Three different ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE – Brest skippers spoke of their differing fortunes this evening. Thomas Coville, Anthony Marchand and Charles Caudrelier.
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Ep5: Road to the 37th America’s Cup
Wednesday
Jan 31
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jan 31
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:
Aside from Alinghi Red Bull Racing who had arrived in Jeddah well ahead of the other teams, few knew what to expect from the racing in the Saudi city for the second of the AC Preliminary Events. But after three days of spectacular racing and frequent shake ups on the race course, there was one thing that was clear as the Jeddah event had taken the racing and teams into new territory and given everyone something to think about on their way home.
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 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 5: 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/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Charles Caudrelier: Taking care of the beast
Tuesday
Jan 30
2024
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Jan 30
2024
Posted by XS Editor
(January 30, 2024; Day 24) – Charles Caudrelier, leading the 2024 Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest in the South Pacific, discusses life on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild during this solo, non-stop round-the-world race:
We get the impression that you are doing great miles and all the lights are green!
Yes, there are a lot of green lights but there is always a warning above my head. I know that what happened to Tom (Laperche) could happen to me at any moment, that I could break a part and suffer damage.
The boat is tired from a trip half way around the world. On this boat we have never gone this far. But I do feel in good shape, I have good sequences, I get an energy from being first, there is a great thing in not being stressed by a ranking. Yes, this is an ideal situation but this is a mechanical sport, there will be always aspects that cannot be controlled.
Is being able to take care of yourself a luxury?
Well, put it this way, I’m not looking for a record, I’m on the brakes all the time! When I exceed 40 knots, I get yelled at by my routers! I could go four knots faster but it’s a passage around the world, it’s long and hard. I have to pay attention to the phenomenon that is cavitation under the water which can cause micro-cracks on the appendages. And the faster you go the more monstrous the effort.. I must not take any risks and know how to take care of the beast.
You have broken several records, do these numbers interest you?
No, I don’t even look at the times. I don’t want to get into that game. It is dangerous. And after all, I won’t have a crossing of the Pacific, not as good as the one that François made on his record and his return up the Atlantic was really, really great! But we shouldn’t get locked into the wrong objective: it would be stupid to push the boat and break it. I’m not racing against the clock, even if that gets people excited and talking and even if it might make me a little happy in the end….
Listening to you, you seem in pretty good shape.
Yes I am ! Even when Tom pushed me at the start of the race, I managed to find the right balance between sleep and performance. Now I’m more in management, it’s relaxing and sometimes a little boring. But fortune smiles on me, I still have a lucky star for the moment!
We knew we had to fight to get down to the Indian Ocean first because we could “start from the front”. The team also did a very good job because I never had to slow down to make any kind of repairs. I did a little DIY here and there, and I too have had one problem a day. These are small annoyances usually but at 35 knots, they are not easy to resolve!
And when you’re bored, what do you do?
For three or four days that I’ve been sleeping pretty well, cleaning my boat. I tried watching films, I started reading a little on my tablet but I’m having a little trouble. When I relax I start to worry more. My bunk is slightly tilted and that distorts my sensations, I always have the impression of heeling, I have difficulty feeling my boat. And then I had my little problems, I have a sensor on the daggerboard that doesn’t work and I have to adjust it by feel. These things are a bit annoying but that doesn’t stop me from going fast forward!
What moments do you really enjoy?
I’m not a person given to contemplation. Sometimes there are some beautiful lights in the sky but overall it’s gray, there’s fog, wet, damp, mist and I don’t really go outside. What I like more is looking at the charts and data to optimize my trajectory, to choose the right sails. I also really enjoy anticipating, being one step ahead.
What excites me is more the process than the outcome, the result. I really enjoy steering my boat. I know where I have come from on this odyssey, the desire I had to do this exercise, to have been too afraid of it too, and now to do it by myself too. And I enjoy that the boat is well managed and to be here, more than halfway through, is very satisfying in itself.”
Details: https://arkeaultimchallengebrest.com/en
The Arkea Ultim Challenge-Brest is a solo, non-stop round-the-world race for Ultim Class trimarans which have a maximum length of 32 meters and a maximum width of 23 meters.
The solo speed record around the world was set in 2017 by François Gabart (FRA) on the 30m Macif trimaran in a time of 42d 14h 40m 15s for an average speed of 21.08 knots. This yacht has been rebranded and will be raced by Marchand.
Entrants:
• Charles Caudrelier (FRA), Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (2017 Verdier 32/23)
• Thomas Coville (FRA), Sodebo Ultim 3 (2019 VPLP/others 32/23)
• Tom Laperche (FRA), Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue (2021 VPLP 32/23)
• Armel Le Cléac’h (FRA), Maxi Banque Populaire XI (2021 VPLP 32/23)
• Anthony Marchand (FRA), Actual Ultim 3 (2015 VPLP 30/22)
• Éric Péron (FRA), Trimaran Adagio (2014 VPLP 31/21)*
* Only entrant without foiling appendages
Five rules from the Sailing Instructions:
• The start is January 7 from Brest, France. The start line is kept open for 168 hours and the finish line is closed after an elapsed time of 100 days after the start time, that is to say April 16, 2024.
• The skippers can communicate and exchange with their teams on shore, so they have the freedom to get weather information and be routed by their team on shore and get technical help and advice to help with technical problems.
• The solo skippers can stop but there are two distinct operations. A technical stop is unassisted and requires the sailor to drop anchor, take a mooring, or tie up alongside an anchored or moored boat with no external help. There is no time penalty for a technical stop. But for a technical stopover (escale technique) where one or more crew or technical team come on board to help, there is a mandatory 24 hours minimum. This does not apply to the start port of Brest where all means are authorized to reach or leave the port within a radius of 50 miles.
• For the first time in ocean racing, zones where there are known to be a high concentration of whales and sea mammals are determined. Establishing these zones should both protect the marine wildlife and reduce the chance of a collision. These zones are around the Azores, the Canaries, south of South Africa, the Kerguelens, and parts of the Antarctic.
• There are ice exclusion zones to protect the skippers and their boats.
18ft Skiff Australian Championship Race 3
Sunday
Jan 28
2024
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Jan 28
2024
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NSW champion Yandoo increased her lead at the halfway mark of the Australian 18ft Skiff Championship today with a brilliant win by her crew in the Smeg Race 3 of the series, sailed on Sydney Harbour…
Race to Alaska Podcast
Sunday
Jan 28
2024
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Jan 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The Race to Alaska will hold its 8th edition in 2024, continuing with its 750-mile course from Port Townsend, WA to Victoria, BC. And now there is a podcast series prior to the June 9 start. In this episode, Race Boss Emeritus Daniel Evans chats with Hobie-hopefuls Tips Up and Race Boss Actual meets Sail Like a Mother.
Team Tips Up
John and Kaila have a Hobie 16. John and Kaila think that sailing a Hobie 16 is a good idea. John and Kaila might be nuts. Either that or perhaps they’ve got solid plans and tons of experience under their belts that will help them get 8 feet of boat per person to Ketchikan. Race Boss Emeritus, Daniel Evans, came out of the cave of solitude just long enough to chat with Team Tips Up about sacrifice and how they’re going to beat boats twice their size.
Team Sail Like a Mother
Let’s welcome back the good vessel Wild Card. That’s right, email-reader, the famed 2018 third-place-finishing/first-place-losing Santa Cruz 27 is here again, helmed anew by a trio whose kids will grow up with an inferiority complex due to the myriad exploits of their mothers. Meet Bri, Katie, and Melissa—the sailors of Team SLAM. Listen in as the Race Boss demands confessions, grills them on their medical preparedness, and inquires about the Mark Aberle curse.
America’s Cup: Critics get last laugh
Thursday
Jan 25
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jan 25
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The America’s Cup Defender Team New Zealand was widely criticized for their decision to hold a preliminary regatta in Saudi Arabia. Their choice of overlooking the Kingdom’s oppressive policies to gain hosting fees did not sit well with everyone, but now it appears the critics are getting the last laugh.
War in the Middle East – where Houthi militants are attacking ships linked to Israel in response to that country’s attacks on Gaza – has stalled progress for Team New Zealand’s AC40 which is held up by shipping delays in the Red Sea.
While the Defender still has a testing boat in Auckland, the delay does impact the training for their teams competing in the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup. As a result of delays in getting the boat out of Jeddah, the crews would be getting on the water later than they had anticipated, with appears to be in March…
Countdown to Vallarta Race 2024
Thursday
Jan 25
2024
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Jan 25
2024
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The 37th edition of the San Diego to Puerto Vallarta International Yacht Race, a biennial international offshore yacht race between the USA and Mexico, begins with staggered starts that get underway on February 22 for the 1000 nm course. Twenty-six boats have confirmed their participation.
In 2022, Roy P. Disney and the crew of Pyewacket 70 set a new monohull record for the course of 3:04:38:02. Disney’s team bested the Bakewell White 100 Rio100’s 2016 mark by one hour and 4 minutes. Less than an hour later, Rio100 also beat their 2016 time by about 25 minutes.
Disney returns with his Andrews 68 Pyewacket, as does John Raymont on his Ker 52 Fast Exit II who will seek to defend his 2022 title in which his team won ORR-2 Class and Overall Honors. As he gears up for his fourth Puerto Vallarta Race, he looks forward to fast reaching into warmer waters. “Offshore racing is a complex, healthy, competitive, high skill sport with addressable risks,” said Raymont.
The Future of the F50 – T-Foil Development Video
Thursday
Jan 25
2024
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Jan 25
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Set to replace the current L-Foils in Season 5, the T-Foils were designed to improve the performance and control of the F50s at high speeds…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge – Brest day 17
Tuesday
Jan 23
2024
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Jan 23
2024
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At his current average speed, race leader Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) should pass Cape Leeuwin later tomorrow afternoon or evening…
Avoiding problems in ULTIM CHALLENGE
Tuesday
Jan 23
2024
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Jan 23
2024
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(January 23, 2024; Day 17) – While Charles Caudrelier on the 32m Maxi Edmond de Rothschild has demonstrated his offshore mastery by leading the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest, he has benefited in this solo, non-stop round the world race from the hardships across the fleet. Here is the position report:
1. Charles Caudrelier (FRA), Maxi Edmond de Rothschild (2017 Verdier 32/23)
No reported issues.
2. Thomas Coville (FRA), Sodebo Ultim 3 (2019 VPLP/others 32/23)
Damage on January 17 to starboard foil lowering system but anticipates it can be fixed without stopping.
3. Armel Le Cléac’h (FRA), Maxi Banque Populaire XI (2021 VPLP 32/23)
Completed on January 16 a 27-hour pitstop in Recife, Brazil to repair bow pulpit and correct an issue with the hydraulics on the starboard foil.
4. Anthony Marchand (FRA), Actual Ultim 3 (2015 VPLP 30/22)
Collision on January 23 damaged port foil. No plan to stop.
5. Tom Laperche (FRA), Trimaran SVR-Lazartigue (2021 VPLP 32/23)
Damage on January 18 when daggerboard in the main hull collided with an UFO (unidentified floating object). Arrived to Cape Town on January 22 for repairs.
6. Éric Péron (FRA), Trimaran Adagio (2014 VPLP 31/21)
Slowed progress as only entrant without foiling appendages
The top four solo skipper are in the Indian Ocean which Coville considers the ocean he fears the most:
“It is the ocean that mixes more different air masses. First, there is the cold air mass of Antarctica along the line between Cape Town and Cape Horn. On the other hand, there is the warm air that comes down from Africa, Madagascar, and Reunion. We must go along this corridor affected by masses which are very different, which meet and generate violent and sometimes very erratic phenomena. Sometimes it takes different measures of opportunity, talent, and luck like Charles has to cross the Indian Ocean, remaining at the front of one front which was generated in South America….. but this is very rare. That doesn’t make us give up, we all know how long this course is!”
Getting rest while solo sailing
Monday
Jan 22
2024
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Jan 22
2024
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For the six Ultim Class multihulls racing in the solo non-stop ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest, getting rest while their boat sets a blistering yet blind pace around the world would not seem too restful. And while a good night’s sleep is not an option, neither is getting no sleep.
“To last the distance, long term you have to eat well and sleep well,” notes skipper Charles Caudrelier. But sleeping well is a battle and requires preparation both technically and psychologically. That can be specific equipment, alarms, working with freedivers. Sleep management has long since become a performance issue.
“What we try to do is to sleep as regularly as possible five, six, maybe seven times cumulatively over any 24 hours in increments of 30 to minutes to 1 hour 30,” explains skipper Armel Le Cléac’h. “As soon as the conditions are good, you have to sleep.”
Sébastien Josse, a member of the Banque Populaire routing unit and co-skipper of Le Cléac’h on the Transat Jacques Vabre, notes how 6 to 8 hours of sleep is possible…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge – English video – Jan 20
Monday
Jan 22
2024
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Jan 22
2024
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At the latest report 2000hrs UTC on January 22, 2024, the race leader Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) has stepped out to a lead of over 1400nm over Thomas Coville (Sodebo Ultim 3)
An Extraordinary Solo Race Around the World
Saturday
Jan 20
2024
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Jan 20
2024
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It’s never been done before. In fact, to date only four people have ever completed a solo lap of the planet in a multihull…
Maxi Edmond de Rothschild leading at Good Hope
Saturday
Jan 20
2024
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Jan 20
2024
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Charles Caudrelier and the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild crossed the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope this Friday 19 January at 13:32:22 UTC…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge-Brest day 11 morning update
Wednesday
Jan 17
2024
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Jan 17
2024
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Brest pacemakers Charles Caudrelier (Edmond de Rotchschild) and Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue) are profiting from conditions which remain ideal for high speeds as they head south east towards the longitude of Cape Horn…
Teen sailor makes record-breaking voyage
Wednesday
Jan 17
2024
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Jan 17
2024
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On Sunday 14th January 2024 13-year-old Vincentian Kai Marks Dasent accomplished a remarkable feat by sailing 10 miles from St. Vincent to Bequia, setting a record for future attempts…
Australian A-Cat Nationals at Lake Macquarie overa
Sunday
Jan 14
2024
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Jan 14
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The final day of a regatta can be a strange one. Sometimes, it all comes down to the last race as in the Toulon Worlds, and sometimes the last downwind leg of that race too, as we saw in Houston. On other occasions, the frontrunner is already decided.
18ft Skiff Australian Championship Race 1
Sunday
Jan 14
2024
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Jan 14
2024
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Current Giltinan 18ft skiff champion Andoo, skippered by John Winning Jr, with Seve Jarvin on the sheet and Peter Harris standing in for Sam Newton in the bow, survived the strengthening South-East breeze to take out Race 1 on Sydney Harbour…
Genoa headquarters for The Foiling Organization
Thursday
Jan 11
2024
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Jan 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The Foiling Organization, the global association of the foiling industry and its professionals, will establish its headquarters in Genoa (Italy) from the first months of 2024…
SDYC and NHYC set the stage for 2024 Islands Race
Thursday
Jan 11
2024
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Jan 11
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Sailors are eager to take on the challenge of this competitive offshore race, covering 142 nautical miles around Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge – Brest day 5
Thursday
Jan 11
2024
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Jan 11
2024
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Leaders of the Arkéa Ultim Challenge-Brest, the solo Ultim multihull race around the world, Tom Laperche (SVR Lazartigue) and Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild), have continued to pace each other…
SailGP returns to the water in Abu Dhabi
Thursday
Jan 11
2024
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Jan 11
2024
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Following holiday break, the SailGP league returns to the water on January 13-14 for the Abu Dhabi Sail Grand Prix. As the seventh stage on the 13-event schedule for Season Four, here are five things to watch out for when racing gets underway in Abu Dhabi at 2:00pm GST (5:00am EST):
SailGP’s first ever event in Abu Dhabi
This weekend’s event marks the first time SailGP has ever visited the UAE capital, marking a first for all competing teams. With a light air forecast and tight racecourse on the iconic Mina Zayed, Abu Dhabi promises to throw a fresh set of challenges at SailGP’s 10-strong F50 fleet.
Giles Scott’s racing debut at Emirates GBR driver
Freshly unveiled as Ben Ainslie’s immediate replacement, Olympic champion Giles Scott will take the wheel for his SailGP racing debut on board Emirates GBR this weekend. With a few days of practice in Dubai behind him, and another crucial training day in Abu Dhabi, Scott will take charge of the team and go head to head against the F50 fleet for the first time.
The return of Tom Slingsby
After missing Dubai for the birth of his first child, Australia driver Tom Slingsby will return to the Flying Roo this weekend, and remains on the hunt for the team’s first Season 4 victory. Still top of the leaderboard, the triple SailGP champions haven’t won an event since Season 3’s San Francisco Grand Final, despite appearing in all six Season 4 Finals so far. Could Abu Dhabi host the Aussies’ first win of the season?
Cup Spy Jan 6-8: Quick start for American Magic
Tuesday
Jan 09
2024
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Jan 09
2024
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American Magic was the first America’s Cup team to begin training/testing for 2024, the year of the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. The US team sailed on Saturday January 6 and Monday January 8, 2024 in their AC75 Patriot…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge – Brest day 3 morning update
Tuesday
Jan 09
2024
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Jan 09
2024
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The steady leader is still Charles Caudrelier (Maxi Edmond de Rothschild) who has a margin of about four miles. But as they sought a lane with more breeze and start to consider the approach to a big low pressure set to hit them tomorrow night…
RORC Transatlantic Race, Day 3 – Out of Africa
Tuesday
Jan 09
2024
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Jan 09
2024
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Land effects have created strategic options for the international fleet for the first three days of the RORC Transatlantic Race…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge – Positions/Images – Day 2
Tuesday
Jan 09
2024
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Jan 09
2024
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Charles Caudreiler in Maxi Edmond de Rothschild is leading the Arkéa Ultim Challenge by a 3.6nm margin over Thomas Colville (Sodebo)…
Arkéa Ultim Challenge – Positions/Images – Day 1
Sunday
Jan 07
2024
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Jan 07
2024
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Join six of the Worlds top trans-oceanic sailors and record holders as they race in a non-stop single handed around the World Race in monster 105ft Ultim trimarans. Currently the least experienced sailor in the fleet is leading…
Ben Ainslie retires from SailGP league
Thursday
Jan 04
2024
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Jan 04
2024
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Forty-six year old Ben Ainslie (GBR), considered the most successful sailor in Olympic history, is stepping away from the helm in the SailGP sports league. After a dust-up with the Kiwi team in October, and recently voted the biggest trash talker by his competitors, Ainslie hands over the wheel of the Emirates GBR team to double Olympic Gold medalist and America’s Cup teammate Giles Scott.
“It’s probably the toughest decision I’ve had to make in my sporting career,” shared Ainslie. “Like any big decision, there’s plenty that goes into it and a lot of factors at play.
“As the CEO of both Emirates GBR and the INEOS Britannia America’s Cup Team, and most importantly a husband and father, at some point you’ve got to realize that you can’t do everything.
“I’m coming to that point where it’s time to let the next generation come through and have their opportunity. We’ve got a huge talent in Giles Scott, he’s one of the best in the sport and he will suit this style of racing perfectly. He’s an incredible sailor, one of the best I’ve ever raced with, but he’s also a very mature, level-headed person and that’s why I think he will do a fantastic job in SailGP.”
Ainslie and Scott have a long history, initially competing against each other to represent Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Scott pushed hard and it was an extremely close competition, but Ainslie was successful in selection and went on to secure his fourth Gold medal before retiring from Olympic sailing. The torch was then passed to Scott, who competed at the Rio 2016 Games, winning Gold in the Finn class, before achieving the double at Tokyo 2020…
Ocean Globe Race: A turning point
Wednesday
Jan 03
2024
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Jan 03
2024
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The crew on Explorer are still enjoying champagne sailing as they make their way up the Tasman. A steady 10-15kts from behind and a spinnaker flying. There is a pothole ahead that could cause some extra grey hair, but that’s life…
Finn celebrates 75th anniversary
Wednesday
Jan 03
2024
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Jan 03
2024
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The Finn was designed by Swedish canoe designer Rickard Sarby in 1949 for the Helsinki 1952 Olympics, gradually evolving from the wood hull and cotton sails of the early years. The stout singlehander was used for 18 Games, and while its removal after Tokyo 2020 was unpopular for plus-sized competitors, the Class has proven to be far more than only an Olympic boat.
In 2024, the Finn celebrates 75 years of first-class racing for an active membership.
“One of the big decisions (last year) was going to Miami for the Finn Gold Cup in January 2023 and that was very successful,” noted President of the International Finn Association, Rob McMillan. “We can see the growth and enthusiasm of the American fleet and they are now in a very healthy position with lots of enthusiastic sailors.
“I think as an executive committee we’ve put together a great calendar for the years ahead and we continue to attract sailors into the class, and the events have great people loving their Finn sailing, builders are busy, so from my perspective, while I think there is a lot more work to do, we are trending in the right direction.
“For me the most important things are keeping together as a community and building the brand about the prestige of our events. Being the world champion in the Finn is an amazing achievement and needs to remain one of the greatest achievements in sailing. And to do that we need to sustain the level of competition and to do that we need to keep bringing people into the class.
“Whether they are U23, U30, U40, U50 or even legends, we need to bring in people that want to compete, enjoy it, and engage with their fellow Finn sailors, wherever they are and do that in the confidence that when they invest in the Finn it’s a very solid investment. That’s what every member of the executive wants to maintain. The concept of stewardship is very important to all of us.
Already the entry for the 2024 Finn World Masters is approaching 200 boats, the first time this has happened post-COVID.
“Further in the year, we have the Finn Gold Cup in Aarhus, out of the Danish Sailing Centre,” noted McMillan. “I can foresee a very good competition, very accessible and very well timed, so we should get many there and the talk in the boat park, even in Australia, is very positive.
“Cannes for the Europeans will be huge. Great location, late in the year, Cannes has a great historic connection with the Finn class, running the Cannes Ski yachting event in the 1980s, which was always the first major Finn regatta of the year. It’s going to be an amazing event.
“It looks like it’s going to be a really great year.”
49th Australian Tasar Championship overall
Sunday
Dec 31
2023
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Dec 31
2023
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Following yesterday’s blow out where the breeze and seas were fit for a Tasmanian west coaster, today, Port Philip displayed some hopeful signs of summer…
SailGP: Top Moments of 2023
Sunday
Dec 31
2023
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Dec 31
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Count down to the New Year with us as we relive some of the most pivotal racing moments of 2023 and get ready for even more action as Season 4 continues into 2024!
Casualties follow Sydney Hobart start
Tuesday
Dec 26
2023
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Dec 26
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sydney, Australia (December 26, 2023) – LawConnect made best of its bid to break a hoodoo of three runner-up finishes in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race by leading the fleet towards the Heads after this afternoon’s start.
The Christian Beck owned maxi led off the start line on Sydney Harbour at 1pm, then lost the lead to SHK Scallywag and Andoo Comanche due to a furling issue on a sail change.
SHK Scallywag led out of the Heads from Andoo Comanche, with the fleet of 103 strung out on four start lines. Grant Wharington’s Wild Thing 100 was the last of the maxis to clear the Heads, her smaller rig made it hard to keep up.
Last boat out was the Currawong 30, Currawong, one of 18 two handed entries that is co-skippered by Kathy Veel and Bridget Canham and was last to reach Hobart last year. Just in front of them was Sylph VI, Bob Williams’ boat with cat Oli aboard enjoying the ride.
Soon outside the Heads, LawConnect recovered from its furling issue and was back leading the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s (CYCA) 628 nautical mile race.
Beck lauded his crew today, but he was at pain to modestly set himself apart from the praise, saying: “That’s not me … The rest of the crew is awesome. I think that’s what will make or break us really.”
Beck also admitted that the label of being seen as perennial Sydney Hobart bridesmaid has added fuel to the motivation of his crew. “Of course, it does. Yes,” he said.
Today’s start before a larger than usual spectator fleet in light 5 to 10 knot east to north-easterly winds was not without drama though.
Andoo Comanche, the defending Line Honors champion skippered by John Winning Jnr, raised a protest flag after a port and starboard incident with the David Witt skippered SHK Scallywag.
However, SHK Scallywag, owned by Seng Huang Lee, completed a 720 degree turn near Bondi which exonerated the Hong Kong boat from the incident.
The forecast before the start was for east to north-east winds of 5 to 10 knots, with winds increasing to 20 knots offshore, with warnings of gusts. Winds were then expected to shift south-westerly by Wednesday as a series of troughs and cold front push through.
By the time the fleet was pushing south down the NSW Coast in lumpy offshore swells this afternoon, the signals of what is expected to come had already been seen.
Half an hour before the start, the humidity and heat made way for a fall in temperature as darkening skies, thunder and lightning in the horizon moved in from the north.
A shower of rain then swept over Sydney Harbour as crews underwent their final preparations before it headed south to leave the harbour again under a blaze of sunshine.
In the front line, the maxis, TP52s and other medium boats had a clean start. The four maxis were separated into two pods. HSK Scallywag and Wild Thing 100 set off from close to the pin on the western side of the Harbour, while LawConnect and Andoo Comanche favoured the east.
Casualty Count:
Seng Huang Lee’s 100ft SHK Scallywag from Hong Kong, has become the first casualty of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, breaking her bow sprit early this evening Sydney time.
SHK Scallywag, skippered by David Witt, had recently undergone modifications and with some well-known crew added, seemed to be in great shape, but it was not to be. Without the bow sprit, flying spinnakers is impossible.
A short time later, Peter Davison’s Archambault 40 RC, Arcadia from Victoria, along with the two-handed entry of Shane Connolly/Tony Sutton on the J/99, Rum Rebellion, also reported they had retired from the 78th running of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s 628 nautical mile race.
Arcadia has retired with a torn mainsail, but no reason has been given at this stage for Rum Rebellion from Sydney.
Later during the first night, Michael Spies skippered TP52, Maritimo 52, sustained rig damage which ultimately caused other damage to the boat.
Crew member Peter Jones said, “The fitting on the deck for the forestay shredded, which ripped the No. 4 headsail and the mainsail. We tried to work a million ways around it, but we would have been sailing at 50 percent. We are shattered.
“The weather shocking overnight. We had as much lightning as I’ve ever seen. The sou-west front came through, we saw high 20s to early 30s (knots) and had solid rain for three hours.
“We were south of Jervis Bay, 115 miles down the course. Everyone on board is fine,” ended Jones, who expects the yacht to be back at the CYCA around mid-afternoon today.
Then came the news that Sticky, the Cookson 50 owned by Richard Harris, had suffered electrical damage, forcing her retirement.
There are now 98 boats still in the race, inclusive of 17 two-handed entries.
Details: https://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/
The 628 nm course for the 78th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has several key features following the exit from Sydney Harbor on December 26. Most notable is the crossing of the easternmost edge of the exposed Bass Strait, a notorious expanse of water that can serve up punishing and violent waves, and then periods when the sea is calm as the wind fades. The final stretch up the Derwent River into Hobart can be either kind or cruel when deciding the results of the race.
Source: RSHYR
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Dec 26
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Posted by XS Editor
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Dec 26
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Everyone welcome at Hobart Race Village
Monday
Dec 25
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Posted by XS Editor
Dec 25
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Posted by XS Editor
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the atmosphere of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in the Hobart Race Village, located in the heart of the race action at Kings Pier, Hobart.
Race starts today at 5pm PST time in the USA. For information on the race and to follow on Yacht Tracker, visit rolexsydneyhobart.com.
Internationally, the race will be available through YouTube on CYCATV or on Facebook Rolex Sydney Hobart page.
Eye on the prize
Friday
Dec 22
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Dec 22
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“Woody’, the ageless 18ft skiff champion
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Age is just a number written on a piece of paper when it comes to the newly-crowned 2023-24 NSW 18ft skiff champion John ‘Woody’ Winning, who skippered Yandoo to victory in the eight-race series which concluded on Sydney Harbour last Sunday…
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Dec 20
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