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
Saturday
Nov 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Saturday
Nov 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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?
Saturday
Nov 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 11
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Friday
Nov 10
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 10
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Friday
Nov 10
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 10
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Friday
Nov 10
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 10
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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…
good times
Friday
Nov 10
2023
Posted by deleteme
Nov 10
2023
Posted by deleteme
This is a good time to be a sailor. I could have left it at that but here’s why I kept on writing. Right now the Transat Jacques Vabre is underway, albeit with a shortened course. A severe low-pressure system that came up the Bay of Biscay screwed with the heads of the race organizers. They let the Ultim’s and the Class 40’s go figuring that the Ultim’s (those massive multihulls) could outrun the storm (and they did), but they pulled the 50’s and the Class 40’s into Lorient to seek shelter which was a smart move.
They are back out to sea now heading for Martinique, and finally, the 40, yes 40 IMOCA 60’s have left the dock in Le Havre but in moments after the start gun went off they were getting pummeled. It has been a bit of a minefield out there as a handful of Class 40’s are seeking shelter to repair boats and five IMOCA 60’s have already pulled in with damage. Isn’t sailing fun, but I digress…
Santa Barbara Considers Closing Part of its Anchorage
Wednesday
Nov 08
2023
Posted by deleteme
Nov 08
2023
Posted by deleteme
A few weeks ago, Latitude 38 received a letter expressing concern about Santa Barbara’s plan to reduce or completely close part of the city’s free anchorages along its beachfront over concern for underwater infrastructure. Reacting to the proposal at a city meeting in late October, Santa Barbara’s Harbor Commission said they’d like to find solutions other than closing what’s known as the seasonal anchorage near Stearns Wharf. (There is also a permitted mooring area farther east of Stearns, as well as a free year-round anchorage.)
“There’s no proposal to touch or close the year-round portion of anchorage,” said Mike Wiltshire, Santa Barbara’s harbormaster and waterfront director. Wiltshire confirmed that the city’s Harbor Commission would prefer a solution that preserves the seasonal anchorage in addition to the year-round anchorage. He believes a solution is possible that can preserve mooring and anchoring in the seasonal anchorage while still protecting utility infrastructure. He said the seasonal anchorage is closer to Stearns Wharf and the harbor which is where people typically take their tenders/skiffs.
Wiltshire said the waterfront department and public works need to put together a proposal that “protects the infrastructure and preserves moorings.
A press release from Santa Barbara’s Waterfront Department said the city was taking “proactive steps to safeguard its offshore resources and the environment,” and added that “incidents of damage to [underwater infrastructure] due to anchors dragging have heightened concerns, prompting the need for protection.”
Cup Spy Nov 7: Three teams continue development
Wednesday
Nov 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Wednesday
Nov 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 08
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Tuesday
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Australia SailGP team was recognised at this year’s Australian Sailing Awards, winning Team of the Year 2023…
1000 miles to go
Tuesday
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Tuesday
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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
Tuesday
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 07
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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.
marketing 101
Monday
Nov 06
2023
Posted by deleteme
Nov 06
2023
Posted by deleteme
If I am trying to get traction selling my pretty wicked-up 28′ “gentlemen’s skiff” with racks, pretty sure this isn’t a picture that I would include in my marketing e-mail.
Oh, I sure hell as would not be promoting one sailmaker over all others. Just sayin’… – ed.
How 37th America’s Cup will be won
Monday
Nov 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
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…
Class40 and Ocean Fifty back in full race mode
Monday
Nov 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Some eight days after the initial start from Le Havre a week past Sunday, 46 duos aboard their Class40 and Ocean Fifty multihiulls returned to the Transat Jacques Vabre race course from Lorient this Monday morning heading for Martinique…
Record sized IMOCA fleet launch into a battle
Monday
Nov 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 06
2023
Posted by XS Editor
For all that they have had an extra eight days waiting for the exceptionally stormy weather to clear and for an acceptable exit out of the Channel to open up, once the TJV Normandie Le Havre’s record sized, 40 strong IMOCA fleet get under way…
The Clipper Race is returning to Cape Town
Sunday
Nov 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
After the action-packed stopover in Punta del Este, Uruguay, the fleet is now closing in on Cape Town, taking on the epic 3,555nm journey across the South Atlantic…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Nov 5 – Ascension bound
Sunday
Nov 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Maxi Banque Populaire XI (Armel Le Cléac’h & Sebastien Josse) is the first in the first in the Ultim class to round the required turning point of the islands of São Pedro and São Paulo. They are now headed for the next rounding mark Ascension Island…
18ft Skiff 2023-24 Spring Championship Race 5
Sunday
Nov 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 05
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The Smeg 18ft skiff team of Nathan McNamara, Jed Ctuikshank and Jack Taylor used its superior downwind speed over the concluding leg of the course to grab a last minute victory in Race 5 of the 2023-24 Spring Championship today…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Nov 4 – Not yet halfway
Saturday
Nov 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Maxi Banque Populaire XI (Armel Le Cléac’h & Sebastien Josse) continues to lead the Ultim division, in the 2023 TransAt Jacques Vabre as the fleet y line up for the the next rounding mark – the islands of São Pedro and São Paulo…
2023 Weta North American Championship
Saturday
Nov 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The 2023 Weta North American Championship, held in conjunction with the Columbia Sailing Club’s Fall Invitational from October 19-22, took place on Lake Murray in South Carolina…
Storms clear for Transat Jacques Vabre
Saturday
Nov 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 04
2023
Posted by XS Editor
It has been all about caution for the 2023 Transat Jacques Vabre as storms disrupt the course for the doublehanded teams. With a planned start on October 29 for the biannual race from Le Havre in northern France to Martinique in the French Caribbean, only Class Ultim were deemed fast enough to outrun the destructive conditions.
While the Ocean Fifty multihulls and Class 40 fleet started on schedule, they have been on hold in Lorient where they were stopped to avoid the storm force winds and big seas. They will resume their race on November 6.
As for the record fleet of 40 IMOCAs, they remained docked in Le Havre but the passage of storms Ciaran and Domingos now offers a suitable weather window to start on November 7.
“The sea will have calmed significantly in the Bay of Biscay as in the English Channel,” explains Christian Dumard, the race meteorologist. “The general westerly flow continues from the Atlantic but the starts should be completed in manageable conditions. A new front does look set to come in and hit the Atlantic coasts from Wednesday (Nov. 8) but we are seeing winds of 30-35 knots which is much less violent than these recent storms.”
Details: www.transatjacquesvabre.org/en
Solo skippers descend the Atlantic
Thursday
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
With 14 of the 18 skippers having started the 2023-24 Global Solo Challenge following their pursuit time slot, first starter Dafydd Hughes (GBR) on his S&S 34 Bendigedig continues to lead the field as he begins his crossing of the Indian Ocean. North American entrants descending the Atlantic Ocean are William MacBrien’s Class40 Phoenix (7th), Ronnie Simpson’s Open 50 Shipyard Brewing (8th), Cole Brauer’s Class40 First Light (9th), and David Linger’s Class40 Koloa Maoli (12th).
Here are the remaining starters:
Race details – Entry list – Start times – Tracking
The inaugural Global Solo Challenge 2023-24 seeks to be a budget-friendly solo, non-stop race around the world. Using a pursuit format for the 2023-24 race, entrants from 34 to 70 feet will depart between August 26 to January 6 from A Coruña, Spain, with the first boat to return deemed the winner.
Transat Jacques Vabre: Nov 2 – Past Porto Santo
Thursday
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The fleet of Ultim maxi trimarans has passed the first turning point in the 2023 TransAt Jacques Vabre – albeit at just above walking pace…
Connecting next generation to Star Class
Thursday
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
At the 1945 Star World Championship, 17-year-old Malin Burnham won the title alongside his 15-year-old crew Lowell North. A lot has changed since then, as teenagers today are more likely to be racing age-based dinghies, which has disconnected them from established one design classes.
Eager to build a bridge for the next generation, Bacardi, in collaboration with the Star Class, is administering the Bacardi Cup U30 Program for 2024.
The primary goal of the program is to offer promising young sailors the opportunity to chase their racing dreams at the prestigious Bacardi Cup in Miami, USA. The program extends complimentary entry to the regatta and financial support to cover sailors’ expenses associated with participation, for up to ten teams from around the world.
“The passion for sailing the Star transcends generations, attracting the finest sailors,” notes Star Class President Paul Cayard. “The emerging talent is inspiring. We have a robust U30 fleet supported by our U30 Development Committee, who, alongside our long-standing sailors, generously provide resources and expertise. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bacardi for their unwavering commitment to ensuring the timeless allure of the Star Class remains accessible to all.”
The 2024 Bacardi Cup will take place from March 4-9 in Miami, FL. With a six-race series, the 97th edition anticipates a blend of sailing legends, World Champions, Olympians, and professional sailors who compete alongside class enthusiasts.
Bacardi and the Star Class will be reaching out to U30 sailors with further details. In the meantime, sailors who are interested in the Bacardi Cup U30 Program may contact info@bacardiinvitational.com.
As a continuation of Bacardi’s commitment, the 97th Bacardi Cup U30 Champions will not only enjoy their victory but also secure financial support from Bacardi to compete at the 2024 Star Class World Championship taking place from September 8-13 in San Diego, CA.
Ugly Americans go boating
Thursday
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 02
2023
Posted by XS Editor
А trіо оf Аmеrісаnѕ fасіng dероrtаtіоn frоm Веlіzе аftеr а mіnоr ѕhорlіftіng саѕе bесаmе аn Іmmіgrаtіоn оffеnѕе аnd lеd аuthоrіtіеѕ tо а mајоr bоаt thеft іn thе U.Ѕ. аnd thе Ваhаmаѕ.
Еlеха Тауlоr Сhіѕm, 26, а bаrtеndеr оf Аuѕtіn, Техаѕ; Каrіm Оѕmаn, 29, а bаr оwnеr; аnd 45-уеаr-оld аttоrnеу Dаvіd Вlаkе Реndеrgrаѕt wеrе successful in getting the shoplifting сhаrgе drорреd, but things got sticky when hаndеd оvеr tо thе Іmmіgrаtіоn Dераrtmеnt tо іnvеѕtіgаtе thеіr lеgаl ѕtаtuѕ іn Веlіzе.
Furthеr сhесkѕ bу аuthоrіtіеѕ іntо thе trіо rеvеаlеd thаt Реndеrgrаѕt іѕ wаntеd іn thе Unіtеd Ѕtаtеѕ іn соnnесtіоn wіth thе thеft оf а $1.5 mіllіоn саtаmаrаn аllеgеdlу ѕtоlеn frоm Ріеr 66, Fоrt Lаudеrdаlе, Flоrіdа, whісh wаѕ lаѕt ѕееn іn thе Ваhаmаѕ. – Full report
Bidding open for World Sailing Champs
Wednesday
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
World Sailing is inviting bids to host the next World Sailing Championships, an event that occurs every four years and brings together all Classes that will compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The first World Sailing Championships were first held in Cadiz in 2003 and have been staged in every Olympic cycle since. Aside from awarding Class World Titles, it is also the main qualifying event for the Olympic Games.
The 2023 edition in The Netherlands attracted over 1100 athletes from 80 countries and was allegedly watched by a global broadcast audience of millions. This year’s event was also the first edition to include Para events.
The seventh World Sailing Championships – to be held between the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games – will now bring a new opportunity for potential event hosts to bid for a split event.
Due to the logistical challenges for the Host along with its financial and organizational requirements to stage the World Sailing Championships, World Sailing has agreed that potential hosts can bid for one of two sessions of the event…
Dolan halts Round Ireland record challenge
Wednesday
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Because of a rapidly worsening forecast, Irish sailor Tom Dolan has had to stop his solo Round Ireland sailing record attempt in Dingle, despite being more than 80 miles – or about 10 hours – ahead of the existing record pace…
Recovery plan to rebuild Acapulco
Wednesday
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Mexico’s government unveiled a $3.4 billion recovery plan for the battered coastal resort city of Acapulco following the Category 5 Hurricane Otis which slammed into the coastal community, causing mass destruction with more than 100 people dead or missing. Video from Acapulco Bay and Acapulco Yacht Club show the boats and structures that did not withstand the force of the winds that reached 165 miles per hour…
Transat Jacques Vabre: Nov 1 – Slow progress
Wednesday
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Nov 01
2023
Posted by XS Editor
On the morning of November 1, the five giant Ultims were still racing and had closed in on Madeira. Francois Gabart and Tom Laperche co-skippers of SVR Lazartigue still led the race but only a margin of less than 1nm…
Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre update
Tuesday
Oct 31
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 31
2023
Posted by XS Editor
On the 16th Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre as the final Class40 skippers are reaching Lorient, the ULTIMs are continuing to make rapid headway south and this morning were at the latitude of Lisbon…
Does bottom paint even make sense?
Monday
Oct 30
2023
Posted by deleteme
Oct 30
2023
Posted by deleteme
So the divers have pretty much put an end to my bottom paint. When I last hauled 1.5 years ago I had 5-gal applied to my 41′ boat. There was plenty of that paint still on the hull 5 months ago.So since the divers didn’t say anything I didn’t plan for needing a haul/painting and now an on the wait list in case someone cancels the next 2 months before scheduled to leave here.
In the meantime I started adding up the cost of getting the bottom job done verse just cleaning. It works out that…
Youth Foiling Gold Cup in Barcelona
Monday
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
The third act of the 69F Sailing Youth Foiling Gold Cup season was seized by the Antiguan team, Rum Runners, led by skipper Rocco Falcone…
Alongside on an incredible journey
Monday
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
When the Olympic Sailing Program re-imagined the Two Person Dinghy event, and the men’s and women’s events were merged into one mixed event, this completely shuffled the deck for all the existing teams. The 470 has been the boat for this event since 1976, and has proven well suited for the this new era as both men and women are skippering and crewing.
The top USA team with a female helm is Louisa Nordstrom and Trevor Bornarth (aka NB470), and as both a new team and new to the boat, they have been scratching and clawing their way to the top of the fleet. While the top USA team is arguably 4-time Olympian Stu McNay and 2020 Olympian Lara Dallman-Weiss, the combined talents of Nordstom and Bornarth like their chances to win the USA trials. Here is their latest update:
NB470 Racing checking in again from our training overseas! We are now 70 days out from the US Olympic Trials taking place in Miami on January 6-13, 2024. All gas no breaks as we accelerate towards this exciting culminating event. The athlete selection procedures outline our qualification system for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and for the mixed 470 class, our qualifying event will be this one week event, winner takes all!
Details: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/
2023 Lipton Cup at San Diego Yacht Club overall
Monday
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
San Diego Yacht Club has won the 108th Sir Thomas Lipton Challenge Cup! The defending champs were determined to hold tight to the cup and they did just that in final moments of the regatta…
The chase has begun in the Global Solo Challenge
Monday
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
At noon on Sunday, October 29th, the creator and organizer of the Global Solo Challenge, Marco Nannini announced on the skippers’ chat: “Ladies and gentlemen, the show is on!” wishing good winds to the seven sailors who just departed from A Coruña…
America’s Cup Champion signs off Barcelona
Monday
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Oct 30
2023
Posted by XS Editor
Emirates Team New Zealand’s intense four month sailing block in Barcelona has wound up with the America’s Cup winning boat Te Rehutai signing off its scheduled sailing and testing program for the 37th America’s Cup…
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