FlyingNikka’s first flight is a date to mark on the calendar, with indelible marker: a flight which at 1pm today, Thursday 12 May, off the coast of Valencia, Spain, marked the beginning of a new era for offshore sailing…
76th Thistle Nationals in Jacksonville
Fifty-one teams have entered the 2022 Thistle U.S. National Championship to be held May 16-20 in Jacksonville, FL. Hosted by Florida Yacht Club, seven races are planned with two days qualifying and three days of championship competition. While 2021 champion Sam Ingham is currently competing in the Worrell 1000, his dad and 2021 runner-up Mike Ingham will seek to maintain the family name. – Details
Alinghi Red Bull Racing to field two teams
Seven flying catamarans are set to line up on one of the world’s top race courses over 25-29 May at the GC32 Riva Cup, opening event of the 2022 GC32 Racing Tour…
2022 Melges 24 Worlds gets underway
Ft. Lauderdale, FL (May 11, 2022) – The 2022 Melges 24 World Championship got underway today for the 31 teams, with Bora Gulari (USA) posting a 4-1-2 to hold a four point lead over Harry Melges IV (USA) with Laura Grondin (USA) 11 points back in third. Twelve races are planned for May 11-15, 2022. – Details
Armstrong A-Wing V2: Solid, Balanced, and Powerful
The summer Wing Foiling season in New Zealand was incredible on both the West and East coasts. Armie has been riding, testing and pushing himself in the search to improve the A-Wing. Check out this video on the A-Wing V2…
I Love Poland claims IMA Caribbean Maxi Challenge
Following on from its inshore and offshore circuits in the Mediterranean, for 2022 the International Maxi Association introduced its new Caribbean Maxi Challenge…
New Atlantic world record attempt
Amateur sailing enthusiast Andrew Bedwell is putting the final touches to his tiny ‘Big C’ vessel, which he aims to sail across the Atlantic and bring a World record back to Britain…
2022 Baja Ha-Ha Sign-Ups Start at Noon Today!
You can capture the beauty of Baja with a fleet of new friends. © 2022 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Richard
There’s no better day than today to sign up for Baja Ha-Ha XXVIII, the 750-mile cruisers’ rally between San Diego and Cabo San Lucas that starts on October 31. Over 10,000 sailors have done the Ha-Ha. If you’re not one of them, today is the day you might want to make that commitment to adventure and become one of them.
What’s in it for you? Sailing that gets better and warmer by the day. Two weeks of life immersed in nature that feels like two months. Escape from humdrum reality. Numerous unusual social events. And friends, tons of new sailing friends. Here’s what the Grand Poobah has to say about the cruise south:
“It’s often cool and overcast for the first 300 miles. But once boats pass Isla Cedros, the climatic border between northern and southern Baja, the skies tend to clear and it’s time for shorts and T-shirts.
“Usually it’s a close reach to the Coronado Islands to start the Ha-Ha, after which it’s possible to carry spinnakers. And who would want to sail upwind anyway? Sometimes the wind goes light, so it’s nice that the Ha-Ha is a rally and boats have the option of motoring as much as they want.
“After two or three days of sailing, the calm waters of Turtle Bay, with room for 1,000 anchored boats, are a welcome refuge. The locals, about 1,500 of them, are always eager for the arrival of the Ha-Ha fleet, as it’s sort of like their New Year’s Eve. Garbage, ice, fuel, rides to the beach … the locals will take care of you.”
Sign up today at www.baja-haha.com, where you’ll also find the Notice of the Rally.
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Man and Dog Escape Injury in Sailboat Explosion
We all hope “it” will never happen, but occasionally it does — in this case “it” was an explosion aboard a sailboat. The explosion occurred at San Diego’s Safe Harbor Marina last week.
San Diego’s Harbor Police Department representative, Corporal Spearel, told us the explosion may have been caused by a propane buildup inside the boat’s cabin. The owner, who does not live on the boat, had come aboard with his dog and lit the stove. Miraculously, both the owner and the dog were only singed — neither was hospitalized. Corp. Spearel said the hull appeared to be intact and the boat was towed to a yard later on the same day…
Sparcraft America For Quality Replacement Masts and Spars
Sparcraft: Specializing in the design, engineering and manufacture of masts, booms and rigging systems of the highest quality for over 50 years.
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ETNZ Chase Zero hits range and speed milestones
Emirates Team New Zealand have been continuing the commissioning and testing of their hydrogen powered foiling chase boat ‘Chase Zero’ on Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf…
The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild relaunched
Early yesterday morning, the large doors to the Gitana shed were opened to release the Maxi Edmond de Rothschild from her five-month refit…
New Zealand’s sea and air borders open August 1
With New Zealand’s reputation cemented as one of the world’s most-serene yet adventurous destinations, New Zealand will open its borders to visitors again with air and sea borders opening from 1 August, allowing tourists to once again explore and enjoy on…
18ft Skiffs: Gambling on the 18s
The nature of the boats and the men who have sailed them over the past 130 years always made 18-footer racing unique in the sailing/yachting world and one of the unique parts of the sport has been the gambling which has gone hand-in-hand with the sport…
VIDEO: Rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard
A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60T helo rescued crewmembers on the 39-foot sailboat Calypso located 80 miles south of Montauk, NY. After the boat was dismasted when allegedly hit by a rogue wave on May 8, the rescue team battled heavy seas that night in hoisting the injured sailors to safety, with all four men brought to shore and transported for medical attention…
A Gulf Stream Crossing at Night
Even the dome of light glowing above the city behind us had disappeared as if swallowed in a gulp by Noah’s whale. The moon was absent. Not a star twinkled overhead. The night was so dark we could have been floating in a pot of black ink. The only artificial lights to be seen were those of the fore and aft running lights and the barely illuminated compass on the cabintrunk. Bioluminescent microorganisms stirred by our passing, shone faintly in our wake. Waves hissed as they swept past underneath us, lifting our stout, New England-made 30ft cutter, Kluane, (an Athabaska name meaning “big fish”) to heights impossible to judge in the dark. The troughs we slid down into seemed bottomless.
Less than two hours had passed since we’d weighed anchor a little after 0300 in South Florida’s Palm Beach inlet. Already we were in the Gulf Stream. This was the first ocean crossing for my wife and me, and our anxiety level was high. All was black with no demarcation between sky and water. Ahead was only darkness.
We are creatures of the light. Dark frightens, disorients, distorts. Few comforting words are said about it. The dark and our inexperience magnified every worry. Our anxieties increased by orders of magnitude.
A halyard jammed. In the dark, it couldn’t be freed. We had no choice but to lash the mainsail to the mast still halfway up. A freighter charged down on us. We crossed its stern, rocking in its wake. A quarter-mile is too close, especially after dark. The Loran (soon to be replaced by GPS, thank goodness!) crashed. Below, trying to reprogram it, I became seasick to the point of incapacity. I ceded all authority to my wife. “Sit down in the corner, and don’t get sick in the cockpit,” was her command…
SailGP: Changes for Japan and USA
When SailGP was established in 2018, the global sports league had a five year plan for all teams to be independently funded. The initial investment by billionaire Larry Ellison was to get the ball rolling, but the clock was started for teams to put up or be replaced.
Entering the third season in 2022, four of the ten teams are self-funded: Canada, Denmark, and Great Britain, and Switzerland. While the progress for the other six teams is not known, it appears the Japanese team is trailing the field.
Despite being runner-up in the first two season championships, Nathan Outteridge’s Japan SailGP Team has lost its ride as racing gets under May 14-15 in Bermuda…
SailGP information – Bermuda details – Season 3 scoreboard – Facebook
WASZPs at Oban
Over the weekend 7th & 8th of May, the WASZP class headed to Oban in the stunning West highlands of Scotland – the furthest north in the UK the class has ventured. Two local boats were joined by boats from Dalgety and Derwent…
Goodison defends Moth Balardi Cup on Lake Garda
Paul Goodison returned to the International Moth circuit with victory in the Balardi Cup on Lake Garda…
200 and counting
I have taken a look at some of the Naval architects, the designers behind the current list of boats entered in the Global Solo Challenge. I appreciate that the final start list is yet to be completed and that some sailors are yet to decide on which boat to use, so I have concentrated on some of the more well-known and revered designers. This article is about Groupe Finot & Finot-Conq.
Groupe Finot & Finot-Conq
Jean Marie Finot is a Frenchman, who became passionate about design and architecture after seeing the French rebuilding efforts following the devastation suffered by his home region, the mountainous Vosges region, during World War II.
Indeed Finot reports that he was first interested in architecture and building houses rather than Naval Architecture, which he went on to think of as a hobby rather than a serious profession…
The Bermuda Lorient – Pure Ocean Challenge begins
The first Bermuda Lorient – Pure Ocean Challenge, is under way with the attempted record breaking crossing expected to take under 13 days. The boat left from St George’s, Bermuda, passing the starting line at 21h48 BST on Friday 6th May…
how the start was won
Perfectly played by Sam Manuard abord Bureau Valleee at the start of the IMOCA Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race. However, it is Charlie Dalin on Apivia who has the lead after two days…
Australia to host 2023 International WASZP Games
December 2023, the southern end of Port Phillip Bay will come to life, with Sorrento Sailing & Couta Boat Club set to host the International WASZP Games (Worlds)…
Flying roo launches in Bermuda, with new sailor on team
Tom Slingsby’s Australian crew commenced training on the Great Sound in Bermuda today, with newest and youngest team member Natasha Bryant getting behind the wheel of the F50…
Ainslie’s SailGP team hit the water for Season 3 opener in Bermuda
SailGP returns with the 2022/23 Season 3 opener . . . Bermuda Sail Grand Prix presented by Hamilton Princess over the weekend of 14 and 15 May…
VIDEO: Welcome to The Sailing Museum
Since the launch of the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2011, it had been the vision to celebrate the accomplishments of USA sailors in a physical building. That happens May 10 with the opening of The Sailing Museum in Newport, RI. Visitors can explore the sport of sailing in over 8,000 sq ft of interactive exhibit space. Details: thesailingmuseum.org.
Straight bullets for Galateia at Palmavela
The International Maxi Association’s 2022 Mediterranean Maxi Inshore Challenge had a successful start with the Real Club Nautico de Palma’s traditional season opener, Palmavela concluding…
Sabot Nationals: A great success for Tassie team
In March a big blue shipping container filled with sabots from Tasmania made the long journey to Teralba, Lake Macquarie, for the 58th Australian National Sabot Championship…
Beacon Group A-Class Worlds overall
There was a Gurd ‘Ole Texas shoot-out on the bay on Saturday, as the Beacon Group A-Class Catamaran Worlds drew to its finale!
Game Changer – First Foiling iQFOiL Tack captured on camera
iQFOiL history was written by 15-year-old Harry Joyner from Australia as he foiled through the first-ever tack on his iQFOiL equipment live in front of his coach’s camera…
SailGP season opens without Nathan Outteridge’s Japan team
Nathan Outteridge’s Japan team. The Runner-up in both Season 1 and 2 is sidelined for the first three events of the season due to the lack of a boat for the start of the season…
44cup returns to sailing mecca of Cascais
Joining the fleet for the first time in Portugal is the Swiss crew of Black Star Sailing Team. For owner Christian Zuerrer this will not only be his first time racing an RC44, but also his first time racing in the Cascais…
A-Class Worlds – Parent (USA) and Landenberger (POL) are new Champions
It came down to the final race for the A-Class Open World title, with Ravi Parent USA finishing two points ahead of Jakub Surowiec POL to claim the overall victory…
PalmaVela 2022 Day 2
The Wally Cento Galateia retains an unbeaten record at the 18th edition of PalmaVela and after three races leads the IRC-IMA Maxi fleet by six points with two days of racing to go…
Penultimate day at Antigua Sailing Week
Antigua (May 5, 2022) – After the lay day yesterday, Antigua Sailing Week was blessed today with solid trade winds of 15-18 knots, just north of east for Locman Italy Women’s Day, with squall activity raising the tempo but all 15 classes completed their full program of races.
“A great spectacle today,” Race Officer Neil Andrew commented. “Six OCS, including four in one class (CSA 5) and one boat OCS in both races! All boats returned to start correctly.” Class winners are emerging after four days of racing and tomorrow two more races are scheduled to conclude the series at Antigua Sailing Week.
The penultimate race day at Antigua Sailing Week celebrated women on the water, noting how female participation at Antigua Sailing Week was on the rise and this year with 70% of the fleet have women crew. Six boats are skippered by women: Susan Glenny on Olympia’s Tigress; Katy Campbell on Panacea X; Lyssandra Barbieri on Hatha Maris; Melanie Rensing on KH+P Nolde; Alice Martin on Jack Tai II/Painkiller and Jocelyn Mclaren on Belafonte…
Welsh Moths
90 years ago, just as now, the UK was being gripped by a financial crisis. A group of sailors based in Central London had been looking for a new one design dinghy to replace their collection of disparate boats that they raced on Regent’s Park Lake…
66 hours
Turkish and Indonesian authorities are reporting the remarkable rescue of a captain 66 hours after he went overboard from a large bulk carrier in the Java Sea. Other than sunburns and possibly some dehydration, the captain is in good health and preparations are underway to bring him home to Turkey.
The crew aboard the bulk carrier Quorn (178,000 dwt) reportedly discovered that the captain, Erhan Seçkal (age 40) was missing on May 2 and immediately began a search of the ship. They could not locate him in his cabin or in the common areas. Crew members told the rescue services that they believed the captain might have gone overboard as they could not locate him anywhere on the 958-foot vessel. They threw lift jackets into the sea and began a search in an area approximately 30 miles north of Bali.
UK IOM National Championship
Hosted by the MYA Scottish District at Castle Semple Loch, there were 65 entries comprising 57 from the UK and eight overseas (four from Sweden and one each from Ireland, Norway, Turkey and the USA)…
Papercourt ILCA Open
The weather was perfect, dry and warm with a clean north-easterly running straight down the weed free lake. This was champagne conditions for the 22 hardy ILCA sailors signed up to compete…
Cheating shall not become legal
Each one design class defines what it wants to be through its regulations. Some allow full freedom for development, while others have strict mandates on permitted equipment. But regardless of the restrictions, it is generally advised to prepare the boat to those limits.
The Snipe Class is somewhere in the middle, and like most classes, relies on its members to maintain the boundaries. In this report by Snipe sailor and rules expert Antonio Bari, he calls out a failure in this oversight:
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to participate in the 2022 Snipe Master Europeans. A great event, very well organized and managed by the Real Club Nautico de Valencia and T10 Sailing, with more than 100 boats on the water and an exciting onshore program.
Forced to stay at home, I daily searched for results, images or videos, but while searching I also found something not exactly complying with our rules.
I am referring to the GPS tracks published on Strava by several participants (and, unpleasantly, by two of the top finishers) showing their race track on the course…
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