I spoke to Grant Fox of Scanstrut at METSTRADE 2023 about ATMOS, the waterproof on-board air station engineered to thrive in the challenging marine environment…
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Alla Grande Pirelli take first place in Class40
Italian skipper Ambrogio Beccaria and French co-skipper Nicolas Andrieu sailing the all Italian Musa 40 Alla Grande PIRELLI took first place in the highly competitive Class40 race on the 16th Transat Jacques Vabre…
Formula Kite Asia & Oceania Championships day 3
Chinese rider Wan Li came out on top of the first day of racing in the women’s fleet at the Formula Kite Asia & Oceania Championships today in Shenzhen, China. After two days of delay, the breeze kicked in nicely for six heats for the women…
IMOCA’s streaming in at TJV finish
While the IMOCAs will now continue to arrive in Martinique for the foreseeable future to complete their Transat Jacques Vabre race from Le Havre to Martinique it is the match at the top of Class 40 which is becoming more and more engaging…
The World Sailing Show
The World Sailing Show delivers 30-minute episodes which feature news, profiles, and racing highlights from across the world of sailing. The November episode of the World Sailing Show airs November 22, 2023…
Holcim-PRB arrives in Martinique
At 0815am (local time) on Monday morning, the IMOCA Holcim-PRB arrived into the magnificent bay of Le Marin in Martinique under a bright sun. The monohull’s crew will have taken 14 days to reach the West Indies from Concarneau, Brittany…
SSL Gold Cup 1/16 Finals Day 4
What a scintillating Sunday we had lined up to conclude the SSL Gold Cup 1/16 Finals. With double points on offer everything was to play for, and Fleet 1 was set to be a thriller with three teams tied on points…
Cup Spy Nov 20: Kiwis dodge thunderstorms
Emirates Team New Zealand struggled to wring out a good testing day as Auckland flicked between no wind and breeze in the mid-teens, interspersed with isolated showers and the threat of thunderstorms – cut their foil testing session short…
Andrea Mura begins Global Solo Challenge
On a gray autumn afternoon in the bay of A Coruña, with light southwesterly winds, Andrea Mura departed on November 18th at 14:00 local time (13:00 UTC) for his Global Solo Challenge, joining the fleet of thirteen competitors already at sea…
Ruyant wins again on the transatlantic course
In France they call him “The King of the Transat” and with good reason because, with his dominant victory in the Transat Jacques Vabre-Normandie le Havre today, Thomas Ruyant has achieved what no one else has before him…
18ft Skiff 2023-24 Spring Championship overall
The Oak Double Bay-4 Pines team of Jacob Marks, Alex Marinelli and Marc Chapon became the 2023-24 Australian 18 Footer League’s Spring champions following a sensational final race of the six-race Spring Championship series…
Massive test of man and machine
There is no greater offshore achievement than winning the Vendée Globe, held ever four years for the IMOCA 60-foot class. This singlehanded non-stop around the world race is a massive test of man and machine, and every moment now is preparing for the 2024 edition.
The recent IMOCA test was the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre, a 5400nm course from France to Martinique, which was won by Thomas Ruyant alongside Morgan Lagravière on Ruyant’s new Antoine Koch/Finot Conq-designed foiler. They covered the transatlantic course at an average speed of 19 knots.
The pair on board For People finished just over four hours ahead of second-placed Yoann Richomme and Yann Eliès on Paprec Arkéa, the sistership of For People, who were just nine minutes ahead of third-placed Sam Goodchild and Koch himself on Ruyant’s old boat, For The Planet.
A delighted Ruyant admitted that his long-term focus remains the round-the-world challenge. “That’s the goal and the whole group is working towards it. In the back of our minds, we’re making our boat more reliable for the Vendée Globe. You can’t write the history of the Vendée Globe in advance, but that’s our goal.”
An intriguing aspect of Ruyant and Lagravière’s performance was the extent to which they relied in the second half of this race on hand-steering a beautifully balanced boat that allowed them to do that for hours at a time.
While Lagravière spent a lot of time on the helm, Ruyant was using the intelligence he gained to improve his auto-pilot set-up that he will rely on when he goes solo in the upcoming Retour à la Base – a 3500nm race from Martinique to Lorient, France – and then the Vendèe Globe itself…
SSL Gold Cup 1/16 Finals Day 3
Momentum is a precious commodity on a yacht, but is just as important in any regatta or sporting series. The national teams, especially those who have qualified from the 1/32 Finals, need to stay on a roll to continue their SSL Gold Cup adventures.
Transatlantic testbed for new designs
The ULTIM division for 32m multihulls have all completed the doublehanded 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre, with the other three classes – IMOCA, Ocean Fifty, and Class40 – continuing on the course from Le Havre in northern France to Martinique in the French Caribbean.
While the 50-foot trimarans will be next to finish this 16th edition, it is the 60-foot IMOCAs that has attracted interest as the two lead boats are both launched in 2023, and both from the same design team – Koch-Finot Conq. Co-designer Antoine Koch, who is also competing in the race, likes what he sees:
“Obviously I am pretty happy to see both boats at the front of the fleet. It’s great to see that they perform well in race conditions. Very often during training in Brittany during the summer, you have flat water and medium wind and you are going upwind and downwind only, so you don’t have a real picture of what’s going on.
“So to see that they perform well in race conditions, in strong winds upwind at the start and then downwind in the tradewinds, is good for the future of the boats. This is especially so given that the are essentially designed for stronger winds downwind, and we only have medium-force tradewinds, and they already seem to be pretty quick and have the ability to sail maybe a bit deeper than the other boats.”
Details: www.transatjacquesvabre.org/en
Trying to find the path through tragedy
Sandra Barnes lost her boat while doing the Baja Ha-Ha, a two-week cruisers rally from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, which takes place every fall. Here is her story:
It is with mixed emotions that I write this. I am the owner of BoatBumGal, a 1968 Nicholson 38, center cockpit ketch, that sank after striking rocks outside of Bahia Tortugas (Turtle Bay) Baja Sur, during the 2023 Baja Ha-Ha. Luckily, we were able to exit the vessel with no injuries to crew or myself. As we moved away from the boat, I had the misfortune of watching my vessel slip under water.
This was not just my boat, but my home as well. All of my possessions were on the boat. My boat was my world. I had worked on her for five years, fought for her during a divorce, and honed my sailing skills on her. She was my pride and joy. The circumstances surrounding the reason she strayed off course and hugged the coast is up for dispute; let’s just say I put my faith in someone who possessed credentials far superior to mine.
But we were fortunate. The people of Turtle Bay embraced us as family. I was provided with warm clothes and shoes. I exited my boat, grabbing only a bag (phone, some money and identification), and was fortunate that my daughter was able to arrange for our departures. It was a long, arduous trip back, but I am now back in the United States, as is my crew.
After the Ha-Ha, I had planned to sail to La Paz and continue to parts unknown. Now, I have no idea where my journey will take me. I’m 65 years of age and am now couch surfing. Still I have no regrets. I tried, failed overwhelmingly, but I tried.
I’m proud to say BoatBumGal passed the finish line of the first leg of the Ha-Ha. I want and need to return to the water…my happy place. Unable to secure hull insurance, I was insured for liability only. Before this adventure, I sold all of my non-boat related belongings, which in turn allowed me to obtain upgrades and services for my boat. All is under water. To paraphrase the Jimmy Buffett song Bubbles Up, I am now just trying to find my path.
A fundraiser is online to help her get back on her feet after losing everything. Please help if you can: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sailor-who-lost-her-boat-during-the-bajahaha
Copa del Rey MAPFRE to host the 2025 ORC Europeans
The Offshore Racing Council (ORC) announced today that the Real Club Náutico de Palma, has been awarded the organization of the 2025 ORC European Championship…
VIDEO: 1/32 Finals of the SSL Gold Cup
Forty teams from five continents are competing in the 2023 SSL Gold Cup, being held in SSL47 One-Designs on November 10-13 in the Canary Islands. The multi-stage event has a knock-out format which advances the top teams to the next round, and ultimate the final. This video highlights the 16 national crews that competed in the first stage on November 10-13.
The greatest event that almost never was
It’s been a very hard week for personal reasons, but I am very glad I made it to Gran Canaria to cover the SSL Gold Cup…
Transatlantic Race returns in 2025
The New York Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club, in partnership with the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Storm Trysail Club, will host the Transatlantic Race 2025. The race will start on June 18 from Newport, RI and finish off Cowes, England.
The west-to-east Transatlantic Race was most recently run in 2011, 2015, and 2019. This slightly extended break has allowed the race to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the RORC as well as the next edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race and the return of the Admiral’s Cup.
“For the past few years, we have been fielding regular calls regarding the next iteration of this race,” says Commodore Paul M. Zabetakis, M.D., of the New York Yacht Club. “Crossing the Atlantic is a bucket-list achievement for many offshore sailors.
“The time and effort required to prepare for and compete in the race, the unpredictability of the North Atlantic Ocean, the tactical challenge presented by the Gulf Stream and the historic connection to the origins of offshore racing distinguish this competition from all other distance races.”
It was over drinks at the Union Club in New York City one night in October 1866 that the first Transatlantic Race came to be. Three proud yachtsmen—Pierre Lorillard, George Osgood, and James Gordon Bennett—each thought their yacht to be the fastest and decided the best way to settle the discussion would be a race from Sandy Hook, N.J., to the Needles, off the Western tip of the Isle of Wight…
Gimson and Burnet scoop second Euro title
Anna Burnet and John Gimson’s bid for Paris 2024 gold enjoyed a timely boost as they were crowned Nacra 17 European champions for the second time in three years…
Sailors of the Year: Neuschäfer and Slingsby
Sailing’s highest achievers were honoured at a glittering World Sailing Awards ceremony in Málaga. The 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year awards were presented to Tom Slingsby and Kirsten Neuschäfer. The AC40 won Boat of the Year…
Closure for first round at SSL Gold Cup
For the lowest seeded teams in the 2023 SSL Gold Cup, 16 national crews competed in SSL47 One-Designs on November 10-13 in a knock-out format which advances the top teams to the next round in the Canary Islands.
Surviving the 1/32 Finals was Bermuda, Estonia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Portugal, Slovania, South Africa, and Tahiti. Also, Chile and Antigua & Barbuda were awarded ‘Lucky Loser’ places, keeping them in the game for the 1/16 Finals which has 16 teams competing on November 16-19.
Forty teams from five continents compete in groups of four until the final. Another 16 countries were previously knocked out of the competition in the qualifying series that took place between May and July 2022 at Lake Neuchatel (Grandson, Switzerland), and 24 of the 40 that reach the finals do so directly by their position in the overall ranking of the SSL.
Eight countries advance directly to the quarter-finals: Spain, United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, and Italy.
The competition program on November 10-December 3 foresees a total of 66 races. For details, click here.
To watch the racing, click here.
Source: SSL Gold Cup
Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle-Kite World Cup Overall
The final epic day at the Copa Kitley GKA Freestyle World Cup Brazil dealt drama and upset in equal measure, with home favourite Bruna Kajiya taking the narrowest of wins as France’s Arthur Guillebert came out on top…
Banque Populaire XI win ULTIM race in 16th TJV
French duo Armel Le Cléac’h and Sébastien Josse sailing Maxi Banque Populaire XI crossed the finish line of the 16th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre off Fort de France, Martinique…
Racing to complete American Magic HQ
Pensacola is on the clock to build a new $15 million headquarters for New York Yacht Club American Magic in time for its return for the 37th America’s Cup.
The city has pledged to build the new Maritime Center of Excellence at the Port of Pensacola by November 2024, when the American Magic team is set to return from the America’s Cup competition in Barcelona, Spain.
Completing a $15 million project in a year is an ambitious goal for the city as projects of similar size and scope have taken years to come together, but Pensacola Mayor Reeves said he believes they will be able to get it done. – Full report
Cup Spy Nov 13: Kiwis make rare stumble
Emirates Team New Zealand had a rare breakdown early in the testing session today, Monday. There appeared to be a problem with the new port wingfoil. The LEQ12 was hauled from the water…
Heading Deep South
Five days into Leg 2 of the McIntyre Ocean Globe and the fleet is experiencing classic Southern Ocean sailing, whales, albatross and settling in for the next month of adventure…
An Inspiring Day 2 at the SSL Gold Cup
On day two of the SSL Gold Cup 1/32 Finals, Gran Canaria delivered another beautiful setting for world-class racing. Today it was all about teamwork, smooth sailing and eyes out of the boat looking for the best wind. Tactical yacht racing at its best…
Cup Spy Nov 10: Three very different days
It was an early day of summer on the Hauraki Gulf, but a squally one in Jeddah. The Brits had a good session with their training boat T6 – until the electronic gremlins struck…
Transat Jacques Vabre ULTIM win in the bank?
Fort-de-France, the colourful capital of the French island of Martinique, is making ready for the first finisher of the 16th edition of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre….
The 37th America’s Cup can wait
by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
If moving the America’s Cup from the Defender’s home of New Zealand to Spain didn’t sit well with ardent fans of the team and event, the decision to host a Preliminary Regatta in Saudi Arabia has found a different level of dissent.
The purpose of pre-events was to heighten the marketability of the America’s Cup, and provide sponsors more exposure, but they are a costly endeavor that is in conflict with the Defender’s environmental messaging. There is nothing about transporting people and boats 2500 miles that saves the planet.
And when the event is hosted by one of the world’s worst abusers of human rights, a heinous war is occurring 500 miles to the north, and teams must participate despite threats of terrorism, it all seems a billion miles away from the America’ Cup principle as a “friendly competition between foreign countries.”
But he who holds the gold makes the rules. As the Kiwis got a bucket of money from the Kingdom to guarantee all teams would attend, and with penalties for non-participation which could affect the ability to win the America’s Cup, all five Challengers have paid their entry fee and shipped their AC40 boats.
As for safety, Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton is proceeding as planned. “What’s happening in Israel and Gaza is terrible, there’s no doubt about it, but we have daily security briefings from a reputable world security company. At the moment, everything is all go.”
Contractually, he may not have any options, and the Swiss Alinghi team is already training at the venue. Since the U.S. federal government had advised against travel, the US Challenger has been silent on their plans. With the event dates of November 30-December 2, there is still time to see if they get on the plane to Jeddah.
This will be the only time the teams will be competing outside of Spain, and Dalton is eager to make a splash. “This is the first international sailing regatta on the Red Sea. Not only that, but it’s the pinnacle of the sport, the America’s Cup. We’re trailblazing in a region that’s the future of the sport, and I take immense pride in being a part of that…
D-366, the countdown is on – Vendée Globe 2024
On 10 November 2024, the Vendée Globe skippers will set off on the 10th edition of the non-stop, non-assisted, single-handed round-the-world race…
Serious damage to Ultim steering system
This morning, shortly before 10:00 UTC, whilst the crew was making headway on port tack at over 30 knots, the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild’s suddenly lost speed, slowing to under 8 knots. This sudden stalling was the result of an impact…
Cup Spy Nov 7: Three teams continue development
Three America’s Cup teams sailed in Cagliari, Barcelona and Jeddah. We are expecting to see American Magic’s AC75 Patriot sailing in Barcelona…
13th Catamarans Cup makes a strong return
The Catamarans Cup international sailing race for cruising catamarans made a strong return this year to celebrate its 13th anniversary in style…
Australia SailGP Team celebrates success
The Australia SailGP team was recognised at this year’s Australian Sailing Awards, winning Team of the Year 2023…
1000 miles to go
This Tuesday, as they crossed under the symbolic threshold of 1,000 miles remaining, the fleet of the 24th edition of La Boulangère Mini Transat contends with somewhat unstable trade winds…
IMOCA leaders ponder their choices
After a spectacular start at 0930hrs local time off Le Havre this morning the IMOCA fleet on the 16th Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre made the most of the outgoing tide to boost them on the their way out of the Channel…
America’s Cup: Kiwis back testing in Auckland
Just two weeks after Emirates Team New Zealand wound up their last day sailing Barcelona, they are back out on the water testing on their AC40 on the familiar waters of the Hauraki Gulf again.
How 37th America’s Cup will be won
With the summer sailing session in Barcelona drawing to a close, reflecting back on the period when the actual America’s Cup will race – 12th October through potentially to the 24th October 2024 – will be a study in meteorology and a deep dive into the sailor’s mindsets in order to build an AC75 that is capable of winning across a broad range of conditions.
What has surprised many commentators, and indeed the sailors themselves, is the variety of conditions that Barcelona serves up on any given day at this time of the year.
The sea state has also been something that all the teams have been grappling with and as October ended, with some of the Atlantic weather systems pushing in, there were waves up to two metres from a variety of angles plus the famously shifty breeze that occasionally blows in from the north-east.
Indeed, to look at the weather data that was reported by the Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand recon teams during the 11 days that the boats sailed between 11th October and the 27th October, there was a peak average wind speed of 15 knots and an average range of 8-15 knots for the period…
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