponsive to revival attempts so a Hellenic Coastguard vessel stepped in to accompany the boat to make port on Kassos. News reports indicated the deceased to be 40-year-old Anna Konontchouk (FRA) which sustained a fatal head injury.
“We believed our team mate was unfortunately hit by the boat’s rudder,” said skipper Andrii Prokopenko. “The water was full of blood from the impact and we did our very best to treat this severe injury. We are devastated by this terrible accident.”
Meanwhile towards eastern edges of the race course the battle royale continued between the two MOD 70 trimarans, with dozens of sail changes and gear-shifting needed on the teams of Erik Maris’s Zoulou (FRA) and Jason Carroll’s Argo (USA) as they swapped positions for the lead. Boat captain Chad Corning on Argo described the action.
“This was an exceptional effort at staying in the right mode with the right sails, and the conditions were changing so rapidly we always get we were a little behind,” he said. “The short legs on the east side of the course provided few passing opportunities if you got behind. We did have a spectacular final push at the final leg to the finish, with both of us using full Mains and J1 headsails at the very edge of control, but neither of us dare change to slow down.”
At 03:18:52 EEST on July 9, it was Zoulou (FRA) that crossed the finish line at Cape Sounio to set a new Multihull Elapsed Time Record of 1D 13H 18M 52S, an average speed of 16.2 knots around the course, with Argo only 1M 21S behind.
Like the Multihulls, the Monohull first-to-finish contenders encountered the same lee behind the island of Ikaria while en route to the passing gate at Mykonos but got stuck there longer. Bryon Erhart’s Juan K 88 Lucky (USA) managed to just stay ahead of John Larsen’s Volvo 70 L4 (DEN) as the two drifted through this lee and unfortunately consumed too much time before taking off again at high speed to make it to the finish at Cape Sounio before the 45 hour record elapsed time limit expired.
Nonetheless, with an elapsed time of nearly 48 hours, Lucky was the first to finish in the Maxi class, followed by L4 and a few hours later by another VO 70, George Procopiou’s Aiolos (GRE), who has won the class on IRC corrected time.
“It’s a great course,” said Lucky crew boss Dean Phipps (NZL), “with a lot of starts and finishes, great scenery, and beautiful conditions to sail in. It was a bit shifty at times, this was one of the toughest races I’ve done in a long time. A few times it was really windy and we backed off and turned into survival mode to prevent breaking anything.”
“We have done the Caribbean 600 three times and this is much a more challenging race,” said Ehrhart. “There is fantastic wind but also some holes, and getting caught in one this morning for 4 hours we think cost us a chance at the record. Regardless, this is a great race.”
Race details: https://aegean600.com/
Cup Spy: Latest videos from Barcelona
Thursday
Jul 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The daily reports and images from an independent group have been replaced by insights from Cup fans and professionals passing through Barcelona, and taking the time to shoot video or still images – here’s the latest selection:
Progress report for America’s Cup teams
Tuesday
Jul 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
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
It’s just plane fun
Friday
Jun 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
by Dave Reed
At the water’s edge on a bayside beach in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, a vibrant orange Windmill sits in its dolly. Crisp white sails hang limp from the spars, but invisible puffs excite cassette-tape strands attached to the shrouds, foretelling what’s out yonder on Tampa Bay, a placid vastness stretching into the hazy blue horizon.
I step back and admire the angular little yacht and think, now that’s one sweet Windmill. The hull is polished and radiates in the morning sunshine. A closer look inside the boat reveals high-tech ropes meticulously spliced and led through micro blocks with a no-grams-spared level of perfection. Two-hundred pounds all-up, narrow, slab-sided and hard-chined, I’m told, this Windmill is an old-school reaching rocket.
This is one of eight Windmill dinghies rigged up and waiting for wind at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in St. Pete. Loitering under nearby palms is a tightknit clan of devotees, led by local sailor Lon Ethington. As past Windmill class president, he volunteers to give me a Windmill 101. “It’s a planing dinghy,” he says, with a beam of smile framed by a tight white beard. “It’s just plane fun!” Get it? And yes, that is the class motto. – Full story
Follow Us!