Great start of the Sandberg Estates J/70 Worlds. The event organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) and the J/70 class International Association has opened the scores with the dispute of the first two races programmed. With a first and a seventh, Douglas Newhouse and Jeremy Wilmot`s, USA, “Yonder” is the first leader of an overall that today has been marked by the irregularity of the fleet.

With about nine knots of wind from the northeast, the race committee blew the first starting horn just fifteen minutes late, at 11:45 am. After nearly an hour and a half of intense competition, it was Newhouse and Wilmot’s “Yonder”, from the New York Yacht Club, who took the win ahead of Douglas Rastrello’s “Good to go”, also racing under the U.S. flag representing Newport Harbor YC. Third place in this first race of the World Championship went to a Spanish team, Luis Albert’s “Patakin” from the Real Club Náutico de Palma. Results.

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by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
The Louis Vuitton Cup will select the challenger to face the defender in the 37th America’s Cup, and each of the four remaining teams has two goals during the series: improve and advance.

When the British team earned the right to select their semi-final opponent, they decided that advancing was more important, and selected the Swiss team which had been most vulnerable in the qualifying round robin stage. But would the Brits be pushed hard enough to improve?

The British had little trouble beating the Swiss on Day One and Day Two, scoring four wins in the best of 9 semi-final match. Needing one more win, the light winds of Barcelona returned for Day Three, and when the Brits fell off the foils in the only race of the day, the Swiss scored a win to stay alive.

In the other semi final match, the racing was closer between Italy and USA, but in the four races held on Day One and Day Two, the Italians found a way to win when USA couldn’t. However, similar to the Brits on Day Three, Italy made a mess of the only race to give USA their first win.

With all four teams getting a day off before the series resumes on September 18, can the teams sitting at 1-4 win four straight races to advance? The Swiss have appeared out of their element too often, and the USA admits their AC75 has handling problems. Can it all be fixed in a day? Standing by.

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

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 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series*
August 29-September 9: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

*Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, but the results of their races were not included in the challenger leaderboard.

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-27: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

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

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INEOS Britannia topped the first stage of the challenger selection series, earning the right to choose among Italy, Switzerland, and USA to be there opponent in the best of 9 Semi Finals match on September 14-19. British skipper Ben Ainslie provides this report on The Telegraph:

Obviously, it is great to have finished top of the round-robin stage of the Louis Vuitton challenger selection series. But I can assure you no one is getting carried away at Ineos Britannia. We have only just got going. Yes, we made some encouraging gains during the first stage of the challenger series, but if we are going to go all the way and win this America’s Cup — which is something I truly believe we can do — we are going to have to find the same again, and then some.

That said, I am happy with where we are at the moment. The manner in which we improved through the round robins was very encouraging. It felt as if we made some really good gains; with the set-up of a boat, with how we’re sailing it. We have got some real momentum now and that is so key in sport. You can sense it when you walk through the base. Everyone can see and feel the progress we are making and the positivity rubs off on you. When you are working as hard as our guys are, both here in Spain and back in the UK in Brackley, you need that. – Full report

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

2024 Louis Vuitton Cup 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)

Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, and the results of their races are not included in the challenger leaderboard. Races start at 14:00 CET (08:00 ET) and run until 16:30 or 17:00, depending on the schedule.

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 Louis Vuitton Cup 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 competition details, click here.

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

Source: ACE

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Just when I was looking forward to getting up early and watching the AC “racing”, the threat of 50-knot gusts and possibly even more lightning than yesterday canceled today’s sailing. Apparently, tomorrow’s forecast looks more promising.

And we didn’t know it at the time, but Luna Rosa’s  impressive win over TNZ yesterday was all for naught, as the race was officially abandoned when lightning appeared. Bad break for LR, and a lucky break for TNZ.

Clearly, the most anticipated race will be a rematch of those two…

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Anarchist Layne sent us this…

Just finished watching a full replay of yesterday’s AC “racing”.

What a joke! It’s like a bad sitcom. “Yachts” that don’t turn up for the start, “yachts” that can’t sail because of software glitches, “yachts” that need to be towed by speedboats to get up on their foils, “yachts” that then fall off their foils and wallow around like dead ducks.

I think what we’re watching is the inevitable end game of an extreme, mutated, unworkable development that will have to be put out of its misery by the next Challenger of Record protocol. I am reminded of when Reliance was such a distorted idea of a “yacht” that the Cup turned to J Boats.

This title ripoff, is from one of the darkest, insane movies ever… Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke.

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Dufour 44

The latest from Dufour continues the French builder’s move toward refining its performance cruising chops under the guidance of naval architect Umberto Felci, “integrating elements from the Dufour 470 and Dufour 530, emphasizing fluid communication in the cockpit, facilitating easy passage to the deck, and optimizing the overall length of the boat.”

The big sister to the Dufour 41, a SAIL Top 10 Best Boats winner for 2024, this boat adopts the same design philosophy of bringing the beam far forward for maximum interior space yet keeping the hull relatively narrow below the waterline for improved performance. Sailing the 41 last year, we were impressed with how it would heel to a certain angle—in this case, about 18 degrees—and park there, a sweet spot for brisk upwind work in 20-plus knots of breeze. The new 44 shows the same pronounced flare above the waterline, and we would expect it to perform much the same.

Despite all that beam carried to a nearly plumb bow, the flat sheerline and low deckhouse keep the profile sharp. The sailplan offers multiple gears with a self-tacking jib, overlapping furling genoa, and a tack point on the sprit for an asymmetrical headsail.

The large cockpit, which seats at least six, has cleaner access to the side decks than the 41, as well as a massive lazarette, outdoor grill accessed while standing on the swim platform, and access on both sides to that platform.

The interior, designed by Luca Ardizio, is enormous for a 44-footer and comes in four layouts with three or four cabins, the option for a C-shaped galley forward or a linear fore-and-aft arrangement, and a hexagonal salon table that seats up to 10 people.

LOA 45’7” LWL 40’1” Beam 14’7” Draft 7’2” (std) or 5’10” Air Draft 66’8” Displacement 22,487 lbs (light) Ballast 6,283 lbs Sail Area 1,076 sq ft (main, genoa) 366 sq ft (self-tacking jib) Power Yanmar or Volvo 50-60 hp options (option for hybrid electric)

HH52

Despite already having an award winning cat in this size range, the 50, HH has launched a new model with a new purpose: electrification. With owners increasingly asking for quieter, more sustainable, fume-free, long range cruising, electric options are looking like the future of the industry.

The purpose-driven design features a new cabin top to accommodate a solar array and additional sail area so that owners can spend more time sailing and less time motoring. Small wings have been added to the keels, which calculations suggest should reduce leeway by up to a degree while sailing upwind, adding back some of the efficiency that cats aren’t known for. This all supports a 48 volt electrical system with a 43.2kWh house bank and EcoDrive Parallel Hybrid Electric/Diesel propulsion system.

The cat itself maintains a svelte and sharp appearance despite spacious lounge areas and comfortable cabins. Much of the boat is customizable, with two or three cabins; an option for a workshop with pullman berths; and a U-shaped or an island galley. You can even swap some of the aft seating for a BBQ with dive tank storage. But the big choice for owners is going to be in the helm position, with two options: dual aft helms or an interior forward helm. Both come in an Ocean Cruising (50/50 e-glass/carbon) or Sport Cruising (100% carbon fiber) version. If you opt not to put the helms aft, you can instead get outboard seats with instrument panels that have a distinctly space-age vibe. In any configuration, it will be a lux, comfortable ride.

SC Specs LOA 55’11” LWL 49’6” Beam 24’4” Draft 5’5” (brd up) 11’7” (down) Air Draft 79’7” Displacement 24,500 lbs (light) Sail Area 1,742 sq ft (main and overlapping solent) Power 2x BETA 38 hp

SAIL New Boats & Gear 2025 is here and it’s chock-a-block with new boat reviews by SAIL’s boat review team, info on the latest models hitting the water, and gear SAIL‘s editors have checked out as well. It’s available on newsstands, so head to your nearest West Marine or Barnes & Noble, or catch us at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis in October to say hi and get your issue. 

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NBGR 2025

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The final race of the 2021 America’s Cup was on March 17, and ever since that day when New Zealand beat Italy 7-3 to capture the 36th edition, the effort to dethrone the defender quietly began again. Five challengers stepped forward, and their fates will now be decided at the 2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series in Barcelona, Spain.

To be held from August 29 to October 7, it is the Double Round Robin Series through September 8 that is pivotal. For the defender, they participate but their races do not count. It will be over a month before they race again in the 37th Match. For the challengers, one team is eliminated at the conclusion of this stage.

Based on their performance in the Preliminary Regatta on August 22-25, that team would be the French. Here is their statement:

Orient Express Racing Team head into the Louis Vuitton Cup knowing how much they have already achieved, and completely aware of what they now have to accomplish.

“We have to be aware of where we have come from and especially where we can get to. We can go far if everything aligns well,” said Thierry Douillard, coach to the Orient Express Racing Team race crew.

“The team spirit is solid, so we need to focus on pure performance, and there are so many aspects of the boat, so many parameters and so many departments of the team involved, that although it is eight sailors on that boat, the whole team is onboard with them.”

The Orient Express Racing Team’s AC75 showed great potential in the recent Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, and the crew had seized the opportunity to develop their understanding of the high-tech foiling yacht which they sailed for the first time in June…

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