Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth will be hosting the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet from 27 – 29 July, after the official Race Finish of Portsmouth…
Posts in category Article
Clipper Race Fleet to finish off Portsmouth Harbour Saturday 27 July
Thursday
Jul 25
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jul 25
2024
Posted by deleteme
Toronto-area storm rips boats, docks into Lake Ontario
Wednesday
Jul 24
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jul 24
2024
Posted by deleteme
Severe storm on July 16 2024 flooded the Toronto area with estimated $1B damages.Bronte/ Oakville harbor flash flooded, ripping boats from docks, and ripping entire docks from shore, flushing them out into Lake Ontario. Impressive video. Lake Ontario cruisers should avoid Oakville CA for a while…
Windsurfing will open the racing at Paris 2024 Olympics
Wednesday
Jul 24
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jul 24
2024
Posted by deleteme
The men and women’s iQFOiL events will open the racing for the sailing events at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday 28 July…
21st International Canoe Worlds day 1
Tuesday
Jul 23
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 23
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The 21st International 20 square meter Canoe World Championships kicked off in boisterous conditions on the first Monday of Travemünder Woche on the Baltic shores of Germany…
the oracle hath spoken
Tuesday
Jul 23
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jul 23
2024
Posted by deleteme
All six America’s Cup teams are now established and sailing in Spain. As an exclusive service to SA readers, we consulted the ancient Oracles at Delphi (just up the road from Barcelona – not the Ellison Oracle). We sought their predictions about the coming series. As is customary, their response was given in seven stanzas of iambic heptameters in Attic Greek. Our regular contributor, Anarchist David, has kindly translated those verses for us into English:
’Twas dawn in Barcelona when the AC hopefuls met,
To settle who was ‘primo’ in the mono-foiling set,
Each team arrived with fervent hopes to lead the yachting news,
In truth their job was advertising auto tyres and booze.
First Luna Rossa sallied forth for Prada and Pirelli,
But soon their main hydraulics failed and turned the oil to jelly.
INEOS Britannia flew fast across the Bay,
Until their carbon mast collapsed beneath a splintered stay.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing had been twice-triumphant champs,
Their cyclors all pulled muscles and succumbed to painful cramps.
Team France arrived with national pride and loads of Gallic grace,
But capsized when a foil arm broke – and never won a race.
The New York Yacht Club turned up late with Magic USA,
A syndicate of millionaires all keen to join the fray,
Delamination rent their hull which sprang a fatal leak,
Reminding them of ’83 (of which we dare not speak).
Then finally New Zealand came with sponsors Emerati,
At last the true professionals had deigned to join the party,
Yet just before the starting gun their country’s hopes were dashed,
The Kiwi team refused to race without a lot more cash.
So, fans could only wonder what the Cup had now become,
A contest of technology (that mostly came undone),
A demolition derby for low-flying aeroplanes,
A frantic form of yachting where the dollars hold the reins.
Let’s mourn the days when sailing skill and tactics were at stake,
Of Turner, Conner, Mosbacher; of Hardy, Coutts and Blake,
Recall the great 12-metre jousts (alas to no avail),
The boats, it’s true, were slower then – but boy, could those guys sail!
Eight Bells: Gloria Melges
Monday
Jul 22
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 22
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Gloria Melges, 93, a beloved member of the sailing community and an esteemed race committee officer, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2024. Born in New Jersey on May 27, 1931, Gloria was raised spending summers aboard a Great Lakes cruising sailboat out of Chicago, where her father served as Commodore of the Columbia Yacht Club. This unique upbringing instilled in her a lifelong passion for the water and sailing.
Gloria pursued higher education at Northwestern University Dental School, where she graduated with honors. During her time at Northwestern, she met and fell in love with Wisconsin yachtsman Harry C. “Buddy” Melges Jr. Their relationship blossomed, but their time together was interrupted when Buddy went to serve in the Korean War. Despite the distance, their love grew stronger through the heartfelt letters they exchanged while he was away.
Upon Buddy’s return, he proposed to Gloria, and they were married shortly thereafter. Their deep bond and unwavering love for sailing became the foundation of their 69-year marriage, a passion they passed on to their three children: Laura, Harry III, and Hans. During their seven decades together, Gloria was a steadfast supporter of Buddy’s illustrious career, cheering for him both on and off the water.
Gloria’s legacy extends beyond her family. She was the first female Commodore of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin, a testament to her trailblazing spirit.
Her contributions to the sport were highlighted by her outstanding work as a crew member in Classes A, E, and C, and her esteemed role as a Race Committee member and Principal Race Officer for Lake Geneva Yacht Club fleets, as well as at national and international events, including the Star Class World Championship, Pan American Games, and America’s Cup competitions.
In recognition of her exceptional service, Gloria was honored as the first recipient of the Huse Inland Lake Yachting Association Sportsmanship Trophy in November 2019. She also earned accolades as a US Sailing Senior Race Officer and an Inland Lake Sailing Association Senior Race Officer.
Her remarkable contributions were further acknowledged with the Ed Malone Judges Trophy as Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Committee/Judge of the Year, the Bilge Pullers Cannon as Outstanding Inland Lake Yachting Association Race Management Corps Volunteer, and twice with the Dr. and Mrs. Will F. Lyon Award for Outstanding Race Committee Service from the Lake Geneva Yacht Club.
Many sailors considered Gloria a “second mom,” having cultivated a warm and welcoming sailing community throughout the world. One of Gloria’s many favorite activities was hosting international competitors at their home on Geneva Lake. Along with Buddy, she helped create an environment where young sailors could thrive, learn, and develop a lifelong love for the sport. Her nurturing spirit left an indelible mark on the sailing world.
Beyond the water, friendships formed from her passion for crafts; participating in sewing, rosemaling, and rug-hooking clubs, as well as having served as the President of the Questers Association.
Survived by her three children, Laura Melges, Hans Melges, and Harry C. Melges III (Suzanne), Gloria is also remembered by her grandchildren, Olivia Arbaugh, Hunter Arbaugh, Harry C. Melges IV, Monroe Melges, Hans Melges, Maxx Melges, and Maverik Melges.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Harry Clemons “Buddy” Melges Jr., her brother, Dr. Alfred “Boody” Wenzel, her sister-in-law, Marilyn Snudden, and by her parents, Alfred and Laura Wenzel. Family was the center of Gloria’s world, and she will forever be remembered for her infectious smile, hospitable nature, and her adoring love for Buddy.
Gloria will be deeply missed, but her gracious spirit will forever sail on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
If you would like to honor Gloria’s memory, donations can be made to the Geneva Lake Sailing School in the name of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center located at 1250 South Lake Shore Drive, Fontana, WI 53125.
A Celebration of Life for Gloria and Buddy will be held this fall.
America’s Cup: Rigs and Sail sheeting analysed
Sunday
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
America’s Cup analyst Tom Morris (Mozzy Sails) looks at two aspects of the AC75 developments – the rigs – and visits North Sails and Southern Spars facilities in UK.
The oldest footage of the Flying Dutchman class
Sunday
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 21
2024
Posted by XS Editor
We delve into the past, and round-up all videos which show sailing in the Flying Dutchman class of racing dinghy…
MOB recovery success story from Race to Mackinac
Saturday
Jul 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 20
2024
Posted by XS Editor
In the thick of Saturday night storms with winds approaching 40 knots, Callisto crewmember Shawn Dougherty was moving forward on the deck to assist the spinnaker takedown and got knocked overboard when a large gust jolted the boat…
Never again! (Except for next time…)
Wednesday
Jul 17
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 17
2024
Posted by XS Editor
What’s it like to take a Cruiser/Racer racing? Not just any racing, mind you, but two of the world’s most famous courses. The Transpac and the Hobart. This was the premise presented to Charles Ettienne-Devanneaux ahead of our most recent chat…
SailGP Championships & looking ahead to Paris 2024
Tuesday
Jul 16
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 16
2024
Posted by XS Editor
One of the most interesting storylines in SailGP’s Season 4 has been the question of whether the Australia SailGP Team could clench a fourth-straight season championship. Instead, bragging rights went to the Spanish…
hey look, a feelgood story!
Tuesday
Jul 16
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jul 16
2024
Posted by deleteme
Bet you didn’t see that coming…!
Maximilian Maeder and Lauriane Nolot have established themselves as the gold medal favorites for the men’s and women’s Formula Kite classes at the 2024 Olympics. Both kiters are current double world champions, having clinched titles in the 2023 and 2024 championships. Their back-to-back victories solidified their status as the best in the world, showcasing their ability to perform under pressure—a crucial trait for Olympic success.
Despite their shared dominance, their paths to success in Formula Kite have been markedly different. One forged a solo path, while the other thrived with the support of an established national development and Olympic program, demonstrating multiple routes to high-performance sailing success.
SailGP: Three teams put on Notice
Tuesday
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The announcement of SailGP’s Season 5 racing schedule and venues, along with the publication latest edition of video ‘Racing on the Edge’ reveals plenty on the shape and momentum of the professional sailing league.
America’s Cup: Can France make history?
Tuesday
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The French involvement in the America’s Cup dates back to the 1970 event, and despite their success elsewhere in the sport, this has been a mountain they’ve yet to summit. After an early exit during the 2017 edition, they return again in 2024 to change history.
But to do so, they must overcome long odds. They were the last team to enter, and the only team to not design their own boat, having bought the technical details from the New Zealand defender. But French skipper and co-pilot Quentin Delapierre, 31, remains an optimist.
“The 75 is a beautiful boat which we are really proud of,” he reports. “The tech team did an unbelievable job, which they had to do in a rush, which is not easy, but the French nation showed we are able to build this kind of boat. The main challenge for us now is to bring everything together, and make sure the systems are reliable.”
As the last of the five Cup challenger teams to get on the water, Delapierre and his crew have no illusions about the challenge ahead even before racing starts, but he paid tribute to the tech and electronics teams who were able to create a simulator which made an enormous difference to their transition.
“When we went sailing in the AC75 it felt familiar. We had been in the AC40 sailing manually of course, and when we transferred to the 75 it was certainly very different, but the hours and hours we had spent in the simulator made the transition easier — I would say we felt very much at home.
“The simulator is a new tool for sailing over the past few years, and since the arrival of the AC75 we have been pushing hard to translate all that we have learnt. It has been a really good start, but we have a way to go.”
While winless in the America’s Cup, the French are not alone among the challenges as Italy has been trying since 1983 to hold the trophy, and British futility dates back to 1870. Will a new nation win in 2024? Standing by.
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
Tragedy in the Aegean 600
Tuesday
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
A fatality occurred during the 4th edition of the Aegean 600, a 605 nm course around the islands of the Aegean Sea. Starting July 7 from the southernmost tip of Attica in Greece, the 2024 fleet of 69 monohulls and multihulls hailing from 24 nations faced winds of over 40 knots in the island channels followed by near-calms in the island lees.
After passing through the gate at Santorini in the early morning hours (the fastest boats had already passed in the night), the bulk of the fleet was heading downwind en route to the southern end of the course towards the passing point at Kassos. It was then when the Pogo 44 Heaven was reportedly struggling with their spinnaker in the late afternoon, with two crew members falling overboard.
The team managed to retrieve one crew member who was severely injured within 7-8 minutes and the other soon thereafter. The team called for emergency help given the severe internal damage they observed in the injured crew, and a rescue helicopter was called to the scene.
However, the injured crew remained unresponsive to revival attempts so a Hellenic Coastguard vessel stepped in to accompany the boat to make port on Kassos. News reports indicated the deceased to be 40-year-old Anna Konontchouk (FRA) which sustained a fatal head injury.
“We believed our team mate was unfortunately hit by the boat’s rudder,” said skipper Andrii Prokopenko. “The water was full of blood from the impact and we did our very best to treat this severe injury. We are devastated by this terrible accident.”
Meanwhile towards eastern edges of the race course the battle royale continued between the two MOD 70 trimarans, with dozens of sail changes and gear-shifting needed on the teams of Erik Maris’s Zoulou (FRA) and Jason Carroll’s Argo (USA) as they swapped positions for the lead. Boat captain Chad Corning on Argo described the action.
“This was an exceptional effort at staying in the right mode with the right sails, and the conditions were changing so rapidly we always get we were a little behind,” he said. “The short legs on the east side of the course provided few passing opportunities if you got behind. We did have a spectacular final push at the final leg to the finish, with both of us using full Mains and J1 headsails at the very edge of control, but neither of us dare change to slow down.”
At 03:18:52 EEST on July 9, it was Zoulou (FRA) that crossed the finish line at Cape Sounio to set a new Multihull Elapsed Time Record of 1D 13H 18M 52S, an average speed of 16.2 knots around the course, with Argo only 1M 21S behind.
Like the Multihulls, the Monohull first-to-finish contenders encountered the same lee behind the island of Ikaria while en route to the passing gate at Mykonos but got stuck there longer. Bryon Erhart’s Juan K 88 Lucky (USA) managed to just stay ahead of John Larsen’s Volvo 70 L4 (DEN) as the two drifted through this lee and unfortunately consumed too much time before taking off again at high speed to make it to the finish at Cape Sounio before the 45 hour record elapsed time limit expired.
Nonetheless, with an elapsed time of nearly 48 hours, Lucky was the first to finish in the Maxi class, followed by L4 and a few hours later by another VO 70, George Procopiou’s Aiolos (GRE), who has won the class on IRC corrected time.
“It’s a great course,” said Lucky crew boss Dean Phipps (NZL), “with a lot of starts and finishes, great scenery, and beautiful conditions to sail in. It was a bit shifty at times, this was one of the toughest races I’ve done in a long time. A few times it was really windy and we backed off and turned into survival mode to prevent breaking anything.”
“We have done the Caribbean 600 three times and this is much a more challenging race,” said Ehrhart. “There is fantastic wind but also some holes, and getting caught in one this morning for 4 hours we think cost us a chance at the record. Regardless, this is a great race.”
Race details: https://aegean600.com/
18footers European Championship – Back in action for day 4
Thursday
Jul 04
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jul 04
2024
Posted by deleteme
Heinrich Bayern with Tom and Andy Martin continue to lead after day 4 of the 18ft European Championship on Lake Garda…
Cup Spy: Latest videos from Barcelona
Thursday
Jul 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 04
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The daily reports and images from an independent group have been replaced by insights from Cup fans and professionals passing through Barcelona, and taking the time to shoot video or still images – here’s the latest selection:
Progress report for America’s Cup teams
Tuesday
Jul 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jul 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
With the shared recon program coming to an end on June 22, the teams for the 37th America’s Cup now enter a ‘dark’ period of reconnaissance where they will look to bring on the innovations, the technology, and the break-throughs that will ultimately determine their campaign’s fate.
Only one team can win; there really is no second in the America’s Cup but there are clear pointers as to who should perform well and what we can expect when racing starts at the third Preliminary Regatta at the end of August ahead of the Louis Vuitton Cup starting in earnest in September.
This report will review each team’s campaign progress and look at the positives and negatives of their assault on the world’s premier sailing trophy: click here
Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.
Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home
It’s just plane fun
Friday
Jun 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 28
2024
Posted by XS Editor
by Dave Reed
At the water’s edge on a bayside beach in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, a vibrant orange Windmill sits in its dolly. Crisp white sails hang limp from the spars, but invisible puffs excite cassette-tape strands attached to the shrouds, foretelling what’s out yonder on Tampa Bay, a placid vastness stretching into the hazy blue horizon.
I step back and admire the angular little yacht and think, now that’s one sweet Windmill. The hull is polished and radiates in the morning sunshine. A closer look inside the boat reveals high-tech ropes meticulously spliced and led through micro blocks with a no-grams-spared level of perfection. Two-hundred pounds all-up, narrow, slab-sided and hard-chined, I’m told, this Windmill is an old-school reaching rocket.
This is one of eight Windmill dinghies rigged up and waiting for wind at the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series in St. Pete. Loitering under nearby palms is a tightknit clan of devotees, led by local sailor Lon Ethington. As past Windmill class president, he volunteers to give me a Windmill 101. “It’s a planing dinghy,” he says, with a beam of smile framed by a tight white beard. “It’s just plane fun!” Get it? And yes, that is the class motto. – Full story
shock and aww
Friday
Jun 28
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 28
2024
Posted by deleteme
Shock, horror perhaps but I, Shanghai Sailor, have to compliment anarchist David on his latest couple of pieces. The keel first.
I remember notable keel failures all the way back to Cheeki Raffiki. Notable perhaps only because they resulted in fatalities and were very publicly reported.
Back in the “good old days” keels ran pretty much the whole length of the yacht. A modern view of this can be found by watching some of the earlier videos from Leo and the Tally Ho team which would suggest that a well found yacht would bounce off the hard stuff when the draft equaled a little bit more than the available water, and then just carry on.
Over the years however keel roots have become shorter and shorter especially on race boats to put the weight as low as possible the bulb is at the end of a long, thin foil. Sometimes this is made of carbon which, while known for its overall strength-to-weight ratio, is not fond of sudden shock loads.
Then of course there are the keel bolts and the laminate layup they are stuck through.
Some builders include a steel grid inside the boat to spread the keel loads and link them all the way to the rig, while other designers underestimate loads in this area. One notable case was the Clipper fleet which had to stop in the Philippines to deal with their wobbly keels even though the actual builders had added 12-14 layers of laminate beyond the specification they had been provided to the hull in the keel area…
Cup Spy: June 13 – Swiss drop rig
Thursday
Jun 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 13
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Cup Spy: June 13 – Swiss drop rig
The Race to Alaska is On
Wednesday
Jun 12
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 12
2024
Posted by deleteme
Many professional races bill themselves as among the most difficult feats in sailing, but I would argue that the comparatively small and ragtag R2AK should also hold a space on the list. The race is a two-legged beast from Port Townsend, Washington, to Ketchikan, Alaska, with a stop in Victoria, BC, along the way. The first leg (Port Townsend to Victoria) is a 40-mile proving ground (called, yes, The Proving Grounds), while the second 710-mile slog (Victoria to Ketchikan) is the real deal. The race itself bills it “like the Iditarod, on a boat, with a chance of drowning, being run down by a freighter, or eaten by a grizzly bear. There are squalls, killer whales, tidal currents that run upwards of 20 miles an hour, and some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.”
Unlike more traditional sailing events, this one lives by its own quirky set of rules—for one, that there are very few rules (and certainly no handicapping or complicated classes). Among them is that any vessel is eligible, provided that it does not have an engine. This means that the race is populated with unusual retrofit designs to let competitors row or paddle when they’re becalmed (or sometimes just row in general with no sails). There is enormous variety in the boats and people who attempt it.
This year, SAIL Technical Editor Adam Cove is making the trek solo in a Marshall 18 that’s been updated with oars and a custom tiller to accommodate the space taken up by the oars. Named Team Wily Wildcat, he finished The Proving Grounds (leg one) in fine style. He’s been sharing his race prep process on our Instagram page, and he’ll be updating us as he travels—when he has time!—so head on over to @sailmagazine on Instagram or catch our Facebook page for Adam’s updates.
View the original article to see embedded media.
(If you want to hear about previous races, SAIL contributor Norris Comer had a very different experience of the race in 2022 with a crew of three other people on a Corsair 760. Read his award-winning article about it here.
The winner gets $10,000 nailed to a tree in Alaska. The second-place boat gets a set of steak knives, and everyone else gets nothing but the satisfaction of knowing they made it—which is no small thing.
View the original article to see embedded media.
If you’re interested in following along this year’s race, the best way to do it is by signing up for the race organization’s newsletter, which provides pithy, sardonic, and frequently irreverent daily updates on the fleet. You can also check out the race tracker by clicking here.
View the original article to see embedded media.
Go Team Wily Wildcat! (And best of luck to all the racers.)
Foiling Week 2024 Preview
Wednesday
Jun 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 12
2024
Posted by XS Editor
We Are Foiling is proud to carry on the tradition of dedicating every edition of the Foiling Week to a relevant Social Theme. 2024 will be inspired to YOUTH sailing and many projects and initiatives have been set (and will be) to support it all year long.
port-starboard?
Monday
Jun 10
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 10
2024
Posted by deleteme
Helluva a story. So who has the right o’ way?
A seaplane lifted off directly into the side of a boat while setting off on a Saturday sightseeing flight from a harbor in Vancouver, Canada. The pilot and five passengers onboard De Haviland DHC-2 Beaver escaped the crash uninjured, CBC News reports.
Those on the boat weren’t as lucky, with two people being sent to the hospital with injuries.
Barcelona anticipates big payday
Monday
Jun 10
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 10
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The value of hosting the America’s Cup is not easy math, as the advance forecast is typically full of optimism while the post-event calculation has led to debt and drama. Here’s an excerpt on the topic from the New Zealand Herald:
In less than three months, the America’s Cup regatta will descend on Barcelona with a big payday forecast for the region that Auckland will miss out on.
When racing commences, it will cap off a years-long period expected to have a positive economic impact of €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion US) for Barcelona, according to a report commissioned and undertaken by the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in May 2023.
By comparison, New Zealand’s economy was left $2.9 million NZ (1.8 million US) worse off from hosting the 36th America’s Cup in 2021, an official cost-benefit report revealed. – 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 was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For more schedule details, click here.
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: June 7 – Four AC75s fight for searoom
Sunday
Jun 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 09
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Five teams sailed on Friday – four out of Barcelona in AC75s, enjoying a 15kt southerly seabreeze and reasonable seaway…
300 Finns head to Tuscany beach for World Masters
Saturday
Jun 08
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 08
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Three hundred Finn Masters can’t be wrong when they all head to the same venue. The 2024 Finn World Masters begins next week at the Puntala Camp & Resort beside the Tyrrhenian Sea sea, 13 years after it was last held there.
The dark horse of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is off and running.
Friday
Jun 07
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 07
2024
Posted by deleteme
The dark horse of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup is off and running. Persistence and tenacity were the order of the day for Orient Express Racing Team…
two skippers?
Friday
Jun 07
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 07
2024
Posted by deleteme
From our friends at Stephens/Waring Design…
Last year, 76-ft Zemphira racked up an impressive array of hardware, culminating in an impressive first-place overall SoT ranking for the CYCS 2023 season. We connected with the yacht’s two skippers, Kirsty Morrison and Andrew Parente, to understand the magic behind the winning boat.
How did you first discover your love for sailing?
Kirsty: My father was an avid sailor. I grew up in London and when I was 8 years old he built me an Optimist dinghy in the spare bedroom. They were originally designed so they could be built out of 2 pieces of plywood. He forgot about getting it down the staircase so he had to take the bedroom window out and lower it out of the opening. I used to race it on a reservoir near Heathrow Airport. Entirely unglamorous, but it got me started.
Andrew: Sailing a sunfish around Third Beach in Middletown RI.
What is your experience and career path to becoming a skipper? Read on.
Franck Cammas on the New York Vendée
Thursday
Jun 06
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 06
2024
Posted by XS Editor
As Head of Performance of the Orient Express Racing Team – the French challenger for the America’s Cup – Franck Cammas has his work cut out.
gotta be the fins
Thursday
Jun 06
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 06
2024
Posted by deleteme
The Italian team #204 Acrobatica sailed by Alberto Riva and Jean Marre completed their dominate two-week run, becoming the 2024 Atlantic Cup Champions. Their first place finish in the Coastal Series yesterday guaranteed them victory for the overall Atlantic Cup. More here.
New York Vendée – Britain has three skippers in the top ten
Wednesday
Jun 05
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 05
2024
Posted by deleteme
As James Harayda (Gentoo Sailing Team) clings to tenth, Britain has three skippers in the top ten. Sam Goodchild (VULNERABLE) is fifth and Pip Hare (Medallia) seventh…
Official cocktail of the America’s Cup
Wednesday
Jun 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Following the lead by Scuttlebutt Sailing News in celebrating the House Drinks in the sport, the 37th America’s Cup now has its official cocktail too. Called the Copa America, it was created by a group of cocktail bars in Barcelona, a region which apparently ranks in the Top 10 cities with the best cocktail bars in the world.
The Copa América includes Bacardí Carta Blanca, salted honey cordial with thyme, Appletiser, Alquimia ratafia, smoked with rosemary, and is served with a gastronomic apple and tajín snack.
The drink was created in collaboration with six bars, representing the same number of teams participating in the main America’s Cup competition, and can be found at 30 venues.
Multiple threats to Paris 2024
Wednesday
Jun 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
As sure as the sun rises in the east, the Olympic Games bring drama to the host city. Maybe its best the 2024 Sailing events are 500 miles to the south in Marseille, based on this report from insidethegames:
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games, a highly anticipated international event, face numerous threats due to their high-profile nature and global significance. Research conducted by Recorded Future’s Insikt Group has identified several key risks, including cybercriminal activities, hacktivist disruptions, and state-sponsored espionage and influence operations.
The event’s extensive security measures are designed to counter potential terrorist threats. However, it remains a potential target for violent extremists and opportunistic criminal groups.
The Paris Olympics, drawing athletes from over 200 nations, widespread media coverage, and millions of spectators, present a prime target for those seeking to cause harm, disrupt proceedings, enrich themselves through criminal activities, or embarrass the host nation. Based on a comprehensive assessment of past attacks, identified threats, and the geopolitical context, Insikt Group has pinpointed several high-priority threats to the Games. – Full report
Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFX
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFOiL
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17
Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 28-August 9
Details:
• Paris website: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
• World Sailing microsite: https://paris2024.sailing.org/
Not all locals in love with America’s Cup
Wednesday
Jun 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 05
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Around 40 activists blocked entry to the America’s Cup official store on Wednesday (June 5) to complain about the sailing competition, but also what they consider large projects that “break up the territory.”
The block was promoted by several pro-environmental organizations, such as Futuro Vegetal, End Fossil, Arran, and Fridays for Future, in coordination with the ‘No a la Copa Amèrica’ platform. The event was scheduled ahead of an environmental demonstration in Barcelona on June 8.
Some activists blocked the store’s entry door for around two hours, while others were already inside. Those outside hold a poster reading ‘Let’s finish with capitalism, and save our planet!’ while chanting ‘America’s Cup is killing our neighborhoods.’ – 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 was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.
Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)
2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain
2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)
2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)
For more schedule details, click here.
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
Boris Herrmann gambles on the North for victory in New York Vendée solo race to France
Monday
Jun 03
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 03
2024
Posted by deleteme
Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé et Prévoyance) is back in the lead of the New York Vendée Les Sables d’Olonneat some 500 miles north west of the Azores….
Massive orca in the middle of the Atlantic!
Sunday
Jun 02
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 02
2024
Posted by deleteme
Sailing a fabulous Rustler 42 across the Atlantic from Bermuda to the Azores:
Klaus Rønn Madsen wins Open Title and Tom Morris National UK Europe Class Championship
Sunday
Jun 02
2024
Posted by deleteme
Jun 02
2024
Posted by deleteme
Denmark’s Klaus Rønn Madsen was the winner of the UK Europe Class UK Open Championship and Tom Morris the UK National Championship…
SailGP:Big win for Brits in Halifax
Sunday
Jun 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 02
2024
Posted by XS Editor
The Final Day of Rockwool SailGP Canada was one of the most dramatic in the event’s four year history, as the British team sailed effortlessly to win in the rain at Halifax…
Cup Spy May 29: AC75s at the Barcelona Dodgems
Saturday
Jun 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Jun 01
2024
Posted by XS Editor
Four teams teams sailed on Wednesday in the congested waters off Barcelona in ideal foiling conditions. All teams conducted similar sessions focussed around racing drills, with the chase boats being used to provide a competitive edge to the training.
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