The 32m Ultim Trimaran SVR Lazartigue, skippered by François Gabart has taken Multihull Line Honours in the 50th Edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race…
Posts in category Article
Rolex Fastnet Race – SVR Lazartigue take Multihull Line Honours in New Record
Sunday
Jul 23
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 23
2023
Posted by deleteme
2023 Rolex Fastnet Race day 1
Sunday
Jul 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 23
2023
Posted by XS Editor
A brutal first night at sea in this 50th edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race has seen numerous retirements and many others seeking temporary shelter from the gale force conditions in the English Channel.
Lost contact with Lawson along Mexico
Saturday
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Donald Lawson (USA), who has sights to set sailing speed records on his 60-foot trimaran, is overdue in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mexico. He has not been heard from since July 12.
Lawson’s Dark Seas Project had acquired the ORMA 60 Trimaran Mighty Merloe from Howard Enloe in April 2022, but a series of mishaps has delayed his initial plan of sailing solo and nonstop around the world, with a start date in February 2023 from Honolulu.
After recently incurring sail and equipment issues along Mexico, he had left Acapulco on July 5, 2023, bound for the Panama Canal and ultimately Baltimore to prepare for a single-handed world record attempt for circumnavigation on the trimaran this fall.
He first communicated on July 9 that he had been experiencing problems with his hydraulic rigging and was without engine power, relying solely on a wind generator. According to his wife Jacqueline in his last communication on July 12, he lost his wind generator due to a storm that day.
His last known position was detected July 13 at 1324 GMT (1:24 pm), updated through the Predict Wind App, at 12°13.475’N, 099°19.735’W.
The US Coast Guard has issued a AMVER report (Automated Mutual-Assistance Vessel Rescue System) to alert vessels within a 300-nautical mile radius of Lawson’s last known position.
Anyone with information should contact the US Coast Guard National Command Center at 202-372-2100.
Lawson sought to be the first American to attempt a trimaran record single-handed without stopping (only five sailors worldwide have attempted it). He and his wife launched the Dark Seas Project, in part, to bring visibility to African Americans in the sport of sailing. Lawson serves as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee chair for US Sailing.
Originally Groupama 2, Lawson’s boat was the last ORMA class trimaran to be built, launched in 2004 and winning five ORMA championships under skipper Franck Cammas. After serving as Oracle Team USA’s training platform for the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010, the VPLP designed 60-footer was sold to Enloe in 2014.
From its base in San Diego, Mighty Merloe was well known on the California offshore circuit, setting the Transpac Race record in 2017 of 04:06:32:30. Under Lawson’s care, the boat has run aground and incurred collisions along the California coast during his Dark Seas Project outreach program…
Fastnet – Kialoa II’s navigator Lindsay May
Saturday
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Kialoa II’s immensely experienced navigator Lindsay May takes us on the route to the Fastnet Rock and back to Cherbourg, explaining the critical decision points on the course…
SailGP: Spithill’s future questioned
Saturday
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
United States driver Jimmy Spithill has admitted ‘the results do the talking’ following a disappointing season start in Chicago…
they’re off
Saturday
Jul 22
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 22
2023
Posted by deleteme
The giant trimaran Banque Populaire leads the multihull fleet as the first start gets underway in miserable weather. Look for the breeze to really ramp up as the day goes on. Follow along here. Fyi, their site is very slow to load…
It is worth commenting on how stupid the rule is for this race for OCS boats – they can’t go back and restart – they are burdened with a two-hour penalty, period, end of story. What sort of bullshit is that? And especially with a huge flood tide. So ridiculous.
Cup Spy July 21: USA hits the bumpy seastate
Saturday
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2023
Posted by XS Editor
American Magic continued their testing program today, in a choppy sea state with the swell coming at an awkward angle for the AC40. Terry Hutchinson discusses the significance of the seastate off Barcelona in his post-session interview…
Cup Spy July 20: Searching for the best foil
Friday
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Foil testing continued for a second day, in stronger winds, but with only the Swiss and Italian teams participating…
Rolex Fastnet Race – Record-sized fleet first start 13:00 hrs from Cowes
Friday
Jul 21
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 21
2023
Posted by deleteme
The 50th edition of the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s Rolex Fastnet Race sets sail from Cowes this Saturday 22 July…
WASZP European Games at Quiberon, France day 3
Friday
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 WASZP European Games has successfully concluded its qualifying round with an additional four races held in perfect medium conditions and flat water. The results have brought forth some exciting developments in the leaderboard…
VIDEO: The Ocean Race 2023
Friday
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Relive triumph and disaster, experience joy and despair and the highs and lows of a round-the-world adventure in this epic impression of The Ocean Race 2023.
This 50th year of the Race was the first edition to feature the foiling IMOCA class, and boats and sailors were pushed to their limits and beyond in a classic edition full of emotional drama and spectacular images of extreme sailing…
Contenders Worlds at Kerteminde, Denmark
Friday
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 Contenders Worlds at Kerteminde in Denmark would be the first return to the sort of multi-nation, international completion that keeps the Contender class so strong in the face of global pressures…
Golden Globe Glory
Thursday
Jul 20
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 20
2023
Posted by deleteme
When he competed in the first Golden Globe Race in 1968-69, French sailor Bernard Moitessier achieved legend status not for winning, but rather for precisely the opposite—opting instead to keep on sailing, “because I am happy at sea, and perhaps to save my soul.”
It’s a sentiment that Kirsten Neuschäfer understands—“Moitessier just kept going and became more esoteric. I liked that aspect,” she said. Some may have wondered whether the adventurous South African would consider the same, but in the end, her history was made in another way, by becoming the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race when she crossed the 2022-23 Golden Globe Race (GGR) finish line in Les Sables-d’Olonne, France, on April 28. After 30,290 nautical miles and 235 days—a course record—she and her 36-foot Cape George cutter, Minnehaha, won without needing the 35-hour time allowance she earned by rescuing fellow sailor Tapio Lehtinen when his boat sank south of Cape of Good Hope.
As she edged her way to the finish line in excruciatingly light air, Neuschäfer—who didn’t even know she’d won until she was within hours of the finish—laughed and talked with the sailing luminaries, journalists, race officials, and well-wishers who’d come out to greet her. “I want to walk on solid ground,” she said in her calm and commanding voice when I asked her what she wanted to do when she touched land for the first time in nearly eight months…
Cup Spy July 19: Key testing time for all teams
Thursday
Jul 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Three teams conducted testing today, using three different types of test boat. Two of the teams tested foils using different methods, in 40fters. The third (ETNZ) tested light air capability in their AC75…
SailGP on the move to Los Angeles
Thursday
Jul 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 20
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The second installment of Season 4 for SailGP will be at a new venue as the 10 F50 teams adapt to a small course within the Port of Los Angeles on July 22-23, navigating the thermal afternoon breezes across six fleet races and a three-boat Final.
Peter Burling’s New Zealand will be looking to defend the top spot of the leaderboard from rivals Australia while Canada will aim to continue its promising season start. As for the USA team, skipper Jimmy Spithill seeks to improve on finishing second to last in Chicago.
While the venue is known as ‘Hurricane Gulch’ for its strong winds, the PredictWind forecast is presently calling for milder westerly conditions of 9-14 knots on day one and 6-8 knots on day two. More so, the wind will be coming from the hills of Palos Verdes which could offer significant lulls and puffs.
The Oracle Los Angeles Sail Grand Prix will take place between 4:00pm-5:30pm PDT.
SailGP information – Los Angeles details – YouTube – How to watch
Cup Spy July 18: Luna Rossa resumes testing
Wednesday
Jul 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 19
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli resumed training out of Cagliari in their LEQ12 under grey skies and a blistering 38°C. Three other teams sailed on Tuesday out of Barcelona, on a “glamour” day for the AC75 and AC40 foiling monohulls…
top five
Wednesday
Jul 19
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 19
2023
Posted by deleteme
When it comes to the quality of sailing life, bigger is not always better. What really counts is getting time on the water, comfort, convenience, and having fun. And for many, the daysailer provides the perfect panacea to the landlocked blues.
Unlike many of the larger boats we design, daysailers provide a lot of advantages when it comes to maintenance, ease-of-operations, and access to smaller bodies of water including lakes, near-shore waterways, and shallow bays. Read on.
Global Solo Challenge start dates announced
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Global Solo Challenge (GSC), the unique around-the-world, non-stop, solo sailing event, is pleased to announce the start dates for all participants…
to infiniti and…?
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
How much demand can there really be for such a boat? They need breeze to really make it work, but we hope they both have success in this endeavor. And promoting one sailmaker as part of the deal is a big mistake. I’m sure the other sailmakers are just thrilled…
McConaghy is delighted to announce its appointment as the exclusive build partner for the next generation of Infiniti 52 racing yachts.
The Infiniti 52 is designed and engineered to deliver next-level offshore racing performance. Built around a highly efficient transverse DSS foil, the Infiniti 52 provides proven performance without the risk and cost of more complex class-driven foil solutions.
The 52ft yacht has proven to be an ideal size, performing successfully both inshore racing and offshore, regularly achieving 30-knot speeds. It is large enough to sail comfortably for an overnight, but light enough to exhilarate and excite. The DSS foil provides the Infiniti 52 significant righting moment allowing the yacht to be sailed with a smaller crew, sometimes half the number of a comparable yacht, increasing competitive efficiencies. More here.
British Classic Week 2023 Day 3
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Day three at British Classic Week saw round the cans racing sponsored by OneSails GBR for Classes 1-3 and the 6mR class…
WASZP European Games at Quiberon, France day 0
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The WASZP European Games are taking place at ENVSN, located at the Bay of Quiberon in the north of France. This location is known as one of the most spectacular foiling locations in the world…
ACO 12th Musto Skiff Worlds at Lake Garda Day 2
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 18
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Once again, we have two perspectives on Monday’s racing, starting with Brennan Robinson’s viewpoint from the middle of the fleet, followed by Jamie Hilton’s from the front of the fleet…
A Rookie on Rio 100
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
“What? Are you kidding me? That never happens!”
Such was the response from a sailing buddy when I told him I was joining the Rio 100 crew for the 800-mile Newport to Cabo race.
His reaction was certainly justified. While I’ve sailed off and on my whole life, my racing experience is limited to some fun times I had on an old 39-foot R-Boat back in the 1970s. So how did I come to be a walk-on to Rio, a 100-foot super maxi and the favored monohull to win?
Hold that thought and let me start with three things you must know about racing on a rocket like this. First, there is a world of difference sailing with a professional crew. It’s akin to a high school football player suiting up and playing in an NFL game. Second, it’s off-the-charts exhilarating to be ripping through the dark of night at 24 knots. Third, you’re almost always nanoseconds away from a catastrophe.
Rio 100 is a custom Bakewell-White specifically designed to win downhill races like the Transpac, Pacific Cup, and Newport to Cabo. It set the record for the Pacific Cup in 2016, won the prestigious Transpac Barn Door first to finish in 2015 despite breaking one of its rudders early on, won it again in 2017, and won the Merlin trophy in 2019.
The crew nicknames her “the aircraft carrier” for good reason. So beamy is the aft deck you could probably land a Harrier jet there. At 145 feet tall, the mast towers over anything in the harbor. Indeed, when bowman Ben Bardwell gets hoisted to the top to check things out, you can lose him in the fog. The main is so large it takes six guys on the grinders to raise it.
Because Rio 100 will often run two jibs plus a kite or reaching jib—plus the main, of course, and running backstays—there is a complicated plethora of lines on deck at most times. After five days of practice and three days of racing, I still only had a rudimentary idea of which sheet and line did what. Belowdecks, you can see straight down 100 feet from bow to stern. Aft of the galley I counted 14 pipe berths, but it was always dark—almost pitch black—and I may have missed some.
Surprisingly, the boat has a commercial kitchen-sized grill. While most maxi crews get a pouch of freeze-dried mystery and a cup of boiling water, we ate well on Rio 100. One night the crew even dined on grilled rib eyes…
captains oblivious
Tuesday
Jul 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 18
2023
Posted by deleteme
Y’all remember the Etchells Creep Show at their Worlds a couple months back, right? Of course not a single offending creep has ever been named, outed, or in any other way been held to account. The Good ‘Ol Boy network, don’t ya know?
But now the Etchells class wants you to know that they have a new Cod of Conduct document out and we are certain that it will fix everything. Oops, we meant that it will fix nothing.
A whopping two-page manifesto that simply regurgitates the obvious, yet the class wants you to know that they have Really Done Something. Have they? We’d say no, and you can bet your ass that when something like this happens again, and it will, that no names will be named and no real consequences will be rendered.
O’pen Skiff Worlds at Rimini, Italy Day 1
Monday
Jul 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Open Skiff World Championship, which boasts the highest number of participants ever with 286 competitors from 17 nations, commenced with an opening ceremony that celebrated the rich history of Rimini…
fight the power
Monday
Jul 17
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 17
2023
Posted by deleteme
A group of climate activists vandalized the $300 million superyacht of Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie in Ibiza on Sunday, drenching the craft’s stern in black and red paint shot from fire extinguishers.
Two demonstrators—from the Spain-based Futuro Vegetal environmental group—then displayed a sign that read “You Consume Others Suffer,” which they proudly posted to their Twitter account. More here.
Helicopter rescue in Pacific Ocean
Monday
Jul 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
A Sydney man, 51, and his dog have been rescued after being stranded at sea for months, surviving on a diet of raw fish and rainwater.
Tim Shaddock and his dog Bella had been floating in the Pacific Ocean for two months after a storm damaged his catamaran’s electronics and communication system, just weeks after they had set off.
Shaddock left La Paz in Mexico in April and was attempting to reach French Polynesia, more than 5,000km (2700nm) away, when his boat was damaged by the storm.
The pair were rescued after a helicopter conducting surveillance for a Mexican fishing trawler found them on July 12. – Full report
America’s Cup yacht poses risk
Monday
Jul 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 17
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Locals say a historic America’s Cup yacht found washed up in North Auckland is an “environmental risk waiting to happen”.
NZL20, the vessel used by Team New Zealand when they competed in the 1992 America’s Cup, was found stranded on Monday at Tindalls Bay, in the North Auckland suburb of Whangaparāoa.
“I don’t care about Americas Cup history. What I care about is the environment. No one wants to see carbon fibre and kevlar across the beach…it’s a big issue,” said local Graeme Salmon.
NZL20 lost the Louis Vuitton Cup to Italy’s Il Moro di Venecia, who in turn went on to lose the 1992 America’s Cup to the United States. – Full report
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period 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 will be held in September/October 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)
Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40) – Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 3 (AC40) – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 2024 (AC75) – Barcelona, Spain
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
Cup Spy July 15: Kiwi Cup testing starts
Sunday
Jul 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 16
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team NZ sailed at Barcelona, for a second day on Saturday. After the session, co-helmsman Nathan Outteridge – an Olympic Gold and Silver medalist, who is on his third America’s Cup campaign, explained their initial objectives in Barcelona…
Dutch F1 director praises sailing’s need for speed
Saturday
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
In the episode 2 of ‘Get Ready for the Best’, looking ahead to August’s Allianz Sailing World Championships in The Hague, Watersportverbond director Arno van Gerven and Dutch GP director Jan Lammers talk about the parallels between motorsport and sailing…
Cup Spy July 14, 2023: Kiwis on debut
Saturday
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand became the fourth team to begin sailing from Barcelona, the venue for the 37th America’s Cup. The team sailed theirAC75, the current America’s Cup champion…
America’s Cup: Defender sails in Barcelona
Saturday
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defenders of the America’s Cup, wasted no time getting ‘Te Rehutai’ out sailing on the waters off Barcelona on Friday, a day earlier than scheduled thanks to a favourable forecast…
Paris 2024 Olympic Test Event Day 7
Saturday
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 15
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Olympic champion Matt Wearn (AUS) snatched gold from under the nose of Micky Beckett (GBR) in a dramatic medal race at the Paris 2024 Test Event in Marseille…
Class of 2023
Friday
Jul 14
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 14
2023
Posted by deleteme
The National Sailing Hall of Fame (NSHOF) has announced this year’s class of inductees, people who have contributed to the world of sailing through education, innovation, and advocacy over the past decades.
“We’re immensely proud of our inductees this year, as they represent everything we love most about the sport,” said Gary Jobson, NSHOF co-president. “Their contributions to the world of sailing have deeply impacted and touched all of our lives, and each of them has created a hefty legacy for the rest of us to live up to. We are delighted to honor their accomplishments and welcome them into the Hall of Fame.”
Nominees must be American citizens at least 55 years old who have made a “sustained and significant impact on the growth and development of the sport in the United States at a national or international level” as a sailor, technical innovator, or cultural contributor.
America’s Cup club in financial trouble
Friday
Jul 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 14
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, holder of the America’s Cup, estimated trading loss for the last financial year has risen to almost $2 million. It blamed the loss on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and stormy weather in early 2023 while unnamed sources suggested the club had also suffered membership losses because of its decision to host the next America’s Cup in Barcelona rather than Auckland. – Full report
Olympic Test Event – Britain claim two Silver in Formula Kite
Friday
Jul 14
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 14
2023
Posted by deleteme
The first medals were decided at the Paris 2024 Sailing Test Event taking place in Marseille, France…
DEBRIEF: The Ocean Race 2023
Thursday
Jul 13
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 13
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Ken Read connects with The Ocean Race winning skipper Charlie Enright (11th Hour Racing Team) and The Ocean Race VO65 winning skipper Pablo Arrarte (WindWhisper Racing Team) for a debrief of their events.
Race details – Route – Tracker – Scoreboard – Content from the boats – YouTube
The Ocean Race IMOCA Final Results
1. 11th Hour Racing Team — 37 points
2. Team Holcim-PRB — 34 points
3. Team Malizia — 32 points
4. Biotherm — 23points
5. GUYOT environnement – Team Europe — 2 points
The Ocean Race VO65 Sprint Final Results
1. WindWhisper Racing Team — 18 points
2. Team JAJO — 14 points
3. Austrian Ocean Racing powered by Team Genova — 10 points
4. Viva México — 8 points
5. Mirpuri/Trifork Racing Team — 7 points
6. Ambersail 2 — 3 points
Who will top the Musto Skiff Worlds podium?
Thursday
Jul 13
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 13
2023
Posted by XS Editor
With just two days to go until the start of the ACO 12th Musto Skiff World Championships in Torbole, thoughts are focusing on who will be walking away with the prestigious trophy for 2023, and how will the rest of the fleet perform…
who’s counting?
Thursday
Jul 13
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 13
2023
Posted by deleteme
Because a 3300 and a 3600 weren’t enough, Sun Fast is now offering the Sun Fast 30, with an emphasis on one design short-handed sailing. But not so fast, you clever marketing geniuses – this ain’t no 30′ it is actually 34′!
Why they don’t just call it what it is is anybody’s guess, but in truth, an actual 30′ boat is just too small and not fast enough compared to a boat just a couple of feet longer. And they claim that this is the first production model sailboat built from a recyclable composite material. More here.
Racing: Shooting the Tiger
Thursday
Jul 13
2023
Posted by deleteme
Jul 13
2023
Posted by deleteme
So much goes into preparing for a big regatta: finding reliable crew, boat repairs and maintenance, practice, time, money. But often it’s the simplest things that make or break a great day on the racecourse, as I learned recently at St. Augustine Race Week.
Normally I’m on the race committee boat for this event, snapping away on my Nikon. But as a change of pace, I signed up to crew on a friend’s Beneteau 361. Georges and Erna had recently purchased the boat, christening her Paloma, and entered the cruiser, non-spin class.
As the date approached, we spent time practicing, getting to know the nuances of the boat and gelling as a team. Georges did a great job organizing the crew and soliciting suggestions for improving our chances of winning some hardware. The crew trained rigorously, going through every point of sail, grinding winches, taking turns at the helm, and carefully reading the notice of race instructions until we were ready. And off we went to the Old City.
Day one greeted everyone with cold, blustery winds and large, unruly waves that frequently washed the deck. Heading through the Bridge of Lions we put a reef in the main, confident that we’d planned for every contingency and that we would come through with a solid performance.
Boy, were we wrong. But it wasn’t for the reasons you might think…
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