World Sailing, the global governing body for the sport of sailing, has confirmed the appointment of an independent World Sailing Election Panel to oversee the 2024 Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections…
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Cup Spy Dec 20: Kiwis exploit an unusual day
Wednesday
Dec 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand struck a perfect seabreeze for 90 minutes. The breeze did not vary in strength or direction for 90 minutes producing some high quality test data, from a long single tack leg paralleling the North Shore beaches…
Uncertainty for 2023 Sydney Hobart Race
Monday
Dec 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It’s been beach weather in Australia as 107 teams for the 78th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race eagerly wait for weather updates to prepare for the 628 nautical mile which starts December 26, 2023.
However, due to the high temperatures and humidity across NSW in recent days, which is set to continue leading up to the Boxing Day, it is too early to make a precise indication.
Gabrielle Woodhouse, Senior Meteorologist from the NSW Bureau of Meteorology, notes that the best indication now was for a light south-westerly wind at the start with rain and the chance of thunderstorms later. A low pressure system is expected over the Tasman, but when that hits is also uncertain.
“It’s too hard to say. The spread of scenarios is too huge,” reports Woodhouse. “At this stage, it’s most likely that the race will begin with some kind of south or south-westerly wind, and during the race, probably we will see some rain and some thunderstorms.
“There’s significant uncertainty, and with that prospect of a potential low pressure system, somewhere over the Tasman Sea.
“What we’ll see at the moment, for at least the next few days, is quite a bit of movement in some of those forecasts. And we’ll start to narrow that down during the weekend (Dec. 23-24).”
The huge question mark over the forecast calls for a busy time in the coming days for the navigators to be prepared for anything.
For the David Witt-skippered Dovell 100, SHK Scallywag, the situation could well vindicate the decision to have two navigators on board – Juan Vila and Chris Wild.
The Hong Kong registered boat is one of four maxi yachts in this year’s race in which they are traditionally the Line Honors favorites. The other maxis are the defending Line Honors champion Andoo Comanche, along with LawConnect and the new Wild Thing 100.
Asked about the decision to have two navigators on SHK Scallywag, Wild said: “Navigation is a little bit like a department than a role. There are multiple facets to it, especially on a maxi.
“With [uncertain] conditions, it’s a good call to have that capability, especially for the second half of the race. You do a lot of planning before you leave and then you get to stay on your toes in the second half of the race.”
Adrienne Cahalan, navigator of the Phillip Turner owned and Duncan Hine skippered Reichel/Pugh 66 Alive, notes how they will have to look at all the different scenarios, including some of the worst ones. “I can’t really think of a year when it’s been, you know, so much rain, so much moisture, and so much uncertainty in the forecast.”
Alice Parker, navigator of the Reichel/Pugh 72 URM Group, notes how it currently is such a moving picture. “I find it a little bit exciting when the forecast is this uncertain because anything can happen and there’ll be opportunities for little boats and opportunities for big boats.”
Kathy Veel, owner/co-skipper with Bridget Canham of Currawong 30 Currawong, explained that for the race in the Two-Handed division, she was not overly concerned about the uncertainty. “I made a point really of not looking too closely at the weather until a couple of days out, because you can’t control it, you’re not going to change it. There’s a lot of other things to worry about. So why worry about the weather a week out?”
David Henry, owner/co-skipper and navigator of the two-handed entry, the Sydney 36, Philosopher, is also preparing for the long haul. “The only thing we definitely know at this stage is we don’t know. I’m just hoping for more good news at the end.
“We don’t have one weather system to worry about, we probably have at least two weather systems to get through. We have double trouble when it comes to trying to predict what the weather is going to be.
“What we see on Boxing Day is one weather pattern. A day or so after that, we’re looking further down the track, because we’ll probably take three or four days to get there.”
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: Rupert Guinness | RSHYR
Firefly dinghies in the 1950s
Sunday
Dec 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
We delve into the past, and round-up all videos which show sailing at in the Firefly class of dinghy…
Ian Williams wins Match Racing Worlds
Sunday
Dec 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Britain’s Ian Williams has clinched his seventh Match Racing World Championship title by winning the 2023 World Match Racing Tour Final held December 13-17 in Shenzhen, China. Sailing with with his Chinaone.Ningbo team of Jon Gundersen, Richard Sydenham, and Gerrard Mitchell on FarEast 28R keelboats, the victory sets a new record for the most championship wins in the Tour’s history.
Williams had to work hard to earn his victory, battling Megan Thomson (NZL) in the semi-finals and Gavin Brady (USA) in the final. Thomson, who eliminated round-robin winner Björn Hansen (SWE) in the quarter-finals, managed to secure a win against Williams in their semi-final match before he claimed his spot in the final with a score of 3-1.
The conditions on the final day presented challenges, characterized by brisk and gusty northeast winds, reminiscent of the quarter-finals a day earlier. Finding a path up the course proved tricky and required close attention to the pressure and shifts. Whichever team connected them the best would gain the advantage, which led to numerous lead changes in each race.
The fight for the championship title was some of the closest match racing of the entire regatta. It was Brady who got the first point on the board.
“We managed to get in close and waited for an opportunity to appear at the top mark. It was the one defining moment in the race,” recalled Brady. “We made a big call at the bottom mark to tack off at the bottom, and that paid off for a right-hand shift.”
The next three races all went to Williams, but not without a tough battle. In a thrilling third race, Brady and Williams were changing leads and crossing tacks, never more than a few boat lengths away from each other. But it was Williams and his team who found the favorable shifts and pulled ahead.
Williams talks about the crew work, “it was about being both smooth and aggressive with the shifts; that’s what we were working on,” adding how “it was all about the shifts and connecting the puffs. We’ve really got in our groove.
“Amazing that it’s taken this long, but we really felt the last two races we were in our groove and understood the rhythm of the shifts and the way the boat sails. We were really pleased with our performance, particularly in the last race.
“Incredible to finally have got the seventh world title. The last one was back in 2016, nearly eight years. To come with a new team, Chinaone.Ningbo, and come to China and win the world title, it’s amazing. It’s been a long time coming. We’ve battled away. We’ve never stopped trying.”
Gavin Brady (USA) and his True Blue Racing team of Nick Blackman, Tom Powrie, and Dave Swete gave Williams a great battle, but missing out on a few critical shifts saw them finish in second.
“It’s a little disappointing,” admitted Brady. “You don’t get many chances to win a world championship. Is this the last shot you get at it, or do you get another shot at it in the future?”
Brady showed a huge level of improvement in terms of aggressiveness in the final against Williams, something Brady’s crew have been pushing him toward all season. His improvement on his instinct to go for a penalty instead of playing it safe has been something he’s been proud of this week.
This confidence was evident in the finals as he pushed boundaries, sometimes leading to penalties against him. However, it proves his team’s adaptability against the world’s top match racers.
Reflecting on his season, reaching the final, and competing against Williams, Brady remarked, “I do think we sailed against the best in the world, for sure. The names on the trophy prove it.”
Another remarkable performance was seen from Megan Thomson and her 2.0 Racing team, securing a third-place finish. Thomson became the first female skipper to be in the top four of a World Match Racing Tour Final and defeated 2023 Bermuda Cup’s undefeated champion Johni Berntsson (SWE) for the podium spot.
“The result is more than we could have hoped for,” says Thomson after the third place finish. Looking ahead, she added, “We’re hoping to build upon this and come back to the next event stronger.”
Thomson also sails on the Women’s World Match Racing Tour and hopes to see some of that talent on the World Match Racing Tour next year.
“It’d be great to see some more girls here. There is definitely the level out there to have them be at these events and on the open tour,” she says.
This event concludes the 2023 season, with Williams’ team awarded the largest portion of the USD 200,000 purse.
Tour information – Event details – Results – Facebook
Founded in 2000, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) promotes the sport of match racing around the world and is the longest running global professional series in the sport of sailing. The winner of the WMRT each year is crowned World Sailing Match Racing World Champion.
Previous champions include Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR), Taylor Canfield (USA), Peter Gilmour (AUS), Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Peter Holmberg (ISV), Adam Minoprio (NZL), Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Bertrand Pace (FRA), Jesper Radich (DEN), Phil Robertson (NZL), and Ian Williams (GBR).
Since inception, the World Match Racing Tour and its events have awarded over USD23million in prize money to sailors which has helped to contribute to the career pathway of many of today’s professional sailors.
Source: WMRT
WASZP Games at Sorrento overall
Friday
Dec 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sam Street has sailed a near-flawless WASZP Games campaign to be the first sailor to claim two WASZP Games titles with back-to-back wins in 2022 & 2023, while, UK sailor Hattie Rogers claimed her first ever Women’s WASZP Games title…
2023 Youth Sailing Worlds overall
Friday
Dec 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Joana Faulhaber Tostes Antunes Gonçalves and Gabriela Vassel (BRA) sealed 420 female gold on home water as champions were decided at the Youth Sailing World Championships…
Ocean Globe Race: Dec 14 – Stormin’ into Auckland
Thursday
Dec 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Maiden will soon be hitting the dock, in a good way. The awesome team of all female sailors are just 23 miles out from the Viaduct Basin where many legendary sailors have tied up at the end of a long and harsh Southern Ocean crossing…
Keiran Searle on Melges 20 class news
Thursday
Dec 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Sail-World checked in with Keiran Searle, class manager of the Melges 20 class, via email, to get the latest downloads from this fast-and-fun One Design class…
Tom Slingsby: So far, so good
Wednesday
Dec 13
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 13
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Tom Slingsby, 2023 World Sailor of the Year and helmsman on the America’s Cup challenger American Magic, provides Tip&Shaft with an update:
What was the general debrief across these first two Preliminary regattas?
As a team we have shown we have the skills to win the event and we have also shown that we are a bit of an inexperienced team as well. We have had the highs and lows, winning in Vilanova and having a poor showing in Jeddah.
I look at that as a good thing as this is the first time we have ever really raced with each other and we are up against the likes of Ben Ainslie who has sailed with the same group of guys for six or seven years, Team New Zealand have sailed together for over ten years. And so, for us, just say we had won in Jeddah, you would not get that feeling of how the team is going to react after bad days.
So, we have now experienced a bit of a range of emotions as a team. And I think we learn from that, as hard as that feels right now.
Can you in any way fast track that experience?
We have spoken a lot about that, the team culture, the atmosphere, the sailing with each other and the racing with each other. I don’t think it is that simple.
Being good friends, doing social things together and knowing each other and trusting each other is a huge thing. But it really takes time. But, yes, we are talking about ways we can fast track that process because now the reality is that the next time we race, with something on the line, is in the America’s Cup Round Robins.
As the boat has a helm on each side, it cannot be easy – practically and mentally – to share the control of the boat.
It is not easy. It is one thing only controlling the boat half the time, but the way these boats are set up, you only have 50 percent of your vision. If I was to be controlling the boat the whole time, I would still not be able to see all I need to see. You have to get used to in these boats. You cannot steer all the time and see what you need to see.
You would love to cross over and steer on the other tack but it is not the way these boats are raced. For me it is a communication part when it is my wheel and when it is Goody’s (Paul Goodison) wheel and how we paint the picture when we are coming to the intersection with a boat.
I need to tack at exactly the right point. If I put the board down a second too late, they are going to get an overlap underneath us. If I go one second too early, they will live on our hip. Things like that…. how we paint that picture and get really accurate is something we really need to work on.
Where do you see NYYC American Magic overall at this point in the cycle?
Generally, I think we are in a good place. We have started well. We have been training up a little bit of an inexperienced sailing team and the guys are improving. We have done our relocation to Barcelona and have hit all our timelines and deadlines accurately. We are on track for the future.
As a whole I think we have a lot of room to improve, whether that is our sailing skills and our communication and how that works, or how we race the boat. But with systems and things like that, there is a lot of work going on every day to make big improvements.
We are on that journey, and I think as a whole we are pretty happy, we have done everything that we feel we could have to this point and for sure now we are just going to have to see if we have a fast enough boat when it hits the water. That will be a defining moment.
Ocean Globe Race: roaring into Auckland
Tuesday
Dec 12
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 12
2023
Posted by XS Editor
A perfect finish to the perfect Southern Ocean sailing adventure, and in true Auckland style, the triumphant Translated 9 IT (09) were greeted with four seasons in one day. The stunning Italian Swan 65, skippered by Vittorio Malingri, sailed over the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron finish line at 13hrs 25m 22 seconds (NZDT) taking first in line honors, provisional IRC and Flyer Class in the 2023-24 Ocean Globe Race.
This will herald their second IRC win, having taken the title in the Leg One race, Southampton to Cape Town. The ten-strong crew were determined to retain the prestigious title in the Cape Town to Auckland leg and their dogged determination paid off. Vittorio Malingri, Translated 9 skipper says they’re delighted with their tactics.
“We went south, you have to go south, that is how you sail around the world. Some days in the fog it was one degree, four degrees. We didn’t see the sun for two weeks! But we are so happy to be here. New Zealand is an amazing country,” said Vittiorio, whose father Franco, and uncle, Doi, took part in the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973…
Newport to Ensenada Race: entry open
Tuesday
Dec 12
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 12
2023
Posted by XS Editor
(December 12, 2023) – The 2024 Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, to be held April 26-28, is open for registration. The organizer of the annual classic, Newport Ocean Sailing Association (NOSA), will offer two race courses to either Ensenada or San Diego.
The Newport to Ensenada Race is one of the oldest annual sailing competitions that takes place between Newport Beach, California, in the United States, and Ensenada, Baja California, in Mexico. It has been one of the largest international yacht races in the world and still attracts participants from all around the globe.
Last year, Rich Festas’ 46-foot Rogers Groundhog Day won the top three trophies in the 75th Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race. One of seven in the competitive Ultra-Light A-Class, Groundhog Day, crossed the finish line at 17hr 36mn 13s, more than 2 hours and 34 minutes faster than class competitors ITS OK and Staghound that finished just one minute and eight seconds apart.
The Ensenada race covers a distance of approximately 125 nautical miles and is open to a wide range of sailboats, from small cruisers to larger racing yachts. The course to San Diego covers 90 miles. There are trophies for multi-hulls, double-handed, cruising class, all female crews as well as PHRF and ORR classes. This spring classic offers participants a challenging and exciting overnight offshore sailing experience.
Despite sailing 101 nm farther than the fastest Maxi yachts, Taniwha, the 32-foot New Zealand-built Ferrier, clocked a time of 17h 46m 49s and finished 10 minutes and 36 seconds behind Groundhog Day.
The time was good enough for owner Jerry Fiat and his 21-year-old helmsman Peter Sangmeister to take home four trophies: The ORCA A Trophy for best in the ORCA A-Class, the President of NOSA Trophy for Best Corrected – ORCA, the Alice Pursell Trophy for the Best Elapsed Time – ORCA, and the Stein-Cross Trophy – for the first trimaran.
The race has a rich history dating back to 1948 and has become a celebrated event in the west coast sailing community. The largest fleet was in the mid ’80 with over 600 yachts. This year the organizers are expecting around 200 competitors between the two race courses. It combines the thrill of competition with the beautiful coastal scenery of Southern California and Mexico.
Whether a seasoned sailor or spectator, the Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race is an event worth experiencing. It showcases the skill and dedication of sailors while providing an opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie and adventure of offshore racing.
Event Details – Entry List – Facebook
Source: NOSA
Finding the positive for US SailGP Team
Monday
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
The anticipated conditions for the Dubai Sail Grand Prix event on December 9-10 were said to be ideal for less-experienced teams. This had mostly to do with the flat water, which is easier for foiling boats, and would offer a soft landing for the newly rebuilt United States SailGP Team.
When you have a helm that had never helmed an F50 (Taylor Canfield), a wing trimmer that had never trimmed a wing (Victor Diaz de Leon), a flight controller that had never flight controlled (Mac Agnese), and a strategist that was new to the F50 (Sara Stone), easier is good.
The new ownership group for the US team had brought in a fresh line-up, though retained grinders Alex Sinclair and Peter Kinney. While the absence of Australian Jimmy Spithill (helm) and Brit Paul Campbell James (wing trimmer) is hard to replace, those two also were not Americans, and it is a focus of the new regime to change that.
How did it go? Probably as well as expected, finishing 8th out of ten teams. The conditions were lighter than ideal, which put the team in situations they hadn’t practiced much for, like sailing with reduced crew or managing the largest 29m wing. But there were some highlights too.
Races are won with good starts, and the US team had their share of good starts. Problem was they would slip back in the fleet through inexperience elsewhere, but put it all together in the final race to finish third. They even flexed their muscles on that start, closing the door on a barging British team which led to their disqualification.
“It’s so energizing to finish our first event as a team with a third place in that final race,” said Canfield. “I’m proud of our entire team. We’ve come a long way in a very short period of time. We have more work to do, but this weekend showed we have the ability to compete at the top of the fleet.”
Overall, the USA beat Spain, which won the Los Angeles event, and the Germans which joined the league for the fourth season which started in June 2023.
Added new coach Mark Ivey, “This is great momentum for the new team as it is already looking ahead to Abu Dhabi in one month’s time. We have more work to do around on-board communication, timing, and of course execution, but it feels great to leave Dubai on a positive note.”
SailGP information – Dubai details – YouTube – How to watch
Dubai Final Results
1. New Zealand (Peter Burling), 6-2-4-2-4-(1), 37 points
2. Australia (Jimmy Spithill), 3-1-3-4-8-(2), 36
3. Canada (Phil Robertson), 1-3-8-7-1-(3), 35
4. France (Quintin Delapierre), 2-4-7-5-2, 35
5. Great Britain (Ben Ainslie), 5-7-1-1-10, 30
6. Denmark (Nicolai Sehested), 4-5-10-3-5, 28
7. Switzerland (Sebastien Schneiter), 7-6-6-6-6, 24
8. United States (Taylor Canfield), 8-9-9-9-3, 17
9. Germany (Erik Heil), 9-10-5-8-7, 15
10. Spain (Diego Botin), 19-8-2-10-9, 15
Season Standings (after six of 13 events; results and total points)
1. Australia (Tom Slingsby/Jimmy Spithill), 2-3-2-2-3-2; 52 points
2. Denmark (Nicolai Sehested), 4-2-4-7-2-6; 41
3. New Zealand (Peter Burling), 1-7-8-DNC/6-4-1; 40
4. Great Britain (Ben Ainslie), 7-6-1-1-8-5; 38
5. United States (Jimmy Spithill/Taylor Canfield), 9-5-5-3-1-8; 35
6. Spain (Diego Botin), 5-1-3-6-6-10; 33
7. Canada (Phil Robertson), 3-4-10-5-5-3; 32
8. France (Quintin Delapierre), 6-8-6-4-7-4; 31
9. Switzerland (Sebastien Schneiter), 8-9-9-9-7; 15
10. Germany (Erik Heil), 10-10-7-8-9-10-9; 10
2023 WingFoil Racing World Cup concludes
Monday
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 WingFoil Racing World Champions Ghio and Spanu were crowned after a season of five events in Abu Dhabi, Lake Garda in Italy, Silvaplana in Switzerland, Cagliari in Sardinia, and finally in Jericoacoara, Brazil…
Can the America’s Cup be forgotten?
Monday
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Bill Canfield, past President of Virgin Islands Sailing Association, longtime regatta director, and father of a notable competitor (Taylor), offers this take on history and the sport:
I believe history will look upon United States President Nixon’s term of office, which today is remembered only as a scandal, very favorably. A few of his achievements included opening China, ending the Vietnam War, ending the draft, starting the EPA and Clean Air/Water Act, lowing the voting age to 18, initiating Title IX (women’s sports), minimizing organized crime, landing on the moon, provided Indians self-determination on the reservations, and desegregating southern schools.
In the same vein, I am curious how sailing historians will view the accomplishments of Larry Ellison, Russell Coutts, and Grant Dalton. After comparing the recent America’s Cup and SailGP events, I’m fully of the opinion that Dalton will be given credit for destroying the most iconic and treasured event in sailing along with its fabled history.
Conversely, Ellison and Coutts will be revered by giving sailing a new exciting look as their SailGP sports league involves multiple countries through a large number of scheduled yearly events being sailed by the top names in the sport.
The America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah lacked drama, spectators, proper social media coverage, excitement… I really could find no positives. All you saw of the sailors was their heads sitting in chairs. No movement or sailing skills were visible. They might as well be playing video games.
SailGP, on the other hand, celebrates sailing with high drama, close racing, interesting back stories, colorful fast boats on a tight course. All the events are well attended in fun destinations, and the actual coverage is improving with each event. They are starting to develop a real fan base with team ownership and top-notch sponsors.
It appears that financier Ellison will spend and spend until Coutts gets all the teams sold and the kinks eliminated. The only thing that drives today’s AC is how much money Dalton can jam in his personal pocket. If the event does move to Saudi Arabia, I believe that will truly be the end despite Wheatley’s dramatic prose. Time will tell…
USA leads at Youth Match Racing Worlds
Monday
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Twelve teams will seek the title at the 2023 Youth Match Racing World Championship on December 11-15 in Sydney, Australia. With qualifying racing scheduled over the first three days on December 11-13, USA’s Jeffrey Petersen leads the opening round undefeated with six straight wins and no losses.
As a light and shifty breeze built from 7-10 knots from the east in sunny conditions, PRO Denis Thomson led to the east end of the Harbour with racing taking place in picturesque Double Bay, with Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and Opera House as a backdrop.
Day one completed seven flights of the opening round-robin stage, with Petersen and his team of Justin Callahan, Enzo Menditto, Daniel Pegg, and Marbella Marol in strong form as they look to defend their 2022 World Championship crown.
Australian Will Sargent and and France’s teams led by Timothee Rossi and Ange Delerce finished their opening day with 4 points, but the French sailed one more race than the Australian team. Sargent is no stranger to the Elliott 7 boats being used at the regatta as a member of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia Youth Sailing Academy, host of the 2023 World Championship.
From the qualifying round-robin stage, eight teams will advance to the Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals, and Finals held on December 14-15.
College Sailing Rankings
Saturday
Dec 09
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The final Fall College Sailing Rankings close out the fall season which had 176 regattas over 11 weekends including the Open and Women’s Singlehanded National Championship and Match Race National Championship. The College Sailing Ranking committee has six members: Charles Higgins (SEISA), Allison Jolly (SAISA), Katherine Jones (MAISA), Chris Klevan (PCCSC), John Pearce (US Sailing), and David Thompson (NEISA)
Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 Official Film
Saturday
Dec 09
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race, known for brutal conditions and dismastings, saw Franck Cammas and Groupama emerge as victors, making Cammas the second French skipper to win after 1985-86…
Jimmy Spithill steers the Roo to pole position
Saturday
Dec 09
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 09
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Australia SailGP Team emerged as the front-runners on the opening day of the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas. Jimmy Spithill led the Australian crew to an outstanding performance, securing the top spot on the leaderboard…
Big Boat Challenge Pics by Bow Caddy Media
Friday
Dec 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Raymarine SOLAS Big Boat Challenge was fiercely contested in a solid 15 knot nor’easter by 9 boats. The competitors were andoo Comanche, LawConnect, Scallywag, URM Group, Moneypenny, Alive, Wild Oats X, Whisper and No Limit…
Cup Spy Dec 7: Two AC75s train off Barcelona
Friday
Dec 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
American Magic and Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailed out of Barcelona on Thursday in their AC75s…
Emirates Team New Zealand win in Jeddah
Sunday
Dec 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand have won a dramatically tough America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah presented by NEOM…
America’s Cup: Quotes from the boats – Race Day 3
Sunday
Dec 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
13 sailors reflect on the highs and lows of their day, look back on their performance in the event, and where they are going to focus in the months until the launch of their AC75 raceboat…
Of foiling boats and taverns
Sunday
Dec 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 03
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Was in a tavern. It was actually a bit more like one of those barn style places, where size mattered more than anything else. Bigger is better, right? Let alone fries with that… Did not necessarily want to be there too long, either.
The day of the dogfights for INEOS Britannia
Friday
Dec 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Day 2 of the second AC37 Preliminary Regatta once and again dawned hot and sunny on the Red Sea… but everything else was different. The forecast was for a 13-15 knot north-west breeze, with the water a lot choppier…
Charal stepping on the gas in lead
Friday
Dec 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After just over 24 hours of racing since leaving Fort-de-France, Jéremie Beyou is proving his well optimised Charal is fastest on the northwards climb up the Atlantic for the Retour à La Base fleet of solo racers…
Better day for USA in Jeddah
Friday
Dec 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Dec 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (December 1, 2023) – The second day of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Jeddah was much improved, stepping up from the minimum wind limit racing of yesterday to a 12-16 knot north westerly that saw the AC40s easily ripping along for three more races.
High speed crossings is the theme for six boat fleet races, and it was the Kiwis and Italians that dominated the day. However, after the Americans laid a massive egg on the opener, they were the third best team today.
“I felt like we got better as the day went on, we picked up a few things moding wise from the other teams and tried to sail a little bit faster on the whole and I think the last couple of races we had pretty good pace and were passing other boats upwind,” noted Michael Menninger from NYYC American Magic.
“Downwind we still think we can get a little bit better and improve but it feels like Luna Rossa and the Kiwis are going just a touch faster so trying to wrap our heads around that. All in all, a much better day than yesterday.”
It was France’s turn to follow the fleet as they were last in each of the races. But unlike the unforced errors by the USA on day one, the French were dogged by hydraulic issues which had them fighting against the boat instead of the opposing teams.
Two more fleet races will be held tomorrow, with the final standings to determine the top two teams to qualify for the winner-take-all final Match Race to decide the ultimate winner of the event.
Day Two Results:
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): 1-1-5-2-1-1, 49 points
2. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA): 3-4-1-1-2-4, 38
3. Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI): 4-2-3-5-3-3, 27
4. INEOS Britannia (GBR): 2-3-4-4-5-5, 22
5. NYYC American Magic (USA): DSQ-6-DNS-3-4-2, 16
6. Orient Express Racing Team (FRA): 5-5-2-6-6-6, 14
Can a computer learn to sail an Optimist with AI?
Thursday
Nov 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Bill Gates once said, “Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.” The book ‘Unnatural Selection: Why The Geeks Will Inherit The Earth’ analyzes the impact of technology on human evolution and the rise of the geek class.
The problem for sailing is, just because emerging technology may function better than people, should we let it? Should we replace some of the mental challenges for sailors, and reduce them to passengers? Onboard instrumentation is already doing that, and now the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) has gone a step further.
As one of the leading institutes in the world for hydrodynamic research and maritime technology, they asked the question: Can a computer learn to sail an Optimist with Artificial Research? Here is their update:
Put a child in an Optimist and it will learn how to sail intuitively, without understanding the details of aerodynamics and hydrodynamics. One year ago, that inspired MARIN’s AI Sail team to take up a challenge: can a computer learn to do the same with the help of AI? On November 24, it was the moment of truth, during a demonstration in our Offshore Basin.
The background of this challenge is an important one: what can artificial intelligence and machine learning contribute to a cleaner, smarter, and safer maritime world?
Most maritime prediction methods are based on a model-based approach: physics-based models are combined in a computational model and validated in model tests and reality. With AI Sail, we want to demonstrate the possibilities of data-driven methods, where the physics are not explicit in the model, but implicit in the data.
In simple terms: if children can learn how to sail an Optimist without knowledge of aerodynamics, hydrodynamics and oceanography, an AI-algorithm should be able to learn the same.
The AI Sail team consisted of a broad mix of MARIN specialists: AI/machine learning, digital twinning/time domain simulations, sailing/wind assist, and model testing. AI Sail is an open-innovation project, with workshops for maritime clients and with student’s involvement of TU Delft.
They were able to develop their own AI sailing ‘agents’ (‘digital kids’) based on reinforcement learning (RL) with digital twins of the Optimist and our Offshore Basin in our time domain simulation framework XMF. In the meantime, our model test engineers had modified our Optimist with computer-controlled rudder, sheet and weight control and checked all necessary communications in the basin.
“It was very exciting and great fun as well,” shared Fanny Rebiffé, AI-specialist at MARIN. “Like with real kids on a lake, some RL-agents learned faster and better. Regularly an extra turn had to be made. Sometimes the Optimist stopped head into the wind. But working hard with the rudders and the shifting weight, several agents were very effective in getting wind in the sail again. So our ‘digital kids’ were ‘creative’ in solving their problems.”
Dr. Hannes Bogaert, leader of the AI Sail team added, “The maritime sector is watching this technology with great interest. The challenges to design and operate ships are increasing. Emission free ships and operations require more complex propulsion, power, and energy systems.
“The damage caused by accidents at sea can be enormous. Society is less willing to take risks and adequately responding to risk situations on board is necessary. Offshore sustainable energy requires complex installation and maintenance operations at sea. People need to be better supported. During design and on board.
“Through the application of AI, we can make many systems smarter and better support design and operation.”
Jimmy Spithill to drive for Aussie Team in Dubai
Thursday
Nov 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Two-time America’s Cup winner and former United States SailGP Team driver and CEO, Jimmy Spithill, will replace Tom Slingsby in the Australia SailGP Team at the Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix presented by P&O Marinas on December 9-10…
Eight Bells: Doug Baker
Thursday
Nov 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Southern California yachtsman Doug Baker, a successful competitive sailor who regularly participated in the iconic Transpac race, has died. He was 85. Baker, who had cancer, died November 22 in his Naples home, surrounded by his family.
Baker — who owned Banker Tanks Rentals, a family business started by his father — was most well-known for his sailing career.
He owned multiple boats during his life — beginning with a Hobie 15, which was followed by multiple others, including, most recently, the 2005-built Kernan 68, dubbed Peligroso — and was a regular participant on the Transpacific Yacht Race. Baker, in fact, competed in 21 Transpac races as a skipper and twice as a crew member. – Full report
Reviving the much beloved Windsurfer
Wednesday
Nov 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Windsurfing has gotten a boost in the USA with the newly formed United States Windsurfer Class Association. Here is the update:
This is the first newsletter of our inaugural year and we’d like to thank you for your support in reviving the much beloved Windsurfer Class. It’s been a busy year and we haven’t even had a chance to tell our story, so here’s how it started, what developed, and where we are now:
In November 2022, after months of meetings, completing applications, and waiting for approvals, the United States Windsurfer Class Association (USWCA) was formed and became an official member of the worldwide governing body, the International Windsurfer Class Association (IWCA).
In April of 2023, we launched our website www.uswindsurferclass.com and finalized plans to kick off our inaugural summer with a West Coast Tour of racing, social events, and demo days with the redesigned Windsurfer LT.
The West Coast Tour turned out to be the highlight of the summer with stops in the Gorge, Seattle, Sacramento, Foster City, and Long Beach. We had great turn-outs and super hosts and volunteers to run the events. Thanks to Cobra International, we brought in a fleet of brand new Windsurfer LT boards which traveled to each event and helped to spread the stoke among participants…
Solo racing returns in the IMOCA Class
Wednesday
Nov 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 29
2023
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So here we go, the beginning of the final build-up to next year’s Vendée Globe as single-handed racing returns to the IMOCA Class, with the first ever solo Retour à la Base from Martinique in the French Caribbean to Lorient…
Watch the AC40 Practice Race live then replay from Jeddah
Wednesday
Nov 29
2023
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Nov 29
2023
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The Practice race will be broadcast live from Jeddah…
Canfield to skipper US SailGP Team
Wednesday
Nov 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 29
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Following the update that a new ownership group had bought the the United States SailGP Team, and that CEO and driver Jimmy Spithill (AUS) had been released, more details have now come from the team.
Notable involvement includes from Taylor Canfield and Mike Buckley (above), who were the founders of Stars + Stripes Team USA which unsuccessfully sought to compete in the 2021 and 2024 America’s Cups. Here is the team’s announcement on November 29, 2023:
SailGP’s United States team has been purchased by technology investor and founding Uber engineer Ryan McKillen, Margaret McKillen, and two-time world champion sailor Mike Buckley. They are joined by a diverse group of investors representing the sport, technology, entertainment, and media industries.
The Avenue Sports Fund, led by Avenue Capital Group CEO Marc Lasry, is the lead investor in what will be the largest team acquisition in SailGP history. Other members of the investment group include actress and producer Issa Rae; world champion heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder; global DJ and producer Gryffin; and NFL stars DeAndre Hopkins, Malik Jackson, Roquan Smith and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Additional members include University of Alabama football star Dallas Turner; former U.S. soccer player Jozy Altidore; University of Michigan basketball legend Katelynn Flaherty Yates; Muse Capital’s Assia Grazioli-Venier; and serial entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk.
SailGP is the most exciting racing on water. The global league features high-tech, high-speed 50-foot foiling catamarans that are raced by the world’s best athletes in 10 national teams and broadcast in over 200+ markets (CBS and YouTube in the U.S.).
In SailGP’s fourth season, the quickly growing global sailing league provides 13 live events year-round – six of which take place in North America including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago – at the most iconic waterfront locations around the world.
Under the new U.S. SailGP Team structure, Ryan McKillen will serve as Chairman, and Mike Buckley as Chief Executive Officer. The team has appointed seven-time world champion sailor Taylor Canfield as team driver.
“By bringing together this remarkable group to acquire the United States SailGP Team, we have reached an important milestone in the growth of our sport,” said Ryan McKillen, U.S. SailGP Team Co-owner and Chairman.
“As sailors, we love this sport and want to introduce it to millions; as entrepreneurs, we recognize the potential and growth trajectory of SailGP and how our U.S. SailGP Team can introduce the future of on-water racing at the highest level. Our incredible ownership group is a testament to the growth and expansion of SailGP into the mainstream.”
“We believe that diversity is a competitive advantage and it needs to start at the top,” said Mike Buckley, U.S. SailGP Team Co-owner and CEO. “We have assembled the most diverse ownership group in the history of our sport. Collectively, we have an enormous amount of work to do on and off the water, but I think that I have shown I am not going to back down from this important challenge.”
Avenue Capital Group recently launched the Avenue Sports Fund with the aim of providing capital solutions to a wide variety of sports teams, owners, and leagues, as well as invest in sports-related media and entertainment rights, real estate, and other adjacent businesses. The U.S. SailGP Team is the second major team investment by the Sports Fund…
Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2023 overall
Tuesday
Nov 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Melges 24 European Sailing Series has successfully concluded its thrilling 2023 season, marking a significant milestone for the iconic Melges 24 boat as it celebrates its 30th anniversary…
Alinghi Red Bull Racing back at the start line
Tuesday
Nov 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It has been just over a month since Alinghi Red Bull Racing first set up their temporary base in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in advance of the second America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta…
Turbocharging a round the world racer
Tuesday
Nov 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 28
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Britain’s Pip Hare explains for Yachting World how she’s turbocharged her IMOCA 60 Medallia ahead of next year’s Vendée Globe, the ultimate race for any singlehanded offshore sailor
Ahead of me, the bow of Medallia is pointing at the sky. This is not poetic license; I am actually looking upwards at my bowsprit as it rises up, 50ft in front of me and some 3m higher than I am. In that split second, I can barely compute what is happening.
My brain just starts to grasp the situation when Medallia levels out and shoots forwards. I watch the speed log flick from 26 knots to 27, 28, 29 knots. The acceleration is actually insane. The foils are humming. Occasionally the windward foil grazes the waves and sprays me with a wall of water. Medallia, newly refitted and modified, is just one hour into our first commissioning sail and I have no doubts that we have indeed turbocharged our IMOCA 60.
The IMOCA class is in the midst of a boom. There are now over 50 international teams running these 60ft ocean racing beasts. The Vendée Globe has expanded its entry list to 40 candidates for the next edition in 2024 while The Ocean Race has been reborn as a crewed IMOCA event, with teams smashing the 24-hour monohull record. – Full report
New leadership for US SailGP Team
Monday
Nov 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Changes are underway for the United States SailGP Team as a new ownership group has bought the team, and has released CEO and driver Jimmy Spithill (AUS). Rumors have Taylor Canfield (USA) filling Spithill’s role.
Spithill had taken over the team for Season Two, with the league now preparing for the sixth event of Season Four.
“I leave it in as good a shape as I could,” Spithill told The Associated Press. “If I look at when I started it, what I built and how I’m leaving it, it’s basically qualified for the final right now, having just won the last event, giving them a team with a winning culture and that’s competitive and with some value.”
The league was established in 2018 with funding from tech billionaire Larry Ellison, but the requirement was for all teams to be commercially sustainable by the end of the fifth year. The USA team was still owned by the league.
Spithill, who is preparing for his second straight America’s Cup as co-helmsman of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, has been given the option to start an Italian SailGP Team which would debut in Season 5.
Cup Spy Nov 24: Italians making key decisions
Monday
Nov 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 27
2023
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Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailed in light winds of up to 9kts at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and tested using two boats in development mode. Two other teams INEOS Britannia and Orient Express Racing Team also sailed in their One-Design configurations…
18ft Skiff NSW Championship Races 1 and 2
Monday
Nov 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 27
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The defending champion Andoo team of John Winning Jr, Seve Jarvin and Sam Newton hold a narrow lead after the first two races sailed on the opening day of the 2023-24 NSW 18ft Skiff Championship…
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