This morning, Monday 25 October, the racing maxi, Comanche (CAY), skippered by Mitch Booth, crossed the finish line of the 2021 Rolex Middle Sea Race to take Monohull Line Honours in record time…
Alex Thomson Won’t Compete in Vendée Globe
Veteran British solo-sailor Alex Thomson has announced he won’t compete as a skipper in the 2024 Vendée Globe [https://vendeeglobe.org]. However, he isn’t ruling out returning to the race in 2028. Thomson has competed in the IMOCA circuit for 19 years, including five successive Vendée Globe’s with two podium finishes and numerous world records. His record has also been marked by more than its fair of disappointment and heartbreak due to equipment failures. In 2016 he was solidly in the lead off the Cape of Good Hope, but then lost his starboard foil after hitting an unidentified floating object. He still managed to finish second behind France’s Armel Le Cléac’h.
In the 2020 Vendée Globe he was forced to withdraw after just 19 days of racing because of damage to one of his two rudders.
“I have had the privilege to compete and race IMOCA 60s for almost 20 years. I love the sport, but it’s time for me to spend more time on land, with my young family. My wife Kate has single-handedly raised our children for the last 10 years whilst I have pursued my dream. Now I want to support Kate and allow her the same opportunity that she has given me. This doesn’t mean that I am retiring, just changing my role, from spending most of my time at sea, to spending more of it on land,” Thomson said…
Argo breaks Middle Sea Race record
Ta’ Xbiex, Malta (October 24, 2021) – Following the start yesterday for the 42nd Rolex Middle Sea Race, Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo (USA) crossed the finish line today to take line honors and smash the outright record for the 606nm circumnavigation of Sicily. – Full report
America’s Cup: Not their kind of party
When New York Yacht Club entered the 36th America’s Cup, they did so after a decade and a half away from the event, motivated to influence the direction of the competition. But you can’t change it if you don’t win it, and when they didn’t win it, they sought to change it anyway.
Not surprisingly, the New Zealand defender did not welcome this advance, and now that New York Yacht Club has opted out of participation, Kiwi journalist Duncan Johnstone offered his opinion of the turn of events. Here’s an excerpt:
New York’s high-handed attitude is bemusing, coming from a club that set the tone of the winner-takes-all attitude engrained in 132 years of holding the Cup before Australia broke that stranglehold in 1983.
The prestige the famous club brings to the regatta will be missed, but not the baggage that comes with them. The cheek of releasing an alternative draft protocol in May – when they have no say in the runnings of the regatta as a well and truly beaten challenger in late January – defied belief.
Just as mystifying was the decision to jettison their American Magic team in July, replacing it with the unproven Stars + Stripes syndicate. Now that budding team also find themselves looking for a new club to back their challenge.
The most pleasing news out of the United States this past week was the commitment from American Magic and Stars + Stripes to stay in the game. Right now, the America’s Cup needs them more than it needs the New York Yacht Club.
Time is always the greatest commodity in the Cup, and it is ticking by.
November 17 is looming on the countdown clock, and Team New Zealand will be hoping it can arrive without more dramas – maybe a tough prospect as whispers continue to swirl of potential legal action to see the Cup sailed in Auckland.
Discard now in play at J/111 Worlds
Hampton, VA (October 23, 2021) – The penultimate day of the 2021 J/111 World Championship hosted by Hampton Yacht Club saw light and shifty conditions, allowing only one race won by Bill and Jackie Baxter’s Fireball.
Rodrick Jabin’s Ramrod maintained the lead with 10 net points. Now that six races have been completed, the discard came into play, and Ramrod is able to throw-out their seventh from ysterday.
Andrew and Sedgwick Ward’s Bravo held onto second place with 16 points, and reigning World Champion Rob Ruhlman’s Spaceman Spiff jumped into third place at 19 points…
Building on its storied history
Aspiring sailors that consider Olympic pursuits assess their skills and body type, and then select the equipment that best matches these variables. But for big body males, those options have been shrinking.
In the past half century, gone is the Soling (1972-2000), Tempest (1972-76), and Star (1932-40, 1952-72, 1980-2012). Change occurred for different reasons, with a movement by the International Olympic Committee to modernize format and equipment finding no event to fit the Finn (1952-2020).
Class organizations and suppliers thrive under Olympic status, with participation guaranteed and gear regularly updated. Following Tokyo 2020, the Finn Class is now grappling with their new paradigm, though much like the Star, which holds much history in the sport, the Finn may even thrive as they look forward…
Are you OK having Autonomous Ships near you?
In the thread Autonomous Tug does 1,000 mm. | SailNet Community a tug went through the shipping lanes around Denmark whilst being controlled from Boston, 3000 miles away.How close are you OK sharing the ocean/sea/estuary/bay/harbour amongst remotely controlled ships? I.E absolutely NO CREW or PILOT on board.
*Votes Public!!
*Single option…
18ft Skiff Sydney Spring Championship Races 1 & 2
The Australian 18 Footers League’s 2021-2022 18ft Skiff racing season began on Sydney Harbour today when the club staged Races 1 and 2 of the annual seven-race Spring Championship series.
Buchan wins 2021 International Masters Regatta
San Diego, CA (October 23, 2021) – Who more fitting to earn the championship title at this year’s International Masters Regatta than the 2021 National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee himself, Carl Buchan.
After taking the lead yesterday, Buchan’s team stayed on a roll today, posting a 3-1-5 to seal victory before the final race. Pondering whether to sail, when an opposing team had boat problems prior to that race, Buchan solved the issue for both teams, offering his boat as his team celebrated their victory.
“Our crew all worked together really well,” said Buchan. “We all did our job and trusted each other. It was good to feel the team coming together. We kept our focus on what we needed to do. The starts were really close and hard-fought. We had some great breezes, but sometimes it got a little tricky on the shift.”
No racing on day 1 of 2021 iQFOiL European Championships in Marseille
No racing on Saturday, first day of the 2021 iQFOiL European Championships in Marseille, France…
worst boat ad ever?
One of our Anarchists made the statement that this was “The worst sailboat ad of all time.” We call total bullshit on that. First, the boat is a cool little thing. Second, they are targeting a market segment that they think might like one of these. So we can all agree that this isn’t the worst sailboat ad ever (see what I did there?) So if this isn’t, what is? Jump in the thread.
USA iQFoil athletes ready for action in Marseille
Three US athletes are on the ground in Marseille, France, the sailing venue for the Paris 2024 Olympics, for the 2021 iQFoil European Championships. Racing begins Saturday, October 23 and continues through Thursday, October 28.
Girls on Film dominates day two of 5.5 Metre Alpen Cup
Peter Morton’s Girls on Film has taken the lead at the 5.5 Metre Alpen Cup at Circolo Vela Torbole on Lake Garda…
2021 Rolex Middle Sea Race underway
All 114 yachts got away cleanly in a fresh south-easterly breeze that built from 10-12 knots, in the confines of Grand Harbour, to 15 knots plus once past the outer breakwater…
Gitana Team set for Transat Jacques Vabre
The Maxi Edmond de Rothschild will take the start of her second Transat Jacques Vabre. A double-handed transatlantic, her skippers Franck Cammas and Charles Caudrelier are well versed in the race having already amassed five victories between them…
2021 Rolex Middle Sea Race preview
Rolex has supported this annual 606-nautical mile (975 kilometre) race and its organizers, the Royal Malta Yacht Club (RMYC), since 2002…
Shifting role of club in America’s Cup
It is stated in the Deed of Gift that the America’s Cup is a competition between clubs, a reference repeated 17 times. But when the cost to compete exceeded what clubs could offer, control shifted to the teams, with clubs now more or less fulfilling just an entry requirement.
For Dennis Conner, after representing New York Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club, he entered the 2000 America’s Cup under Cortez Racing Association, a club with no facility which organizes local racing in San Diego, CA. Larry Ellison took it a step further, funding Golden Gate Yacht Club and filling its board with employees.
Teams now control their club’s involvement as explained by Aaron Young, Commodore of Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, holder of the America’s Cup:
New Around Jamestown Record
A new outright record was set October 19 for the Around Jamestown Record by Rob Spets on his Foiling Kiteboard Skellinger, completing the attempt around around Conanicut Island in Rhode Island with an elapsed time of 50 minutes and 48 seconds. This 2021 effort bests the previous record of 00:50:48, held since 2020 by Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo by 1 minute and 14 seconds. – Full report
mean green
It has to be said – this is simply bad ass! Line honors in the Yachting Malta Coastal Race went to Frederic Puzin’s Ker 46, Daguet 3.
SailGP – Now we are Ten
Canada will join Switzerland on the start-line for SailGP season 3 in May 2022 and confirms the expansion of the league from eight teams to ten…
America’s Cup – New York YC call timeout on AC37
The New York Yacht Club appear to have had enough of the ‘will they won’t they’ manouvers by Emirates Team New Zealand as they search for a venue for the 37th America’s Cup…
The Transat Jacques Vabre 2021
The IMOCA Class has enjoyed a vintage and innovative year in 2021 and now it is time for the finale – one of the classics in the repertoire – the 15th edition of the two-handed Transat Jacques Vabre.
the bottom fell off
No idea, who, what, why, or where, but damn that’s a hell of a photo!
The Enduring E Scow
MC devotees gathered in corn country to celebrate a half-century of the iconic scow. No wind be darned, they still found a way to have a good time. (Jen Edney/)
When Scott Harestad describes sailing MC Scows, his eyes light up with the expectation of a kid on Christmas morning. You can almost feel the exuberance. “The acceleration in the puffs is just amazing!” he says gesturing outward, his face slightly reddening with excitement and eyes widening like he’s suddenly been transported onto a wild reach on some distant lake. His speech quickens, and he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “And,” quickly catching a breath, “you’re constantly working the controls—cunningham, vang and mainsheet—to keep it there.” Then he’s suddenly on dry land again and just as quickly asks, “Have you sailed one?”
Uh oh… it’s not shoal draft like I was told.
Return of the Annapolis Boat Show
After a hiatus in 2020, the United States Boat Show in Annapolis, Maryland returned in full force last weekend. “Pent up demand” was the name of the game for visitors and exhibitors alike. Queues to get in each morning stretched around the block, and the docks were congested with visitors even on Thursday’s “preview” day. Part of this was a symptom of some manufacturer’s limits on how many people could be onboard at a time, in combination with slightly fewer boats than past years. But even so, attendance was high and enthusiasm higher. ”I’ve never seen it like this,” said charter editor and Best Boats panelist, Zuzana Prochazka. “It’s hard to even get around to see everything.”
Paris 2024 – The clock is already ticking
If you are considering competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic sailing events you need to be hitting the water very soon…
2021 Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta preview
The fleet for the 2021 Sydney Hobart Classic Yacht Regatta has grown to 20, with some of Australia’s most historic boats set to take to Sydney Harbour from 10-12 December.
Daniela Moroz claims fifth World title
Torre Grande, Italy (October 17, 2021) – The Formula Kite World Championships was decided today as the top four men and women advanced to the finals, with Daniela Moroz (USA) stomping her authority in the new event for the Paris 2024 Olympics by claiming her fifth consecutive world title while Theo de Ramecourt (FRA) claimed the men’s title. – Full report
The Best Instructional Sailing Channel
18ft Skiffs: Finport Finance, a ‘new team’
Keagan York’s Finport Finance will feature a brand new team when it lines up against 17 other top performers at the Australian 18 Footers League for the club’s 2021-22 season on Sydney Harbour…
2021 Formula Kite World Championships – Day 3
Only the finest margins separate the top of the order at the Formula Kite World Championships on the Gulf of Oristano on the Italian island of Sardinia..
America’s Cup: Valencia Revisited?
A report in the Spanish media indicates that a new bid from Valencia, Spain is in the running for hosting the 37th America’s Cup…
No racing concludes Finn World Masters
Murcia, Spain (October 15, 2021) – The 2021 Finn World Masters concluded today amid a difficult forecast which failed to provide the fleet with sufficient wind for one final race. After a brief hope was dashed, racing was abandoned for the day.
Valerian Lebrun (FRA) had already secured the championship but went out anyway as he ‘was here for fun’. The 2019 European Masters Champion, Filipe Silva (POR) secured second overall, while the top home nation sailor, David Terol, placed third. These three (above) were also the top three Masters for 40-49 year olds.
In the Grand Masters category, Laurent Hay (FRA) took the title he last won in 2017, from the Dutch pair of Peter Peet and Bas de Waal.
Greg Wilcox (NZL), upgrading his old Finn for a modern charter boat at the Worlds, performed beyond his expectations to win the Grand Grand Masters, from France’s Marc Allain des Beauvais and former double World Masters Champion John Greenwood…
Champions crowned at 2021 Hansa Worlds in Palermo
An exciting final day in Palermo, Italy, saw medals awarded in all four categories at the 2021 Hansa World Championships…
Ten ways you can help save the oceans
Oceans cover 71 percent of the planet and are home to important species and ecosystems that we rely on for food, livelihoods, climate regulation and more. But the oceans need our help…
World Match Racing Tour on hold
If you want to bury bad news, release it on a Friday. Here’s the latest update (on a Friday) from the World Match Racing Tour on October 15, 2021:
Organisers of the World Match Racing Tour today announced the final event of the 2021 season, the Boa’an Match Cup/WMRT Final in Shenzhen, China will be postponed to March 2022 following a review of the current border and quarantine restrictions in China.
The event was scheduled to take place from December 15-19 as the 2021 tour season finale, which will now be extended to March 2022 (provisional dates March 15-20, 2022)…
Engine-less Jules Verne Trophy attempt
Dona Bertarelli and Yann Guichard are set to take on the Jules Verne Trophy, held since 2017 by Francis Joyon and his crew in a time of 40d 23h 30’ 30’’. Remodelled for improved performance over the course of last winter, Sails of Change (ex-Spindrift 2) maxi-trimaran will be sailed by an 11-strong crew. Additionally, their round the world record breaking effort will be done without using fossil fuels to power their systems…
look ma!
Well, he sure seems happy to be up there… The Wally Magic Carpet Cubed rips along at Les Voiles de Saint Tropez…
Pensacola’s Bushwhacker Cup set for record turnout
The Melges 24 Bushwhacker Cup is living up to its reputation as a competitive, fun regatta. With one month to the first warning, entries are equal to the numbers in the previous Pensacola event.
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